CHAPTER VIII.
EXPOSING A SWINDLER.
It was less than an hour after separating from Dick Arbuckle that PawneeBrown found his way to Arkansas City.
He was accompanied by Jack Rasco and Cal Clemmer, and the great scout'sobject was not alone to aid Dick in the search for Mortimer Arbuckle,but also to help Cal Clemmer get back some money out of which the cowboyboomer claimed he had been swindled.
Clemmer had played cards with a certain sharp known as Pete Stillwater,and lost two hundred and fifty dollars. At first he had imagined he hadlost it fairly enough, but after thoughts, coupled with what he heard onthe sly the next day, made him certain that Stillwater had cheated him.
He had brought his case to Pawnee Brown, and the leader of the boomersat once concluded that the gambler had not acted fairly. He had metStillwater at Wichita, where the gambler's reputation was far fromsavory.
"You were a fool to bet at cards, Cal," he said flatly. "But that is noreason why Stillwater should cheat you. I'll do what I can, but you mustpromise to leave playing for high stakes alone in the future."
"Don't yer fear, Pawnee," was Clemmer's ready reply. "A scorched Injunkeeps hez distance from the blaze, don't he? Wall, I'm the scorchedInjun in this air case. Git back my money fer me an' I won't playnothin' higher then penny-ante ez long ez I live."
The gambling resort at which Stillwater was holding forth was soonreached, and the three entered, to find the place comfortably crowded byboomers, men-about-town, cowboys and gamblers, all anxious to add totheir wealth without working. As Pawnee Brown surveyed the assemblagehis lip curled with a sarcasm which was by no means displaced.
"Poor fools!" he thought; "they expect to win, and nine-tenths of themare bound in the end to be fleeced out of all they possess. Why men whohave brains will throw away good money in this fashion is more than Ican understand."
"Thar's Stillwater," whispered Cal Clemmer. "Hang hez hide, I'd like terwring hez neck fer him."
"Better wring his money bag first," smiled Pawnee Brown.
Without hesitation he called Stillwater outside and explained thesituation.
"You can say what you please, Stillwater," he said. "I am certain youhave been cheating, for I know your past record. You must restore thatmoney and do it right away."
A stormy war of words followed, but Pawnee Brown was firm and at lastStillwater gave up about a hundred dollars--all he had with him.
He went off vowing vengeance and when at a safe distance turned and drewa pistol from his pocket.
"He's going to shoot ye!" cried one of the boomers, but Stillwater wasafraid to fire. As Pawnee Brown started after him on a run the gamblerfled toward the river.
"Let us go after him!" cried one of the others, and away they went. Soonthey came in sight of the river and saw Stillwater in a small craft,sculling his way to the opposite shore. Presently a bend in the streamhid him from view.
"Hullo!" sang out Pawnee Brown. "Here comes another rowboat, and--yes,there is Dick Arbuckle in it. What can he be doing on the river?"
"The boat is makin' fer thet half-sunk tree!" interrupted Cal Clemmer."He'll strike ef he don't look out! Heavens!"
"Look out there, youngster!" yelled Pawnee Brown, and those were thewords which attracted Dick's attention, as mentioned in the formerchapter.
It was useless to say more. Standing upon the bank, Pawnee Brown and thecowboy boomer saw the craft strike and go to pieces and saw Dick thrownout into the madly rushing current.
As the boy sped along his head came into painful contact with thefurthest of the tree branches, and he was partially stunned. His eyesclosed and he struck out wildly and ineffectually.
"He'll be drowned!" gasped Clemmer. "It would take a strong swimmer togain the bank with the water runnin' ez it is to-day."
"I don't believe he could catch a rope," answered Pawnee Brown, startingoff down the river bank. "Cal, hunt one up somewhere; I'm going in afterhim!"
"But the risk----"
"Never mind the risk. Get the rope if you can," and away went the scoutagain.
"Help!" came faintly from Dick. He was dazed and weak, and could hardlysee in what direction the shore really was.
"Keep up, boy, and we'll save you!" shouted Pawnee Brown encouragingly.
Reaching a spot twenty or thirty feet below where Dick was drifting, hethrew off his hat and coat and leaped into the stream.
Down he went over his head, to come up a second later and strike outpowerfully for the youth. The cold water chilled him, but to this hepaid no attention. He had taken a fancy to Dick, and was resolved tosave the boy at any cost.
Nearer and nearer he came. It was a tough struggle, for in the bend ofthe swollen stream the water boiled and foamed upon all sides. He wasyet ten feet away from Dick, when he saw the youth sink beneath thesurface.
"Gone!" he thought, and made a leap and a dive. His outstretched handcame in contact with Dick's left arm, and he dragged his burden upward.
"Keep cool, Dick," he said when he could speak. "Can't you swim?"
"Yes, but not extra well," panted the half-drowned lad. "I struck myhead upon something."
"Then lay hold of my shoulder and I'll keep you up. Steady, now, or thecurrent will send us around like two tops."
No more was said, as both felt they must save their breath. With Dickclinging loosely, so as not to hinder his swimming, Pawnee Brown struckout for the shore.
It was perilous work, for other trees and obstructions were upon everyhand, and more than once both were torn and scratched as they sped by inwhat was little short of a whirlpool.
"Catch the rope!" suddenly came from Clemmer, and a noose whizzed in theair and fell close beside the pair. Both Pawnee Brown and Dick did asrequested, and the cowboy boomer began to haul in with all the strengthat his command. It was hard work, but Clemmer was equal to it, andpresently those in the water came close enough to gain a footing, andthen the peril was over.
Dick's story was soon told, to which the great scout added that of hisown.
"I shall not attempt to follow up Stillwater," Pawnee Brown concluded."It is high time I got back to camp, for let me tell you, privately, wemove westward to-day. You may continue the hunt for your father or comewith me, just as you choose. It is possible you may find some trace ofhim around here, but it is doubtful to me, after such a storm. It's hardlines, boy, but cheer up; things may not be as bad as you imagine," andhe laid a dripping but affectionate arm upon Dick's shoulder.
"I will stay here for a while, at least," answered Dick. "But--but I amwithout a cent, and----"
"How much do you want, Dick?" and Pawnee Brown's pocketbook came outwithout delay.
"If you will lend me ten dollars----"
"Here are twenty. When you want more let me know. Now, goodbye, and goodluck to you."
And the next minute Pawnee Brown and Clemmer were gone. Dick watchedthem out of sight and a warm feeling went over his heart.
"The major is as generous as he is brave," he murmured. "He is one scoutof a thousand. No wonder all the boomers asked him to lead them in thisexpedition."
Ten minutes later Dick was drying himself at the fire in a house nearby. Hearing his tale of misfortune, the man who took him in insistedupon treating him to some hot coffee, which did a good bit toward makinghim feel once more like himself.
"It may be a wild-goose chase, but I can't give it up," he muttered ashe continued his search by walking along the river bank. "Poor father,where can he be?"
The outskirts of the city had been left behind and he was making his waythrough a tangle of brush and over shelving rocks. A bend was passed andhe gave a wild cry.
And small wonder. There on the river bank lay the motionless form of hisparent, dripping yet with the water of the river. The eyes were closedas if in death. With a moan Dick threw himself forward and caught one ofthe cold hands within his own. Then he placed his ear to his parent'sheart.
"Too late! He is gone!" he wailed. "Poor, poor father, dead a
fter all!Oh, if only I had died with you!" and he sank back utterly overcome.