THE DESERTED CABIN
In a few minutes the hair rope was all about the auto, spread out on the
ground in an irregular circle. As the boys dropped it over the sides of
the car the lariat struck several of the big snakes, and the reptiles
shrunk away as though scorched by fire.
"They're afraid of it all right!" exclaimed Ned. "I guess it will do the
business."
Sure enough, there seemed to be a desire on the part of the snakes to
clear out of the vicinity of the hair rope. They glided off by scores,
and soon there was a clear space all about the car, where, before, there
had been hundreds of the crawling things.
"Shake the lasso," suggested Bob, "and maybe it will scare them farther
off."
"Yes and we might try shooting a few now they are at a safe distance,"
put in Ned.
"It's too bad I can't get some specimens," lamented the professor, "but
I suppose you had better try to get rid of them."
So Jerry, who had retained one end of the long lasso vibrated it
rapidly, and, as it wiggled in sinuous folds toward the reptiles they
made haste to get out of the way. Then Bob and Ned opened fire, killing
several. In a little while there were no snakes to be seen.
"I guess we can go ahead now," said Jerry. "Who'll crank up the car?
Don't all speak at once."
"My arm is a bit sore," spoke Ned, rubbing his elbow.
"Then you do it, Chunky," asked the steersman.
"I think I have a stone in my foot," said Bob, making a wry face.
"Ha! Ha!" laughed Jerry. "Why don't you two own up and say you're afraid
there's a stray rattler or two under the machine, and you think it may
bite you?"
The two boys grinned sheepishly, and both made a motion to get out.
"Stay where you are," called the professor preparing to leave from the
side door of the tonneau. "I'm used to snakes. I don't believe there are
any left, but if there are I want them for specimens. I'll crank the
car."
So he got out and peered anxiously under the body, while the boys waited
in anxiety.
"No," called the scientist, in discouraged tones, "there are none left."
He crawled out, covered with dust, which fact he did not seem to mind,
and then turned the crank that sent the fly wheel over. Jerry turned on
the gasolene and threw in the spark, and, the next instant the familiar
chug-chug of the engine told that the auto was ready to bear the boys
and Professor Snodgrass on their way.
They were headed on as straight a road as they could find to the Rio
Grande, but, because of the conditions of the thoroughfares it would be
several days before they could cross the big river and get into Texas.
Their main concern now was to reach some place where there was shelter
for the night.
"Keep your eyes peeled for villages," called Ned. "We don't want to pass
any. I think a good bed would go fine now."
"A supper would go better," put in Bob.
"Oh, of course! It wouldn't be Chunky if he didn't say something about
eating," remarked Jerry with a laugh. "But there seems to be something
ahead. It's a house at all events, and probably is the mark of the
outskirts of the village."
On the left side of the road, about a hundred yards ahead they saw
an adobe, or mud hut. They could see no signs of life about in the
half-darkness, illuminated as it was by the powerful search light, but
this gave them no concern, as they knew the native Mexicans retired
early.
When they came opposite the hut Jerry brought the machine to a stop,
and he and the other boys jumped out. The professor, who, as usual was
arranging some specimens in one of the many small boxes he carried,
remained in the car.
"Hello!" shouted Bob. "Is any one home? Show a light. Can we get a
supper here?"
"Why don't you ask for a bed too?" inquired Ned.
"Supper first," replied Chunky, rubbing his stomach with a reflective
air.
No replies came to the hail of the boys, and, in some wonder they
approached nearer to the hut. Then they saw that the door was ajar, and
that the cabin bore every appearance of being deserted.
"Nobody home, I guess," said Jerry.
"No, and there hasn't been for some time," added Ned.
"Maybe there's a place to build a fire where we can cook a good meal,"
put in Bob, whereat his companions laughed.
They went into the hut, and found, that, while it was in good condition,
and furnished as well as the average native Mexican's abode, there was
no sign of life.
"Might as well make ourselves to home," said Ned. "Come on in,
professor," he called. "We'll stay here all night. No use traveling
further when there is such a good shelter right at hand."
It was now quite dark, and the boys brought in the two oil lamps from
the auto, as well as a lantern, to illuminate the place. As they did so
they disturbed a colony of bats which flew out with a great flutter of
wings.
"There's a charcoal stove, and plenty of fuel," said Bob, as he looked
at the hearth. "Now we can cook something."
"Well, seeing you are so fond of eating, we'll let you get the meal,"
said Jerry, and it was voted that Chunky should perform this office.
