Harry's runaway, and what came of it

Front matter

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RESIDE THE BRIGHTLY BLAZING FIRE

[ UoKftrtY of CONGRESS I J iwu GooJes Received I

OCT v I30T

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COPYRIGHT 1907 BY H. M. MILLER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Published October igoy

Preface

Nearly every story in this book is true. Names and places are of course changed, but the principal facts, the adventures and their results to the hoys, are strictly true.

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Contents

I. How Harry ran away .... 1

II. The Capture of Tommy .... 29

III. Lon Gaylord’s Runaway .... 67

Chapter I How Harry Ran Away

won’t stand it much longer, anyway/’ said Harry Barnes defiantly, digging the blade of his knife into a piece of wood.

What ’ll you do ?” asked his companion, a rather delicate-looking boy, two years younger than he.

I ’ll run away. That ’s what,” answered Harry quickly. And I tell you what, Fred, I ’ve thought of a splendid plan for us — you ’ll go, of course ? ”

Yes,” said Fred gloomily, I ’ll do anything to get rid of being treated like a baby and fed on slops. I think when a boy ’s twelve years old he might eat what he ’s a mind to.”

So do I,” answered Harry ; but that ’s nothing to being an errand-boy for a boardinghouse. It ’s ^ Harry, do this/ and ‘ Harry, go get that,’ from morning to night, and I ’m about sick of it. How do you suppose I like to bring a great dish of butter through the streets, and have Aunt stand in the door and call out, ^ Hurry up ! the table is waiting ! ’ so everybody can hear? Why, I hardly ever get to school before the bell rings, and I never have time to play ball after school, I have so many errands to do.”

Why don’t you tell her you won’t do it ?” asked Fred. She is n’t your mother.”

did say something once,” said Harry, ^^and got a precious lecture to pay for it, about being an expense to her, and she obliged to work hard for her living, and so on. It was sickening — I won’t say anything — I ’ll run away, and mighty soon, too,” he added, decidedly.

‘^Well, what is your plan?” asked Fred.

To go out West and fight Indians ? ”

No,” said Harry scornfully. Those stories are ridiculous ! How could we get out W est, to begin with, and how could we fight if we did ?

My plan is better than that. It is this ; to go to Brown’s Tract, which is only forty miles, you know, so we can easily walk there, and shoot deer and things, and live in a cave or somewhere. I know we can do it,” he went on excitedly. I ’ve heard some gentlemen at our house talk about it — they go every summer — and it’s just as easy ! I ’ve listened to what they said, and I know what we want, and how to fish, and cook things, and everything ! ” What do we want ? ” asked Fred, and how can we get it ? ”

^^Well, we want provisions enough for a few days, till we get where the game is ; and we want warm clothes, plenty of matches, and guns, of course. Oh, yes — and fishhooks and lines ; poles we can cut anywhere,” he went on earnestly. tell you, Fred, we can have grand old times there by ourselves, with no one to order us around.”

Nor to make us eat oatmeal and stuff,” added Fred. ^^Well, when shall we go, and how shall we get away ? ” he went on eagerly. We’ll go as soon as we can slip out the things we need ; and as for the way — nothing is easier, I ’ll tell you.”

After a long talk, in which everything was arranged, the boys separated, and both went home with their heads full of plans and excitement. They had agreed to carry a part of their outfit that very evening to a certain place settled upon, so that they should not be too much loaded the next evening, when they intended to go to stay.

Accordingly, that night they met at a certain corner, and made their way quietly towards an old barn on the edge of the city that Fred happened to know was empty at present and not hard to get into. They were both well loaded down, and this is what they had. Harry had brought a gun which had belonged to his uncle and had seen service years ago, but was now out of repair and rusty from long disuse. Harry thought he could clean it up, and to that end had brought some rags, and polish, and oil, — anyway, clean or not clean, they must of course have a gun. To this was added a suit of last winter’s clothes, a pair of boots which had been cast o£E by one of the boarders (and he had long wanted to wear) , an old knapsack, a powder-horn, half full, a game-bag, an old silver watch that wouldn’t go, and half a dozen pocket knives.

I always have dozens of knives,” said he, when Fred asked how he got so many. Every boarder who wants to give me anything always gives a knife. I had five last Christmas,” he added grumblingly ; but what have you brought ? ”

Fred displayed his treasures. An old-fashioned horse-pistol, — rather large,” he said, ‘‘ but good to shoot; ” a box of caps ; a sword that his father had worn in the war; an air-pistol that shot slugs ; an overcoat of his father’s (he could n’t find his winter clothes), and a hatchet.

