This continued for perhaps an hour, the boys paying little attention to the racket made on the river bank. Then a shot was heard and the ragamuffins disappeared as if by magic.Directly a detachment of United States soldiers made its appearance. The soldiers were warmly welcomed and Alex insisted on giving them all the food he had prepared.“It’s only to cook more,” he argued.“But I’m hungry enough right now to eat one of the outlaws,” Jule declared.“If we’d waited a few minutes longer,” Alex laughed, “you might have had feet fricassee! That was a close call, young man! We got there in the nick of time.”In time the soldiers were all fed, and then the boys began the work of getting the dinner over again.The lads were warmly thanked for their hospitality.“You may get into a place it won’t be so easy to get out of,” said the young lieutenant in charge of the squad. “If you do, and we are anywhere within reach, don’t hesitate to ask for help.”The boys thanked the lieutenant for his offer, not even dreaming of the time when the words so casually spoken were to be made good.“They about cleaned us out,” said Alex, glancing ruefully at the trampled greensward where the soldiers had eaten. “I don’t know what to do now! The tinned goods are about gone, and there aren’t any vegetables to speak of.”“What’s the matter with falling back on the river?” asked Clay, getting out his fishing tackle with his one well arm. “We have taken many a fine meal from the river, and I don’t think it will go back on us now!”“Who’ll catch the fish?” asked Jule. “I’m actually so hungry that my stomach is wishing my backbone good afternoon, and I don’t feel equal to the effort!”“Suppose we get theRambleroff this mud bank first?” Thede suggested.“That’s a good idea!” Alex cried out.“Wonder we couldn’t have thought of that when we could have had the help of the soldiers!” grumbled Case.“Kicker!” laughed Jule. “It will be an easy job to get the boat into the river again. She went against the bank with very little force, I take it.”The lads who were not crippled worked together to such good purpose that the boat was soon in the water again. Not a thing was broken except the steering-gear and that was soon repaired.“Now, about that fish?” Case said. “Who’s going to try for it? I might be one of the boys to make the effort.”“I think you had better remain on board,” said Alex, “and let Jule and I see about the fish. We are the only old and original fishermen in the party!”“Go to it, then,” Clay agreed, “but don’t get into any nest of pirates and get your feet burned!”The boys were glad to be away on the water again, for there were things they wanted to talk over. Jule was the first one to open the conversation.“Alex,” he began, uncertain how his communication would be received, “what is going on on board theRambler?”“Why do you ask that?” came the quick reply. “Have you noticed anything unusual?”“About Paul and Thede,” Jule went on, “I have a notion that an understanding of some sort exists between the two.”“And Rube, too?” asked Alex.“Yes, and Rube also!”“What do you know about it?” demanded Alex. “What have you seen—or heard?”“You have suspected, then?” asked Jule.“Sure!” answered Alex.“Well?”“There is certainly something between them,” was the reply. “We must keep a sharp lookout.”“But it can’t be any plot to capture theRambler,” suggested Jule. “They have had plenty of chances to do that.”“How did they get together so soon?” said Alex. “Why, Rube was scarcely on the boat before it began.”“So you noticed that, too, did you?”“Of course I did!” was the answer. “When you see a man acting as if his very life depended on that of a boy, and that boy apparently a stranger, anyone would suspect. The fellow was too eager to know all about the case! Then, when Thede came on board, didn’t you think he got to the side of Paul pretty quickly?”“Yes, I noticed that, and thought it very strange,” was the reply. “Now, what’s going to be done about it?”“All we can do is to watch,” declared Alex.“And where does Buck come in?” Jule asked, after a thoughtful pause. “You noticed that he had an electric boat handy when we needed one, and that the boat made pretty good time for an ordinary river boat! I’d just like to get to the bottom of this thing!”“And Rube always had his roll out,” added Alex.“But he explained that by saying that he knew all about us boys and knew that we were as good as gold,” Jule cut in.“Well,” laughed Alex, “we’ve got into another mystery! I’d like to take just one plain adventure trip.”“The mystery is all right,” Jule concluded, after rather a lengthy pause. “We shouldn’t know what to think about if there was no mystery.”“Perhaps you are right,” was the reply, “but I’d rather not have the mystery so dense! There’s something going on, and that’s no joke. But this ain’t catching fish!”“That’s right!” Jule agreed. “The others will be getting hungry. As you say, all we can do is to wait for developments and watch Thede and Paul.”“Paul appears to be such an innocent little chap that the very idea of spying on him seems preposterous,” added Alex. “Still, the innocence may all be assumed.”“I dislike to think that,” was Jule’s reply.The boys talked as they fished, but could make nothing of the situation. As a matter of fact, Rube had appeared out of the darkness that first night in rather a mysterious fashion.And he had expressed great solicitude for the wounded boy. And he had always been ready with his money. And, another thing, he had had such a pile of it!And Buck had had theEsmeraldaquite ready on short notice! Of course the episode of Alex being treed by the bear was entirely unexpected and just happened.It interfered somewhat with the plans of the party, and somewhat with Rube’s bank roll, but, as Alex declared, “it made the company all the tougher, and did no harm in the long run.” It was only incidental, and did not count for or against Thede or Paul.The lads fished while they discussed every phase of the matter, but at last they were obliged to give it up.“We’ll have to watch and wait,” Jule finally said. “If there is mischief afloat, it will show itself in time.”And with this they had to be content.TheRamblerwas running downstream very slowly, so as not to get ahead of the rowboat; still, as the boys took their time, doing more talking than fishing, it gained on them, and finally turned a bend in the stream and passed out of sight.“Where’s theRambler?” asked Alex, looking up from the contemplation of a fine string of fish.“I guess she passed out of sight around that bend,” was the impatient reply. “Somehow that boat seems to delight in leaving us behind. Wonder why she didn’t slow up when the boys saw that she was passing us?”“We’ll catch her in two jerks of a pig’s tail,” replied Alex, laying down his fishing tackle and picking up the oars. “There does seem to be a fatality about the thing, though—the way she sails calmly away and leaves us!”The boys had spent a longer time than they had suspected in the discussion of the mysterious movements of the others, and the row was a long one. When they finally came in sight of the boat they were surprised to see no signs of life on board.And they were amazed at the speed which she had gained. The lads looked at each other with questioning eyes.“There’s something wrong!” almost shouted Jule. “TheRambleris running away from us!”“That’s right!” was the quick reply. “Do you think we can catch her at the pace she is going?”“Never!” was the discouraged reply.There was silence for a moment, a silence broken only by the rippling of the Rio Grande and the call of a bird a-wing. Then Alex made a hopeful suggestion.“The river makes a long bend just below,” he explained, “and, if we can get to the bottom of the turn, perhaps we can catch her. Nice thing, to run away and leave us like this!”“There is evidently something wrong on board, though I can’t for the life of me see what it is,” Jule answered.“If we cut across this point of land, we’ll have to come back for the rowboat,” suggested Alex.“Provided some river character doesn’t see it first we may find it,” wailed Jule.“Well, there’s nothing like trying,” Alex returned.The boat was turned toward the left bank of the stream, but in a few seconds’ time, before the boat had proceeded more than a few feet, Jule, who was at the helm, changed her course so as to make the right side. In answer to Alex’s questioning look he said:“The current sweeps across to the opposite shore after we round the bend. TheRamblerwill naturally follow that.”“That’s right,” was the reply, “the south side for us. How would you like to bump into the river thieves again? Say, kid, but that was a close call for your feet!”