Read Ebook: Endurance Test; or How Clear Grit Won the Day by Douglas Alan Captain Caswell Edward C Illustrator

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 139 lines and 16943 words, and 3 pages

ur long experience in such things will be of great advantage to us," and catching the eye of Elmer just then, Mr. Brady gave him a sly wink.

But the pompous man in blue did not see this. He swelled out a little more, until Landy privately informed Ty that he made him think of a proud pouter pigeon he had at home, which threatened to burst every time it strutted around, with its lungs filled with air.

As they started off toward the barn the officer made a sweeping motion with his arm that was apparently understood by the three who had come with him in the car, for they immediately headed as if to join him.

The farmer also spoke to quite a number of husky fellows whom he knew as neighbors; so that there was a general exodus from the vicinity of the house toward the out-buildings of the place.

As the word was passed from mouth to mouth the brawny farmers began to show some signs of excitement. One of them picked up a stout cudgel, which he gripped in a way to indicate that he anticipated using the same in case of necessity; seeing which the others started to also arm themselves.

It was quite a formidable force that began to surround the barn and cowsheds.

"Wow!" exclaimed Landy, who had also snatched up a wagon spoke upon which his eye had alighted, and seemed eager for the fray; "countin' the four Fairfield cops, we're just sixteen good and true men. My eye! won't Shorty and Lanky Jim throw up their hands when they see what they're up against!"

"If they get just one look at that Benchley," said Ty in a low tone, "they'll nearly drop dead. Say, just see him strut around, would you? He couldn't put on more frills if he was a major-general, directing the Battle of Gettysburg. This is as good as a circus, fellows, and I wouldn't have missed it for a heap."

"Thame here," chuckled Ted. "And I wath jutht wondering how he'd act if that hard faced little fighter, Thorty, would pop out of a hole and jump him. Thix to one you'd hear that big gath-bag holler for help like a calf. I know hith breed, boyth."

Elmer did not make any remark; but if that little smile on his face stood for anything it meant that the others voiced his sentiments pretty clearly.

The surrounding of the out-buildings was now complete. Chief Benchley made the round, stationing every man afresh as though he did not want to lose the slightest bit of credit for managing the affair. He was in his glory, and looked as though the chance of a lifetime were now within his grasp.

He had reserved several men to assist him in making the search. Among these, two of his officers and the farmer himself were to be seen. And as the official had scorned to place boys on guard, because of the poor opinion he had of them in general, Elmer and his chums were enabled to trail into the barn after the searching party, an opportunity they did not neglect to avail themselves of.

Twice did the pompous official turn a questioning eye toward them, as though he might be inclined to order them out; but on second thought he changed his mind, and said nothing. As the scouts would have declined to pay any attention to his orders, perhaps after all the Fairfield head of police was wise not to attempt anything of the kind.

The Brady barns were unusually large, even for a big farm. As quite a quantity of hay was stored here, waiting until the market price rose in the winter, extensive space was needed; though there were also three or four immense haystacks in the rear of the buildings, as well as one of straw, left when the threshing machine had passed through, and the oat crop had been attended to during the summer.

"If anybody comes across any sign of the culprits, call out, and the rest of us will hurry to the spot. Just shout out the words, 'Here they are,' and we will understand," the officer had said, as the party entered the big barn.

Then began a scene of bustle, as men went this way and that, poking about for signs of those who were supposed to be in hiding.

Of course all this could not be done without causing more or less racket; and if the two tramps were close by they must have discovered what was taking place early in the hunt.

Elmer kept his three scout chums with him.

"We'll hunt in a bunch, fellows," he had declared. "The Chief doesn't want us around him, so we'll look in other places. Perhaps we can get trace of the ones we're looking for."

"I just bet on you to figure it out, Elmer," remarked the confident Landy.

"Shucks; Elmer could give that big bluffer all the handicap going, and then beat him out. He don't know beans, that's what," snorted Ty, looking scornfully over to where the important party in uniform was walking about, giving orders in a loud and consequential tone.

"Tell uth what to do, Elmer," said Ted; "and we'll poke into every rat hole in th' old plathe."

"One thing's sure," the patrol leader went on, as he looked thoughtfully about him, "if they made up their minds to hide here, then they must have tunneled under the hay, because that is the best of places for staying concealed."

