THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMPS.
ELMER saw at a glance that what his comrade had declared was really
true. And a loud shout from one of the searching men announced that he
too had discovered the fire.
Tremendous excitement seized upon the whole party, for they could
readily surmise that this new conflagration was not the result of a
smoldering spark, but that it had a meaning all its own. The two
desperate hoboes must have started the second blaze with the same idea
in view that had urged them to put the match to the farmhouse--to divert
attention while they slipped away.
That was what Elmer thought. And when most of the men rushed toward the
place where the fire was already burning fiercely amidst the hay, he
thought it good policy to turn his attention to another quarter.
It had flashed across his mind just then that as they passed around the
barn he had noticed a board off, with the hay sticking out of the hole.
And now it came to him what a splendid way of escape that same hole
would prove, did a tunnel under the hay lead to it.
The watchers outside had been summoned by the loud cries of those
within, and as they came rushing through the wide open doors with the
intention of trying to put down the spreading fire, Elmer saw that the
very condition which those hunted hoboes must have wanted had been
brought about.
Outside, the way to escape was clear, so far as brawny men went. If
Lanky Jim and Shorty could only wriggle along under the hay until they
arrived at that place where the board was missing, they had an open
field before them, and flight meant a chance to reach the shelter of the
woods beyond the fields.
"Come with me, and be quick about it, fellows," said Elmer, in his most
thrilling tone; at which Landy's big eyes opened wider than customary,
ditto his mouth.
The other three trailed along at his heels, wondering what he could have
in his mind. When all the men were gathering in the barn, with the idea
of trying to fight the fire, it seemed strange that Elmer should lead
them outside, and away from the excitement.
But then by this time those fellows understood that the patrol leader
never did anything without having some good and substantial reason for
it. And they were, as a rule, ready to follow blindly wherever he chose
to lead, leaving the asking of questions until a better chance opened
up.
Had Doubting George been present, possibly he might have tried to quiz
Elmer ere he yielded full obedience; but then even George must learn
that one of the first duties of a true scout is to exhibit implicit
subjection to authority.
In this fashion then did Elmer lead his three chums around the outside
of the big barn. They could hear the shouts of those who were fighting
the flames within; but Elmer knew only too well that the chances of the
new fire being subdued were small indeed. Hay burns with frightful
rapidity; and no buckets were handy at the moment.
Turning, as he drew near the place where the board had been torn from
the back of the barn, he made a motion with his finger that seemed to
call for silence. The other fellows almost held their breath with
suspense, still in doubt as to what Elmer meant to do; although they
began to suspect that he must have conceived an idea looking to the
confusion of the incendiaries.
When he pointed straight at the place where some of the new hay was
sticking out, Landy's blackened face lighted up with intelligence.
"He means they're expecting to crawl out right here," he whispered in
the ear of Ty, who was close beside him.
The other made a suggestive movement with the club he had picked up, and
by which action he meant that it would please him very much if only he
had the opportunity to bring it down upon the head of Shorty, or his
long-legged mate.
Then they all turned their eyes again on Elmer, expecting him to tell
just what he wanted them to do. They saw the patrol leader pick up a
piece of rope that happened to be lying handy, and fashion a slip-noose
with it. During his life up in that big country of the Canadian
Northwest, Elmer had seen many things which he would never be apt to
forget as long as he lived. And, among others, he had once watched the
mounted police capture a half-breed fugitive from justice, fastening his
hands together behind his back in a clever way, which possibly he might
now have a chance to imitate.
"Here, take this, Ty," he said, in a low tone, as he handed the noosed
rope over to the one nearest to him. "When I whip the fellow's arms
behind his back, make sure that you get that loop around them, and pull
tight! Understand?"
Ty nodded his head vigorously, not daring to trust himself to speech.
Things were happening so fast and furious that really he hardly knew
whether he might be awake, or else asleep and dreaming them.
Of course both Landy and Ted had also caught the significance of the
movement, and were ready to do whatever they were told. Elmer made
motions to give them to understand that he wanted them to range up on
the other side of the hole in the side of the barn, and await
developments, while he and Ty crouched as close to the boards across the
way as possible.
Landy was heard to chuckle while this was going on. Perhaps something
about the situation reminded the fat boy of other occasions, when he and
some of his mates had endeavored to clutch some rabbit as it came
darting out of its burrow, after a ferret had alarmed it, or a little
dog been let loose in the tunnel. But just now the game was of an
entirely different order, and Elmer frowned at Landy's merriment.
Inside the barn the noise was redoubled. Evidently the fire-fighters
were having their hands full, with the rapid spread of the blaze. If in
the end they managed to control the conflagration, Elmer felt that he
would be surprised. According to his mind there was not one chance in
ten of such good luck coming to Mr. Brady. He had saved his house, but
his barn would very likely have to go.
Elmer had his eyes glued on the projecting wisps of hay now. He fancied
that he had detected some little movement to them, though this might be
caused by a passing breeze; or some action on the part of the energetic
fire-fighters within.
