Boy Scouts in the Rockies; Or, The Secret of the Hidden Silver Mine

by Herbert Carter

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  PURE PLUCK.

  "Well, I'm glad they're departed; because somehow I couldn't fancythat Mr. Rawson the least little bit," remarked Smithy, an hour later.

  "Do you really think they have gone for good, Toby?" Step Hen asked,eagerly; "or might they just make believe, and hang around here to seeif we had Aleck Rawson hidden away somewhere?"

  "Oh! they're gone, that's right enough," replied the guide; "but I'mkinder of the notion they'll make it a p'int to pay a visit to theother camp by mornin', and p'raps sneak in on 'em by surprise like."

  "Then you're of a mind that they have suspicions?" asked Step Hen.

  "That thar Artemus Rawson I reckon he allers has s'picions ofeverybody," replied Toby; "an' I seen him watchin' you two boys passwinks an' nods when the sheriff, he happened to say the gent's namewas Rawson."

  "Then he must have guessed that we knew something about Aleck?"declared Davy.

  "Reckon as how he did," Toby responded.

  "But if that was so, how did it come that he never once asked us if weknew a boy by the name of Aleck Rawson?" Step Hen went on.

  "He was jest a leetle too slick for that," the guide answered. "Heknowed that you'd made up your mind to deny everything; and he guessedhow the land laid. So right now, I shouldn't wonder a bit but whathe's atellin' Bob all about it; an' showin' him how they'll as like asnot find the boy they want right smack in the camp of the Boy Scouts."

  "You're right, Toby!" cried Step Hen. "Now I remember that the sheriffseemed a little bit inclined to put up all night with us; but it wasthe other who said he wanted to be on the move. He even asked how longit would take to reach the main valley over on the other side of thisridge, by followin' the canyon route; and vowed he was good for a fewhours' tramp, if the sheriff was agreeable."

  "Yes, and he told how one of their hosses kim down lame, so they hadto leave both animals in a place to rest up while they was in themountains," remarked the guide; "but it's sure too bad the way thingsis a settin' for that boy."

  "You mean Aleck, I guess, don't you, Toby?" asked Step Hen.

  "Yes, Aleck Rawson. I wanted to see the kid git that mine his dadfound years ago; but seems to me the woods is full of people as thinkthey orter have a claim on it, afore the fambly of Jerry Rawson. If sobe this ole chap is a uncle to the boy, he's a bad egg; I kin see thatin his face. But Sheriff Bob thinks he's doin' the right thing intryin' to arrest Aleck; and he'll take him away, if he ever lays eyeson him. I say, it's too bad."

  "If we only could warn them?" said Smithy, disconsolately.

  "Mebbe we can," remarked Step Hen, eagerly looking at the guide in thesame breath, as though it depended a good deal upon Toby whether thisidea could be carried out, or not.

  "Oh! do you really mean it, Step Hen?" demanded Smithy, brighteningup; for he seemed to be conscious of a new sense of reliance in theother nowadays, something similar to that he felt in Thad himself;Step Hen had been "doing things," and that alone breeds confidence.

  "I'm wanting to ask Toby something first, before I promise," remarkedthe other, cautiously, as became one who valued his word not lightly.

  "Go on, then; what is it?" asked the guide.

  "Think hard, please," Step Hen continued, very soberly; "and tell meif you believe you could take me to a place, not a great ways off,where we would be able to see the tents of the home camp, if daylightwas here."

  Toby's face turned into a grin; evidently he grasped the idea that hadflashed into the boy's mind. After having seen how Giraffe had "talked"with Aleck by means of "fire flashes," when the Rawson boy was away upon that ledge of the cliff, Toby was ready to believe these wonderfulscouts capable of almost anything in the line of "next miracles."

  "Say, yes, I kin do that same now; that is, if you think you'd be ableto climb a leetle bit more," he broke out with.

  "Oh! I am not all tuckered out yet," declared Step Hen, proudly; "abit sore from my scratches, and that funny business, when I had tojump around so lively with two savage eagles tryin' to tear my eyesout; but you just show me, Toby, and see if I don't toe the mark, likea scout always should."

  "I'm sure you will," said Toby, admiringly; and the look on his facegave Step Hen a sense of reward for all he had suffered; in fact hecould not remember ever feeling so pleased before, because he knewToby Smathers was reckoned a prime judge of men, as they ran.

  "How long would it take us to get up there?" asked Step Hen,carelessly; yet no doubt with more or less anxiety, for he wasconscious of the fact that however willing the spirit might be, theflesh was weak; and it meant a double trip, to go and come again.

  "P'raps half an hour might do it," was the response of the guide.

  "Up a place like this?" gasped Smithy, pointing to the wall near them.

  "Well, I should hope not," said Davy Jones. "They'd be crazy to trythat sort of thing, with only the moonlight to help."

