Howard Roger Garis

“ Once fairly in the road, every one looked for a sign of the other sleds. Was the Cardiff bob too late? Was their racer ahead or behind the others? These were questions that tugged anxiously at the hearts of the boys. But there was little time for Adrian to think of this, for the control of the bob, moving like a locomotive, needed all his attention, and Tom Baker's as well. There was another sharp turn to make, and it took all of the two steersmen's strength to twist the wheels. Then the sled shot into a straight incline, the last quarter mile of the course. ”

“ Ranquist and Mr. Dudley have been so elated over a little salt.
"Just ordinary salt, though a very fine grade," repeated the surveyor.
"Only salt," and there was a world of disappointment in Roger's tone.
"But salt is not to be despised, by any means," went on Mr. Vanter. "If it wasn't for the salt wells, Syracuse would not be such a fine city as it is. Besides, if there was no salt, the people of the whole world would be very badly off. Is there something behind all this, Roger? Perhaps if you tell me I may be able to help you more than I can now. As it is I am working in the dark." ”

“ The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best. Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot. The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time. ”

“ Roger slept late that morning, and his aunt would not let Adrian awaken him, much as the country boy desired to hear more of his cousin's adventures. It was almost ten o'clock when Roger came downstairs, rubbing his eyes. He found no one about the house but Clara, who greeted him with a smile and an invitation to sit down to a fresh hot breakfast she had prepared.
"Well, I must say I'm getting into lazy ways," was the boy's remark. "I'm used to getting up earlier than this when I'm home. Where's everybody except you?" ”

“ The way to the Reservation, or the Castle, as every one in Cardiff called it, was up the main road to the north, a long level stretch of highway, lying between pleasant farm lands. The three miles seemed rather short to Roger, and after a little more than an hour's tramp, they came to a group of log cabins.
"What are those?" asked the city boy.
"Indian houses."
"Is that where they live? I thought they had tents," and Roger's voice showed his disappointment.
"These aren't wild Indians," said Adrian. "They have to live here all the year. ”

“ Calling cheerfully to the horse Adrian whistled a merry tune, and Roger joined in. Then they talked of various topics,—of the success of their trip, and what they would do to-morrow and next day.
"That's the last house in the village of Tully," said Adrian, suddenly, indicating a lonely cabin. "Pete Hallenbeck lives there, but he can't be home to-night, or there'd be a light in the window. He's lived all alone since his wife died. After we pass this there's not a place where anybody lives for three miles, until we get to the edge of Cardiff." ”

“ The boys sat down in the shade of a big maple.
"What's that queer smell," asked Roger suddenly, sniffing the air.
"Sulphur spring," explained Adrian. "This is what they call 'Stony Farm.' Belongs to Jim Eaton, and about all it's good for is to pasture sheep. The sulphur spring comes out of that rocky ledge and runs across under the road. Some folks say the water's healthy, but it tastes too much like rotten eggs for me. The cattle won't drink it. But say, those men are going in," and he rose to peer at them. ”

“ If a boy opened his mouth, not thinking, he was liable to find himself gasping for breath.
From somewhere behind him Roger heard an exclamation coming from a member of the Cardiff crew. He turned his head and was startled to see that instead of the Lafayette and Onativia sleds being in line with him, both bobs were now ahead of Cardiff, the Lafayette boys being half a length in advance and the other a quarter. It began to look as though the happenings of past years were to be repeated and Cardiff beaten. But Adrian showed no evidence of fear that he might be defeated again. ”

“ His golden dream of hidden wealth beneath his uncle's farm, by which the mortgage could be paid, was over now.
He turned away, and was about to throw the white crystals aside, when a sound behind caused him to start. He saw, emerging from the woods, Mr. Ranquist. The engineer appeared much disturbed at the sight of the boy. He stood still a moment, and then came forward rapidly. In his hand he carried a valise, which, as he dropped it on the ground, gave forth a metallic, clanking sound. Mr. Ranquist came close to Roger, who scarcely knew what to do. ”

“ Well, my boy," he went on, clapping Roger on the back good-naturedly, "it's very nice of you to think of these things for our railroad, but, bless you, we wouldn't want to stop in a place like this for coal or water. If the line goes through here," with a significant look at Mr. Dudley, "it will make only flying stops. I suppose this land, where the coal and water is, belongs to some friend of yours, eh?" and he looked at the boys narrowly.
"It's my father's," broke in Adrian. "But I never knew there was coal on it. There's a spring, and a good one, but nobody ever thought of looking for coal. ”

