AN ESCAPE--CONCLUSION.
At midnight Nestor awoke Broswick, who was to take the next watch.
"All quiet?" asked the hunter.
"As a churchyard," replied the miner.
"How about Berry and Pender?"
"They haven't moved."
"All right; turn in."
Nestor was soon snoring, and Broswick began his vigil. The moon began to
move over toward the west, and the only sounds heard were the hoots of
owls or the barking of foxes.
Suddenly the hunter paused in his walk about the camp. His trained
ear told him somebody or something was approaching. He could hear the
breaking of twigs and the rattle of stones as they were stepped on.
"That's a human being," decided the hunter. "No animal would be as
clumsy as that in making an approach."
He waited, with his rifle ready.
"If it's some one coming to rescue Stoneham they'll get a warm
reception," he whispered to himself.
The noise came nearer. Then the bushes off to the left parted
cautiously, and Broswick heard a soft whisper:
"Hey, Bill! Hey, Jack! Where are you?"
"It's that Noddy Nixon chap," Broswick muttered. "He must have come back
in his automobile after the deputy sheriff released him at sundown. Now
I wonder what I'd better do?"
"Hey, Bill!" Noddy called, in a little louder whisper, "can you sneak
away? I have the machine ready."
This time a movement near where Bill Berry and Pender were lying told
that they had heard the summons. Broswick silently drew back into
the shadows and waited to see what would happen. He did not think it
necessary to arouse the others yet.
Berry rose to his feet and peered about him. Jack followed. They were
trying to locate Noddy's whereabouts.
"Here I am!" whispered Noddy. "Right by the oak tree."
As quietly as they could, Pender and Berry began sneaking off to one
side, avoiding the light cast by the camp-fire.
"Shall I let 'em go or stop 'em?" debated Broswick with himself. "Guess
I'll let 'em go. We don't want 'em, for they're more trouble than
they're worth. But I'll give 'em a good scare."
He raised his gun and fired two shots in the air, over the heads of the
escaping man and boy. Their frightened yells told how startled they were.
In an instant the camp was in confusion. Every one awoke, Nestor
standing ready with a revolver in either hand.
"What's the matter?" he cried.
"Only Noddy coming back for his two friends," replied Broswick.
"Have they escaped?"
The hunter raised his hand to indicate silence. A crashing of the
underbrush told in which way the fugitives were heading.
"There they go," said Broswick.
The sheriff had quickly assured himself that Stoneham was still securely
bound.
"Shall we take after Noddy and Pender?" asked Broswick.
"What's the use?" asked Nestor. "If we had them arrested it would only
make trouble for us. Let 'em go. I got some of my gold back from Pender."
"Yes, let 'em go," assented Jerry.
"Hark!" exclaimed Ned.
All listened. The faint chugging of an automobile was heard, gradually
dying away in the distance.
"I guess that's the end of 'em," remarked Nestor.
Once more quiet settled down on the camp, and there were no other
disturbances that night. The shining of the sun through the trees awoke
the campers, and soon coffee was made and a simple breakfast ready.
"Now if one of you will run down to town in the automobile, with me and
my friend Stoneham here," said the sheriff, "I'll be obliged to you."
Jerry agreed to make the trip, and Nestor said he would go along, as he
wanted to do some business at the Government Assay Office. The mine was
left in charge of Broswick, Professor Snodgrass, Ned and Bob.
"Don't let anybody jump the claim," cautioned the miner with a laugh, as
he rode off, Jerry steering the automobile down the valley.
"There'll be trouble if they try it," said the hunter, looking at his
gun.
No accidents occurred during the automobile trip. Town was safely
reached, and the sheriff lodged his prisoner in jail. Nestor transacted
his business with the Government agent, and then Jerry headed the
machine back for the camp. There they found everything in good shape.
"Now that our troubles are about over, an' we're in possession of our
mine, it won't be a bad idea to dig out a few nuggets for luck," said
Nestor.
"Can we have one?" asked Bob.
"Why, sure, Chunky," replied the miner. "The claim's part yours, jest as
it is mine. We're goin' to share an' share alike in this deal. I'd never
have got to this mine if it hadn't been for you boys. Have a nugget?
Well, I guess yes."