They’re all first rate,” said Harry. Now to-morrow night we must bring provisions. We must have enough to last two or three days, till we can shoot something, and of course all the money we can get. We won’t need any in the woods, but if we could get a chance to ride part of the way we’d be sure to get far away before they caught us. Once in the woods, and we can defy them ! ”

I have n’t much money,” said Fred, — about fifty cents.”

^^Well, I haven’t any more myself,” said Harry bitterly. never have any money, unless one of the boarders pays me for doing an errand ; I believe Aunt thinks boys never want money. Never mind,” he went on, shaking his fist towards the house, just wait till I get into the woods and become a hunter ! you may keep your old money then ! ” and he snapped his fingers in utter contempt.

The next evening everything seemed to favor the boys, and at nine o’clock, as they had agreed, they met at the old corner, and hurried to the empty barn.

Did anybody see you ? ” whispered Harry anxiously, as they hastily turned into a dark street.

^^No; everybody went to meeting at our house,” said Fred, ^^and I had a splendid chance to rummage the pantry. What did you get?” he asked eagerly.

Oh, some pies and things,” said Harry, who cared far less for that part of the fun than for the hunting and fishing.

When safely housed in a barn, and Harry had lighted a candle he had brought, the treasures were spread out, and made a curious show. Fred, remembering bitterly what his mother would not let him eat, had emptied the cake box, and now proudly displayed half of a rich fruit cake, a whole cocoanut cake with frosting, and several pieces of jelly and chocolate cake. Besides these luxuries, on which his eyes rested greedily, he had brought a small jar of raspberry jam and another of marmalade ; and every pocket was stuffed with raisins, which he was eating all the time.

I mean to have goodies enough for once,” he said exultingly. We ’ll see how much it’ll make me sick ! — that ’s all stuff ! ”

He did see in due time ; but now Harry opened his pack. He had been unable to get at the cake box, but had made a tolerable haul in spite of that. He had two pies, a lemon and a mince, some lobster salad, part of a cold plum pudding, two pockets full of nuts, a large slice of cheese, and a jar of piccalilli.

In their whole stock there was not a particle of bread or plain meat — nothing but the richest of dainties. To their boyish notions there was nothing amiss ; bread and meat and plain food were not at all to their taste.

They celebrated the first night by a feast, after which they spent some time in packing things into shape for traveling, leaving out a choice assortment of cake and pie for breakfast. They then lay down on some hay, and tried to sleep. But whether because of their rich supper or from excitement, they could not sleep, and were up and ready to be off by the first streak of daylight. They felt the need of haste now, for they knew it would not be long before they would be missed, and the rifled pantries would tell of their exploit.

Having dressed themselves in boots and overcoat, with sword, hatchet, gun, and pistol by their sides, and heavily loaded with provisions, the two boys started out along the road. Before they had gone far, however, they were overtaken by a peddler’s wagon, which, with two strong horses, was just starting on a tour among the surrounding villages.

It was going their way, and Harry soon made a bargain with the driver to take them as far as he went on their road, and they climbed up to the high seat, very glad to be relieved of their heavy loads.

About the middle of the afternoon the peddler set them down near an entrance to the vast extent of woods belonging to the Adirondack country, and called Brown’s Tract, with all their belongings, and not a cent in the world.

Little did the boys think of that, as they entered the gloomy woods exultingly, feeling that they had reached the end of their troubles and the world was opening before them.

First,” said Harry, who as the elder always took the lead, we must find a place to camp.”

We ought to have brought a tent,” said Fred.

It would be nice/’ said Harry, but we had enough to carry without it.”

So we did/’ said Fred, and besides, a cave ’ll be nicer.”

cave is just the thing,” said Harry eagerly. Let ’s look for one.”

They spent the afternoon in wandering about in the search, and by great good luck did find a hole in the side of a hill, which with a little enlarging and clearing out, did very well for a cave. In this they placed their treasures, and then gathered sticks for a fire, and cut some large branches to set up in the ground as a sort of screen before their cave.

It was quite dark before this work was all done, and beside the brightly blazing fire the two tired boys at last sat down, and spread out the remains of their food for supper. They had begun to tire of sweets, but they were hungry, — having never worked so hard in their lives, — so they made a hearty meal, especially Fred, who really stuffed himself, I ’m sorry to say. Then piling the rest of the wood on the fire, they both lay down on the ground.

rejoicing in the freedom of going to bed without undressing. Fred lay on his father’s coat, and Harry on his own extra suit, and both fell asleep.

