text: UFDC Home | Help | RSS TABLE OF CONTENTS HIDE Front Cover Front Matter Frontispiece Title Page Table of Contents List of Illustrations Deer Lodge An acquaintance An unexpected enemy With the greyhounds The outlaws' retreat The hold-up An excursion The bear hunt Startling news Firefly is taken The outlaws foiled Walter a captive Harry on the trail Hank Dobson The last of the outlaws Further developments The deer chase Conclusion Back Cover Spine Title: Six young hunters, or, The adventures of the Greyhound club CITATION THUMBNAILS PAGE TURNER PAGE IMAGE ZOOMABLE Full Citation STANDARD VIEW MARC VIEW Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00087087/00001 Material Information Title: Six young hunters, or, The adventures of the Greyhound club Alternate Title: Adventures of the Greyhound club Physical Description: vi, 335 p., 5 leaves of plates : ill. ; 19 cm. Language: English Creator: Parker, William Gordon, b.1875Lee and ShepardNorwood Press ( Printer )J.S. Cushing & Co ( Printer )Berwick & Smith ( Printer ) Publisher: Norwood Press ; J.S. Cushing & Co. ; Berwick & Smith Place of Publication: Boston Lee and Shepard PublishersNorwood, Mass. Manufacturer: Norwood Press ; J.S. Cushing & Co. ; Berwick & Smith Publication Date: 1898 Subjects Subject: Boys -- Societies and clubs -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Outdoor recreation -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Adventure and adventurers -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Voyages and travels -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Natural history -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Forest animals -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Uncles -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Hunters -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Indians of North America -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Horsemanship -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Deer hunting -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Greyhounds -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Friendship -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Wolves -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )Juvenile fiction -- Grouse Creek (Utah) ( lcsh )Juvenile literature -- 1898 ( rbgenr )Bldn -- 1898 Genre: Juvenile literature ( rbgenr )novel ( marcgt ) Spatial Coverage: United States -- Massachusetts -- BostonUnited States -- Massachusetts -- Norwood Notes Statement of Responsibility: by W. Gordon Parker ; with illustrations by the author. General Note: Pictorial front cover and spine. General Note: Illustrations signed by author. Record Information Bibliographic ID: UF00087087 Volume ID: VID00001 Source Institution: University of Florida Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location. Resource Identifier: aleph - 002394867notis - ALZ9774oclc - 07177852lccn - c 98000172 Table of Contents Front Cover Front Cover 1 Front Cover 2 Front Matter Front Matter Frontispiece Frontispiece Title Page Page i Page ii Table of Contents Page iii Page iv List of Illustrations Page v Page vi Deer Lodge Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 An acquaintance Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 30a Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 An unexpected enemy Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 46a Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 With the greyhounds Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 The outlaws' retreat Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 The hold-up Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 90a Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 An excursion Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 The bear hunt Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140 Page 141 Page 142 Page 143 Page 144 Page 145 Page 146 Page 147 Page 148 Page 149 Page 150 Page 151 Startling news Page 152 Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Page 157 Page 158 Page 159 Page 160 Page 161 Page 162 Page 163 Page 164 Page 165 Page 166 Page 167 Page 168 Page 169 Firefly is taken Page 170 Page 171 Page 172 Page 173 Page 174 Page 175 Page 176 Page 177 Page 178 Page 179 Page 180 Page 181 Page 182 Page 183 Page 184 Page 185 Page 186 Page 187 The outlaws foiled Page 188 Page 189 Page 190 Page 191 Page 192 Page 193 Page 194 Page 195 Page 196 Page 197 Page 198 Page 199 Page 200 Page 201 Page 202 Page 203 Page 204 Page 205 Page 206 Walter a captive Page 207 Page 208 Page 209 Page 210 Page 211 Page 212 Page 213 Page 214 Page 215 Page 216 Page 217 Page 218 Page 219 Page 220 Page 221 Page 222 Page 223 Page 224 Page 225 Page 226 Page 227 Page 228 Page 229 Page 230 Harry on the trail Page 231 Page 232 Page 233 Page 234 Page 235 Page 236 Page 237 Page 238 Page 239 Page 240 Page 241 Page 242 Page 243 Page 244 Page 245 Page 246 Page 247 Page 248 Page 249 Page 250 Page 251 Page 252 Page 253 Page 254 Page 255 Page 256 Page 257 Page 258 Hank Dobson Page 259 Page 260 Page 261 Page 262 Page 263 Page 264 Page 265 Page 266 Page 267 Page 268 Page 269 Page 270 Page 271 Page 272 Page 273 Page 274 Page 275 Page 276 Page 277 Page 278 Page 279 The last of the outlaws Page 280 Page 281 Page 282 Page 283 Page 284 Page 285 Page 286 Page 287 Page 288 Page 289 Page 290 Page 291 Page 292 Page 293 Page 294 Further developments Page 295 Page 296 Page 297 Page 298 Page 299 Page 300 Page 301 Page 302 Page 303 Page 304 Page 305 Page 306 Page 307 Page 308 Page 309 Page 310 Page 311 Page 312 Page 313 Page 314 The deer chase Page 315 Page 316 Page 317 Page 318 Page 319 Page 320 Page 321 Page 322 Page 322a Page 323 Page 324 Page 325 Page 326 Page 327 Page 328 Conclusion Page 329 Page 330 Page 331 Page 332 Page 333 Page 334 Page 335 Back Cover Back Cover 1 Back Cover 2 Spine Spine Full Text The Baldwin Library t University Floi (I T_ ~; C % z&ric CV j j0syr ~Fx X f~Y L1-C~htVx . -i"j~c~.s~S,- 'O Y. p~ i WALTER. -r' n?1 cC~ d I 7~2~,: SIX YOUNG HUNTERS OR THE ADVENTURES OF THE GREYHOUND CLUB BY W. GORDON PARKER WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR BOSTON LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 1898 COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY LEE AND SHEPARD All Rights Reserved Six YOUNG HUNTERS Norbtnob press J. S. Cushing & Co. Berwick & Smith Norwood Maes. U.S.A. CONTENTS CHAPTER I DEER LODGE . CHAPTER II AN ACQUAINTANCE . CHAPTER III AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY CHAPTER WITH THE GREYHOUNDS. CHAPTER THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT CHAPTER THE HOLD-UP . CHAPTER AN EXCURSION . CHAPTER THE BEAR HUNT iii IV V 5I . 67 S67 S 83 S 101 S 129 PAGE I' 17 39 IV CONTENTS CHAPTER IX STARTLING NEWS . CHAPTER X FIREFLY IS TAKEN CHAPTER XI THE OUTLAWS FOILED . CHAPTER XII WALTER A CAPTIVE . CHAPTER XIII HARRY ON THE TRAIL . CHAPTER XIV HANK DOBSON. . CHAPTER XV THE LAST OF THE OUTLAWS . CHAPTER XVI FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS CHAPTER XVII THE DEER CHASE . CHAPTER XVIII CONCLUSION . PAGE S152 S170 188 207 231 S259 280 S295 315 S 329 ILLUSTRATIONS WALTER . HEADING . SELECTING PONIES AT UNCLE JOHN'S TASSO, SAXONY, AND THE RABBIT TASSO WINS DISCUSSING PRINCE ROYAL TAILPIECE . HARRY HEARS THE WILDCAT TAILPIECE . INITIAL T. . FEEDING UPON A JACK-RABBIT A MORNING'S COURSING . TAILPIECE . TAILPIECE . Josi CABRILLO . TRACK-WALKER . INITIAL H . VON AND THE QUAIL . TAILPIECE PAGE Frontispiece 9 14 16. 30 S 38 S 46 S50 S51 S54 S57 66 82 S90 S99 IOI 109 128 ILLUSTRATIONS THE BEAR APPEARS CANOE WALTER . PRINCE ROYAL . TAILPIECE PIETRO TAILPIECE HARRY INITIAL A CABRILLO'S RETREAT HANK DOBSON. . HEAD OF INDIAN INITIAL T . INITIAL P. HARRY GOES OVER THE CLIFF THE FIRST STAG KILLED TAILPIECE PAGE S147 S150 S 152 S 69 S 187 S196 206 230 231 S 265 S 278 S294 S295 S 315 S 322 S328 *335 r SIX YOUNG HUNTERS CHAPTER I DEER LODGE Away to the forest when autumn's a-dying, To follow the music of vanishing hounds. Clap spurs to your hunter -hark !- list to their crying ! They're racing in vain with the deer's lightning.bounds. THE home of the Greyhound Club, Deer Lodge, is situated in one of the wildest and least fre- quented parts of'the Indian Territory, or more prop- erly the portion owned and held by the Osage arid SIX YOUNG HUNTERS other Indian tribes, on the banks of Grouse creek. It is a model place for young sportsmen to enjoy a month's hunting and fishing, for deer and wolves are plentiful in the surrounding country, and black bass swarm in the stream. The house stands upon grass- land overlooking the winding water below, at the edge of a grove of gigantic oaks and cottonwoods. Built entirely of logs, it presents a strikingly attractive picture to the boy lover of the rod and gun, especially during the hunting season, when the wide veranda is alive with young sportsmen, who usually return about twilight. Some are on horseback, some in canoes which they tie to the jetty at the base of the cliff, and some afoot. Those who return with the tired greyhounds usually carry a deer or two across their saddles, while those who return with the setters have game-bags overflowing with quails, ducks, or prairie-chickens. Then, while old Tony, the negro servant, prepares supper, the boys gradually gather upon the veranda and discuss the day's sport to their hearts' content; for they are trusty, fun-loving lads, these members of the Greyhound Club, who have left honest and faithful records at school, and who consequently enjoy their well-earned vacation to the fullest extent. They had all met the previous autumn at a famous New England academy, and soon became fast friends. Each one loved a good horse and gun as much as any boy can, and cared little for the set DEER LODGE of fellows who frequented the billiard rooms in town and played cards. It was natural, therefore, that they should drift apart from the crowd led by Sin- clair and others of his type, and form a club of their own. One stormy Saturday night in March, it chanced that five of the present Greyhound Club had gath- ered in Walter Hillman's room, and were seated about the cheerful hearth, telling stories of mountain and field and sea, or listening to the moaning of the wind and to the ceaseless driving of the sleet against the window panes. They were Harry and Arthur Martin, and their old friend, Jack Trehearne, all residing in the city of New York; Paul Marshall, a Southern boy, and last, but not least, the genial host, whose supply of pop-corn and apples seemed inexhaustible. "What a glorious night this would be in the woods, after a day's shooting," said Walter,-patting his favorite setter, which held possession of a bear- skin rug. "I'll admit it's always jolly to be about a cheerful blaze with a company of good fellows, but somehow it never seems quite like the camp-fire." "And I quite agree with you," continued Arthur in reply. "I hate to think of spending the coming summer in the same old way; most of us have had enough of base-ball and tennis. Why can't we form a sort of club and rough it through vacation ? It SIX YOUNG HUNTERS would put us in superb condition to begin training for the foot-ball team in the fall." "An excellent idea, Arthur! was Walter's quick exclamation. "And now this gives me a good op- portunity of unfolding a little scheme that has been occupying my mind a great deal of late. In the first place, I believe I know the very spot for such a camp; that is, if it isn't too far to go. My father, as some of you have heard me say, handles large num- bers of cattle, which he usually buys in Texas and ships to the Indian Territory to pasture and fatten for the market. He leases these pastures from the Indians, who are always very friendly. I have been hunting there several times with some of father's cowboys, and the country is alive with large and small game. These two bear-skin rugs and that deer's head," he continued, pointing to the articles in question, "are reminders of last summer's outing. There are numerous well-wooded creeks that would be just suitable for a sportsman's club. What do you say?" What would any boy reply to such a proposition? Of course they were enthusiastic over the idea at once, and asked Walter numberless questions. Harry wanted to know what the biggest game was, and how it was hunted, while the more thoughtful Paul didn't see how they could build a comfortable lodge and do any hunting the same summer. DEER LODGE "We have sufficient time if we commence at once," was Walter's wise response. "To begin with, we must all get the consent of our parents as soon as possible, which is the main point. I will write to-night to Uncle John, tell him our plans, and I can promise you he will do everything in his power to help us." "Understood," said Harry, cheerfully. Now tell us about the game." "Well, Harry," replied Walter, with an amused twinkle in his eye, "you will need every gun and rod in your collection, which is saying a good deal. There is any quantity of work there for fly-rods, setters, and spaniels; and there are jack-rabbits, wolves, and deer for the greyhounds. That is the sport of sports, I tell you, and the greyhound, in my opinion, is the king of dogs. After you have taken a gallop with a couple of them, and have started and caught a fleet-footed jack-rabbit, you will agree with me; and as for the excitement of a deer chase, - well, just wait until you see for yourselves, for it makes me feel like leaving school to think of it!" with which conclusion Walter arose and paced the room impatiently. That settled the matter. The boys talked and formed plans long into the night, and then crept noiselessly off to their respective dormitories to dream uninterruptedly of bear hunts or deer coursing in a comparatively unknown, unfrequented country. SIX YOUNG HUNTERS Walter sat up a long hour after his friends had left, and wrote a letter to his bachelor uncle that must have won him then and there; for he proved himself true to the boys, and it was mainly due to Walter's kind uncle's interest that the Greyhound Club was firmly organized, as many objections were raised by the boys' parents, all of which were finally overcome by Uncle John. Then nothing was heard from him for a month or more, and it is needless to say that the boys in consequence wore gloomy faces to recitations. One day, however, after a long wait, Walter received a letter which caused him to desert his algebra, tip over an ink-bottle, and rush out to join his friends. This is what he read to them:- PAWHUSKA, April 25th. MY DEAR WALTER : Perhaps you have been wondering why you have not heard from me of late in regard to the hunting trip you and your friends expect to make here this summer. Well, to tell the truth, I have