WHAT PAUL FOUND--CONCLUSION
"What if those men should come back again, and take us prisoners?"
suggested Bobolink, anxiously.
"Oh! I don't think they'll do that," replied Paul. "But it might pay us
to look around, and see what they have here."
With the lantern to give them light, the boy scouts began an examination
of the piles of material which the tramp called Pim, and his companion
had accumulated in their snug retreat. Food was found, also some bottles
of liquor, which latter Paul took great pleasure in immediately
smashing.
"Say, look what I've found!" called Bobolink.
It was a dangerous looking revolver, of the short-nosed, bulldog
pattern. Perhaps it belonged to Pim, for it lay close to where he had
been sleeping. And while he did not exactly like the looks of it, Paul
felt that they would be safer from attack while they had possession of
this weapon.
"Here's a bottle of kerosene for the lanterns!" announced Joe,
presently; he had been searching feverishly around, possibly in hopes of
finding the papers; though Paul felt sure they were snugly reposing in
the pocket of Hank at that moment, wherever he might be.
It was finally decided to stay there for the balance of the night. They
could of course have gone back, now that they possessed means for
lighting their way; but somehow Paul did not feel anxious to leave the
spot.
Paul remembered what Pim had said about having seen Chief Billings on
the road between Rattlesnake Mountain and the village of Tatum. Could it
be possible that Mr. Morris, the lawyer friend of Joe's father, had
influenced that official to start out in search of the papers? Had Mr.
Clausin found something on the floor of his feed store that told him his
wicked brother must have been there?
These were things which gave Paul much concern as he lay there resting,
and making good use of one of the blankets that had been found. He did
not mean to sleep at all, for the responsibility of the entire little
expedition rested on his shoulders, and he could not take chances.
Lying thus, Paul tried to go over all that had happened since the camp
lights went out at the sound of taps. Step by steps he advanced until
the thrilling moment came when he made that stumble, and immediately
heard the voice of Hank calling out to ask who it was.
He could see just as plainly as though he were living the whole thing
over again, how the man sat up, having thrown his blanket from him. Why,
it was the very blanket that Paul had over and under him now, and which
felt so comfortable.
Then, with the match showing Hank a strange boy so close at hand, he had
jumped to his feet. Paul could see him, as he lay there in the darkness;
even to the soiled white shirt he wore.
"Oh!"
If Hank had been minus his coat at the time he jumped to his feet, he
certainly had found no time to snatch it up when he ran away in such
haste at the coming of the others. Why, possibly this was the very coat
which Paul had doubled up, to serve him as a rude pillow.
Investigation revealed the fact that it _was_ a coat. And when he pawed
it over to find the inside pocket, he was thrilled to hear the
unmistakable rustle of papers somewhere! Yes, wonderful as it might
seem, there was a good-sized bunch of folded documents in the pocket.
Could these be the lost papers that had been the cause of so much
distress to Mr. Clausin?
Even while Paul was thinking whether or not he should wait until morning
to mention his discovery to the anxious Joe, because he did not wish to
arouse any false hopes, he thought he heard a slight sound near by.
What if Hank were returning to search for his coat, remembering how he
had left it so carelessly when he fled, and what things of value it
held? Paul was glad now that he had that revolver. He might not like to
make use of it; but believed it would prove very valuable as a gentle
persuader.
They had found a box of matches among other stores the two men had
collected in this retreat; so that there was now no scarcity of such
things.
Something touched him on the arm and sent a quiver through his frame,
for he was worked up to a point where he felt as though he could just
shout. Then he heard the lowest kind of a whisper close to his ear.
"Paul!"
It was of course his chum, who must also have been awake, and heard the
same suspicious sound that came to his ears.
Paul drew Jack's head close to his lips as he whispered:
"I think it is Hank, coming back for his coat. I've been sleeping on it,
and just discovered that there are papers in the pocket!"
"Oh, what can we do?" asked Jack, also in that low tone, inaudible five
feet away.
"Get a match ready, Jack," said Paul, once more in his chum's ear; "and
when I nudge you, light the lantern as fast as you can."
"All ready!" came back, a short time later.
Paul waited until he fancied that the unseen prowler must be groping in
the dark very close to them. Then he thrust his elbow into Jack's side,
causing him to grunt. But at the same instant a match flamed up, for
Jack had been ready.
"Don't you dare move a foot!" called out Paul, instantly covering a
crouching figure with the weapon he had in his hand.
Snap! Down went the lantern globe, and the cavern was brightly
illuminated. It was Hank Clausin, just as Paul had suspected, and in his
shirt sleeves too. He had come back for his coat, and walked into a
trap.
The other three boys were now on their feet, and acting under Paul's
directions they tied the man's hands. Poor Joe did not take any part in
this ceremony. His heart was too sore, though he also rejoiced because
Paul told him he had the precious papers on his person.