They went to the top of the hill, and Nestor and Jerry descended the
shaft. This second trip more than confirmed the first view of the
richness of the mine. The rocky sides of the shaft were fairly studded
with small nuggets. Nestor dug out some with his knife, and Jerry did
likewise.
"There's about one hundred dollars," remarked the miner after half an
hour's work, showing a handful of dull, golden pebbles. Jerry had about
the same amount.
"Now we've got to git ready to work this claim," said Nestor. "I'll
attend to all that, seein' as how I'm familiar with the business. But,
first, we'll go up an' show the others what we have."
As they neared the top of the shaft they heard quite a commotion on the
surface. The voices of men in dispute could be heard.
"I wonder what's the trouble now?" Nestor said.
Coming out of the shaft he found the summit of the hill surrounded by
fifty or more roughly dressed men, all bearing mining tools on their
backs. They stood in a circle while Broswick, with cocked rifle, was
holding them at bay.
"What's the matter?" asked Nestor.
"They allowed they was goin' to jump this claim," said the hunter.
"Excuse me, pardner," spoke one of the crowd, who seemed to be a sort of
leader, addressing his remarks to Nestor. "I take it you're in charge
here?"
"That's what," replied the miner.
"Waal, we ain't goin' to jump nobody's claim. We're a bunch of miners,
an' we've come all the way from Spread Eagle Valley to this region,
hearin' as how there was good claims here. Are we right?"
"You be," replied Nestor, "an' you're welcome. There's the stakes of our
claim," and he indicated them.
"All filed reg'lar an' 'cordin' to law, I s'pose?" went on the spokesman.
"Right," answered Nestor. "You can locate anywhere you like outside of
my claim."
"That's all we wanted to know," went on the other. "Come on, boys!" he
called to his companions. "It's all right!"
The whole valley was soon a scene of great activity, with miners staking
claims on every side. They were eager with the desire for gold.
Within a week the whole region fairly swarmed with the gold seekers,
for the section was rich with the precious metal. But no claim was as
valuable as that of the lost mine which Nestor and the boys had found.
Arrangements were made for working the claim, machinery was ordered,
and soon pay-dirt was being taken out in large quantities. A more
comfortable log cabin was erected in place of the rude shack that served
as a temporary shelter, and the boys began to enjoy life in the new
diggings.
One of the first things they had done when they were sure of the
possession of the mine was to write back home and tell their parents of
the good luck.
Jerry suggested that in the missives each one should ask permission to
remain at the gold mine for some time longer, and perhaps make a further
trip before returning to Cresville.
"I wonder if we'll get any letters by this mail?" asked Ned one evening,
when, after the day's work was done, they all sat about the camp-fire.
"We'll soon know," said Jerry. "Here comes Nestor back from town, and it
looks as if he had something in his hand."
The miner approached, riding Broswick's horse.
"Here's the postman!" he cried, waving some papers in the air. "Letters
for each of ye!"
Three anxious boys opened three envelopes and soon were busy reading
the missives. Then came three simultaneous whoops of delight.
"I can stay!" yelled Bob.
"Me, too!" exclaimed Jerry.
"And me!" came from Ned.
"I don't blame your folks for lettin' ye stay," put in Nestor. "You're
makin' money here every day out of this mine."
The parents of the boys had wisely concluded that it would be a good
experience for their sons to develop the mine further, since they seemed
to be in good hands under Nestor's guidance, and able to take care of
themselves.
"We'll have no end of good times," said Bob, trying to turn a handspring
on the grass, but tumbling down in the effort.
"I'd feel better if I was sure we had seen the last of Noddy and Pender,
as well as Bill Berry and that Dalsett chap," spoke Jerry.
"Oh, they'll never bother us again," came from Ned. "They're running
like scared rabbits. We'll never see them again."
But Ned was wrong. They did meet Noddy and his three companions once
more, and under strange circumstances, as will be related in the next
volume of this series, to be entitled "The Motor Boys in Mexico; or, The
Secret of the Buried City."
"Let's go to bed," suggested Jerry, as the camp-fire died out. And they
went to their bunks in the log cabin as the moon rose over the trees and
cast a silver gleam over the machinery at the shaft of the gold mine.
The Motor Boys' trip overland had panned out very well, indeed.
