Fair Rambler

“ Beyond the mills, and close in shore, a lumber schooner, piled high above the gunwales with short planks, lay at anchor, ready for her long trip down the river.
"Feast your eyes on the 'Osprey,' fellows," remarked Bob Somers; "Don Mason, Master."
"The staunch little craft which is to be entrusted with the precious cargo of Rambler boys," said Sam. "Say, it's pretty low in the water now; don't you think when Dave steps aboard it may be in danger of foundering?"
"Most likely there'll be nothing but groaning till she gets used to the additional strain," grinned Dave. ”

“ Over the rolling prairie floor at scarcely slackening speed dashed the herd. Tom found himself being forced nearer and nearer the center. His pony, sometimes almost lifted off his feet, fought desperately. He probably [171] knew as well as his rider that a fall would mean the snuffing out of his life in a twinkling by the flying hoofs.
The Rambler had lost all idea of direction, or how far they had gone. The excitement of the previous moments now gave place to a dull calm, which quieted the rapid beating of his heart. ”

“ The Rambler’s nerves did not forsake him. Lying flat on the ground he contrived to shield his body still more by the aid of the [228] bushes and tall grass which grew around him in profusion. As the hoof-beats of the horse told of the rider’s rapid approach he felt his heart beating faster. Discovery might lead to most unpleasant results. With muscles tense, he was ready to spring to his feet at the first intimation of danger.
But the rider clattered by without seeing the amateur detective.
Then there flashed into Bob Somers’ mind a possible explanation of the men’s peculiar actions. ”

“ His work required the greatest care. Should he approach too close it meant danger of being seen; should he lag too far behind the risk of losing the other’s trail. The route which the cowpuncher had taken led directly up the hill; so Bob Somers followed.
The presence of the man in advance was occasionally betrayed by a crackling in the [230] underbrush, as his horse plunged through. He was evidently traveling hard.
The Rambler took the precaution to keep intervening objects between, or to ride in the shadows now thickly falling about him in the deep woods. ”

“ The Rambler Club and Cranny Beaumont, the impetuous, the reckless, the daring but always rollicking, light-hearted lad, were once more in each other’s company and eager for the adventurous life which they hoped would be theirs for a few weeks to come.
It was rather an odd assortment of boys and men which lounged informally about the room. Beside the five Ramblers,—Bob Somers, Dave Brandon, Tom Clifton, Dick Travers, Sam Randall and their friend Don Stratton, the son of a New Orleans financier,—there were present Sergeant Robson Howell and Private Carl Alvin of the Ranger force at Texas. ”

“ Rube responded, “don’t you ever think I take any chance whatever in losing this money. You boys haven’t said a word to me about how you are hooked up! We’ve been too busy for that. But don’t you ever suspect that I don’t know. You haven’t mentioned any names, except Clay, Alex, Case and Jule, but I read all about you and the Rambler in a Chicago newspaper, and the minute you referred to the Rambler I had you located.”
“It seems that we are getting notorious,” suggested Clay. “We can’t make a move that some newspaper don’t record.” ”

“ I'm not trying to scrape acquaintance on the strength of your being in trouble; but you surely don't expect a man to ride on and leave a woman out here on the bald prairie—do you? Especially when she's confessed she's afraid of the dark—and coyotes!"
She was staring at him while he spoke, and she continued to stare after he had finished; the introspective look which sees without seeing, it became at last, and Ford gave a shrug at her apparent obstinacy and turned away to where Rambler stood with his head drooped and his eyes half closed. ”

“ 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 bronchos' hoofs began kicking up the pine-needles and cones again. The sunlight cut curious streaks in the dim recesses of the gloomy woods, spotting trunks and boughs with its brilliant radiance.
As the Ramblers made their way in and out among the trees, a musical tinkle of running water came more clearly to their ears.
"I see it! I see it!" cried Tim, raising himself in his stirrups, and pointing excitedly.
A cool, silvery streak was showing between the trees.
"The thread that should have led us to fame and fortune," mused Dave Brandon.
"Gold Creek, fellows!" ”

