第5章

Aftertheboyshadtakenhismeasure，theyconcludedthathe’dalreadytackledsomuchinthewayofdifficultiesthataghostmoreorlesswouldn’tbeofmuchaccount。Sotheysenthimtothehauntedcabin。Hehadabigyellowdogwithhim，aboutasuglyandassavageashimself；andtheboyssorto’congratulatedthemselves，fromapracticalview-point，thatwhiletheyweregivingtheoldruffianashelter，theywerehelpinginthecauseofChristianityagainstghostsandgoblins。Theyhadlittlefaithintheoldman，butwenttheirwholepileonthatdog。That’swheretheyweremistaken。

"Thehousestoodalmostthreehundredfeetfromthenearestcave，andondarknights，beinginahollow，wasaslonelyasifithadbeenonthetopofShasta。Ifyoueversawthespotwhentherewasjustmoonenoughtobringoutthelittlesurroundingclumpsofchapparaluntiltheylookedlikecrouchingfigures，andmakethebitsofbrokenquartzglistenlikeskulls，you’dbegintounderstandhowbigacontractthatmanandthatyellowdogundertook。

"Theywentintopossessionthatafternoon，andoldHardTimessetouttocookhissupper。Whenitwasoverhesatdownbytheembersandlithispipe，theyellowdoglyingathisfeet。Suddenly’Rap！

rap！’comesfromthedoor。’Comein，’saystheman，gruffly。

’Rap！’again。’Comeinandbed——dtoyou，’saystheman，whohasnoideaofgettinguptoopenthedoor。Butnooneresponded，andthenextmomentsmashgoestheonlysoundpaneintheonlywindow。

Seeingthis，oldHardTimesgetsup，withthedevilinhiseye，andarevolverinhishand，followedbytheyellowdog，witheverytoothshowing，andswingsopenthedoor。Noonethere！Butasthemanopenedthedoor，thatyellowdog，thathadbeensochipperbefore，suddenlybeginstocrouchandstepbackward，stepbystep，tremblingandshivering，andatlastcrouchesdowninthechimney，withoutevensomuchaslookingathismaster。Themanslamsthedoorshutagain，buttherecomesanothersmash。

Thistimeitseemstocomefrominsidethecabin，anditisn’tuntilthemanlooksaroundandseeseverythingquietthathegetsup，withoutspeaking，andmakesadashforthedoor，andtearsroundoutsidethecabinlikemad，butfindsnothingbutsilenceanddarkness。Thenhecomesbackswearingandcallsthedog。Butthatgreatyellowdogthattheboyswouldhavestakedalltheirmoneyoniscrouchingunderthebunk，andhastobedraggedoutlikeacoonfromahollowtree，andliesthere，hiseyesstartingfromtheirsockets；everylimbandmusclequiveringwithfear，andhisveryhairdrawnupinbristlingridges。Themancallshimtothedoor。

Hedragshimselfafewsteps，stops，sniffs，andrefusestogofurther。Themancallshimagain，withanoathandathreat。

Then，whatdoesthatyellowdogdo？Hecrawlsedgewisetowardsthedoor，crouchinghimselfagainstthebunktillhe’sflatterthanaknifeblade；then，halfway，hestops。Thenthatd——dyellowdogbeginstowalkgingerly——liftingeachfootupintheair，oneaftertheother，stilltremblingineverylimb。Thenhestopsagain。

Thenhecrouches。Thenhegivesonelittleshudderingleap——notstraightforward，butup，——clearingtheflooraboutsixinches，asif——"

"Oversomething，"interruptedtheJudge，hastily，liftinghimselfonhiselbow。

TheDoctorstoppedinstantly。"Juan，"hesaidcoolly，tooneoftheMexicanpackers，"quitfoolin’withthatriata。You’llhavethatstakeoutandthatmulelooseinanotherminute。Comeoverthisway！"

TheMexicanturnedascared，whitefacetotheDoctor，mutteringsomething，andletgothedeer-skinhide。Weallup-raisedourvoiceswithoneaccord，theJudgemostpenitentlyandapologetically，andimploredtheDoctortogoon。"I’llshootthefirstmanwhointerruptsyouagain，"addedThornton；persuasively。

ButtheDoctor，withhishandslanguidlyunderhishead，hadlosthisinterest。"Well，thedogranofftothehills，andneitherthethreatsnorcajoleriesofhismastercouldevermakehimenterthecabinagain。Thenextdaythemanleftthecamp。Whattimeisit？

Gettingontosundown，ain’tit？Keepoffmyleg，willyou，youd——dGreaser，andstopstumblingroundthere！Liedown。"

ButweknewthattheDoctorhadnotcompletelyfinishedhisstory，andwewaitedpatientlyfortheconclusion。Meanwhiletheold，graysilenceofthewoodsagainasserteditself，butshadowswerenowbeginningtogatherintheheavybeamsoftheroofabove，andthedimaislesseemedtobenarrowingandclosinginaroundus。