“Well, as long as they didn’t accomplish their purpose, I fail to see why we should be everlastingly sobbing over it.”The boat’s keel soon grated on the south shore, and the boys left her, pausing only long enough to cast a parting glance at the trim little craft “The chances are that we shall never see the boat again,” Alex remarked.“Rats!” was Jule’s reply. “If we find everything all right on board theRambler, why can’t we come back and get her? I have a notion that the boys thought we were a long time catching these fish, and sent the boat ahead faster than usual just to give us a scare.”“That’s all right,” replied Alex, “but I’ve got a hunch that you are wrong. Case would never sail away from his breakfast,” he added with a laugh, “and I don’t think there’s much left on board in the eating line.”“What about the fish?” Jule asked. “We may as well tote them along, don’t you think?”“Of course,” replied Alex. “We ain’t going to leave this nice mess of perfectly good fish in the boat. There may be people along here who like fish.”The lads lifted the string of fish out of the rowboat, and, taking them in hand, struck across the point of land toward the river.CHAPTER XVIIIA SLIPPERY CUSTOMERThe Rio Grande makes a long bend where the boys left it, and almost returns upon itself after winding in and out for many miles. The land is swampy in places as the river approaches Painted Cave, but mountains show, too, and the country is without any population to speak of. Its general features are rugged.As the lads alternated between rocky soil and swamp, they had little leisure for conversation. It took about all their strength and agility to make their way, leaping, now, over pools of water, now climbing over rocky elevations.The Southern Pacific runs close to the river here, and the boys could hear the trains moving along the line, on the American side. Now and then they caught sight of moving cars.“I’m pretty nearly all in,” Jule complained, as they halted on a dry elevation to catch their breath. “I don’t suppose we could have chosen a rougher country than this if we had looked for a thousand years! It’s fierce!”“Oh, it’s good enough—for a mountain-climbing goat!” Alex answered, wrinkling his nose. “What do you think about our being able to catch that boat?”“I give it up!” Jule said, beginning to whistle.He broke off after a minute and remarked:“In the light of recent developments, what do you think of the situation? Clay and Case are true as steel, and, between them, they ought to be able to put Thede and Paul on their backs, especially as the latter has a broken leg!”“What’s got into you?” demanded Alex. “You talk like Case! And Case in his bluest moments! I’ve not given up yet. Thede and Paul are all right! I’ll bank on it!”Jule laughed heartily.“So will I!” he said. “I’ll bank on it, too! If there is any mischief afloat, they are not in it. Only, I wish they would come out into the open, and tell us frankly what it is they are up to. It seems to me that that would be the honorable way.”“Let’s not pass judgment until we know all about it,” replied Alex, taking up the string of fish and going on again.The way was even rougher than before, now, and the lads were soon obliged to stop for a breathing spell. In the distance they now could see the Rio Grande, shimmering under the setting sun.“We’ve got to make better time if we connect with theRamblerbefore night sets in,” Jule said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “If there ever was a rockier road than this, we have never found it I think we would better dump the fish. They are a good deal of a burden to carry.”“There they go!” Alex exclaimed, suiting action to the word, and tossing the fish down a rocky incline. “I wish we had some of them cooked! I’m so hungry that I could eat two pirates!”“Well, here we go, in light marching order!” volunteered Jule. “If you get there before I do, just tell ’em I’m a-coming!”The boy hummed the words of the old song over to himself, and assumed a cheerfulness he did not feel. It was fast growing dark, and the way was rocky, with pools of river water in places where the rocks pushed back from the shore.And so, the lads pressed forward, with Jule still humming his tune and Alex laughing himself red in the face at thought of the plight they were in.“Might as well laugh as cry,” was his comment on the situation.At last they came to smoother ground, with the river showing under the setting sun, and paused to study the scene.Directly their glances, following the windings of the stream, came upon theEsmeralda! They regarded each other with eyes which asked many questions but found no answer.“How did that boat get here?” asked Alex. “We left her far up the river.”“Don’t ask me!” was the reply.“Well,” continued Alex, “it’s up to us to find out!”The boat lay rocking in the river only a short distance from where the boys had halted. The prow light was on, and the craft gave other indications of occupancy, so the theory that she had broken loose and drifted to where she lay was not to be thought of.The motor boat lay close to the right bank of the stream, and the question how she got there could not be easily answered, so the lads made haste to gain the little landing where she was tied.The Rio Grande is a very shallow stream, often spreading out over a large stretch of country. Indeed, it is navigable for boats of medium size only below the city of Matamoros.Therefore Alex and Jule were obliged to wade out to the boat when they came opposite her. Their first sight of the deck was rather a surprise.Instead of showing excitement, it was calm as a morning in May. Buck sat on the railing of the craft, with his back toward the shore, pointing out the beauties of the landscape to Rube, who was standing not far away.They both turned face about when the noise made by the boys in climbing to the deck attracted their attention, and advanced to meet them with hands extended.“This sure is a sight good for sore eyes!” cried Rube, and the greeting of Buck was not less friendly.“Now, will you explain just how theEsmeraldacome to be here?” Jule said, after greetings had been exchanged. “We left her a long way upstream.”“And how is it that we find you here, out of reach of theRambler, and walking across country?” asked Buck.“That’s just the point,” Alex answered grimly, “we haven’t seen theRamblerfor several hours, and are walking across country to try and head her off!”The boy thought he saw a quick glance of understanding pass from Rube to Buck, but he could not be certain.Then he explained about the fishing trip and the flight of the motor boat. Rube and Buck listened attentively, but with the air of men who had heard all that story before.“And so,” Buck said, at the completion of the narration, “you want to catch theRambler?”“That’s precisely the idea,” answered Jule. “But you haven’t told us yet why you are here. You must have passed us on some dark night, when there was no one on watch.”“You are taking it for granted that theRamblerhas been passed,” laughed Buck.“Well, has she?” questioned Alex.“Yes, she has, and under the most peculiar circumstances,” was Buck’s reply. “She had another visit from the man who left the ‘To the Death’ written on her rowboat.”“But I don’t understand,” exclaimed Jule. “How did he overtake us, and why did he run away?”“Perhaps your curiosity will be satisfied before the end of the trip,” Buck replied, significantly. “By the way, here comes the motor boat we were speaking of.”As he spoke he pointed to theRambler, already drawing up to theEsmeralda.“Do they know about our crossing the point to come out ahead of them?” asked Alex. “If they don’t I’ll give them a surprise.”“Go to it, then,” laughed Buck.Both boys hid under the rail of the boat and waited for the crew of theRamblerto speak. Both boys were giggling at the thought of the joke they had on the other boys.“Boat ahoy!” came the call.“Boat ahoy yourself!” was the answer.“Come aboard!” cried Buck. “I have something I want to show you. It’s a peach!”“Not a really, truly peach?” demanded Case’s voice.“You’ll see what it is when you come on board,” replied Rube with a chuckle.The boat drew up alongside and both Case and Thede crossed over to the deck of theEsmeralda. Then Alex and Jule sprang out and seized them.At the termination of a friendly struggle, when all four were out of breath, the surgeon held Jule off at arm’s length and claimed to be inspecting him with great gravity.“You’re the boy,” he finally said, “who went out to catch fish for starving men! Give an account of yourself!”