The Rambler

“ 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!" ”

“ 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.” ”

“ A SET of candid readers send their respects to the Rambler, and acknowledge his merit in so well beginning a work that may be of publick benefit. But, superior as his genius is to the impertinences of a trifling age, they cannot help a wish, that he would condescend to the weakness of minds softened by perpetual amusements, and now and then throw in, like his predecessors, some papers of a gay and humorous turn. Too fair a field now lies open, with too plentiful a harvest of follies! ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ The Rambler ran on through the night, carrying prow lights and side lights, and covered many miles before the morning sun lifted over the mountains and looked down on the river.
“What about loitering around for a time in the hope of finding Gran?” asked Case, as he came from the cabin, rubbing his eyes, and noted that the Rambler was under full speed. “We ought to look for him, anyway.”
“We’ve given that up,” Alex answered. “We’re going right on about our business, fishing and hunting, and having all the fun we can, regardless of all mystery. ”

“ 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?” ”

“ The man who spoke was tall, slender, black of hair and eyes, and with a grace and freedom of movement which told of life in the open air. Clay rather liked his looks, and so consented for him to board the Rambler. Case stood by with a revolver to see that no rush was made as the other vaulted easily over the railing after scrambling lightly up the side of the motor boat. But there was no need of this, for the others sat stolidly at the oars, even backing off as the prow bumped the Rambler’s side. ”

“ I will advise him, since he so well deserves my precepts, not to be discouraged, though the Rambler should prove equally envious, or tasteless, with the rest of this fraternity. If his paper is refused, the presses of England are open, let him try the judgment of the publick. If, as it has sometimes happened in general combinations against merit, he cannot persuade the world to buy his works, he may present them to his friends ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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.” ”

“ 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!” ”

“ The Rambler resolved on a desperate course.
He knew that cow-punchers, in efforts to stem the rush of stampeding cattle and mill the herd—that is to swing it around on its own axis—often fire revolver shots over their heads. ”

“ The chances are that the Rambler ran only a short distance after the boys left her. If the boys have the good sense which they have previously shown, they will follow on down the river, and so make the distance we shall be obliged to travel in this old tub all the shorter. In fact, I am looking for them at every bend in the river. ”

“ A chorus of negative responses came from the Ramblers, Bob Somers adding, in a voice which betrayed his indignant feelings, as he glanced at the damaged rudder: "I believe we can get along without assistance—at least, we don't wish any from the Nimrods." ”

“ 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 watchers could hear the man on the deck swearing under his breath, and could see the man prowling in the bushes advancing toward the Rambler.
“Now’s the time to get the Rambler back,” whispered Case. “I am positive there is only the person in sight on board.”
“But where have the others gone?” asked Buck. “There were six on board.”
“There is a man in the shrubbery,” said Rube. “Well,” Case said, getting to his feet, “who’s going to make the first break?”
“Look here,” Alex put in, “what’s the matter with the rear deck? ”

“ Besides, the Rambler was entirely unmanageable, and would doubtless soon bring up against a sand bar or a mass of wreckage. In this case the first boat coming within sight would undoubtedly stop to inquire the cause of the trouble.
Thus reasoning himself into a more hopeful state of mind, the boy went out onto the little deck and watched Gid and Mike panting and sweating at the oars and sweep in their vain efforts to keep the Rambler off a sand bar which lifted its white surface above the river on the Kentucky side. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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." ”

“ Jule asserted, as the cub set up a wail which might have been heard on the Rambler. “Better let me take that line, Alex, while you teach your baby manners.”
“Mind the nerve of him! Talking about a man’s job!” laughed Clay. “If I had his good opinion of himself, I’d walk on the water out to the Rambler.” “Yes, you would!” commented Alex, throwing off his outer garments preparatory to entering the river. “If you don’t take good care of that cub, I’ll set him on you when you come aboard.”
The boys now carried the fish line up the stream a short distance and Alex entered the water. ”

“ They remembered that the rowboat had not been used since the robbers had been driven off with dynamite. The man might be a river pirate for all any member of the party knew.
The Rambler, being nearer to the swimmer than the other boat, at once turned her prow in his direction, but he reached shoal water before they overtook him, and disappeared in the thicket.
“Wouldn’t that frost you?” exclaimed Alex, bending over the edge of the boat and looking as if he expected to see more men where the swimmer had released his hold. “Say, but that man, whoever he is, can go some in the water!” ”

“ 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. ”

“ Four fat little sandpipers, or grass plover, were picked up, and as they are delicious eating, the addition to their larder was welcome.
About half an hour later, the boys discovered that a flock of wood-ducks had alighted in a copse near the lake.
The eyes of the Ramblers and Nimrods fairly sparkled, as they began to work their way carefully toward them. Some distance ahead, a stretch of high grass happily served to conceal their movements. They crept stealthily forward, foot by foot, fearful each moment that the flock would take alarm. ”

“ It's the easiest way to make a living I know of."
During this time, numerous boats, some shaped like Venetian gondolas, were passing and repassing, their occupants being careful to give the "Rambler" a wide berth.
"Funny how the scene has changed," observed Brandon, languidly; "only the other night a wildcat tried to interview us, and now look at all this crowd."
"Twenty miles makes a big difference in this part of the country," said Sam Randall.
"So far, we have had some pretty lively times," put in Bob. "Perhaps nothing will happen for the rest of the trip." ”