Part 28 (1/2)

”That shows us what we may expect at the mine,” commented Jack. ”I hope they are still all right.”

”Don't worry about that, boy,” comforted Buck, noting his troubled face. ”The fact that Madero had his men along the line shows that he antic.i.p.ated our game--like the shrewd ruffian he is. It stands to reason he couldn't have his precious squadron, or column, or whatever he calls it, in two places at once, so I guess we'll be in time yet.”

”I hope so, I'm sure,” breathed Jack. ”If we failed now, it would be the bitterest moment of my life.”

But, as they came in sight of the tall stockade and the smokeless chimneys of the Esmeralda, they saw that their apprehensions were groundless. No sign of life appeared about the mine buildings. But presently, in answer to a long blast on the whistle, a strange figure came toddling out of the gate. It was that of Geisler. As he saw the engine, with its load of friendly faces, he broke into a cheer, and ran toward the track side.

”Hoch! Hoch! Hoch!” he yelled, waving his china-bowled pipe about his head. ”Diss iss der bestest thing I've seen since I had idt der Cherman measles, alretty yet.”

As the brakes ground down, and with a mighty exhalation of steam and a sigh from the air-brakes, the locomotive came to a stop, Jack leaped from the cab and ran toward the German. To his astonishment, Geisler almost recoiled as he drew near, and uttered a shout.

”Donner blitzen! I voss righdt den, idt vos a trap dot dose rascals laid.”

”What do you mean, Mr. Geisler? Where is my father?” gasped Jack, all in one breath.

”Himmel!” sputtered the German. ”Oh, diss is an onloocky day, py chiminy. A young feller rode it to der mine, early to-day, undt told your fader dot you vos wounded, and----”

”My father went with this fellow?” demanded the boy, his eyes blazing with eagerness and anxiety.

”Ches. He thought dot idt vos all righdt, und----”

”It's a trick of Madero's to rush the mine!” exclaimed Buck, who, with the others, came up as the German was e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.n.g. the last words.

”Dot is vot I d.i.n.k idt. Listen.”

Forthwith the German launched into a detailed report of what had occurred, not omitting a full description of Harding, which was instantly recognized by the boys.

”Harding, the scoundrel!” exclaimed Jack.

”I'd like to get my hands on him for just five minutes,” breathed Walt viciously.

Buck and the others, who were, of course, familiar with what had occurred to the boys with Madero's column, were also incensed.

”Such men should be hanged!” exclaimed the professor, with what was for him, a remarkable display of emotion.

”Budt come,” urged the German, as he concluded his narrative, ”vee hadt better be getting inside der stockade.”

He pointed down toward the miners' village, where men could be seen hastening about, as if preparing to take action of some sort. What that action was, they guessed too well. Acting in concert with Madero, they meant to storm the mine, and break open the specie room.

Ralph ran the locomotive upon a switch and locked the throwing lever.

Then he followed the others through the gate of the stockade. As it closed behind them, Geisler let fall a stout wooden bar into sockets prepared for it.

”I guess dot holdt dem for a viles,” he said, as the bar clattered into position.

But Jack's thoughts were distracted, and his manner absorbed. His mind was fixed upon Harding's rascality, and the probable dilemma in which his father now was. Buck Bradley noticed the boy's despondent air, and sought to cheer him up.

”Brace up, Jack,” he roared in his hearty way, ”your pop is all right.

According to my way of thinking, those greasers just lured him away from here, so that they could have easy access to the specie room.