“Oh, the explanations ought to come from your own side!” said Jule, struggling to get away. “We didn’t sail away and leave you.”“So that’s it, is it?” laughed Thede. “Well, under the circumstances, you are forgiven, but don’t do it again!”“What about this desertion of us on the rolling deep?” asked Alex. “You’ve got to square that, you know!”“Well, then, here goes!” replied Case, his face taking on a serious expression, “as soon as you boys got well out into the river, we felt the boat give a little dip to one side, but thought nothing of it. We must have been drifting an hour or more when we heard a rustling in the cabin, and Captain Joe, who had been growling at the side of the boat for the better part of half an hour, ever since he woke up, in fact, grew furious.“Then he sprang through the open window which leads to the after deck and disappeared in the river. The jarring of the boat we had felt came from the impact of a human body against it! The dog had followed the intruder into the stream!”“Did he get him?” asked Jule and Alex, in a breath.“He did not,” was the answer.“Too bad!” Alex answered. “That dog isn’t any good. If he had been he wouldn’t have slept when the boat was invaded!”“Is that all the story?” asked Jule.“Well, we followed on after the fellow until we were around a bend in the river, and then came on, thinking that you boys would find us, never thinking that we should find you here,” replied Case.“What do you think that fellow means by following theRambler?” asked Jule. “For no good purpose, I’m certain!”“Did he leave any writing on the boat anywhere?” questioned Alex. “You know what he left the last time he paid us an unfriendly visit. I’d like pretty well to get him by the neck!” he added, with a tightening of the fists which boded no good to the fellow, whoever he might be.“And now,” Jule cut in, “will you kindly explain how those on this boat knew that the stranger had paid theRamblera visit on his way downstream. There is something mysterious about this whole business! Something I can’t get to the bottom of!”“And I’d like to know when you passed us!” said Case, looking at Rube.The giant only grinned.“Out with it!” the lad commanded.“Well,” was the reply, “I suppose I’ll have to tell! When I said theRamblerhad been passed, I didn’t mean that we had passed her in the original channel of the Rio Grande. We took a side channel!”“A side channel!” exclaimed Jule. “We saw no side channels! Where is it?”“Just above the route you boys followed there is an island. Didn’t you notice it?”“We thought it was nothing but a false alarm, leading nowhere,” replied Jule.“The channel is rather narrow, but the water is deep enough to take in a boat like theEsmeralda,” was Rube’s reply.“Still, I can’t see how that helps you out,” continued Alex. “The island may be there, all right, but the island can’t talk! It didn’t tell you that the fellow had paid another visit to theRambler, did it? Who did tell you?”“He told me himself!”“But how did he tell you, and where?” demanded Alex. “You are getting me all balled up!”“Well,” replied Rube, with a grin, “we drew aside in the channel I’ve been telling you about, thinking to catch some fish for dinner. You see we had the fish idea, too! TheRamblerwas ahead of us at that time, but we knew of the island channel and thought we could come out in the main channel just a little ahead of her.”“Which you did!” cut in Case.“Exactly!” was the reply. “Just as theRamblerpassed the mouth of the channel, you boys were launching the rowboat!”“You fellows must have had a late dinner!” commented Alex.“Not so awfully late!” Rube replied. “You boys took more time fishing than you realized. Well, while we were hidden in the entrance to the channel we saw a man leave theRamblerand strike out for shore.“We were lucky enough to intercept him when he was nearly exhausted with his swimming, and so we’ve got a surprise for you!”In the meantime Clay had been helped over to the deck of theEsmeralda, and was investigating the cabin. He was still very lame from his wound, his left arm being in a sling, but was on the road to recovery.Captain Joe, too, came on board, and was promptly forgiven by Alex. He patted the dog’s head and said to him:“I know that you are an old sleepy-head, but you’re a darling just the same!”And Captain Joe nodded his head, just as if he understood all the boy said.At that moment Clay appeared in the doorway of the cabin. He was greeted with looks of inquiry by both Rube and Buck.“Did you find him?” Buck asked.“Find him?” repeated the boy. “Who is there to find? I discovered only a badly mussed cabin.What’s been going on in there? Looks like a tornado had passed through it. You must have been having quite a merry time on board.”Both Rube and Buck sprang for the cabin.“What’s doing?” asked the astonished Alex. “Has everybody gone daffy, or have Rube and Buck discovered an oil well in the bottom of the boat?” The boys hastened to enter the cabin, where they found Rube and Buck bending over a broken strap.“Now, what do you know about that?” the former was asking.Buck shook his head, looking very much disgruntled.CHAPTER XIXRUBE TELLS A STORYFor a moment Buck and Rube looked as if they could not believe the evidence of their senses, then both broke into a hearty laugh. Then they shook hands and laughed again.“Well,” said Clay, “I hope, when you fellows get done with your monkey-work, that you’ll condescend to tell us what you find so funny. It won’t take long to give it a name.”Buck and Rube rushed out of the little cabin and gazed long and earnestly into the fast-gathering night. They walked to the side of the boat and looked over into the water. Then they roared again, to the disgust of the boys.Alex tapped the top of his head significantly.“They’ve gone mad!” he said.The boys had followed Rube and Buck out to the deck, and now stood in a little circle about them.“I don’t see any evidences of insanity,” laughed Thede, “but they will doubtless become raving mad in a moment!”“Too bad!” cried Jule.In the meantime Rube and Buck had had their laugh out and settled back on the seat which ran along the inner side of the railing. The faces of the two men were blank with amazement.“Did you tie him tight?” asked Buck.“You know it!” was the reply.Again the men arose and walked into the cabin.“He’s sure gone!” Rube said.“He’s gone, all right!” answered Buck.“When you have had your fun out, perhaps you’ll tell us who it is that’s gone!” ventured Alex, wrinkling his nose and attempting to speak very sternly, and, of course, making a failure of it, “because, you’ve had quite a time at this foolishness.”“Well,” replied Rube, “we had a surprise for you, but there don’t seem to be anything doing in the astonishment line! We had little old ‘To the Death’ nicely trussed up in the cabin, but it seems that he got away!”“Got away!” exclaimed Case and Jule in a breath.“Yes, sir, got away!” replied the giant.“Nice fellows you are!” exploded Case, sourly. “Why didn’t you tie him up so he wouldn’t get away?”By this time Buck and Rube were almost as well acquainted with Case’s temper as were the other boys, so no attention was paid to this outburst of grouch.“Where do you think he went?” asked Thede.“You know as much about it as I do,” answered Rube. “Just take a look into the cabin.”The cabin was a sight! Clothing was scattered over the floor, the mirror which hung above the sideboard was in tiny pieces, and the general appearance of the place was “on the bum,” as Alex expressed it. The boys gazed at the disorder for a moment and then returned to the deck to think it out.By this time it was quite dark. A storm was coming up, and the boys decided to tie up for the night where they were.There was plenty of provisions on theEsmeralda, and the hungry boys made a hearty meal. Thede and Clay shortly returned to theRamblerto acquaint Paul with what was going on.“It seems to me,” said Buck, straightening up the disordered cabin, “that you boys have something in your minds that we ought to know, being as we are to sail together for a few days.”“I don’t think we have anything on you, if we have!” Alex replied. “What’s it about those private interviews between Paul and yourselves?”“You caught on, did you?” asked Rube, with a laugh. “Well, it is about time for a show-down, I reckon, don’t you think so, Buck?”Buck nodded, and Rube continued.“I don’t know whether I can tell this story accordin’ to Hoyle, but I’ll try. Once upon a time, as the story books say, there was an old miser who wanted the earth and the fullness thereof. Is that O. K., Buck? Does she start out right?”Buck laughed good-naturedly, nodding his head again, and Rube went on.