The Outdoor Chums After Big Game by Captain Quincy Allen

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Once back in their old quarters, for several days the boys took life
easy, each being busily engaged in some favorite pursuit. Will developed
all his films, and made copious prints of the same, which kept him in a
feverish state of mind. When one turned out especially fine he was in
the seventh heaven of delight; and if he met with disappointment, which
was seldom the case, his laments were dismal indeed.

Thus a week more passed, and the boys were beginning to think of turning
their faces toward the East again. They would leave the ranch with many
regrets, for Mr. Mabie had certainly quite won their youthful hearts by
his genial ways.

Frank was the last one to meet with an adventure on this occasion, which
was fated to be written down in his logbook as worthy of remembrance.

He had been out riding, and his horse, stepping into a gopher hole,
threw him. Frank was not seriously hurt, but the horse went lame, so
that he could not be ridden. As this happened miles away from the house,
and night was coming on, with a storm threatening, Frank knew he was in
for an experience; but even then he did not dream of all that was down
on the bills for that special occasion.

Through the darkness he went, leading his limping horse. Then the storm
broke, and the crash of thunder, as well as the vivid lightning, was
something such as he could not remember ever meeting before.

He was just thinking that the pony had recovered enough to enable him to
mount and make his way slowly along, as the ranch house was not more
than a mile off, when something came to his ears that arrested his
attention. For half a minute he wondered what it might be, sounding like
increasing thunder. Then the appalling truth flashed upon him. There was
a stampede of cattle, and he seemed to be directly in the way of the
madly galloping herd!

CHAPTER XXIV

A MYSTERY SOLVED

Frank, after that one spasm of alarm, gritted his teeth, and thought
fast. He had heard the rancher, as well as the cowboys, speak of the
terrors of the stampede, when the cattle were in a frenzy, through fear,
and utterly beyond all management.

He knew that frequently experienced cowmen, caught in the rush of a
thousand lumbering steers, had been ground to death under countless
hoofs. It was so in the old days, when bison dotted the plains of the
great West.

Mounted on a good horse, one might hope to ride clear of the advancing
avalanche of hoofs and horns. But his steed was lame, and hardly able to
limp along. The situation was one calculated to arouse a boy as he had
never been awakened before in all his life.

Frank jumped upon the back of his horse. He knew instantly that his one
hope must lie in getting clear of the immense herd; and that this could
only be done by either riding faster than they were going down the wide
valley, or in making for the nearest hillside, where trees would offer
him a refuge.

He chose the latter. Flight in a straightaway course was utterly out of
the question with a cripple between his knees.

"Get up, Hector! Do your prettiest now!" he called to his horse.

The poor beast was trying his hardest to run well, but making only a
pretense, after all, since that lame leg kept him from speedy progress.
Doubtless Hector, being a cow pony, knew full well the nature of the
peril that menaced them, and if it lay in his power he would bear his
young master to a point of safety.

Frank's heart seemed to be in his throat as he leaned forward and
listened to the rapidly approaching roar of hundreds upon hundreds of
hoofs, mingled with the horrid clashing of horns. Added to this was the
deep-toned thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning.

Once, when he looked to the left, he could see the moving mass that was
sweeping horribly close. After that he resolutely kept his attention
riveted in front, where the ridge loomed up against the darkened
heavens.

Everything depended upon how far he was from the nearest trees. Seconds
counted with Frank just then. The lightning flashed every quarter of a
minute, and yet it seemed to him that they were ages apart.

With his heart in his throat, as it seemed, he stared ahead, and waited
for the next flash to show him the worst. Unless the trees were close
by, his case seemed hopeless, for the main herd appeared to have pushed
over to this side of the valley, unfortunately, showing that he had
picked the wrong course when he started.

Hector stumbled more than once, and Frank feared he would be thrown. He
even wondered whether it would not be better for him to throw himself to
the ground while he had the chance, and trust to his own legs to carry
him to safety.

Then came the eagerly anticipated flash. Hope sprang anew in his breast,
for he had discovered the trees close at hand. One more gallant effort
on the part of the crippled pony, and they managed to pass behind the
outposts of the timber, just as the beginning of the terrible rushing
stampede swept by.

