Frank Merriwell's Champions Part 41

"No."

"Wal, that's what I call a mighty slim sort of a hunt," declared Gallup, in disgust. "Yeou oughter see Win Page hunt foxes daown hum. Give that feller one dorg an' a good gun, and he'll go out 'most any mornin' an'

gather in two or three of the critters afore breakfast. He keeps the door of his barn all nailed over with fox skins, an' skunk skins, an'

muskrats, an' he kin set araound the grocery store an' tell huntin'

stories fer a week at a time 'thout stoppin' to eat ur ketch his breath."

"It is evident that Mr. Page hunts foxes in a different way and for a different purpose than we do," smiled Kenneth.

Then Frank briefly explained to Ephraim the style of hunting foxes on horseback for sport, but Gallup did not seem to think there could be much sport in it that way.

"I'm sorry father had to fire Wade, the head hostler, to-night," said St. Ives.

"Had to fire him?" questioned Frank. "What for?"

"He was drunk and insolent. But he knows more about taking charge of a stable than any man I ever saw, and he kept our hunters in fine condition. He has been drinking too much lately, however, and he was getting intolerable. By the way, Merriwell, you had better look out for him."

"Why-how is that?"

"He seemed to think you were the cause of his dismissal, and he said he would 'make it all right.' He's got a bad temper when he's boozing."

"Why, I didn't say anything to your father about Wade."

"I know it, but I told father about your trouble with him, and it is possible that's why father was so ready to get rid of the fellow. Father insists that his guests shall be treated properly by everybody connected with the place."

"If Mr. Wade knows what's good for him, he'll let Merry alone," declared Rattleton.

"He may not be seen around here again," said Kenneth. "Father told him to get away and stay away."

The boys' discussed the prospect of a hunt and grew very enthusiastic over it, with the exception of Browning. Hodge was aroused, for he fancied he saw his opportunity of making evident the fact that he was quite as good a horseman as Diamond, whom he could not help envying for the glory he had won at polo.

Bart had not been able to change his nature, and so he frequently was jealous of others, although he tried to suppress and conceal the fact, and, when he considered it in cold blood, he was always disgusted with himself.

Kenneth said the visitors at the house, those who had arrived that day and remained there, had been talking of a hunt, but it was not thought probable there would be an opportunity thus early in the season. The cold turn would be sure to arouse their expectations, however, and he would see that they were prepared for what might happen in the morning.

"I'll guarantee a mount for every one who cares to go," he said; "so don't any one worry about getting left."

The prospect of such sport seemed to revive Hodge, and he challenged Rattleton to a game of billiards, which challenge was promptly accepted.

St. Ives rang the bell for a colored boy, who lighted up the billiard-room, and soon Bart and Harry were at it, while the others lay around and looked on.

St. Ives motioned to Frank and Jack.

"You fellows come with me," he said. "I've something to show you."

They followed, and he took them out to the huge dog kennel, which was a house by itself, located under the trees by the stables. Their approach aroused the dogs, but the sound of St. Ives' voice quieted them, and the boys entered. Kenneth lighted two lamps, while the dogs frolicked around him.

"Down, Bruiser-down!" he ordered. "Off Pirate! Away, Madge-get out!"

The dogs obeyed him reluctantly,

"There, fellows," he cried, proudly, "what do you think of them? I say they are all right, and they are dying for a run. I reckon they will get it in the morning."

Frank and Jack looked the dogs over critically. Diamond's eyes gleamed and he called Pirate to his feet.

"Here is the old dandy for any sum!" cried the Virginian. "That dog will be in at the death if he can keep a foot under him."

Kenneth nodded.

"Pirate is a great hunter," he said; "but he doesn't run away from Madge very often."

For half an hour they looked the dogs over, and then left the kennel.

"I'll have to go into the house, and see what the others think about it," said St. Ives. "Won't you come in, fellows?"

"No," said Diamond; "I am too tired."

"I'm tired myself," confessed Frank. "I think we'll roll into our beds very soon."

The boys strolled down past the summerhouse, while Kenneth went into the mansion. Through a window Frank and Jack could see the billiard players at work, and they heard Rattleton shout with laughter at some fluke Hodge made.

"It strikes me this is the last round of sport before we get back to the grind," said Jack.

"Yes," said Frank, somewhat sadly; "we've had our summer's whirl, and it's over; but it was fun while it lasted."

Arm in arm, they walked down through the garden. They did not take the gravel path, but kept on the gra.s.s. Their feet made no noise, and they were silent, as both were thinking of their varied adventures since starting westward on the bicycle tour.

All at once they heard voices, and stopped suddenly.

"Catch your chance, Bill. A hundred for the boy and two hundred for the man. You do not like either of them, so--"

"Like 'em! Cuss 'em, I hate 'em! I'll do it if I git a good chance."

"That is settled, then. You'd better get away from here, for you don't want to be seen. Good-night."

"Good-night."

Frank leaped toward the bushes beyond which the voices sounded. They were thick, and he broke through with difficulty. When he reached the other side, he could hear the sound of running feet in dull retreat, but both men were gone.

Frank started in pursuit, but the ones who were running away seemed to know the turns of the garden walks better than he did, for both got away.

Diamond found Merriwell near the summerhouse chewing his lip and standing in an att.i.tude that expressed mingled rage and disgust.

"Didn't catch either of them, did you?" asked Jack.

"No," was the answer; "but I think I know them both. They were the discharged hostler and Steve Fenton, or I'm daffy."