THE STAMPEDE
"What d'ye call this, anyway?" exclaimed Bluff, panting with his
exertions.
"I'd say it was crowding the mourners, for these things to chase each
other so fast, and the elements to make playthings out of four confiding
chums," said Frank.
"Tell me about that, will you! First a scorching, then put to soak,
after which comes another hot experience, and now treed by a flood! Upon
my word, things are happening a little too rapid even for me," put in
Jerry.
"There!" remarked Will, with a satisfied chuckle. "I think you three
fellows will make a splendid showing, perched along that limb like a lot
of crows, and the water rolling along below."
"Talk to me about the industrious photographer! If that chap hasn't
taken our pictures in this ridiculous attitude! Why, they'll believe
we've gone back to the old days, when our ancestors used to live in
trees."
"Speak for yourself, Jerry. I refuse to admit that I am descended from a
monkey," declared Bluff indignantly.
"How long do you suppose we may have to hang out here?" asked Will.
"Oh, a day or so, I suppose," replied Jerry, keeping a straight face.
"A day or so! Listen to him say that without a show of feeling! Why,
long before that time elapsed I'd grow so weak from fatigue that I'd
have to be strapped to my limb to keep from falling into the treacherous
water," stammered Will.
"And what of me?" burst out Bluff. "I'd waste away to a mere shadow from
hunger. Sooner than submit to that, I'd try swimming ashore."
"Do you think the water will get any higher? Could it possibly overwhelm
us in this tree? We could climb up twenty feet if necessary."
"Well, I hardly think that emergency is going to arise, Will; not at
this time, at least. To tell the truth, the water is already receding,"
announced Frank, taking pity on Jerry's victims, both of whom looked
worried.
"Oh! do you really think so?" cried Will. "Then Jerry is only up to some
of his old foolishness. Yes, I can see that it does not quite come up to
the wet mark on the trunk of the tree. Then perhaps we won't have to
stay up here all night."
"Well, I guess not. I expect that in less than twenty minutes we'll be
once more afoot, and on our way to camp. This must have been a genuine
cloudburst, and they tell me those sort of things, while severe at the
time, are quickly over."
"Bully for you, Frank! You always look on the bright side of things,
while Jerry tries to dash a fellow's spirits. Things have come out
pretty well, after all. We've had some strange experiences, come through
them all in decent shape, and to cap the whole thing I've captured some
dandy views. I can hardly wait to develop them."
"Go ahead, then. Plenty of water at hand for washing off the hypo,"
suggested Jerry wickedly.
By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far
that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree
and once more resume their journey.
Of course, they were an uncomfortable lot, being soaked to the skin,
and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes. Brisk exertion kept
them from feeling cold, however; but they were one and all delighted to
set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp.
Their welcome was a warm one, for Mr. Mabie had been more or less
worried concerning them, owing to the forest fire and the fierce
cloudburst.
"We hoped you were safe, and tried to believe it, boys; but at the same
time, even a veteran hunter in these parts might have been caught
napping, and I tell you we're mighty glad to see you back safe and
sound. Now, tell us how it happened," was Mr. Mabie's greeting as he
squeezed a hand of each.
"If you mean the fire, sir, we know nothing about it. We have not struck
a match since leaving here, and only Bluff shot once. The fire came from
an entirely different quarter, I assure you," said Frank.
"I never doubted that, my lad. I've seen enough of you boys to know that
after all I've said none of you would be careless enough to endanger
things. But perhaps, after all, the fire was more of a blessing than
otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstorm along, and
that has saved our pastures."
Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once. The fire
was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be
diffused around the immediate vicinity, after which there was a general
change of garments.
"I feel better than I thought I would after all that rumpus," admitted
Bluff, as he capered about, trying to keep his muscles from getting
stiff.
"We'll look back to this day as one of the strangest in all our
experience," remarked Frank, hanging his wet garments where the sun
would fall upon them, for the clouds had passed away, leaving a clear
sky overhead.