PresentlytheDoctorrecommencedlazily，asifnointerruptionhadoccurred。

"AsIsaidbefore，Ineverputmuchfaithinthatstory，andshouldn’thavetoldit，butforarathercuriousexperienceofmyown。Itwasinthespringof’62，andIwasoneofapartyoffour，comingupfromO’Neill’s，whenwehadbeensnowedup。Itwasawfulweather；thesnowhadchangedtosleetandrainafterwecrossedthedivide，andthewaterwasouteverywhere；everyditchwasacreek，everycreekariver。WehadlosttwohorsesontheNorthFork，weweredeadbeat，offthetrail，andsloshinground，withnightcomingon，andthelevelhaillikeshotinourfaces。

Thingswerelookingbleakandscarywhen，ridingalittleaheadoftheparty，Isawalighttwinklinginahollowbeyond。Myhorsewasstillfresh，andcallingouttotheboystofollowmeandbearforthelight，Istruckoutforit。InanothermomentIwasbeforealittlecabinthathalfburrowedintheblackchapparal；I

dismountedandrappedatthedoor。Therewasnoresponse。Ithentriedtoforcethedoor，butitwasfastenedsecurelyfromwithin。

Iwasallthemoresurprisedwhenoneoftheboys，whohadovertakenme，toldmethathehadjustseenthroughawindowamanreadingbythefire。Indignantatthisinhospitality，webothmadearesoluteonsetagainstthedoor，atthesametimeraisingourangryvoicestoayell。Suddenlytherewasaquickresponse，thehurriedwithdrawingofabolt，andthedooropened。

"Theoccupantwasashort，thick-setman，withapale，carewornface，whoseprevailingexpressionwasoneofgentlegoodhumorandpatientsuffering。Whenweentered，heaskedushastilywhywehadnot’sungout’before。

"’ButweKNOCKED！’Isaid，impatiently，’andalmostdroveyourdoorin。’

"’That’snothing，’hesaid，patiently。’I’musedtoTHAT。’

"Ilookedagainattheman’spatient，fatefulface，andthenaroundthecabin。Inaninstantthewholesituationflashedbeforeme。

’ArewenotnearCaveCity？’Iasked。

"’Yes，’hereplied，’it’sjustbelow。Youmusthavepasseditinthestorm。’

"’Isee。’Iagainlookedaroundthecabin。’Isn’tthiswhattheycallthehauntedhouse？’

"Helookedatmecuriously。’Itis，’hesaid，simply。

"Youcanimaginemydelight！Herewasanopportunitytotestthewholestory，toworkdowntothebedrock，andseehowitwouldpanout！Weweretoomanyandtoowellarmedtofeartricksordangersfromoutsiders。If——asonetheoryhadbeenheld——thedisturbancewaskeptupbyabandofconcealedmaraudersorroadagents，whosepurposewastopreservetheirhauntsfromintrusion，wewerequiteabletopaythembackinkindforanyassault。Ineednotsaythattheboysweredelightedwiththisprospectwhenthefactwasrevealedtothem。Theonlyonedoubtfulorapatheticspirittherewasourhost，whoquietlyresumedhisseatandhisbook，withhisoldexpressionofpatientmartyrdom。Itwouldhavebeeneasyformetohavedrawnhimout，butIfeltthatIdidnotwanttocorroborateanybodyelse’sexperience；onlytorecordmyown。AndIthoughtitbettertokeeptheboysfromanypredisposingterrors。

"Weateoursupper，andthensat，patientlyandexpectant，aroundthefire。Anhourslippedaway，butnodisturbance；anotherhourpassedasmonotonously。Ourhostreadhisbook；onlythedashofhailagainsttheroofbrokethesilence。But——"

TheDoctorstopped。Sincethelastinterruption，Inoticedhehadchangedtheeasyslangystyleofhisstorytoamoreperfect，artistic，andevenstudiedmanner。Hedroppednowsuddenlyintohisoldcolloquialspeech，andquietlysaid："Ifyoudon’tquitstumblingoverthoseriatas，Juan，I’llhobbleYOU。Comehere，there；liedown，willyou？"

Weallturnedfiercelyonthecauseofthisseconddangerousinterruption，butasightofthepoorfellow’spaleandfrightenedfacewithheldourvindictivetongues。AndtheDoctor，happily，ofhisownaccord，wenton：——

"ButIhadforgottenthatitwasnoeasymattertokeepthesehigh-

spiritedboys，bentonarow，indecentsubjection；andafterthethirdhourpassedwithoutasupernaturalexhibition，Iobserved，fromcertainwinksandwhispers，thattheyweredeterminedtogetupindicationsoftheirown。Inafewmomentsviolentrappingswereheardfromallpartsofthecabin；largestones（adroitlythrownupthechimney）fellwithaheavythudontheroof。Strangegroansandominousyellsseemedtocomefromtheoutside（wheretheintersticesbetweenthelogswerewideenough）。Yet，throughallthisuproar，ourhostsatstillandpatient，withnosignofindignationorreproachuponhisgood-humoredbuthaggardfeatures。

