CHAPTER XXI.
HOW IT ALL ENDED.
At last the clothing of Jack Dudley was dried, and he felt thoroughlycomfortable in body. While he was employed in the pleasant task, HankHazletine went away in quest of food. It took time and hard work to findit, but his remarkable skill as a hunter enabled him to do so, and whenhe returned he brought enough venison to serve for the evening andmorning meal. No professor of the culinary art could have prepared themeat more excellently than he over the bed of live coals. The odor wasso appetizing that the youth was in misery because of his impatience,but the guide would not let him touch a mouthful until the food was done"to the queen's taste." Then they had their feast.
And yet the two were oppressed by thoughts of the absent one. Theattempts of his friends during the day to help or to get trace of FredGreenwood had been brought to naught, and it looked as if they wouldhave to consent to the humiliating terms of Tozer and Motoza, withstrong probability that the missing youth was never again to be seenalive.
"I think, Hank," said Jack, when the cowman had lit his pipe, "that weshould run no more risks."
"How can we help it?"
"When you meet Tozer to-morrow morning by appointment, tell him theprice he asks will be paid, but everything must be square and aboveboard."
The guide looked at his companion a moment in silence. Then he said:
"If you'll turn the matter over in your mind, younker, you'll see thatthis bus'ness can't be put through without giving the scamps the chanceto swindle us the worst sort of way. They won't give up the boy on ourpromise to pay 'em the money and no questions asked, for they don'tb'leve we'll do it; so we've got to give 'em the money and trust totheir honor to keep their part. Trust to their _honor_," repeated Hank,with all the scorn he could throw into voice and manner; "as if theyknowed what it means."
"I know from what you have said that Tozer and Motoza are cunning,but----"
In order to receive all the warmth possible, Jack Dudley was sittingwithin the cavern and facing outward, while his companion faced him,with his back toward the plateau and mountains beyond. Jack suddenlybroke off his remark, for in the gloom behind the cowman he sawsomething move. That something quickly took the form of a white-faced,exhausted youth trudging painfully forward and ready to sink to theground with weakness.
"Heavens! can it be?" gasped Jack, half-rising to his feet and staringacross the camp-fire. The next moment, and while Hazletine was lookingin the same direction, as astounded as the youth, the elder made onebound and was at the side of Fred Greenwood, whom he caught in his armsas he sagged downward in a state of utter collapse.
In the course of the following hour everything was made clear. Under thetender ministrations of Jack Dudley and Hank Hazletine the returnedwanderer recovered to a great degree his strength, and to the fullestdegree his naturally buoyant spirits. The faint odor of the broilingmeat which lingered in the air awoke his ravenous appetite, but knowinghow long he had been without food, the cowman would not permit him toeat more than a tithe of what he craved. After a time he gave him more,until his appetite was fairly well satisfied.
"Jack," said Fred, with something of his old waggishness, as he lookedacross the fire into the face of his comrade, "let's go home."
"You forget that we have a month's vacation, and it is hardly half gone.We can stay another week and then be sure of being back to school intime. You lamented more than I because we could not have a longerplay-spell. Your sentiments have changed."
The younger lad pointed to his feet.
"There's the reason. If I were like you I shouldn't think of leavingthis delightful country until the last day; but I shall need all thevacation to get on my feet again. Do you comprehend?"
"Yes; your demonstration is logical. True, you have lost your rifle andpistol, the same as myself, but we could get others at the ranch, and nodoubt meet with plenty more enjoyable adventures, but not as you are. Ishall be very willing to start home with you to-morrow morning. What doyou think of it, Hank?"
"I'm blamed sorry this bus'ness has to wind up as it does, but there'sno help fur it, and we'll leave fur the ranch after breakfast."
"Will you keep your appointment with Tozer?"
"I've been thinking of that; yes, I'll meet him."
There was a peculiar intonation in these words that caused both boys tolook into that bearded face, but they could not be sure of his meaning.
It was Fred who spoke:
"Hank, there is one matter as to which I cannot feel certain; I wantyour opinion of it."
"Wal, I'm listening."
"After Motoza forced me into the cavern at the side of the canyon hewent off and has not returned yet, unless he did so after I left. Now,why didn't he go back?"
"Why should he go back? He felt sartin there was no way fur you to gitout, and if I'd been told that your only chance was to climb the wallI'd 'greed with him, though you struck the spot where I done it myself."
"He must have known I hadn't a mouthful of food?"
"He couldn't help knowing it."
"The question in my mind is this: what he said to me, as well as whatyou have told, proves that he understood the whole scheme of my beingransomed. Tozer must have known where I was; he knew that to bring theransom business to a head would require several days, even with the useof the telegraph; they expected me to stay in the cavern all the time.How long would they have left me there without bringing me anything toeat?"
"They'd never brought you anything."
"Then when the time came to surrender me to my friends I should havebeen dead."
The cowman nodded his head.
"There ain't no doubt of that."
"And they couldn't have carried out their part of the agreement."
"Which the same they knowed."
