Comrades of the Saddle by Frank V. Webster
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Frank V. Webster >> Comrades of the Saddle
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"No, that won't do," declared Mr. Wilder. "I want to capture them
without resorting to firearms, if possible. While, of course, if
it should be necessary, I would sanction shooting, I much prefer to
take the men prisoners and turn them over to the sheriff and the
law."
At first Lawrence could scarcely believe his ears. His creed had
been force, supported by quick use of weapons, not law, and it
seemed incredible to him that a man who had suffered from the raids
of the cattle thieves should not take justice in his own hands when
opportunity presented. But he suddenly realized that he was
dealing with a new kind of man that he had never been brought in
contact with, an honorable man, and his admiration for the owner of
the Half-Moon increased a hundredfold.
Some time, however, was required to reconcile himself to his new
scheme of life, but of a sudden he burst into a roar of merriment.
"We'll do it, and without a shot. Say, Mr. Wilder, it will break
Gus' heart to think he was caught without any gun play."
"That's just it. Most of the power men like Megget have is because
of the fear the very mention of their names inspires.
"But I don't mean to preach a sermon. What I want to know is, How
do you propose to capture Megget without trouble?"
"Wait till they are asleep. They'll have a celebration when they
reach the mine and afterward we can hog-tie them and they will
never know it."
Without vouchsafing any comment, the owner of the Half-Moon reined
away from the strange guide, and, as Snider joined him, discussed
the situation thoroughly.
The questioning of Lawrence, however, did not cease when the
ranchmen left him. The four boys had listened eagerly, and when
the opportunity presented deluged him with inquiries.
"Are there really ghosts in the Lost Lode?" queried Horace.
"None but very live ones," grinned the former raider. "Vasquez
started that story to keep people from coming into the valley.
Many a time we've chased men in the night when they came near."
The chums, however were more interested in learning whether or not
there was rich ore in the mine.
"Probably there is," explained Lawrence, "but it would require a
lot of drilling and sinking of shafts. What silver could be got
out, Vasquez has taken. He was planning to use the money from the
cattle captured in the raid to buy machinery and begin work."
Disappointed to think they would not be able to pick up chunks of
the ore, the comrades lapsed into silence till Tom suddenly
bethought him of the men he had seen crossing the cliff on the
night of their hunting trip, and he lost no time in asking if they
were some of Megget's gang.
"Must have been Gus and the boys who were with him up in Oklahoma,"
declared the guide. "There's a trail from that direction to the
mine. Now you mention it, I remember he spoke of having seen a
party of horsemen. It's a good thing for you he didn't know who it
was. If he had, he was so angry at your outwitting him that he
would surely have made trouble."
Further questioning, however, was prevented by the arrival of the
troop at the trail.
"There are my marks," exclaimed the younger of the chums, pointing
to the branches he had broken. But no one paid him heed, for with
the arrival at the hills the serious work began and the ranchmen
were busy issuing instructions.
CHAPTER XXIV
CAPTURING THE CATTLE THIEVES
As they wound in and out among the hills and rocks, now ascending,
now going down steep pitches, the silence of their surroundings and
the realization that they were bent on a dangerous mission sobered
the boys and few words did they speak.
Once or twice the line halted as the leaders heard some sound that
roused their suspicions, and several times Sandy and Nails dropped
back. But nothing untoward occurred, and late in the afternoon
they descended into the valley that was the headquarters of the
raiders.
"We're in time; there's no one here," announced Lawrence after an
examination of the ground for fresh horse or cattle tracks.
Remembering their guide's statement about the cliff on which the
lookout was posted when the raiders were at the mine, die boys
sought it with their eyes. But though they scanned both sides of
the mountains, all they could see was trees.
Horace was on the point of mentioning the fact when the word was
passed back to dismount, and, leading their horses, they were soon
within the protection of the woods.
"Any of the ponies likely to whinny?" asked Lawrence as they halted
in a glen.
"Yes, Blackhawk," answered Horace. "It was he that gave warning of
Jeffreys' approach."
"Then we'll take them all pretty well up into the woods. He won't
be able to scent when he's above where Megget and the others will
enter the valley."
"Which way will they come?" asked Mr. Wilder.
"The opposite end from the way we did," responded the former
raider. "That's why I'm taking our ponies to a place on this side."
"Seems to me we're leaving too much to this fellow who's gone back
on his former pals," whispered the owner of the Three Stars to Mr.
Wilder. "It's all right if he plays fair, but if he doesn't we'll
be in a pretty mess."
"I believe he is acting square with us. Still it won't do to take
chances," returned the other ranchman, and calling to Lawrence, he
asked where the mine was.
"It's about two hundred yards to the right, Mr. Wilder. I'll show
you when we get up on top of the cliff. There's a big dead tree in
front of it, so you can't miss it, even in the night, for the bark
has been peeled off it by lightning and the wind, so that it stands
out like a white specter in the darkness."
Deeming it inadvisable to unsaddle the horses, in case they should
need them suddenly, the cowboys close-hobbled them on a plateau to
which Lawrence guided them and then followed him to the ledge.
