The Rover Boys in the Jungle Part 13

"I tried to plow up these bushes with my head, that's all. I guess my ankle is sprained, too."

"You can't ride that wheel any further," announced Sam.

"I don't want to ride. I've had enough, for a few days at least."

It was a good quarter of an hour before Tom felt like standing up.

Then he found his ankle pained him so much that walking was out of the question.

"I'm sure I don't know what I am going to do," he said ruefully.

"I can't walk and I can't ride, and I don't know as I can stay here."

"Perhaps d.i.c.k and I can carry you to Hopeton," said Sam, mentioning a small town just beyond the railroad tracks.

"It will be a big job. If you-- Here comes a wagon. Perhaps the driver of that will give me a lift."

As Tom finished a large farm wagon rattled into sight, drawn by a pair of bony horses and driven by a tall, lank farmer.

"Hullo, wot's the matter?" asked the farmer, as he drew rein.

"Had a breakdown?"

"No, I've had a smash-up," answered Tom.

"My brother's ankle is sprained, and we would like to know if you can give him a lift to the next town," put in d.i.c.k. "We'll pay you for your trouble."

"That's all right--Seth d.i.c.kerson is allers ready to aid a fellow-bein' in distress," answered the farmer. "Can ye git in the wagon alone?"

Tom could not, and the farmer and d.i.c.k carried him forward and placed him on the seat. Then the damaged bicycle was placed in the rear of the turnout, and Seth d.i.c.kerson drove off, while Sam and d.i.c.k followed on their steeds of steel.

"I see you air dressed in cadet uniforms," remarked the farmer, as the party proceeded on its way. "Be you fellers from p.o.r.nell school?"

"No; we come from Putnam Hall," answered Tom.

"Oh, yes--'bout the same thing, I take it. How is matters up to the school--larnin' a heap?"

"We are trying to learn all we have to."

"Had some trouble up thar, didn't ye? My wife's brother was a-tellin' me about it. A darkey stole some money an' watches, an'

that like."

"They think he stole them," said Tom.

"We can hardly believe it."

"Why don't Captain Putnam hunt around them air p.a.w.nshops fer the watches?" went on Seth d.i.c.kerson, after a pause.

"The thief would most likely p.a.w.n 'em, to my way of thinkin'."

"He hasn't much of a chance to do that. But I presume the police will keep their eyes open."

"I was over to Auburn yesterday--had to go to see about a mortgage on our farm--and I stopped into one of them p.a.w.nbrokin'

shops to buy a shot-gun, if I could git one cheap. While I was in there a big boy came in and p.a.w.ned a gold watch an' two shirt studs."

"Is that so," returned Tom, with much interest. "What kind of a looking boy was it?"

"A tall, slim feller, with reddish hair. He had sech shifty eyes I couldn't help but think that maybe he had stolen them things jest to raise some spending money."

"Did he give his name?"

"He said Jack Smith, but I don't think thet vas correct, for he hesitated afore he gave it."

"A tall, slim fellow, with reddish hair and shifty eyes," mused Tom. "Do you remember how he was dressed?"

"He had on a rough suit of brownish-green and a derby hat with a hole knocked in one side."

"My gracious me!" burst out the boy. "Can it be possible!"

"Can wot be possible, lad?"

"That description fits one of our students exactly." Tom called to d.i.c.k and Sam. "Come up here, both of you!"

"What's up, Tom; do you feel worse?" asked d.i.c.k, as he wheeled as closely to the seat of the wagon as possible.

"No, I feel better. But I've made a big discovery--at least, I feel pretty certain that I have?"

"What discovery?" questioned Sam.

"I've discovered who stole that money and other stuff."

"And who was it?" came quickly from both brothers.

"Jim Caven."

CHAPTER X

A STRANGE MESSAGE FROM THE SEA

"Jim Caven!" repeated d.i.c.k slowly, "What makes you believe that he is guilty?"

"From what Mr. d.i.c.kerson here says," answered Tom, and repeated what the farmer had told him.

"Gracious, that does look black for Caven!" said d.i.c.k, when he had finished. He turned to the farmer. "Would you recognize that boy again if you saw him?"

"I allow as how I would. His eyes was wot got me--never saw sech unsteady ones afore in my life."

"Yes, those eyes put me down on Caven the minute I saw him,"