W. Crispin Sheppard

“ The cold, glittering sunlight was fast losing its strength; somber hues were stealing over fields of waving brown and yellow grasses, and, as shadows deepened and lengthened, the dampness and feeling of night crept into the air. A dense silence enveloped the vast expanse of wilderness; even the breeze which gently touched their faces seemed to be dying away.
"If that bronc doesn't turn up mighty soon we'll have to hike back without him," growled Dick, glancing at the sky.
"Oh, ginger! That's only too true," sighed Tim. "Before the moon comes up it'll be black as pitch." ”

“ A series of frantic yells suddenly went up from the occupants of the house-boat; then followed another.
Lights, like great eyes, struggled to show themselves, and, immediately after, the frightened boys saw a confused blur of shadowy masses forging its way toward them. The swish, as the sharp prow cut through the water, reached their ears clearly.
There was no time for action; their voices united in one long cry of alarm.
But it was too late.
A dark mass, cutting the vapor, loomed high up; the eyes shaped themselves into lanterns. There was an instant of breathless suspense. ”

“ Traveling up the slope of another hill he reached the summit just as the full glow of sunlight shot over the landscape. Somber shadows were immediately transformed into tints of delicate blue, barren surfaces of rock on hillsides caught and held the gleams of gold, while the woods became patches of mellow green.
There was a delightful sense of freshness in the fragrant air. Bob Somers felt buoyed up. He reflected that any one who could experience gloomy feelings on such a morning must be hopelessly out of tune with nature. ”

“ Bob Somers at length threw on full power. The pulsating roar of the engine and whirr of propeller blades were sent far off on the wind, carrying fear to the cattle browsing on the prairie below.
As mile after mile slipped behind them, the two boys saw with great satisfaction the cigar-shaped hull no longer appearing as a patch of gray but beginning to show distinctly the effects of light and shade. The chain of mountains, too, which hemmed in the plain was looming up faintly through a dark, murky atmosphere. One lone snow-capped peak shone delicately white. ”

“ The "Speedy" careened far over; before Dave Brandon and Dick Travers could master the flapping canvas, the boom swung swiftly across. Tommy Clifton tried to duck, but too late. His horrified chums saw him swept backward into the choppy water.
It had happened so quickly that not a move could be made to aid him.
But Tommy's yell of terror had scarcely ceased, when Dick Travers threw off his coat and shoes, and, without an instant's hesitation, dived overboard.
As he rose to the surface, bravely battling against wind and foam-crested waves, he clearly felt the grip of the treacherous current. ”

“ Instead, the motor car finally passed through South Milwaukee, and, under the cool and skilful guidance of Bob Somers, plunged steadily along the muddy road, its lamps throwing a strange, fantastic stream of light far in advance. Through its magic, objects continually leaped out of the night, only to be greedily snatched back by the mantle of gloom. Lights suggestive of hobgoblins flitted from tree to tree, or swept across fields and underbrush, but in the immensity of space beyond the glare blackness held supreme control. ”

“ It seemed like a glimpse of another world—a world of wonderful and impressive solitude. Not a sign of life could be seen in all that great circle. There was nothing to link one’s thoughts with the world below.
As before, Don saw the shadow of the wind-buffeted plane fantastically skimming over the crests of vapor. Very soon vivid lightning was flashing from cloud to cloud and the rolling, booming reverberations of thunder were beginning to fill the upper region with solemn and awe-inspiring volumes of sound. ”

“ A flaring circle of light slowly danced along over the snow. Bright beams glanced from tree to tree, queer-shaped shadows flitted about, but the hissing, sputtering flames revealed nothing but gaunt trees and underbrush.
"This is the strangest thing yet," declared Bob Somers.
"What kind of a place have we struck, I wonder?" put in Dick Travers. "First we are snowballed by somebody who isn't anybody, and now we get the life scared out of us by an animal that isn't an animal. ”

“ The lines were cast off, Bob gave two vigorous turns to the engine wheel, and with its familiar chug-chug the motor immediately responded.
As the "Rambler," with a bright-colored pennant floating at the stern, swung out and headed for midstream, a chorus of enthusiastic shouts floated off on the breeze.
A slight haze suffused the landscape, and the aspect of all nature had that indefinable charm and freshness of early morning. The sunlight bathed hills, fields and woods with a mellow glow, while off in the distance a steeple glistened brightly against the sky. ”