BeforelongitbecameevidentthatthisexhibitionwasexclusivelyforHISbenefit。UnderthethindisguiseofaskinghimtoassistthemindiscoveringthedisturbersOUTSIDEthecabin，thoseinsidetookadvantageofhisabsencetoturnthecabintopsy-turvy。

"’Youseewhatthespiritshavedone，oldman，’saidthearchleaderofthismischief。’They’veupsetthatthereflourbarrelwhilewewasn’tlooking，andthenkickedoverthewaterjugandspilledallthewater！’

"Thepatientmanliftedhisheadandlookedattheflour-strewnwalls。Thenheglanceddownatthefloor，butdrewbackwithaslighttremor。

"’Itain’twater！’hesaid，quietly。

"’Whatisit，then？’

"’It’sBLOOD！Look！’

"Thenearestmangaveasuddenstartandsankbackwhiteasasheet。

"Forthere，gentlemen，onthefloor，justbeforethedoor，wheretheoldmanhadseenthedoghesitateandlifthisfeet，there！

there！——gentlemen——uponmyhonor，slowlywidenedandbroadenedadarkredpoolofhumanblood！Stophim！Quick！Stophim，Isay！"

Therewasablindingflashthatlitupthedarkwoods，andasharpreport！WhenwereachedtheDoctor’ssidehewasholdingthesmokingpistol，justdischarged，inonehand，whilewiththeotherhewaspointingtotherapidlydisappearingfigureofJuan，ourMexicanvaquero！

"Missedhim！byG-d！"saidtheDoctor。"Butdidyouhearhim？Didyouseehislividfaceasheroseupatthenameofblood？Didyouseehisguiltyconscienceinhisface。Eh？Whydon’tyouspeak？

Whatareyoustaringat？"

"Wasitthemurderedman’sghost，Doctor？"weallpantedinonequickbreath。

"Ghostbed——d！No！ButinthatMexicanvaquero——thatcursedJuanRamirez！——Isawandshotathismurderer！"

THEHOODLUMBAND

OR

THEBOYCHIEF，THEINFANTPOLITICIAN，ANDTHEPIRATEPRODIGY

BYJACKWHACKAWAY

Authorof"TheBoySlaver，""TheImmatureIncendiary，""ThePrecociousPugilist，"etc。，etc。

CHAPTERI

ItwasaquietNewEnglandvillage。NowhereinthevalleyoftheConnecticuttheautumnsunshoneuponamorepeaceful，pastoral，manufacturingcommunity。Thewoodennutmegswereslowlyripeningonthetrees，andthewhitepinehamsforWesternconsumptionweregraduallyroundingintoformunderthedeftmanipulationofthehardyAmericanartisan。ThehonestConnecticutfarmerwasquietlygatheringfromhisthreshingfloortheshoe-pegs，which，whenintermixedwithafairproportionofoats，offeredapleasingsubstituteforfoddertotheeffetecivilizationsofEurope。AnalmostSabbath-likestillnessprevailed。DoemvillewasonlysevenmilesfromHartford，andthesurroundinglandscapesmiledwiththeconvictionofbeingfullyinsured。

Fewwouldhavethoughtthatthispeacefulvillagewasthehomeofthethreeyoungheroeswhoseexploitswouldhereafter——butweanticipate。

DoemvilleAcademywastheprincipalseatoflearninginthecounty。

UnderthegraveandgentleadministrationofthevenerableDoctorContext，ithadattainedjustpopularity。Yettheincreasinginfirmitiesofageobligedthedoctortorelinquishmuchofhistrusttohisassistants，who，itisneedlesstosay，abusedhisconfidence。Beforelongtheirbrutaltyrannyanddeep-laidmalevolencebecameapparent。Boyswereabsolutelyforcedtostudytheirlessons。Thesickeningfactwillhardlybebelieved，butduringschoolhourstheywereobligedtoremainintheirseatswiththeappearanceatleastofdiscipline。Itisstatedbygoodauthoritythattherollingofcroquetballsacrossthefloorduringrecitationwasobjectedto，underthefiendishexcuseofitsinterferingwiththeirstudies。Thebreakingofwindowsbybaseballs，andthebeatingofsmallscholarswithbats，weredeclaredagainst。Atlast，bloatedandarrogantwithsuccess，theunder-

teachersthrewasidealldisguiseandrevealedthemselvesintheirtruecolors。Acigarwasactuallytakenoutofadayscholar’smouthduringprayers！Aflaskofwhiskywasdraggedfromanother’sdesk，andthenthrownoutofthewindow。Andfinally，Profanity，Hazing，Theft，andLyingwerealmostdiscouraged！

CouldtheyouthofAmerica，consciousoftheirpowerandaliteratureoftheirown，tamelysubmittothistyranny？Never！Werepeatitfirmly。Never！Werepeatittoparentsandguardians。

