 CHAPTER XXVI The Crow Boy's Honor Just as a prospector had started to draw the curtain of vines back, there came a most dreadful growl that made Alec jump, under the belief that the she-wolf he had been dragging after him might have come back to life and was about to pounce on the destroyers of her lair. Then all at once had struck him that that must have been the cause of this savage growl. That was no doubt what he meant when he spoke so confidently of knowing a way to frighten the man off. Indeed, Waffles did spring back instantly, uttering a cry of terror. He fully expected to see the beast that had uttered that ferocious growl come flying through the vinescreen, leaping at his throat. What is it? shouted Cracker, himself scrambling to his feet clumsily, owing to the girth of his waist. He seemed to be dragging something out of a rear pocket, and no doubt this was a single weapon which the Boy Scouts had allowed the men to carry off with them. At the time, Cracker and his companions found it necessary to confess themselves beaten in the game of wits. A wolf is laying behind them vines. Didn't you hear her give tongue like sixty? Catch me a lift and anything there, I tell you, uh, I ain't lost no wolf. Chances are it's the mother of that cub, too, and she'll be that mad when she knows we killed it. Nothing won't stop her rushing to camp. Let's clear out of here. But we got our fire started, and all of us feel dead tired, too, complained Dickey Bird, who was evidently struggling between two opinions, and did not know which was the lesser evil. Remain where they were, with that savage beast hovering around, or once more pursue their weary way elsewhere. Cracker had approached close to the vines, and that thought it a good time to give another growl, which he did with new emphasis. And Alec, not wanting to be left out of the game entirely, tried his hand also. Look out, cunnel! Those two of the critters shouted waffles, turning and edging further away from the rock wall. A whole den of a my reckons added Dickey Bird, who no longer cared to stay in such a dangerous vicinity. Cracker reached out his hand and shook the vines violently. This action completed the demoralization of the three prospectors. Almost weaponless as they were, they seemed to lack their ordinary courage. Run! They's coming out harder as cunnel, cried waffles, suiting the action to his words by turning and dashing wildly away. The second man followed close at his heels, just as thoroughly demoralized. Cracker might have stood it out for Cracker gripped a firearm in his fat hand, but when he found that he was being deserted by his companions, the big prospector also started to run clumsily away, breathing out all manner of threatenings against the other two for cowards. Dad no longer growled, but lying there on the rocky floor of the fissure, he shook all over with half-suppressed laughter. That's the time we saved the day with our growls, Alec, he whispered, when he could control himself to some extent. The other lad felt even more exultant. The mine had been in danger, but thanks to the ready wood of the scoutmaster, the enemy had been frightened away before they learned anything. And so Alec, feeling that he had plenty of cause for rejoicing, soon joined Dad in soft laughter. No danger of those fellows coming back to investigate, do you think, he asked? Well, if you could judge from the hurried wade they lit out, I guess we'd needn't dream that they'll ever want to see this cliff again, replied Dad. And when we want to, we can crawl out ourselves, can't we, Alec went on? Sure thing, right now is the time, because they're traveling for all their worth and never even looking back over their shoulders as they gallop along. How about these wolves? Shall we drag them out and throw the carcasses away in some hole? Asked Dad's companion. Evidently only too glad to do just whatever the scoutmaster decided were best. Indeed, he had reason to feel the utmost confidence in Dad Brewster. From the very first, this new friend had directed affairs in a way that Alec looked on as simply wonderful. It was almost like a dream to him, the coming of these scouts. They're championing his almost lost cause and bringing success out of failure. No wonder then that Alec felt so willing to trust this staunch friend through thick and thin. No wonder that he asked his opinion, knowing full well that whatever Dad decided would be best. Might as well get rid of the things while we're about it, was what Dad said. Sooner or later you'll be entering this passage again. I hope with capitalists along with you to look the mine over and decide how much money they'll advance to begin its working. And you wouldn't find it nice here if we left these bodies to cause a disagreeable odor. But we must be careful not to disarrange the vines, and I want to rub out any tracks we may leave before quitting this place. Accordingly, both the mother wolf and the cub were taken outside. It was not a difficult thing to find a deep hole into which all the dead animals could be cast, and after this duty had been accomplished the two boys returned to the mouth of the hidden mine. The fire had been kicked underfoot and extinguished, though that afterwards made sure to place the ambers in such a position that it would appear to have gone out on its own accord. This was to keep the prospectors from suspecting the truth, should they have the temerity to ever come back again, for one of them had lost his hat and his mad haste to depart. Then lighting the lantern, that tried the best he knew how to