taken matters in my own hands, and have had a camp erected upon one of the bluffs at Grouse creek, very near the spot where you and Pietro shot your second bear last year. I shall not say much about it, but might state that there is ample room for a dozen of your friends, with as many horses. If any of the boys own canoes, tell them to be sure to bring them, as they will come in handy for chasing crippled ducks and for bass fishing. I suppose you have already told them of the sport to be had here with greyhounds, and that in order to enjoy it fully, DEER LODGE each should own at least one, which would also help to make a pack. It would be well to get them now, as the grey- hound, as a rule, is a peculiar dog, and makes friends slowly. Get the best dogs obtainable, as the deer are fleet as the wind. Pietro has been instructed to watch and select twenty of the best ponies at the ranch, so that your friends may have something from which to choose. It would seem to me advisable to have Tony do the cook- ing, as you won't care to bother with it after a long ride on a hot day. Speaking of riding, reminds me to say that I have been galloping Leveller for you. He's in grand shape, and follows the hounds beautifully. Let me know of anything you wish done or left undone, and be sure and write me when you start. In the mean time, remember me to the boys. Your affectionate UNCLE JOHN. P.S. I have furnished the camp only, as I suppose you and your friends will bring a few of the trophies you have at your rooms and at home, and arrange things to suit your- Sselves. Pietro says the herdsmen who have just arrived re- port a loss of a half-dozen young steers by a panther. Here's a pretty piece of news, and a commission for your friends if he holds out until summer. J. H. This was. a joyful and welcome surprise. If Uncle John could have heard some of the expressions of delight that were uttered by the boys on this occa- sion, he would have felt even then fully repaid for SIX YOUNG HUNTERS his time and trouble spent in the erection of the lodge. The sincere letters of thanks he received from them in reply amused him greatly, for he had been a boy himself, and knew boys well. Soon after the receipt of Uncle John's letter, Harry and Arthur received a pair of greyhounds from New York; then Jack and Paul became the proud possessors of one each; and finally Eugene Marshall,. Paul's cousin, who completed the club of six, bought another. That was why the students at the academy began to speak of Harry Martin and his followers as the "Greyhound Club," and the hunting trip was the sole topic of conversation, even after the base-ball season opened. Many a manly good fellow's application for membership was received, considered, and rejected, as the six chums had decided the club complete among themselves. When school finally closed for the long summer , vacation, the boys took the first available train west, and were met at the little station by Uncle John, with whom they spent a couple of very enjoyable days at the ranch. Pietro had quartered a score of spirited ponies in the corral, and the boys were kept busy roping, sad-. dling, and endeavoring to settle upon their mounts. As Jack had shipped Blue Rocket from New York, he and Walter were at liberty to assist their friends in a choice, which occupied an entire day. The four DEER LODGE '9 broncos were finally selected, however, the great covered wagons packed to their utmost capacity, and as Tony shuffled out with the last frying-pan and dipper, Uncle John cracked his whip, the boys called a last good-by, and the journey to the lodge began. SELECTING PONIES AT UNCLE JOHN'S. The lads went into ecstasies over the beautiful little camp, and insisted upon thanking Uncle John again and again, pressing him to stay and enjoy the game they promised to kill for him. But he had important business back at the ranch, he said, and returned at daybreak the following morning. Our story opens on the second day after the arrival of the club at the lodge. They had followed out Uncle John's advice of the previous morning to the very letter, and had spent the day in short walks, in SIX YOUNG HUNTERS resting, and in making things comfortable. It was a pleasure to look about and arrange their new home; to see the ponies well quartered under Pietro's un- tiring care, and the canoes safely floated and fastened to the jetty. The boys slept soundly that night, but before the sun had fairly shown himself above the towering crags across the creek the next morning, they were dressed and out upon the veranda. It would be difficult to recognize in the group any one of the neatly dressed students we met in Walter's room at the academy. Harry had donned a complete suit of black velvet, the gold-corded trousers cut after the flaring Mexican fashion. A gaudy scarlet sash was tied about his waist, at the end of which little silver bells jingled in harmony with his spurs at every step he took. A great broad-brimmed sombrero com- pleted the boy's wildly picturesque attire, which was a fair sample of what the others wore while at the lodge. "A capital morning for a rabbit chase, fellows!" called Walter from the stable, as he tightened Level- ler's saddle-band, and then mounted the impatient animal and galloped out to his friends. "Pietro says there's one down there by those jack-oaks, and that he noticed him every morning while they were building the lodge." By the time Walter had finished, Harry was also DEER LODGE mounted upon his frisky little pony, and as the grey- hounds were already racing in circles about the grounds, the other boys concluded to see the fun from the veranda. They were all extremely anxious to see how Harry's handsome broncho would run with Leveller, and to see their favorite dogs extended for the first time in a race. Walter whistled continu- ally until they all came up, and then he and Harry turned their horses and cantered away for the tall grass by the jack-oaks. What a pleasure it was to be astride a restive animal on such a glorious morning, with school-books carefully packed away until autumn, and examina- tions creditably passed! Was there a boy among that fun-loving throng who regretted his hours of hard work during the school term ? Decidedly there was not. It had been trying to stand before a dismal, dusty blackboard in the autumn twilight and solve countless original geometrical propositions, with the foot-ball team plunging about the campus below, cheered by the school. And it had been hard to refuse a tempting invitation to a secret spread, and devote one's self to Cicero, well knowing that in doing so one was denying one's self some of Chap's delicious pump- kin pies and cheese. Now that their hard work was finished, however, and they were about to begin an uninterrupted summer's hunt, they looked back at it all with the keenest pleasure. SIX YOUNG HUNTERS Now, Harry," cautioned Walter, as they rode along together, "you must be careful and not ride too hard after a rabbit jumps up, for fear of riding down the dogs. They are inexperienced, and are liable to run under the horses. Back, Tasso!" he concluded, with a cut of his whip at his favorite courser, which showed a disposition to keep too far in advance of the pack that trotted along behind the horses. "But surely they can outrun us ?" "Of course they can, but they sometimes get in the way all the same. Take the dogs as they are upon your right, for an illustration. If we should 'jump' a rabbit in advance of us and on my left, we would naturally have the start of the pack, which would cut right across our course. Then, too, a rabbit often turns at right angles many times at the be- ginning as well as at the end of, a race, so it is well to be cautious. Steady, now! Hunt 'em up, Tasso! " With these explanations, the boys slowly entered the grass by the oaks before mentioned. All eyes were turned upon them from the lodge as Walter gradually separated from Harry and cautiously moved forward. At intervals the graceful greyhounds would stop and look about them, trembling in every limb. The first rays of the rising sun shone bright and clear on Leveller's chestnut coat, flooding the grass-land and valley in a softened golden light. DEER LODGE The dogs and riders had advanced to the centre of the tallest grass, when a rustling was heard just ahead, soon after followed by an immense jack-rabbit rising to view, his great ears laid close to his back, and run- ning like the wind. With wonderful speed the pack followed, Tasso in the lead, with Harry's Diamond and Eugene's Sax- ony close together. The rabbit was running in dead earnest, his lightning stride quickening at every jump: Straight for the prairie in front of the lodge he flew, followed by the sweeping pack. Saxony had gained upon Tasso, who was close to the hare at the first turn- ing. With open jaws and gleaming teeth the gallant greyhound made his drive to kill, but the now fairly flying hare was too quick for him, and was running at a tangent before Tasso and Saxony, followed by Rambler, Diana, Diamond, and Boomerang, could re- cover. Again they came up like a whirlwind, only to be thrown off again by the "jack's sudden wrenching and twisting. With their master's shouts ringing in their ears, the coursers wore down upon the hare for the third time, as they flew by the lodge on the return. At the jack-oaks the hounds came up with apparently the same lightning stride, steadied them- selves, following each turn with wonderful agility. They gained until their third effort to kill was unsuc- cessful, and as they swept by the onlookers for the third time, with Tasso gradually lessening the inter- SIX YOUNG HUNTERS evening distance by great sweeping strides, a hoarse roar went up from the boys, louder and louder, chang- ing every second: Hie on, Saxony! Stop him, Tasso, stop him "Turn him, Diamond! "Tasso has him! "Rambler's gaining! "Tasso will get him! "Tasso wins !" As the shout rose, Walter brought Leveller even with his favorite, for Harry had 7! TASSO, SAXONY, AND THE RABBIT. lost ground rapidly from the start, and then they ran side by side; with one crowning effort, Tasso's grand stride quickened, and in another second ended the chase. DEER LODGE Three cheers for the Greyhound Club, arid a dozen for Uncle John shouted Eugene from the veanda, . waving his sombrero above his head; and thfee times three for Tasso, who kills the .first quarry at Deer Lodge! The cheers were given With a will as the boys rushed down the incline, earnestly discuss- ing the merits of the different dogs and expressing a wish to continue the sport. But Walter was afraid to work them too much at first, he said, so the merry company returned to Tony's inviting breakfast of hot coffee, corn-bread, broiled quail, and bacon. While they are enjoying the meal with appetites that orily the fresh morning air of the prairie can give, let us look about and see what has been done to make the neatly constructed house a model home for young sportsmen. As the stranger enters through the hospitable doors, he finds himself in a large, comfortable looking room. There is an immense fireplace at one end, built entirely of stone, the mantel and chimney finished in rustic woodwork. A magnificent deer's head looks down from above, at the right and left of which are hung a couple of Tracy's studies of field dogs. About the room are hung well mounted elk horns, :deer, and antelope heads in profusion. Upon the elk and deer horns the boys have placed their entire collection of guns, including numberless large and small gauge rifles and hammerless shot-guns. 16 SIX YOUNG HUNTERS Directly opposite the hearth, at the other end of the room, stands a large table, composed entirely of twisted oak branches and planking. 'It is heaped high with spurs, revolvers, riding whips, cartridges, and fly-rods; game-bags and bridles, hunting knives and stirrups. The floor is covered with comfortable rugs, bear and panther skins; fencing foils, masks, and gloves are crossed within easy reach, while a medley of hunting pictures by prominent artists papers the roughly-hewn walls irregularly. A spacious door leads to the dining-room and kitchen, where old Tony rules undisturbed. Stairs lead to the bunks on the second story, which is divided into rooms for the members of the club, Tony, and Pietro. CHAPTER II AN ACQUAINTANCE HARRY was not at all pleased with the running of his pony in the rabbit race before breakfast. He had selected him from the many horses Uncle John had kept at the ranch for the purpose of giving the boys a chance to please themselves; and while the other boys were discussing the race and comment- ing enthusiastically upon Leveller's wonderful speed, Harry silently devoured his share of the tempting viands Tony placed before our heroes. He realized that he must have a faster horse in order to follow the pack with Walter, who was sure to be in at every death. He further realized that the club was ex- tremely anxious to see more of the sport so success- fully opened with a young and inexperienced pack, and that as soon as the dogs had become sufficiently hardened, deer coursing would be in order. Afer breakfast, Arthur and Eugene placed the well- led lunch basket Tony had given them in one of the canoes, and paddled down the stream, deter- mined to capture a string of the bass Uncle John had SIX YOUNG .HUNTERS talked so much about. Walter, Jack, and Paul took the setters and started for the prairie, which left Harry alone, as he had declined to join either party. He went into the house and selected a book, which he, endeavored to read in the shade of one of the large oaks; but his mind was not in it, and the book was soon returned to the case. Tony could be heard hum- ming familiar songs as he busied himself with the breakfast dishes, while Pietro's voice was now and then heard as he spoke to the different ponies during the operation of grooming. The greyhounds were sleeping soundly in the sunshine, tired from their exertions of the early morning. For want of some- thing better to do, Harry walked out to the neat little stable in the rear of the lodge. He always enjoyed seeing the double row of comfortable stalls, the spa- cious saddle room and paddock, and Pietro hard at work polishing bits and bridles. "The boys aren't riding much to-day, Pietro," said Harry by way of greeting; "but we'll get enough before we leave, I dare say." "Very likely, Master Harry. I suppose the trip from the ranch quite used them up. Well, the hosses have felt it too, though Master Walter's hoss seems fit for anything. That's a high-headed fellow, that pony of yourn." "High-headed enough!" returned the boy, with ill-concealed disgusti "but looks don't cover the AN ACQUAINTANCE ground. That was a pretty poor