Never！Butthefiendishtutors，chucklingintheirglee，littleknewwhatwaspassingthroughthecold，haughtyintellectofCharlesFanuelHallGolightly，agedten；whatcurledthelipofBenjaminFranklinJenkins，agedseven；orwhatshoneintheboldblueeyesofBromleyChitterlings，agedsixandahalf，astheysatinthecorneroftheplaygroundatrecess。Theironlyothercompanionandconfidantwasthenegroporterandjanitoroftheschool，knownas"PirateJim。"

Fitly，indeed，washenamed，asthesecretsofhisearlywildcareer——confessedfreelytohisnobleyoungfriends——plainlyshowed。Aslaverattheageofseventeen，theringleaderofamutinyontheAfricanCoastattheageoftwenty，aprivateersmanduringthelastwarwithEngland，thecommanderofafire-shipanditssolesurvivorattwenty-five，withawildintermediatecareerofunmixedpiracy，untiltheRebellioncalledhimtocivilserviceagainasablockade-runner，andpeaceandadesireforruralreposeledhimtoseekthejanitorshipoftheDoemvilleAcademy，wherenoquestionswereaskedandreferencesnotexchanged：hewas，indeed，afitmentorforourdaringyouth。Althoughamanwhosedayshadexceededtheusualspaceallottedtohumanity，thevariousepisodesofhiscareerfootinghisageuptonearlyonehundredandfifty-

nineyears，hescarcelylookedit，andwasstillhaleandvigorous。

"Yes，"continuedPirateJim，critically，"Idon’tthinkhewasanybiggernoryou，MasterChitterlings，ifasbig，whenhestoodonthefork’stleofmyship，andshotthecaptaino’thatEastInjymendead。WeusedtocallhimlittleWeevils，hewassoyoung-like。

But，blessyourhearts，boys！hewa’n’tanythingtolittleSammyBarlow，ezoncecrep’upinterthecaptain’sstateroomonaRooshinfrigate，stabbedhimtotheheartwithajack-knife，thenputonthecaptain’suniformandhiscockedhat，tookcommandoftheshipandfoutherhisself。"

"Wasn’tthecaptain’sclothesbigforhim？"askedB。FranklinJenkins，anxiously。

ThejanitoreyedyoungJenkinswithpaineddignity。

"Didn’tIsaytheRooshincaptainwasasmall，averysmallman？

Rooshinsissmall，likewiseGreeks。"

Anobleenthusiasmbeamedinthefacesoftheyouthfulheroes。

"WasBarlowaslargeasme？"askedC。F。HallGolightly，liftinghiscurlsfromhisJove-likebrow。

"Yes；butthenhehedhed，sotospeak，experiences。Itwasallowedthathehadpizenedhisschoolmasteraforehewenttosea。

Butit’sdrytalking，boys。"

Golightlydrewaflaskfromhisjacketandhandedittothejanitor。Itwashisfather’sbestbrandy。Theheartofthehonestoldseamanwastouched。

"Blessye，myownpirateboy！"hesaid，inavoicesuffocatingwithemotion。

"I’vegotsometobacco，"saidtheyouthfulJenkins，"butit’sfine-

cut；Iuseonlythatnow。"

"Ikinbuysomeplugatthecornergrocery，"saidPirateJim，"onlyIleftmyport-moneyathome。"

"Takethiswatch，"saidyoungGolightly；"itismyfather’s。Sincehebecameatyrantandusurper，andforcedmetojoinacorsair’sband，I’vebeganbydividingtheproperty。"

"Thisisidletrifling，"saidyoungChitterlings，mildly。"Everymomentisprecious。Isthisanhourtogivetowineandwassail？

Ha，wewantaction——action！Wemuststriketheblowforfreedomto-night——aye，thisverynight。Thescowisalreadyanchoredinthemill-dam，freightedwithprovisionsforathreemonths’voyage。

Ihaveablackflaginmypocket。Why，then，thiscowardlydelay？"

Thetwoelderyouthsturnedwithaslightfeelingofaweandshametogazeontheglowingcheeks，andhigh，haughtycrestoftheiryoungestcomrade——thebright，thebeautifulBromleyChitterlings。

Alas！thatverymomentofforgetfulnessandmutualadmirationwasfraughtwithdanger。Athin，dyspeptic，half-starvedtutorapproached。

"Itistimetoresumeyourstudies，younggentlemen，"hesaid，withfiendishpoliteness。

Theywerehislastwordsonearth。

"Down，tyrant！"screamedChitterlings。

"Sichim——Imean，Sicsempertyrannis！"saidtheclassicalGolightly。

Aheavyblowontheheadfromabase-ballbat，andtherapidprojectionofabaseballagainsthisemptystomach，broughtthetutoralimpandlifelessmasstotheground。Golightlyshuddered。