Fred, however, did not sleep well ; and after tumbling and tossing for an hour or two, tormented with fearful dreams, he awoke in agony. The fire was out, and it was pitch dark. The horrible phantoms of his dreams seemed before his frightened eyes; but worse than that, a terrible pain made him double up and fairly cry out with anguish.

Harry was on his feet in an instant.

What is it ?” he cried. “ What ’s the matter, Fred ? ”

Oh, Harry,” moaned Fred, I ’m awful sick, and I ’ve had such horrid dreams ! Oh dear ! ” — as the pain came on again — Oh, Harry ! can’t you do something for me ? Oh ! I wish mother was here ! Oh ! Oh ! I shall die ! I know I shall ! ”

So he went on, groaning, crying, and rolling about in his pain. Harry was very much frightened, but had not the least notion what to do.

Shall I go and see if I can get some wood and make a fire ? ” he asked.

Oh no ! don’t go away ! ” moaned Fred.

I ’m afraid to be left here alone. Oh dear ! I wish mother was here ! She could do something for me ! ”

I wonder what made you sick/’ said Harry in one of the rests between the paroxysms of pain.

Oh, it was the cake and stuff, I suppose,” said Fred. Mother said it would make me sick, but I did n’t believe it,” he groaned ; and off he went again into a worse pain than before.

Worse and worse he grew for some time, till Harry was thoroughly frightened, and at his wit’s end to know what to do.

Harry,” said Fred, when the pain had ceased for a moment, can’t stand many more such. I think I — I — shall — die. Will you go and tell my mother that I was sorry I ran away, and — and — give my love to Matey.”

Matey was his baby sister, and his particular pet, and at thought of her he fairly burst into tears of grief such as the pain had not wrung from him.

Oh no, Fred/’ said Harry, trying to speak cheerfully, though there was a queer choke in his voice, for he had never seen any one so very ill before, I hope you ’ll be all well to-morrow, and you can go and see her yourself, if you want to.”

You may be sure I ’ll do that if I ever see daylight, and can crawl out of these horrid woods,” groaned Fred.

After what seemed ages to the hoys, daylight began to creep into the woods, and at last Fred was easier, and fell into a restless sleep, and Harry crept out to get some wood for a fire. A fire built, the next thing of course was — breakfast. There was still quite a stock of eatables left, but somehow Harry felt a strange disgust at the thought of them, and could not drive away haunting thoughts of bread and butter, beefsteak, and every-day things that he had always despised. So he sat down moodily by the fire, uncertain what to do.

Harry/’ said Fred feebly at last, I feel better this morning, and I’m hungry as a bear.”

What shall I get you ? ” asked Harry ; there ’s some of the fruit cake, and a piece of the mince pie we had last night.”

Oh 1 ” gasped Fred, it makes me sick to think of them ! Why did n’t we bring some sandwiches ? ”

Or some cold meat,” added Harry, or even potatoes ! a potato roasted in the ashes would be delicious. We were fools to think we could live on cake and pie.”

I don’t believe I ’ll ever touch cake again,” said Fred. Bah ! it makes me sick to speak of it !”

W ell, let ’s go out and shoot a rabbit, or something,” suggested Harry, whose spirits began to return with the daylight and Fred’s recovery.

I would,” said Fred, ^^but I don’t believe I can stand up ; my legs feel so weak and shaky.”

Well, I’ll go and bring you something,” said Harry.

Oh, don’t leave me here ! ” pleaded Fred.

Can’t you catch a fish or something near here, in that brook over there?”

I can try,” said Harry ; and so it was settled. Providing a pile of brush for the fire, and settling on a signal in case of trouble, Harry rigged up a fishing-pole, and started off.

But something was amiss with the fish, or with the fisherman, for not a nibble did he get, though he sat there patiently for hours, dreading to go back without something for Fred.

At last he grew alarmed at the long silence, and went hastily to the cave. The fire was out, and Fred lay in an uneasy slumber, his cheeks very red, and his hands burning hot. He muttered and talked in his sleep, and at last Harry spoke to him. He opened his eyes, but stared at Harry as though he had never seen him before, and in fact, was in a high fever and delirium.

Harry had seen fever, and he was now terribly frightened; but what could he do? There yas not a person that he knew of nearer than twenty miles, and he dared not leave Fred alone to go for help, even had he known where to go.

There was absolutely nothing he could do but sit down and wait, and eat some cake and pickles for dinner. After a few hours Fred came out of his fever, but so pale and weak that Harry was more alarmed than ever.