smooth over any footprint he or his companion may have made close to the fissure in the rock. He wished Allen might be there just then, for he would have known how to go about it better. All right now, he announced a little later, as he arose from his knees, what had we better do, stay around here, or try and work a little closer back to camp, to see what has happened there, Allen questioned. I was thinking it might pay us to do that last, the scoutmaster replied. We'd need show ourselves, of course, but could hang around until your rascally old uncle and that sheriff went away. Now, if only it was someone else he wanted to nab, what a fine chance this would be for you to get him as an officer of the law to help you locate the mine, but I suppose that would be too dangerous. It's an idea worth thinking about, Allen declared, and we may find a way yet to carry it out. I hope we won't run across those three scared men, because they headed this way when they ran off. You don't mean to carry the lantern lighted, do you, Thad? Well, I should say not. They would only advertise the fact that a couple of very fresh boy scouts were wandering around, why, those very men might cite us and lie and wait to capture you again, with which Thad blew out the lantern. They started on. Thanks to the moonlight they were able to keep their course fairly well, sometimes under the low trees and again among masses of powered up rocks. Far above their heads towered the mighty mountains. The tops capped with snow. Thad never glanced up at them without thinking how eagerly he and his chums had looked forward to this chance of seeing the fortress nature had built up and down the western country, separating the Pacific coast from the balance of the land. Listen, said Alec, laying a hand on his companion's sleeve. Did you think you heard a voice again, asked Thad, whispering the words, for there was a spice of danger in the very air around them. I sure did, and there it is again. Whatever is that man doing? Sounds to me like that waffle, suggested Thad. But what would he be praying for, tell me, asked Alec. Praying, echoed the other, astonished himself. Well, listen to him, would you? He seems to be begging somebody not to hurt him. Do you suppose they've gone and had a falling out among themselves, and the Colonel was threatening to finish his man for running away? Alec went on, still keeping his voice lower. Well, hardly that. Because he ran as fast as the rest of them, replied Thad. But come, let's creep forward a little and find out what all this fuss is about. As they proceeded to do this, the sound of Waffle's peculiar voice came more and more plainly to their hearing, and sure enough he was certainly pleading earnestly with some unknown one. Think what a guy I'll be if so be ye do hit and cut my poor ears off. Just in spite work, he was whining, I admit that I'd done ye dirt when I hooked that bead belt from your place, meanin' to sell the same, but sure I didn't know as how you valied it so high. Never to put a hand on it, if I'd been told to our sacred family relic, that outsiders hadn't ordered touch the same. Let me go this time, Fox, and I sure I promise it's never to do hit again. My ears is all I got, and think how I'd look without the same. You got me down, and I can't help myself, if so be ye meant to do hit. But better let me off this time. You ain't a wild engine, and you knows it ain't doin' right to try and mend one wrong with another. Let me go, Fox, I'm a sayin' I'm sorry, and a man can't do more than that. The mystery was explained. The Fox had followed that and Alex from the camp, no doubt, with the idea of standing up for them, if they needed help. He must have been hovering near when the three prospectors started their fire, and witnessed all that happened afterward. When the three frightened men made their wild flight, the Fox, still burning with a desire to wipe out the insult that Waffles had put upon his family when he took away that revered wampum belt that had never before been touched by profane hands, had followed in their wake. Finding a chance to jump on the back of Waffles, he had borne the man to the ground. Doubtless the other two had continued their mad flight, never caring what would happen to Waffles, and only thinking of saving their own precious bodies. And ever since that minute, the Fox had been sitting on the fallen man, telling him how he meant to punish him for his mean act, by making Waffles a reproach among his fellows, since only thieves had their ears sliced off in some countries. That nudged his companion, and they started to creep closer to the spot where the two figures prone on the ground could be indistinctly seen. End of Chapter 26. Chapter 27. Of the Boy Scouts in the Rockies. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Chad Horner from Balli Clare in CUNY UNT from Northern Ireland. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. The Boy Scouts in the Rockies by Herbert Carter. Chapter 27. The turn of the tide. Based on Fox, that man has been punished enough, and besides, you've recovered the belt, so there's been no real harm done. Let him get up. It was Thad who said this, as he and Alec broke cover, and appeared before the astonished eyes of the two who were on the ground, the crew boy furnishing his knife in a way calculated to make anyone's blood run cold. The Fox seemed to recognise that Thad spoke as one having authority. He had seen him manage things in the camp of the Scouts, and noticed how willingly the rest of the boys recognised his leadership, and secretly the crew boy admired Thad more than any pale-faced lad he had ever met on or off the reservation, saving possibly Alec. So he immediately arose, and hastened to conceal his knife. Give big scare, so him never try again, he muttered, looking down. Don't ye believe him? He just meant to take my ears off, for a fact exclaimed the man as he gained his feet, hardly knowing whether to start and running once more, or trust too Thad to stand between himself and the injured crew boy. Well then, we just happened along this way in time to save them for you, and Waffles, suppose you clear out of this as fast as you can. Don't forget what we said about shooting, if ever we find you around our camp. Now, if you get away in a hurry, I'll agree to keep the fox beside me. Only if you know what's good for you, never go near the reservation again. Well, I never will, make up your mind to that. Hold him now, I'm going to skedaddle out of this on the jump, and sure enough, Waffles did, rushing away as only a good healthy fright could urge on a tired man, nor did any of them see him again, or either of the other two for that matter. They must have made up their minds that the region around there was unhealthy for fellows of their stamp, and that the sooner they turned their faces toward civilisation the better for them. Joined by the fox, Thad and Alec continued to walk toward the distant camp of the scouts further up the valley. The night was getting well along when they halted to rest, having gone as far as was deemed advisable. They had talked it well over, and the fox had even told them what he knew about Sheriff Bob. This information was of so pleasing a nature that it seemed apt to have more or less influence with regard to making their final decision as to what their plans should be in the morning. They were up early, and had a bite to eat, a little food having been brought along by the far-sighted Scoutmaster, who, when he and Alec cleared out, did not know when they would get back again. Again they talked matters over. Thad was of a mind to but take himself back to the camp, leaving the others in hiding, but where they could see a signal he would make, if so be he wanted them to come in. This thing of your hiding out like you're a common criminal is all wrong, the Scoutmaster had declared, somewhat angrily. And I'm going to put it up to that sheriff in a way that must convince him he's been hung bugged by your scheming old uncle. Then we can get him to go with us to see you put up your notice and claim the mine your father originally discovered. After that you can go with him to the place where you have to file your sworn declaration of entry, and have things all done according to law. The Silver Fox patrol will meanwhile camp in front of that wolf den and hold it secure for you, understand all that Alec? Indeed I do, and no fellow ever before found such grand good friends as you and the rest of the Scouts have shown yourselves to be to me. And as he shook hands with Thad on the latter's leaving, Alec had tears in his eyes. Oh, that's what Scouts are for, you see, to be a help to each other and to anybody that's in trouble when they can lend a helping hand. Now watch for the signal, for if I give it, you can feel satisfied you have nothing to fear from that sheriff. With that Thad strewed away, heading in a roundabout way for the camp, so that his coming from a certain direction might not betray the hiding place of the other two. That was the astonishment of Alan and those of the patrol who were in camp, when a lone figure was seen approaching that they quickly made out to be Thad, all sorts of possible sources of new trouble loomed up in their minds. But as the Scoutmaster drew nearer, they were considerably relieved to discover that he was smiling, as do not worried in the least. Of course, the sheriff and the uncle, Artemis, had jumped up when the others did and observed the coming of the young Scoutmaster but with different emotions. The lawyer only wondered whether this might mean the surrender of his nephew to the authority invested in the office of sheriff, but the official himself was engaged in studying the approaching lad of whom he had heard so much and drawing his own opinion with regard to his character. Glad to see you again, Thad, called out Bumpus. That's right. And so says every one of us, echoed giraffe, determined not to be left out of any talking bay if there was one. Thad only nodded and smiled. He walked right over to where Alan stood and engaged him in earnest consultation, while the others looked on, not knowing what to make of this most unexpected turn of events. Presently, Alan turned and called out. Would you mind coming over here, Mr. Sheriff? We want to tell you something that ought to interest you about this case. The shrewd lawyer tried to hang on to the coaxed tails of the big sheriff, as he exclaimed, half threateningly, half pleadingly. Don't you go, Sheriff. They want to blurne you into believing their side of the story. You've got a warrant for the arrest of a vicious young fellow, even if he is my own nephew, who has robbed me of valuable papers. You've got to do your sworn duty. Better stay by me and the pale be sure. I wouldn't mind doubling what I promised. If so be I get my papers back, and the boy can go hang for all of me then. But the sheriff tore himself loose and walked over to where the two earnest-faced scouts were awaiting him. Alan introduced him to the patrol leader, and from the hearty hand-clasp would say officer bestowed upon him. That felt sure that the case