CHAPTER I
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
"Professor Zepplin, I believe?"
"The same. And you are?"
"Major Clowney, sah, at your service," answered the tall, gray-haired,distinguished-looking southerner who had greeted the Professor at therailway station in Jackson. Four clean-cut, clear-eyed young men,who had left the train with the Professor, stepped up at thatjuncture and were introduced to the southerner as Thaddeus Butler,Ned Rector, Stacy Brown and Walter Perkins, known as the Pony RiderBoys.
The Major regarded the young men quizzically, then shook hands witheach of them, bowing with true southern courtliness over each hand asit was extended toward him.
"Isn't he the fine old gentleman?" whispered Stacy, otherwise andmore familiarly known among his companions as Chunky, the fat boy.
Tad Butler nodded. The Major was a type that they had heard of, butnever had known. He was a relic of the old South.
"It gives me great pleasure, gentlemen, to welcome you to Jackson.My old friend Colonel Perkins wrote me asking that I do what I couldfor you. I am delighted at the opportunity to serve him as well asthese fine young gentlemen. You will wish to go to your hotel?"
"Yes, if you please," bowed the Professor.
The Major apologized for the humble hotel to which he conducted them,explaining that it was the best the little southern town afforded.
"I shall look for you to dine with myself and family this evening,"he added.
The Professor expressed his appreciation, the boys murmuring theirthanks. Tad Butler said he feared they were not in condition toaccept home hospitality to which the Major replied that he and hisfamily would feel honored to receive the party, no matter in whatcondition they might be forced to come.
"Did the Major fight the Germans?" questioned Chunky.
"No, they are all colonels, majors and captains down here," repliedTad laughingly.
It was agreed that the Professor and his party were to go out to theMajor's home at five o'clock that afternoon, meet Major Clowney'sfamily, and have dinner with them, after which a pleasant eveningwould be spent.
"You will no doubt wish to rest after your tiresome journey,Professor. At a quarter to five I shall send one of my servants tolead you to my home. My wife and daughters are impatient to meetyou, my old friend Colonel Perkins having told us not a little aboutyour young friends."
"You are very kind, sir," declared Tad.
"In the meantime, if you will give us the benefit of your advice, weshall look about us for a guide and for some horses, as I have beengiven to understand that we might procure all of these here inJackson," said the Professor.
"It is all arranged, sah, all arranged," answered the Major. "It hasbeen my pleasure to attend to all of the details. How many roomswill you require?"
Having received this information from Professor Zepplin, MajorClowney bustled about, sternly ordering the colored porters around,giving directions for the fetching of the equipment of the boys fromthe station, then making a personal inspection of the rooms assignedthe Professor and the boys, ordering this and that thing changed,until it seemed as if all the forces of the hotel were jumping aboutat the Major's command.
"There, sah, I think you will be as comfortable as this miserablehostelry can make you. And now I shall leave you to your rest," hesaid.
The Major, after once more shaking hands all around, bustled out,leaving the boys to themselves.
Chunky blinked solemnly.
"Pinch me, fellows. I don't know whether I am awake or dreaming,"said Stacy.
"You will wake up by and by," answered Ned.
"A splendid gentleman," nodded Tad thoughtfully. "We might allprofit by Major Clowney's courtliness. Did you ask him whatarrangements he had made for us, Professor?"
"No. He no doubt will explain when we see him this evening. Dependupon it, he has left nothing undone."
"Except to make the weather cool," answered Stacy. "Whew, but it'shot. Where is our baggage? I want to get into some togs that aren'tso hot as these glad clothes."
"The baggage should be here very soon," answered Walter. "The menwent after it before we came upstairs."
"I never saw so many colored folks in my life," declared Chunky."Everything looks black to me now. I wonder if they are all black inthis part of the country?"
"This is what is known as the Black Belt of the South," answeredProfessor Zepplin. "I believe there are four blacks to every whitein this section. Further in we may find the proportion even greater."
"A regular study in light and shade," observed Rector.
"You had better keep tight hold of your valuables," advised Tad."These gentlemen are light-fingered, I have heard."
"They better not take any of my stuff," bristled Stacy belligerently."We know what to do to them if they do."
"Don't cry before you're hurt," advised Ned. "Who wants to take alook at the town?"
"I don't care anything about the town; I want to sleep," declaredChunky.
"That's right. Sleep is good for children," jeered Ned.
"Is that why you sleep so much?" wondered Stacy innocently.
"Ned, I will go with you," interjected Tad, by way of changing theconversation. "We have plenty of time, and need not dress beforefour o'clock. It is now only half past one."