Again he could eat nothing, and again it grew dark. Harry provided a big pile of sticks, intending to keep the fire all night, and, feeling wakeful, he sat there and began to think a little.

I ought to have known better,” he thought, ^‘than to bring a weakly boy like Fred out here, though I never saw him real sick before. His mother took care of him, I suppose, and that’s why he couldn’t eat things. By the way, I wonder how she feels about him now ! What would she say if she could see him there, on the damp ground, too sick to move? She would blame me — because I ’m older. Suppose he should die ! I should never dare to go back. I must try to, get him home — but how can I do it?” Always his thoughts came back to that: must get

him home, hut how can I do it ? ”

Hours went by, and Harry fell into a light sleep, but was suddenly awakened by a sound — a footstep ! in these silent woods !

He started up in an instant. The fire was out. The step was heavy and slow on the dead leaves of their fallen screen; no doubt the step of an animal — perhaps a bear.

He could not see an inch before him, and he dared not move lest the creature should hear. He felt around for a weapon, but could only get his hands on his uncle’s big gun. This he carefully drew up to him, and held it ready to strike any animal which should try to get in. He had been unable to make it shoot, with all his cleaning, but it was heavy, and would do very well as a club. He was sure he could knock an animal senseless with it. So he stood there ready. His arms grew tired, and his back ached; still he dared not move.

Sometimes the step moved off a little, and Harry breathed easier, and hoped the creature was going away ; and then, just as he began to think he must sit down, it would come back again, nearer than before.

All this time Fred was sleeping, and more quietly than during the day.

hope he ’ll be well in the morning,” Harry thought, in one of the pauses when the animal seemed to be going away. ^Hf he is, we can go on,” was his first feeling ; ^^but what can we do if we go on?” was the next. ^^We have seen no game ; even if we saw any our gun won’t go off, and if it would, we don’t know how to shoot ; I can’t catch fish ; there seems to be nothing to eat ; it ’s awful lonesome out here ; and — and — if a fellow gets sick it’s horrid. I believe I ’d as lief go on errands, after all.”

Now the steps drew near again, and he braced himself for the blow.

Suppose this bear — or whatever it is — gets in at us, and kills us — or half kills us ! Suppose it should get hold of Fred! Would I be a murderer ? — for it ’s my fault that he ran away ; he ’d never thought of it if I had n’t put him up to it.” So he went on, in that long.

anxious night, thinking, and in deadly fear of the animal, till it seemed to him that his hair must have turned gray.

At last, when his -arms were so stiff it seemed as though they had grown to that position, and he was so tired he could hardly stand, a faint light began to steal through the trees. He strained his eyes to see the monster which had frightened him so long. Now he thought he saw it at one side, but the growing light showed that to be a stump ! then he thought it was at the other side, lying full length on the ground, but that turned out to be a trunk of a fallen tree. For some moments he had not heard the step, and he was beginning to think the animal must be gone ; but suddenly he heard it on the other side, quite plainly, evidently very near.

As quickly as his stiff limbs would move, he wheeled, ready for a blow — nothing was there ! Then the sounds came again, and looking down, he saw at his feet — a monstrous toad !

His gun fell to the ground. This, then, was the creature whose hops among the dry leaves had kept him awake all night ! For a moment he was furious, and determined to kill that ugly toad ; but before his arms were limber enough to use, he thought better of it. In after years he used to laugh at that night’s terror, but now he had been too frightened to laugh.

Fred awoke at this moment, and seemed more like himself ; in fact, the long fast had cured him. He sat up and looked around. Neither of the boys spoke of what filled their hearts. The woods were gloomy in the gray morning light. Fred looked slowly all around without a word ; at last his glance fell upon his friend, sitting silent and forlorn. Their eyes met ; the same thought was in both.

Let ’s go home,” said Fred.

Well, let’s,” said Harry.

We were geese to start out this way,” said Fred.

We were idiots ! ” responded Harry.

Let ’s go now.”

Agreed.”

They rose, and as one boy started for home.

^^Our things!” suddenly exclaimed Fred, after they had gone a few steps.

Who cares for them 1 ” said Harry sav- ^-gely, let ’em stay ; I would n’t carry one home.”

No more was said ; grimly they both trudged on. After walking an hour or more, Fred spoke again.

Are you sure this is the right way ? ”

I don’t know; I suppose it is,” said Harry, and still they kept on.

Another hour passed — still no end to the woods.

I ’m sure this is farther than we went the day we came in,” began Fred.

Harry stopped. ^^The truth is, Fred, I have n’t a notion which way to go ; I suppose if we go straight we ’ll come out somewhere after a while.”