of poor Badger Alec Rosson was as good as one, even before he had commenced to do any persuasive talking. He began at the start and related all that Alec had told him of his troubles in the past, and how not only Cracker and his kind had annoyed the widow of the dead prospector, but this sly old lawyer as well, all of them imbued with the same mad desire to learn where the hidden mine was located. He related numerous instances that almost amounted to persecution, whereby Uncle Artemias had tried to force the widow through stress of poverty to sell him the secret he believed she carried locked in her breast, until presently Thad saw by the angry glow in those blue eyes of the sheriff that he had accomplished the aim he had in view. Meanwhile the old lawyer had been on needles and pins. He jumped up and sat down again half a dozen times. Of course he could easily understand that Thad was trying to wean the sheriff away from his duty, and there were sounds that told Uncle Artemias this very thing was gradually being accomplished before his very eyes. He could not stand it much longer, and finally he advanced toward the spot where the sheriff and the two scouts stood. Thad had no longer the slightest fear that his work would be undermined. He knew that Sheriff Bob would no longer length his official stamp to any such underhand work as that which this slick lawyer from Denver was endeavouring to carry out, and so he could view the coming of the other without anxiety. I hope you haven't allowed yourself to be at all influenced by any spacious story you've listened to, Mr. Sheriff, the old man started to say. The officer drew his capacious hand across his chin as though collecting his dots in order to frame a suitable reply. I've been listening to some mighty interesting facts, Mr. Ross and he said. Lies every one of them, I warrant you, sir, snapped the lawyer, who began to feel that he was losing his grip on the case right then and there. Since this little whippersnapper of a leader among these boys appeared more capable of swaying the Sheriff than he could himself do. Oh, I don't know about that, Mr. Ross and the Sheriff went on, his eyes losing some of their twinkle, and a steely look taking its place, which Thad understood, must be his official face. I know a heap more than I did about things when I agreed to take this here warrant and execute the same for you by arresting a lad you claimed was your nephew, which was true, and who had been stealing valuable papers from you, which I reckoned was only a yarn. Do you mean to say you'd take the word of a mere half-grown boy rather than that of a gentleman, a lawyer of considerable repute endeavor as you happen to know, Mr. Sheriff? Things have got to a nice pass when that can be. Listen, thundered the Sheriff, turning squarely on the astonished lawyer and shaking his finger under his long nose. You lied to me about all that valuable paper business. It was you that wanted to steal something you believed this lad carried about his person, a paper that would tell you where to find that hidden silver mine, and I was a full enough to believe you, and to be hoodwinked that way. A Sheriff is sworn to do his duty only so long as he believes he is doing right. He has no claim to persecute an innocent party. I came all this way with you, though from the first I suspected you had a card up your sleeve. Now I understand at first and last I consider myself no longer in your service. Not a sin that you promised me will I touch. I am going to try to make amends to this poor son of Jerry Rosson for what I've done to worry him. By standing up and helping him take possession of his father's mine, he's found it too because look at these specimens of the richest silver ore I ever set eyes on. Understand that, sir? But you carry a warrant for his arrest. Bristled the lawyer as a last resort. The Big Sheriff pulled a paper out of his pocket which he proceeded to tear into a scorer fragments laughing scornfully meanwhile. Do you see that, Mr. Rosson, sir? Now where's the warrant for arresting Alec, your nephew? Call the boy in thad. I want to shake hands with him and tell him Bob McNulty is ready to back him up in holding that mine, and he's got a whole lot to be thankful for, I tell you boys, that when things looked darkest for him, a lucky chance, or some people will call it the favour of Providence, send you scouts into this valley to camp. Not another word, Mr. Rosson, if you know what's good for you, sir. End of Chapter 27 Chapter 28 of the Boy Scouts in the Rockies This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Boy Scouts in the Rockies by Herbert Carter Goodbye to the Rockies. Down for home. This is Alec Rosson, Sheriff McNulty, said thad. Some little time later, when in answer to a signal two figures came promptly into camp. The officer greeted the boy warmly, and what he said caused Alex's cheeks to burn red with delight as well as his eyes to sparkle, as he turned them filled with gratitude upon thad. For it seemed to him that the scoutmaster must be a little short of a magician, since he could even change enemies into warm friends. While even Uncle Artemis, as if he knew enough to get in out of the wet when it rained, came up and wanted to congratulate the boy for having won out and found the mind his father had first set eyes on. But Alec had too many bitter feelings in connection with the artful lawyer, and coolly turned his back on him. Arrangements were soon made whereby the sheriff would go with thad and Alec that very day to see the mind and be a witness to