EXPOSING A SWINDLER.
It was less than an hour after separating from Dick Arbuckle that Pawnee
Brown found his way to Arkansas City.
He was accompanied by Jack Rasco and Cal Clemmer, and the great scout's
object was not alone to aid Dick in the search for Mortimer Arbuckle,
but also to help Cal Clemmer get back some money out of which the cowboy
boomer claimed he had been swindled.
Clemmer had played cards with a certain sharp known as Pete Stillwater,
and lost two hundred and fifty dollars. At first he had imagined he had
lost it fairly enough, but after thoughts, coupled with what he heard on
the sly the next day, made him certain that Stillwater had cheated him.
He had brought his case to Pawnee Brown, and the leader of the boomers
at once concluded that the gambler had not acted fairly. He had met
Stillwater at Wichita, where the gambler's reputation was far from
savory.
"You were a fool to bet at cards, Cal," he said flatly. "But that is no
reason why Stillwater should cheat you. I'll do what I can, but you must
promise to leave playing for high stakes alone in the future."
"Don't yer fear, Pawnee," was Clemmer's ready reply. "A scorched Injun
keeps hez distance from the blaze, don't he? Wall, I'm the scorched
Injun in this air case. Git back my money fer me an' I won't play
nothin' higher then penny-ante ez long ez I live."
The gambling resort at which Stillwater was holding forth was soon
reached, and the three entered, to find the place comfortably crowded by
boomers, men-about-town, cowboys and gamblers, all anxious to add to
their wealth without working. As Pawnee Brown surveyed the assemblage
his lip curled with a sarcasm which was by no means displaced.
"Poor fools!" he thought; "they expect to win, and nine-tenths of them
are bound in the end to be fleeced out of all they possess. Why men who
have brains will throw away good money in this fashion is more than I
can understand."
"Thar's Stillwater," whispered Cal Clemmer. "Hang hez hide, I'd like ter
wring hez neck fer him."
"Better wring his money bag first," smiled Pawnee Brown.
Without hesitation he called Stillwater outside and explained the
situation.
"You can say what you please, Stillwater," he said. "I am certain you
have been cheating, for I know your past record. You must restore that
money and do it right away."
A stormy war of words followed, but Pawnee Brown was firm and at last
Stillwater gave up about a hundred dollars--all he had with him.
He went off vowing vengeance and when at a safe distance turned and drew
a pistol from his pocket.
"He's going to shoot ye!" cried one of the boomers, but Stillwater was
afraid to fire. As Pawnee Brown started after him on a run the gambler
fled toward the river.
"Let us go after him!" cried one of the others, and away they went. Soon
they came in sight of the river and saw Stillwater in a small craft,
sculling his way to the opposite shore. Presently a bend in the stream
hid him from view.
"Hullo!" sang out Pawnee Brown. "Here comes another rowboat, and--yes,
there is Dick Arbuckle in it. What can he be doing on the river?"
"The boat is makin' fer thet half-sunk tree!" interrupted Cal Clemmer.
"He'll strike ef he don't look out! Heavens!"
"Look out there, youngster!" yelled Pawnee Brown, and those were the
words which attracted Dick's attention, as mentioned in the former
chapter.
It was useless to say more. Standing upon the bank, Pawnee Brown and the
cowboy boomer saw the craft strike and go to pieces and saw Dick thrown
out into the madly rushing current.
As the boy sped along his head came into painful contact with the
furthest of the tree branches, and he was partially stunned. His eyes
closed and he struck out wildly and ineffectually.
"He'll be drowned!" gasped Clemmer. "It would take a strong swimmer to
gain the bank with the water runnin' ez it is to-day."
"I don't believe he could catch a rope," answered Pawnee Brown, starting
off down the river bank. "Cal, hunt one up somewhere; I'm going in after
him!"
"But the risk----"
"Never mind the risk. Get the rope if you can," and away went the scout
again.
"Help!" came faintly from Dick. He was dazed and weak, and could hardly
see in what direction the shore really was.
"Keep up, boy, and we'll save you!" shouted Pawnee Brown encouragingly.
Reaching a spot twenty or thirty feet below where Dick was drifting, he
threw off his hat and coat and leaped into the stream.
Down he went over his head, to come up a second later and strike out
powerfully for the youth. The cold water chilled him, but to this he
paid no attention. He had taken a fancy to Dick, and was resolved to
save the boy at any cost.
Nearer and nearer he came. It was a tough struggle, for in the bend of
the swollen stream the water boiled and foamed upon all sides. He was
yet ten feet away from Dick, when he saw the youth sink beneath the
surface.
"Gone!" he thought, and made a leap and a dive. His outstretched hand
came in contact with Dick's left arm, and he dragged his burden upward.
"Keep cool, Dick," he said when he could speak. "Can't you swim?"
"Yes, but not extra well," panted the half-drowned lad. "I struck my
head upon something."
"Then lay hold of my shoulder and I'll keep you up. Steady, now, or the
current will send us around like two tops."
No more was said, as both felt they must save their breath. With Dick
clinging loosely, so as not to hinder his swimming, Pawnee Brown struck
out for the shore.
It was perilous work, for other trees and obstructions were upon every
hand, and more than once both were torn and scratched as they sped by in
what was little short of a whirlpool.
"Catch the rope!" suddenly came from Clemmer, and a noose whizzed in the
air and fell close beside the pair. Both Pawnee Brown and Dick did as
requested, and the cowboy boomer began to haul in with all the strength
at his command. It was hard work, but Clemmer was equal to it, and
presently those in the water came close enough to gain a footing, and
then the peril was over.
Dick's story was soon told, to which the great scout added that of his
own.
"I shall not attempt to follow up Stillwater," Pawnee Brown concluded.
"It is high time I got back to camp, for let me tell you, privately, we
move westward to-day. You may continue the hunt for your father or come
with me, just as you choose. It is possible you may find some trace of
him around here, but it is doubtful to me, after such a storm. It's hard
lines, boy, but cheer up; things may not be as bad as you imagine," and
he laid a dripping but affectionate arm upon Dick's shoulder.
"I will stay here for a while, at least," answered Dick. "But--but I am
without a cent, and----"
"How much do you want, Dick?" and Pawnee Brown's pocketbook came out
without delay.
"If you will lend me ten dollars----"
"Here are twenty. When you want more let me know. Now, goodbye, and good
luck to you."
And the next minute Pawnee Brown and Clemmer were gone. Dick watched
them out of sight and a warm feeling went over his heart.
"The major is as generous as he is brave," he murmured. "He is one scout
of a thousand. No wonder all the boomers asked him to lead them in this
expedition."
Ten minutes later Dick was drying himself at the fire in a house near
by. Hearing his tale of misfortune, the man who took him in insisted
upon treating him to some hot coffee, which did a good bit toward making
him feel once more like himself.
"It may be a wild-goose chase, but I can't give it up," he muttered as
he continued his search by walking along the river bank. "Poor father,
where can he be?"
The outskirts of the city had been left behind and he was making his way
through a tangle of brush and over shelving rocks. A bend was passed and
he gave a wild cry.
And small wonder. There on the river bank lay the motionless form of his
parent, dripping yet with the water of the river. The eyes were closed
as if in death. With a moan Dick threw himself forward and caught one of
the cold hands within his own. Then he placed his ear to his parent's
heart.
"Too late! He is gone!" he wailed. "Poor, poor father, dead after all!
Oh, if only I had died with you!" and he sank back utterly overcome.