showing he made against the chestnut, you'll admit, and there's no denying he was doing his best." "I was watching you," said Pietro, lighting his pipe and leaning against the feed bins, "and he was in earnest all the way. Btt the fact is, there isn't one amongst 'em that can gallop with Master Walter's hoss. Now, didn't the hounds do well at the first pop out of the box, took to it like ducks to the water! You'll have a ride you won't forget, when you head a deer away from the jack-oaks for the prairie, Master Harry." Pietro concluded by puffing at his pipe in silence, while Harry saddled his pony and rode down the prairie within a stone's throw of the timber that grew along the stream. Pietro, he told himself, was right. None of the saddlers the boys had chosen could make Leveller extend himself, and he regretted deeply that he had not purchased a well-bred animal before leaving New York. He was aware of the well-known staying qualities the ponies possessed, and rightly supposed they would stand a season's hunt in that country better than a larger horse. If the other fellows liked them, he argued, they were welcome to a whole drove, but he would commission Uncle John to send him a horse as fast and as handsome as Walter's. He knew that such a purchase would nearly exhaust the savings for which he had denied himself so much the previous SIX YOUNG HUNTERS winter, but nevertheless was determined to have the saddler. Thus occupied, Harry turned and guided his pony down the rocky path that led to the creek. He admired the judgment the little animal displayed in the descent, and the willingness with which he forded the stream. As the day became quite warm, Harry allowed the pony to choose his own gait, which was a quick, nervous walk. Following one of the numer- ous deer trails that led from the water, he entered a sheltered spot that appeared to be crossed and recrossed by many well-worn paths. On three sides the great stone crags completely shut it off from the outside world, while on the remaining side, where .horse and rider had entered, the trees grew so thick that it was difficult to ride through at all. As Harry rode forward, a gray wolf jumped up not sixty feet off, stopping at the rocks to get a better view of this strange intruder. Then a hawk rose slowly, finally disappearing over the ledge. Harry longed for his rifle, which he had forgotten in the all-absorbing thought of obtaining a better horse. The wolf turned and showed his teeth, an action unappreciated by the boy, who was honestly glad when he was out of sight. Dismounting, Harry led his pony through the timber until he reached a spring that came from the rocks-above. He slung the bridle-rein over his arm, AN ACQUAINTANCE and kneeling down, began to drink. The water was clear and refreshing, and when he was at last ready to rise, he was conscious of the approach of a stran- ger from above. Looking up, the boy was oddly impressed with the fellow's appearance. He was roughly clad in a suit of ornamented buckskin, which bore the marks of long and faithful service. A leather belt was fastened about his waist, upon which a dozen cartridges of large gauge were held in the usual manner. He carried a repeating rifle, which he handled skilfully, without giving one the impres- sion that he held a gun at all. His black sombrero looked well over the heavy black eyebrows and hair. While of medium size and height, Harry could see at a glance .that the fellow was superbly developed for so young a man. He advanced without hesitation, on the opposite bank, placing his gun against a cottonwood with an assuring smile. Harry noticed as he did so that his teeth were very white, and that there were marks of refinement in his dark face. "A little surprised to see me, I take it," the stranger began, evidently comprehending the boy's questioning glance, "and I can't very much hold it against you." "Well, one doesn't expect to meet many in a place like this," replied Harry, crossing. the stream, and fastening his horse to a sapling. "Have you killed anything?" SIX Y1oUNG HUNTERS "Not yet. To be honest, I kind of watched for some of you fellows to sort o' stray away from that there camp, as I wanted to talk a little trade with you." "Trade!" exclaimed Harry, wondering what kind of trade a young man with a rifle could be engaged in, and if he should have to walk back to camp. "We are not down here on business; and even if we were, what would prevent your coming up to the lodge ?" "I calculated that it would sound a bit fishy," re- turned the stranger, pressing his thumb against the tobacco he had placed in the bowl of his pipe, "'specially to you .chaps that have not become acquainted with the laws that such fellows as me have to live up to." Oh! I know that no one is supposed to hunt here without a government permit," replied. Harry, re- calling some of Uncle John's words; "but no one would disturb you if you behaved yourselves." "That's just it, if we behaved ourselves, which we didn't," earnestly continued the fellow, puffing vig- orously at his pipe. You see it all happened some- thing like this: There were about eight of us fellows camping and hunting around here, summer and winter. All the boys liked a good horse and usually had one; so when the Indian police came and hunted us down on purpose to take our nags, AN ACQUAINTANCE the boys kind o' resented the intrusion and pumped them full of lead." "Killed them!" exclaimed Harry, casting a fur- tive glance at the stranger's rifle. "What happened then ?" "Nothin', until Colonel Hillman rented the ranges. Then he posted up a notice on a good many trails, saying that the boys could come and work for him if they wanted to; that it was better to brace up and work and make men. They couldn't quite get over the Indian police, though, and stayed among the hills. It was pretty cold, and much easier to shoot a steer than anything else, so we had beef a good deal that winter. The colonel naturally got mad, and posted up signs right over the others orderin' us out of the country. Most of the boys have pulled up stakes and I want to go, too. That's why I hung 'round, trustin' to meet some of you chaps and sell my horse." "How did you know we were coming?" asked Harry, reflecting upon what he had just heard, and wondering why Uncle John had not told the club all about it. "It was easy to guess when we saw them building' that there fancy log-house with the wide shelter," returned the other. "And I told myself there was a market right here same as up north, and waited." You were right in supposing that we should like to 24 SIX YOUNG HUNTERS be well mounted," said Harry, secretly admiring the fel- low's reasoning. What kind of a horse have you ?" "Just the right one to follow them long-legged hounds. He's ,a 'crackerjack,' I tell you. Would you like to see him?" Harry replied that he certainly should, and fol- lowed his new acquaintance through the woods in silence. After five minutes' rapid walking, they struck a trail that led down to Grouse creek, and which they followed for a long mile. Emerging into a little clearing on the bank of the stream, the young fellow halted, unbuckling his belt and leaning his rifle against a fallen tree. "Now, you had better wait here a bit," he said, "as it's rough going the rest of the way. You can shoot a squirrel or two if you're hungry, though I'll fetch the horse before long." With these words he disappeared into the woods, leaving Harry seated upon the log, deeply puzzled over this last move. "I suppose it's only natural, though," he finally concluded; "for he thinks I might say I saw him, and would guide Uncle John's men to his camp. But I won't mention it, if I like the looks of his horse, and I'll tell him so." With many such comforting reflections, Harry shouldered the rifle and started down the bank of the stream in search of a squirrel. Spying one AN ACQUAINTANCE among the topmost branches of a tall tree, he took careful aim and fired. The squirrel dropped from limb to limb, finally striking the ground. He picked it up, gathering on his return an armful of wood for the camp-fire, which he heaped upon a mass of dead leaves. Seated upon the log, it was but the work of a moment to skin and clean the animal, and he was on the point of lighting the fire when he was inter- rupted by a splashing in the stream, followed by a cheery voice. I think it must have been about here the rifle was fired," Harry heard his brother say, "for it was very plain." It was probably at the lodge," Eugene replied, "for I'm sure the other fellows didn't take a rifle with them." Harry had just time to conceal himself among the bushes, which he knew would shelter his pony. In a few seconds the canoe appeared, Arthur seated in the bow with a light rifle across his knees. A couple of split bamboo rods protruded over the bow, and a fine string of bass could be seen in the stern. "If the other fellows have done as well, it will pay to be back for supper," thought Harry, gazing in astonishment at one or two of the fish they had captured. "I won't show myself, for then they might smell a mouse; and if I don't get the-horse, no one need know anything about it." SIX VOTNI HTXhTERS Harry watched the canoe until it disappeared around a bend in the creek, and then returned and touched a match to the dead leaves. While he was pleasantly employed in broiling the squirrel, his thoughts unwillingly reverted to his new acquaint- ance, and he told himself that the fellow was in all probability an outlaw. The thought was not a very pleasant one, and he tried to forget it; but it was no use, and while trying to decide what was best to be done, he heard the distinct clatter of flying hoofs, soon followed by the reappearance of his new ac- quaintance mounted upon a horse that went straight to the boy's heart. Harry was inclined to think he had never before seen such a graceful animal. He was jet black, with a regular white blaze, running the full length of his head, while his near forefoot and off hindfoot were white. "He's a perfect beauty!" exclaimed Harry, with admiration, as the stranger dismounted. And is he as good as he looks?" Every bit and better. Try him and see," was the confident reply. Harry threw his leg over the saddle and galloped about the clearing. The horse moved with perfect freedom and grace, and it was hard for the boy to realize that such a prize had come so unexpectedly within his reach. "Well, he's all and more than you said he was," AN ACQUAINTANCE said Harry, stopping before the young fellow, who had seated himself upon a log. "What do you ask for him?" "A good deal more than you'll be willing to pay, pardner, so I'll just slice the difference and make it two hundred even." "Two hundred dollars! Isn't that a very high price to ask for a horse so far from a large city ? " Not considering' quality, it isn't. Do you think you'll take him?" ." Well no; not at that price. But I'll give you a hundred for him to-morrow morning, as that's every cent I have, and I'll agree not to say a word at the camp about you." Call it a bargain, friend, and now I'll be able to leave this country without getting' mixed up in any- thing else. If you'll agree to fetch me that hundred to-morrow morning you can take the horse along with you." "Hadn't you better wait till you get the money ?" "No,' it's all right. A man must be scandalous mean to throw a fellow down for a hundred; and besides, I want to show you chaps what kind of a feller I am. I might be coming down this way again, and have another nag for sale." Harry was greatly elated to think he would be able to ride the handsome black into camp that very afternoon, and tried to imagine the surprise of his SIX YOUNG HUNTERS friends upon seeing him for the first time so un- expectedly mounted. It was agreed that the stranger was to ride Harry's pony back, and that he was to return to that spot the following day about ten or eleven o'clock to receive the money. The saddles and bridles were then changed, and Harry, after shaking hands with the man, mounted and galloped up the prairie towards the lodge. As he neared the jack-oaks that crowned the ridge in front of the camp, the lad dismounted and cautiously moved forward until he could obtain an unobstructed view of what was happening upon the veranda. The boys were seated upon the railing and steps, evidently discussing the day's outing, for while Eugene held up his string of bass, Jack was seen to point towards a fine lot of birds that lay upon the grass. Now's my time," thought Harry, "and I'll give them something else to think about." Throwing his leg across the saddle, he touched the handsome creature with his spur, and the next instant the restive black was galloping over the grass-land in graceful, sweeping strides, to the utter amazement of the crowd upon the veranda. "It's Harry! cried Arthur, rising to his feet and gazing after the rider in open-mouthed astonishment. "Yes, and he's on a beauty," chimed in Paul. "Or he's painted Blue Rocket black," added Wal- AN ACQUAINTANCE ter. Then, as. the horse turned and started back for the ridge, the boys called after their chum in chorus: "Hi there, Harry Martin! Bring up your galloper and let's have a look at him." Horse and rider were soon among them, and Harry saw at once that his friends were very favorably im- pressed with his new mount. "Now that's what I call tough luck," said Eugene, in disgust. "Arthur and I go out and whip the stream all the morning for a string of bass, while you three go and hunt hard for your prairie-chickens; but Harry declines to do either, and while we are gone, takes an aimless ride with his Texas broncho and returns upon a racer." "If he is a racer," suggested Paul, with a knowing look at Walter. "I believe the chestnut can beat him." All they could say, however, would not induce Harry to tell them how he had come into the posses- sion of the horse. The boys followed him out to the stable, where they had a good opportunity of compar- ing the three horses. Pietro seemed very much sur- prised, but failed to advance any opinion regarding the black, and asked no questions before the boys. Harry remained behind long enough to make his new favorite comfortable, and while he was placing fresh bedding in the box-stall, the hostler stood by and looked the horse over with the eye of an expert. SIX YOUNG HUNTERS "A clever galloper for these parts, Master Harry," he finally said. "Might I ask where you got him?" Certainly. About two or three miles below, of a young fellow clad in buckskin. He was really a very good-looking chap, Pietro, and I gathered from what he said that he and his friends killed some of Uncle John's steers last winter, and consequently got into trouble," replied Harry, who wished to do the fellow all possible justice. "Got into trouble," exclaimed Pietro, in deep dis- gust, I should say they did. They cut throats, stole cattle, and shot the Indian police. They ain't a band of mere 'dodgers,' Master Harry, I can tell you." "'Dodgers,'" repeated Harry, "what do you mean?" "Them that dodges the main trails for one cause or another, and rides the ridges, are dubbed 'dodgers' down here; and they are a shiftless lot. But these fellows who are led by this young Cabrillo, are as free with rifle and rum alike, and no good ever came of dealing' with 'em." "Are they as bad as that?" "Yes, Master Harry, you can't paint 'em too black. Why, Tony'll tell you that one of 'em came gaspin' up to the 'chuck' wagon one day, a-beggin' for water, which he got. He could just toddle off after it, he was so weak on his pins'; but when he did, he had Tony's only six-shooter under his shirt." ,.