Walter and the Professor decided that they would remain in the hotel,so Tad and Ned started out. Before they were out of the house, Stacyhad thrown himself on the bed in his room, and was sleeping soundly.It was after three o'clock when Butler, returning to the hotel, shookStacy awake, urging him to hustle his bath and dress. The boys wereeagerly looking forward to the evening before them, for it was to betheir first visit to a southern home. They were looking forward witha different sort of eagerness to the journey on which they were aboutto set out--a journey to the nearly trackless, vast canebrakes ofLouisiana. It was a wonderful bit of country into which they wereheaded, but as yet they knew practically nothing of its wildness andits manifold dangers, nor did they give thought to this phase oftheir summer's outing, for, the greater the thrills, the keener theenjoyment of the Pony Rider Boys.
Following the return of Tad and Ned, all hands withdrew to theirrooms to dress. The other boys finished dressing some time beforeStacy made his appearance, strolling dignifiedly into the parlorwhere his companions were awaiting him.
"Well, here I am," announced Stacy.
The Pony Riders gazed at him in amazement.
"For goodness' sake, where did you get that outfit?" demanded Tad,the first to find his voice.
"How do you like it, fellows?" grinned Chunky.
"Well, if you aren't the dude," giggled Walter.
"You mean the duke. I am the Duke of Missouri. What do you think ofme," urged Stacy.
"I'll say you are unspeakable," growled Ned Rector.
Stacy Brown's outfit was rather unusual. He was dressed in a whitesuit with a collar so high and tight that the blood was forced upinto his face, a streak of red showing in the part of the hair of hishead, while Chunky's second chin hung over the front of the collar,extending down to the root of his liver-colored tie. His appearancewas so ludicrous that the boys burst into a peal of laughter.
Professor Zepplin eyed the fat boy with disapproving eyes.
"Where did you get that outfit, young man?" he demanded sternly.
"I bought it in Chillicothe. Think I stole it?"
"Certainly not."
"What do you think of it?" insisted Stacy.
"Most remarkable," answered the Professor, regarding Chunky with aslow shake of the head.
"Are you going to dinner in that rig?" demanded Ned.
"Of course I am."
"Then I guess I shall stay home," decided Rector.
"I don't care whether you stay home or go. I will make a great hitwith the ladies, you see if I don't."
"Let me give you a piece of timely advice," said Tad.
"Well, what is it?"
&nbs
p; "Don't try to shine your shoes on your trousers. It shows so onwhite, you know."
Stacy growled.
"Haven't you anything else to put on?" questioned the Professor.
"I might put on my pajamas," answered the fat boy innocently.
Professor Zepplin grunted.
"I guess we can stand it if he can, Professor. The outfit isn't sobad, after all," said Tad.
"Of course it isn't," agreed Chunky. "The trouble with you fellowsis that you are jealous."
"We could stand the white suit all right. But that liver-colored tieis enough to drive a man to do something desperate, Stacy," declaredTad laughingly. "Where did you get it?"
"Bought it at the five and ten cent store in Chillicothe. Isn't it awonder?"
"It is," agreed Tad.
"One of the wonders of the world," added Ned.
"It might be a great deal worse," said Walter seriously, whereat awave of laughter rippled over the little party.
"I suppose we shall have to put up with it, boys," said the Professorreflectively, "though I can't understand why you ever thought of suchan outfit. Go put on another tie."
"All right, if you insist," promised the fat boy, rising andstumbling from the parlor. Stacy took plenty of time. They calledhim twenty minutes later, with the information that Major Clowney'scolored man was waiting for them. "I will be there in a minute,"answered Stacy. "My collar button is two sizes larger than thebutton hole."
When the fat boy finally made his appearance a groan went up from theentire party. From the liver-colored tie Chunky had changed to oneof the brightest red they had ever seen. Instinctively the boys heldtheir hands over their eyes.
"Oh, oh!" groaned Ned. "This is too much."
"I agree with you. Take that thing off instantly!" commanded theProfessor.
"Can't I please you folks at all?" wailed the fat boy.
"You can if you will put on a respectable tie," answered ProfessorZepplin.
"I--I haven't any others."
"I think I have a tie in my trunk," said Tad.
"Please get it for him, then," directed the Professor.
"Yes, for goodness' sake do," urged Rector. "Stacy is bound todisgrace us."
"That would be impossible in some cases," retorted the fat boysarcastically.
"Come on, Chunky," called Tad. "We will see what we can do for you."