the act whereby the son of the first discoverer laid claim to the valuable property. Then he said he would accompany Alec to the city where the legal part of the business must be completed. Alec declared that he knew the very capitalist, a man who was the essence of honor and whom he would like to interest in the matter. So Alec expressed a wish to meet him that some arrangements might be quickly placed before his mother. His one thought seemed to be to get the glorious news to that waiting little woman as soon as possible. She had suffered enough, he declared, and please heaven this would be the end so far as money could bring relief. On the following morning then the sheriff left with Alec and the god keeping him company. An old uncle Artemis tagging on, anxious now to get back to Denver and take up his legal business since his hopes of ever having a share in the newly discovered silver mine were crushed, wrecked by his own malicious actions towards his brother's family. Had he done what was right in the premises instead of greedily wanting to grab the hole as Alec put it, Uncle Artemis might have been the very capitalist needed to develop the mine, but no one had any faith in him any longer. Of course Thad took his scouts and made a permanent camp there about where the three prospectors had started to settle down late on that night when the boys were coming out of the fissure and the rock. How the others did laugh again and again when they heard all about the fright given to Knacker and his companions by the growls which Thad and Alec managed to admit. Of course the big horn hunters had come in before that other day was much more than half done and Smithy was proudly carrying the horns that had belonged to his quarry. He hardly seemed like the same Smithy they had known so long. While he was a transformed boy in many things and even failed to brush off the dust someone pointed out to him on his khaki garments. And when Smithy reached a point where he could ignore such things there must surely be a great transformation taking place in his makeup. It was brimful of questions now eager to learn the thousand and one wrinkles of woodcraft and expressing his determination to accomplish wonderful things before many months had passed. And Thad knew that Smithy would prove a sad disappointment to all those 37 old-made aunts and cousins who had spoiled him in the past. He had suddenly discovered that he had the red blood of his father running in his veins and the lure of all outdoors was beginning to take hold of him. Never again would that boy be satisfied to sit at the feet of an old lady and learn how to make fancy work. Oh no, after this the baseball and football fields would claim a goodly share of his attention. For Smithy was bent on making himself manly a credit to the father whose name he bore and who he knew had once dearly loved to hunt and fish and spend his vacations in the woods close to nature as do all men who were worthy of the name. Before the time limit which Thad and his chums had set for their stay in the haunts of the Rockies had fully expired Alec and the Sheriff accompanied by Toby Smathers and several gentlemen who looked like financiers came back. They had no sooner examined the mine than arrangements were immediately made for forming a company to open it. There was even talk about running a railroad spur of the valley from the nearest connection so that the rich ore might be taken to a smelter and stamping mills though possibly it would be decided as an easier proposition to bring these things to the mine. And so one fine day the Silver Fox patrol of Cranford Troop of Boy Scouts said goodbye to Alec and several others who had become their friends since arriving in that region where the massive Rockies reared their snow-capped heads toward the blue skies far outreaching the clouds at times. Toby Smathers was to go back with them as far as the nearest town on the railroad then he expected to return to the mine having been offered a splendid position by the company. Alec meant to go down and see his mother and sisters presently when he could keep away no longer and pour into their lap some of the first proceeds from the now newly discovered but long hidden Silver Mine. And later on that had long letters from the western boy which he fully described the happiness that now reigned in his home and again and again did that good little mother send her warmest regards to the brave lads who had been so instrumental in gaining this great fortune for the raw sins and to whom she must ever feel gratitude the deepest kind on account of having her son spared to her. Of course we shall expect at some future time to once more make the acquaintance of Thad Brewster and his jolly lot of chums belonging to the Silver Fox Patrol. With the advent of the new patrol and other lads still clamoring for admittance into the troop Cranford was apt to soon take a front rank as a town where the boys were organized for good and when so many enterprising lads as Alan, Steppen, Giraffe, Bumpus, Bob White, Smithy, Davy Jones and last but far from least the efficient assistant scout master himself Thad Brewster continued to get together at every available opportunity winter and summer bent on having a royal good time it may be set down as certain that lots of remarkable things are just bound to happen that would make splendid reading but for the present we have to let Bumpus take his bugle in hand and in his customary clever way sound taps lights out End of Chapter 28 End of the Boy Scouts in the Rockies by Herbert Carter