No, as he looked, he distinctly saw the hay move! Then there must be a
reason for this. Elmer instantly placed his hand upon the hay, and the
sense of feeling telegraphed the truth to his brain. Some object was
making a way through the mow, and evidently pushing along a tunnel that
had been previously prepared!
He turned and put his finger to his lips, seeing which every one of the
wide-awake scouts understood what was meant.
Imagine the strain on their nerves while they waited for the appearance
of the first tramp. Would he come along head-first, or might they expect
to see a pair of feet thrust out of the opening?
More violently did the hay move. Whatever made the stir, it was
certainly drawing closer and closer to the spot. All eyes were glued on
the agitated dried grass, and Ty got his loop in readiness for quick
work.
Then something was seen pushing out through the hay, which gave way
before the energetic attack. Two extra large feet, encased in brogans
that looked as though they might have covered many weary miles in their
day, came into view; proving that the man must be making a crab-like
retreat, keeping his face toward the fire.
Perhaps fortune favored the boys, for had the man projected his head
first he might have detected their presence in time to duck in again;
though for that matter, with the fire burning briskly beyond, he would
find himself between two evils, and must sooner or later issue forth, or
be cremated in the hay barn.
Waiting until the main part of the long-legged tramp had wriggled into
view, Elmer made a sudden gesture. The others had been waiting for this,
and instantly pounced upon the figure that lay upon the ground.
While Ted and Landy deposited their combined weight on the fellow's
back, Elmer on his part hastened to snatch hold of his arms, and whip
them behind him almost before the tramp understood what was happening.
Ty was waiting, and the way he slipped that loop over both hands, and
tightened it, was worth seeing.
Having made all secure so far as things had gone, the patrol leader now
seized hold of the kicking legs, and began to pull. As the others came
to his assistance they were hardly two seconds in dragging the tramp out
of the hay mow; and thus far at least not the slightest sound had been
made calculated to betray the facts to the other rascal.
It was not Elmer's intention to let the fellow see, just yet, at least,
that he owed his capture to a parcel of scouts. He might burst out into
a tirade, which, while it could do him no particular good, might serve
to warn the other fellow, and cause him to change his plans.
Accordingly he motioned to Landy to sit down on him again; and then
bending low himself he pressed the end of his pocketknife against the
man's neck as he grunted into his ear:
"Keep still, now, unless you want me to press the trigger!"
Satisfied that Landy and Ted could manage the tied tramp, even if he
started to kick up a row, which was hardly likely, Elmer once more
turned his attention to that opening under the mow. Once again the
projecting hay was being violently agitated, and he believed the shorter
man must be following close upon his mate.
The programme would have to be repeated, and Elmer only hoped as good
success might attend his second effort as had his first.
It would be a big feather in the caps of the scouts could they say that
they had effected the capture of the two would-be train wreckers, alone
and unaided. But at the moment he was not thinking of such a thing as
glory; when it was a stern duty that had been suddenly thrust upon them,
and which they must not attempt to evade under any circumstances, if
they wished to be true to the principles of the organization to which
they belonged.
Shorty, however, must have managed to change his position in some
manner, if so be he had started along the tunnel in the same crab-like
method of procedure which his comrade had employed. For the first thing
they knew a frowsy head had been thrust out of the hay, and a pair of
eyes were blinking up at them.
Elmer was afraid lest the fellow draw back upon seeing what awaited him,
just as a tortoise will pull in its head at signs of danger.
Accordingly, he was determined not to allow such a thing to happen.
True, with the advancing fire Shorty would speedily have to decide which
fate he must choose; but that might mean he would yield himself a
prisoner to the Fairfield police; and Elmer wanted the Boy Scouts to get
all the credit possible.
On this account, then, he pounced on the man, and gripped him by the
shoulders. Elmer was himself far from a weakling, and the man happened
to be taken very much by surprise; so that before he could collect his
wits sufficiently to make any show of defense, he found himself out on
the ground, with a couple of energetic young fellows hovering over him.
Ty, not having a second rope handy, had snatched up his club again. When
he saw that the shorter rascal was starting to make a move, as though
intending to get to his feet, when trouble must have followed, Ty waved
the wagon spoke threateningly over his head, as he yelled excitedly:
"Lie down, you, 'less you want me to let her fall! Stretch out and roll
over on your face, d'ye hear? Quick, now, keep amovin'! 'Everybody's
doin' it,' you know. Now, Elmer, if you only had another piece of
string handy, there's a good chance to snug him up good and tight."
Elmer did not have the cord or the rope; but all the same he was equal
to the demands of the occasion. He snatched his big red bandana
handkerchief from around his neck. He had seen such useful articles
serve strange purposes before; and why should this one not take the
place of a rope?
So he whipped it quickly around the thick wrists of the man, almost
before the fellow could get it through his head what had happened.
"Now, let's pull them farther away from here, because the barn's going
to be a hot place pretty soon," Elmer remarked.
Seizing hold, two to each prisoner, the boys succeeded in dragging them
some little distance off. Meanwhile some one had noticed what they were
doing, and presently the Fairfield Police head came running out of the
barn, rubbing his smarting eyes, and, coming upon the little party,
stopped to stare in astonishment.