- DISCUSSING PRINCE ROYAL. cc i~a~ 8 c -lal -- ~j-~F~7 ~? AN ACQUAINTANCE "What did Tony do?" asked the boy, amused at the outlaw's method of procuring a pistol. "Oh! he just said he hoped he'd have sense enough to strap it about him next time, and that he wouldn't be looking' into his own six-shooter before the round- up." "I didn't suppose they were so bold," said Harry, his cheeks blanching at the thought of how his morn- ing's ride might have ended. "Why do you suppose they hang around here year after year?" "'Cause it's the likeliest spot for 'em. All the states is settled up, and they've got to hang on to this or go to the penitentiary." "Didn't you ever hunt them down ?" "We tried it a number of times, but they'd get into the mountains before we could draw on 'em. We followed the trails two or three nights at a time, but it weren't no use. It was just about as Larraby said, when they shot him in the arm from the brush: 'It's darned hard to think you're a target for a band of night-riders, boys, for the sake of a bunch of steers and a nag or two, and I'll tell the colonel so.' " "I wonder why Colonel Hillman didn't tell us all about it," said Harry, who by this time was beginning to wish he had never seen the man of the ornamented buckskin suit. "Master Walter must know of them." "Idon't believe he does," replied the hostler, "for the colonel told me to be sure and not mention the SIX YOUNG HUNTERS outlaws to any of the boys, for fear it would worry 'em. 'I believe they've left,' says he before leaving , 'for the "punchers haven't missed a steer for a fort- night. And above all, mind you, Pietro, don't cross them while the boys are at the lodge.' " "Do you think this fellow is really Cabrillo ?" "He'll come pretty near it, if he isn't. That ain't no cow pony, Master Harry, but a bred horse from the states," continued the hostler, in confident tones, running his right hand down the black's unblemished forelegs; "and he's a racer from flagfall to finish, or I never saw one. Now here's this Blue Rocket horse of Master Jack's; he's a good one, but built a little more on the timber-toppin' order, a likely one to follow the foxes. The chestnut'll come nearest to your saddle-girth, Master Harry, but he'll never get his nose to the front." "I'm glad you think he's so fast," replied the boy, patting the black's glossy neck; "and I hope I'll be able to keep him without any trouble." "Well, I don't know; it depends upon the men. I don't reckon they ever came by a galloper honest, but he's probably as much theirs as any one's, now." "You think he's a stolen horse, then ?" asked Harry, listening to all that the herdsman said with the closest attention. "If he is, they must have brought him a long way, for they don't raise thorough- breds this side of Kentucky." AN ACQUAINTANCE "They didn't fetch him so far, neither. You see it was about like this when the 'strip' was opened, - that's Oklahoma, you know. The land had all been surveyed and laid off in quarter-sections by the gov- ernment, and was to be run for at a certain hour on a certain day, which was to be settled on in Washing- ton. All the towns along the state line were 'chock' full for months before the run, and boomers kept busy training' the best kind of nags to make the gallop with. ,They lined up in hundreds for miles on the day of the opening just facin' the soldiers, and when the gun sounded they had a race I'll never forget. The best nags went out in front, and generally got good claims; but when night come the Cabrillo gang jumped in from the mountains, stole the fastest hosses, and robbed or shot" the poor fellows a-restin' by their stakes, who couldn't follow 'em and keep their claims too." This was too much for Harry, who related the events of the morning just as they had taken place, not omitting to mention that he had agreed to pay the hundred dollars on the morrow. "I think it much better to leave the horse in his stall, don't you ?" he ended by saying, as the hostler shook his head dubiously, eying the black the while. "No, Master Harry, I don't. Take the money and the hoss with you, and if they want both, let 'em have both, for they'll get 'em anyway. Those are SIX YOUNG HUNTERS about the colonel's wishes, I reckon, and you'd best remember the good will of a dog's better than the ill will." "But I can't afford to do that," protested the boy, earnestly, whittling a bit of pine wood impatiently; "you know that a hundred dollars is a great deal of money to give up without a fight." "Of course it is. But when it comes to dealing' with outlaws and the like, a hundred dollars is a low price for their good will; besides, the man may have told you the truth, and is counting' on pullin' stakes. If that's so, then you'll have the horse to ride all summer, and nothing' to worry about. It wouldn't be any fun to gallop around in sight of camp, known' as you would that a scoundrel was hidin' out to rob you and take -your nag." Pietro's words sounded sensible and right, and Harry made no reply as he joined his friends with a heavy heart. "It's tough luck," he told himself, recalling some of his hunts for meadow-larks about New York, which were occasionally ended by a lot of rowdies relieving him of his target rifle and game-bag. "I thought we'd be free from those fellows down here, and that they lived only for the messenger boys of the great cities, who delight in 'The Adventures of the Dalton Gang,' or 'Wild Jim, the Boy Scout.'" "Supper, Mars' Paul," said Tony, appearing at the dining-room door in time to interrupt a lively AN ACQUAINTANCE fencing bout between Jack and Eugene. "I's got some of dem quails and chickens a-piping hot for the young gentl'men, and I can't hab dem wait, 'deed I can't." The foils were recrossed upon the walls, the masks and gloves thrown upon the table, and the club gathered about the inviting supper with many a light-hearted laugh. The windows were thrown wide open, admitting the fresh southerly breeze, laden with the songs of meadow-larks and mocking-birds. The whole valley lay half in sunshine, half in shadow, which soon merged into a happy flood of purple light, cooling the air and freshening the sun-warmed prairie, over which droves of cattle were seen to make their way to the lines of stunted jack-oaks and cottonwoods that marked the position of a half-dozen streamlets. "To-morrow we'll have a run with the dogs?" said Walter, glancing questioningly about at his chums, who seemed almost too busy to answer. "Of course we will," replied Arthur, watching his brother closely, "for I am very anxious to see how the new member of the cavalry will behave, and hope to see both a horse and a rabbit race." "Good!" cried Eugene. "I believe my gray is going to give a good account of himself; and so does Pietro, who says that he was at one time one of the fastest horses among the Osages." SIX YOUNG HUNTERS "We ought to start in time to get up a coyote or a wolf," continued Walter. A great many are hiding during the day in that strip of woods that forms the second ridge from the jack-oaks, and it is my opinion that we can start one before sunrise." "Then let's call it settled," exclaimed Jack. "I can hardly wait," he continued, as he pictured there in the twilight the galloping horses and the sweeping pack, and almost heard the wild shouts of his friends as time after time the flying hare would turn and gain a fresh start. "Well, fellows, don't lose any sleep worrying over the speed of your mounts," said Walter, with a smile. "You know the unexpected always happens, and the sleepiest-looking broncho may be the first in at the death." How about the dogs ?" asked Paul. "The same is true of them," replied Walter. I never saw a lot of green hounds do so well before in my life. It's true they ran over the hare a number of times and failed to pick it up, but that's to be expected at the start." The boys discussed the day's shooting and fishing a while longer, then gradually gathered upon the veranda with their banjos and guitars, singing songs of college life or the hunting field until they were hoarse. Sombreros, leather belts, and revolvers lay discarded upon the porch or in the lodge, and in AN ACQUAINTANCE ' place of the heavy hunting and riding boots the boys wore light, comfortable moccasins. As the moon and stars gradually appeared, the whole valley looked dense and black by contrast, save where the light silvered the quiet stream. Far away to the westward the rolling prairie resembled a sum- mer sea, sailed by occasional lines of jack-oaks and cottonwoods, whose scrawny arms looked like a dis- mantled mast and crosstrees against the horizon. As the shadows grew deeper, the boys compared the wild region with the vicinity of Shelter Island, where they had spent many pleasant vacations, or with the Maine woods. "It's not pleasant to think that these few hundred miles are practically all that remains for the Indians," said Walter, with a sigh, "and that they will soon be extinct. Father says that not twenty years ago the country about here was alive with deer, antelopes, and bears; that the cowboys used to start their ponies at the herds of antelopes for the fun of seeing them run, and that a man could count a hundred deer a day. The Indians and outlaws have slaughtered nearly everything." Don't you suppose they'll ever become a civilized race?" the boys asked. "No more so than they are now. They've 'been unable to resist the temptations of whiskey and an idle life, and have rapidly decreased. It always hurts SIX YOUNG HUNTERS me to see an Indian chief trade his deerskin mocca- sins, leggings, and finery for a pint of bad whiskey, for I know he'll never make another pair; and tailor- made trousers and a derby hat look as much out of place on an Indian as a wig would on a soup tureen! " "Don't they ever get out nowadays and have -the good old hunts one reads about ?" asked Arthur. "They get as far as the war-paint on a quarterly- payment day, and are happily unconscious of the rest," Walter quickly.replied. I do hope they'll remain unconscious of the exist- ence of Deer Lodge," said Eugene; "and above all, I hope they'll not visit it while in a bad state of mind, or while recovering from too deep a flir- tation with the flowing bowl," at which the boys laughed heartily. They chatted for some time of the Indians and their much-regretted though inevitable downfall, and then climbed the stairs and tumbled into bed, little guessing what thrilling events were to take place in:and about the camp before many days had passed. . CHAPTER III AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY " DON'T half a quarter like the idea," said Pie- 1 tro to Harry the following day, as the lad saddled and bridled the black to his satisfaction, "and I reckon I'd ought to go 'long. But it wouldn't make no difference, and you'd best do as I say." As the boy turned and cantered off, the hostler repeated his advice of the previous afternoon. Harry had slept little that night, as Pietro's view of the situation had had anything but a soothing effect upon him. He had tossed about on his pil- low, picturing the coming interview with the bandit in a dozen different ways. Once or twice he had stepped from the bushes and had confronted him with a fine brace of pistols, every move indicating that he was no stranger to such business. Then, again, he would demand the money and horse, fol- lowing the demand by flourishing a bright dagger; and before morning, Harry honestly wished he had never made the acquaintance of Jos6 Cabrillo. Now that he was fairly astride the black, how- SIX YOUNG HUNTERS ever, he knew that it would have taken a good deal to have made him part with either the green- backs or the horse. The obnoxious scenes of the night had vanished with the rising sun, and he was prepared to meet the man and stand his ground. He made sure that his pistols were secure in their holsters, and that the magazine of his rifle was filled. "If Cabrillo seems surprised at my being so well armed," he soliloquized, "I shall say that I came prepared to take a shot at the gray wolf I saw yesterday." As the boy rode on down the bank, he could now and then hear the cries of his friends as they followed the flying pack, and he resolved that the next time they started for the ranges he would be with them. They had awakened him before day- break, but as he had decided not to join them in their morning's coursing, all their entreaties had been unavailing. Harry had not waited long in the clearing be- fore the man appeared upon the pony, smiling pleasantly as he dismounted. "On time, I see," said Harry, casting his eye over the horse and rider; "and now we'll soon settle up." With this remark he whipped out the greenbacks he had taken from his trunk at the lodge, and handed them to the man, who counted them in a AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY twinkling, finally ending by saying: "That's right, an even hundred. Now, that's the way I like to do business. The boys said at the camp I'd never see a cent of the 'dough,' but I knowed I would, and I have." He laughed heartily at this, slapping his pocket and sending great, triumphant clouds of smoke upward. This put Harry perfectly at his ease, for he had feared that the outlaw would prove unreasonable in his demands, and he fully realized that one sure, sharp move at such close quarters would place him at the robber's mercy. But Jose had other plans, and for that day, at least, the lad was not to be molested; for while the man smoked, he examined the boy's rifle and belt, expressing un- bounded admiration at the neat leather holsters which held the pistols and hunting knife, together with a supply of cartridges. "Yes," said Harry, thinking it best to explain the appearance of so many weapons of defence, "I strapped these about me, hoping to see the wolf I met yesterday in a glade just