CHAPTER IX
REVENGE ALMOST AT HAND
"I'm sorry, Mr. Smoke, that we shall have to tie you tonight, but wewill make you as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.You shall be untied in the morning, though I warn you not to playtricks on us. We may appear easy, but you ought to know we aren't soeasy when our good nature has been abused," warned Tad as he tied thehands and feet of the prisoner, placing the man under a blanket laidacross four stakes driven into the ground. "There, I think you willbe reasonably comfortable."
Griffin had offered no resistance to the tying. Perhaps he knew itwould be useless to do so. There were too many hard-muscled youngmen about to make resistance profitable, so Smoky submitted and wastucked in his little bed for the night.
"Is the prisoner well secured?" asked the Professor.
"I think so," answered Butler. "I will keep an occasional eye on himduring the night."
The camp was soon in slumber. Stacy Brown's breathing could be heardclear and distinct above all other sounds. Tad from his bunkcommanded a view of the prisoner, and now and then the lad wouldawaken and glance out at the man lying there, apparently asleep. ButGriffin was not asleep. He lay alternately staring at the fire andat Tad's rifle which stood against a tree some twenty feet from whereSmoky lay bound. Leaving his rifle out there looked like carelessnesson the part of the Pony Rider Boy.
After a time Smoky began to wriggle and grunt. He was trying to freehimself of his bonds, believing that the camp was sound asleep. Andso it was, with the exception of Butler, who now lay wide awakeobserving the efforts of the prisoner. Tad did not believe thefellow would be able to free himself and was therefore amazed whenall at once Smoke threw up his hands clear of the rope that had boundthem together. Next the prisoner began tugging at the rope aroundhis ankles.
All this time Tad lay back with hands under his head, curiouslywatching the man. Then Smoky's feet came free, but the mountaineerdid not get up at once. Instead, he lay panting and peering abouthim to see if his efforts had been observed. Apparently they had not.
Smoky began creeping toward the rifle standing there against the tree,though Butler did not appear to understand what the man was trying todo. About this time, however, Tad got up and yawned audibly.Griffin instantly flattened himself on the ground.
The Pony Rider Boy stepped out without even casting a look in themountaineer's direction and sleepily made his way to the campfire,which he prodded listlessly, then piled on more wood until the firebegan to crackle and snap, sending a shower of sparks up into thenight air.
Smoky eyed Tad suspiciously for a moment, then began wrigglingtowards the rifle against the tree. Tad, apparently unconscious ofhis danger, still stood gazing dreamily into the crackling flames ofthe campfire.
Griffin half raised himself and stretching forth his hands he graspedthe weapon and drew it towards him, almost hugging the gun in hisdelight. At last Smoky Griffin was himself again, and his swolleneyes narrowed as he gazed at the boy standing there before him.
A moment of hesitation followed. Suddenly the bully threw the weaponto his shoulder and pulled the trigger.
No report came. Smoky pulled the trigger again, but with no betterresult. He uttered a growl of rage. Tad turned slowly towards themountaineer, grinning broadly.
"After you have finished trying to shoot me, put my gun back whereyou found it, if you don't mind," suggested the Pony Rider Boy easily."You may thank me for preventing your being a murderer. I've beenwatching you all the evening. I saw you when you first began tryingto get clear of the ropes. I saw you when you started for the rifle.That didn't worry me, for I drew the cartridges before putting thegun there about supper time. Smoky, you've made a monkey of yourselfand you've shown what an easy mark you are. Put down that gun!" Thelast words were uttered in a stern voice.
For a brief second the Bad Man hesitated, then with a growl heclubbed the rifle and sprang for Tad Butler. A few feet onlyseparated them. Tad was now in greater peril than he had been whenthe desperate man was drawing a deliberate bead on him. Still thelad did not appear to be disturbed in the least.
"Don't come any nearer, Mister Man!" warned Butler in a calm voice.
Smoky Griffin found himself gazing into the muzzle of Tad Butler'srevolver. This brought the mountaineer to a quick halt, his eyesblazing with passion. Slowly the rifle was lowered from its clubbedposition, Smoky still grasping it by the barrel.
"Put the gun back where you found it," directed Tad.