Letnotmyyoungreadersblamehimtoorashly。Itwashisfirsthomicide。

"Searchhispockets，"saidthepracticalJenkins。

Theydidso，andfoundnothingbutaHarvardTriennialCatalogue。

"Letusfly，"saidJenkins。

"Forwardtotheboats！"criedtheenthusiasticChitterlings。

ButC。F。HallGolightlystoodgazingthoughtfullyattheprostratetutor。

"This，"hesaidcalmly，"istheresultofatoofreegovernmentandthecommonschoolsystem。Whatthecountryneedsisreform。I

cannotgowithyou，boys。"

"Traitor！"screamedtheothers。

C。F。H。Golightlysmiledsadly。

"Youknowmenot。Ishallnotbecomeapirate——butaCongressman！"

JenkinsandChitterlingsturnedpale。

"Ihavealreadyorganizedtwocaucusesinabaseballclub，andbribedthedelegatesofanother。Nay，turnnotaway。Letusbefriends，pursuingthroughvariouswaysonecommonend。Farewell！"

Theyshookhands。

"ButwhereisPirateJim？"askedJenkins。

"Heleftusbutforamomenttoraisemoneyonthewatchtopurchasearmamentforthescow。Farewell！"

Andsothegallant，youthfulspiritsparted，brightwiththesunriseofhope。

ThatnightaconflagrationragedinDoemville。TheDoemvilleAcademy，mysteriouslyfired，firstfellavictimtothedevouringelement。Thecandyshopandcigarstore，bothholdingheavyliabilitiesagainsttheacademy，quicklyfollowed。Bytheluridgleamsoftheflames，along，low，sloop-riggedscow，witheverymastgoneexceptone，slowlyworkedherwayoutofthemill-damtowardstheSound。Thenextdaythreeboysweremissing——C。F。

HallGolightly，B。F。Jenkins，andBromleyChitterlings。Hadtheyperishedintheflameswhoshallsay？Enoughthatnevermoreunderthesenamesdidtheyagainappearinthehomesoftheirancestors。

Happy，indeed，wouldithavebeenforDoemvillehadthemysteryendedhere。Butadarkerinterestandscandalresteduponthepeacefulvillage。Duringthatawfulnighttheboarding-schoolofMadamBrimborionwasvisitedstealthily，andtwoofthefairestheiressesofConnecticut——daughtersofthepresidentofasavingsbank，andinsurancedirector——werethenextmorningfoundtohaveeloped。WiththemalsodisappearedtheentirecontentsoftheSavingsBank。andonthefollowingdaytheFlamingoFireInsuranceCompanyfailed。

CHAPTERII

Letmyyoungreadersnowsailwithmetowarmerandmorehospitableclimes。OffthecoastofPatagoniaalong，low，blackschoonerproudlyridestheseas，thatbreakssoftlyuponthevine-cladshoresofthatluxuriantland。Whoisthisthat，wrappedinPersianrugs，anddressedinthemostexpensivemanner，calmlyreclinesonthequarter-deckoftheschooner，toyinglightlyeverandanonwiththelusciousfruitsofthevicinity，heldinbasketsofsolidgoldbyNubianslaves？oratintervals，withdaringgrace，guidesanebonyvelocipedeoverthepolishedblackwalnutdecks，andinandouttheintricaciesoftherigging。Whoisit？wellmaybeasked。WhatnameisitthatblancheswithterrorthecheeksofthePatagoniannavy？WhobutthePirateProdigy——therelentlessBoyScourerofPatagonianseas？VoyagersslowlydriftingbytheSilurianbeach，coastersalongtheDevonianshore，stillshudderatthenameofBromleyChitterlings——theBoyAvenger，lateofHartford，Connecticut。

Ithasbeenoftenaskedbytheidlycurious，WhyAvenger，andofwhat？Letusnotseektodisclosetheawfulsecrethiddenunderthatyouthfuljacket。Enoughthattheremayhavebeenthatofbitternessinhispastlifethathe"Whosesoulwouldsickeno’ertheheavingwave，"

or"whosesoulwouldheaveabovethesickeningwave，"didnotunderstand。Onlyoneknewhim，perhapstoowell——aqueenoftheAmazons，takenprisoneroffTerradelFuegoaweekprevious。ShelovedtheBoyAvenger。Butinvain；hisyouthfulheartseemedobdurate。

"Hearme，"atlasthesaid，whenshehadfortheseventhtimewildlyprofferedherhandandherkingdominmarriage，"andknowonceandforeverwhyImustdeclineyourflatteringproposal：I

loveanother。"

Withawild，despairingcry，sheleapedintothesea，butwasinstantlyrescuedbythePirateProdigy。Yet，eveninthatsuprememoment，suchwashiscoolnessthatonhiswaytothesurfacehecapturedamermaid，and，placingherinchargeofhissteward，withdirectionstogiveherastateroom，withhotandcoldwater，calmlyresumedhisplacebytheAmazon’sside。Whenthecabindoorclosedonhisfaithfulservant，bringingchampagneandicestotheinterestingstranger，Chitterlingsresumedhisnarrativewithachokingvoice：——