“ The poet laureate found himself raised to the rank of a hero, the praises showered upon him causing a blush to suffuse his features.
"Bully for you, Chubby!" said Bob Somers, grasping his hand, warmly. "Our trip would have come to a fine finish. Three more cheers for Dave Brandon," he called, with a will, and every one joined in.
"If it hadn't been for the 'Nimrod,' you would have lost your boat, anyway," declared Nat, who, through the entire proceeding, had acted in a restrained manner.
"It's a good thing that the 'Rambler' is a slow tub, fellows," put in John Hackett. ”

“ Cranny, happy and excited, burst into the room. “Whoop! Say, Bob, remember that [43] time at Circle T Ranch when Spud Ward told us about the mystery o’ Lone Pine? This is Willie Sloan, the pater’s ward. Here, Dave, if you can’t get in the door we’ll have it widened.”
At last the newcomers crowded in one by one, shaking hands, hearing pleasant words of greeting, and responding in kind, until the babel of voices was only slightly less than before.
The members of the Rambler Club were certainly a healthy-looking crowd of lads. Their sun-tanned faces told of outdoor life ”

“ A sharp detonation came from the motor, followed by a steady and rapid succession.
The effect was immediate. With a gentle, rocking motion, the "Rambler" began to glide forward, while the water at its stern was churned into foam and the ripples lapped against its sides.
"Hurrah!" cried Bob, enthusiastically. "This is what I call great!"
"Nothing could be finer," chimed in Dick. "See how far we have come already."
When the boys looked around, they were surprised to see what a distance separated them from the wharf.
Bob, at the wheel, managed it skilfully. ”

“ I would advise her to shun such dangerous experiments, to satisfy herself with common appearances, and to light up her apartments rather with myrtle, than the torch of truth.
"A MODEST young man sends his service to the author of the Rambler, and will be very willing to assist him in his work, but is sadly afraid of being discouraged by having his first essay rejected, a disgrace he has woefully experienced in every offer he had made of it to every new writer of every new paper ”

“ Coming originally from the south branch of the Chicago river, they had accumulated handsome fortunes during their journeys in quest of adventure, but they still saw the world through boys’ eyes, and were not satisfied to settle down to a humdrum life.
The Rambler, as will doubtless be remembered, was a very speedy boat, fitted up with electric lights and all modern conveniences. She carried an armor of chilled steel underneath as pretty a coat of paint as was ever sent out of the port of Chicago. ”

“ The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination. His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger. The tall Rambler kept well in the lead, arriving at the entrance yards ahead of his companions. The great iron gate which once guarded it no longer barred the way. ”

“ I was having rather a pleasant time of it when hailed from the Rambler. It seems that there had been a row on board, and that one of the gang had received a bullet through the lungs.
“Of course I did what I could for the man; but that was not much. ”

“ What do you think of that?" gasped the delighted Dick.
"It's simply immense," cried Bob, enthusiastically. "Fellows, three cheers for Mr. Fenton and the official photographer of the Rambler Club!" And they were given with a will.
And Mr. "Big Bill" Dugan, about ready to crack his long whip, was heard to remark, "Huh! Canyon River an' the gorge didn't seem to take no spirit out of that lively crowd." ”

“ Dugan pulled up his panting horses. "A right smart ways, yet," he answered, "but you'll know it when we get there, young 'un."
At the next halting place, a magnificent view caused the Ramblers to almost exhaust their vocabulary of admiring expressions. A veil of bluish mist hung over the opposite mountain, while its snow-capped summit, rising clear, shone out brilliantly against the sky. Far down in the valley a silver torrent threaded its way among the rich masses of vegetation.
"Glorious!" cried Bob Somers, enthusiastically. "It certainly makes a chap feel small. ”

