CHAPTER XXXIV.
A VIAL OF CHLOROFORM.
Kyle Sparwick was taken quite by surprise. His back intercepted the lightfrom the fireplace, and consequently he did not notice that Bogle's eyeswere open until it was too late.
He rushed blindly at Bogle, and received a stinging blow between theeyes. With an angry yell he rolled over against Hamp.
Both lads were instantly wakened, and, not knowing What was the matter,they cried out with fright.
Meanwhile, Bogle had rushed across the cave in quest of a weapon. Thefirelight showed him reaching for the bunch of rifles that rested on astone slab on the opposite wall.
Sparwick arose, and in half-a-dozen leaps crossed the floor. Just intime Bogle got hold of a rifle. He was too excited by the thought ofwhat was at stake to take careful aim. He hastily leveled the weapon,and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The ball whizzed by Sparwick's head, and flattened harmlessly on thewall above the boys.
There was no chance for a second shot. With a shrill cry Bogle swung theweapon around in a half-circle. Sparwick instantly broke through theother's guard. Then came a volley of crashing blows.
The cause of the fight was a mystery to the boys. They looked on with acertain show of indifference. The struggle could not well affect them ortheir fortunes, no matter how it terminated.
"Bogle has no chance at all," whispered Brick. "Sparwick is as strong asa giant."
"He knows how to wrestle, though," replied Hamp. "I shouldn't be a bitsurprised if---- Hullo! there they go."
Yes; the men were down, and Bogle was actually on top. But his triumphwas short lived. By a single twist Sparwick jammed his enemy against thefloor. Then he pinned him helplessly by the throat with one hand, whilewith the other he brutally rained blow after blow on his face.
Brick and Hamp felt their blood boil with indignation. Had their armsbeen free, they would have gone to the unfortunate man's rescue--rascalthough he was.
But Sparwick had no intention of doing murder. His spasm of rage spentitself, and he let his right arm drop.
"I won't kill you, you sneakin' cur," he hissed, "though if there wasever a traitor as desarved death it's you, Joe Bogle. I wish I hadRaikes here ter give him some o' the same medicine. You didn't count onme bein' awake last night, but all ther same I was. I reckon I'll hev togo shares with Raikes, since he's still got the upper hand, so to speak.But you won't touch a cent of that money--not a red."
Bogle turned his bleeding and battered face upward. "You've doneenough, Sparwick," he whined. "Let up on me, and call it square. Youneedn't be afraid of any more treachery. We'll take the boys down to themeeting-place, and you will get your five thousand dollars."
"Not a bit of it," exclaimed Sparwick, with a harsh laugh. "I reckon Ikin take the boys there alone. An' as fur the money--why, I'm goin' terhave a clean half, an' mebbe more. It all depends on what sort of a dropI kin git on Raikes. Lie still, now."
He thrust his hand into Bogle's pockets, one by one. The prostratevillain struggled hard to prevent the search. His vain pleadings changedto bitter curses.
Sparwick was impervious to both. He went calmly on with his task. Heuttered a triumphant chuckle as he drew out the longed-for vial. Hequickly uncorked it, and poured the contents generously on his bandannahandkerchief.
Bogle struggled and howled, all in vain. As the deadly cloth was pressedover his nose and mouth he became quiet. His limbs relaxed, and his eyesclosed. He lay like a corpse.
With a grunt of satisfaction Sparwick rose to his feet and stretchedhimself. Then he walked over to the sleds, which were piled at one sideof the bed.
"I was justified in that thar," he said, turning to the boys. "The meancur hed it all fixed ter treat me the same way. You needn't be afearedhe's dead. It's only chloroform."
Brick and Hamp watched Sparwick place the vial and the saturatedhandkerchief carefully on the floor at the foot of the bed. Then hetook a knife from his pocket, and cut two pieces of rope from one of thesleds. This done, he negligently dropped the knife and returned to hisvictim.
He tightly bound Bogle's legs together. Then he set to work on his arms.His back was turned toward the boys, who were sitting up watching him.
Suddenly Brick gave a start. He had discovered that the cords on hiswrists were coming loose. He fumbled for an instant, and managed to pullone hand through. His arms were now free.
He held them up in front of Hamp, and at the same time made a warninggesture of silence. Then he leaned softly over, and reached the knife.
Two noiseless strokes, and Hamp's arms were free. Sparwick was stillabsorbed in his task. Brick now removed his shoes, and motioned to Hampto do the same. He pointed to the handkerchief, and the vial.
"Are you with me?" he whispered in his companion's ear. "It's a greatchance. We can sneak up from behind. It will only take a few seconds.We can hold him that long."
Hamp nodded. Just then Sparwick rose to his feet.
"You lads better go to sleep," he growled. "You've got a long trampahead of you ter-morrow."
Then he returned to Bogle, and knelt over him in his old position. Hehad him securely bound, and now he was going to put a gag in his mouth.
Brick instantly leaned over, and captured the vial and the handkerchief.He resaturated the latter with what chloroform was left. Then he andHamp exchanged meaning glances. They had a splendid chance, forSparwick's back was turned toward them.
Then, in their stocking feet, they went swiftly and silently forward,side by side. Now they were right over their intended victim. Brickencircled Sparwick's head with both hands, and pressed the handkerchiefagainst his nostrils.
Taken forcibly and unawares, Sparwick toppled over on his side. Hestruggled hard for a few seconds, then the stupefying drug did its work,and he lay still, with quivering limbs.
Brick flung the handkerchief across the cave.
"Will they come to life again?" he asked, huskily.
"Of course," replied Hamp. "Don't worry. Chloroform never kills. But wemust pull out of here right away. We'll save that fifteen thousand,Brick, if we can only get back to civilization without being caught."
"We'll do our best," replied Brick. "I can imagine Raikes and myguardian waiting for us to-morrow night."
In great haste the boys put on their shoes, snowshoes and caps. Thenthey took one of the sleds and loaded it with as many of their traps asthey could find. They were in such an excited and nervous frame of mindthat they overlooked a most important matter. They failed to bindSparwick. It never occurred to them that he might recover consciousnessin a short time, and pursue them.
With a glance at the two ghastly forms lying in the firelight, the ladsturned their backs on the Rock House, and scrambled down the hillsideto the trough of the valley.
It was now about midnight, and they had not the slightest idea as to thepoints of the compass. Happily they discovered the faint trace offootprints--evidently made by Raikes. So they followed them in thereasonable belief that they would lead to the settlement ofWytopitlock. But half an hour later the trail seemed to melt away, andafter a vain search for it the boys pushed on at random.