CHAPTER XXVIII AFTER THE TRAMPS
It was pleasant for Jack and his chums to have the Fords with them, andall spent an agreeable hour together, while waiting for the meal andduring the repast. The pies and fresh rolls proved highly acceptable.The cake Stuffer wanted to cut, too, but the young major said that mustbe kept for supper.
“He’d put on everything in camp, if I let him,” Jack explained to thegirls. “He’s the greatest eater in the school, and that’s why we callhim Stuffer. But he’s a good fellow all the same,” he added, hastily.
During the meal the boys told Mr. Ford of the tramps, and what was to bedone that afternoon to capture the fellows. The gentleman was muchinterested.
“We have lost fowls over to my place,” he said. “Perhaps these men areguilty of the depredations. If so, I think I ought to have a hand inthis round-up,” and he smiled faintly.
“You can go along if you wish, Mr. Ford,” answered Jack, readily.
“Then I will. The girls can drive home with Michael.” And so it wasarranged.
“Papa, I want you to keep out of harm,” said Laura, on parting. “And youboys had better take care, too,” she continued.
“We’ll be on our guard, don’t fear,” answered Pepper, and then he andAndy saw the girls to the carriage, and saw Michael the coachman driveoff with them.
While the cadets were awaiting the arrival of Landerson the butcher andPeters and Robinson, two farmers who had lately lost chickens bystealing, the young major gave some of them directions where to go andestablish a new camp. This was a spot known to but a few, and he feltcertain that Reff Ritter would not be able to follow them to it.
“Take the horse and wagon along over the stones,” he said, “and thendrive them down Baker’s brook. Water leaves a mighty poor trail.”
“All right, we’ll do the best we can,” said Bob Grenwood, who was placedat the head of the cadets to superintend the removal.
About half-past two the butcher and the two farmers arrived, in companywith a small, fat man who gravely announced himself as one of the deputysheriffs of the county.
“Great Cæsar! Has he come to arrest us!” whispered Bart Conners, as thedeputy sheriff eyed the boys in a suspicious manner.
“No, he has come to arrest the chicken thieves—if he can find them,”answered Jack.
It looked as if a storm might be brewing, so no time was lost instarting in the direction of the tramps’ camp. Andy and Stuffer, knowingthe trail, led the way, and the men from Cedarville and Mr. Ford and sixof the cadets followed. The deputy sheriff and the two farmers carriedshotguns, and the butcher boastfully exhibited a pistol of the old“hoss” variety, and nearly two feet long.
“We may as well arm ourselves,” suggested Rossmore Ford. “There is notelling what may happen, if those rascals show fight.” And he cuthimself a stout stick, and the cadets did likewise.
The deputy sheriff being fat was also short of wind, so the party had tomove slowly. Once they came to a halt, Andy and Stuffer being a littledoubtful of the trail.
“Don’t—er—take us off the road,” panted the deputy sheriff. “Thiswalk—er—is bad enough as it is,” and he gave a deep sigh. Walking hadnever been his strong point.
At last they came in sight of the hollow and Andy pointed out the rudeshelter and the remains of a campfire. Not a soul was to be seen.
“Perhaps they have deserted the spot,” said Jack. “If they have it’s toobad.”
“Ha! don’t tell me you have brought me here on a fool’s errand!” puffedthe deputy sheriff.
“If you are fooled, Mr. Nugg, so are we,” answered Rossmore Ford.
“I think I see somebody sleeping under that shelter,” said the butcher.“Yes, I do! It’s a man—and a tramp, by the looks of his raggedclothing!”
“Then some of them must be on hand,” answered Pepper.
“I hope the man I am after is there,” put in Andy. He was thinking moreof the things he had lost than of capturing the rascals on account ofthe chickens that had been stolen.
“Hadn’t we better surround the place?” suggested Jack, with truemilitary instinct.
“Just—er—what I was going to suggest,” said Mr. Nugg, quickly. “Butdon’t do any shooting unless I give the command,” he continuedwarningly.
“I doubt if it will be necessary to do any shooting,” said RossmoreFord. “Tramps are usually cowards and give up at the sight of firearms.If we do any shooting somebody of our own party may get hurt.”
They spread out in a circle and with caution drew closer to the tramps’camp. As they approached they saw that three men were resting under therude shelter. Presently one of the men raised his head, looked aroundand uttered a cry of warning. Then all leaped to their feet, gazing atthe approaching men and boys in consternation.
“Surrender, in the name of the law!” shouted the fat deputy sheriff.
“Wot’s dis anyhow?” demanded one of the tramps, trying to retreat, andfinding himself hemmed in.
“Do you surrender, or do you want to be shot?” asked the butcher.
“Surrender?” asked a second tramp. “Wot’s dis? We ain’t done nuthin.”
“Up with your hands!” went on the deputy sheriff, who was bound to makethe capture as dramatic as possible, and up into the air went three verydirty pairs of hands.
“Any more of you around here?” asked Andy, quickly, for he saw that notone of the fellows present was the individual he had met at the jewelrystore.
“De udders have——” began the third tramp, a nervous looking youngfellow.
“You shut yer mouth, Bug!” cried the first tramp who had spoken,warningly.
“Let him speak if he wants to,” said Jack, stepping forward. At thesight of the military uniform the rascals looked much worried.
“So youse is bringin’ de soldiers here, hey?” said one.
“Da ain’t soldiers, da are cadets from a school,” said one tramp. “Don’tyer know Flatnose told us about ’em?”
“Where is Flatnose?” asked Andy eagerly. He remembered that the tramp hewas after had a somewhat flat nose.
“He’ll be back in about——” began the younger of the three tramps, when awarning look from both of the others halted him as before.
“When will he be back—answer me?” said Rossmore Ford sternly.
“Don’t youse say a word more!” growled the largest of the tramps.
“Here comes some men now—over yonder hill!” cried Dale, who chanced tolook back.
“Yes—and there is the rascal I want to catch!” returned Andy. “Come on,Jack and Pepper, will you help me?”
“We will!” answered his two chums.
“There are four men!” cried the butcher.
“I know one of ’em!” yelled one of the farmers. “I saw him around myhenhouse one evening! He’s the chap I want to catch!” And away he wentwith his shotgun.
“Hi! Wot’s dis?” cried one of the tramps in the distance.
“I know wot’s up,” answered another. “Da are after us! Our hangout hasbeen discovered! Say, boys, we have got to dust if we want to keep outo’ jail!”
And then off they ran, in several different directions, and after themwent Andy, Jack and Pepper, and two other cadets, and Mr. Ford and oneof the farmers did likewise.