Josephine Chase

“ The moving object was directly in line with Washington Washington's tent, and for that reason Miss Briggs would not have dared to fire, even did she find it necessary to do so.
Her first impulse was to awaken Grace, but upon second thought she decided to wait. Perhaps it was the Mystery Man returning, though Elfreda did not believe he would take the chance of getting shot.
"Mercy! It's an animal," gasped the watcher. "A bear!" she added in an awed whisper, as a faint mountain breeze fanned the campfire into a flame. ”

“ When you get sleepy, call me and I will take the watch for the rest of the night," directed Grace.
"I never sleep," remonstrated Hippy.
"He never sleeps," mimicked Emma in a deep voice from her tent, sending her companions into a shout of laughter.
"Except when he is supposed to be awake," teased Anne.
Before turning in, Grace made a circuit of the camp and the bushes and the trees surrounding it, halting where the ponies were tethered to see that they were properly tied for the night. ”

“ CHAPTER XXIII THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS
"How long has Tom's letter been here?" asked Anne, after Grace had explained their situation to her companions.
"Ten days. Every one seems to be issuing warnings, and Tom is no exception. Listen to this, will you? 'Be vigilant! The white moonlight reigns supreme up here.'"
"What does he mean by that? Is Tom growing sentimental?" questioned Emma.
"He means there are moonshiners on this ridge of Lieutenant Wingate's," answered Miss Briggs. ”

“ The first indication that something was approaching the opposite side of the camp was made known by the sudden restlessness of the ponies, which sprang up and gave every indication of fright.
The action of the ponies was followed by a floundering and crashing out there in the bushes as if a large animal were tearing its way through them.
"Hold your fire!" directed Lieutenant Wingate in a low voice. "It may be that one of the ponies has broken loose."
No one answered, but every rifle was held at ready.
"There it comes! It's a man," cried Nora, as a figure burst into view from the bushes. ”

“ It was a revolver shot on beyond where Tom is," answered Grace.
"There it goes again. Tom must be using his revolver. A hit! Somebody yelled," cried Lieutenant Wingate. "I hope it is that pesky mosquito that has been trying to sting us. Stay here while I go out to investigate."
"No, no!" protested Grace. "If you do you and Tom surely will shoot at each other. Remember he is a woodsman and knows how to creep up on one without making a sound that a human being could hear half a dozen yards away. Go to the edge of the clearing and wait. I will go back and around on Tom's side of the camp." ”

“ Grace, finally becoming disturbed at Hippy's long absence, announced her intention of going out to look for him, and was giving her companions directions about signaling her when Hippy Wingate came strolling into camp, his clothing torn and his face scratched from contact with brier bushes. "Hulloa, folks," he greeted, grinning sheepishly.
"My darlin', my darlin', are you hurt?" cried Nora, hurrying to him solicitously.
"No. I got lost and just found myself. Where do you suppose I was? Why less than ten rods from this camp all the time. Never saw such a country for mixing a fellow up. ”

“ Nora laughed and wept at the same time, and then quickly pulled herself together.
"I ought to take ye over me knee, but I won't because ye've brought me to me senses. Grace, see how calm I am. I am ready to listen to your plan, knowing very well that you have one in mind. If they haven't killed him, my Hippy will yet beat those scoundrels at their own game. Any man who has fought duels with the Germans above the clouds, and won, surely will be able to outwit a whole army of these thick-headed mountaineers. What do you think we should do?" ”

“ I am going to follow out this trail a little way. Perhaps I may discover something," said Grace.
Hippy said he would accompany her, but Grace shook her head.
"Please stay here and look out for the camp. If I need you I will shoot three times."
"I wish you would not go out," urged Elfreda. "What is to be gained? Nothing, and there may be much to lose."
"Grace has made up her mind to go, so you might as well save your breath, J. Elfreda," said Anne.
"Some persons are so stubborn," murmured Emma.
Grace smiled and nodded, then parted the bushes and stepped in. ”

“ At noon she gave up the attempt to find the trail over which Hippy Wingate had been taken, and started back towards the camp.
"What luck?" called Nora, as she appeared at the edge of the clearing where the camp was pitched.
"None. As a trailer, I am a miserable failure, a rank amateur."
"If you were to spend as much time con-centrating as you do tearing about over the landscape, you would be more successful," declared Emma wisely, at which there was a laugh at Grace's expense. ”

“ Nora does all of that for me. Really, Tom, you ought to train Grace to be ashamed for you for your shortcomings, or to be embarrassed for you. You have no idea what a lot of bother over nothing it relieves a fellow of."
"Nora Wingate is a very busy woman," observed Emma, whereat there was a laugh at Hippy's expense.
"Tom Gray's wife doesn't have to apologize for him," laughed Grace. "Folks, don't you think this conversation is growing rather personal? I would suggest that we all put on the brakes and start something less personal." ”

