Frank Merriwell's Triumph Part 41

The man indicated did not betray that these words had reached his ears, although he had not missed the statement.

"He looks more like a missionary than a mining man," declared Curry.

As the new arrivals reached the captives and their guards, Felton Cleveland was soon looking the captives over with an expression of interest, not to say of sympathy. He turned to the deputy sheriff and observed:

"It seems hardly possible, sir, that so many men could be lawbreakers; still, their faces indicate that they are desperate characters."

"I reckon you're some unfamiliar with this part of the country,"

returned the officer. "We tries to keep our towns clean, but down along the Mexican border there are a few bad men. Sometimes they go in bunches."

"But it is remarkable that you should capture so many of them at one time. Do you mind telling how it happened?"

"I am not feeling a whole lot like talking just now," returned the deputy sheriff. "I opines you takes my word for it that they are just what I says."

"Oh, certainly, sir--certainly," nodded Cleveland. "I don't dispute you in the least. I a.s.sure you it is not mere idle curiosity on my part, for I have interests in this part of the country, and I wish to be well informed about it and its inhabitants. However, if you don't care to tell me what these men have been doing, we will let it drop."

"Well, I don't mind saying that they was caught redhanded trying to jump a claim. Mebbe that is the charge made agin' a few o' them, but I reckons the most of the bunch is to face things a heap more serious."

"Trying to jump a claim?" said Cleveland. "Where was this, if you don't mind giving that much information?"

"Over yon," answered Pete indefinitely, with a wave of his hand.

"Well, it's truly remarkable that you should be able to capture so many of them. They outnumber you, it appears. If they are such desperate men, it surely is a strange thing that you could take them all."

"We has a way of doing things sometimes, mister. Let me advise you to keep your own eyes open. Mebbe some o' that bunch you has is not to be trusted too far."

"There is no reason why they should betray me," was the a.s.sertion. "I have nothing on my person that could tempt them. They will be paid well when we reach our destination. That should be enough to guarantee their faithfulness to me."

"You're some wise in leaving your valuables behind," nodded Curry.

Some of the captives attempted to converse with the newcomers, but Curry's companions promptly put a stop to that. Between Spotted Dan and one or two of them pa.s.sed significant looks. The hors.e.m.e.n dismounted, as if to take a brief rest and give their animals a breathing spell.

Gad Hackett lighted his pipe and engaged one of Curry's comrades in conversation. Seeing this, Curry approached them and quietly said:

"You talks a little, Bill--a very little."

Bill nodded.

"I knows my business, Pete," he a.s.sured.

Hackett laughed.

"Why does he seem so mighty suspicious?" he asked. "We don't bother him none."

After talking with Bill a few moments, however, he turned to Abe and engaged him in conversation. He seemed careless and indifferent in his manner, and occasionally a few low words pa.s.sed between them. After a time, Abe examined the water hole and announced that water was rising in it. Bill joined him, and they were on their knees beside the hole when a startling thing happened. Curry suddenly felt something thrust against the back of his head and heard a harsh voice commanding him to stand still or be shot in his tracks.

The voice was that of Spotted Dan, who held the muzzle of a revolver touching the deputy sheriff's head. Curry knew on the instant that he was in for it. He knew better than to attempt the drawing of a weapon, although one hung ready in the holster at his side. Hackett, a pistol in his hand, appeared before the officer.

"We don't care to shoot you up, Curry," he said; "but we has to do it if you gits foolish. Put up your hands."

"Whatever is this game?" exclaimed the startled man. "You arrays yourself agin' the law. You gits yourself into a heap o' trouble."

"Put up your hands," repeated Hackett sharply. "If you delays any, the gent behind you blows off the top of your head."

Knowing the folly of refusing to obey, Curry lifted his empty hands.

Hackett then removed the revolver from the officer's holster.

Instinctively Curry turned his eyes toward the water hole to see what was happening to his a.s.sistants there. He found them on their feet, but covered by drawn weapons of several men. He saw them also disarmed. Then one of the newcomers went among the captives and rapidly cut their bonds and set them free.

Texas Bland turned to Curry and laughed in his face.

"Pete," he said, "I tells you a while ago that the rope is not made that hangs me."

CHAPTER XIX.

THE VALLEY OF DESOLATION.

Six persons, all mounted, sat on their horses and gazed down the valley.

From that elevation they were able to see its full length. The six were d.i.c.k Merriwell, Brad Buckhart, Cap'n Wiley, Dash Colvin, little Abe, and Felicia Delores. Being aware that Macklyn Morgan had started with a number of desperate men in pursuit of Frank, in spite of Frank's admonition to stay in Prescott and care for Felicia, d.i.c.k found it impossible to remain quiet.

He knew his brother was in deadly danger, and he longed to be with him when the tug of war came. Feeling certain likewise that the men employed by Cap'n Wiley and taken to the Enchanted Valley as miners were desperate characters, it did not seem possible to d.i.c.k that Frank and Bart unaided could cope with so many and overcome them.

d.i.c.k had not worried long over the matter. Calling Brad, he said:

"Buckhart, I am going to follow Frank and the men who are in pursuit of him."

The eyes of the Texan gleamed.

"Pard," he said, "I observed that you were notified to stay hereabouts and guard your cousin. Frank told you to do that. Do you let on that you're going to disobey orders?"

"I can't stay here, Brad. I feel certain Frank needs me. His enemies are very powerful and desperate. What would I think of myself if anything serious happened to my brother? I should hate myself forever afterward."

The rancher's son nodded.

"I allow that's dead right, partner," he agreed. "I am feeling some that way myself. I certain smell smoke in the air, and I have an itching to be in the midst of the fray. But whatever are you going to do with Felicia?"

"Why, I did think of leaving her here with you. I thought of leaving you in charge of her."

"What, me?" squealed the Texan. "Leave me behind when there's a ruction brewing? Do you mean, pard, that you propose to cut me out of this yere scrimmage? Oh, say, d.i.c.k, you'd never treat me that low down! I came West to stick by you a heap close, and I am going to do it. Why don't you leave your cousin in the care of Cap'n Wiley?"

"I wouldn't dare," answered d.i.c.k. "Wiley is square enough; but he is careless. Besides that, how can I find my way to the Enchanted Valley unless guided by Wiley himself?"

"That's so. I never thought of that. You've got to take Wiley along--unless you can get hold of that man Colvin, who brought the message to Merry."

d.i.c.k frowned a little, seeming deep in serious thought.