There Frank sat upon his pony, breathing hard, and patting the poor
animal reassuringly. He could hear the loud cries of the cowboys and Mr.
Mabie as they circled about the terrified cattle, trying by every means
possible to influence them to mill; but in that gloom it was impossible
to carry out the usual tactics, and by degrees the sounds died away far
down the valley.

Frank walked with his lame pony to the ranch house. Here he found his
chums in a fright because of his absence. They were afraid he had been
caught in the mad stampede and ground under the hoofs of the steers.

Mr. Mabie did not show up until long after midnight. The storm had
passed away, and the sky cleared by that time. The boys were sitting up,
waiting, none of them thinking of seeking his bed.

"Hello, Frank, my lad! I'm mighty glad to find you here, safe and sound.
I saw your pony at the stable, and that you had bound up his leg,
showing a sprain. But I was afraid that something more serious had been
the matter. You don't know how relieved I was to see your horse; and
Reddy, too. The poor fellow has been in a sweat with fear ever since the
stampede broke out," was the hearty way the rancher greeted Frank as he
came bustling in.

"Oh, I was right in the line of the rush, but by clever work on the
part of my pony managed to reach the trees before they caught me. But
what's the report about the cattle, sir?" asked Frank eagerly.

"The boys have halted them about ten miles from here. Thanks to the
storm stopping, and the animals getting leg weary, we managed to head
them off. Little damage done, except to our feelings. These things
happen once in a while, and are really unavoidable. Steers in a panic
are crazy; but then I suppose the same would apply to human beings, if
all accounts are true that I read about theater fires and such things."

He asked many questions concerning Frank's adventure.

"You just happened to choose the wrong side, lad. Had you headed the
other way you would have had little trouble. The storm came from that
quarter, and a cowboy must have known that cattle always run _away_ from
the lightning and rain. But fortunately you made the timber, and; as the
subject is unpleasant, we'll drop it for the present. Now get off to
bed, the lot of you. In the morning, if you want, I'll take you down
with me, and show you how we drive a big herd."

"I've got my last roll of films in the camera, and that would make a
mighty fine set of pictures to finish up with; but, oh! what wouldn't I
give if I could have caught Frank, here, riding for life on that
crippled pony, and the stampede sweeping down on him!" said Will
enthusiastically.

"Talk to me about your cold-blooded savages! Does anything equal a crank
with a camera, bent on snapping off everything that happens?" muttered
Jerry, shaking his head in real or assumed disgust.

"That is the fate of every genius, to be misunderstood and
misrepresented when ready to sacrifice comfort and everything to his
art. But I am not the only one who is a crank. I have known fellows so
proud of their lungs, that night after night they insisted on filling
the air mattresses of the party just to prove which could blow the
harder; while the other two members of the party sat by and laughed."

Frank chuckled at hearing this, and both Bluff and Jerry looked daggers,
for the shot hit home with them.

In the morning the boys did accompany the rancher down the valley. Frank
showed them his course on the previous night, and they followed his
line of travel until the trees were reached. Trail there was none, for
hundreds of cloven hoofs had pounded the soil about that spot, showing
how narrow had been his escape.

The cowboys were found to have the big herd well in hand. It was even
then on the way back to its former feeding ground. Some of the steers
showed the effects of the mad rush, in various cuts from the horns of
their fellows; and several had tripped and gone down to death in the
panic, the herd trampling them into an unrecognizable mass.

Of course, Will satisfied his longing, and secured what pictures he
wanted.

"I'm happy in having carried out my plans. Won't the home folks stare
when they see the panorama of views I've gathered!" he said jubilantly.

"I should think they would," remarked Jerry, shrugging his shoulders,
"for you certainly have a collection of freak pictures, some of which
would take the prize."

"But all of this lot are genuine. Nobody had to prance around a tree
with a dead yellow dog on his feet, pretending to chase after him,"
asserted Will.

"Whose doing was that, eh? Tell me that! Didn't you just plead with me
to make a fool of myself, and to save you pain I consented. I suppose
I'll never hear the end of that fool joke," growled Jerry.

"Oh, yes, you will. It's all in the family. Others don't know the dog
was dead when he had his picture taken. They all say he looks as though
about to snap a piece out of your leg. Now, I think we've just had a
glorious time of it up here, with nothing to mar our pleasure," remarked
Frank, the peacemaker.

"Except that miserable job of mine in leaving my knife home," sighed
Bluff.