“ The atmosphere was becoming highly charged. Even Hippy had swung a mountain miss out to the floor and was dancing with her, but the Overland girls, with the exception of Emma, had smilingly declined when invited by mountain boys to dance. [178]
Men, under the scornful smiles on the faces of their regular partners, were growing sullen. The laughter was dying from the faces of the dancers, and it was quite evident that trouble was brewing.
"Call Hippy to you and tell him to sit down by you, Nora," whispered Grace Harlowe. "I will catch Emma at the end of this dance, if I can. ”

“ At eight o'clock the Overland Riders set out on their ponies, Washington Washington in the lead on his pack mule, industriously mouthing his harmonica, the girls laughing and chatting, Hippy silent, lost in contemplation of his own problems.
"Which way to the Coon Hollow schoolhouse?" called Grace as they passed a slowly walking couple a short distance beyond the Thompson home.
"Yer headin' fer it," answered the man.
"If Laundry gives the mule a free rein, we probably shall reach our destination sooner than if the boy tries to guide the animal," suggested Elfreda Briggs. ”

“ Battles with the timber pirates, the fight for the Overland claim, the faithfulness of the Indian, who helps Hippy and Tom on to victory, and the Christmas dinner in the depth of the forest amid thousands of scintillating Christmas trees, makes a story of adventure and achievement second to none that Grace Harlowe and her companions ever have experienced. ”

“ I discovered it when I was on my knees examining the trail here." Grace stooped over and, thrusting a hand into the bushes, brought forth an object which she held up for Elfreda's inspection.
"Do you recognize it, J. Elfreda?"
"Hippy's Hat!" Gasped Miss Briggs.
"Hippy's hat!" gasped Miss Briggs.
"Yes. Let us examine it. Look at this! Am I right?" demanded Grace triumphantly. "Hippy was whacked over the head with the butt of a revolver, and the blow cut right through the felt. No wonder he made no outcry. He is a lucky fellow if he hasn't a fractured skull. Elfreda, this is serious." ”

“ Why didn't you 'con-centrate,' Emma Dean?" demanded Hippy. "Old Con-centration is never on the job when he is really needed."
"How could I when I didn't know anything about this?" returned Emma, with a sweeping gesture that took in the entire camp. "What are we going to do now? Where are we to sleep, I ask you?"
"Sleep standing up just as the ponies do, my darlin'," suggested Nora. "Who do you suppose could have done such a thing? Why—"
Washington, who had gone out to tether the horses, set up a howl that called the Overlanders to him on a run. ”

“ Thank you. I caught the odor of this coffee before I rounded the upper corner of the cornfield. My nose frequently leads me to the good things of earth, and what I don't then see with my own eyes, the eyes in my case do."
"I would give almost anything to be able to talk a blue streak the way you do," exclaimed Emma so earnestly that her companions nearly choked with laughter, and that left the Mystery Man with laughter instead of words on his lips.
"Yes, but greater even than the gift of gab, is the gift of 'con-centration,'" twinkled Jeremiah Long. ”

“ Much of the equipment was stowed there before dark. After supper the rest of it was placed in the opening in the rocks.
"Do we take the rifles with us?" questioned Lieutenant Wingate.
"No, indeed," answered Grace with promptness. "It would not look well."
"Nor does it feel well to be held up or shot at without having the means to defend one's self," answered Hippy. "I shall take my revolver."
"Yes," agreed Grace. "Wear it under your blouse. I will do the same."
They decided to hide the rifles and ammunition in the bushes and trust to luck that no one stumbled on them. ”

“ Grace then entered the cottage and the girls led Nora out to the shady side of the barn where they consoled her as best they could.
"I will sit right down here and con-centrate," promised Emma. "You will see that it will fetch him back. If it doesn't never, never again will I con-centrate on Hippy. The trouble is that he resists the instant he feels the magnetic current, which makes con-centrating very difficult and takes so much of the imponderable quality out of one—"
"Emma! Emma!" cried Anne. "For mercy sake come up and get a breath of air. You will drown if you stay down another second." ”

“ He knows nothing at all about woodcraft, a necessary accomplishment in one who is going to pilot [17] a party of girls across such mountain territory as you propose to travel."
"What's that you say, Tom Gray?" called Lieutenant Wingate from the campfire where he was observing Washington fan it into life.
Grace laughingly repeated what Tom had said.
"Humph! I know all I need to know about woodcraft," declared Hippy with emphasis. "When I smell wood burning in the kitchen stove I know it is time to eat. What more knowledge of woodcraft does a fellow need?" ”

“ The outside guarding was continued until nearly bedtime, eyes and ears being strained, not only for prowlers, but for the return of Hippy Wingate.
"If we get no word to-morrow, what?" questioned Anne.
"Grace and myself will take the trail," announced Elfreda. "If she does not think it wise to go, I can go alone." ”