"How much longer do we stay here?" asked Will, who had been doing some
figuring. "Because my films are getting low. I have three rolls still at
the ranch house, and when they're exhausted my business is done."
"Sorry to tell you, lads, that I had word from the house while you were
gone, and it's absolutely necessary for me to start back in the morning.
Now, if you would like to remain a little longer in camp, why, Reddy and
Billy will keep you company. Don't give up unless you're satisfied with
what fun you've had," said the stockman just then.
The boys looked at each other.
"I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of
things about the ranch we ought to know more about. So I vote that we
return with Mr. Mabie," was Frank's suggestion.
"Count me in that," echoed Jerry.
"And I'm just wild to print a few of the remarkable pictures I've made
up here, which I can't do until we get back to the house; so I'm only
too willing to say yes to the proposition," put in Will.
"And I'm just as happy one place as the other, so long as the cook
doesn't strike, or put us on short rations," added Bluff.
In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following
morning they would break camp and return to the ranch.
"I feel that I'm cheating you out of some of your expected fun, boys,"
apologized the stockman that evening, as they were packing some of their
stuff, so as to lighten the labor in the morning.
"Why, I don't know what else we could do here. Seems to me we've about
exhausted the list of excitements. We've shot elk, grizzlies, a panther,
a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the
river and treed by a cloudburst. There could hardly be anything more,
sir," laughed Frank.
"Well, I admit that you have made hay while the sun shone; and such a
pushing lot of boys always will get all the fun there is going. It's
been the happiest event of my last ten years of life to have you with
me, and when you see my old side partner of long ago just tell him that
I'll never get over being thankful to him for having sent you up here
to break the dreadful monotony of existence on a stock ranch."
They passed a delightful evening. The boys sang many of their school
songs, and Bluff was induced to give a recitation, which called forth
vociferous applause from the cowboy audience.
"I can see very plainly that you are going to make a worthy successor to
that lawyer father of yours, Bluff," declared Mr. Mabie as he clapped
his hands.
"And I expect to live to see him on the Supreme Bench yet," said Jerry
seriously.
In the morning preparations for their departure were soon completed. The
tents, and all material connected with the camp, went in the wagon,
while the boys, together with Mr. Mabie and Reddy, rode horseback. It
was an invigorating gallop back to the ranch house, and on the way the
chums indulged in a number of little races. But Will would not allow
himself to enter as he was afraid that something might happen to his
precious camera, which he carried by a strap over his shoulder.
Once back in their old quarters, for several days the boys took life
easy, each being busily engaged in some favorite pursuit. Will developed
all his films, and made copious prints of the same, which kept him in a
feverish state of mind. When one turned out especially fine he was in
the seventh heaven of delight; and if he met with disappointment, which
was seldom the case, his laments were dismal indeed.
Thus a week more passed, and the boys were beginning to think of turning
their faces toward the East again. They would leave the ranch with many
regrets, for Mr. Mabie had certainly quite won their youthful hearts by
his genial ways.
Frank was the last one to meet with an adventure on this occasion, which
was fated to be written down in his logbook as worthy of remembrance.
He had been out riding, and his horse, stepping into a gopher hole,
threw him. Frank was not seriously hurt, but the horse went lame, so
that he could not be ridden. As this happened miles away from the house,
and night was coming on, with a storm threatening, Frank knew he was in
for an experience; but even then he did not dream of all that was down
on the bills for that special occasion.
Through the darkness he went, leading his limping horse. Then the storm
broke, and the crash of thunder, as well as the vivid lightning, was
something such as he could not remember ever meeting before.
He was just thinking that the pony had recovered enough to enable him to
mount and make his way slowly along, as the ranch house was not more
than a mile off, when something came to his ears that arrested his
attention. For half a minute he wondered what it might be, sounding like
increasing thunder. Then the appalling truth flashed upon him. There was
a stampede of cattle, and he seemed to be directly in the way of the
madly galloping herd!