Arthur M. Winfield

“ A good night's rest had put all in the best of humor, and they joked and sang as they rode along.
"Songbird, this ride ought to be full of inspirations for you," remarked Fred.
"I'll wager he is chockful of poetry at this minute," put in Dick.
"Then, for gracious' sake, turn on the spigot before you explode, Songbird," cried Tom. "Don't pen up your brilliant ideas when they want to flow." ”

“ For the steed had made another leap, and now Hans went over his neck in a jiffy, to land in a heap of dust on the side of the road. Then the horse took to his heels and disappeared up the trail like a flash.
"Are you hurt?" questioned Dick, leaping to the ground and running to the German youth's assistance.
"Vere is dot horse?" sang out Hans as he scrambled up and wiped the dust from his mouth and eyes. He was not injured, but was greatly excited.
"The horse has run away."
"Veil, I nefer! Go after him, somepotty!"
"I'll go after him!" cried Tom. ”

“ A few words more, and Dick and Tom managed to find some sticks and stones which suited their purpose. Then they moved forward once again.
At that moment came a cry from a distance, followed by a pistol shot. The men around the broken-down wagon were instantly on their guard, with pistols and a shotgun.
"Shoot the first man who tries to corner us!" shouted Andy Jimson. "Don't take any chances."
"Wait!" cried Dick to Tom, who was on the point of exposing himself. "Don't show yourself now. Help may be at hand. Besides, those men will shoot as soon as they see us, now." ”

“ The owner of the ranch uttered a shrill whistle, and in a moment two men came running out of the dining-room of the ranch. Each carried a gun.
"What's wanted, boss?" they asked.
"We have captured two spies," answered Sack Todd.
"Spies!"
"Yes. We want you to place them down below and then come and follow us. We are going to see if there are any more of them around."
The two men placed their guns over their backs and took hold of Sam and Dick.
"Don't let them slip you," added the owner of the ranch. "I reckon they're a pretty slick pair."
"They shan't slip us; eh, Spud?" ”

“ Dick and Tom were delighted to think that they had gotten on the trail of their brother thus readily, and they and their friends withdrew for a short distance, that they might hold a consultation without being overheard by their enemies.
"You are sure it's Sam?" questioned Songbird. "I must say it was so dark I couldn't see him."
"I saw him plainly, just as the lantern was flashed his way," answered Dick. "He had his hands behind him. More than likely they are tied fast, or handcuffed."
"Well, what do you propose?" came from Tom. "I move we go in and attack our enemies roughshod. ”

“ Scarcely had he done this, than the runaway steed began to prance, and kicked up his heels as before. But Tom was on guard, and try his best, the horse could not dislodge the boy.
"Beware, Tom!" cried Sam. "Don't let him throw you, or he may step on you!"
"I don't intend to let him throw me!" was the panting answer.
Finding he could not throw Tom, the horse adopted new tactics. He gave a sudden bound forward and was off with the speed of the wind.
"He is running away with Tom!"
On and on went the steed, and Tom did his best to pull him in, but without result. ”

“ The timber passed, they came out on a long stretch of prairie land leading to the high hills beyond.
"Here we are on the plains!" cried Sam. "Who wants to race?" And off he rode at top speed, with some of the others following. Even Wags seemed to enjoy the brush, and barked continually as he ran ahead and leaped up before one horse and then another.
Sam's wild ride on the plains lasted rather longer than the others had anticipated, and when it came to an end, all found themselves away from the beaten trail which they had been pursuing. ”

“ The man left the shack, leaped into the saddle on the mare, spoke to the steed and, in a second, was off like the wind around a turn in the woods.
"Gracious, but he can ride!" was Tom's comment. "That mare is a peach!"
"Another mystery," came from Dick. He gazed at the board on the wall. "Do you know what I think?"
"What?" asked Songbird.
"That is an out-and-out warning——"
"Sure."
"A warning meant for just such persons as ourselves."
"You mean it is a warning to keep away from Red Rock ranch?" asked Sam. ”

“ A few minutes after that, the boys and the others separated for the night, and Hans retired to his own stateroom.
As it was bright moonlight, no lights had been lit, nor did the German youth make any.
Tom had deceived him completely, and behind his back he carried a heavy switch. He intended to "lather" the ghost good before giving the joker, whoever he might be, a chance to get away.
As he closed the door, he caught sight of something white and ghost-like standing near the head of his berth. He shut the door softly and locked it.
"Oh, my!" he cried. "A ghost! a ghost!" ”