"WhenIfirstfledfromtheroofofatyrannicalparent，IlovedthebeautifulandaccomplishedElizaJ。Sniffen。HerfatherwaspresidentoftheWorkingmen’sSavingsBank，anditwasperfectlyunderstoodthatinthecourseoftimetheentiredepositswouldbehis。But，likeavainfool，Iwishedtoanticipatethefuture，andinawildmomentpersuadedMissSniffentoelopewithme；and，withtheentirecashassetsofthebank，wefledtogether。"Hepaused，overcomewithemotion。"Butfatedecreeditotherwise。Inmyfeverishhaste，IhadforgottentoplaceamongthestoresofmypiratecraftthatpeculiarkindofchocolatecarameltowhichElizaJanewasmostpartial。WewereobligedtoputintoNewRochelleontheseconddayout，toenableMissSniffentoprocurethatdelicacyatthenearestconfectioner’s，andmatchsomezephyrworstedsatthefirstfancyshop。Fatalmistake。Shewent——sheneverreturned！"Inamomentheresumedinachokingvoice，"Afteraweek’swearywaiting，Iwasobligedtoputtoseaagain，bearingabrokenheartandthebrokenbankofherfather。Ihaveneverseenhersince。"

"Andyoustillloveher？"askedtheAmazonqueen，excitedly。

"Aye，forever！"

"Nobleyouth。Heretaketherewardofthyfidelity，forknow，BromleyChitterlings，thatIamElizaJane。Weariedwithwaiting，IembarkedonaPeruvianguanoship——butit’salongstory，dear。"

"Andaltogethertoothin，"saidtheBoyAvenger，fiercely，releasinghimselffromherencirclingarms。"ElizaJane’sage，ayearago，wasonlythirteen，andyouareforty，ifaday。"

"True，"shereturned，sadly，"butIhavesufferedmuch，andtimepassesrapidly，andI’vegrown。Youwouldscarcelybelievethatthisismyownhair。"

"Iknownot，"hereplied，ingloomyabstraction。

"Forgivemydeceit，"shereturned。"Ifyouareaffiancedtoanother，letmeatleastbe——amothertoyou。"

ThePirateProdigystarted，andtearscametohiseyes。Thescenewasaffectingintheextreme。Severaloftheoldestseamen——menwhohadgonethroughscenesofsufferingwithtearlesseyesandunblanchedcheeks——nowretiredtothespirit-roomtoconcealtheiremotion。Afewwentintocaucusintheforecastle，andreturnedwiththerequestthattheAmazonianqueenshouldhereafterbeknownasthe"QueenofthePirates’Isle。"

"Mother！"gaspedthePirateProdigy。

"Myson！"screamedtheAmazonianqueen。

Theyembraced。Atthesamemomentaloudflopwasheardonthequarter-deck。Itwastheforgottenmermaid，who，emergingfromherstate-roomandascendingthecompanion-wayatthatmoment，hadfaintedatthespectacle。ThePirateProdigyrushedtohersidewithabottleofsmelling-salts。

Sherecoveredslowly。"Permitme，"shesaid，risingwithdignity，"toleavetheship。Iamunaccustomedtosuchconduct。"

"Hearme——sheismymother！"

"Shecertainlyisoldenoughtobe，"repliedthemermaid；"andtospeakofthatbeingherownhair！"sheaddedwithascornfullaugh，assherearrangedherownluxurianttresseswithcharacteristicgrace，acomb，andasmallhand-mirror。

"IfIcouldn’taffordanyotherclothes，Imightwearaswitch，too！"hissedtheAmazonianqueen。"Isupposeyoudon’tdyeitonaccountofthesaltwater。Butperhapsyouprefergreen，dear？"

"Alittlesaltwatermightimproveyourowncomplexion，love。"

"Fishwoman！"screamedtheAmazonianqueen。

"Bloomerite！"shriekedthemermaid。

Inanotherinstanttheyhadseizedeachother。

"Mutiny！Overboardwiththem！"criedthePirateProdigy，risingtotheoccasion，andcastingasideallhumanaffectionintheperilofthemoment。

Aplankwasbroughtandtwowomenplaceduponit。

"Afteryou，dear，"saidthemermaid，significantly，totheAmazonianqueen；"you’retheoldest。"

"Thankyou！"saidtheAmazonianqueen，steppingback。"Fishisalwaysservedfirst。"

Stungbytheinsult，withawildscreamofrage，themermaidgrappledherinherarmsandleapedintothesea。

Asthewatersclosedoverthemforever，thePirateProdigysprangtohisfeet。"Upwiththeblackflag，andbearawayforNewLondon，"heshoutedintrumpet-liketones。"Ha，ha！OncemoretheRoverisfree！"

Indeeditwastootrue。Inthatfatalmomenthehadagainloosedhimselffromthetrammelsofhumanfeeling，andwasoncemoretheBoyAvenger。