Tad fixed Stacy out with a white tie, and assisted him to arrange it,after which Stacy once more placed himself on exhibition, this timemeeting the approval of his critical companions, though his face wasredder than before, and the collar seemed to draw more tightly abouthis neck than ever.
"We will now proceed," announced the Professor gravely.
"And be very careful that you don't fall down, Chunky," warned Tad.
"I don't intend to fall down. But why shouldn't I fall down if Iwant to?" demanded Stacy.
"That collar might cut your head off," replied Tad soberly.
"Then for goodness' sake fall down," grunted Ned Rector.
"I reckon I shall be the one to cut a dash instead of cutting my headoff," retorted the fat boy pompously. "As I said before, you fellowsare jealous. You're mad because you didn't think to bring along awhite suit."
Stacy suddenly found himself standing alone in the parlor of thehotel, the others having already started down the stairs. He madehaste to follow them, joining the party in the lobby where theMajor's servant was waiting for them. They at once started out,Stacy the center of the admiring gaze of pretty much all of thecolored population of Jackson. Stacy was elated, his companionsamused.
Major Clowney and his wife welcomed Professor Zepplin and the boys tothe hospitable southern home on the broad, pillared veranda that waslarge enough to admit a coach and four. The boys were then conductedinto the drawing room, and Stacy Brown's feet nearly went out fromunder him the instant he stepped into the room. Following hishostess Chunky followed a perilous track of rugs on a waxed floor.The fat boy's face was now redder than ever, and the perspiration wasstreaking down his cheeks and getting into his eyes through hisstrenuous efforts to keep his feet on the floor. There wereMillicent, Muriel and Mary of the daughters, Millicent being theeldest, each sweet-voiced, soft-spoken, each possessing a refinementand charm that the Pony Rider Boys never had met with among the youngfolks at home. Mrs. Clowney's gentle manners reminded Tad Butler ofhis mother, and he told her as much on their way into the house.
The Professor was first introduced to the young ladies. Stacy's turncame next. He did not dare make his best bow, for at the slightestmovement his feet would slip on the insecure rug beneath them. As aresult his bows were stiff affairs, nor could he bend his head to anygreat extent on account of the high "choker" collar. The other boyswere keenly alive to Chunky's distress, and they took a maliciouspleasure in it.
While the others were being introduced, Stacy with great difficultynavigated himself to a chair, to the back of which he anchored withboth hands gripping it firmly.
"What's the matter, Stacy?" whispered Tad, as he strolled past hisfat companion.
"I--I forgot to bring my roller skates," mumbled Stacy. "How am Iever going to get anywhere on this skating rink?"
"Take short steps," advised Tad. "Long strides will finish you."
Chunky adopted the suggestion with the result that he managed to moveabout the room with more or less dignity. But his undoing came whenMiss Millicent took his arm as the family and guests moved toward thedining room. Chunky forgot himself in the enthusiasm of the moment,and all at once his feet shot up into the air.
"Oh, wow!" moaned the fat boy as he sat down on the floor with suchforce as to set the chandeliers jingling, nearly pulling MissMillicent down with him. Had Stacy not had the presence of mindinstantly to disengage his arm from hers, the young woman surelywould have sat down on the floor beside him.
To their credit be it said that the other boys never smiled. Theywere too well bred for that. Neither did Chunky smile, but for anentirely different reason. As he scrambled to his feet, making afurther exhibition of himself in the effort, a red ring might havebeen observed about his neck where the collar had pressed into theboy's full neck.
Major Clowney and Mrs. Clowney were all consideration for the haplessPony Rider Boy, the Major declaring that every rug in the room shouldbe removed and a carpet put down in its place. He said it wascriminal to have such a trap in the house.
"I do hope you didn't hurt yourself," said Miss Millicentsympathetically.
"Oh, not at all. I frequently sit down that way before dinner,"answered the fat boy.
"Do you, indeed?" smiled the young woman.
"Oh, yes. You see it gives me an appetite for dinner. It's great.You should try it. Of course at first you should go outside and sitdown on the ground where it's soft. When you get used to that youmay try the floor."
Miss Millicent laughed merrily. There was no resisting Stacy'sdrollery.
Once more they took up their interrupted journey to the dining room,where the boys found themselves in charming surroundings. In spiteof Stacy Brown's awkwardness, the Clowneys soon discovered that thePony Rider Boys were well worth knowing. The lads wereself-possessed, and their experiences in the saddle in many parts ofthe country enabled them to talk interestingly. As usual, Stacy mademost of the merriment, and every time the fat boy spoke a little waveof good-natured laughter rippled around the table.