“ In the meantime, a campfire was lit, and two of the number set about preparing the supper which had been brought along.
"This is all very well, when one has his stuff with him," observed Fred. "But if we had to go out and shoot game or catch fish, it would be a different story."
"Pooh, as if we haven't done that!" cried Tom. "I shouldn't like anything better than to go out into the woods for a month."
By the time the shelter was in readiness for the night, the supper was cooked, and all sat around the campfire to partake of the meal. ”

“ Both large stones hit the door with tremendous force. The barrier was split from end to end, but still held firm.
"Again!" cried Dick, and once more the stones were hurled in mad desperation. There was another crash, and the door tottered and came away from the lock. Then Tom threw his weight against it and it burst open fully.
A rush of hot air and smoke greeted them as they leaped into the passageway. Looking up, they saw that the flooring above was already burning.
"We can't go up through the trap-door," said Dick. "We have got to find some other way out." ”

“ By the time the next run came to an end, the horse was covered with foam and tired out, for the road was very rough. Tom now turned him back and made him journey along at a fairly good rate of speed.
"Well, I declare, here comes Tom back!" cried Fred on catching sight of the fun-loving Rover. "Are you hurt?"
"Not a bit."
"And the horse?" asked Sam.
"As meek as a lamb—shouldn't wish for a better animal. He wanted a little run, that's all, and I gave it to him."
Soon Dick came up, with Hans riding behind him. The German boy looked at the captured horse with awe. ”

“ I wish I knew if they discovered anything, or if Tom managed to keep out of sight."
Again there was silence, and once more the boys dozed off, not to rouse up until there came the unlocking of the cell door. Sack Todd stood there, lantern in hand, and beside him Andy Jimson.
"Hope you had a good night's sleep," said the owner of Red Rock ranch.
"Fine," answered Dick sarcastically. "Your feather beds can't be beat."
"And the quilts were extra warm," put in Sam, catching his cue from his brother.
"Humph! Your night here doesn't seem to have tamed you down much," growled Sack Todd. ”

“ The government official hurried forward and the two boys followed him, bringing along the horses as before. Soon they were at a spot where they could see the conflagration plainly. To their astonishment, not a soul appeared around the ranch or the outbuildings.
"What does this mean?" asked Songbird. "That gang certainly can't be in the burning building.
"I know what it means!" cried the detective, and there was something like anguish in his voice. "They have abandoned the ranch and set fire to it!" ”

“ The sour-looking individual looked thoroughly enraged.
"I—I'll settle with you another time, young man!" he roared, and dashed from the room.
"Tom, you made it rather warm for him," remarked Dick.
"Well, he had no right to find fault with our appetites," grumbled Tom. "We are paying for our meals, and I am going to eat what I please."
"And I don't blame you, young man," said a gentleman sitting opposite. "Sladen is very disagreeable to us all and makes himself especially obnoxious to newcomers. He imagines the hotel is here for his especial benefit." ”

“ Then you didn't know the man?"
"Oh, I met him once or twice, years ago—when he was in business up in New York." And without waiting to be questioned further, Dick walked out of the stable. The man eyed him as closely as he had the government detective the day previous.
"He isn't much more than a boy, but I'd like to know if he is out here only for pleasure or on business," said the man to himself. "We can't be too careful in our work," and he smiled grimly. ”

“ If that secret was given to the world at large, it would spell ruin for me and all of my associates," went on Sack Todd.
"That is your fault, not ours."
"Bah! Don't talk like a child, Rover. Do you think I'll allow a couple of boys to ruin me? Not much!" ”

“ The men of the ranch crowded around the newcomer and plied him with questions. Tom tried to catch all that was said, but was unable to do so.
"We'll have to make short work of this, I am afraid," he heard Sack Todd say, a little later.
"What about the boy?" questioned the long-nosed man.
"He ought to be shot!" was the cold-blooded reply, which made Tom shiver.
"Shall we put him with the rest?"
"Yes."
Without ceremony, poor Tom was marched away to the trap-door, a man on each side of him. Dan Baxter came behind. ”

“ But then he grew bolder and found it to be a tree root.
"That shows we are close to the surface of the ground," said he. "If the worst comes to the worst, I fancy we can dig our way upward with our hands."
"Maybe, but we don't want this roof to cave in on us, Dick. Come on."
They continued to go forward, but now the passageway was so small that they had to crawl on their hands and knees.
"This looks as if we were going to be blocked, after all," said Tom.
"Something is ahead," whispered Dick. "Be quiet!" ”

