"Then there"s the hunchback boy," he finally muttered. "Possibly he might know the trail, but I doubt it."
"You can"t depend on him none whatever," put in Buckhart. "He looks like a good wind would blow him away."
d.i.c.k rose to his feet.
"Brad," he said, "we will find Wiley and talk this matter over."
The sailor was found, and he turned an attentive ear to d.i.c.k"s words.
"My young mate," he observed, resting a hand on d.i.c.k"s shoulder, "I have been seriously meditating on the problematical problem of hoisting anchor and setting my course for the Enchanted Valley all by my lonesome. In my mouth danger leaves a sweet and pleasant taste. I love it with all my yearning heart. If you are bound to set sail for the Enchanted Valley, I am ready to ship with you as pilot. It may be well for me to do so. If I linger here I may dally with the delusive jag-juice. When there is no temptation I can be the most virtuous man in the world. Yes, my boy, we will pull out of Prescott and cut away toward the valley in question. You may depend on me."
"Then let"s lose no time!" impatiently exclaimed d.i.c.k, feeling a powerful desire to hasten to his brother"s side. "Let"s make preparations without the least delay."
This was done. d.i.c.k found Felicia and little Abe together, for the two had become fast friends in a short time. Felicia settled the question in regard to herself by immediately declaring that she was ready to accompany them.
"It will do me good," she said. "The doctor in San Diego told me that what I most needed was more open-air exercise. I am feeling much better now. Oh, you will take me with you, won"t you, d.i.c.k? Please take me!"
"Me, too," urged little Abe. "You can"t leave me behind."
It was found necessary to take them both, and when the time for starting came Cap"n Wiley appeared in company with Dash Colvin, the messenger.
Colvin likewise was anxious to return to the Enchanted Valley, for he declared that there were two of his late companions in the valley with whom he had a score to settle. Although they had pursued him into the very heart of Prescott, on recovering from the effects of that desperate race he had sought them in vain. He learned, however, that they had joined Macklyn Morgan"s party in the pursuit of Frank.
Thus it may be seen how it happened that d.i.c.k and his friends were watching to see what transpired in the barren valley amid the mountains at the time when Morgan"s party released Texas Bland and his ruffians from the custody of Pete Curry, of Cottonwood. Wiley had pressed forward with such restless determination that they were close on the heels of Morgan and his men when this valley was reached, although this fact was not known by any of the men in advance. Provided with a powerful pair of field gla.s.ses, d.i.c.k watched what transpired, and saw Curry and his a.s.sistants held up while the captured desperadoes were set free.
Although he had only his eyes to observe what was taking place, Buckhart grew greatly excited and eagerly proposed a dash into the valley for the purpose of aiding Curry.
"Steady, Brad, old man!" warned d.i.c.k. "We"re too far away for that. By the time we got there the whole thing would be over. The best we can do is to keep quiet and take care that we are not seen."
"Who do you suppose those men are?" asked Buckhart.
"It doesn"t seem possible!" Dash Colvin was muttering to himself.
"What is it that doesn"t seem possible?" questioned d.i.c.k.
"Let me take your gla.s.s a moment," requested Colvin.
d.i.c.k handed it over. The man took a hasty look through it.
"Well, of all things wonderful, this is the most remarkable!" he exclaimed.
"What is it?" questioned d.i.c.k impatiently.
"Yes, whatever is it you"re driving at?" demanded Buckhart.
"Speak up, you, and keep us no longer in suspenders!" cried Wiley.
"Those men--those men who have been released----"
"What of them?" demanded d.i.c.k.
Colvin pa.s.sed the gla.s.s quickly to Wiley.
"Take a look yourself, cap"n," he directed. "You oughter to know some of them."
After one glance, the sailor e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed:
"Dash my toplights! Shiver my timbers! May I be keelhauled if they ain"t that sweet little aggregation I gathered for the purpose of operating the new mines! Why, there"s Texas Bland! I recognize his sable mustache and flowing hair."
"That"s it," nodded Colvin--"that"s it exactly. They are the very men.
What air they doin" here?"
"A short time ago they seemed to be in endurance vile. If I mistake not, three gentlemen in that party were escorting them as captives of war to some unknown port. Mates, I will stake my life there have been voluminous doings in the Enchanted Valley. Something of a critical nature surely happened there."
"But Frank is not in that party," said d.i.c.k. "Where can he be?"
"At this precise moment," confessed Wiley, "I am in no calm and placid frame of mind, therefore I am unable to answer the riddle. One thing, at least, is certain: Those gay boys have not seized your brother"s property. That should relieve your agitated mental equilibrium to a conclusive susceptibility."
"We take chances of being seen here," said d.i.c.k. "Let"s retire."
They did so, but from a point of partial concealment continued to watch everything that occurred in the valley. Within an hour Morgan"s men, accompanied by the rescued ruffians, turned toward the south, which action a.s.sured the watchers that once more they were headed for the Enchanted Valley. They appropriated the horses of Curry and his two a.s.sistants, taking also the weapons of the three men, who were left a-foot and unarmed in that desolate region. The trio was warned not to follow and were further advised to make straight for Cottonwood or the nearest camp. Apparently Curry and his a.s.sistants decided this was the only course to pursue, for they turned to the north and hurried up the valley. Morgan and his men soon disappeared far away to the south.
Burning with eagerness to know the truth, d.i.c.k rode forward into the valley the moment the ruffians were beyond view. He was followed closely by Buckhart and Colvin. Cap"n Wiley remained long enough to caution Abe and Felicia to remain where they were, for, knowing nothing of Curry and his companions, Wiley fancied it possible there might be trouble of some sort.
"I will look out for Felicia," declared little Abe, whose violin was hung over his back by a cord. "I will take care of her."
"All right, my n.o.ble tar," said the sailor. And then he also rode forward into the valley.
Curry and his a.s.sistants halted in some alarm when they saw four hors.e.m.e.n dashing swiftly toward them. As they were unarmed, they could not think of offering resistance in case the quartette proved to be enemies. Being on foot, they could not escape, and, therefore, they did the only thing possible, which was to wait for the approaching riders.
d.i.c.k was the first to reach them.
"We have been watching this whole affair," he said. "We don"t understand it."
"Well, we do!" growled Curry in disgust, while his companions growled likewise. "We understands that we have lost a bunch of valuable prisoners."
"But how did you happen to have such prisoners in the first place?"
questioned d.i.c.k.
"That"s our business, yonker. Why should we be for telling you any?"
"Because I am interested. Because those men are my brother"s enemies."
"Who is your brother, kid?"
"Frank Merriwell."
"What?" shouted Curry. "Whatever are you giving us?"