“ Adrian packed nearly a bushel into his sack before he was satisfied, but Roger was content to lug home a little more than two pecks, as he was hardly strong enough to bear the weight of more. They tramped slowly back, stopping frequently to rest. Emptying the nuts into baskets they went again to the woods for more, for as Adrian said, the squirrels would soon make short work of the harvest unless the boys were lively. ”

“ Took, glancing at his big silver watch. "It's one o'clock. Now we'll git some dinner. Hello, Porter!" he called to the stage driver, who just then emerged from the barn. "How be ye? Most got in ahead on ye, didn't I?"
"Had t' make a few extra stops," explained Mr. Amidown. "Made me a leetle late," and, with a nod, he passed on.
Now Roger was almost as hungry as if he had not eaten the doughnuts, and he wanted his dinner very much. But he knew hotels charged for food, even if it was for a small boy, and he realized, for the first time, that, in his hurry he had come away without any money. ”

“ They got there just as a man came along, driving a light wagon.
"It's Enberry Took, who lives right below us," explained Adrian. "He'll give us a lift. Hey, Enberry!"
"Whoa!" exclaimed the man in the wagon, pulling the horse up. "Been fishin', boys, or swimmin'?" he asked as he looked at Roger dripping water, and at the solitary [Pg 40] fish Adrian carried. Then Mr. Took smiled grimly, perhaps suspecting what had happened.
"We've been doing a little of both," explained Adrian. "Can we ride home with you, Enberry? This is my cousin, Roger, from New York. He's here on a visit." ”

“ Roger felt his breath come with a gasp.
"And it's our business to prevent this," said Mr. Vanter. "Now," he went on, "I'll tell you what we'll do."
He seemed to be thinking out a plan, and Roger waited, all impatience.
"You take the stage back to Cardiff," continued the surveyor. "I'll come on after you with Mr. Took, and that will give me time to make some arrangements here. Now be careful what you do. Don't tell any one you have seen me, and, when I arrive in Cardiff, don't recognize me if you meet me in the road. Above all, hurry. You have only just time to catch the stage. ”

“ Ranquist, with just the suspicion of a smile on his face. "He seems an obstinate sort of brute."
"But what's to be done, what's to be done?" inquired Mr. Dudley, testily. "We can't stay here all day, Ranquist, like ripe apples, waiting to be shaken down by this beast. Something must be done; I insist on it. I'll—I'll—What did you boys want to lead us into a bear's den for?" he asked, turning toward Roger and Adrian.
"We didn't know there were bears about," answered Adrian, a little crestfallen at the mishap. "There hasn't been any bears near Cardiff before in ten years." ”

“ The boys walked up a little path back of the farmhouse, through the barnyard, up past the corn-crib, and the melon patch, past the yard where a flock of white Wyandotte chickens were cackling, and so on, up to where the air was fragrant with the bloom of the grapes. [Pg 91]
"I'm picking Wordens," said Adrian, referring to the variety of the fruit he was gathering.
"How many kinds have you?" asked Roger.
"Well, we've got Concords, Isabellas, Niagaras, Delawares, Wordens, and Catawbas."
"I thought all grapes were alike."
"They're as different as people," said Adrian. ”

“ Mr. Dudley and I would like to get the lay of the land on this side of the hills that slope down into this part of the country," and he waved his hands toward the place where Roger had seen the two engineers at their mysterious operations. "Is there a good path up along there, and could you show us the way? We don't mind roughing it, but we dislike getting lost," finished Mr. Ranquist.
"I guess we can show you all right," said Adrian. "Do you want to start now?"
"I think so," Mr. Ranquist answered, so all four began their walk. ”

“ It isn't your fault," replied Adrian.
The two boys walked up the hill, and were soon at the place. On the way Roger was wondering whether Mr. Vanter had come out. He remembered his instructions, to pretend not to recognize the surveyor. As the lads approached the spring they could hear through the trees, the noise of men digging, and voices in conversation. The click of spades and shovels was plainly audible.
"They're at it already!" exclaimed Adrian. "Hurry up, and let's see 'em get the salt out." ”

