Part 6 (1/2)
Thad asked.
”I should say I did, and be only too glad into the bargain!”
exclaimed the other, his voice filled with delight. ”And while we're going I want to tell you just how it came that I was on that horrible little shelf of rock, placed there by Colonel Kracker, who said I would never leave it alive unless I gave up to him the secret of my father's hidden silver mine. And he promised to come up there above me every day, to ask me if I was ready to throw up the sponge. But I'd have died there before I played the coward, and told him what he wanted; for how could I ever look my mother and sisters in the face again, if I saved my useless life by selling out their mine to that cruel and hateful man?”
CHAPTER VI.
BACKED BY THE SILVER FOX PATROL.
”Hurrah for you, Aleck!” exclaimed Giraffe, unable to repress his feelings any longer.
Thad himself felt just as full of enthusiasm over the brave manner in which this son of Jerry Rawson had defied the man whose one desire in life now seemed to be the discovery and confiscation of the rich mine that had eluded his eager fingers for so many years; but he knew better how to repress his delight.
They were starting along the top of the precipice now. Toby leading the way, and every now and then turning his head, to warn them of a particularly risky place. Thad had made sure to coil up that precious rope belonging to generous b.u.mpus, and which had so frequently proven to be worth its weight in gold. Never again would Giraffe laugh at the queer conceit of the fat scout in connection with the carrying of that window-sash cord.
As the going was so difficult, and as a rule they were strung out in single file, Thad thought that it would be just as well to defer all explanations until they had arrived safely in camp. Besides, that course would save Aleck from going over things twice; since those who were not present would naturally be just as anxious to hear the particulars as they were.
So they spent all the time in making sure that they did not lose their footing, and take ugly tumbles; for the way was very steep, and the moonlight, after all, rather treacherous to depend upon wholly.
Thad figured, from the clock in the heavens which he knew how to read so well, (figuring on the position of the moon, and the mult.i.tude of stars, from Sirius, and the blazing Belt of Orion, the Hunter, in the northeast; to bright Venus in the west, now just about to vanish behind the mountain ridge,) that they had been gone all of two hours, when once more they approached the burning fire.
They could see some of the scouts around the blaze, and as they drew near, the voice of Davy Jones called out sternly:
”Halt! who goes there?”
”Friends!” replied Thad, carrying out the humor of the thing.
”Advance friends, and give the countersign!” the sentry demanded.
”Silver Fox Patrol!” replied the scoutmaster, continuing to stride forward, and closely followed by all the others of the returning party.
”Did you get him, Thad?” asked Davy, instantly allowing his boyish curiosity to over-ride all soldierly qualities.
”That's what we did; and he's here with us, as hungry as they make them,” replied the patrol leader.
”Oh! I only hope you kept lots of grub; I'm that hungry I c'n hardly walk,” declared Giraffe.
”After s.n.a.t.c.hing all you did too, when you went off?” complained Step Hen.
”But think what we've done since, will you?” argued the tall scout, as he pushed into camp, and hastened to settle down in a good spot, with the air of one who naturally antic.i.p.ated being waited on by his chums.
”Well, we cooked a lot more,” Smithy hastened to remark; ”because, you see, we just calculated that you would be fairly ravenous, after your exertions. And so this is Aleck Rawson; delighted to meet you; my name is----”
”Cut that out; we call him plain Smithy!” broke in Step Hen; ”and I'm Step Hen Bingham. The fat feller is b.u.mpus Hawtree; this other is Bob White; while the one who gave you that challenge is Davy Jones. He'll shake hands with you by offering one of his feet, because he's standing on his head about as much as the other way.”
And Aleck went around, shaking hands heartily. Plainly they could see that he was more than delighted to meet with such a hearty reception; and just when it seemed as though he needed friends the worst kind.
So the newcomers were quickly waited on, and found that a bountiful supply of supper had indeed been prepared against their coming, and by boys who knew what a mountain appet.i.te meant, too.
By degrees those who had been left in camp were told just how the rescue had been effected; and then Aleck started in to tell something about his experiences.