CHAPTERIII

AgainImustaskmyyoungfriendstomountmyhippogriffandhiewithmetothealmostinaccessibleheightsoftheRockyMountains。

There，foryears，abandofwildanduntamablesavages，knownasthe"PigeonFeet，"hadresistedtheblanketsandBiblesofcivilization。Foryearsthetrailsleadingtotheircampweremarkedbythebonesofteamstersandbrokenwagons，andthetreesweredeckedwiththedryingscalplocksofwomenandchildren。Theboldestofmilitaryleadershesitatedtoattackthemintheirfortresses，andprudentlyleftthescalpingknives，rifles，powder，andshot，providedbyapaternalgovernmentfortheirwelfare，lyingonthegroundafewmilesfromtheirencampment，withtherequestthattheywerenottobeuseduntilthemilitaryhadsafelyretired。Hitherto，saveanoccasionalincursionintotheterritoryofthe"Knock-knees，"arivaltribe，theyhadlimitedtheirdepredationstothevicinity。

Butlatelyabalefulchangehadcomeoverthem。Actingundersomeevilinfluence，theynowpushedtheirwarfareintothewhitesettlements，carryingfireanddestructionwiththem。AgainandagainhadthegovernmentofferedthemafreepasstoWashingtonandtheprivilegeofbeingphotographed，butunderthesameevilguidancetheyrefused。Therewasasingularmysteryintheirmodeofaggression。School-houseswerealwaysburned，theschoolmasterstakenintocaptivity，andneveragainheardfrom。ApalacecarontheUnionPacificRailway，containinganexcursionpartyofteachersenroutetoSanFrancisco，wassurrounded，itsinmatescaptured，and——theirvacanciesintheschoolcatalogueneveragainfilled。EvenaBoardofEducationalExaminers，proceedingtoCheyenne，weretakenprisoners，andobligedtoanswerquestionstheythemselveshadproposed，amidsthorribletortures。Bydegreestheseatrocitiesweretracedtothemaligninfluenceofanewchiefofthetribe。Asyetlittlewasknownofhimbutthroughhisbalefulappellations，"YoungManwhoGoesforhisTeacher，"and"HeLiftstheHairoftheSchoolMarm。"Hewassaidtobesmallandexceedinglyyouthfulinappearance。Indeed，hisearlierappellative，"HeWipeshisNoseonhisSleeve，"wassaidtohavebeengiventohimtoindicatehisstillboy-likehabits。

Itwasnightintheencampmentandamongthelodgesofthe"PigeonToes。"Duskymaidensflittedinandoutamongthecamp-fireslikebrownmoths，cookingthetoothsomebuffalohump，fryingthefragrantbear’smeat，andstewingtheesculentbeanforthebraves。

Forafewfavoredonesspittedgrasshopperswerereservedasararedelicacy，althoughtheproudSpartansouloftheirchiefscornedallsuchluxuries。

Hewasseatedaloneinhiswigwam，attendedonlybythegentleMushymush，fairestofthe"PigeonFeet"maidens。Nowherewerethecharacteristicsofhergreattribemoreplainlyshownthaninthelittlefeetthatlappedovereachotherinwalking。Asingleglanceatthechiefwassufficienttoshowthetruthofthewildrumorsrespectinghisyouth。Hewasscarcelytwelve，ofproudandloftybearing，andcladcompletelyinwrappingsofvarious-coloredscallopedcloths，whichgavehimtheappearanceofasomewhatextra-sizedpen-wiper。Anenormouseagle’sfeather，tornfromthewingofabaldeaglewhoonceattemptedtocarryhimaway，completedhisattire。Itwasalsothemementoofoneofhismostsuperhumanfeatsofcourage。Hewouldundoubtedlyhavescalpedtheeaglebutthatnaturehadanticipatedhim。

"WhyistheGreatChiefsad？"askedMushymush，softly。"Doeshissoulstillyearnforthebloodofthepale-facedteachers？DidnotthescalpingoftwoprofessorsofgeologyintheYaleexploringpartysatisfyhiswarrior’sheartyesterday？HasheforgottenthatHaydenandClarenceKingarestilltofollow？ShallhisownMushymushbringhimabotanistto-morrow？Speak，forthesilenceofmybrotherliesonmyheartlikethesnowonthemountain，andcheckstheflowofmyspeech。"

StilltheproudBoyChiefsatsilent。Suddenlyhesaid："Hist！"

androsetohisfeet。Takingalongriflefromthegroundheadjusteditssight。Exactlysevenmilesawayontheslopeofthemountainthefigureofamanwasseenwalking。TheBoyChiefraisedtherifletohisunerringeyeandfired。Themanfell。

Ascoutwasdispatchedtoscalpandsearchthebody。Hepresentlyreturned。

"Whowasthepaleface？"eagerlyaskedthechief。

"Alifeinsuranceagent。"

