The Motor Boys Across the Plains; or, The Hermit of Lost Lake

by Clarence Young

  CHAPTER IV

  NEWS FROM THE MINE

  By the use of the strong stimulant the Mexican was revived. His eyesopened, and he sat up, muttering something in Spanish which the boyscould not catch.

  The professor, however, made reply, and, at the words the strangerseemed to brighten up. He drank some water, and then, at the suggestionof Mr. Snodgrass the boys brought him some food, which the native ate asif he had fasted for a week.

  His hunger satisfied, he began to talk rapidly to the professor, wholistened attentively.

  "What's the trouble?" asked Jerry at length.

  "It seems that the poor man lives in this hut," explained the scientist."Night before last some robbers came in, took nearly everything hehad and beat him. Then, driving him into the forest they left him.Only just now did he dare to venture back, fearing to find his enemiesin possession of his home. He is weak from lack of food and from thetreatment he received."

  The boys felt sorry for the Mexican, and, at Jerry's suggestion theygave him a sum of money, which, while it was small enough to thetravelers, meant a great deal to the native. He poured forth volublethanks.

  As the boys and the professor were anxious to get under way, a start wasmade as soon as it was found that the native was not badly hurt, andthat he was able to summon help from friends in a near-by village ifnecessary. With final leave-takings the travelers started off.

  For several days and nights they journeyed north, toward the Rio Grande,which river separated them from the United States. Once they crossedthat they would be in Texas.

  "And we can't get there any too soon," remarked Bob, one morning aftera sleepless night, passed in the open, during which innumerable fleasattacked the travelers.

  It was toward dusk, one evening, about a week after having left the Cityof Mexico that the boys and the professor found themselves on a road,which, upon inquiry led to a small Mexican town, on the bank of the RioGrande, nearly opposite Eagle Pass, Texas.

  "Shall we cross over to-night or wait until morning?" asked theprofessor of the boys. "Probably it would be better to wait untildaylight. I could probably gather a few more specimens then."

  This was something of which the scientist, who rejoiced in such lettersas A.M.; Ph.D.; M.D.; F. R. G. S.; A. G. S., etc., after his name, allindicating some college honor conferred upon him, never seemed to tire.He was making a collection for his own college, as well as gatheringdata for four large books, which, some day, he intended to issue.

  "I'd rather get over on our land if we can," said Ned, and he seemed tovoice the sentiments of the others.

  So it was decided, somewhat against the professor's wish, to run theautomobile on the big flat-bottomed scow, which served as a ferry, andproceed across the stream.

  Quite a crowd of villagers came out to see the auto as it chug-chuggedup to the ferry landing, and not a few of the children and dogs werein danger of being run over until Ned, who was steering, cut out themuffler, and the explosions of the gasolene, unconfined by any pipes,made so much noise that all except the grown men were frightened away.

  There was no one at the ferry house, and after diligent inquiries it waslearned that the captain and crew of the boat had gone off to a danceabout five miles away.

  "I guess we'll have to stay on this side after all," remarked theprofessor. "I think--"

  What he thought he did not say, for just then he happened to catch sightof something on the shoulder of one of the Mexicans, who had gathered ina fringe about the machine.

  "Stand still, my dear man!" called the professor, as with cat-like treadhe crept toward the native.

  "Diabalo! Santa Maria! Carramba!" muttered the man, thinking, evidently,that the old scientist was out of his wits.

  "Don't move! Please don't move!" pleaded Mr. Snodgrass, forgetting inhis excitement that his hearer could not understand his language. "Thereis a beautiful specimen of a Mexican katy-did on your coat. If I get itI will have a specimen worth at least thirty dollars!"

  He made a sudden motion. The Mexican mistook the import of it, and,seemingly thinking he was about to be assaulted, raised his hand in selfdefense, and aimed a blow at the professor.

  It was only a glancing one, but it knocked the scientist down, and hefell into the road.

  "There, the katy-did got away after all," Mr. Snodgrass exclaimed, notseeming to mind his personal mishap in the least.

  This time the professor spoke in Spanish. The Mexican understood, andwas profuse in his apologies. He conversed rapidly with his companions,and, all at once there was a wild scramble after katy-dids. Sosuccessful was the hunt that the professor was fairly burdened withthe insects. He took as many as he needed, and thanked his newly foundfriends for their efforts.

