THIRTEEN GIRLS IN THE MOUNTAINS.
Marion's plea for aid did not reach Clifford and the other Boy Scouts
to whom it was addressed without interruption. The latter half of it
came in jerked and disjointed phrases, and the tone of utterance was
one of extreme fear and distress. Clifford and Ernie Hunter, the
leader of the patrol, although amazed beyond description, realized
that this appeal for assistance was no idle one, and it was up to them
to do something quickly or action on their part might soon be too
late.
"You boys take care of the men in front, and Clif and I will settle
this affair back here," Ernie shouted. "Don't let them escape."
With these words, the patrol leader seized the latch of the nearest
auto door and pressed down on it. As he did this, the door flew open
with a heavy swing, and Ernie jumped aside just in time to ward off a
body-lunge blow from the fist of a man who sprang out of the machine
like a beast leaping with all fours.
In less time than it takes to tell it, two of the men had broken
through the cordon of Boy Scouts around the automobile and disappeared
in the darkness. The third, Mr. Stanlock's chauffeur, was not so
desperately courageous. The menace of two or three gun muzzles held
within a few feet of his face was more than he cared to oppose, so he
remained a prisoner.
"Look out, boys," called out Hazel Edwards. "There are three more
automobiles coming along behind with desperate men in them. Each of
those autos has three girl prisoners in charge of two men, one of them
the driver."
"Miles, you and Hal and Jerry stay here and guard the prisoner and
protect the girls against those rascals if they return," Ernie
directed. "The rest of us will run back a short distance and meet the
next machine before they suspect something wrong."
As he finished speaking, Ernie led the way, followed by four other
boys, back through the snow twenty or thirty yards, and then stopped
and listened. A short distance further, they heard a sound the cause
of which could not be mistaken. It was the rapid, pulsating chug-chug
of an automobile engine. They waited a few minutes, but it appeared to
be coming no nearer.
"The snow has stopped this one, too," said Clifford. "Come on and
we'll give them a surprise."
A few paces farther brought the boys in view of a machine with the
engine running idle and no driver visible in front. Naturally this
made them suspicious and a halt was called for a little
circumspection. Then, carefully, cautiously, they advanced toward the
automobile, keeping nervous watch on all sides to avoid a surprise.
They reached the machine, which they had been able to locate by the
noise of the engine, and found it also deserted, save for the three
prisoners, bound and gagged, in the car. While the other four in the
party of rescuers kept watch against a surprise, Clifford cut the
bonds on the wrists of the girls and removed the gags from their
mouths.
"Where did the villains in charge of this car go?" was the first
question he put to the released prisoners.
"They skipped," replied Violet Munday. "Two men who had been in the
machine ahead came back and said the game was up, that they were
discovered by a force of Boy Scouts armed with guns and they couldn't
afford to put up a fight, for even if they won, the whole country
would be aroused and they couldn't hope to carry out their original
plans. They went back to warn the other men. No doubt you'll find the
other machines abandoned, too."
"All right," said Ernie; "you girls stay here in the car and keep
warm. We'll be back as soon as we can find the others."
The boys found the other two automobiles also abandoned and released
six more Camp Fire prisoners.
"Now let's return and get the head auto started back first," Ernie
proposed.
This plan was adopted. Arrived at the machine in which Marion, Hazel
and Julietta had been prison-passengers, they found a new and
important development in affairs. Jake, the chauffeur, had confessed.
He had offered to conduct the boys to Helen's place of detention and
effect her release if the boys would let him go. It was less than half
a mile away. The boys agreed. Clifford suggested that the girls remain
in the automobile while the Scouts made the proposed raid, but they
objected strenuously.
In a short time the rest of the girls were brought forward, informed
of the plan, and the start was made. All of the girls insisted on
taking part in the expedition. In less than half an hour they were at
the door of Helen's prison, where Jake gave the "open sesame" knock.
An uncouth woman opened the door. Behind her stood a man, who proved
to be her husband. Jake pushed the astonished pair aside, and went
directly to the side of the room opposite the entrance and lifted a
bar across a door opening into another department. As he opened this
door, Marion rushed forward and was first to greet a slender,
pale-faced girl, who stepped out eagerly toward her rescuers.
"Helen!" cried the girls in a chorus.
Jake slipped out and was seen no more.
* * * * *