No need was there for the tree that marked the mine to be pointed
out to them, for as the men looked down each one saw it.
To the east and to the west the ledge commanded a view of the
trails, and as they gazed along them, the owner of the Half-Moon
exclaimed:
"I don't wonder no one can surprise Megget with such a lookout.
Why, it's practically impossible to approach without being seen by
a man on guard."
"The only time is at night," returned Lawrence. "And, thanks to
the loneliness of the place and the stories of ghosts, no one has
ever tried to pass through or even come in at night while I've been
with the gang."
"Don't start talking about ghosts or you'll get us all nervous,"
said Mr. Wilder, fearing the effect on his men. "Now that we've
seen where the mine is, suppose you take us where you think we had
better wait till we make the round-up."
"That's right here," rejoined Lawrence. "We can see Megget and the
others when they arrive by being here."
"True enough, but how about the guard they send up?"
"There won't be any to-night, don't worry about that. They'll be
too busy celebrating your supposed loss in the fire last night."
This grim reminder of their escape caused all of the ranchers to
smile, and without further objection the men made themselves
comfortable while they waited the arrival of the raiders.
Huddled together, the boys sat where they could watch the trail.
Of a sudden Tom grabbed his brother by the arm and pointed to where
several specks were moving.
In silence they watched as more and more came into view, and then
Larry cried out:
"Here they come!"
Eager with excitement, the others crowded forward to catch a
glimpse of the men who had caused them so much trouble.
"Keep down!" snapped Lawrence. "Vasquez has an eye like a hawk."
No second warning did the cowboys need, and dropping flat on their
stomachs, they watched the raiders draw nearer and nearer.
Because of the cattle, their approach was slow, and it was fully an
hour after the chums had sighted them before they reached the
valley.
"That's Vasquez and Gus in the lead," announced the man who had
forsaken his life of wrong-doing. And as the other raiders rode
into sheltered grazing ground he mentioned them by name.
"There are only nineteen of them. I thought Nails said there were
twenty," exclaimed Bill.
"So there were till Lawrence joined us," rejoined his father.
"Thank goodness, my short-horn Durhams are all right. Now be
quiet. It would be too bad to spoil everything when things are
going so well for us."
Instantly the men obeyed, sitting with eyes and ears alert for any
sight or sound that should proclaim the approach of a guard.
But twilight fell and none came, as Lawrence had predicted.
Sounds of revelry, broken now and then by the lowing of the cattle,
were constant. In due time the moon rose and with its coming the
cowboys grew impatient.
The ranchmen, however, refused to move till no sound from the
raiders could be heard.
"It's midnight," announced Mr. Wilder, looking at his watch. "They
must be asleep, by this time. We'll chance it, anyhow. Careful,
every one. Come, Lawrence."
Overjoyed that the time for action had arrived, the boys followed
their guide, halting at the edge of the valley.
Ordering the others to wait, the owner of the Half-Moon and the
former raider glided noiselessly toward the mine.
All about were signs of the celebration in which the thieves had
indulged, and their loud snores told how sound asleep they were.
Confident the time was ripe for action, the two scouts returned to
their impatient fellows.
"Pete, Sandy, Nails, Skinny, Lawrence, you take the ropes and do
the hog-tying. The rest of you have your rifles ready for use.
But don't shoot till I give the word," commanded Mr. Wilder.
Opening the ropes so they could use them rapidly, the men selected
for the binding of the raiders moved forward, closely followed by
the others, guns ready for action.
Signing to Sandy and Skinny to tie the men lying outside, Lawrence
led the others into the mine.
More like a cavern did it seem to them than anything else as they
cast a hurried glance about the rock-walled room which two
flickering torches lighted.
Sprawled upon the floor lay the raiders, and to them Pete and Nails
turned their attention, while Lawrence glided among them, peering
into their faces.
Watching for the slightest move, stood a dozen of the cowboys, with
Mr. Wilder and the four lads.
Of a sudden Lawrence stooped down, worked his hand rapidly, then
rose, a smile on his face, and continued his search till he found
another form, when he repeated the operation.
Gliding to the owner of the Half-Moon, he whispered:
"I've bound Megget and Vasquez. If they wake up now it doesn't
matter."
CHAPTER XXV
HOMEWARD
Having made fast the leaders, for he knew that with them rendered
powerless no effective opposition would be made by the others
should they be aroused, Lawrence returned to the task of
"hog-tying," and in a few minutes every cattle thief in the cave
had been securely bound.
"Well, it has been easier to round up Megget and his gang than I
ever imagined it could be, thanks to you, Lawrence," exclaimed Mr.
Wilder as they left the mine to join the others.
"It was no fun at all," protested Horace, and his opinion voiced
the sentiments of the cowboys. "Can't we wake them up or do
something to let them know they've been captured?"
"You'd have some trouble in rousing them, son," replied his father.
"They've been drinking too heavily."
"That's what," agreed the former raider. "You could ride over them
and they would not budge."