Hank pretended to be indignant at first, and claimed that he had done
nothing wrong. Then he changed his tactics, and threatened the boys.
Finding that this had no effect he turned to Joe, and pleaded with him.
But Joe only shook his head, after looking beseechingly at Paul, and
turned away.
None of the party obtained any more sleep that night, for they feared
that the other man might return to see what had happened to Hank. And so
all of them sat around, talking in low tones, with the lantern burning,
Paul keeping the pistol in evidence.
Of course they could only tell when morning came by Paul's watch.
Both Bobolink and Joe declared they were fully rested by then, and so
the return march was taken up. Perhaps Paul was a little reckless, or it
may have been he did not care very much. But it was suddenly discovered
that the prisoner was gone! Paul did not say anything, but he could
guess that Joe, for the honor of the family, had taken advantage of
their being a little ahead, to set him free.
"And boys," Joe said later, when confessing what he had done, "please
don't tell anybody that he was my uncle. Just say he was a bad man, and
that he got away. You see, we've got dad's papers, and that is all he
wanted. I hope I never meet Uncle Henry again."
And he never has to this day, for Hank and his evil companion, Pim, made
haste to leave that vicinity, which was growing a bit too warm for their
operations.
Mr. Gordon was loud in his praises when he heard the story, though even
he was not taken into Joe's secret. He declared that the storm had
passed over, leaving a track of ruin in its wake, and that they could
now leave the cave to return to Camp Surprise.
This the Banner Boy Scouts did that morning. After all, the damage to
their belongings did not turn out to be very serious, thanks to their
ready wit in cutting down the tents; and before nightfall they were
almost as comfortably fixed as before the blow.
Joe wanted to go home because of the papers; but who should turn up
while they were eating supper but his father, accompanied by Mr. Norris
and Chief Billings, proving that the hobo had not made a mistake when he
said he felt sure he had seen the latter on the way to the mountain by
another route.
Of course there was great rejoicing when Mr. Clausin found his papers
returned. Joe took him aside and doubtless told him the full
particulars; for the gentleman looked very grave, and when he returned,
he went around, silently squeezing the hands of Paul, Jack and Bobolink.
They knew he was thanking them for their promise not to say a word about
his brother even to their home folks.
With the neighborhood clear of all troublesome characters, it can
easily be understood that the Stanhope Troop of Boy Scouts began really
to enjoy their outing.
Each day saw new pleasures and competitions. Boys who were backward in
any of the various branches of work connected with the useful things a
true scout should know, were tutored by Mr. Gordon, or in many cases by
Paul and Wallace. Bad cooks were taught how to succeed by simple
processes; and the secrets of the wilderness became as an open book to
those who wanted to learn.
Old Dobbin had managed to survive the storm, and when the troop started
on the homeward route he pulled the wagon that carried their tents and
other things. Needless to say, that as it was pretty much all down-hill,
and the tremendous amount of food had vanished, the ancient horse found
the going much easier than on his previous trip.
So successful had their first tour proven that the Stanhope Boy Scouts
began to talk of other outings which might be arranged later on; and
which will be treated of in the next volume of this series, to be called
"The Banner Boy Scouts Afloat; or, the Secret of Cedar Island."
After all their adventures none of them came back feeling any the worse
for the experience, and most of the boys declared they had had the time
of their lives.
To this day they have never really learned just what it was frightened
Ted and his cronies out of the neighborhood. Still, the fact that Pim
and Hank had possession of Ward's fine aluminum frying pan caused Paul
to believe the boys must have run across the two men, and been chased
away.
Before the camp was finally broken up Paul discovered an old hunchback
trying to steal more of the food. He was caught in the act, and it only
needed a look at the patch on the sole of his boot to tell that he was
the guilty one who had carried off their ham. He proved to be the fellow
the boys had heard about, who made a living catching rattlesnakes; but
as these were now scarce he was in poor circumstances. Paul forgave him,
and when camp life came to an end they left him all the food that
remained, proving their right to the name of Boy Scouts.
THE END
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Several typographical errors in the original edition have been
corrected. The following paragraphs are as they originally
appeared, with corrections noted in brackets.
Chapter IV
["]'Hold on. Don't forget you are a scout, and that you've got to
look for the good that is in every fellow, they say," laughed his
companion.
Chapter VI
"Oh! no, it isn't that bad a case," laughed Paul, amused. "We ought
to be able to handle things without going to such extremes.
Besides, you know, I carried a number of those stout sticks into
the gym the other day, and William amused himself fastening a lot
of cloth around them, so that they look like the stuffed club we
used in the ministrel [minstrel] show last Winter. William is just
itching to use one on some poor wretch. Perhaps he might get the
chance to-night. So-long, Jack."