Meanwhile the others brought in blankets to make beds on the frame work
of cane that formed the sleeping quarters of whoever had last lived in
the hut.
"Rather queer sort of a shack," remarked Jerry, as he sat down in a
corner on a pile of rugs. "Seems to have been left suddenly. They didn't
even stop to take the dishes, and here is the remains of a meal," and
he pointed to some dried frijoles in one corner of the main room or
kitchen.
"Perhaps the people who lived here were frightened away," came from Ned.
"Well I'm tired enough not to let anything short of a regiment of
soldiers in action scare me awake to-night," said Jerry.
Under Bob's direction supper was soon ready, and the travelers sat down
to a good, if rather limited meal as far as variety went. There were
no dishes to be washed, for they ate off wooden plates, of which they
had a quantity and which they threw away after each meal. Then, after
a good fire had been built on the hearth--for the night was likely to
be chilly--the boys and the professor wrapped themselves up in their
blankets and soon fell asleep.
Jerry must have been slumbering for several hours when he suddenly
awakened as he heard a loud noise.
"Who's there?" he called involuntarily, sitting up.
It was so dark that at first he could distinguish nothing, but, as his
eyes became used to the blackness he managed to make out, by the glow of
the fire, a shadowy figure gliding toward the door.
"Who's there?" called the boy sharply, feeling under the rolled up
blanket that served for a pillow, for his revolver. "Stop or I'll fire!"
The shadowy figure halted. Then Jerry saw it drop down on all fours and
begin to creep toward him. Though he was not a coward the boy felt his
heart beating strangely, and he had a queer, creepy sensation down his
spine.
"What's the matter?" asked Ned, who was awakened by Jerry's voice.
"Get your revolver, quick!" called Jerry. "There is some one in the hut
besides ourselves! Look over by the fire!"
"I see it! Shall I shoot?" asked Ned.
There came a sudden crash, followed by a wild yell.
"Help! Help! I'm killed! They are murdering me!" shouted Bob's voice.
"They are choking me to death!"
_Bang!_ went Ned's gun.
Fortunately it was aimed at the ceiling, or some one might have been
hurt.
"What's the trouble?" inquired the professor, who only just then awoke.
"Robbers!" yelled Bob.
"Brigands!" exclaimed Ned.
"Some one is in the cabin!" cried Jerry.
By this time he had managed to creep over toward the fire, on which he
threw some light wood. The glowing embers caught it, and as the blaze
flared up it revealed a big monkey tangled up amid the folds of Bob's
blanket, while Chunky was buried somewhere beneath the pile. The beast
was struggling wildly to escape, but Bob, in his terror, had grabbed it
by a leg.
"Stop your noise!" commanded Jerry. "You're not hurt, Chunky!"
"Are you sure they haven't killed me?" asked Bob, releasing his hold on
the beast, which, with a wild chatter of fear, fled from the hut.
"You ought to be able to give the best evidence on that score," said
Jerry, as he lighted one of the lamps.
"The fellow tried to choke me," sputtered Bob.
"I guess the poor beast was as badly scared as you were," remarked the
professor. "It was probably attracted in here by the light and warmth.
Well, we seem bound to run up against excitement, night as well as day."
"The monkey must have knocked something over," said Jerry. "I was
awakened by the sound of something falling."
They looked and saw that the beast had tried to eat the remains of the
supper, and had upset a big pot.
"I was sure it was a man, at first," explained Jerry, "and when I saw
it go down and start over toward me I was afraid it was some of those
Mexican brigands that traveled with Vasco Bilette and Noddy Nixon, when
those rascals were on our trail."
It was some time before the excitement caused by the monkey's visit died
down sufficiently to allow the travelers to go to sleep again. It was
morning when they awoke, and prepared to get breakfast.
"We need some water to make coffee," said Jerry, who had agreed to get
the morning meal. "As chief cook and bottle washer I delegate Bob to
find some. Take the pail in the auto."
Bob started for the receptacle, and, as he reached the door of the hut
he gave a cry.
"What's the matter?" called Jerry and Ned.
"There's a man out here," replied Bob.
"Well, he won't bite you," said Jerry. "Who is he?"
"Pardon, senors," called a voice, and then, into the hut staggered a
Mexican, who bore evidences of having passed through a hard fight. His
face was cut and bruised, one arm hung limply at his side, and his
clothing was torn.
"What's the matter?" cried Jerry.
Before the stranger could reply he had fallen forward in a faint.
"Bring some water! Quick!" called Ned.
"Let me see to him! I have a little liquor here!" exclaimed the
professor, kneeling down beside the prostrate form.