"It's the only time I ever knew the drinking of too much liquor to
do good," chuckled Mr. Wilder. "That is, good to us. I don't
suppose our prisoners will share our opinion, though, when they
awake."
When the raiders had been bound the owner of the Three Stars had
sent his men to bring down all the ponies, that the animals might
be relieved of their saddles and enjoy the tender grass in the
valley. And no sooner had Blackhawk reached the open than he gave
an ear-splitting whinny which was answered by several of the
raiders' horses.
At the racket two or three of the thieves awoke and tried to get up.
For a moment the men blinked at the sight of the cowboys. Then,
their senses returning, they discovered they were tied hand and
foot, and in a trice they were yelling like a band of Indians.
"Go it! Go it!" howled the cowboys.
The shouts roused the prisoners in the cave, and their yells of
rage added to the pandemonium.
"Come on in to see Megget," exclaimed Lawrence. "I say, Mr.
Wilder, can't Larry and Tom go in first alone? You promised, you
know."
Willing that his men should have their fun, the owner of the
Half-Moon laughingly consented.
And with the others following close, the brothers went into the
cave.
Entering thoroughly into the spirit of the occasion, Larry
approached the struggling chief.
"Why, how do you do again, Mr. Megget?" he exclaimed, bowing in
mock deference. "What's the trouble? You seem to be down and out.
Quite a difference from when you were teasing me at that station in
Oklahoma, eh?"
As Megget recognized the brothers his face grew terrible to see,
and, summoning all his strength, he leaped to his feet.
But Lawrence had tied his ankles so tight he could not keep his
balance, and the raider pitched forward while Mr. Wilder and the
others rushed in to make sure he did not harm the boys.
At the sight of the men he thought burned, the leader of the
raiders lay trembling like a leaf.
"You see you can't raid the Half-Moon herd with impunity,"
exclaimed Mr. Wilder sternly. "Come on, boys, let's go outside.
These men are not pleasant companions." And turning on his heel,
he led the way from the mine.
Appointing Pete, Sandy and two others to stand guard to make sure
none of the prisoners broke their bonds, Mr. Wilder ordered the
others to turn in.
Some time it took them to get to sleep, but when they did they
slept soundly, and it was broad daylight when they awoke.
After a hearty breakfast, they were discussing the best way to get
their prisoners to Tolopah when a body of horsemen galloped into
the valley.
For the moment the ranchmen and cowboys thought they were partners
of the raiders and quickly they sprang for their guns. But the
next minute their alarm vanished.
"It's Shorty Jenks and the sheriff of Tolopah!" yelled Skinny. And
such, indeed, it proved to be, together with a score of deputies.
Hearty were the greetings exchanged by the sheriffs and the ranch
owners, and the former were elated when they learned of the
successful round-up of the cattle thieves.
Deeming it unwise to start to drive out the cattle so late In the
day, they whiled away the time exploring the mine, where, to the
delight of the boys, they were able to dig out several small pieces
of almost pure silver ore.
Without adventure the day passed and at dawn the next morning the
start was made.
The prisoners, their legs tied together under their ponies and
guarded by the deputies, led the procession, followed by the
sheriffs, the ranch owners and the lads. Behind them the cowboys
drove the cattle.
Able to travel faster than the steers, Mr. Wilder ordered his men
to drive to the pool, picking up the fifty head on the way, after
which he told them to come to the ranch for a jollification in
honor of the capture.
Reaching the plains In good season, the ranchmen and the boys
separated from the sheriffs and, urging their ponies, arrived at
the home in time for dinner.
As they rode into the yard Mrs. Wilder greeted all joyfully. After
the flush of delight at their safe return she asked about the
raiders, clapping her hands at the information they had all been
captured and were on their way to Tolopah.
"And now for some fun," said Bill the next day.
With riding, hunting and fishing the chums passed many happy days.
At the trial of Megget and his pals in Tolopah Tom and Larry
attracted even more attention than the raiders, but they bore it
like sensible boys, making light of their experience at the
crossing and never referring to it when they could avoid so doing.
Upon the completion of the trial, with long sentences for the
cattle thieves, from which fate Mr. Wilder's influence saved
Lawrence, the brothers returned to the ranch.
Great favorites with all the cowboys, they learned many a trick of
roping steers and riding, and they were never so happy as when,
together with Bill and Horace, they were allowed to pass a few days
herding.
Upon the return from one of these trips Mr. Wilder handed Larry a
telegram. Opening it, he read:
"We arrived in New York this morning.
Received fifty thousand dollars from Uncle
Darwent. We shall expect to meet you at
the Hotel Boswell in Pittsburg Saturday.
Love. FATHER."
"It's a good thing we came back to the ranch today," exclaimed
Horace. "To-morrow is Thursday, and you'll be obliged to start
then to reach Pittsburg on Saturday."
"Yes, I suppose it is," assented Larry. "Still we've had such a
good time we hate to go home."
"And leave the life in the saddle for life in Ohio," added Tom.
THE END
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