  Step Hen did not say anything, but nevertheless he waited with batedbreath to hear the reply of the guide, and seemed easier in his mindwhen Toby remarked:

  "I don't doubt as he'd foller me, if I sez we must climb up to the topof that same cliff agin; but 'tain't necessary. This time we foller acanyon up, till we gets to a p'int as gives ye a view of the valley. Idon't sure know, but I reckons we orter to be able to ketch a glimpseof the fire."

  "Then let's start right now!" cried Step Hen; "I'm all worked up witheagerness to block the little game that the old Rawson uncle issettin' up for poor Aleck. We said that we'd see the boy through, andwe're going to do it, or drop in our tracks atryin'."

  He managed to get on his feet, though only with an effort.

  "Oh! yes, I admit I'm some stiff," he said in answer to Smithy's lookof sympathy; "and I'd like as not let Davy do it in my place; only heain't up in sendin' messages as much as I am. Wish Giraffe was here;he's the boss hand at that. But p'raps I c'n make Thad understand. Ionly hope we get the camp, all right, that's all."

  It was the spirit that makes heroes that forced Step Hen to quit thatcozy camp, where he was feeling so nice and comfortable; and followafter the tireless guide, when he walked on up the canyon. But theywould not hear a single groan from him, if he had to make his lipsbleed, biting them with his teeth. Step Hen had always wondered justhow the old martyrs felt, when they were being led to the stake; hebelieved he knew now; for he experienced a fierce sense of exultationwith every twinge of pain that walking gave him; but with set teeth hekept grimly on.

  That was a long half hour to the scout. He would never forget it tohis dying day. And when Toby finally, after what seemed an eternity,announced that they must be very close on the point where in themoonlight much of the big valley could be seen dimly beyond, Step Henmentally thanked his stars again and again.

  Presently Toby turned, and looked.

  "Here she is!" he remarked; and the boy grunted in reply; for there maybe times when the spirit of thanksgiving is too deep for utterance.

  "I see her," Toby remarked almost immediately afterwards.

  "Do you mean the fire, Toby?" demanded Step Hen.

  "It cain't be anything else, even though they've let it get low. Andnow we've a job afore us, to get some blaze started right here. Woodain't too plenty round these parts. Let's look for some."

  But when Step Hen started after him, the guide made him sit down torest, promising to come to him when the fire was good and ready.

  "Your part of the work will begin about that time; let me do this firemakin'," the good-hearted guide insisted; and the boy was only toowilling to sink down.

  A short time afterwards, when Toby came to announce that the fire wasin full blast, with plenty of good brands that might be used fortorches; he found poor Step Hen sound asleep, just as he had dropped,being utterly exhausted. The guide looked down at him with pity. Hehad taken a great fancy for the plucky scout; and disliked arousinghim the worst kind; but there was no other way.

  Step Hen had to be shaken half a dozen times before he would consent
to open his heavy eyes; then he stared up at Toby, as though for themoment he could not place things.

  "I got the fire started; and there's aplenty of wood handy arter all,for you to use as torches when you signal the camp!" said the guide,kindly.

  "Oh!" cried Step Hen sitting up, "to be sure; and I really think Imust have been dozing while you were doing all the work, Toby. Give mea hand, won't you, please; I'm ashamed to say my legs seem so sillystiff at the knees I just can't straighten 'em out? Wow! to think ofme being such a baby as to feel that little circus this way. I'm realashamed, that's what."

  "You ain't got no call to be, I promise you, boy," declared the other,a tremor in his voice; "You showed the pluck of a grown man. And if Icould a took yer place, which in course I couldn't, never havin' beentrained to wigwag, or handle a telegraph key, I'd sure let you sleepon; for ye desarve it, that's right."

  Step Hen made a few movements, regardless of the pain it gave him, soas to get his arms in working order; because he knew he would have touse them a great deal, if he were lucky enough to get an answer to hissignals.

  The guide showed him where to stand, where he would be in the shadow,and the blazing, moving torch show; and he then pointed out thedistant fire, down through the gap in the mountain chain.

  "They ain't touched it since we kim here," he remarked; "but thatmakes me think it might be done any minit now. So p'raps ye'd bettershow me the way to fling that there torch around, to let 'em knowwe're here, an' wantin' to talk. I kin do that part, I reckons, an'save you some work."

  Step Hen was agreeable, for he knew that he would have all he could dolater on, to handle that beacon, should he find a chance to send themessage he wanted the scoutmaster to get.

  For some time Toby waved his torch around without there being anyresponse; and it began to look as though he might have all his troublefor his pains, when Step Hen was heard to give a little eager cry.

  "There!" he exclaimed, "I believe I saw a light move, just then. Yes,look, Toby, there it is again; and as sure as you live, they'reanswering us! Now, give me the torch. I only hope I haven't forgottenall I knew about sending messages, because all poor Aleck's hopes forhis future may hang on my being able to warn them the sheriff and oldArtemus Rawson are heading that way. Now watch close, Toby! I'm goingto start in."