“This old gazabo was the uncle and administrator of the estate of a minor heir. Don’t I get any help in this narration?”Rube waited a moment for a reply, but, none coming, he went on again, stammering and making a great mess of it. To tell the truth, Alex and Jule were too much interested in the story which was still coming to do anything to interrupt it.“The old uncle was also guardeen of this minor heir, and it is easy to guess what a life he led the boy. By the way, it may be well to state right here that this old man was next of kin, and would inherit a fortune if the heir should die.”Rube paused a moment to wipe his forehead, and then went on, after casting an appealing glance in Buck’s direction.“This lad, who was only sixteen, thought the guardeen’s plans all wrong, and, after thinking the matter over a long time, decided to elope with himself, which he did!”“Why don’t you mention names?” demanded Jule. “The boy’s name was Paul Stegman, wasn’t it?”“You just wait until the story is finished,” answered Rube, with a broad grin. “Well, the old geezer tried his level best to catch the boy and land him in a home for imbeciles, or some such shop, but the kid had disappeared.“One day the old man thought of one kink that hadn’t been worked, and that was the West. So he entered into correspondence with three men—a surgeon, and two officers of the law.”“Now, you’re getting down to brass tacks!” shouted Jule. “Did these men catch the kid?”“Yes, they discovered his whereabouts, but they hadn’t the heart to disturb him. You see, he had fallen into good hands. After being robbed of his boat and beaten almost to death, one of the searchers found him, one wild night, lying on his back in the rain.”“Thought it was Paul,” Alex announced. “Why didn’t these men take him back to his uncle?”“Not so you could notice it!” was the reply.Alex and Jule both arose and gravely shook the hands of both men. Then they returned to their seats.“But I don’t yet understand how the surgeon came to be standing on the river bank in the rain,” Jule cut in.“He had just been put off theRambler, then in possession of the pirates,” Alex added.“Not so fast!” Rube continued. “He had been put off theRamblersome time before, after setting a broken leg for the boy. At that time the pirates began to see that the boy was worth more to them alive than dead. In other words, they decided to hold him for ransom.”“But where does the surgeon come in?” asked Alex. “He says he was engaged in the practice of medicine in a little town up the river—was he?”“Yes, I think he told the truth about that,” was the reply. “I reckon he wasn’t making any too much money though, and was about ready to quit when the miser offered his reward.”“Offered a reward, did he?” said Jule. “This will be news to Paul! How much is the reward?”“Five thousand.”“Gee!” shouted the boy. “I’d like to get my hands on that sum myself.”“I think I’ve got all the parties in this story sized up now but I’d like to know if you ever had a ranch?”“Now look here, kid,” Rube answered, “don’t get too personal in your remarks! Why, of course I’ve got a ranch! The only lie I told you boys was about that brindle steer! I’ve got a brindle steer, but I didn’t lose him that rainy night.”“You’re a fraud!” exclaimed Jule. “I infer, then, that Buck and yourself are officers of the law!”Buck turned the lapel of his coat and showed the badge of a United States marshal.“There you are!” he said “If you want any papers served, you have come to the right shop!”“Now I see,” remarked Alex, “how theEsmeraldacame to be so handy! I never suspected it at the time.”“You are a pair of frauds! Just as Jule said,” ventured Alex, speaking after a pause. “How long have you known each other?”“A matter of ten years!” Rube answered, with a chuckle. “I reckon it’s been about that time, eh, Buck?” he added, with a grin that spread over his face. “And we’ve been pretty good friends, at that, never went back on each other, eh?”“I guessed that you had something to do with the law, yourself,” cried Jule, remembering a time when Rube had hastily put a silver badge out of sight. “Out with it!”“Well, you see, the boys up in our neck of the woods seemed to think I’d make a fair sheriff, and so they elected me,” Rube stated, coloring as he did so, for it had been no part of his program that the boys should know him as the sheriff of his county.“Now, if you’ll tell how you came to know Thede, we’ll call it square,” Alex suggested.“Oh, he belongs up in my county, and of course I know him,” was Rube’s reply. “But,” he added, “I’m afraid we’ve got to lose him, for the hard-luck story he told you boys was about right. He’s a right pert boy, and we hate to lose him.”By this time the wind was blowing a gale, and Buck arose to make theRamblerand theEsmeraldamore secure. Vivid flashes of lightning lit the sky, and presently the rain began to fall in torrents.It was hot, too, and the boys were stripped to their shirts, Alex, who was short and fat, was fanning himself with a newspaper. He gave a little start of surprise at something he saw in the sheet, but said not a word.Case and Thede called out that they were all right, and that Clay was in the cabin, sitting by Paul, who was sound asleep.“We heard nearly everything Rube said,” laughed Case, “and the parts he missed Thede told me! And so, you see, you are discovered—taken with the goods!”“For the love of Mike!” shouted Alex. “Do you suppose Paul heard, too?”“He’s sound asleep,” was the reply.“It makes no difference if he did,” suggested Buck. “He has been wise to the game since the first day.”“Oh, all right, then,” was Alex’s answer. “What does the kid think about your program? Is he enjoying this trip on the Rio Grande? He’s in no shape, with his broken leg, to take much comfort.”“He thinks he’s lucky to be alive, after the treatment given him up the river,” Buck said. “You see, he got beaten up before they got the notion of holding him for ransom.”“I don’t understand,” interposed Jule. “If the old miser wanted him murdered, he must have gotten into communication with the robbers, and offered them a large sum to do the job!”“That’s just the point!” answered Buck. “That’s what we want to find out! That’s just what we are taking this trip for—to give the brutes a good chance to show their hands. Ordinarily, it would be enough to frustrate the old miser and the robbers, but someone must be punished for this mix-up, and we want to get the right ones.”“And so the robbers are double-crossing the miser?” asked Alex. “They are going to play the blackmail game? Well, if he bargained with them to do murder, they can get about all he has!”Alex, cutting his talk short, and pointing to a rim of trees standing not far away. Through the slanting rain a low clicking sound, the clicking of metal on metal.“What’s doing over there?” the lad asked. “Sounds like a machine shop.”All listened intently for a time. The sound had ceased now, and there was only the patter of the falling rain.Buck arose to his feet and stood just outside the cabin, regardless of the fast-falling rain. He was listening for the sound to be repeated. Presently it came again.“Counterfeiters!” exclaimed Rube.The spot was a lonely one, one to fit well with the making of illegal coin. A range of low hills lay close to the river on the Mexican side, where the two boats lay.It was too dark to see them now, but Buck explained that they were there, and that the spot was one frequented by outlaws of every description.“Suppose we land and make sure,” Alex suggested.“Yes,” said Jule, in a whisper, “I vote yes on that proposition—it will be jolly to catch a gang of counterfeiters. We have never had any such luck!”“You are likely to get a bullet through your anatomy!” Buck answered. “Counterfeiters are not river thieves.”“We carry a surgeon to cut it out if we do!” laughed Jule. “I’m going anyhow! The idea of catching a live counterfeiter appeals to me. What do you say, Alex?”“I’m game!” was the reply.Buck and Rube laughed softly.They knew that the lads would go, rain or shine, and were already making preparations to go with them. Thede was called over to theEsmeraldaand given instructions, and the two men, accompanied by the boys, started away through the storm, taking the direction from which the sounds came.
This continued for perhaps an hour, the boys paying little attention to the racket made on the river bank. Then a shot was heard and the ragamuffins disappeared as if by magic.
Directly a detachment of United States soldiers made its appearance. The soldiers were warmly welcomed and Alex insisted on giving them all the food he had prepared.
“It’s only to cook more,” he argued.