“ The restive, mettlesome mustangs, glad to be on the move once more, shot forward at the word of command, and breaking into a loping trot presently carried the riders over another rise which shut from their view the gray, adobe walls of the ancient ranch-house.
The weather was warmer than on the day before and lacked the fresh, keen breeze to temper the heat. The sun shone from a cloudless sky and as it climbed higher and higher all nature became enveloped in a yellowish glare, which, with the clouds of dust kicked up by the ponies’ heels, made the travelers long for a bit of woods and shade. ”

“ The great trunk of the elm partly shielded the busy students from a brisk, pleasant breeze, which, having no regard for the importance of the occasion, apparently strove its best to send the white scraps dancing merrily to the ground. The soft music of the gently-swaying boughs above kept up a steady accompaniment to the noises which once more broke out on the campus.
A dense crowd surged around the table, threatening at times to interfere with the work. ”

“ Below, a turbulent stream foamed its way in and out among rocks and boulders, sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight. The trail led upward, and when an hour had passed—an hour full of delight to the boys—they were in the midst of a wild and unfrequented region. Here and there, leaves of the maple and ash shone out against the darker pines and cedars, while the dogwood in full bloom lightened the landscape with its cheerful colors. Forest perfumes filled the air, and the notes of many woodland songsters rose above the steady grind of the coach. ”

“ At last the car was chugging its way up the slope of the final hill. Now the tops of the gaunt, scarred trees above stood out clearly against the rapidly-lightening sky. Gleams of somber gray were penetrating into the forest and formless shadows began to assume definite shapes. All nature appeared in its most sad and melancholy aspect. The dripping, water-soaked vegetation reflected the dull leaden gray of the clouds overhead; rivulets were still trickling down the hill and huge puddles and pools lay on all sides, as reminders of the recent storm. ”

“ Even amid the booming of the anti-aircraft batteries and the sharper staccato reports of the machine guns from various parts of the field, all blending into an unearthly din, the droning of the motors high in the air could be distinctly heard. Like a pyrotechnic display, luminous bullets, searching for the invaders, shot up into the sky, often piercing the low-hanging clouds; and mingling in with them were vicious little spurts of fire which told of the explosion of shrapnel shells. ”

“ Trees sprang into view, and flashed out; great masses of underbrush caught the glow, held it for an instant, then dropped from sight.
Thunderbolt, eager as a coyote, with Sam Randall at his side, frequently stooped over to examine the ground. Bushes and grass had been trampled almost flat by the cattle. Down by the dark, silent water of the creek the Indian’s eye scanned a muddy strip of shore for signs of men or horses. ”

“ None had ever seen such a weird and startling effect before.
“Great Scott!” cried Jack.
As Aleck slowly swung his lantern from side to side, a crowd of shadowy giants hovered menacingly above them. Each movement sent them springing about, to dance and flitter on the restless, eddying vapor.
As arms uplifted, great images with giant bands waved threateningly, and then flashed downward, as if to pluck them up and disperse them through the whitish haze. ”

“ Zigzag streaks of lightning tore the gloom asunder; the peals of thunder crashed and roared with appalling force, following one another so closely as to fill the air with a continuous series of reverberations. And mixed in with all this commotion of nature's forces was the heavy booming of the big guns and the éclats of the dreaded marmites—all forming an awesome combination which would have created a tension in the nerves of the bravest. Struggling hard to keep his wits and faculties about him, Don wondered what the thoughts of his companion might be. ”

“ And all this time the red lantern on the back of Spudger’s vehicle was growing larger and stronger. A mass of formless dark, with surprising suddenness, resolved itself into the shape of a buggy and trotting horse.
As Dave sped past he heard loud exclamations and yells in Peter Whiffin’s familiar voice. Then he was plunging on and on into the blackness, with nothing but an occasional gleam of electric flame to light the way. ”

