Dave Porter's Great Search

ealed the two horses to them was followed by something of a lull in

ed Dave, as they separated t

or the one which happens to be neares

y all means-and be s

pproached closer and closer to the horses. One animal gave a low snort,

out Roger, as he made a dash to cover the dozen

ame another clap of thunder, followed almost instantly by the lightning. Th

d reared up. Then one started in one

tant later had a firm hold on the steed. The horse did considerable prancing, but the youth, who some seasons before had tamed a bronco at St

soothingly, patting the animal on the

mal had tried to back away from him, and had gotten a hind leg fast between two trees

ick out until, with a wrench, he got the other foot free. Then he 24began

ddle!" cried Dave, riding up. And then he plac

e a leap and got safely into the saddle; and then the two r

" remarked Dave, when the

eady reply. "I didn't fanc

ey had failed to return perhaps Mr. Obray would have made us

f some ever-increasing ponds of water. This was slow and dangerous work, the horses slipping and sliding among the wet rocks and loose stones, and more than once getting into mud and wate

when we get back," remarked Roger

tart to tell it," returned Dave grimly. "I feel as

as passing away," continued the s

p raining as soon as we get back,

istance from the construction camp when the rain practically cease

tured Roger. "Hang it all! why couldn't we have found some shelter d

ying over spilt milk. Don't forget how th

rd a clatter of hoofs on the stony roadway ahead of them. In a minute 26

can that be?

answered Dave. "Perhaps Mr. Obray or Frank Andrews go

w up to one side of the road, and were somewhat surprised to see the person on horseback go by without paying any attention

a ghost. Neither of them said a word, but they both looked after the

?" came at last in an

inly did

Nick J

it w

he world did

I thought he

enced ourselves, after we

can't be up yet. The

nt of good behavior. You know they give prisone

ink we could

t fellow was not Nick Jas

sort of thing with Ward Porton. I'm quite sure that fellow was Nick Jasniff himself.

e be doing out

the Merwells were still out here. He, of course, must

he came out here

ould he want to see us? He knows wel

of ways after we had him arrested. And you know what an 28awful wicked fellow he i

away out here to square accounts with us. It's more likely he came out here to get away from the people

e, I don't want him to come around where I am. I hav

ked up by a score or more of smaller buildings used as bunk-houses. At the end of a row was a large, low building in which was located the kitchen and al

Andrews, as they rode up to the building wherein they and the assistant

d Roger. "We came within

der engineer, with a twinkle in his eyes. "I suppose you'll want to

expected they would be," answered Dave. "I

stranger here a little while ago-a f

it was," answered the assistant. "He was ov

on't know

the two chums questioningly

or's son. "We thought we knew him; and if so he isn't

And thereupon, in a few brief words, Roger a

this camp!" cried the assistant. "When you go up to

and in changing their apparel. Then they hurried over to the office of the construction camp, wh

th a smile. "You certainly didn't

he day's work, Mr. Obray

s sally a smile lit up the features of all present. They liked Dave and Roger very much, and the fact that D

as supplemented by what Roger had to say. Then the two young civil engineers

hink that makes it pretty clear. 31Don't you, Mr. Chase?

n investigation up there at Number Six. I'm not satisfied about t

there is no use in anticipating i

m. It was his clear-headedness that had won more than one engineering victory for the Me

don't mind," said Dave in a low voice, when he saw the other civil en

nswered the manager, and led the way to a

k to camp about half an hour ago," explained our hero. "He was a fellow abo

n hour ago," answered the manager. "I should think

fellow with a rather slouchy a

iption would fit

ned Dave suddenly, remembering a peculiarity a

he matter with one of his eyes. The u

at that fellow

g if we would give him a chance. I told him we were pretty well filled up as far as our engineering corps was concerned, but said he might call some other tim

k he 33is, he isn't any one you would care

ded the manager of t

e think he is, he is a thief a