“But I’m hungry enough right now to eat one of the outlaws,” Jule declared.
“If we’d waited a few minutes longer,” Alex laughed, “you might have had feet fricassee! That was a close call, young man! We got there in the nick of time.”
In time the soldiers were all fed, and then the boys began the work of getting the dinner over again.
The lads were warmly thanked for their hospitality.
“You may get into a place it won’t be so easy to get out of,” said the young lieutenant in charge of the squad. “If you do, and we are anywhere within reach, don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
The boys thanked the lieutenant for his offer, not even dreaming of the time when the words so casually spoken were to be made good.
“They about cleaned us out,” said Alex, glancing ruefully at the trampled greensward where the soldiers had eaten. “I don’t know what to do now! The tinned goods are about gone, and there aren’t any vegetables to speak of.”
“What’s the matter with falling back on the river?” asked Clay, getting out his fishing tackle with his one well arm. “We have taken many a fine meal from the river, and I don’t think it will go back on us now!”
“Who’ll catch the fish?” asked Jule. “I’m actually so hungry that my stomach is wishing my backbone good afternoon, and I don’t feel equal to the effort!”
“Suppose we get theRambleroff this mud bank first?” Thede suggested.
“That’s a good idea!” Alex cried out.
“Wonder we couldn’t have thought of that when we could have had the help of the soldiers!” grumbled Case.
“Kicker!” laughed Jule. “It will be an easy job to get the boat into the river again. She went against the bank with very little force, I take it.”
The lads who were not crippled worked together to such good purpose that the boat was soon in the water again. Not a thing was broken except the steering-gear and that was soon repaired.
“Now, about that fish?” Case said. “Who’s going to try for it? I might be one of the boys to make the effort.”
“I think you had better remain on board,” said Alex, “and let Jule and I see about the fish. We are the only old and original fishermen in the party!”
“Go to it, then,” Clay agreed, “but don’t get into any nest of pirates and get your feet burned!”
The boys were glad to be away on the water again, for there were things they wanted to talk over. Jule was the first one to open the conversation.
“Alex,” he began, uncertain how his communication would be received, “what is going on on board theRambler?”
“Why do you ask that?” came the quick reply. “Have you noticed anything unusual?”
“About Paul and Thede,” Jule went on, “I have a notion that an understanding of some sort exists between the two.”
“And Rube, too?” asked Alex.
“Yes, and Rube also!”
“What do you know about it?” demanded Alex. “What have you seen—or heard?”
“You have suspected, then?” asked Jule.
“Sure!” answered Alex.
“Well?”
“There is certainly something between them,” was the reply. “We must keep a sharp lookout.”
“But it can’t be any plot to capture theRambler,” suggested Jule. “They have had plenty of chances to do that.”
“How did they get together so soon?” said Alex. “Why, Rube was scarcely on the boat before it began.”
“So you noticed that, too, did you?”
“Of course I did!” was the answer. “When you see a man acting as if his very life depended on that of a boy, and that boy apparently a stranger, anyone would suspect. The fellow was too eager to know all about the case! Then, when Thede came on board, didn’t you think he got to the side of Paul pretty quickly?”
“Yes, I noticed that, and thought it very strange,” was the reply. “Now, what’s going to be done about it?”
“All we can do is to watch,” declared Alex.
“And where does Buck come in?” Jule asked, after a thoughtful pause. “You noticed that he had an electric boat handy when we needed one, and that the boat made pretty good time for an ordinary river boat! I’d just like to get to the bottom of this thing!”
“And Rube always had his roll out,” added Alex.
“But he explained that by saying that he knew all about us boys and knew that we were as good as gold,” Jule cut in.
“Well,” laughed Alex, “we’ve got into another mystery! I’d like to take just one plain adventure trip.”
“The mystery is all right,” Jule concluded, after rather a lengthy pause. “We shouldn’t know what to think about if there was no mystery.”
“Perhaps you are right,” was the reply, “but I’d rather not have the mystery so dense! There’s something going on, and that’s no joke. But this ain’t catching fish!”
“That’s right!” Jule agreed. “The others will be getting hungry. As you say, all we can do is to wait for developments and watch Thede and Paul.”
“Paul appears to be such an innocent little chap that the very idea of spying on him seems preposterous,” added Alex. “Still, the innocence may all be assumed.”
“I dislike to think that,” was Jule’s reply.
The boys talked as they fished, but could make nothing of the situation. As a matter of fact, Rube had appeared out of the darkness that first night in rather a mysterious fashion.
And he had expressed great solicitude for the wounded boy. And he had always been ready with his money. And, another thing, he had had such a pile of it!
And Buck had had theEsmeraldaquite ready on short notice! Of course the episode of Alex being treed by the bear was entirely unexpected and just happened.
It interfered somewhat with the plans of the party, and somewhat with Rube’s bank roll, but, as Alex declared, “it made the company all the tougher, and did no harm in the long run.” It was only incidental, and did not count for or against Thede or Paul.
The lads fished while they discussed every phase of the matter, but at last they were obliged to give it up.
“We’ll have to watch and wait,” Jule finally said. “If there is mischief afloat, it will show itself in time.”
And with this they had to be content.
TheRamblerwas running downstream very slowly, so as not to get ahead of the rowboat; still, as the boys took their time, doing more talking than fishing, it gained on them, and finally turned a bend in the stream and passed out of sight.
“Where’s theRambler?” asked Alex, looking up from the contemplation of a fine string of fish.
“I guess she passed out of sight around that bend,” was the impatient reply. “Somehow that boat seems to delight in leaving us behind. Wonder why she didn’t slow up when the boys saw that she was passing us?”
“We’ll catch her in two jerks of a pig’s tail,” replied Alex, laying down his fishing tackle and picking up the oars. “There does seem to be a fatality about the thing, though—the way she sails calmly away and leaves us!”
The boys had spent a longer time than they had suspected in the discussion of the mysterious movements of the others, and the row was a long one. When they finally came in sight of the boat they were surprised to see no signs of life on board.
And they were amazed at the speed which she had gained. The lads looked at each other with questioning eyes.
“There’s something wrong!” almost shouted Jule. “TheRambleris running away from us!”
“That’s right!” was the quick reply. “Do you think we can catch her at the pace she is going?”
“Never!” was the discouraged reply.
There was silence for a moment, a silence broken only by the rippling of the Rio Grande and the call of a bird a-wing. Then Alex made a hopeful suggestion.
“The river makes a long bend just below,” he explained, “and, if we can get to the bottom of the turn, perhaps we can catch her. Nice thing, to run away and leave us like this!”
“There is evidently something wrong on board, though I can’t for the life of me see what it is,” Jule answered.
“If we cut across this point of land, we’ll have to come back for the rowboat,” suggested Alex.
“Provided some river character doesn’t see it first we may find it,” wailed Jule.
“Well, there’s nothing like trying,” Alex returned.
The boat was turned toward the left bank of the stream, but in a few seconds’ time, before the boat had proceeded more than a few feet, Jule, who was at the helm, changed her course so as to make the right side. In answer to Alex’s questioning look he said:
“The current sweeps across to the opposite shore after we round the bend. TheRamblerwill naturally follow that.”
“That’s right,” was the reply, “the south side for us. How would you like to bump into the river thieves again? Say, kid, but that was a close call for your feet!”
“Well, as long as they didn’t accomplish their purpose, I fail to see why we should be everlastingly sobbing over it.”
The boat’s keel soon grated on the south shore, and the boys left her, pausing only long enough to cast a parting glance at the trim little craft “The chances are that we shall never see the boat again,” Alex remarked.
