The Rover Boys on the Plains: or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch. Stratemeyer Edward
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she vos coming!" shouted Hans. "Dot's der time vot you did sometings, ain't it!"
"Keep at it, boys!" came from the captain. "We'll be all right in a few minutes more."
"Mind you, we don't want to tow the houseboat down to New Orleans," said Tom, who was perspiring freely in the warm sun.
"There she goes!" came a moment later. "We are all right now," and a little hurrah went up.
"I wish I had those lumbermen here – I'd give 'em a bit of my mind," said Sam, who felt tired out from the hard rowing. "It was all their fault."
"Of course, it was their fault," answered Dick. "More than likely, though, we'll never meet them again."
"What an awfully long nose one of them had."
"I don't believe that fellow was a lumberman. He wasn't dressed like the others and didn't act like them."
The rowboat was soon placed aboard of the houseboat once more, and the Dora continued on her course down the river. All told, a half hour had been lost, and the lumber raft was scarcely a speck in the distance.
"I'd like to know for certain if that was Dan Baxter on board," said Dick to Sam. "If it was, and he saw us, he'll do his best to make trouble again."
"Well, the best we can do, Dick, is to keep our eyes open."
"Do you think that lumber raft will tie up somewhere below here?" asked Tom.
"The raft is certain to tie up somewhere, Tom. But it may go a good many miles before that happens," answered the eldest Rover; and there the subject was for the time being dropped.
CHAPTER III
A "PEPPER" GHOST
Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning had been taking a nap, and they were much interested when they awoke and learned of what had occurred.
"Let us be thankful that the raft did not run us down," said Dora's mother, who was a widow.
"It was mean to make us run aground," was Mrs. Laning's comment.
"Some folks try their best to get others into trouble."
"That fellow with the long nose got out of sight in a hurry when he saw the shotgun," observed Tom.
"Oh, Tom, you wouldn't have shot him, would you?" cried Nellie.
"I only meant to scare him. But, if they had really run us down, I don't know what I would have done."
It was not long after this that the lumber raft passed entirely out of their sight. Gradually the talk changed, and all began to wonder where they were to tie up for the night.
"I did hope to reach Masterville," said Captain Starr. "But I don't think we can make it."
"Do we need anything in particular in the shape of provisions?" asked Dick.
"I don't think so. You might ask Aleck."
The person referred to was a colored man who was in the employ of the Rovers, and had been with the boys on many of their outings. His full name was Alexander Pop, and he thought the world and all of Dick, Tom and Sam.
"Hullo, Aleck!" called out Dick, going to the cook's galley.
"Yes, sah! Comin', sah!" was the answer, and in an instant Aleck's smiling ebony face showed itself at the doorway.
"Have we got enough provisions on hand until to-morrow?"
"Yes, sah."
"Then we won't have to go ashore for anything?"
"No, sah; less yo' want sumfing very special," and the colored man grinned.
"Are you going to give us a pretty good supper, Aleck?" asked Tom, walking up.
"Lamb chops, sah, an' green peas, sweet potatoes, an' cake an' cut-up peaches."
"That's first-rate, Aleck," said Dick, smiling.
"Any quail on toast?" asked Tom.
"No, sah."
"Any bear steaks, or salmon eggs?"
"Ain't seen none ob dem t'ings yet, Massa Tom."
"How about butterflies' wings on toast?"
"Wha – what's dat?"
"Or milkweed stewed in onion fat?" went on Tom earnestly.
"Gracious sakes alive, sah! I didn't know dat – "
"Or firefly fritters, Aleck. Don't you love fire-fly fritters, especially when they are rolled in lemon skin and cheese?"
"Say, Massa Tom, ain't you a-foolin' dis darkey?"
"Fooling? Why, Aleck, you know I never fool." Tom gave a sigh. "That's the way of the world, when a fellow is trying to do his best." And he walked off, leaving the faithful Aleck staring after him doubtfully. But soon the colored man began to smile to himself.
"Dat's some moah ob his jokes, dat's what dat is," he murmured. "Dat boy couldn't lib, 'less he was playin' a joke on sumbody!"
The houseboat had now gained a portion of the river where the shore was lined with a beautiful forest, and, as the sun began to set over the treetops, all came out on the deck to enjoy the scene.
"If it wasn't for the troubles we have encountered, this would be an ideal trip," said Dora, as she stood by Dick's side.
"Let us forget the troubles, Dora," said the youth softly, and gave her hand a little squeeze. "I am so glad you are with us. If you weren't, I think it would be rather lonely for me."
"Oh, Dick, you mustn't talk so," cried the girl, and blushed. But she was pleased, nevertheless.
Just where the forest ended there was a point of land stretching out into the river, and there it was decided to tie up for the night. An early supper was had, and then about half of the party went ashore – Dick and Dora to take a stroll in the moonlight, and Tom, Sam and some of the others to do a little exploring.
"The forest looks a little bit spooky," said Fred, as they walked along.
"Spooky?" came scornfully from Songbird Powell. "Why, it's grand – fairly breathing the essence of poetry," and then he continued:
"Down in the depths of a forest grand,
Where many a hoary tree doth stand,
And many a little babbling brook
Gives music to each shady nook,
'Tis there I love a walk to take – "
"And step upon a rattlesnake." finished Tom. "Better keep your eyes open, Songbird, or the rattlers will be after you. They love music and poetry, you know."
"Rattlesnakes! Horrible!" shuddered Songbird. "That's enough to drive the poetry out of a fellow for a week."
"Do you think there are any rattlers here?" asked Sam.
"I ton't vos afraid of raddlesnakes alretty," put in Hans. "I vos know a fine vay to kill dem," and his mild eyes began to twinkle.
"What's the way, Hans?" asked Tom.
"First, you got some poison in a pottle."
"Yes."
"Den you go py der voots till you come py Mr. Raddlesnake."
"All right, proceed."
"Den you got dot Mr. Raddlesnake py der neck, oben his mouth und put der boison on der insides. In an hour, Mr. Raddlesnake vos so dead like nefer vos alretty."
"Sold! That's the time Hans caught you, Tom!" exclaimed Sam, and set up a roar.
"Yah, I vos chust vaiting to cotch you, Tom," and now the German youth joined in the hilarity.
"All right, that's one on me," said Tom. "My move next," he added, but under his breath.
"There's a rattlesnake now!" yelled Fred a moment later, and all gave a jump, Hans as lively as the rest. But it was only a small reptile, and harmless, and quickly disappeared from view.
In a clearing, the boys built a fire, and sat around this,