“ I am a shining example of a much henpecked husband. What would you do were you a henpecked husband?" questioned Tom quizzically. "Come, now!"
"Well," reflected Hippy, "I think that would depend largely upon the hen."
"You are right," agreed Tom Gray laughingly. "I shall be leaving in the morning, old man, and I have agreed with Grace to meet the Overland outfit at Hall's Corners three weeks from to-day, or as near to that date as possible. We will then make a pilgrimage to the lands of one Lieutenant Wingate and see what we shall find there. ”

“ Watch yourself, Grace. That [43] affair last night disturbs me not a little, because it is an indication of what you folks may have to contend with up here. The Kentucky mountaineer is not a gentle animal. He is a man of almost primitive instincts, and the worst of him is that he doesn't come out in the open to settle a grudge, but, as a rule, settles it from ambush."
"You forget, Tom dear, that we girls are not tenderfeet, that we are seasoned veterans of the world war and that the whistle of a bullet is not a new nor a particularly terrifying sound to us. ”

“ Emma had scored again, as she frequently did, and Hippy, instead of being ruffled, took keen delight, as usual, in her repartee.
"I fear that boy is not going to do at all," said Grace's husband with a shake of the head. "As I have remarked before, you should have a man for a guide, a man who knows these mountains and who is able to protect and look out for you girls in the event of your getting into trouble."
"But, Tom dear, don't you think the Overland girls by this time should be quite able to look out for themselves?" begged Grace. ”

“ Washington discovered the newcomer and began to chatter and point.
"Don't shoot. It's a woman," cried Emma.
"No one is going to shoot," retorted Hippy hopelessly. [129]
By this time all the girls were on their feet, gazing at the head and shoulders of a young woman showing above the bush. Her full cheeks and lips were red, and the black, straight hair hanging down her back reminded the Overlanders of Indian squaws they had seen in their journey over the Old Apache Trail. It was the caller's eyes, however, that attracted the most attention. ”

“ Washington Washington uttered a yell and bolted back for the opening of the cave, taking his torch with him, leaving the Overlanders in the blackest darkness they had ever experienced.
"I make the near blind to see, and the seeing to see in the dark as in the daylight. I am the [245] benefactor of all-uns of the mountains. Specs, ladies and gentlemen—fit you with specs that will enable you to penetrate even the darkness of the under-earth. Nick-nacks, threads, needles, but principally specs and good cheer," announced a voice that seemed to come right up out of the earth before them. ”

“ Miss Briggs raised her rifle to fire. She lowered it ever so little as a new thought occurred to her.
"I'll do it!" she declared, laying the rifle on the ground beside her. "I probably shall make an awful mess of the attempt, but I am going to try to rope that beast. I don't believe he will attack me if I miss. If he does I shall have every incentive to break all running records in my sprint for the rifle."
Elfreda reached for Grace Harlowe's Mexican lasso, arranged it for casting, then, after listening briefly to Grace's breathing, stepped cautiously from the tent. ”

“ Miss Briggs pointed to Hippy's empty saddle, and it was not until then that Nora Wingate fully realized the meaning of the scene.
"Hippy, my darlin', where are you?" she cried excitedly.
"Steady now," cautioned Grace. "It will profit us not at all to lose our heads. Spread out and search the clearing. First, tie your ponies so they don't disappear and leave us in the lurch."
The girls quickly slipped from their saddles and began searching, Grace first having examined the saddle of Hippy's pony. She found his rifle in the saddle-boot and his revolver in the holster suspended from the pommel. ”

“ The mountain man permitted his grasp on his rifle to relax and the weapon fell to the ground.
"Back up!" commanded Hippy. "Don't play any tricks, and keep your hands away from your holster. Keep him covered, Grace, while I dismount. You, fellow! Take notice! We know how to shoot, probably better than you do. If you try any tricks you'll get what's coming to you. Turn around and stand still with your hands as high above your head as they will go. Good!"
Hippy dismounted and, with revolver at ready, stepped over to the man who was now standing with his back to the Overland Riders. ”

“ The mountaineer was nearer death at that moment than he knew, for two hands had slipped to two revolver butts resting respectively in the holsters of Grace Harlowe and Lieutenant Wingate. What mad thing Nora had in mind they could not imagine, but they did not believe the fellow would dare to shoot her down in cold blood, for it must be plain to him that she was unarmed. [62]
"Look what you did!" she demanded, holding up the hat that the mountaineer might see the bullet hole in it. "You put a bullet through my husband's perfectly good hat. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? ”

“ After watering the ponies, Grace returned to camp and sat by the fire thinking, until it was time to call her companions. By the time they came out she had breakfast ready for them. Washington, who slept in a little pup-tent, had to be dragged out by the feet by Hippy before he was sufficiently awake to function. [46]
"Laundry," said Hippy solemnly, "I hope you never get caught in a burning house in the night. If you are, the house and yourself will be a heap of ashes in the cellar by the time you get awake." ”