above." "A gray feller ?" "He was gray and very large, I tell you." "Then you'll need powder and lead, that's a fact, for they'll stand a deal of hitting." They talked a while longer; then Harry mounted and was about to leave with the horses, when he turned and asked the black's name. SIX YOUNG HUNTERS "Oh, I forgot !" replied the outlaw. "It's Prince - Prince Royal; yes, that's it, Prince Royal, though I dubbed him Tom when I got him." "Prince Royal! thought Harry as he rode along, "a very appropriate name indeed. And now, Prince, if you'll ford the stream right here, I'll tie you in the shade of that little oak, and we'll try a shot at our friend of yesterday." Horse, pony, and rider were soon across, and while the boy fastened the animals to a friendly limb, he inwardly reproached himself for the injustice he had done his strange acquaintance in thinking of him as an outlaw and a robber. The man might be a bit wild, perhaps, but he had certainly done just as he had agreed to do, and the lad in consequence was in excellent spirits as he unslung his rifle and started through the woods. With a quick, noiseless step he moved upon the isolated glade he had entered the day before, deter- mined if possible to get a fair shot. Owing to a gentle westerly wind, he thought it best not to approach through the timber, and began to climb the steep ledge that bordered the clearing upon the north. Some of the rocks were loose, affording poor footing, and before he had climbed half way to the summit, he was obliged to sink upon his hands and knees, push- ing his rifle before him. With the greatest caution the ascent was completed and the rifle cocked. It AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY was not at all unlikely, he thought, that the wolf would be in the glade watching the many trails that led to the spring where he had met the man the day before. The water there was cool, and in all proba- bility it was frequently visited in warm weather by many animals, which would naturally pass through the timber in order to reach it; for he had chosen the best possible ascent on that side, and had rested several times before reaching the top. As Harry lay there panting like a man on a moun- tain side, he was startled by a wild scream, and look- ing over the ledge, was greatly surprised at not seeing a living thing of any description. As the screech died away, the disturbed cries of mocking-birds and bluejays rent the air, and then all was silence again. It was almost impossible to locate the scream of the wildcat, for such the animal undoubtedly was, so Harry arose and looked about him, in the hope of provoking another cry. He was unsuccessful in this, but what he saw in the winding creek far below proved of untold value to one of his friends in par- ticular, as well as to the other members of the Grey- hound Club, individually and collectively, and thoroughly confirmed, in his mind, the. hostler's opinion of Jos6 Cabrillo. As Harry stood up to get a better view of the glade and to determine the position of the wildcat, he gradually turned to the right, towards the woods, and SIX YOUNG HUNTERS then unconsciously his eyes followed the stream until they caught sight of a distant horseman riding in the bed of the creek. To the average young sportsman, even in a country as little inhabited as that about Deer Lodge, the appearance of a horseman riding in the bed of a stream would have made no impression whatever. One who did not stop to think would naturally suppose that the man wished to avoid the timber and brush, which from Harry's position looked almost impenetrable. But the lad knew that in any unfrequented country, along the banks of every large stream, there are always trails large enough to serve as bridle-paths. Then, too, his eyes told him that the man was not riding a pony, and he recognized the unmistakable black sombrero Cabrillo wore. "He's covering up his trail, I'm certain," said Harry, "and he's got another fine horse." As he finished the soliloquy, he was surprised to see the man dismount in midstream, taking the lariat from the saddle-horn as he did so. While the distance was too great to make each movement plain to the eager watcher, nevertheless Harry made out that the robber had fastened one end of the rope to a heavy limb, and with the other had returned to the middle of the stream, which seemed to be more shallow than nearer the bank, where the bandit had sunk to his waist. Winding the lariat about his right arm a couple of times, the outlaw pulled back until the AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY limb was seen to move, and then, to Harry's great surprise, the horse moved forward and disappeared of his own accord; and the limb, as the man slackened the rope, swung back into position. "A very clever bit of work, Mr. Jos6 Cabrillo!" said Harry to himself, "and just in the right spot; a thickly-wooded bank, and a sharp turn or two in the stream, is just the place for such a blind." Now that the lad had discovered the outlaws' re- treat, for he was certain their camp could not be far off, and was probably among the towering crags to the left of the creek, he was not so sure that the purchase of Prince Royal had been judicious. Then, on the other hand, he remembered that Cabrillo had told him that they were forced to hide from the Indian marshals, and he finally decided not to men- tion what he had seen. While it was not pleasant to think that a band of outlaws was camping not four miles from the lodge, it was less pleasant to look forward to hostilities, and he knew it would be use- less to attempt to "beard the lion in his den." So he wisely concluded, as the outlaw crept under the trees out of sight, to forget him and his followers entirely. Harry worked his way down into the open, follow- ing a path that led under the trees to the right. It was quite dark there, and it would have been diffi- cult to have bagged half a dozen of the many SIX YOUNG HUNTERS squirrels that chattered among the branches. But Harry was not looking for squirrels just then, and, although he saw tracks that must have been made by the wildcat, he saw nothing of the animal. After a fruitless hunt of the crags at the south side, he re- turned for his horse and pony. He mounted Prince Royal and led the pony as before, at a good brisk pace, hoping to reach the lodge in time for the mid- day meal. In order to reach the west bank, it was necessary to again ford the creek, and Harry accord- ingly turned the horses at a suitable place. Great oak trees had become intertwined on the opposite side, through which occasional trails were seen to make their way. Towards one of these, that led gradually from the water's edge, Harry guided Prince Royal. The lad felt very well pleased over the incidents of the morning, and while endeavoring to forget the bad impression he had formed of Cabrillo, a fierce, a wildly penetrating screech sent the cold chills coursing through him. He realized at once that the wildcat was not a great way off, and that his rifle was slung across his back. His first move, therefore, was to place a trembling hand upon his pistol. The woods were black and forbidding, and the closeness of the wild grapevine and other foliage to the trail made them seem even more so. It was certainly a bad spot for so unexpected an en- counter, and the boy hastily determined to take no t-" 2I HARRY HEARS -THE WILDCAT. *-n 0/ NO lob. ;, "*w:*^ AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY part in it, if possible. The cry had come from above and close in the rear, and while the lad was moving off, it was repeated once, twice, with terrible fierce- ness, followed by the unmistakable sound of the animal running on a branch. It was very faint, but its meaning was thoroughly and instantly compre- hended by Prince Royal, who reared and plunged under the light rein in a well-nigh uncontrollable manner, for Harry had drawn his pistol with his right hand; and, to make matters worse, when the cry sounded nearer and fiercer, horse and pony started to shy off the trail to the left. The next instant there came another wild scream, followed by a dark object plunging through the air, and a violent whipping about of the steeds; the low, irregular oak branches caught the boy about the waist and hurled him to the ground. At the same moment the wildcat landed with terrible force upon the pony, which was nearest, and opened a two-foot gash with one stroke of its claw. Prince Royal had become entangled in a network of low branches and wild grapevine, and his frantic plunges only made his position worse. The groans of the poor pony were agonizing to hear, for the wildcat had sunk its claws into his coat for a foothold. After striking the limb, Harry dropped the revolver in his violent fall. As he struck the ground, he reached and grasped it, whipping out his knife with his left hand. Once, SIX YOUNG HUNTERS twice, thrice, he fired at the animal's head; at the third shot, the animal crouched as if to spring, and the lad instinctively dropped the smoking pistol and took the knife in his right hand, as the wildcat sprang at him with a cry of pain. The lad, realizing his great peril, struck at the beast savagely again and again, using the weapon more as a broadsword than as a dagger. Twice the swift, sure blade drew blood before the claws reached him, but when they did he felt the warm blood spurt from his left arm. Then they went down together, and over and over they rolled until they struck the water with a loud splash and churned it into foam. Harry knew that he had wounded the animal with his pistol and knife, and it was hard to realize that so much activity and life still remained in that small body. With wonder- fully swift movements, the beast endeavored to reach him with his hind feet, but the boy was too quick, and slashed to right and left until a good opportunity presented itself; then the streaming blade was once more raised and driven home with telling force. As the wildcat ceased its death struggle and lay upon the water, Harry waded to the shore, where he lay panting and trembling. He fully realized that he had come out of a very serious affair with a couple of slight wounds, as he chose to regard them, and that he had been the hero of a thrilling encounter. He felt faint from the loss of blood, and AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY from the excitement of the battle, and it was with difficulty that he finally managed to disentangle the horses and sling the wildcat in front of him on Prince Royal. He knew that it was best to return to the lodge at once, for the pony needed attention, and Prince Royal had cut himself among the branches; so much so, in fact, that the lad was compelled to inwardly acknowledge that he limped perceptibly. The boy would never have given a second thought to his own wounds if his attention had not been drawn to them by the trickling of blood down his left arm, and then he halted only long enough to wind his sash about it. Prince Royal and the pony were both very excitable and nervous, and it was no easy task for the lad to keep his seat; for at each rustling in the branches, or the running of a squirrel from limb to limb, they would rear and plunge wildly. Harry felt highly elated over his victory, and de- cided to mount the animal in the crouching attitude he had taken upon the pony's back, and to present it to the club. As for Pietro, he had worried ever since Harry's departure, and had sat in the stable door and smoked, watching the ridge constantly. As the lad came in sight, the hostler's keen eyes detected the wildcat, and when he saw the boy's tattered garments and bloody face, and the badly mutilated and dripping animal, his astonishment was unbounded. E SIX YOUNG HUNTERS "Well, if you ain't gone and knifed a panther- cat!" he exclaimed, calling to Tony to come out and have a look at the beast. Of course, Harry had to relate the events of the morning as he remembered them, after which the hostler and cook expressed themselves as very proud of the young hunter, and as a penalty for it all, ordered him to his bunk, while Tony went to prepare an over-tempting morsel for our hero. Harry was quite willing to accept the sentence, for the fight, coupled with the broken dreams of the bandit the previous night, had left him worn out. He bathed his face and arms in cool water, while Tony and Pietro bandaged the wounds, which were more serious than the lad at first sup- posed. They then left him, after he had swallowed Tony's lunch, for a good rest. Here we shall leave him for the present, and return to the other mem- bers of the club, who had started for the prairie long before sunrise, followed by the entire pack. CHAPTER IV WITH THE GREYHOUNDS HOU G H the boys had been S unsuccessful in their efforts to prevail upon Harry to accom- pany them with his new mount, Arthur had managed to coax Diamond away from his master, thus completing the pack. As the ponies cantered along in the damp wind that blew up from the gray stream below, SArthur repeated the reasons Z his brother had given him for not joining the members in their morning gallop, ending by saying:- "It's easy to see he's agreed to pay for his horse to-day, fellows; and I sincerely hope the man is all right. I advised him not to ride his purchase back, but Pietro seems to think it's better to lose the horse now and have it over with." It would be a pity to have to part with him, and it would spoil Harry's summer," remarked Paul. SIX- YOUNG HUNTERS "Oh, he'll come out of it with flying colors! con- tinued Eugene, cheerfully. "Do you remember our last foot-ball game with Brookdale, with three minutes to play and seventy yards to make? Well, it's my opinion that any fellow who can move as Harry moved on that occasion is able to defend himself any- where; and, furthermore, I think Pietro feels that Colonel Hillman has selected him from the many herdsmen as best suited to keep an eye on us this summer, and is consequently in a position to view everything seriously." We have seen that Eugene's opinions of Harry were just, for if he had not pos- sessed wonderful strength and activity, he would probably have been worsted in his morning's en- counter. Eugene's speech had the desired effect, for the boys were soon galloping at a merry pace, occasion- ally testing their mounts in a dash of a furlong or two. The gray mustang owned by Eugene seemed to be the fastest of the ponies, and Osage Chief, as the lad called him, was certainly improving under Pietro's attention and his master's light seat. In fact, Osage Chief and Walter's chestnut ran neck- and-neck for a quarter mile, which naturally put Eugene in the best of spirits. The other boys, however, were not so fortunate with their