"Talk to me about that, will you! He hasn't forgotten it yet!" exclaimed
Jerry.

"I never can. Hello! Here comes Reddy with a bag of mail, the last we'll
get, I suppose, before we go home. A letter for me? Now just keep your
eyes to yourselves, fellows. I admit it's from Nellie, but no doubt the
dear girl is anxious about her brother Frank, and wants information from
a thoroughly reliable quarter."

Bluff sought out a lonesome corner of the big piazza in front of the
ranch house, and presently all hands were absorbed in their letters.
Suddenly the others heard Bluff utter an exclamation, and looked up just
in time to see him sprint into the building.

"What d'ye suppose ails the fellow?" asked Will.

"Give it up. He seemed to have a broad grin on his face, as though
Nellie must have written something especially sweet. But here he comes
out again, dancing like a wild Indian. What's he waving above his head,
fellows?" said Frank.

"It's his lost hunting-knife, as sure as you live!" echoed Will.

"Just to think of it, boys! The beauty was in my clothes bag all the
time, and I didn't know it! Nellie did it. She mentions the fact in this
letter, and says she was so afraid I'd hurt myself with that knife, by
accident, that she rolled it up in this new flannel shirt, which I've
never thought to put on as yet, and thrust it down at the bottom of my
clothes bag. I never thought to pull it out; and now that the big-game
hunt is over I get my trusty blade."

"Tell me about that, will you! And you thought I was to blame," remarked
Jerry.

"For which I beg your pardon. After all, perhaps no harm was done, and
since Nellie only did it from the best of motives, why, I would be
foolish to be angry."

"Sensible for once," observed Frank, winking at the others.

"And so we will leave the ranch without the slightest cloud on the
horizon. Fellows, all I can say is we're a lucky lot of boys," observed
Will positively.

CHAPTER XXV

HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION

Saying good-by was harder than the boys had anticipated. They had really
enjoyed themselves so immensely up there at the ranch in the wilderness
that the thought of never seeing it more brought gloom upon their
spirits.

Of course, the fact that they were heading toward home, and the dear
ones awaiting their coming, made their sorrow lighter.

They had sent their trunk away on the previous evening, so that it would
be at the far distant station awaiting their coming. On horseback, then,
they were to cover the route that on their arrival they had done on a
buckboard.

Mr. Mabie, Reddy and Billy accompanied them, the stockman and Billy to
bring back the mounts after the train had borne their young friends
away. Reddy, of course, expected to accompany the boys East, to at least
visit his family. He could not promise to remain at home, for the magic
of the magnificent country of the Northwest called loudly to him; but he
was taking home his savings, and meant to make his parents happy.

"I'll never forget all the good times you've given us, Mr. Mabie," said
Frank, as he squeezed the hand of their good friend when the whistle of
the approaching train was heard as it came booming out of the cut, a
mile away.

"My dear boy, on my part I can never thank you and your jolly chums half
enough for the delightful time you've given me. It will seem dreary here
after you're gone. I haven't been so happy for years," was the reply of
the stockman, as he beamed upon the cluster of bright faces around him.

"But you know you promised to make us a visit when we're home from
college next Christmas. Don't forget that, sir!" declared Will.

"I certainly will not, if I'm alive. And Will, one of the inducements
for such a long journey is the expectation of seeing that remarkable
book of interesting views, containing reminders of so many of the
exploits of the Outdoor Club. I'm sure that alone would repay me for the
trip," laughed the other.

"You won't forget about shipping those skins and things, sir? We want
them for reminders of the happiest trip this club ever took. Every time
we look at those rugs we'll think of you and your Big M ranch," remarked
Bluff.

"They'll go in a few days, boys, just as soon as the skins are in proper
shape for transportation, depend on it. And I'll let you know when
Pierre is placed under arrest, and the exiled chief, Running Elk, goes
back to his people with all honor."

The last they saw of Mr. Mabie and Billy, they were waving their big
hats vigorously on the little station platform. Then a curve of the road
shut them out, and the four chums settled back in their seats to talk
over the thousand and one matters that claimed their attention.

It is not in youth to grieve for long. They felt bad at leaving the
scene of these recent happy events; but presently, in anticipation of
the reunion with loved ones at home, this was temporarily forgotten.