“ The surgeon laughed.
“I came out of the rain!” was the reply.
“That’s Theodore Rand, formerly of the pirate craft Rambler,” said Paul. “He’s the quickest man at a broken leg I ever saw! I’m going to have him promoted. He’s going to be Chief Surgeon in the army before he dies!”
“Were you really aboard the Rambler before?” asked Case.
“Of course he was,” interrupted Paul. “Didn’t he set my broken leg? That’s some surgeon!”
“But I don’t see how you got away from the pirates,” Jule exclaimed. “They don’t let go when they get hold of a man like you. They cling to him like a puppy to a root!” ”

“ Rambler, stand out against this charming creature? Let her know, at least, that from this moment Nigrinus devotes his life and his labours to her service. Is there any stubborn prejudice of education that stands between thee and the most amiable of mankind? Behold, Flirtilla, at thy feet, a man grown gray in the study of those noble arts by which right and wrong may be confounded ”

“ The boy took up his searchlight and crossed over to the Esmeralda, which lay between the Rambler and the Mexican shore. Thede had a hearty laugh at the idea of the lad venturing out in the rain.
“You’ve got the fish notion as badly as Rube and Buck have the counterfeiters’ hunch,” he said. “When they get where they are, they won’t be there.”
“All right!” was the reply. “If I can’t get the fish, I’ll get a good bath! Say, Clay is over there on the Rambler, starving to death! Can’t you get him over here and fill him up?” ”

“ When I came aboard I thought I recognized the name of the Rambler. This menagerie of yours settles the point. You brought Captain Joe, the dog, from Para, on the Amazon and Teddy, the cub, from British Columbia.”
“You’ve got it,” Alex cried, “but how did you come to know so much about us? We rather expected to get away from our damaged reputations up here,” he added with a wink and a grin.
“You have long been famous in these parts,” the captain answered, “Ever since the Rambler came riding up to the Newfoundland coast on a flat car. It is a wonder that my men did not recognize you.” ”

“ He turned to Bob Somers. “You go there?”
“Yes,” answered Bob, “with you as guide.”
“Thunderbolt much good guide,” said Wandering Bear, his stern eyes resting fondly on his grandson. “Always he fear nothing. See?”—he pointed to the massive antlers of a moose resting close by—“Thunderbolt kill him.”
“Ah! The Rambler Club has a rival!” laughed Larry.
“I’ll be leaving in about an hour or two,” Ashe was saying, “so it isn’t likely I’ll see you chaps again unless you find your way back to the post.”
“We’ll get there all right,” said Tom Clifton, confidently. ”

“ The ex-cook was kindly allowed to assist in the clearing-up process, then the sharp prow of the "Rambler" began pushing its way out into the stream. Not a sign of the Trailers, as they dubbed the Nimrods, could be seen, and their feelings were like those expressed by the poet when he said, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast."
"Perhaps they won't bother us any more," observed Tom Clifton; "that little collision this morning seems to have had a salutary effect."
"Better wait until we get around the next bend," laughed Dave. ”

“ Four other Rangers, however, did not hesitate to express their astonishment, and, as the hut was far too small to accommodate such a large crowd, the lads and Professor Kent and his assistant accompanied the men toward a long shed at the rear, in which a number of horses were stabled. Just outside they paused.
Tom, to whom the rôle of spokesman now always seemed to fall, obliged once more, giving some details of the history and adventures of the “Rambler Club,” which the wondering Rangers listened to with great attention. ”

“ A dead man’s chest! Yo, ho, and a bottle of rum! And a bottle of rum!”
“The men who are deserting the Rambler certainly have heard the parrot before!” whispered Case. “What does it mean?”
While the boys and the soldiers wondered over the strange happening, another voice came from the Rambler.
“Up, boys, and at them! Drive ’em into the river!”
“Peter Pratt!” shouted Alex, dancing up and down in the excitement of the moment.
“Good old Jule! I knew they couldn’t kill him!” exclaimed Clay, leaping out of the boat. ”