"But it seems unreasonable. It would have placed both in peril, fromwhich I cannot see how it was possible for them to escape. If they gaveme up after receiving the money they would be safe against punishment.Why, then, should they place themselves in such great danger when theyhad nothing to gain and all to lose by doing so? That is what I can'tunderstand, and I am sure my brain has become clearer."
It was the same view of the question that had puzzled Jack Dudley, andthe two boys listened with interest to the explanation of the veteran.
"Tozer of himself would turn you over sound in limb and body; but, sinceit was the Sioux who done all the work, as you have showed us, Bill hadto make a sort of compromise with the villain, and that compromise wasthat you should be left with Motoza till the hour come fur you to beproduced. That was the price Bill had to pay Motoza fur what he done. Itwasn't Tozer, but the Sioux, that was fixing things so as to starve youto death."
The cowman spoke with a deliberation and seriousness that left no doubthe believed every word uttered, and the boys were convinced he wasright.
"Bill is as mean as they make 'em," added Hazletine, "but he'd rathergrab a pile of money than kill a chap he don't like. It's t'other waywith the Sioux. He likes money well 'nough, fur he knows it'll buyfirewater, but the sweetest enjoyment he can have is to revenge himselfon a person he hates, and from what I've heard he hates you as hard ashe knows how."
"There is no doubt of that," said Jack; "I shall never forget theexpression of his face when Fred made him give up my rifle."
Fred was thoughtful a moment, and then asked:
"Hank, what do you mean to do about Tozer?"
"Wal, until I larned your story I was fixed to shoot him on sight."
"But what of the agreement you would have to make before he gave me up?"
"I'd kept that the same as the other folks, but it wouldn't be longafore I'd git a chance to pick a quarrel with him over other matters,and then it would be him or me; and," added the cowman, with a grimsmile, "I don't think it would be me."
"Do you still hold to that resolve?"
"I can't say that I do. I don't see that Bill meant any hurt except tomake some money out of you, and he couldn't he
lp taking chances on that.If he could have had his way he'd turned you over to us as well as whenyou left; so I think I'll wait to see what his next trick is to be aforeI draw a bead on him. I'll take another plan--I'll give him the laugh."
"Give him the laugh!" repeated the wondering Jack Dudley; "what do youmean by that?"
"I'll meet him here to-morrer morning, and, after we've talked a while,let him see you or know how things stand, and then I'll just laugh athim till I drop to the ground and roll over on my back. Won't he feelcheap?"
The conceit was so odd that both boys smiled.
"That certainly is a curious way to punish a man for doing a wrong. Itseems to me that, since he had so much to do with abducting Fred, heought to be arrested, tried, and punished. He should be made to sufferfor his crime."
Hank showed his hard sense by replying:
"I don't deny that, but there's no way of punishing him. He hasn't donea thing fur which you could make the court say he's guilty. The younkerthere that spent more time than he liked in the canyon has never evenseed Bill Tozer. What reason, then, has he fur saying Bill had anythingto do with the bus'ness?"
"Didn't he admit as much to you?"
"Not a word! He give himself away in his talk, but whenever he saidanything 'bout things he reminded me it was all guesswork."
"Could not Motoza be made to swear against him?"
"He might, and he might not. If he did, why, Bill would swear t'otherway, and make it look as if he was trying to play the friend for theyounker. It would be like some folks, after the thing was over,proposing to buy Bill a gold medal fur showing himself such a good andnoble man. No; my plan is best. When I give him the laugh he'll feelworse than if he was sent up fur ten years."
"It looks as if there is no other way of punishing him," remarked Fred;"but the case is different with Motoza."
"Wal, _rather_!"
It would be impossible to convey a true idea of the manner of HankHazletine when he uttered these words. He nodded his head, clinched hisfree hand, and his eyes seemed to flash fire.
"Do you mean to kill him, Hank?"
"O, no," was the scornful response; "I'm going to take his hand and tellhim how much I love him. I'll wipe the paint off one cheek, so as tomake room fur a brotherly kiss. I'll send him to your folks, that youmay have him for a playmate. He'll be so sweet and nice among the littleyounkers. _That's_ what I'll do with dear Motoza!"
It was impossible not to read the terrible purpose that lay behind allthis. The boys made no mistake. Jack Dudley shuddered, but was silent.He knew the miscreant richly merited the threatened retribution, and yethe wished it were not impending.
Surely, if anyone was justified in calling down vengeance upon the headof the vagrant Sioux it was his victim--he who had felt his hatred, andwhose physical sufferings must remind him of the same for weeks to come.But Fred Greenwood was in a gracious and forgiving mood. His heartthrobbed when he recalled what he had so recently passed through, but hecould not lose sight of the blessed fact that he _had_ passed through itall. He was with his beloved comrade again, not much the worse for hisexperience. In truth he was a little homesick, and was stirred withsweet delight at the thought that, if all went well, he should be withhis parents within the coming week.
And yet he was oppressed by the thought that one of the results of hisshort visit to Wyoming was to be the death of a human being. He was surehe could never shake off the remembrance, and should he ever wish toreturn in the future to renew his hunt under more favorable conditions,the memory would haunt him. It mattered not that the wretch deserved tobe executed for the crime, in the commission of which he had beeninterrupted before he could complete it. He was a savage, a heathen, abarbarian, who was following the light as he understood it. Why,therefore, should not mercy be shown to him?
