Frank Merriwell's Champions Part 32

She caressed the muzzle of the horse as she spoke, and the creature seemed pleased with such attention.

"It would serve him right if Firefoot should run away with him!"

exclaimed Kenneth, also watching the retreating form of Fenton. "He is hard on a horse, and it's a wonder to me that he hasn't been killed before this. He seems to stick in the saddle some way, although he is anything but an easy rider."

"If that horse's mouth is not already spoiled, he will spoil it in a week," declared Frank.

Mr. St. Ives gave Merry a quick look, as if wondering what he knew about horses.

"I think you are right, young man," he said. "I didn't want to let him have Firefoot, but he seemed to take a fancy to the creature, and not another horse out of the stableful would satisfy him. He'll not get the animal again."

Then there was a mounting of horses, while Frank went back along the road to look for his wheel He found the bicycle all right as it lay beside the road, Barney having stopped to get it out of the highway.

The Irish lad accompanied Frank, and he was enthusiastic over the prospect of sport at Springbrook Farm.

"It's no tellin' pwhat we'll stroike there, me b'y!" he chuckled. "It's the last chance for a bit av fun before we get inther New York."

"I didn't intend to stop again for anything, for we spent far too much time at Blue Cove. Virginia was not easy to break away from."

"Roight ye are, Frankie. It's a great Shtate Vir-ginny do be. An' the b'ys down there are all roight."

"As fine a set of fellows as I have met anywhere in the whole country,"

declared Merry, with a touch of enthusiasm. "They are chivalrous, hospitable and sporty. Jack Diamond is a representative Virginian. He is all right."

"Yis, he seems to be since he got back inther this parrut av th'

country, but it's a growler Oi thought he wur at firrust."

"He did not seem like himself while we were in the West," confessed Frank. "I was surprised at the change in him, but I knew it was not natural, and I bore with him."

The others came up, Frank mounted his wheel, and they all rode along together, chatting pleasantly. Frank was questioned, and he told of his trip across the continent and back, arousing Kenneth St. Ives' interest.

"Well, you must have had sport!" Kenneth exclaimed. "I should have enjoyed that. Say, father, we must get up something in the way of sport while they are at Springbrook. Can't we have a hunt?"

"It's too early in the season, my son," smiled Mr. St. Ives.

"I don't know about that," declared Kenneth. "We're liable to have a frost any morning now. It is chilly at times for this season. Perhaps to-morrow morning--"

"The Meadowfair Club visits us to-morrow, you know."

"I had forgotten that. So much the better! If Mr. Merriwell and his friends will stay, we'll find some sort of sport to amuse them."

The top of the hill was reached, and then Springbrook Farm was pointed out, lying on a hillside two miles distant. It was a beautiful place.

The great stables seemed modern, but the house was an immense colonial mansion, surrounded by tall trees. The farming land was a broad prospect of cleared land, upon which were great meadows and small groves. Cattle and horses were to be seen, and it had the appearance of a stock or dairy farm.

"There is the place, Mr. Merriwell!" cried Kenneth St. Ives; "and a more beautiful spot is not to be found in all Pennsylvania."

Frank did not wonder at Kenneth's enthusiasm.

Not far from the old mansion was a small lake, with a boathouse on the sh.o.r.e, and some boats lying near.

Frank felt sure that the rest of the party could not be far behind, so Barney would not be compelled to wait long; but it was necessary that some one should meet them, as Springbrook Farm lay off from the main highway, being reached by means of a private drive, and the bicyclists, unless notified, would not know Frank contemplated stopping there.

Barney was willing to wait for them, and so the others rode onward, Frank wheeling along and chatting with them all.

Stephen Fenton was seen riding up the last incline toward the distant mansion, still forcing his horse.

When the place was reached a hostler was at work over Firefoot in one of the stables, and the animal showed the abuse it had received.

Mr. St. Ives dismounted and looked Firefoot over, observing:

"That's fine shape for a horse to be in after a canter along the road.

The creature could not look worse if it had been following the hounds across country. I think Stephen will have to take another horse the next time he goes out."

"Beggin' yer pardon, sir," said the hostler, with gruff respect; "but he says as how he were not to blame. You knows, sir, as how this beast is onruly, sir, an' Mr. Fenton says it were skeered by some saucy chaps on bisuckles that paid no attention to its snortin' an' rearin'. You know yerself, sir, as how most of the bisuckle riders are sa.s.sy villains, sir."

This was said regardless of the fact that Frank had trundled his wheel into the stable, and the hostler could not help knowing a cyclist was hearing every word he spoke.

Preston St. Ives did not deign to make any reply to the hostler's words, but said:

"See that Firefoot is well rubbed down and cared for, Wade. You need not let Stephen have him again. Remember."

"All right, sir-all right," muttered the hostler, glancing at Frank in a side-long manner. "You knows your business, sir, an' I'm here to take your orders, sir."

The hostler had several a.s.sistants, and they were on hand to care for the animals just brought in.

Kenneth showed Frank where to leave his wheel, and then Merry followed the youth into the house.

CHAPTER XXI-TWO ENCOUNTERS

"Vale," grunted Hans, as he stretched himself on the ground in the shade of some shrubbery, "uf dese don't peat der pand, you vos a liar!"

"Wal, I'm swuzzled ef it ain't pretty gol darn slick," agreed Ephraim, thrusting his hands into his pockets and looking around admiringly.

"It's queer haow Frank falls inter sech snaps as these. Heer we be invited to stay right heer at this place an' make aourselves to hum jest as long as we want to."

"And I feel as if I could remain here forever," grunted Bruce, from a comfortable hammock, of which he had taken immediate possession on seeing it. "There's something soothing and restful about this place that agrees with my nerves and promises balm and healing for my const.i.tution that has been shattered by Arkansaw chills. It's simply great!"

"It is rather jolly," said the voice of Harry from the cool shadows of a vine-covered arbor.

"But it's tame it'd be afther a bit, me b'ys," declared Barney Mulloy, who was leaning against the trunk of a tree. "It's sbort we're lookin'

afther, an' it's ded quoiet here."

"Mr. Kenneth St. Ives promises us some sport if we care to remain," put in Bart Hodge, quietly.

"Phwat sort av sbort do yez think they can scare up here?" asked Barney, with a trace of contempt in his voice. "It's croquet we moight play, but thot's altogither too excoiting."