mounts. Paul's Rex did well at the start, but could not run with Osage Chief after the first furlong. WITH THE GREYHOUNDS "They're not used to these short, quick dashes," said Walter, riding up to Arthur and Paul, "and will do better later on. The rancheros have used them to head an occasional steer, but, with this exception, they have had no speeding whatever." Arthur and Paul were confident that their broncos would develop into long-distance nags, anyway, and were satisfied with their respective choices. Jack's Blue Rocket was as fleet as he was graceful, and everything pointed to a grand season's coursing. "Since you fellows have named your favorites, I suppose I should name mine," said Arthur. "What would you suggest?" "Oh, I don't know!" replied Jack, glancing about at his friends. "His coat is a good deal like Tasso's, and they call him a blue greyhound. It is also spotted, so I should suggest Domino." "Excellent! exclaimed the club in chorus. "Then Domino it is; though I don't suppose he'll move much like the famous racer." "He may," was Jack's encouraging reply; "you must remember we haven't had a race yet." "Very true; but we'll soon have one," cried Walter, riding to a hilltop and turning his field- glasses upon a distant bit of woodland. "What is it ?" asked the boys. "A coyote; no, it's a fox, fellows, see for your- selves," replied Walter in great glee, gathering the SIX YOUNG HUNTERS reins firmly in his left hand. The glasses were passed around in turn, and the boys all agreed that the animal was a fox feeding upon a jack-rabbit. II/ 1 S FEEDING UPON A JACK-RABBIT. Foxes were scarce in that country, the boys had heard, and they were consequently very anxious to bring it to bag. "He'll lead us a dance, with that start," said WITH THE GREYHOUNDS Arthur, watching the dogs as they ran about in their eager search. "We must be careful, now," cautioned Walter, placing the glasses back into the leather case. He's just at the edge of the timber, which we shall probably have to drive to start him. Keep your eyes and ears wide open, fellows, for a fox that can catch a jack- rabbit that has been incessantly chased by coyotes is worth working for." "Wouldn't it be well to surround the timber?" suggested Paul. "A capital idea! Eugene, you, Arthur, and Jack call your dogs and ride in a semicircle to the other side; Paul and I will keep ahead with Tasso and Rambler. We can't possibly miss him." So the club separated and advanced; and, as the fox turned with surprising swiftness and started down the prairie, a shout of suppressed excitation broke from the boys. As the cry rose, Rambler led Tasso and the pack over the first rise. There was a dull clatter of flying hoofs as the horses closed, a series of loud shouts and encouraging words from the lads, the horses settled down to a clean, swift galloping, and the chase began in earnest. The great strides of the long-limbed dogs soon lessened the fox's start, and it was clearly evi- dent that the coursers had been well selected and were well matched. Tasso, to the boys' great surprise, was unable to SIX YOUNG HUNTERS retain the lead in the run down the prairie, his pre- vious experience in turning. a rabbit being of little assistance in a straight race. The fleet Saxony soon went to the front, followed closely by Diana, Rambler, and Boomerang; then the lead fell to Diamond, whose running after the first half mile was superb. On and on they swept, stride for stride, until a rapidly moving line of six greyhounds and the fox shone clear against the sky. And now the fox, closely pushed, began to change his tactics and double on his trail. He would run along a ridge quite near the summit, and then, with a tremendous leap, would disappear and start back with redoubled speed on the other side. Time and time again the dogs were thrown off, until Tasso left the pack and ran the summit of the ridges, encouraged by Walter's loud shouts. This seemed to annoy the fox beyond meas- ure, for he soon started off on a level stretch, and was finally overtaken by the dogs. During the chase, the lads had a good opportunity of displaying their horsemanship, which was very creditable. They all rode boldly and freely, with light hands and firm seats; between the wild cries sent after the vanishing pack, they had occasionally glanced about at each other. Osage Chief ran under a tight rein in the lead, followed closely by Leveller and Domino, whose bursts of speed were astonishing. They ran pretty well bunched until the last half mile, WITH THE OREYHOUNDS when Jack sent Blue Rocket to the front, and was first in at the death. S"You are no more surprised than I, fellows! said Jack to his friends, as they dismounted to rest the horses and tighten the girths. "I wouldn't have believed it of my horse. We were all running freely, with something to spare, when he seemed to fairly fly out from the bunch, and the next second was running far in the lead." "Which proves what I said before the race," Walter replied. "They all did well, and will do better with more riding." Walter then handed the fox's tail to Jack, who of course was entitled to it by being first in at the _ kill, and the boys mounted and con- tinued the coursing. Rabbit after rabbit was "jumped " and caught after a furious chase, usu- ally lasting three or four minutes; and when the fifth "jack" was killed /' after a beautiful run of nearly two miles, the boys declared themselves satisfied with the morning's sport, and decided to return to camp. They had ridden probably six miles from the lodge, Walter said, but as the A MORNING'S COURSING. willows bordering Grouse creek were not two miles off, the thirsty horses were headed for SIX YOUNG HUNTERS the stream. With many a light-hearted laugh, the boys allowed their impatient mounts to canter along, and they had arrived within a quarter mile of the willows, when Walter pulled up his horse so sud- denly that he nearly slid out of his saddle as the animal stood on his hind legs. "What's the matter ?" asked the boys, drawing rein instantly. "Hush! not so loud!." said Walter, laying his finger upon his lips; "see there As he said this, he pointed toward the group of willows, and the boys instantly saw what had attracted their friend's atten- tion. It was the figure of a man creeping along under cover of the willows, as if stalking game. He was too distant to be seen plainly, but the boys made out that he wore a black shirt and hat, and that he was interested in something at the other side of the willows; and, judging from his movements, was push- ing a gun or some heavy article in advance of him. "He's probably trailing a deer," said Paul, after he had taken a careful look. "I don't believe he's hunting," replied Walter, confidently, "for deer don't frequent the vicinity of camp-fires." Skilled as most of the boys were in woodcraft, they were forced to confess that they had not de- tected the thin line of faint smoke that arose from the willows, and were willing to admit that Walter's WITH THE GREYHOUNDS view of the situation was the correct one, that the man was not deer-stalking, and was endeavoring to creep upon the camper unobserved. So earnest was he in his occupation, that he never turned his head to right nor left, but kept bobbing up and down as he paused long enough to take a good view of the camp-fire. "Who do you suppose he is, and what is he about ?" asked Eugene, excitedly. "I may be wrong, boys," Walter replied, "but I am of the opinion that that man has something un- pleasant to say to the person or persons by the camp-fire, and I should not be surprised to find we are intimately acquainted with the camper." "Then you think it's Harry?" inquired Arthur, now thoroughly aroused. "Perhaps that's the man he's agreed to pay the money to. Come on, fellows!" he said, placing his foot into the stirrup. "No, no!" hastily interposed Walter. "That's only a theory. Too many of us are sure to be seen. Let the others remain here out of sight with the horses and dogs, Arthur, and you and I will creep up and see for ourselves." This arrangement was thoroughly satisfactory, and after Eugene had tied the dogs with a thong he had taken from his saddle, Arthur and Walter started for the willows, moving rapidly and keeping to the low land. SIX YOUNG HUNTERS The man had by this time come within fifty feet of the stripe of smoke, and it was evident that he was to go no further, for he lay behind a fallen log with the barrel of his rifle protruding over it. The boys moved swiftly through the tall grass and between the rocks behind him, and then crept cautiously for- ward and secreted themselves behind some friendly bowlders not twenty yards off, in sight of their friends, who watched them anxiously. The willows and bushes grew too thick to make objects on the other side very plain, though at odd moments the boys caught a glimpse of a figure in buckskin, who seemed to be busying himself about the fire. They saw that it was not Harry, and con- sequently felt greatly relieved. They were none the less interested in the.movements of both men, how- ever, and were beginning to grow impatient, when one of the most memorable conversations to which they had ever listened was opened by the man behind the log emitting three short,. sharp, clear whistles, like the call of a quail. The man at the fire evidently understood, for, instead of appearing at an opening in the trees with his gun, he came and stood in sight; whistling four times in reply. "Well, who is it?" he growled, crouching and endeavoring to see through the shrubbery. Come out; or are you a coward?" WITH THE GREYHOUNDS "That's it, Wild Face, a coward, him that you knifed a month since, -come for the price of the black, that you sold to that there 'tenderfoot' this morning! " "Jim, by the powers! I'm glad to -see you again, Jim." "Not'by no means, you ain't. That was my nag you sold, and I want the price, and no more of this business, cap'n. I'm done!" "I heard you was," continued the other, quite unconcerned, coming nearer; I heard you was a-punchin' cattle, and had quit us, and was leading' a dog's life." Dog's life!" repeated the man Cabrillo had called Jim, "dog's life, indeed! Yer a-follerin' a dog's life, Wild Face, and I want no more of it. I've larnt the lockstep, have worn stripes, and have seed a sight o' times, since I lost this head- light!" he concluded, holding his left hand up to his face. Then followed a volley of oaths by the chief, who had become greatly infuriated over Jim's last speech. " And who's to blame, you fool ?" he managed to gasp at last. Put down that gun and come and have a talk. How could I handle a lot of chicken-hearted loafers, I'd like to know? Give it up, Jim, and come along of us. There won't be no engine-ridin', nor rail-pullin', Jim, and you can lay to that." SIX YOUNG HUNTERS How many of the boys has gone ? " "Only Snaky and Micky, and they'll be back afore long." How are you goin' to live? Safe crackin' ?" "Not much, Jim. Stick to me, and you'll not regret it, Jim. We'll have fast hosses to ride, and pickles and fishes that come in little tin boxes, to eat, and these here scatter guns that don't have no trigger to get caught in the brush, to shoot with." "Has these city chaps all those things, cap'n? " said the other, rising to his feet and waiting for his chief to come up. "I didn't like the job afore you spoke, but now I'll shake." "And forget the old score, Jim ?" "Yes, forget the old score; though I still lay to it, that you shouldn't have knifed me, mate." They stood up together, Cabrillo young, straight, and dark, while the man called Jim was round-shoul- dered, and was minus his left eye. The boys watched them intently as they shook hands, and when the out- laws had disappeared through the trees toward the fire, they scrambled to their feet and ran to their friends, who were naturally utterly at a loss to ac- count for the strange actions of the two men. They were not to remain long in the dark, however, for Walter and Arthur had soon related all they had heard, and it is needless to say their words created great consternation. WITH THE GREYHOUNDS "There goes our summer vacation, higher than a kite!" indignantly exclaimed Eugene, mounting Osage Chief. I felt it would lead to that last night when I saw Harry on the black." "And they mean to enjoy all our canned goods, too, do they ?" said Paul, with a determined look in his eyes. "We'll see about that!" "And are even counting on owning our shot-guns and horses." added Jack. "I never heard of any- thing more preposterous!" "Don't borrow trouble, fellows," said Walter, who naturally felt the presence of the bandits more than his friends. "These fellows are undoubtedly a set of desperate men, who would rather steal than work, and they have been given the credit of a number of train robberies. But I am certain, when they find out that we are able to defend ourselves, that they will not trouble us." "Well, I'm glad Harry is back safe and sound," said Arthur, "for this man seemed to know that this fellow Cabrillo had received the money for his horse." The boys then galloped along in silence until they were within fifty feet of the lodge, when Pietro burst out upon the veranda, dragging the wildcat after him. "See here, my hearties!" cried the ranchero, "how's this for a morning's hunt? What have you got, you say, Master Walter? A fox and a half- sik YdOUNG HlNTXEIR dozen 'jacks'? Not so bad, but I believe Master Harry's the flower of the flock to-day! " "You don't mean to say that he shot that this morning ?" asked Arthur, gazing in astonishment at the blood-stained animal. "Was he hurt?" "Yes, he did shoot it, single handed; and he seems as cool about it as though it happened back there where he lives every day. He was scratched consid- erable, so Tony and I got him to turn in." The boys were off their horses in an instant, and were soon hearing the story from Harry's lips as we have attempted to describe it in the previous chapter. They listened attentively, now and then uttering an exclamation of surprise and admiration at their friend's coolness and courage. "Didn't it make your blood run cold when you heard the first cry ?" asked Paul, nervously. "Yes, I suppose it did; but then there.wasn't time to think of that, and I don't believe I could ever move so fast again," replied Harry, modestly, leaning upon his elbow. "It was a fortunate escape, as I could not get at my rifle, so quickly did the animal move. But what is on your minds that makes you look so white ?" Then Walter related all that took place between the bandits, to which Pietro listened closely. When Walter had finished, the hostler said in a husky voice: "Now, Master Walter, I believe this country, WITH THE GREYHOUNDS 65 large as it is, is