"I second that motion," declared Ty, nodding his head.

"And so we must keep on the watch for any signs of a hole under the hay," Elmer continued, as he ran his eye along the base of the mow close by.

"Huh! looks to me like hunting for a needle in a haystack!" declared Ty, after they had been industriously at work for several minutes, without any success.

"Only one needle this time; the other's a blunt-headed pin," chuckled Landy.

Ted began to sniff the air.

"Thought I thmelled thmoke," he announced as Elmer looked at him suspiciously.

"Well, considering what has happened here lately," remarked Ty, "seems to me that wouldn't be so very queer. I'm just soaked with it, and expect to smell smoke for a month of Sundays."

"But I thmell new thmoke!" Ted continued, positively.

"He's right, fellows; and I'm of the same opinion," Elmer went on to say.

Landy gave a short whistle.

"Smoke, did you say, Elmer?" he exclaimed. "My stars, boys! what if the hoboes have set fire now to the old barn? Say, what a blaze she would make, with all this hay stored here. Me to let them pigs out of the sty if it happens. It would be a shame to have roast pork when they're only part grown."

"Do you really mean it, Elmer?" asked Ty, apparently appalled by the thought of the terrible consequences that must follow, should the pair of desperate rascals go to extremes.

"It seems to be getting stronger all the while," observed the patrol leader, "and look at Mr. Brady; he is sniffing the air right now, as if he didn't like it any too well. I reckon he's got the same idea I have; which is that the men are in hiding here, and being afraid that they will be found have started a fire to cover their escape. See, Mr. Brady is telling the Fairfield policemen his suspicions now, and you can see that he's given him a start too."

"What a shame it will be if the barn goes, with all this hay," said Landy.

"Oh, Mr. Brady's got it all insured, I reckon," ventured Ty. "Farmers are smart enough these days to look out for that. But it'll make a high old blaze if it gets started, I tell you, fellows."

"But won't the thilly foolth be thetting the match to their own funeral pyre?" demanded Ted.

"Not by a jugful," chuckled Landy. "Ten to one they fixed all that before; and even made their old tunnel under the hay. But that smoke is sure getting heavier all the time, boys; and look there, ain't that the fire yonder? It is, as sure as you live! Good-by to the old barn, and this fine crop of hay. Say, look at it jump, will you?"

THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMPS.

ELMER saw at a glance that what his comrade had declared was really true. And a loud shout from one of the searching men announced that he too had discovered the fire.

Tremendous excitement seized upon the whole party, for they could readily surmise that this new conflagration was not the result of a smoldering spark, but that it had a meaning all its own. The two desperate hoboes must have started the second blaze with the same idea in view that had urged them to put the match to the farmhouse--to divert attention while they slipped away.

That was what Elmer thought. And when most of the men rushed toward the place where the fire was already burning fiercely amidst the hay, he thought it good policy to turn his attention to another quarter.

It had flashed across his mind just then that as they passed around the barn he had noticed a board off, with the hay sticking out of the hole. And now it came to him what a splendid way of escape that same hole would prove, did a tunnel under the hay lead to it.

The watchers outside had been summoned by the loud cries of those within, and as they came rushing through the wide open doors with the intention of trying to put down the spreading fire, Elmer saw that the very condition which those hunted hoboes must have wanted had been brought about.

Outside, the way to escape was clear, so far as brawny men went. If Lanky Jim and Shorty could only wriggle along under the hay until they arrived at that place where the board was missing, they had an open field before them, and flight meant a chance to reach the shelter of the woods beyond the fields.

"Come with me, and be quick about it, fellows," said Elmer, in his most thrilling tone; at which Landy's big eyes opened wider than customary, ditto his mouth.

The other three trailed along at his heels, wondering what he could have in his mind. When all the men were gathering in the barn, with the idea of trying to fight the fire, it seemed strange that Elmer should lead them outside, and away from the excitement.

But then by this time those fellows understood that the patrol leader never did anything without having some good and substantial reason for it. And they were, as a rule, ready to follow blindly wherever he chose to lead, leaving the asking of questions until a better chance opened up.

Had Doubting George been present, possibly he might have tried to quiz Elmer ere he yielded full obedience; but then even George must learn that one of the first duties of a true scout is to exhibit implicit subjection to authority.

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet