Ralph Bonehill

“ Allen knew they must keep on the move if they expected to reach Daddy Wampole's crossroads ranch before the evening shadows fell.
On through the forest of spruce and hemlock, with here and there a tall cottonwood, they spurred their horses. The foot of the hill was soon reached, and up they toiled.
"A grand country," murmured Noel Urner.
"And big room for improvements," returned Allen, grimly. "It will take a deal of labor to put this land in shape for use."
"We never realize what the pioneers had to contend with when they first settled this country until we see things as they are here. ”

“ If you wish I will remain here until your brother returns."
"You are right welcome to do that," cried Chet. "As for not having a horse, you are no worse off than ourselves, for we are with out an animal of any kind, outside of the cattle."
"Then, being equally bad off, we ought to make good friends," smiled Noel Urner. "I shall like staying on a ranch for a few days first rate, and you can rely on my giving you all the assistance in my power when it comes to finding out the fate of your uncle."
"We can't do anything until Allen returns," sighed Paul. ”

“ But little more was said and they quickly followed the trail up to where a wall of rocks arose, standing boldly out from the foothills and facing the seven pines.
"If I ain't mistaken thar's a cave over yonder," whispered Watson, pointing with his hand.
"Forward we go!" cried Allen, and dashed ahead, with his weapon ready for use. Two minutes later a turn of the trail brought them into plain view of a large cave in the cliff side.
"Eureka!" began Watson, when Allen checked his speech.
"Somebody is coming!" he whispered. "A woman! Get behind the brush!" ”

“ He plunged into the basin he had designated, which was six or eight feet below the level of the trail and not over ten yards in diameter. Chet followed, ducking low as he did so, for already was the air filled with flying branches.
"None too soon!" ejaculated Paul. "Down, Rush!"
Between them they managed to get the horse to lie down close to a wall of dirt and rocks. They lay near, waiting almost breathlessly for that awful time of peril to pass.
No one who has not experienced the dreadful effects of a cyclone can imagine it, be the description of it ever so fine. ”

“ Allen hopped over the stream, and, assured that he could easily retrace his steps if necessary, continued on his search, his firebrand held over his head.
It was a discouraging journey when the end was reached. Before him arose a solid wall not less than twenty feet in height, at which elevation the cavern appeared to continue. Allen gazed up at the wall with a hopeless look on his face.
"Humph! How in the name of creation am I to climb up there?" he muttered. "It's as steep as the side of a house and twice as slippery. ”

“ For one brief second Allen fancied his last hour on earth had come. A single bite from that snake and all would be over, for it would be all out of the question to get rid of the poison.
But with a strength and courage born of despair he bent down, and, reaching out, caught the reptile around the neck. The bright eyes almost paralyzed his nerve, and he was compelled to turn from them in order to accomplish his purpose. ”

“ In the meantime Allen had passed down the trail until the buildings of the ranch were left far behind. He knew the way well, and had no difficulty in finding the tracks—new ones—made by the hoofs of four horses.
"As long as they remain as fresh as they are now it will be easy enough to follow them," was the mental conclusion which he reached, as he urged forward his tired mare in a way that showed his fondness for the animal and his disinclination to make her do more than could fairly be expected. ”

“ Come on; the best we can do is to ride to Dottery's and try to obtain help. It's a long journey by night, but there's nothing else to do."
"I won't mind it—if only Dottery will turn in and help us. He ought to, but he always was a peculiar fellow. He may not want to make an enemy of Captain Grady, seeing as the ranches adjoin. But come on, while daylight lasts."
And off the two brothers struck, along the river trail, and then down the road Allen and Noel Urner had pursued on their way to the far-away railroad station. They realized that in another hour darkness would be upon them. ”

“ To the right of them was a tall overhanging rock, to the left a number of prickly bushes. Ahead and behind was the winding and uneven road along which their animals had come on a walk.
"Do ye see old Ephraim?" asked Jack Blowfen, as he, too, got his gun in readiness.
"I don't see anything," declared Paul.
Bang! It was Chet's gun which spoke. He fired up toward the top of the overhanging rock. Scarcely had the shot rung out than a fearful roar of mingled pain and rage rent the air. ”

“ And without another word he turned on his heel, strode out of the house, sprang on his horse, and rode away at top speed.
"Phew! but isn't he mad!" exclaimed Chet, as the rider disappeared up the river trail.
"You bet!" returned Paul, dropping into a bit of slang. "But he can stay mad as long as he pleases; he can't bulldoze us."
"He is not so sure of his rights as he pretends to be," remarked Noel Urner, who, in the course of his city life, had met many men similar to Captain Grady. "If he knew all was right he wouldn't bluster so much." ”

“ The boys felt much more comfortable after Watson had started off to hunt up Allen. They knew the old man would do all in his power to help their elder brother, no matter in what difficulty he might find him.
"A rather odd character, truly," observed Noel, as they again passed into the house.
"Yes, but with a heart of steel and gold," returned Chet. "Idaho does not contain a braver or better hunter than old Ike Watson." ”

“ Hang the measly luck!" roared Saul Mangle. "Darry! Jeff! What are you at?"
As he cried out, the leader of the horse thieves felt for his pistol. But before the weapon could be drawn both horses and Allen had disappeared behind a clump of cottonwoods.
"We had bettah follow him on de mustangs," suggested the negro. "He can't ride——"
"Of course, we'll follow him!" growled Mangle. "Don't stand and talk about it. Come on! He'll be out of hearing in another minute! This is the worst luck yet!" ”