“ From the Castle the boys went to the bridge which spanned a little stream that flowed through the Indian village.
"They say a terrible battle was once fought along this creek," said Adrian, as they cast pebbles into the brook. "The early white settlers in this part of the country and the old Onondaga Indians pitched into each other right on the bank of this stream, and lots were killed on both sides. ”

“ Ranquist, after carefully selecting a place on the surface, shoved into the soil. He twisted it about and then drew it up, after which he and Mr. Dudley carefully examined the end that had gone down into the earth.
"I have it!" exclaimed Roger. "They're prospecting for oil, that's what they are. They're not railroad surveyors at all."
"Perhaps they're after gold," suggested Adrian, all excited at the very thought. "Cracky! If there should be gold in Cardiff, wouldn't it be great? If there was only a little on dad's land, he wouldn't have to worry about that mortgage." ”

“ The barn was well filled with hay, the oat-bin bulged with fodder, and the silo, where the cornstalks were kept as feed for the cows, seemed like to split apart with its rich contents. The corn-crib, through the openings on the sides, showed a wealth of golden grains, which indicated not only johnny-cake for the house, but plenty of eating for the chickens. In short, there was every indication that whatever else happened there would be no lack of meals in the Kimball home that winter. ”

“ After making up the details with his opponents, Adrian proposed a few more coasts down the hill, and then he and Roger trudged off home.
"Do you think you'll win?" asked Roger anxiously as he plodded along the scarcely broken road. He was almost as interested as Adrian, for, though he had so recently come to Cardiff, he already felt himself one of the boys there.
"It's hard telling," answered Adrian, after a pause. "The Onativia boys have a very swift bob, and they usually manage to get off a little quicker than we do. ”

“ Though the beast was not half as big as Roger, he knew the sharp claws and sharper teeth would cause death, if once the animal got up courage enough to attack him. That this was its intention the boy had no doubt, though he was sure the wild-cats to be found in the mountains about Cardiff were more a danger and menace to chickens and lambs [Pg 71] than to human beings. The brutes were usually too cowardly to attack man. But perhaps the night, the smallness of the boy and his apparent terror had made the cat devoid of fear. ”

“ Farmers were returning from their fields, tired but happy. The crickets and tree-toads were beginning their night songs. Darkness was settling down over peaceful Cardiff valley.
"How does it agree with you out here, Roger?" asked Mr. Anderson. "Do you think you would like to stay?" ”

“ Kimball.
"It feels good, at any rate," said Roger.
"Now I reckon you'll like some supper," went on his aunt, bustling about.
"Supper? Breakfust'd be nearer th' mark," spoke up Mr. Kimball, looking at his big silver watch, which showed two o'clock.
"Anything, as long as it's something to eat," said Roger. "I'm as hungry as a bear."
"Or a wild-cat," laughed Clara, as she set the coffee on to boil. ”

“ After waiting until the men had well advanced, Roger and Adrian took after them.
Proceeding slowly along, the boys saw the men ascend to the top of the big ledge, and then turn to the left, going back in the direction they had come from. On top of the rocks was a sort of path, made by the sheep and cows that used it to pass into the woods during hot days. The men walked along this, for perhaps a mile, stopping every now and then to examine the ground closely. Once in a while the younger man would chip off a bit of rock, which he and his companion would look at carefully. ”

“ The white horse pulled nobly up the incline, stopping now and then to rest at the "thank-'e-ma'ams," as certain places in the road were called; being mounds of earth dug across the highway, designed to prevent the too sudden rush of water down the hill during a rain. These hummocks served to divert the water to one side like a gutter, and also made good resting places, for they held the rear wheels of the wagon. At length the boys reached the top of the hill and started off on a level stretch for Tully, where Andrews Brothers had a store, at which Mr. Kimball sold considerable produce. ”

“ The animal lifted his right paw up to Roger, who took it in his hand.
"He's a fine bird dog," commented Adrian, the introduction over. "We'll take him along when we go hunting."
Then Jack decided he was hungry, so he raced to the house, barking loudly. The boys took the grapes into the barn, and after they had been stowed away, Adrian lifted from a basket two large fine muskmelons. Next he produced a knife and a small bag of salt, when he and Roger proceeded to eat the fruit.
"This is the way dad and I like our melons," he announced to his cousin, as he cut off a luscious slice. ”