Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

ious, he would have believed that it was a portion of the young moonlighter's plan to separate him from his friend. Although, if such an

have understood that another wagon behind the one containing the tools and materials for well-

streets, and that, in thus moving his quarters, Bob not only ran the chance of being pursued by the torpedo

s, and from there to Farmer Kenniston's home. But, in his absence, it would be necessary

ith the moonlighters, either actively or as a spectator, he was, by chance and Bob

e saw how ill at ease Ralph felt, "and George won't have any lon

rather waited for

n to blame himself for not having insis

because it will be a saving o

lf generally agreeable, in order to allay any su

aiting, Ralph had nearly forgotten his vexation at having left George, and believed that no be

thers had been away, and everything in the

rk of loading the wagons was begun, Ralph noting with a slight feeling

showed it to him as a new feature of the oil business which he had no

n the seat was turned over, working on hinges placed in front, the peculiar formation of the vehicle was seen. That portion of the carriage usually covered by the seat, was divided into sixteen compartments, each p

ned at the top like the letter U, which was used as a resting-place for the

one chooses to chase us through Sawyer, they'll take precious good care that they don't get very near. You see, the officers must ke

icers in the town chasing them, and would have asked for an explanation

the journey as quickly as possible, for it was a tas

n, and such material as made a heavy load, while in George's buggy, was the bedding and oth

ere yet within, and the stable door secured by Jim, who barred it from the interior and then clambe

d all the details of this somewhat questionable business, but it seemed to him as if he was in some way the subject

ation was over, and then Bob said, sufficiently loud for Ral

are to give me a chance to get ahead, and you will keep straight on until you tire them out, if you driv

Ralph clambered into George's team, and in that order they started toward the highway, Bob drivin

e to make any objection, the suspicions that his pleasing manner had lull

ld be the one that would most likely stand the brunt of the pursuit, in case one was made. The other two teams being ahead, could turn

not have been used as a "cover," for he had no desire to implicate himself with the moonlighters, even i

advisable for him to say anything until the time came when Bob's plans were made apparent. Besides, he hoped that the officers would not se

have taken objection, unless, indeed, it was the fact of riding behind a carriage loaded with nitro-gl

entering the town, Bob set the example of driving fast

culty, for the outskirts of Sawyer had nearly been passed before any sign was made that they had bee

al

r Bob was making a cat's-paw of him or not, and

; but the horses were urged to still

h, believing the time had come f

y. "They'll overhaul us if

arnett's team, and there is no

these things t

ing away from the officers with his team, which is probably well known. We seem to be doing something which we

e a fool of yourself

worked them up into such a state that it

was so rough that the least deviation from the beaten track, at the pace the horses were then going,

of hoofs, as the pursuers did their best to overtake the violators of the law, and in the advance was

to co