  Matters quieted down after a bit. Darkness fell rapidly and, the Mexicanon whom the professor had seen the katy-did invited the travelers todine with him.

  He proved to be one of the principal men of the village, and his house,though not large, was well fitted up. The boys and the professor enjoyedthe best meal they had eaten since leaving the City of Mexico.

  "Do me the honor to spend the night here," said the Mexican, after themeal.

  "Thank you, if it will not disturb your household arrangements, wewill," replied the professor. "We must make an early start, however, andcross the river the first thing in the morning."

  "It will be impossible," replied Senor Gerardo, their host.

  "Why so?"

  "Because to-morrow starts the Feast of San Juarez, which lasts for threedays, and not a soul in town, including the ferry-master, will work inthat time."

  "What are we to do?" asked Mr. Snodgrass.

  "If you do not cross to-night you will not be able to make the passageuntil the end of the week," was the answer.

  "Then let's start to-night," spoke Jerry. "We went over the Rio Grandeafter dark once before."

  "Yes, and a pretty mess we made of it," said Ned, referring to thecollision they had with the house-boat, as told of in "The Motor Boys inMexico."

  "But I thought they said the ferry-master was away to a dance," put inBob.

  "He is, Senor," replied their host, who managed to understand the boy'spoor Spanish. "However, if he knew the Americanos wanted him, and wouldgo for him in their big marvelous--fire-spitting wagon, and--er--that isif they offered him a small sum, he might be prevailed upon to leave thedance."

  "Let's try it, at all events," suggested Jerry. "I'm anxious to get overthe line and into the United States. A stay of several days may meanone of a week. When these Mexicans get feasting they don't know when tostop."

  He spoke in English, so as not to offend their kind friend.

  It was arranged that Jerry and Senor Gerardo should go in the auto forthe ferry-master, and summon him to the river with his men, who couldcome on their fast ponies.

  This was done, and, though the master of the boat demurred at leavingthe pleasures of the dance, he consented when Jerry casually showed agold-piece. He and his men were soon mounted and galloped along, Jerryrunning the auto slowly to keep pace with them. The five miles werequickly covered and, while half the population of the village came outto see the strange machine ferried over, the boys and the professor badefarewell to the country where they had gone through so many strangeadventures.

  It was nearly ten o'clock when the big flat-bottomed boat grounded onthe opposite shore of the Rio Grande.

  "Hurrah for the United States!" exclaimed Bob. "Now I can get a decentmeal without having to swallow red peppers, onions and chocolate!"

  "There goes Chunky again," laughingly complained Ned. "No sooner does heland than he wants to feed his stomach. I believe if he had been withChristopher Columbus the first thing he would have inquired about onlanding at San Salvador would be what the Indians had good to eat."

  "Oh you're as bad as I am, every bit!" said Bob.

  Eagle's Pass, where the travelers landed, was a typical Texas town,with what passed for a hotel, a store and a few houses where the smal
lpopulation lived. It was on the edge of the border prairies and theoutlying districts were occupied by cattle ranches.

  Nearly all, if not quite all, of the male population came down to thedock to see the unusual sight of a big touring automobile on the ferryboat. Many were the comments made by the ranchmen and herders.

  After much pulling and hauling the car was rolled from the big scow,and the travelers, glad to feel that they were once more in their owncountry, began to think of a place to spend the night.

  "Where is the nearest hotel?" asked Jerry of a man in the crowd.

  "Ain't but one, stranger, an' it's right in front of you," was thereply, as the cowboy pointed to a small, one story building across thestreet from the river front.

  "Is Professor Driedgrass in that bunch?" asked a voice as the travelerswere contemplating the hostelry. "If he is I have a letter for him."

  "I am Professor Snodgrass," replied the scientist, looking toward theman who had last spoken.

  "Beg your pardon, Professor Snodgrass. I kinder got my brands mixed,"the stranger went on. "Anyhow I'm th' postmaster here, an' I've beenholdin' a letter for ye most a week. It says it's to be delivered to aman with three boys an' a choo-choo wagon, an' that description fitsyou."

  "Where's it from?" asked Mr. Snodgrass.

  "Come in a letter to me, from a feller named Nestor, up at a place inthe mining section," was the reply. "Th' letter to me said you mightlikely pass this way on your journey back."