“Rats!” was Jule’s reply. “If we find everything all right on board theRambler, why can’t we come back and get her? I have a notion that the boys thought we were a long time catching these fish, and sent the boat ahead faster than usual just to give us a scare.”
“That’s all right,” replied Alex, “but I’ve got a hunch that you are wrong. Case would never sail away from his breakfast,” he added with a laugh, “and I don’t think there’s much left on board in the eating line.”
“What about the fish?” Jule asked. “We may as well tote them along, don’t you think?”
“Of course,” replied Alex. “We ain’t going to leave this nice mess of perfectly good fish in the boat. There may be people along here who like fish.”
The lads lifted the string of fish out of the rowboat, and, taking them in hand, struck across the point of land toward the river.
CHAPTER XVIII
A SLIPPERY CUSTOMER
The Rio Grande makes a long bend where the boys left it, and almost returns upon itself after winding in and out for many miles. The land is swampy in places as the river approaches Painted Cave, but mountains show, too, and the country is without any population to speak of. Its general features are rugged.
As the lads alternated between rocky soil and swamp, they had little leisure for conversation. It took about all their strength and agility to make their way, leaping, now, over pools of water, now climbing over rocky elevations.
The Southern Pacific runs close to the river here, and the boys could hear the trains moving along the line, on the American side. Now and then they caught sight of moving cars.
“I’m pretty nearly all in,” Jule complained, as they halted on a dry elevation to catch their breath. “I don’t suppose we could have chosen a rougher country than this if we had looked for a thousand years! It’s fierce!”
“Oh, it’s good enough—for a mountain-climbing goat!” Alex answered, wrinkling his nose. “What do you think about our being able to catch that boat?”
“I give it up!” Jule said, beginning to whistle.
He broke off after a minute and remarked:
“In the light of recent developments, what do you think of the situation? Clay and Case are true as steel, and, between them, they ought to be able to put Thede and Paul on their backs, especially as the latter has a broken leg!”
“What’s got into you?” demanded Alex. “You talk like Case! And Case in his bluest moments! I’ve not given up yet. Thede and Paul are all right! I’ll bank on it!”
Jule laughed heartily.
“So will I!” he said. “I’ll bank on it, too! If there is any mischief afloat, they are not in it. Only, I wish they would come out into the open, and tell us frankly what it is they are up to. It seems to me that that would be the honorable way.”
“Let’s not pass judgment until we know all about it,” replied Alex, taking up the string of fish and going on again.
The way was even rougher than before, now, and the lads were soon obliged to stop for a breathing spell. In the distance they now could see the Rio Grande, shimmering under the setting sun.
“We’ve got to make better time if we connect with theRamblerbefore night sets in,” Jule said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “If there ever was a rockier road than this, we have never found it I think we would better dump the fish. They are a good deal of a burden to carry.”
“There they go!” Alex exclaimed, suiting action to the word, and tossing the fish down a rocky incline. “I wish we had some of them cooked! I’m so hungry that I could eat two pirates!”
“Well, here we go, in light marching order!” volunteered Jule. “If you get there before I do, just tell ’em I’m a-coming!”
The boy hummed the words of the old song over to himself, and assumed a cheerfulness he did not feel. It was fast growing dark, and the way was rocky, with pools of river water in places where the rocks pushed back from the shore.
And so, the lads pressed forward, with Jule still humming his tune and Alex laughing himself red in the face at thought of the plight they were in.
“Might as well laugh as cry,” was his comment on the situation.
At last they came to smoother ground, with the river showing under the setting sun, and paused to study the scene.
Directly their glances, following the windings of the stream, came upon theEsmeralda! They regarded each other with eyes which asked many questions but found no answer.
“How did that boat get here?” asked Alex. “We left her far up the river.”
“Don’t ask me!” was the reply.
“Well,” continued Alex, “it’s up to us to find out!”
The boat lay rocking in the river only a short distance from where the boys had halted. The prow light was on, and the craft gave other indications of occupancy, so the theory that she had broken loose and drifted to where she lay was not to be thought of.
The motor boat lay close to the right bank of the stream, and the question how she got there could not be easily answered, so the lads made haste to gain the little landing where she was tied.
The Rio Grande is a very shallow stream, often spreading out over a large stretch of country. Indeed, it is navigable for boats of medium size only below the city of Matamoros.
Therefore Alex and Jule were obliged to wade out to the boat when they came opposite her. Their first sight of the deck was rather a surprise.
Instead of showing excitement, it was calm as a morning in May. Buck sat on the railing of the craft, with his back toward the shore, pointing out the beauties of the landscape to Rube, who was standing not far away.
They both turned face about when the noise made by the boys in climbing to the deck attracted their attention, and advanced to meet them with hands extended.
“This sure is a sight good for sore eyes!” cried Rube, and the greeting of Buck was not less friendly.
“Now, will you explain just how theEsmeraldacome to be here?” Jule said, after greetings had been exchanged. “We left her a long way upstream.”
“And how is it that we find you here, out of reach of theRambler, and walking across country?” asked Buck.
“That’s just the point,” Alex answered grimly, “we haven’t seen theRamblerfor several hours, and are walking across country to try and head her off!”
The boy thought he saw a quick glance of understanding pass from Rube to Buck, but he could not be certain.
Then he explained about the fishing trip and the flight of the motor boat. Rube and Buck listened attentively, but with the air of men who had heard all that story before.
“And so,” Buck said, at the completion of the narration, “you want to catch theRambler?”
“That’s precisely the idea,” answered Jule. “But you haven’t told us yet why you are here. You must have passed us on some dark night, when there was no one on watch.”
“You are taking it for granted that theRamblerhas been passed,” laughed Buck.
“Well, has she?” questioned Alex.
“Yes, she has, and under the most peculiar circumstances,” was Buck’s reply. “She had another visit from the man who left the ‘To the Death’ written on her rowboat.”
“But I don’t understand,” exclaimed Jule. “How did he overtake us, and why did he run away?”
“Perhaps your curiosity will be satisfied before the end of the trip,” Buck replied, significantly. “By the way, here comes the motor boat we were speaking of.”
As he spoke he pointed to theRambler, already drawing up to theEsmeralda.
“Do they know about our crossing the point to come out ahead of them?” asked Alex. “If they don’t I’ll give them a surprise.”
“Go to it, then,” laughed Buck.
Both boys hid under the rail of the boat and waited for the crew of theRamblerto speak. Both boys were giggling at the thought of the joke they had on the other boys.
“Boat ahoy!” came the call.
“Boat ahoy yourself!” was the answer.
“Come aboard!” cried Buck. “I have something I want to show you. It’s a peach!”
“Not a really, truly peach?” demanded Case’s voice.
“You’ll see what it is when you come on board,” replied Rube with a chuckle.
The boat drew up alongside and both Case and Thede crossed over to the deck of theEsmeralda. Then Alex and Jule sprang out and seized them.
At the termination of a friendly struggle, when all four were out of breath, the surgeon held Jule off at arm’s length and claimed to be inspecting him with great gravity.
“You’re the boy,” he finally said, “who went out to catch fish for starving men! Give an account of yourself!”
“Oh, the explanations ought to come from your own side!” said Jule, struggling to get away. “We didn’t sail away and leave you.”
“So that’s it, is it?” laughed Thede. “Well, under the circumstances, you are forgiven, but don’t do it again!”
“What about this desertion of us on the rolling deep?” asked Alex. “You’ve got to square that, you know!”