There are many things which Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood have doneduring their youthful lives that are creditable to them, but there isnone which gives the two greater pleasure than the remembrance of themoral victory gained in their argument with Hank Hazletine. Fred openedthe plea, and his comrade quickly rallied to his help. Their aim was toconvince their guide that it was wrong for him to carry out his purposeregarding the Sioux. That the fellow should be punished was not to bequestioned, but it should be done in a legitimate way and by theconstituted authorities. Hazletine insisted that the conditions weresuch that Motoza would never be thus punished, at least not to theextent he ought to be; therefore, it was the duty of Hazletine to attendto the matter himself.
The argument lasted for two hours. The boys were able, bright andingenious, but they had _truth_ on their side, and by and by the grimcowman showed signs of weakening. What knocked the props from under himwas the fact which he was compelled to admit that the Sioux was onlyfollowing the teachings he had received from infancy; that he lacked thelight and knowledge with which Hazletine had been favored; that it wasthe duty of the white people to educate, civilize and Christianize thered men, who have been treated with cruel injustice from the verydiscovery of our country.
It cannot be said that the guide yielded with good grace, but yield hedid, and the victory was secured. He pledged the boys not to offer anyharm to Motoza for his last crime, and indeed would never harm him,unless it should become necessary in self defence.
"But I s'pose you hain't any 'bjection to my giving the laugh to Bill?"he said, with ludicrous dismay; "there ain't nothing wrong in _that_, isthere?"
"Nothing at all," replied the pleased Fred; "we shall enjoy it as muchas you."
"Which the same being the case, it's time you went to sleep; I'll keepwatch and call you when I git ready."
Bidding their friend good-night, the boys wrapped themselves in theirblankets and speedily sank into slumber.
The kind-hearted guide did not disturb either, and when they openedtheir eyes the sun was in the sky. Fred Greenwood was in a bad shapewith his swollen and lacerated feet, but his naturally rugged framerecovered rapidly from the trying strain to which it had been subjected.He proved that his appetite was as vigorous as ever, and was eager toreach the ranch with the least possible delay. Hank promised him no timeshould be wasted.
A lookout was kept for Bill Tozer, the boys remaining in the cavern,where they could not be seen. There was the possibility, of course, thatthe man had learned of the escape of the young prisoner, but all doubtwas removed when, at the appointed time, he appeared on the edge of theplateau and strode confidently to the point where Hazletine, justoutside the cavern, awaited his coming.
The two shook hands and immediately got down to business. The scamp feltthat he commanded the situation and he was disposed to push matters.
"I've been thinking over what you said yesterday," remarked the guide,"and have made up my mind that I can't do it."
"You can't, eh? It's the only thing you _can_ do; Motoza insists thatthe price shall be ten thousand dollars, but I'll stick by the originalagreement and call it half that sum."
"Let me see," said the cowman, thoughtfully; "you promise to give usback the younker safe and sound, provided his friends hand you fivethousand dollars?"
"That's it; you understand the whole business. You know, of course,Hank, that I'm only acting as the friend----"
"Don't git over any more of that stuff, Bill. Are we to give you themoney afore you produce the younker?"
"Certainly; that's the only way to do business."
"S'pose you bring him, and then I'll ask his folks if they want to makeyou a present of five thousand dollars--how'll _that_ work?"
Tozer broke into laughter.
"You ought to be ashamed to talk such nonsense. The only way by whichyou can see your young friend again is to hand us the money, give apledge not to ask any questions or try to punish Motoza or me----"
The jaw of the man suddenly dropped and he ceased speaking, for at thatmoment he saw Jack Dudley and his limping companion walk out from thecavern and smilingly approach.
The whole truth flashed upon him. He was outwit
ted as he had never beenoutwitted before in all his life. Without speaking a syllable, hewheeled around and started at a rapid stride across the plateau towardthe point where he had first appeared, with feelings which it isimpossible to imagine.
And didn't Hank Hazletine "give him the laugh?" He bent over with mirth,staggering backward until he had to place his hand against the side ofthe cavern to save himself from falling. It really seemed as if hisuproarious mirth must have penetrated a mile in every direction, and itdid not cease until some minutes after the discomfited victim haddisappeared. Jack and Fred laughed, too, until their sides ached; andwho shall deny that there was not full cause for their merriment?
An hour later, the ponies, saddled and bridled, were threading their wayout of the foot-hills for the ranch, which was reached without furtherincident. There the boys remained several days until Fred had recoveredto a large extent from his hurts, when they rode to the station at FortSteele, where they shook hands with the honest Hank Hazletine and badehim good-by.
And thus it came about that on the first Monday in the followingNovember Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood were in their respective seatsat school, as eager and ambitious to press their studies as they hadbeen to visit Bowman's ranch, in Southwestern Wyoming, in which ranch,by the way, they advised Mr. Dudley to retain his half-ownership.
"It's worth all it cost you, father," said Jack, "and perhaps one ofthese days you will want the V. W. W. to go out and take another look atit."
"Perhaps," was the dubious reply of the parent.
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