The conversation had been carried on in a low tone, so as not todisturb the camp. Tad was still grinning. He had enjoyed the littlescene immensely, besides which he had taught the former bully ofHunt's Corners another wholesome lesson.
"Now stand where you are, that's a good little boy. Don't try to run.You might be stopped so suddenly that you would take a tumble. Ned!"
One call was sufficient. Ned Rector came stumbling out, rubbing hiseyes sleepily.
"Wha--what is it?"
"If you don't mind, I wish you would tie our friend here--"
"But, how did he get loose?"
"He managed it all by himself, then he tried to shoot me. I knew hewould attempt to get away. We will tie him up this time so he won'tget loose. Secure him to that tree, Ned, and tie him good and tight,but not so tightly that it will hurt. Smoky, you sit down with yourback against that tree. You will be quite comfortable there and itis only a few hours till daybreak now," suggested Butler.
Smoky did not obey at once. Thereupon Ned pushed him backwardsagainst a tree. In that instant the mountaineer's arms grippedRector around the waist, pinioning Ned's arms to his sides, andthough Ned struggled to free himself he might as well have tried towriggle from the grip of an iron vise. The boy thought his ribs werebeing crushed in.
Ned did not utter a sound, but his face was red and he was strugglingdesperately, while Tad stood grinning. Butler had expected this veryresult. It was as excellent a lesson for Ned as had been theprevious lesson for the desperado.
Tad strolled over to them.
"Now, Smoky, you have done about enough for one night. Let go andsit down there. You know what will be done if you don't obeyorders."
Griffin was too full of ferocious rage to obey. He was determined toinflict all the damage that he could, on the boy in his grip. Tadstepped quickly behind the bully. Placing a hand around over Smoky'sforehead, the other hand pressing on the mountaineer's Adam's apple,Butler gave the head a quick backward jerk.
The fellow's grip on Ned relaxed almost instantly. He staggered backchoking and gasping, whereupon Tad thrust the ruffian from him andleaped back out of the way of those powerful arms.
"Sit down before I put you down!" commanded the Pony Rider Boysternly.
"Let me at him, let me at him!" yelled Rector.
His cry aroused the others. All hands tumbled out shouting.
"What's going on here?" thundered Professor Zepplin, charging intothe scene clad only in his pajamas.
"Just a little bout with our friend," answered Tad, laughing. "Ned,you keep your head. Get down there as I told you, Griffin!"
The fellow sank down, with a hopeless expression on his face, but hiseyes were full of menace. Tad stood guard over him while Rector withset, angry face gave the rope several twists about Smoky's body,finally securing the rope to the other side of the tree.
"There, I'd like to see you get away from that hitch, my slipperyfriend," announced Ned.
"There's nothing to tell, Professor, except that Griffin managed torelease himself. I don't think he will try it again. He has learnedthat we are not easily caught napping," said Tad.
"He is an ungrateful wretch," growled the Professor. "Griffin, I amamazed that you should act like that after we have treated you sokindly. We ought to turn you over to an officer. I am not sure thatwe shall not do so on the morrow."
"Turn in, you people. I will hang around until morning," directedTad, who went to his tent and la
y down. He did not wholly trust tothe prisoner's bonds, so the lad kept up his vigil until morning whenthe others began to stir, after which he dozed off for a catnap.
The prisoner this time was not wholly released for his meal. Hishands were freed, but that was all. Still he ate a hearty breakfast,after which he was brought over to the campfire while Chops wasclearing away the stuff preparatory to packing and getting under way.
"We have very little to say to you this morning, Griffin," began theProfessor, after clearing his throat, as he always did before makingan important announcement. "Where do you live?"
"None of your business."
"It is immaterial. I was merely about to suggest that you return tothat home, wherever it may be, and stay there. Be warned and keepaway from this outfit. You will get into serious difficulties if youharass us further. We don't want to see you about our camp againwhile we are on the Ridge. Tad, will you liberate the prisoner?"
Butler did so.
"You may go," he said with a wave of the hand toward the fellow'spony, saddled and bridled ready for him close at hand, Smoky did noteven glance at them. With lowered head he climbed into his saddle,put spurs to his mount and quickly disappeared from the scene.