Three Young Ranchmen Part 37

"But I see nothing of a cave."

"Let us follow the trail. The cave may not be persackly by the pines but in sight o' them, do ye see?"

"I do."

"Thet trail is almost in the direction I wuz goin'," continued Watson.

"So we won't miss much if we go wrong. Forward it is!"

And again they struck out, this time with increased confidence. As they progressed the old hunter examined the hoof marks from time to time and said he was certain two hors.e.m.e.n had pa.s.sed that way.

But just as they were coming to the end of the foothills they reached a mountain water course and here the trail came to an abrupt end.

"We are stumped now," said Allen, after both had crossed to the other side of the stream.

"I ain't a-givin' up jes' yet," answered Watson.

"Oh, neither am I. But where has the trail gone to?"

"Let us move down the stream a bit," suggested the old hunter. "I don't think the hossmen who made thet trail would stick ter the water very long."

On they went once more, and now in silence, for both felt that the cave might be close at hand. The seven pines were still in view, standing upon a hillock by themselves.

At last they came to a spot where the water course broadened out into a tiny lake. At this point there was another brook, coming down from a spring upon the hillside.

"The trail!" cried Allen, presently, and pointed it out.

"Right ye air, Allen," returned Watson. "An' I reckon we air gittin'

close ter the end on it too," he added suggestively.

But little more was said and they quickly followed the trail up to where a wall of rocks arose, standing boldly out from the foothills and facing the seven pines.

"If I ain't mistaken thar's a cave over yonder," whispered Watson, pointing with his hand.

"Forward we go!" cried Allen, and dashed ahead, with his weapon ready for use. Two minutes later a turn of the trail brought them into plain view of a large cave in the cliff side.

"Eureka!" began Watson, when Allen checked his speech.

"Somebody is coming!" he whispered. "A woman! Get behind the brus.h.!.+"

He led the way and Watson followed, and both waited with bated breath.

Presently a woman pa.s.sed them, carrying an empty water bucket. She was bound for the spring just mentioned.

"That must be the woman Slavin mentioned," went on Allen, in a low voice.

"Like as not," whispered the old hunter in return. "Shall we capture her?"

"No--wait."

They waited and presently the woman came back with the bucket full of water. She entered the cavern without looking around her.

"Let us follow her on foot," suggested Allen, and they tied up their horses. Soon the entrance to the cave was gained and they peered inside.

For the moment they could see but little, for there was only a low fire burning in the cavern. Then of a sudden Allen let out a wild cry:

"Look! look! There is my Uncle Barnaby, tied fast to the rear wall!"

CHAPTER x.x.x.

Together at Last--Conclusion

Allen spoke the truth. There, tied by strong ropes to a projecting rock, was the uncle of the Winthrop boys.

His face was pale and haggard, showing he had suffered much since his confinement.

Forgetting the woman, Allen dashed forward.

"Uncle Barnaby! How glad I am that we have found you!" he cried loudly.

"Who is that?" The prisoner sprang up from where he was resting.

"Allen!"

"Yes, uncle! Are you not glad to see me?"

"Glad is not a strong enough word, my boy!" was the reply from Barnaby Winthrop, and as soon as Allen had released him he caught his nephew in his arms. "I was praying to be rescued."

"They have not treated you well, I can see that, uncle."

"They have used me worse than a dog. They wanted to get my secret from me, and used every means in their power to accomplish their purpose."

"But they did not succeed, did they?"

"No. I told them I would die rather than allow the scoundrels to get rich through my instrumentality."

A scuffle behind them stopped the conversation. Ike Watson was trying to secure the woman, who was struggling desperately to get away.

By biting and scratching the desperate female at last freed herself from the old hunter's grasp. Then she bounded for the cave entrance. Watson aimed his gun at her and then lowered the weapon.

"Reckon I won't," he drawled. "Never did shoot at a woman, an' I'm too old ter begin now. She don't count, anyhow!"

And thus the woman was allowed to escape. She lost no time in quitting the vicinity.

The old hunter shook hands warmly with Barnaby Winthrop, who was profuse in his thanks to Watson for what he had accomplished.

"You shall lose nothing by what you have done, Ike," he said. "Just wait till I open up that new claim."