THE END.
_The Motor Boys Series_
_By Clarence Young_
=Handsomely illustrated. Bound in cloth, stamped in colors. Price per
volume, 60 cents.=
THE MOTOR BOYS
_Or, Chums Through Thick and Thin_
In this volume is related how the three boys got together and planned to
obtain a touring car and make a trip lasting through the summer.
THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND
_Or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_
With the money won at the great motorcycle race the three boys purchase
their touring car and commence their travels.
THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO
_Or, The Secret of the Buried City_
From our own country the scene is shifted to Mexico, where the motor
boys journey in quest of a city said to have been buried centuries ago
by an earthquake.
THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS
_Or, The Hermit of Lost Lake_
Unraveling the mystery surrounding an old hermit and a poor boy.
THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT
_Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway_
In this volume the boys take to a motorboat, and have many adventures.
THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC
_Or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse_
How the lads foiled the bad men who wanted to wreck a steamer by means
of false lights is dramatically related.
THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS
_Or, Lost in a Floating Forest_
Telling of many adventures in the mysterious Everglades of Florida.
THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC
_Or, The Young Derelict Hunters_
The derelict was of great value, and the hunt for it proved full of
perils.
_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_
_The Jack Ranger Series_
_By Clarence Young_
_Author of the Motor Boys Series_
=Cloth. Illustrated, $1.00 per volume=
JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS
_Or, The Rivals of Washington Hall_
=Cloth, beautifully decorated. Illustrated, $1.00=
[Illustration]
You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is so bright
and cheery, and so real and lifelike. A typical boarding-school tale,
without a dull line in it.
JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES
_Or, Track, Gridiron and Diamond_
In this tale Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts
of school games. There are numerous contests on the athletic field, and
also a great baseball game and a football game, all dear to a boy's
heart. The rivalry is bitter at times, and enemies try to put Jack "in a
hole" more than once.
JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP
_Or, From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_
This volume takes the hero and several of his chums to the great West.
Jack is anxious to clear up the mystery surrounding his father's
disappearance. At the ranch and on the range adventures of the strenuous
sort befall him.
JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE
_Or, The Wreck of the Polly Ann_
Here is a tale of the bounding sea, with many stirring adventures. How
the ship was wrecked, and Jack was cast away, is told in a style all
boys and girls will find exceedingly interesting. There is plenty of fun
as well as excitement.
_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_
_The Boy Hunters Series_
_By Captain Ralph Bonehill_
=Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents=
[Illustration]
FOUR BOY HUNTERS
_Or, The Outing of the Gun Club_
A fine, breezy story of the woods and waters, of adventures in search of
game, and of great times around the campfire, told in Captain Bonehill's
best style. In the book are given full directions for camping out.
GUNS AND SNOWSHOES
_Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters_
In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the
shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their hearts' content, and
have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys "sit up and take
notice." A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests and
the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter.
YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE
_Or, Out with Rod and Gun_
Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and a
good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series.
_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_
_Boys of Business Series_
_By Allen Chapman_
=Illustrated, 12mo. Cloth, 60 cents per volume=
[Illustration]
THE YOUNG EXPRESS AGENT
_Or, Bart Stirling's Road to Success_
Bart's father was the express agent in a country town. When an explosion
of fireworks rendered him unfit for work, the boy took it upon himself
to run the express office. The tale gives a good idea of the express
business in general.
TWO BOY PUBLISHERS
_Or, From Typecase to Editor's Chair_
This tale will appeal strongly to all lads who wish to know how a
newspaper is printed and published. The two boy publishers work their
way up, step by step, from a tiny printing office to the ownership of a
town paper.
MAIL ORDER FRANK
_Or, A Smart Boy and His Chances_
Here we have a story covering an absolutely new field--that of the
mail-order business. How Frank started in a small way and gradually
worked his way up to a business figure of considerable importance is
told in a fascinating manner.
A BUSINESS BOY
_Or, Winning Success_
This relates the ups and downs of a young storekeeper. He has some keen
rivals, but "wins out" in more ways than one. All youths who wish to go
into business will want this volume.
_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
--Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected.
--Archaic and variable spellings have been preserved.
--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.