Adarkscowlsettledonthefaceofthechief。

"Ithoughtitwasabook-peddler。"

"Whyismybrother’sheartsoreagainstthebook-peddler？"askedMushymush。

"Because，"saidtheBoyChief，fiercely，"Iamagainwithoutmyregulardimenovel，andIthoughthemighthaveoneinhispack。

Hearme，Mushymush；theUnitedStatesmailsnolongerbringmemy’YoungAmerica，’ormy’Boys’andGirls’Weekly。’Ifinditimpossible，evenwithmyfastestscouts，tokeepupwiththerearofGeneralHoward，andreplenishmyliteraturefromthesutler’swagon。Withoutadimenovelora’YoungAmerica，’howamItokeepupthisInjinbusiness？"

Mushymushremainedinmeditationasinglemoment。Thenshelookedupproudly。

"Mybrotherhasspoken。Itiswell。Heshallhavehisdimenovel。

Heshallknowwhatkindofahair-pinhissisterMushymushis。"

Andshearoseandgamboledlightlyasthefawnoutofhispresence。

Intwohoursshereturned。Inonehandsheheldthreesmallflaxenscalps，intheother"TheBoyMarauder，"completeinonevolume，pricetencents。

"Threepale-facedchildren，"shegasped，"werereadingitinthetailendofanemigrantwagon。Icreptuptothemsoftly。Theirparentsarestillunawareoftheaccident，"andshesankhelplessathisfeet。

"Noblegirl！"saidtheBoyChief，gazingproudlyonherprostrateform；"andthesearethepeoplethatamilitarydespotismexpectstosubdue！"

CHAPTERIV

Butthecaptureofseveralwagon-loadsofcommissarywhisky，andthedestructionoftwotonsofstationeryintendedforthegeneralcommanding，whichinterferedwithhisregularcorrespondencewiththeWarDepartment，atlastawakenedtheUnitedStatesmilitaryauthoritiestoactiveexertion。Aquantityoftroopsweremassedbeforethe"PigeonFeet"encampment，andanattackwashourlyimminent。

"Shineyourboots，sir？"

Itwasthevoiceofayouthinhumbleattire，standingbeforetheflapofthecommandinggeneral’stent。

TheGeneralraisedhisheadfromhiscorrespondence。

"Ah，"hesaid，lookingdownonthehumbleboy，"Isee；Ishallwritethattheappliancesofcivilizationmovesteadilyforwardwiththearmy。Yes，"headded，"youmayshinemymilitaryboots。

Youunderstand，however，thattogetyourpayyoumustfirst——"

"Makearequisitiononthecommissary-general，haveitcertifiedtobythequartermaster，countersignedbythepost-adjutant，andsubmittedbyyoutotheWarDepartment——"

"Andchargedasstationery，"addedtheGeneral，gently。"Youare，Isee，anintelligentandthoughtfulboy。Itrustyouneitherusewhisky，tobacco，norareeverprofane？"

"Ipromisedmysaintedmother——"

"Enough！Goonwithyourblacking；Ihavetoleadtheattackonthe’PigeonFeet’ateightprecisely。Itisnowhalf-pastseven，"

saidtheGeneral，consultingalargekitchenclockthatstoodinthecornerofhistent。

Thelittleboot-blacklookedup；theGeneralwasabsorbedinhiscorrespondence。Theboot-blackdrewatinputtyblowerfromhispocket，tookunerringaim，andnailedinasingleshottheminutehandtothedial。Goingonwithhisblacking，yetstoppingeverandanontoglanceovertheGeneral’splanofcampaign，spreadonthetablebeforehim，hewasatlastinterruptedbytheentranceofanofficer。

"Everythingisreadyfortheattack，General。Itisnoweighto’clock。"

"Impossible！Itisonlyhalf-pastseven。"

"Butmywatchandthewatchesofyourstaff——"

"Areregulatedbymykitchenclock，thathasbeeninmyfamilyforyears。Enough！Itisonlyhalf-pastseven。"

Theofficerretired；theboot-blackhadfinishedoneboot。Anotherofficerappeared。

"Insteadofattackingtheenemy，General，weareattackedourselves。Ourpicketsarealreadydrivenin。"

"Militarypicketsshouldnotdifferfromotherpickets，"

interruptedtheboot-black，modestly。"Tostandfirmlytheyshouldbewelldrivenin。"

"Ha！thereissomethinginthat，"saidtheGeneral，thoughtfully。

"Butwhoareyou，whospeakthus？"

Risingtohisfullheight，theboot-blackthrewoffhisouterrags，andrevealedthefigureoftheBoyChiefofthe"PigeonFeet。"

"Treason！"shriekedtheGeneral；"orderanadvancealongthewholeline。"

Butinvain。ThenextmomenthefellbeneaththetomahawkoftheBoyChief，andwithinthenextquarterofanhourtheUnitedStatesArmywasdispersed。ThusendedthebattleofBoot-blackCreek。