Perhaps so,” said Fred, ^^but it’s hundreds of miles to the other side, I believe.”

Well, they were lost ; that was plain. Every way they looked was a vast depth of woods. Harry climbed a tree, and peered out over the branches, but he could see nothing but a sea of tree-tops. He came slowly down.

^^Did you see anything?’’ asked Fred eagerly.

^^Yes, millions of trees,” said Harry bitterly. Fred, I don’t believe we ’ll ever get out of these woods,” and he sat down at the foot of the tree.

Don’t you suppose they ’ll send after us? ” asked Fred, with white, scared face.

^^Yes, I suppose your folks will,” said Harry. “I don’t know’s my aunt will, but they might hunt a week and not find us.”

‘^And they won’t know which way we went, besides,” said Fred, suddenly.

Sure enough ! ” assented Harry, aghast at this new thought. That peddler might tell, but he won’t get back there for months, and they would n’t think of him if he did.”

A silence followed.

It was three days after this that a party of half a dozen men, with Fred’s father at their head, who had been searching the woods ever since the boys were lost, came suddenly upon the runaways. They lay upon the ground, apparently asleep, — Harry on his face, Fred with his arms over his eyes. Ragged, worn out — half starved — it was hard to know his son. But they were evidently suffering, and Mr. Hartley stopped before them.

Boys ! ” he said.

Harry started up, but stared as though he did not know them ; Fred did not move.

^^Is that you, Harry Barnes?” said Mr. Hartley, excitedly. And what — what ails Fred?”

Nothing,” said Harry slowly, as though half asleep. ^^He’s there,” and he looked towards his friend.

Mr. Hartley hurried up to the silent boy, drew his hands down, and shook him.

Fred ! Fred ! ” he called, excitedly.

Slowly Fred’s eyes unclosed, and he recognized his father. He tried to speak, but his mouth seemed parched, and no sound came out.

^^He’s exhausted — nearly starved,” said one of the men.

HAREY’S RUNAWAY

A little liquid food was poured down his throat, while Harry, who was stronger, ravenously devoured a piece of bread, and rapidly came to himself.

What have you had to eat ? ” asked one of the men.

‘‘ Nothing,” said Harry, except a few pine seeds — and some leaves.”

« Why didn’t you come out of the woods ?” asked another.

Got lost,” said Harry, looking eagerly at the meat in the provision bag.

In a few minutes a litter was made of branches, and Fred, laid upon it; was carried off by two men, while Harry, leaning on two more, managed to walk.

A few hours brought them to the place where the party had left a wagon; and after one night spent in a farmhouse, and another day on the road, they reached home. By this time Fred was able to talk a little, but he was at once carried to his bed.

Harry went home very humble, begged his aunt’s pardon, and resumed his errandrunning without a murmur. His aunt, Mrs. Barnes, was kindhearted and really fond of her nephew, but she was always so busy that she never had time to say anything about it.

She did not think of punishing Harry ; in fact she concluded when she saw his face that he had already suffered enough. But the gentlemen who boarded with her, on talking it over among themselves, made up their minds that a lesson or two wouldn’t hurt Master Harry. So a little plot was arranged between them, and amid much quiet laughing each one promised to do his share, and not to let anyone — especially Harry — suspect that there was a plot.

Mrs. Barnes ’s sitting-room was the back parlor. Here she spent her resting times, and here Harry had his school-books and desk, and usually passed an hour or two every evening in study.

The first night after the boys had been brought home, as the Barnes family were quietly seated at their work, Mrs. Barnes knitting and Harry with his school-books, there came a knock at the door. Harry opened it, and there stood Mr. Hill, the oldest boarder, — a gentleman about fifty years old and as good-natured as he was bald-headed.

Mrs. Barnes rose, but he said quickly, — Don’t get up, Mrs. Barnes ; let me come in a minute and tell my business.”

Certainly,” said Mrs. Barnes, thinking it rather odd that he should come at that hour.

Take a seat, Mr. Hill.”

Thank you, I will,” answered the gentleman, with a curious twinkle in his eye which she did not understand.

How pleasant your fire is ! ” he added, for the night was cool enough to warrant one. ‘‘ It would n’t be so funny to be out in the woods to-night. Eh, Harry ? ”

Harry pretended not to hear, and buried his face in his book as if to master that history lesson was the darling wish of his heart.

Mr. Hill did not notice him, but went on to talk about the weather and other things in the liveliest manner,^ never giving Mrs. Barnes a chance to say anything except yes or no ;