"I fear," said Miss Millicent, in answer to Stacy's description ofhow he got an appetite, "that I should prefer to fast."
"Oh, you wouldn't after you got used to the other way," the fat boyassured her.
"That is Stacy's way of apologizing for his appetite, Miss Clowney,"said Ned across the table.
"No one need apologize for a healthy appetite," replied the Majorpromptly. "The apology, should come for the opposite reason."
Chunky bowed his approval of the sentiment.
"That is what I always tell the boys," he said. "Sl
eep out of doorsall the time and you will get an appetite that will be almostannoying," he promised.
"Ah--ahem," interrupted the Professor. "Major, did I understand youto say that you had procured a guide for us?"
"Yes, yes. I have been enjoying our young friends to the extent thatI forgot all about the business end. I have obtained the services ofBill Lilly as your guide."
"Is he a good one?" asked Ned.
"The best in this part of the country. He knows the brake as do fewother men. Another man, Pete Austen--otherwise known as AlligatorPete--was eager to get the job, but I consider him an unreliable man.There are stories abroad not at all to the credit of Austen. But youmay depend upon Lilly in any and all circumstances."
"How far is the brake from here?" asked Tad.
"A day's ride will take you to it. You never have been in thebrake?"
"No, sir."
"Then you have a new experience before you, Mr. Butler. Lilly willmeet you at your hotel at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, and you maystart at once, though it would please me to have you remain with uslonger."
"Perhaps we shall see you when we return from the brake," said Tad.
"I should think you young men would not want to go into that awfulplace," said Miss Millicent with a shudder.
"And pray, why not?" questioned Tad.
"It is such a horrible place."
"Oh, you don't know us fellows," interjected Stacy. "We are used tohorrible places. I reckon there aren't many such in this countrythat we haven't been in. What is there so horrible about this--thiscanebrake?"
"Snakes, lots of them, foul deadly fellows," answered Miss Millicent.
"Ugh!" exclaimed the fat boy, his eyes growing large.
"Alligators, wild animals, almost anything that you might think ofyou will find in the canebrake," she added.
"Don't frighten the boys before they get into the brake," begged theMajor.
A grim smile curled the corners of Professor Zepplin's lips. He wasrather sensitive on the subject of timidity so far as his youngfriends were concerned.
"Major, I fear you do not know my boys."
"How so, Professor?"
"They are unafraid. They are afraid of nothing. My life would bemuch easier were they a little less so."
"Fine! Chivalrous, too, eh?"
"Indeed, yes," nodded the Professor.
"Yes, I have saved the lives of lots of folks," declared Stacypompously.
"Do tell us about it," urged Miss Clowney.
"I couldn't think of it. I'm too modest to brag about myself."
In the meantime Tad Butler, the Professor and Major Clowney hadbecome absorbed in the subject of big game, which the three werediscussing learnedly. The hosts were amused at Stacy Brown, but theywere irresistibly drawn to Tad, both because of his sunny dispositionand the lad's keen mind, so unusual for one of his age.
The dinner came to an end all too soon to suit the Pony Rider Boys,and the party moved towards the drawing room. Stacy, seating MissMillicent, strolled to one of the broad, open windows which had beenswung back against the wall on their hinges. The fat boy thoughtthis window opened out on the veranda, so he stepped out for a breathof air, but his feet touched nothing more substantial than air.Stacy took a tumble into the side yard, landing on his head andshoulders. The young women of the family cried out in alarm whenthey saw the fat boy disappearing through the window.
"Are you hurt? Are you hurt?" cried the Clowneys, rushing to thewindow, the Major leaping out with the agility of youth.
"Hurt?" piped a voice from the darkness. "Certainly not. Justsettling my dinner, that's all. I usually do this. Sometimes when Iam out in the woods and there isn't a house to jump from, I justclimb a tree after dinner and fall out."
"I think we had better get Stacy home before he gets into moreserious difficulty," said Tad in a low tone to the Professor.
"I agree with you, Tad. However, he has done his worst, I guess.Look at his coat. It is ripped for six inches at the shoulder,"groaned the Professor.
"That must have been where he hit the side yard," smiled Tad, afterquiet had been restored.
After half an hour of pleasant conversation, during which the fat boyentertained Miss Millicent with stories of his prowess in mountainand on plain, the Pony Rider Boys took their leave, voting theClowneys the most pleasant people they had ever met.
With this pleasant evening their social amusement was at an end. Onthe morrow they were to begin their rough life in the open again, andduring their explorations in the canebrake they were destined to havemany thrilling experiences and some adventures, the like of which hadnever befallen any of the hardy Pony Rider Boys.