“ The one question is: where are we, and where is the right trail?"
"And a big question to answer, Dick," came from Sam. "For all we know, we may be miles and miles off the road."
"No use of crying over spilt oil, as the lamp said to the wick," sang out Tom. "I move we go on until we strike a ranch, or plantation, or something."
"That is what we'll have to do, unless we want to go back."
"No going back in this!" shouted several, and then they moved forward as before, but at a slower rate of speed. ”

“ Beyond was something of a cell, built of stone and heavy timbers, with a thick door that was bolted and locked.
"In you go," said one of the men, shoving Dick forward.
"Is this where you intend to keep us?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"That is for the boss to decide."
"It's a wretched place," said Sam, looking around. "It isn't fit for a dog to stay in."
"That's not my fault. You brought this on yourself," said the man.
"When a kid takes it on himself to play the spy, he must take what comes," said the other man as he shoved Sam in behind his brother. ”

“ Leaving his tired horse behind him, the eldest Rover mounted the animal Watermelon Pete had been riding, and the whole party, minus the negro, who was left to take care of himself for the time being, started for the rendezvous of the counterfeiters.
"If you do any shooting, be careful and don't hit my brother Sam," said Dick.
"I'll warn the men," answered James Monday, and did so. Dick was so tired he could scarcely sit up in the saddle. But he longed to see Sam rescued, and so rode along as best he could. ”

“ A moment later, they heard the guards walk away, and then Tom told the truth about the letter, and Sam and Dick led him to the hole in the wall.
"It is not quite big enough to use, yet," whispered the eldest Rover. "But we hope to have it big enough by to-morrow. It's slow work, when you have got to be on your guard all the while."
"I'd like to know what became of the detective," returned Tom.
"He must have run away as soon as he saw how affairs were shaping," put in Dick. "I hope he rounds up the whole gang."
"So do I, and Dan Baxter with them," answered Tom. ”

“ The question came from Sam, after an hour had been spent in the damp and lonely cell under Red Rock ranch.
"That is a riddle to me, Sam," answered Dick. "I don't think they will let us go in a hurry. We have learned too much."
"Do you imagine they will find Tom and the others?" ”

“ All of the stones around the hole they had made refused to budge, and, as the opening was not over eight inches in diameter, it availed them nothing.
"It is no use, Sam," said Dick finally. "We are simply wearing ourselves out for nothing. Give it up."
Both boys were exhausted, but were too much disturbed to take a good sleep. Yet, as they sat on a bench, the eyes of each closed, and he took a series of naps, arousing at every unusual sound that penetrated to the underground cell. ”

“ The men tugged at one of the pieces of machinery and at last lifted it from the wagon. But, instead of setting it on the ground, they disappeared with it into the ranch.
"Hullo!" ejaculated Dick. "If that is farming machinery, why are they taking it into the house?"
"Maybe it's a heating apparatus," suggested Sam.
"Yes, they need it in this weather," said Tom sarcastically.
"Well, what is it, then?"
"That remains to be found out," said Dick. "This certainly is a place of mystery," he added. "It is assuredly no ordinary ranch." ”

“ It's big enough to be a house," replied Tom Rover.
"Maybe it is a house," came from Dick Rover, who was standing beside his brothers on the rear deck of the houseboat which was taking them down the Mississippi River.
"A house?" broke in a distinctly German voice. "Did you mean to said dere vos a house floating der rifer town, Dick Rofer?"
"Why not, Hansy, my boy?" replied fun-loving Tom Rover, before his big brother could answer. "Hasn't a house got a right to take a float if it wants to? Perhaps it's out for its health." ”

“ Say, fellows, he looks half starved."
"Are you sure it ain't no catpob?" queried Hans anxiously.
"Yes, Hans," answered Songbird. "He is nothing but a dog, and rather friendly at that."
The dog came closer, wagging his tail slowly and suspiciously. Dick put out his hand and patted him, and then he waved his tail in a vigorous fashion.
"He is willing enough to be friends," said the eldest Rover. "I shouldn't be surprised if he is homeless."
"In that case, we might adopt him," said Tom, who loved a nice dog. ”

“ All gathered on the deck to take in the sights before breakfast was announced by Aleck.
A big schooner, was passing with all sails set, and, not long after this, a large steamer, bound up the Mississippi, hove into sight.
"Now, we'll get some big swells," remarked Sam, and he was right. Soon the houseboat began to rock in a fashion that pleased the boys, but alarmed the girls.
"When the houseboat rocks like that, I'm always afraid we'll be swamped," said Grace.
"There is little danger of that," said Captain Starr. "The wash would have to be much heavier before it could do any damage." ”