“Well, then, here goes!” replied Case, his face taking on a serious expression, “as soon as you boys got well out into the river, we felt the boat give a little dip to one side, but thought nothing of it. We must have been drifting an hour or more when we heard a rustling in the cabin, and Captain Joe, who had been growling at the side of the boat for the better part of half an hour, ever since he woke up, in fact, grew furious.
“Then he sprang through the open window which leads to the after deck and disappeared in the river. The jarring of the boat we had felt came from the impact of a human body against it! The dog had followed the intruder into the stream!”
“Did he get him?” asked Jule and Alex, in a breath.
“He did not,” was the answer.
“Too bad!” Alex answered. “That dog isn’t any good. If he had been he wouldn’t have slept when the boat was invaded!”
“Is that all the story?” asked Jule.
“Well, we followed on after the fellow until we were around a bend in the river, and then came on, thinking that you boys would find us, never thinking that we should find you here,” replied Case.
“What do you think that fellow means by following theRambler?” asked Jule. “For no good purpose, I’m certain!”
“Did he leave any writing on the boat anywhere?” questioned Alex. “You know what he left the last time he paid us an unfriendly visit. I’d like pretty well to get him by the neck!” he added, with a tightening of the fists which boded no good to the fellow, whoever he might be.
“And now,” Jule cut in, “will you kindly explain how those on this boat knew that the stranger had paid theRamblera visit on his way downstream. There is something mysterious about this whole business! Something I can’t get to the bottom of!”
“And I’d like to know when you passed us!” said Case, looking at Rube.
The giant only grinned.
“Out with it!” the lad commanded.
“Well,” was the reply, “I suppose I’ll have to tell! When I said theRamblerhad been passed, I didn’t mean that we had passed her in the original channel of the Rio Grande. We took a side channel!”
“A side channel!” exclaimed Jule. “We saw no side channels! Where is it?”
“Just above the route you boys followed there is an island. Didn’t you notice it?”
“We thought it was nothing but a false alarm, leading nowhere,” replied Jule.
“The channel is rather narrow, but the water is deep enough to take in a boat like theEsmeralda,” was Rube’s reply.
“Still, I can’t see how that helps you out,” continued Alex. “The island may be there, all right, but the island can’t talk! It didn’t tell you that the fellow had paid another visit to theRambler, did it? Who did tell you?”
“He told me himself!”
“But how did he tell you, and where?” demanded Alex. “You are getting me all balled up!”
“Well,” replied Rube, with a grin, “we drew aside in the channel I’ve been telling you about, thinking to catch some fish for dinner. You see we had the fish idea, too! TheRamblerwas ahead of us at that time, but we knew of the island channel and thought we could come out in the main channel just a little ahead of her.”
“Which you did!” cut in Case.
“Exactly!” was the reply. “Just as theRamblerpassed the mouth of the channel, you boys were launching the rowboat!”
“You fellows must have had a late dinner!” commented Alex.
“Not so awfully late!” Rube replied. “You boys took more time fishing than you realized. Well, while we were hidden in the entrance to the channel we saw a man leave theRamblerand strike out for shore.
“We were lucky enough to intercept him when he was nearly exhausted with his swimming, and so we’ve got a surprise for you!”
In the meantime Clay had been helped over to the deck of theEsmeralda, and was investigating the cabin. He was still very lame from his wound, his left arm being in a sling, but was on the road to recovery.
Captain Joe, too, came on board, and was promptly forgiven by Alex. He patted the dog’s head and said to him:
“I know that you are an old sleepy-head, but you’re a darling just the same!”
And Captain Joe nodded his head, just as if he understood all the boy said.
At that moment Clay appeared in the doorway of the cabin. He was greeted with looks of inquiry by both Rube and Buck.
“Did you find him?” Buck asked.
“Find him?” repeated the boy. “Who is there to find? I discovered only a badly mussed cabin.
What’s been going on in there? Looks like a tornado had passed through it. You must have been having quite a merry time on board.”
Both Rube and Buck sprang for the cabin.
“What’s doing?” asked the astonished Alex. “Has everybody gone daffy, or have Rube and Buck discovered an oil well in the bottom of the boat?” The boys hastened to enter the cabin, where they found Rube and Buck bending over a broken strap.
“Now, what do you know about that?” the former was asking.
Buck shook his head, looking very much disgruntled.
CHAPTER XIX
RUBE TELLS A STORY
For a moment Buck and Rube looked as if they could not believe the evidence of their senses, then both broke into a hearty laugh. Then they shook hands and laughed again.
“Well,” said Clay, “I hope, when you fellows get done with your monkey-work, that you’ll condescend to tell us what you find so funny. It won’t take long to give it a name.”
Buck and Rube rushed out of the little cabin and gazed long and earnestly into the fast-gathering night. They walked to the side of the boat and looked over into the water. Then they roared again, to the disgust of the boys.
Alex tapped the top of his head significantly.
“They’ve gone mad!” he said.
The boys had followed Rube and Buck out to the deck, and now stood in a little circle about them.
“I don’t see any evidences of insanity,” laughed Thede, “but they will doubtless become raving mad in a moment!”
“Too bad!” cried Jule.
In the meantime Rube and Buck had had their laugh out and settled back on the seat which ran along the inner side of the railing. The faces of the two men were blank with amazement.
“Did you tie him tight?” asked Buck.
“You know it!” was the reply.
Again the men arose and walked into the cabin.
“He’s sure gone!” Rube said.
“He’s gone, all right!” answered Buck.
“When you have had your fun out, perhaps you’ll tell us who it is that’s gone!” ventured Alex, wrinkling his nose and attempting to speak very sternly, and, of course, making a failure of it, “because, you’ve had quite a time at this foolishness.”
“Well,” replied Rube, “we had a surprise for you, but there don’t seem to be anything doing in the astonishment line! We had little old ‘To the Death’ nicely trussed up in the cabin, but it seems that he got away!”
“Got away!” exclaimed Case and Jule in a breath.
“Yes, sir, got away!” replied the giant.
“Nice fellows you are!” exploded Case, sourly. “Why didn’t you tie him up so he wouldn’t get away?”
By this time Buck and Rube were almost as well acquainted with Case’s temper as were the other boys, so no attention was paid to this outburst of grouch.
“Where do you think he went?” asked Thede.
“You know as much about it as I do,” answered Rube. “Just take a look into the cabin.”
The cabin was a sight! Clothing was scattered over the floor, the mirror which hung above the sideboard was in tiny pieces, and the general appearance of the place was “on the bum,” as Alex expressed it. The boys gazed at the disorder for a moment and then returned to the deck to think it out.
By this time it was quite dark. A storm was coming up, and the boys decided to tie up for the night where they were.
There was plenty of provisions on theEsmeralda, and the hungry boys made a hearty meal. Thede and Clay shortly returned to theRamblerto acquaint Paul with what was going on.
“It seems to me,” said Buck, straightening up the disordered cabin, “that you boys have something in your minds that we ought to know, being as we are to sail together for a few days.”
“I don’t think we have anything on you, if we have!” Alex replied. “What’s it about those private interviews between Paul and yourselves?”
“You caught on, did you?” asked Rube, with a laugh. “Well, it is about time for a show-down, I reckon, don’t you think so, Buck?”
Buck nodded, and Rube continued.
“I don’t know whether I can tell this story accordin’ to Hoyle, but I’ll try. Once upon a time, as the story books say, there was an old miser who wanted the earth and the fullness thereof. Is that O. K., Buck? Does she start out right?”