“ John Hackett quickly took the lead, his long legs fairly seeming to fly, but Bob Somers pushed him closely. The flames grew brighter, and a veil of smoke could be seen drifting slowly in front of the dark trees, to rise like a blur against the clear, moonlit sky.
"Nothing can save the old shanty now," cried Hackett. "My eye—wow!—Say! We're sold—everybody sold! If this doesn't beat all!"
In making a long détour, so as to avoid a field of snow, the other side of the cabin came in view, disclosing an enormous bonfire, built at a safe distance from the structure. ”

“ There was an instant of silence. The lumbermen crowded eagerly around the aged warrior, whose stolid face, turned full toward them, shone brightly in the firelight. From the mysterious, somber depths of the forest came a low, mournful roar, as the ever-increasing breeze swayed the tree tops.
"Indian has spoken," said Wanatoma, slowly. "He is a friend of the white man. But boys save Indian's life, and Wanatoma can no forget. I give promise, and always does the Indian keep his promise. Is the white man like that, or does he change as the wind?" ”

“ There was an undercurrent of excitement in the gymnasium. Each of the players, in a new and spotless uniform, resplendent purple shirt and striped stockings, found himself the center of a little group of eager enthusiasts.
"For the good of the school, boys, do your best!" bawled "Crackers" Brown. "Nat Wingate is a dandy fellow; but I hope you'll beat his crowd so badly they'll never wind off any of their megaphone stunts here again."
"Oh, what an awful bluff, 'Crackers'!" chirped Benny Wilkins. "You know you want him to win."
"There's a big mob on the field already, fellows." ”

“ Higher, still higher climbed the biplane toward the white clouds above, through openings in which streamed bursts of sunlight that sent its shadow flying across prairie and cattle. The yellow alkali plain, with its curiously-shaped sandstone buttes, was soon plainly in view, while he could see a line of scrubby willows and a slender thread of bluish white showing between, to mark the meandering course of the river.
Mr. Ogden, having confidence in the nerves of his passenger, soared still higher, the biplane headed against a gently resisting breeze. ”

“ A long-drawn, shrill exclamation came from Don Hale.
The plane, after wobbling and staggering for the briefest instant, began a spinning dive toward the earth; and before it had gone many hundred feet a portion of one of its wings was seen to become detached. Almost instantly came a little burst of ruddy flame, rapidly increasing in intensity, until, at last, the airplane was blazing from end to end. Like a flaming meteorite, the doomed machine, still bathed in the dazzling white glare, continued its frightful plunge. ”

“ Now and then the vehicle floundered and jolted from side to side, as one wheel or another slipped into the ruts. Just as they turned a bend in the road and the ancient ports suddenly rose to view—a black, grim pile against an instantaneous glare of bluish light—the rain again started to descend, first in a flurry of big drops splattering noisily against the canvas covering of the ambulance, then in a vicious, lashing downpour which pelted the two in the driver's seat with stinging force. ”

“ The boys stared at one another, then at the lumberman, and from him to Wanatoma.
"I felt sure of it," said Bob, at length, with a great sigh of relief.
"Just to think of the luck," mumbled Tim.
"Honest, it seems too good to be true," chirped Tom, breathlessly.
"Sartingly beats all creation, that's what it does," remarked Cap Slater, in a tone of positive conviction.
"And—and did you really find gold?" asked Sam.
"The rocks are filled with specks that glitter like the sun," said Wanatoma. "Come, you shall see. Indian's work is done; he is content." ”

“ Straight ahead, rising against the golden sky, was a snow-capped summit, purple and hazy, while nearer at hand were red-brown cliffs, with the higher walls still touched by a glow of sunlight.
"No words are strong enough for this scenery," declared the "poet." "Hank Merwin certainly knows where to hang out."
"There isn't a prettier place around," asserted Jim Havens. "And talk about game—it's chuck full—bears and deer. But Hank can tell you all about that."
"Beats any place I ever saw," said Bob, enthusiastically. "Now, fellows, we'll have to desert this good old craft." ”

“ When the clouds closed about Don Hale and he found the view completely obscured, he experienced a wonderful sensation of relief. Yet his nerves were pretty badly shaken. Like the game hunter who has momentarily escaped the lion’s claws yet knows that the mighty animal is lurking near to renew the attack, his thoughts of what the immediate future might have in store for him sent renewed tremors through his frame.
War is a cruel and pitiless thing, in which compassion and the kindlier impulses of the human heart have no place. ”