by Quincy Allen
CHAPTER XXV
HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION
Saying good-by was harder than the boys had anticipated. They had reallyenjoyed themselves so immensely up there at the ranch in the wildernessthat the thought of never seeing it more brought gloom upon theirspirits.
Of course, the fact that they were heading toward home, and the dearones awaiting their coming, made their sorrow lighter.
They had sent their trunk away on the previous evening, so that it wouldbe at the far distant station awaiting their coming. On horseback, then,they were to cover the route that on their arrival they had done on abuckboard.
Mr. Mabie, Reddy and Billy accompanied them, the stockman and Billy tobring back the mounts after the train had borne their young friendsaway. Reddy, of course, expected to accompany the boys East, to at leastvisit his family. He could not promise to remain at home, for the magicof the magnificent country of the Northwest called loudly to him; but hewas taking home his savings, and meant to make his parents happy.
"I'll never forget all the good times you've given us, Mr. Mabie," saidFrank, as he squeezed the hand of their good friend when the whistle ofthe approaching train was heard as it came booming out of the cut, amile away.
"My dear boy, on my part I can never thank you and your jolly chums halfenough for the delightful time you've given me. It will seem dreary hereafter you're gone. I haven't been so happy for years," was the reply ofthe stockman, as he beamed upon the cluster of bright faces around him.
"But you know you promised to make us a visit when we're home fromcollege next Christmas. Don't forget that, sir!" declared Will.
"I certainly will not, if I'm alive. And Will, one of the inducementsfor such a long journey is the expectation of seeing that remarkablebook of interesting views, containing reminders of so many of theexploits of the Outdoor Club. I'm sure that alone would repay me for thetrip," laughed the other.
"You won't forget about shipping those skins and things, sir? We wantthem for reminders of the happiest trip this club ever took. Every timewe look at those rugs we'll think of you and your Big M ranch," remarkedBluff.
"They'll go in a few days, boys, just as soon as the skins are in propershape for transportation, depend on it. And I'll let you know whenPierre is placed under arrest, and the exiled chief, Running Elk, goesback to his people with all honor."
The last they saw of Mr. Mabie and Billy, they were waving their bighats vigorously on the little station platform. Then a curve of the roadshut them out, and the four chums settled back in their seats to talkover the thousand and one matters that claimed their attention.
It is not in youth to grieve for long. They felt bad at leaving thescene of these recent happy events; but presently, in anticipation ofthe reunion with loved ones at home, this was temporarily forgotten.
Will bemoaned the fact that he had not one single film left.
"And there are so many things I'd like to take on the way home," hesighed, "and which I let slip on the way up."
"Yes," remarked Jerry laughingly, "it's wonderful what game you seewhen you haven't a gun. But what's the matter with you trying to get aroll at the first town? Perhaps we may stop long enough, and they mayhave photographic supplies at the station."
"Thank you for the suggestion, Jerry. It was a bright thought--for you;but I mean to take advantage of it, and make inquiries."
Jerry gave him a queer look. Will was a fellow he could not fullyunderstand. He seemed to be made up of contradictions, sometimes simple,and again shrewd; now as timid as a girl, and under certain conditionsshowing the bravery of a lion. Jerry knew Bluff as he did his ownnature, and could dispute with him with energy, but in the case of Willhe was always glad to drop the subject before he found he had burned hisfingers.
Nothing of moment happened on the journey, at least nothing worthy ofmention. Will did manage to secure a roll of films at the first town. Amessenger came to the car with it, and Frank always supposed from thatthat his eccentric companion must have wired ahead for supplies. WhenWill wanted anything he meant to get it, if there was any possible wayof so doing.
In due time they arrived at the station in Centerville, where a host ofrelatives and friends awaited their coming. There was a roar of manyvoices as the four chums appeared in view, and our boys quickly foundthemselves being hugged and kissed in a most indiscriminate fashion.
If some of the girls, in the confusion, kissed the brothers of theirfriends, as well as their own, that was not to be wondered at, andeverybody seemed as happy as could be, despite these natural blunders.
Finally they managed to push outside the station.
"Where's Hank Brady?" called Frank aloud.
"Here!" said that worthy, stepping forward from the motor-car, andholding out his hand eagerly to the friend who had been so instrumentalin assisting him to get his slipping feet on steady ground.
"Hello, Hank! Here's your brother Teddy!"
In this abrupt fashion did he bring the two face to face. Hank turnedwhite, and stared hard at the bronzed young cowboy for a moment; then hecaught hold of him, and the long separated; brothers were in eachother's arms.
"Sure, the old folks will be happy this night, Ted, to see you again! Inever hoped they'd find you when I asked Mr. Frank to keep on thelookout," was what Hank was saying, as he turned a moist eye in thedirection of the boy who had done so much to bring happiness to hishome.
Bluff and Nellie were seen talking earnestly close by. Probably he wastelling her about the surprise she gave him in that last letter whenrevealing what she had done with his wonderful hunting-knife.
Now that they were home again, with vacation nearing an end, the boyswould not have so much time to indulge in their pastimes on the lake, sothat they were keen to make hay while the sun shone. Consequently, theyfairly haunted the lake, and the canoes were in use every day from thattime on. Nor were they alone in this love of the open, for many anevening each canoe had its complement of fair ones, whose sweet voicesblended with those of the four outdoor chums as they paddled in themoonlight over the rippling water.
College was ahead of them, but as they expected to keep together still,the Outdoor Club was not to be disbanded by any means. Often in futuredays they expected to once more sit around a campfire in company,enjoying the delights of an outing, and recalling many of the wonderfulexperiences that came their way in days that were past.
And there, written down in Frank's diary, or logbook, were the accountsof their first camp above the loggers' settlement, at the head of thelake; the one on Wildcat Island; then the third, among the SunsetMountains, when they solved the mystery of Oak Ridge's ghost; and alsotheir wonderful cruise down a Florida river and along the border of thegreat Mexican Gulf; while this journey to the cattle ranch of Mr. Mabie,in the wilderness of the Northwest, would complete the list.
How many times, as they read of these exploits, and surveyed thesplendid pictures Will had secured during their various campaigns, wouldthe scenes of the happy past come before their mental vision! They couldhardly expect to equal these glorious days in the times to come, but noone who knew their love for the open would dare predict that the OutdoorClub would cease to exist with the going to college of its four members.
Perchance they may yet have other camps in strange places, and perhapsit may be our pleasant duty to chronicle the happenings of the fourchums when again they erect their tents, or it may be, paddle theircanoes on other waters.
Wherever they go, and in whatever line of business they may find theirlife work, it can be taken for granted that the lessons learned whenliving this life of self-reliance in the open must always prove of thegreatest value to The Outdoor Chums.
THE END
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