Bert Wilson at the Wheel

ipsy

Look at this. W

oment everything else was forgotten, while they stared with w

l sorts of nondescript costumes. Their swarthy faces and dark eyes, together with the large earrings that they wore, gave them a distinctly piratical appearance, and to the boys they looke

on the dead

, and a bot

tlasses held between their teeth to complete the illusion, and the pic

eir campfires. It was fascinating to see the dexterity, born of long experience, with which the camp was pitched. The horses were unhitched in a twinkling and turned out to graze, while the wagons were ranged in a single circle around the camp. Some brown, dirty canvas and a few branches of trees were quickly transformed into tents. Wood was cut, a rough fireplace built, a huge kettle suspended over the flames that crackled

upper, and I suppose it isn't good manners to hang around while they are eating, even if this is a

, was shown by the other boys at the recital

you there'd have been nothing more exciting than a rabbit scurrying across the road. T

ll go over soon and take it in. I sup

ace for two or three weeks, until the call of the road becomes so s

r tents lik

ntly ste

joined the group, when after an abundant supper they sat around the campfire; "for if

mean a short shrift and a rope in the Western country, if the thief were caught. But, on the other hand, they seldom commit deeds of violence. You never hear of their blowing open a safe, and, though they are passionate and hot tempered, they are not often charged with murder. The Bowery thug and yeggman are much more dangerous enemies to society than the average gipsy. Perhaps the worst indictment to be brought against them is that in years past they were freque

" interjected Dave. "What they stea

cost. The women are often very expert in embroidery and find a ready sale for their really beautiful work. Then, too, as fortune tellers they are proverbial the world over. Cross a gipsy's palm with gold or silver and she'll predict for you a future that kings and queens might envy. It is safe to

y. They don't suffer as much as the old lady did who said that she had h

aughed, an

ir name from? Why do t

spised and persecuted. In the old days they were accused of being sorcerers and witches. They have been banished, burned at the stake, broken on the wheel, hung, drawn and quartered. It is one of the miracles of history that they have not been wiped out altogether. But they have always clung closely together and persisted in their strange, wandering way of life. They have a language of their own and certain rude laws that all the tribes acknowledge. The restless instinct is in their blood and probably will be there forever. They are a livi

pper, to which, despite the under-current of excitement, they did full justice, and then in the gathering dusk the boys set out for the grove. Since not al

ht patches that added to the torches made the whole grove like a fairyland. The news of the gipsies' coming had reached the surrounding towns, and there was quite a gathering of pretty girls and country swains, whose buggies stood under the trees at the roadside, while youths and maidens wandered among the wagons of the caravan. At the open door of one of the vans a young gipsy drew from a violin the weird, heart-tugging strains that have mad

the gallant youths who escorted them urged them to gratify it regardless of expense. If the recording angel put down that night all the lies that were told, all the promises of wealth and title and position that sent many a giddy head awhirl to its pillow, he was kept exceedingly busy. Just for a lark, the boys themselves were willing patrons of these priestesses of the f

isted upon the ordinary rules, and it was nearly midnight wh

, Dick?" yawned Bert, as

, as he reached for h

in came out of his pocket wi

y, fellows, have any of you seen my scarfpin? I can't

red back at Bert. The same thoug

ck, as he sank down

se was missing. Their hearts were hot with indignation, however, at the loss of their comrades. Dick's gold watch had been a graduation present a

hink we are up to snuff. We are surrounded by pickpockets every day and nothing happens

t directed that a thorough search be made in order to be perfectly sure that the missing articles were not somewhere about the camp. When careful examination failed to reveal them, doubt became certainty. If only one thing had been

etoed by Mr. Hollis, who recognized the futility of attempting anything at so late an hour. He promised t

st streak of dawn the whole camp was astir. Breakfast was swallowed

ng that he had last seen him in the light of the gipsy torches. His heart smote him for his forgetfulness. Was it possible that the gipsies had stolen Don also? Why not? He never would have stayed away of his own accord. The collie was a splendid animal of the purest breed and would easily brin

Mr. Hollis as they came to the door of his tent, they swung into the

like a living thing, as though it pulsed with the indignation and determination of its riders. They fairly

mp was

ly and completely gone. The ashes of last night's fires, some litter scattered here and there,

south by the boys' camp. It was equally certain that they had not gone directly north, as this led straight to a large town that they would insti

cried Bert; "let'

a dozen addresses along different roads, they called them up. Had they seen a band of gipsies g

the Ashby road, eight miles from here, saw t

rtainly were traveling some. A couple of miles further on the road forked. There was a negro cabin at that place and

e at the fork of the road wiped the suds from

ole Nick was affer dem. Dat's a pow'ful po' road up dataway and

he right they came upon the procession of carts, now toiling along painfully. Bert never hesitated a second, but rushed past the line of wagons until he

Scout" squarely across

er an old man, evidently the chief, came forward. He was prepared to try diplomacy first, and with an ingratia

g for trouble, you'll hand them over at once. I want the p

aded, to be replaced

hing. Get out of our road," he snarled viciously, wh

ward, thrusting aside a young gipsy who sprang to intercept him. He threw open the van door, and out rushed Don, mad with delight. He ha

t. But here was the living proof of theft-proof strong enough to land their party behind the bars. Moreover, the great dog was no mean addition to the little force that faced them so undauntedl

aid, "while I talk to my people. Perhaps

ward sheepishly, holding out the watch and pin. "They

further. After all, they were almost like irresponsible children, and, despite his resentment, he felt a deep pity for these half-wild sons o

t down the shabby line of carts with not a glance behind them. They waved gaily to the old black m

rk lady that the gipsy prop

get old Don back, to say nothing of the watch and pin. Is

ses and strutted about as though he had done it all. As Jim put it: "Napoleon on his return from Elba ha

had realized how ticklish a situation they had faced that day. They didn'

iest thing I ever saw, Mr. Hollis," said Be

ce makes cowards of us all.' Behind us were law and order and civilization. Behind them crowded nameless shapes of fear and dread that robbed their

rmed that hath h