Will bemoaned the fact that he had not one single film left.

"And there are so many things I'd like to take on the way home," he
sighed, "and which I let slip on the way up."

"Yes," remarked Jerry laughingly, "it's wonderful what game you see
when you haven't a gun. But what's the matter with you trying to get a
roll at the first town? Perhaps we may stop long enough, and they may
have photographic supplies at the station."

"Thank you for the suggestion, Jerry. It was a bright thought--for you;
but I mean to take advantage of it, and make inquiries."

Jerry gave him a queer look. Will was a fellow he could not fully
understand. He seemed to be made up of contradictions, sometimes simple,
and again shrewd; now as timid as a girl, and under certain conditions
showing the bravery of a lion. Jerry knew Bluff as he did his own
nature, and could dispute with him with energy, but in the case of Will
he was always glad to drop the subject before he found he had burned his
fingers.

Nothing of moment happened on the journey, at least nothing worthy of
mention. Will did manage to secure a roll of films at the first town. A
messenger came to the car with it, and Frank always supposed from that
that his eccentric companion must have wired ahead for supplies. When
Will wanted anything he meant to get it, if there was any possible way
of so doing.

In due time they arrived at the station in Centerville, where a host of
relatives and friends awaited their coming. There was a roar of many
voices as the four chums appeared in view, and our boys quickly found
themselves being hugged and kissed in a most indiscriminate fashion.

If some of the girls, in the confusion, kissed the brothers of their
friends, as well as their own, that was not to be wondered at, and
everybody seemed as happy as could be, despite these natural blunders.

Finally they managed to push outside the station.

"Where's Hank Brady?" called Frank aloud.

"Here!" said that worthy, stepping forward from the motor-car, and
holding out his hand eagerly to the friend who had been so instrumental
in assisting him to get his slipping feet on steady ground.

"Hello, Hank! Here's your brother Teddy!"

In this abrupt fashion did he bring the two face to face. Hank turned
white, and stared hard at the bronzed young cowboy for a moment; then he
caught hold of him, and the long separated; brothers were in each
other's arms.

"Sure, the old folks will be happy this night, Ted, to see you again! I
never hoped they'd find you when I asked Mr. Frank to keep on the
lookout," was what Hank was saying, as he turned a moist eye in the
direction of the boy who had done so much to bring happiness to his
home.

Bluff and Nellie were seen talking earnestly close by. Probably he was
telling her about the surprise she gave him in that last letter when
revealing what she had done with his wonderful hunting-knife.

Now that they were home again, with vacation nearing an end, the boys
would not have so much time to indulge in their pastimes on the lake, so
that they were keen to make hay while the sun shone. Consequently, they
fairly haunted the lake, and the canoes were in use every day from that
time on. Nor were they alone in this love of the open, for many an
evening each canoe had its complement of fair ones, whose sweet voices
blended with those of the four outdoor chums as they paddled in the
moonlight over the rippling water.

College was ahead of them, but as they expected to keep together still,
the Outdoor Club was not to be disbanded by any means. Often in future
days they expected to once more sit around a campfire in company,
enjoying the delights of an outing, and recalling many of the wonderful
experiences that came their way in days that were past.

And there, written down in Frank's diary, or logbook, were the accounts
of their first camp above the loggers' settlement, at the head of the
lake; the one on Wildcat Island; then the third, among the Sunset
Mountains, when they solved the mystery of Oak Ridge's ghost; and also
their wonderful cruise down a Florida river and along the border of the
great Mexican Gulf; while this journey to the cattle ranch of Mr. Mabie,
in the wilderness of the Northwest, would complete the list.

How many times, as they read of these exploits, and surveyed the
splendid pictures Will had secured during their various campaigns, would
the scenes of the happy past come before their mental vision! They could
hardly expect to equal these glorious days in the times to come, but no
one who knew their love for the open would dare predict that the Outdoor
Club would cease to exist with the going to college of its four members.

Perchance they may yet have other camps in strange places, and perhaps
it may be our pleasant duty to chronicle the happenings of the four
chums when again they erect their tents, or it may be, paddle their
canoes on other waters.

Wherever they go, and in whatever line of business they may find their
life work, it can be taken for granted that the lessons learned when
living this life of self-reliance in the open must always prove of the
greatest value to The Outdoor Chums.

THE END

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