too small for you and your friends, and I'm goin' to tell your uncle so. It's no use trying' to beat those villains at their own game, and they're the meanest lot I ever heard of." The boys would not hear of Pietro sending word to Uncle John, and forced him to promise that he would not, which he did reluctantly, saying that he knew that there would be trouble. The boys finally agreed that they would not leave the lodge separately, and would not, for some time at least, camp on the prai- rie over night. This seemed to satisfy the herds- man, for he admired the stand the lads had taken, and realized that they were quite able to look after themselves. Pietro soon after returned to the tired horses, while the lads did full justice to a hearty lunch. That afternoon was spent in a general cleaning up of pistols and rifles, for the boys instinctively felt that trouble was brewing, and were determined to stand their ground, in case of an attack. They looked everything over affectionately, for their pos- sessions had grown dearer since they had learned that the outlaws were determined to steal them. After supper, the time was spent in paddling up and down stream a short distance from camp, or in a shot or two over the setters, which had been confined in the stable all day, and were consequently very willing participants in the sport. F 66 SIX YOUNG HUNTERS As it grew dark; the canoes were once more fastened to the jetty, a brace of quails was left in the kitchen, and a very tired lot of boys tumbled into their respective bunks. While they are sleeping soundly after their long ride, or dreaming, perhaps, of thrilling encounters with Jos6 Cabrillo's band of outlaws, let us see what took place between that worthy and his comrade, after they had shaken hands, and had returned to the fire. CHAPTER V THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT " W ELL, well, cap'n, I see you're the same old Sdandy!" ejaculated Jim, as he glanced at the chief's saddle and rifle, which lay upon the grass close to the camp-fire. "And you've got a good un to ride, too," he concluded, as he caught sight of a handsome bright bay that had the free run of a lariat's length. "Yes, Jim, I manage to look pretty well, even if business has been dropping' off," replied the chief, lighting a yellow-covered cigarette in the flame; "and it's all due to that gang of cowards we had with us last winter, -not including' you, Jim, not by no means." "Then, what for did you try to end my jig, after it was fiddled?" demanded Jim, turning the brace of squirrels upon the coals, and looking at Cabrillo as if he had half a mind not to forget the old score. "I stuck to the engine under orders, and you know it, cap'n." "I know it, Jim, and I'm sorry. I've lived rough, SIX YOUNG HUNTERS and when things don't go to suit me, I raise Cain. When I got back, and heard that those pups had missed the express car, I could have killed "em all," replied Cabrillo, scowling fiercely at the fire. "Well, they did die, two on 'em, in their tracks," Jim said slowly, "and they wasn't bad fellers, neither." Let's forget it, Jim. They weren't made for this business, nohow." "'Tain't no rheans likely I'll forget, cap'n," answered the other, rolling up his ragged sleeve and displaying a livid streak across his arm. "I reckon this'll remind me." "Let it, then," growled the chief, not deigning to look up; "and remember, the next time we come to splitting the night's work, don't have nothing to say! " "Not I." "How did you know I sold your nag this morning' ? " asked, the other, with an amused grin. Did Micky tell you? " "Yes, 'twas Micky. He said you was wearing' shiny black boots and silver spurs, and had a keg under lock and key all the while, and that he was goin' to quit before he swung for it." "He did, did he?" shouted the enraged bandit, jumping up and stamping upon his sombrero. And why wouldn't I ? I know the business from night- ridin' to rail-pullin', and I want to look like a gentle- THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT man, and quit some day with roll enough to ride in a carriage, and spend ten thousand a year." Jim had heard the same story many times before. "What's the next move ?" he asked. "Why, to strip that there shooting' camp from top to bottom, and get hold of some of those pistols, and all we can tote away. The young fellers is likely looking' enough, and must have a bit of money with 'em." "Yes, and Micky said they had a whole string of hounds, that were keener than so many razors." "Well, what of it? We're not dealing' with marshals and soldiers, but with a bunch of school, boys. I really believe, Jim, you've lost your nerve, since that last hold-up," replied the chief, punching . his comrade in the ribs. "Jim, you and I have seen some hard knocks, but I'll allow we can't pull out for a bunch of striplings;" and he laughed heartily. This seemed to be quite enough for the one-eyed man, who declared himself perfectly willing to begin operations at once. "We'll go back and see the boys," said the chief, saddling his horse, "and have a chat and smoke," The two men then mounted, and the horse started up the stream. If the members of the Greyhound Club could have heard the foregoing conversation, it is doubtful if they would have remained another day at Deer SIX YOUNG HUNTERS Lodge. The men were undoubtedly a wild and reck- less set, and would not hesitate for an instant to end a life. They had evidently been foiled in a train robbery a month or two previous, much to the chief's disappointment, and had been forced to remain in hiding. ,The chief struck the bay with his spurs, and they rode at a brisk gallop until they turned into a trail that led to a ford.. They again turned at right angles, this tiitte following the bed of the stream, until they had reached the spot where Harry had seen Cabrillo dismount that same morning. .Jim was knee-deep at once, winding a lariat about a limb as. the chief had done in the morning. Horse .and rider then disappeared, and, when Jim had wound the lasso about his waist and followed, there was scarcely a broken twig left behind to mark the trail. This time, as the path to the summit of the tower- ing cliff was steep and rough, Jim did not mount, but followed his chief up the bed of .a sparkling spring. Great bowlders seemed to jut out into the brook at every twentyfeet, around which the bay moved cleverly. A.heavy.growth of oak trees almost hid the blue sky, and the patches of. sunlight that penetrated the thickly leaved branches were few and far between.. After a long climb, during which the: spring had narrowed .to a tiny silver thread that THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT gushed out from a mass of rocks, Cabrillo dismounted and gave a short, clear whistle, unfastening his saddle-girth as he did so. A great oak door, built into the rocks, was opened almost, at once by a heavily bearded man, who seemed a little surprised at seeing Jim with the chief. Cabrillo had selected a natural fortress for his re- treat. A wall of granite, ten or twelve feet high, completely shut it off from the outside world, except where the door had been built in, and where a few rocks had been rolled into a crevice or two. More- over, it was on the highest point of a very high cliff, and a splendid view of the rolling prairie could be had for miles around. Great oaks and elms inter- twined their branches above, casting a welcome shade at all hours. Cabrillo, as we have seen, had an eye for the com- forts and luxuries of life, and was not content to live as most of his band would have been willing to. He had erected a substantial log-house against the stone barricade, roomy enough for a dozen bunks and a fireplace. As the chief entered, three or four men, who had been sleeping on their blankets in the shade, rose to a sitting posture, greeting their chief with a lazy "Howdy, cap'n ?" or exchanging nods with Jim. Cabrillo's horse, being free of his bridle, neighed shrilly as he trotted to a corral at the further end of SIX YOUNG HUNTERS the enclosure, where other fleet, clean-limbed animals were quartered. Saddles and bridles lay in profusion about on the grass, and there. were rifles, and belts holding pistols and knives, all ready to be caught up at a moment's notice. A great piece of meat hung from a limb close by, while six or eight steaks sputtered on the coals of a blazing camp-fire. The black-bearded man, after he had drawn an iron bar across the door,, returned to the fire and turned the steaks a few times, after which he placed them upon a hewn log one after the other. The men needed no invitation to fall to, for before the last steak had reached the log which served as a table, they had whipped out their knives and were eating heartily. They looked the wild, reckless men they were, who, either from choice or the force of circumstances, had led roving, dishonest lives from boyhood. The interior of their retreat was not unlike Deer Lodge. A spacious hearth had been built into one end, around which a couple of stools stood. There were windows, too, but they were heavily barred, and had shutters which were three inches thick. Instead of the pleasing scenes of sporting life that lined the walls of the boys' camp, there were wooden pins in irregular rows, upon which were hung som- breros, Mexican trousers, and buckskin suits. The names of the members of the gang had been burned THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT 73 above each peg, and there were other decorations such as a man might make with a hot iron for idle- ness or occupation. The first wooden nail held a Mexican waist trimmed with gold lace, a gaudy red sash, and a pair of well-worn buckskin trousers. Over this the words "Cabrillo, his peg were burned clearly, and then, a little further down, "Jos6, Wild Face," with a sketch of the chief's dark face, not bad, you would say, but considerably out of drawing. Above the remaining pegs were the words Snaky," "Jim," "Dobson, he Bit the dust," and there was nothing hanging from this pin; "Tarcedo," "Fire- fly," "Micky," and "Redwood" completed the list. Upon a rough table in the centre of the room were a bottle of ink, a quill pen, and a bundle of papers. The papers bore undisputed evidence of the many raids Cabrillo's men had been engaged in. They had been laid aside as useless property, evidently, for there were diagrams of roads and cross-ways upon countless letters, magazines, etc., that had never arrived at their respective destinations. A mail-bag, marked U. S. Mail," had been slashed with a sharp knife, and lay, emptied of its contents, upon the earth floor. A pleasant odor of pine needles came from the bunks, which had been built into the retreat, six on either side. "'Tain't much longer you'll have to stand such grub, boys, and you can lay to it," said Cabrillo, SIX YOUNG HUNTERS lighting a cigarette as he sat watching his men with his back against a tree; "for we'll put enough by from that there fancy log-house to bring us to next fall. And then, when the right night comes, we'll have another go at the express, say I, and then I'm done." "What'll we do then, captain, -starve?" asked Redwood. "Starve, if you like, you fools!" answered the chief, derisively. "There isn't one among you with money enough to get a rig of store clothes, not one. You've risked swinging, and you've worked hard, these three past years, and what for? It's many a time I told you the same tale, when I counted you out hundreds, men, hundreds, after a night's ride. But it wasn't no use. To town for a good time, and back in your shirts, a-beggin' a brace of pistols. But they're closing' in on us, and I'm done. Micky got out as slick as a hound's teeth this morning when I was gone up stream, but it won't happen again. I want none of you leaving' and blowin' the whole go, and I won't have it!" he concluded, sending a great gray column of smoke among the branches. "I've done the straight thing with you, and have never held out more than a gallon of whiskey, by reason of earnin' it. And, bein' as there's a drop still in the keg, I propose we have it out." This put the men in good spirits, and they very THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT soon forgot their chief's words. He had told them that he was through with them all so often before, especially when the raids had not panned out to his expectations, that the story was no new one. Young as Cabrillo was, he possessed the strength of mind to head that notorious band successfully, and his name is to this day spoken of with awe in that unfre- quented region where lawlessness is prevalent. Redwood caught the key Cabrillo tossed him, and disappeared into the retreat, reappearing at once with a small brown keg and tin dipper. The men drank eagerly all that was allowed them, and then filled their pipes and waited for the chief to begin, for they knew from experience that the extra allowance of whiskey would be followed by plans for another raid or hold-up. "Now, men," began Cabrillo, after he had lighted his second cigarette, "although Micky did give us the go-by this morning I forgot to say that Snaky did not, an' that he's out on business in your inter- ests. Jim, here, wants no part in the job, but I'll allow he'll join us, won't you, Jim ?" Jim made no reply. "Where'll it be? asked the man called Firefly. "At the second tank from the Border City, the other side of the river, like this," the chief replied, sketching with a twig, upon the beaten earth, a dia- gram of the trails that led to the railroad, and mark- SIX YOUNG HUNTERS ing with a cross the position of the water tank " Snaky wears a black beard and a red tie, and rides in the first car," he concluded, puffing nervously at his cigarette, I see it's cloudin' up, and we'll not have a better night six months from now." "Be you goin' to quit us then?" asked Tarcedo, with a grim smile, stroking his great black beard. "Don't know, Dody," answered the other; "it depends upon yourselves. If you can show me a good, clean, profitable job, and a steady hand, I'll linger with you a while longer. If you don't, back to the states I go, and an end of it! I can't see how we missed the halter that last go, for the life of me! You can thank the driving' rain and the black night for.it. But, to-night we'll make an even half-dozen gentlemen; six is bunch enough for any train, say I, and not too many when it comes to splittin' the dust. And-will you tell me you're for layin' to, here, like a blessed canal-boat, and let those express cars go by us with their fortunes, night after night? Not you! As sure as day breaks to-morrow, we'll be here, the whole band, breaking' open those yellow packages, with their red seals and greenbacks, the kind that Holton and Perkins used to fetch and count out before me, when I was just a youngster at the game. He was the dandy, was Holton, and feared nothing' on two or four legs." CabrilJo ran on until he knew he had produced the THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT desired effect upon his band, and then, taking the keg of whiskey, arose and entered the retreat. He placed the keg under lock and key, after which he examined each letter and paper that lay upon the table and floor. These he threw upon the hearth, one after the other, and lighted them, placing the mail-bag in a box that contained other pieces of leather, from which the outlaws made their bridles and holsters, and mended their saddles. When he appeared again before his men, he ear- ried his rifle and pistols, which he started to clean in a most thorough manner, and they followed his exam- ple with their weapons. Thus the afternoon wore away. Towards evening the chief climbed the bowl- ders that surrounded the retreat "If they build any more of those fancy log-houses with the wide shelters," he called down to his men, "we won't be able to camp around here. They're paddlin' up and down Grouse in one of those cloth dug-outs, and like as not they'll find our trail before the summer's gone. We'll give 'em a scare ina week or two that'll fix 'em.". The fact was, the boys were already scared, and scared badly. They had spent that very afternoon in cleaning and repairing their pistols, and were that very moment, with Cabrillo's keen eyes upon them, discussing the probable outcome of an encounter with the fearless bandit and his tribe. 