“ Something about Barnaby Winthrop
"My uncle a prisoner about ten miles from here?" repeated Allen Winthrop, after Lou Slavin had made his confession.
"Will you shut up?" howled Bluckburn, savagely. "You'll spoil everything."
"An he'll save hisself from bein lynched," added old Ike Watson, suggestively.
"We haven't done anything—you can't hold us," spluttered Bluckburn. He found himself in a bad corner.
"Holding a man a prisoner is nothing, I presume," said Allen, in deep anger. "Go on," he continued to Slavin. "Where is my uncle?" ”

“ Captain Grady knew the value of the ranch, even if the boys did not, and he meant to gain possession of it, if not by fair means, then by foul.
"We'll have to take a look for the cattle this afternoon," said Paul, some time after the conversation concerning Uncle Barnaby came to a close. "We don't want any of them to get in the sink hole again."
"That's so; we'll start at once, and we'll see to it that we lock up good," laughed Chet. "No more thieves wanted." ”

“ In five minutes Allen heard the clatter ahead drawing away from him. Soon it ceased entirely.
But he did not give up. It was not in his nature to surrender a cause so long as one spark of hope of success remained.
The mountain trail now led downward for a few hundred yards, and then wound through a rocky pass, dark and forbidding. Allen kept watch on either side for a possible ambush, but none presented itself.
"He has gone on, that is certain," he thought. "I rather guess he thinks to tire me out, knowing the condition my mare is in; but if he thinks that he is mistaken. ”

“ He loves Lilly as if she was his best girl. It's a good thing for us, too, Paul," he went on. "Now each can have a mount home."
"Right you are—if Lilly can carry me."
Paul was speedily on the mare's back. She seemed willing enough to carry him; in fact, glad to be in the keeping of a human being she knew.
"If she could only talk what a tale she would have to tell," observed Paul as they rode homeward. "I wonder how she got out of the river?"
"I reckon we'll never know, unless Allen makes her talk. He can make her do most everything," laughed Chet. ”

“ Allen and Ike Watson were soon on the way back to the ranch. Fortunately Ike Watson knew every foot of the ground, and led by the most direct route.
As the reader knows, Paul and Chet heard them approaching and received their elder brother with open arms.
"You look like a ghost!" declared Chet, starting back on catching sight of Allen's pale face.
"And I feel like a shadow," responded Allen with a weary laugh. "But a good dinner and a nap will make me as bright as a dollar again."
"He has our horses!" cried Paul. ”

“ Some men think life altogether too slow unless they are doing something against the law."
Allen, as he rested, could not help but think of his two brothers. What were Chet and Paul doing? He sincerely trusted all was going well with them.
"They ought to be old enough to take care of themselves," said Noel. "You mustn't worry too much on their account."
"Well, we have to be on guard out here night and day, Noel. You really don't know who to trust." ”

“ To this Watson made no reply, but the grin on his face showed that he appreciated the compliment.
Soon they had a roaring fire, which threw grotesque shadows on the cavern walls. All drew closer to enjoy the warmth, and they prepared a meal to which even Slavin did full justice. ”

“ Dismounting, the brothers made their way to where a deep ditch drained from the ranch home under the stockade into the river. The ditch was almost dry and was all but choked up with weeds and brush.
"Now, Chet, it is a serious undertaking, but you know we must take some chances," went on Paul, as they let themselves down into the ditch. "The captain may really shoot at us, although I think he will hardly dare do it with Blowfen and Mr. Dottery at hand to see that justice is done."
"If he shoots, we'll shoot back," replied Chet. ”

“ The night birds sang their parting song, and then came the almost utter silence of the night.
"When do you suppose we'll reach Dottery's?" questioned Chet, after several miles had been covered.
"If all goes well, we'll get there by one or two o'clock," returned his brother. "You must remember we have Demon Hollow to cross, and that's no fool of a job in the dark."
"Especially if the Demon is abroad," laughed Chet. He was only joking, and did not believe in the old trappers stories about the ghost in hiding at the bottom of the rocky pass. ”

“ They found the young man an exceedingly bright and pleasant chap. He said he had come west two months before and had been spending over a month in San Francisco.
"I came out at the invitation of an old prospector," he said. "We were to meet in San Francisco, but when I arrived there I could not find my man. He belongs somewhere in this neighborhood. His name is Barnaby Winthrop. Perhaps you have heard of him?"
"Heard of him!" cried Chet.
"He is our uncle!" added Paul.
"Your uncle!" And now it was Noel Urner's turn to be surprised. ”

“ He opened his eyes, and with a loud exclamation, which awoke his companion, leaped to his feet.
"What does this mea——" he began.
"Hands up, ye rascal!" ordered Ike Watson, so sternly that instantly both arms were raised high overhead. The horse thief, for the man was nothing less, if not much worse, fully understood that his opponent had the "drop" on him and would not stop to parley unless the order to elevate his hands was obeyed.
The second rascal, in his sitting position, attempted to draw a pistol, but Allen, producing his own weapon, forced the man to remain stationary. ”

“ Noel was lying partly on his back, with one foot pressed against the wolverine's stomach. The wild beast still held the young man by the arm.
Allen realized that whatever good was to be done must be done instantly, and without stopping to think twice he blazed away at the wolverine, twice in quick succession. Watson likewise fired, and the creature was struck each time. With a yelp that was almost human the wolverine turned, let go his hold on Noel, and leaped for Allen. ”

“ Paul set off on a run around the edge of the sink hole, which was all of several hundred feet in diameter. Close behind him came Chet, wondering who the man could be and how they might assist him should he be beyond their reach.
Two dozen steps brought them in sight of the sufferer. He was a young man and his general dress and appearance betokened that he was a stranger in those parts, and, in fact, a stranger to the wilds; a city fellow, born and bred. ”