"I'm afraid so," returned his comrade, slowly; "and just as like as
not they expect to give us trouble while we're in camp. Well," and
his voice took on a vein of determination that told how he was
aroused at the thought of what might happen; ["]there must be a
limit to even the forbearance of a scout, you know; and if they
push us too far, we will have to teach them a lesson!"
"Where's Bobolink?" demanded the leader,[.]
According [Accordingly] he now took a little piece of wood out of
his pocket, also a steel nail, and with the latter tapped several
times upon the bit of veneering. Immediately they saw the sitting
boy begin to fumble, as thought [though] he might be getting
something out of his pocket. Then came an answering series of
staccato taps, soft yet clear.
"I'm your candy!'["] came the reply, as the figure stood up at
attention.
Chapter VII
"What's the matter in there? Why don't you open up?["] called Ted,
again rapping his knuckles on the wooden barrier.
Bud Jones was in the most terrible predicament of his whole life.
Beset by innumerable fierce foes as he believed within, there was
that big bully outside, only waiting for a chance to give him a
thrashing he would never forget. And the mysterious voice that
sounded exactly like his own, startled him; for, not being a friend
of Bobolink's he probably never heard him give those strange
imitations when making his voice appear to come from some other
preson [person].
Chapter XI
Paul pushed to the front just them [then].
Chapter XIII
"Two ought to be enough. Yes, bring a glim along; we may need it,
for that moon isn't very bright to-night, and the trees make
considearble [considerable] shadow."
Chapter XV
"He's gone, Ted!" whooped a voice; but it was not that of Monkey
Egleston [Eggleston]; for that worthy was hardly in possession of
enough breath to more than whisper.
Chapter XVII
"Sure I would, Paul. Please dont [don't] think I'm not wantin' to
trust you, because I hold back. I want to think it all over by
myself to-night. Perhaps in the mornin' I might tell you about it."
Chapter XX
"That," said Paul, "is one of our beliefs, sure enough. A scout
must always be on the alert, or else he may miss many things that
would give him valuable information. William, suppose you go on and
spin your yarn in your own way. I saw what you did; but I'm glad I
didn't cut in. Strike up, now, and then we'll move on again, for
Dobbin is coming yonder.["]
Chapter XXII
"Say, that is mighty funny, "observed [funny," observed] Jack,
after he had listened to the whole story.
Chapter XXIV
"Oh! rats!" exposulated [expostulated] his fellow scout. "Come off
your perch, Jack, and talk sense. You make me think of an old
Polly, just able to repeat things over and over. But to see us all
down on our knees staring at that trail made me remember the alarm
of poor old Robinson Crusoe when he found the footprint of the
cannibal on his island."
Chapter XXVII
"Yes," interposed Bobolink, as he joined the group, and lowered his
voice mysteriously; ["]I just heard Paul and Mr. Gordon talking
about two more men that seem to be wandering at large up here. That
makes three, you see, and none of 'em care to step into our dandy
camp in the daytime. Boys, don't you see what an ugly look that
has?"
Chapter XXVIII
Paul staggered after them. The wind was very strong, and it was
impossible to walk in places without bending down almost to the
earth. Besides, there seemed to be many braches [branches] torn
from the trees flying through the air, so that it was perilous to
life and limb to be abroad.
Chapter XXIX
This sort of an explanation just fitted in with what Paul had
conjectured. He had found it hard to believe that Nuthin would be
so frightened as to cling deperately [desperately] to the flying
tent, when he knew that it was being carried off by the gale. He
must have been an involuntary passenger of the airship that quickly
ended its short flight in a neighboring tree.
"That's good," declared Paul." "Feel [Paul. "Feel] around just
above you. Can't you get hold of a branch or two, and hang on when
I cut the rope? I want to keep you from falling when the support
goes."
The crash of falling trese [trees] could still be heard with every
renewed furious blast. But just as Mr. Gordon had said, these
sounds proceeded almost wholly from the lower region. That was the
reason he declined to seek safety in that quarter, prefering
[preferring] to push in the teeth of the blow, because the rocky
shelters were to be found there.
Chapter XXXI
"Who's that?["] and accompanying the words came the scratching of a
match.
Chapter XXXII
"Yes," roared the second man, shaking Paul vigorously, "pipe up and
tell us that, 'less you want us to do somethin' you wouldn't like.
What d'ye want with us? How'd you ever git in here; and who's along
with you? Say, Hank, didn't I tell you I seen that chief of police
down on the road that comes up here from Tatum? I bet he sneaked
around, thinkin' we'd try to cut out that way, 'stead of in the
direction of Stanhope. Reckon you don't ever wanter go there agin,
eh?'["]
"Here, light this, Jack, with that precious match!'["] he cried,
after shaking the lantern to find out whether it contained any
oil.