Joe the Hotel Boy Part 45

"Bah!"

"If you don't, I'm going to have you arrested."

"Who is going to arrest me here?" sneered the man who had robbed Maurice Vane. "Don't you know we are miles away from any town?"

"I don't care. Give up the satchel, or I'll call the train hands."

"I'll give up nothing, boy! Stand out of my way!"

Gaff Caven gave Joe a violent shove which sent our hero up against a seat. Then he turned and ran from the car, with Pat Malone ahead of him.

"Stop them!" cried Joe, as soon as he could recover. "Stop the thieves!"

Others took up the cry, but before anything could be done Caven and Malone were out of the car and on to the tracks. Both stared around in perplexity for a second.

"Come on, we can't afford to waste time here!" cried Caven, and ran for the bank of the cut, up which he scrambled hastily, with his confederate at his side.

Joe saw them make the move and was not slow to follow. Near at hand was a tall, western young man, with bronzed features and a general outdoor manner.

"Say!" cried our hero. "Will you help me to catch those two men? They are thieves and I want them arrested. If you'll help me catch them I'll pay you well for your trouble."

"I'll go you, stranger!" answered the western young man, readily. "You are certain of your game?"

"Yes. That satchel has their plunder in it. They robbed a friend of mine."

"This suits me then, friend. We'll round 'em up in short order."

By this time Caven and Malone had gained the woods. Looking back they saw Joe coming behind, accompanied by the westerner.

"He's after us, and he has got somebody to help him," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Malone.

"Well, I reckon we can run as fast as they can," answered Gaff Caven.

"Come ahead!"

He led the way along a trail that ran through the woods and came out on a winding country road. Beyond was another patch of timber.

"This way, Pat," said he. "We'll have to take to the woods again. They are too close for comfort."

"Can't we climb a tree, or hide in a hollow?" questioned the confederate.

"We'll see," said Caven.

They pushed on harder than ever, and pa.s.sed in among some tall trees.

Then they came to a tree that was bent over.

"Up you go," cried Caven, and gave his confederate a boost into the tree. Then he hauled himself up.

"Now climb to the top," he went on, and Malone did as requested. Caven followed suit, and both hid themselves among the thick branches.

"They won't find us here," said Malone, after ten minutes had pa.s.sed.

"Don't make a noise," whispered Caven.

After that they remained silent. From a great distance came a shouting, and the whistling of locomotives. The trees were being hauled from the car tracks. A little later they heard more whistling and then the two trains pa.s.sed on their way.

"The trains have gone," whispered Malone. "Do you think the boy got aboard one of them?"

"No, I don't," answered his companion. "He is too determined a lad to give up so easily. He must be still looking for us."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

FROM OUT OF A TREE.

Caven was right, Joe and his newly-made friend were still in the woods, doing their best to locate the two rascals.

They had found the trail but lost it in the patch of tall timber, and were gazing around when they heard the trains leaving the cut.

"There goes our outfit, friend," said the westerner. "And there won't be another train along for several hours."

"It's too bad, but it can't be helped," answered our hero. "But I'll pay you for all time lost, Mr.--"

"Plain Bill Badger is my handle, stranger."

"My name is Joe Bodley."

"What about these two varmin you are after?"

"They were trying to rob a friend of mine of some mining shares,"

answered Joe, and gave a few details.

"Well, I vow!" cried Bill Badger "That mine is close to one my dad owns.

They say it ain't of much account though."

"Mr. Vane thinks it is valuable. He has had a mining expert go into the matter with great care."

"Then that's a different thing. Were you bound for the mine?"

"Yes, and so was Mr. Vane. We were on the train together when he was robbed."

"I see. I was going out to my dad's mine."

"Then perhaps we can journey together--after we get through here," said Joe.

"I'm willing. I like your looks. Shake." And the pair shook hands.