78 SIX YOUNG HUNTERS They little guessed that a series of thrilling events would result in their capturing Jose Cabrillo and his entire band, and in the restoration of a large sum of money and other valuables to the rightful owners. The outlaw saw nothing else to interest him, evi- dently, for, after watching for a while longer, he de- scended, without a remark,'as the shades of night began to envelop the landscape. Tarcedo, or Dody, as he was called, soon had the' fire rekindled, and a dozen steaks were soon after broiling on the coals. After supper, each man fed and watered his horse at the spring, and then ex- amined his bridle, saddle, and rifle for the last time. The wind blew up cold and damp from the south, and the sky became overcast. The men stood patiently awaiting the word to saddle, which was finally given them. "Steady, now!" exclaimed Cabrillo, as he glanced at his band in the light of the camp-fire, and let's have no noise. Jim, are you steady ?" "Ay, ay, cap'n!" answered the man, as he mounted with his comrades. "Then we're off. Firefly, give me your bridle and throw the bar back." The great oak door swung open, Cabrillo's horse stepped out into the trail, and the rest followed. There was scarcely a sound. The horses seemed to know the path perfectly, though the night was very THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT dark. When the band reached the foot of the cliff and had entered the stream, they moved slowly and carefully, watching the banks for a possible camp-fire. The main trail was finally struck after innumerable crossings and turns, and pipes were lighted. They rode through the damp air half the night, finally entering a dense growth of jack-oaks that bordered the banks of a river. Here they dis- mounted and fastened their horses. The wind in- creased in violence and the clouds grew blacker. This was followed by a clap of thunder that fairly shook the earth, and the rain came down in tor- rents. Now and then a flash of lightning brightened the sky and lit up the ruddy-indigo surface of the sweeping river, and then the night seemed even more forbidding by contrast. The right kind of a night for this black business," said Jim, as the men started through the trees. I hope we'll come out with whole pelts." "Shut up, you fool!" cried Cabrillo, with a vol- ley of terrible oaths, "and let me hear no more such talk, or you'll regret it. I want no coyotes in this crowd." "That's no go, now, Jim," replied Redwood. "Hold the cap'n up. No one can't see to hit a hillside to-night." The outlaws worked their way out from among the trees, and stepped upon the track. Here they SIX YOUNG HUNTERS halted, and Cabrillo gave his final orders, vowing fearful vengeance on those who failed to obey to the very letter. They took up the march again in silence, crossing the great dark bridge. "Get under the tank out of the blow," said the chief, as they came up to the water tower, "for it may be an hour or so before she sounds." The men gathered under the dripping tank and lighted their pipes. Cabrillo climbed the ladder and stood watching the rails. The wind and rain lashed him unmercifully, but he clung to his post with a faithfulness that merited a better cause. It was fortunate for him that he did so, for, as he glanced across the river where the horses were picketed, his keen eyes told him that a man had left the track, and was making his way towards the oaks. The person carried a lantern, which he held above his head, and Cabrillo knew the man had heard the horses neighing. He looked once more in the direction of Border City, and then descended quickly, and ordered Fire- fly to stand guard. Come with me, Redwood; there's a track-walker goin' to examine the nags," he said, "and we'd better get him out of the way." They crossed the bridge again, and then sepa- rated. The light kept bobbing about the trees, and it was no trouble to creep upon it unobserved. THE OUTLAWS' RETREAT "I say, my man, what can we do for you?" called Cabrillo from the darkness. "Oh, nothing! I thought somebody's horses had-" he replied, and that was all he said. He fell like a log as Redwood's sure blow struck him, and the next moment they left him securely bound and gagged. "We'll have no more interruptions, I hope," said the chief, endeavoring to light a cigarette, "for there she comes." Faint and far off as the whistle was, Cabrillo heard it, and lost no time in recrossing the bridge. Redwood, Tarcedo, and Jim took their positions among the bushes, car lengths apart, Firefly re- maining at the tank with Cabrillo. The low rumble of the train grew more distinct, and was followed by a series of piercing whistles that sounded high above the wind and rain. Then the great glaring headlight appeared far down the track, and the rails glittered and sparkled as the yellow shine fell upon them. The pale yellow glare grew nearer, the lights in the car windows defined themselves clearly, and the magnificent steel en- gine, puffing and blowing, came to a stand at the tower. The next instant a fusillade of shots filled the air, followed by the wild screams of the passen- gers. "Hands up!" cried Cabrillo and Firefly, boarding G 82 SIX YOUNG HUNTERS the engine from opposite sides. The command was instantly obeyed, and the outlaws had possession of the train. CHAPTER VI THE HOLD-UP TOM CLARK was the engineer of the Dallas express, which left Border City at nine each evening.. He stood by his favorite, oil-can in hand, watching the throng upon the platform, or exchang- ing greetings with his many friends. There was an air of bustle and commotion, about the station that night that was very pleasing to the tried old engineer. If he had knownthat Jos6 Cabrillo and his notorious band were even then starting upon their forty-mile ride on purpose to hold up his train, it is safe to say he would not have enjoyed the scene of activity be- fore him; but he knew nothing of Jos6's plans, and was content to watch and compare the different types he knew so well. The many loungers stood as usual with their backs to the rail, as poor and as ragged as they were six months before. He recognized the shouts of the cabmen, and the stentorian tones of the hotel men, each of whom proclaimed .that his hostelry was the only first-class house in Border City: There were many among the crowd,.though, .that 83 SIX YOUNG HUNTERS Tom did not recognize: the Indian with the gaudy red blanket, for instance, .or the desperate-looking man wearing the heavy black beard and red scarf, who looked at everything about the train so furtively. The engineer glanced through the windows of the dining-room and saw there were a goodly number of passengers for Dallas, which, in addition to those who thronged the lunch counter, would make a full train. He watched the sloping street until his eyes rested upon a little figure in white, and then he smiled happily. "Did you think I wasn't coming, father?" asked the little girl, when she had come up. "Mother was bound you'd have a good dinner, and didn't hurry." Well, that was very kind of her. We are a little ahead of time," he replied, holding up a silver watch to the light. "What did you bring me ?" "Oh, lots of nice things! roast chicken and pie, and something else you like." "That's a good girl," he said, kissing her. "Now, run home, for it's going to storm." As the girl tripped happily off, he climbed into the engine and placed the steaming pail upon the seat beside him. The fireman, Josh Larkin, heaped coal upon the hungry fire, or polished a rod here and there with an oily cloth. "We're'in for a storm to-night, or I'm no prophet," THE HOLD-UP he began, lighting his corn-cob pipe, "and I believe we'll have trouble, too. There are more odd-looking ducks behind us to-night than I ever saw before, - fellers with white suits and red leather shoes, and women with diamonds enough to blind a man." "Josh, you can't stand a blow and rain any more, nohow," replied the engineer. "And as for hold-ups and the like, I've been in a dozen, and have never been scratched." "No, but you've been ropedto your own engine, and have seen your fireman killed, which amounts to the same thing." "Well, there's no cause to worry. The marshals have rounded up those 'dodgers' by this time, I'll allow." Not by a good deal they haven't. Those fellers shoot like pizen, and the marshals don't want no part in the play. Then, the crew is grumpy to-night, Tom. They're afraid of those night-riders, I know." Don't you believe they are," the other replied, pla- cing his hand upon the throttle through force of habit. "Sanders is as good a man as ever handled a train, my boy." The conversation continued in this strain for more than ten minutes, when it was interrupted by the appearance of the conductor himself. "Evenin', Sanders," said the engineer, between his mouthfuls of chicken, "we were just discussion' you. SIX YOUNG HUNTERS Josh, here, thinks we're in for a blow, along with some trouble." "Good for you, Josh! I'm feeling a bit that way myself, to-night; but I guess it's not worth worrying about. Those things don't come when you expect 'em. We'll have the blow, though, sure," he con- tinued, taking a good look at the threatening sky. And with this he swung his lantern from his arm and walked down the platform, calling, "All aboard, going south!" The crowd gradually began to thin. The fat lawyer who is always late had just time to purchase his ticket and light a cigar, and the train pulled out. As the yellow and white lights of the city grew dim and then disappeared altogether, the cars moved over the ties faster and faster. Engineer and fireman sat upon opposite sides of the engine, eagerly watching the shining tracks, or endeavoring to peer into the black night. The glow from the great fire fell upon the floor of the cab and glittered upon the coals that had fallen from Larkin's shovel. Over bridges and through endless fields of corn the train swept on, until the broad plain of Oklahoma lay on either hand. Then Tom threw open the throttle still wider, and the train fairly flew through space. It had com- menced to rain hard, and the men were compelled to close the glass windows at the front of the engine. The occasional flashes of lightning lit up the iron THE HOLD-UP horse, and showed for an instant every detail of the wonderful machinery.' Tom and his fireman had evidently not forgotten their conversation at Border City, or the storm had put them in bad spirits, for they did not speak during the ride, but sat silent and morose, staring out into the darkness. Among the passengers, though, things were very different. Dick Tracy, the train-boy, had sold more that day than ever before, and, as he confided to the baggage master, he thought some of the passengers must have "money to burn." "They're the 'larkiest' lot I ever saw," he ex- plained, placing his goods and a handful of change upon a trunk, "and I don't understand it There's a feller in there that wears a piece of glass in his right eye, and has a man to bring him chicken sand- wiches, and cut the magazines I sell him." Those who had been fortunate enough to secure berths in the Pullman, retired soon after the train left Border City. The other passengers settled them- selves as comfortably as possible, in the reclining chairs, and endeavored to lose themselves in sleep; but it was no use, for the rain beat against the win- dow-panes incessantly, and the loud claps of thunder sounded like the roar of a hundred cannons. There were a few women and children in the for- ward cars, but the greater number were either well- to-do ranchers, returning from the great Kansas City SIX YOUNG HUNTERS markets, or young men from the great cities of the East, some tourists, some in search of fame and fort- une in the Southwest. "This must be the famous Oklahoma country, the home of Holton and his crowd," said a gentle- manly looking youth, lighting a cigarette and offer- ing the case to Conductor Sanders, as they took chairs in the smoking booth. "Did they really send him to prison? " "Yes," replied the other, "but it did no good. There were other men ready to take his place, and they have." "You mean this young Cabrillo one reads of in the dailies ?" "The very man. He's as bad as any, and uses you much worse. Now, this is the kind of night he likes, no moon, and lots of water to cover the trail, for they generally ride back to the hills in the creek bottoms, which are sometimes dry. But why don't you turn in?" "I believe I will. What are we stopping for?" Water. There's a tank on this side of the river," replied the conductor, as the train began to slow up. The two arose and walked from the smoking booth to the dimly lighted chair car. The passengers had arranged themselves as comfortably as the circum- stances would allow. The ranchers from Texas had thrown off their coats and shoes, and lay snoring, Contact Us | Permissions | Preferences | Technical Aspects | Statistics | Internal | Privacy Policy © 2004 - 2010 University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries.All rights reserved. Acceptable Use, Copyright, and Disclaimer Statement Last updated October 10, 2010 - - mvs