Buck laughed good-naturedly, nodding his head again, and Rube went on.
“This old gazabo was the uncle and administrator of the estate of a minor heir. Don’t I get any help in this narration?”
Rube waited a moment for a reply, but, none coming, he went on again, stammering and making a great mess of it. To tell the truth, Alex and Jule were too much interested in the story which was still coming to do anything to interrupt it.
“The old uncle was also guardeen of this minor heir, and it is easy to guess what a life he led the boy. By the way, it may be well to state right here that this old man was next of kin, and would inherit a fortune if the heir should die.”
Rube paused a moment to wipe his forehead, and then went on, after casting an appealing glance in Buck’s direction.
“This lad, who was only sixteen, thought the guardeen’s plans all wrong, and, after thinking the matter over a long time, decided to elope with himself, which he did!”
“Why don’t you mention names?” demanded Jule. “The boy’s name was Paul Stegman, wasn’t it?”
“You just wait until the story is finished,” answered Rube, with a broad grin. “Well, the old geezer tried his level best to catch the boy and land him in a home for imbeciles, or some such shop, but the kid had disappeared.
“One day the old man thought of one kink that hadn’t been worked, and that was the West. So he entered into correspondence with three men—a surgeon, and two officers of the law.”
“Now, you’re getting down to brass tacks!” shouted Jule. “Did these men catch the kid?”
“Yes, they discovered his whereabouts, but they hadn’t the heart to disturb him. You see, he had fallen into good hands. After being robbed of his boat and beaten almost to death, one of the searchers found him, one wild night, lying on his back in the rain.”
“Thought it was Paul,” Alex announced. “Why didn’t these men take him back to his uncle?”
“Not so you could notice it!” was the reply.
Alex and Jule both arose and gravely shook the hands of both men. Then they returned to their seats.
“But I don’t yet understand how the surgeon came to be standing on the river bank in the rain,” Jule cut in.
“He had just been put off theRambler, then in possession of the pirates,” Alex added.
“Not so fast!” Rube continued. “He had been put off theRamblersome time before, after setting a broken leg for the boy. At that time the pirates began to see that the boy was worth more to them alive than dead. In other words, they decided to hold him for ransom.”
“But where does the surgeon come in?” asked Alex. “He says he was engaged in the practice of medicine in a little town up the river—was he?”
“Yes, I think he told the truth about that,” was the reply. “I reckon he wasn’t making any too much money though, and was about ready to quit when the miser offered his reward.”
“Offered a reward, did he?” said Jule. “This will be news to Paul! How much is the reward?”
“Five thousand.”
“Gee!” shouted the boy. “I’d like to get my hands on that sum myself.”
“I think I’ve got all the parties in this story sized up now but I’d like to know if you ever had a ranch?”
“Now look here, kid,” Rube answered, “don’t get too personal in your remarks! Why, of course I’ve got a ranch! The only lie I told you boys was about that brindle steer! I’ve got a brindle steer, but I didn’t lose him that rainy night.”
“You’re a fraud!” exclaimed Jule. “I infer, then, that Buck and yourself are officers of the law!”
Buck turned the lapel of his coat and showed the badge of a United States marshal.
“There you are!” he said “If you want any papers served, you have come to the right shop!”
“Now I see,” remarked Alex, “how theEsmeraldacame to be so handy! I never suspected it at the time.”
“You are a pair of frauds! Just as Jule said,” ventured Alex, speaking after a pause. “How long have you known each other?”
“A matter of ten years!” Rube answered, with a chuckle. “I reckon it’s been about that time, eh, Buck?” he added, with a grin that spread over his face. “And we’ve been pretty good friends, at that, never went back on each other, eh?”
“I guessed that you had something to do with the law, yourself,” cried Jule, remembering a time when Rube had hastily put a silver badge out of sight. “Out with it!”
“Well, you see, the boys up in our neck of the woods seemed to think I’d make a fair sheriff, and so they elected me,” Rube stated, coloring as he did so, for it had been no part of his program that the boys should know him as the sheriff of his county.
“Now, if you’ll tell how you came to know Thede, we’ll call it square,” Alex suggested.
“Oh, he belongs up in my county, and of course I know him,” was Rube’s reply. “But,” he added, “I’m afraid we’ve got to lose him, for the hard-luck story he told you boys was about right. He’s a right pert boy, and we hate to lose him.”
By this time the wind was blowing a gale, and Buck arose to make theRamblerand theEsmeraldamore secure. Vivid flashes of lightning lit the sky, and presently the rain began to fall in torrents.
It was hot, too, and the boys were stripped to their shirts, Alex, who was short and fat, was fanning himself with a newspaper. He gave a little start of surprise at something he saw in the sheet, but said not a word.
Case and Thede called out that they were all right, and that Clay was in the cabin, sitting by Paul, who was sound asleep.
“We heard nearly everything Rube said,” laughed Case, “and the parts he missed Thede told me! And so, you see, you are discovered—taken with the goods!”
“For the love of Mike!” shouted Alex. “Do you suppose Paul heard, too?”
“He’s sound asleep,” was the reply.
“It makes no difference if he did,” suggested Buck. “He has been wise to the game since the first day.”
“Oh, all right, then,” was Alex’s answer. “What does the kid think about your program? Is he enjoying this trip on the Rio Grande? He’s in no shape, with his broken leg, to take much comfort.”
“He thinks he’s lucky to be alive, after the treatment given him up the river,” Buck said. “You see, he got beaten up before they got the notion of holding him for ransom.”
“I don’t understand,” interposed Jule. “If the old miser wanted him murdered, he must have gotten into communication with the robbers, and offered them a large sum to do the job!”
“That’s just the point!” answered Buck. “That’s what we want to find out! That’s just what we are taking this trip for—to give the brutes a good chance to show their hands. Ordinarily, it would be enough to frustrate the old miser and the robbers, but someone must be punished for this mix-up, and we want to get the right ones.”
“And so the robbers are double-crossing the miser?” asked Alex. “They are going to play the blackmail game? Well, if he bargained with them to do murder, they can get about all he has!”
Alex, cutting his talk short, and pointing to a rim of trees standing not far away. Through the slanting rain a low clicking sound, the clicking of metal on metal.
“What’s doing over there?” the lad asked. “Sounds like a machine shop.”
All listened intently for a time. The sound had ceased now, and there was only the patter of the falling rain.
Buck arose to his feet and stood just outside the cabin, regardless of the fast-falling rain. He was listening for the sound to be repeated. Presently it came again.
“Counterfeiters!” exclaimed Rube.
The spot was a lonely one, one to fit well with the making of illegal coin. A range of low hills lay close to the river on the Mexican side, where the two boats lay.
It was too dark to see them now, but Buck explained that they were there, and that the spot was one frequented by outlaws of every description.
“Suppose we land and make sure,” Alex suggested.
“Yes,” said Jule, in a whisper, “I vote yes on that proposition—it will be jolly to catch a gang of counterfeiters. We have never had any such luck!”
“You are likely to get a bullet through your anatomy!” Buck answered. “Counterfeiters are not river thieves.”
“We carry a surgeon to cut it out if we do!” laughed Jule. “I’m going anyhow! The idea of catching a live counterfeiter appeals to me. What do you say, Alex?”
“I’m game!” was the reply.
Buck and Rube laughed softly.
They knew that the lads would go, rain or shine, and were already making preparations to go with them. Thede was called over to theEsmeraldaand given instructions, and the two men, accompanied by the boys, started away through the storm, taking the direction from which the sounds came.