Bobby Blake on the School Nine: or, The Champions of the Monatook Lake League. Warner Frank A.
all they were alive and unharmed. The thieves might have beaten them up or tied them in the cabin while they made their escape.
“Things might have been a great deal worse,” said Bobby cheerfully, putting their thoughts into words. “The money didn’t amount to so much after all, and our folks will send us more. And we may be able to have the tramps arrested and get back our other things. We’ll telegraph just as soon as we get to – ”
But here he stopped short in dismay.
“We haven’t even money enough to pay for the message!” he exclaimed.
“Perhaps the station man will trust us,” suggested Fred.
“I think there’s a way of sending messages so that the folks who get them pay on the other end,” said Pee Wee hopefully.
None of the boys were very clear on this point, but it offered a ray of cheer.
“We won’t need to send more than one message anyway,” said practical Bobby as they trudged along. “Some of our folks might be away and there might be some delay in getting to them. But I know that my father is at home and I’ll just ask him to send on enough money for the bunch of us. Then you fellows can square it up with me afterwards.”
They had reached the outskirts of a village now and the walking had become easier. They quickened their pace and soon came in sight of the station.
“There it is!” cried Fred, and the boys broke into a run.
CHAPTER VII
PAYING AN OLD DEBT
As Bobby’s watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.
They were relieved therefore to learn they were in plenty of time. The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.
The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well. He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys’ story. His indignation at the robbers was hot, and he promised to put the constable on their trail at once.
“It’s a beastly outrage,” he stormed. “That old deserted shack has been too handy for fellows of that kind. They make it a regular hang-out. We’ll clean out the gang and burn the place to the ground. I’ve got to stay here now until after the train leaves, but as soon as it’s gone, I’ll get busy.”
He assured them that he would send on the telegram to be paid for at the other end, and the boys, possessing themselves of some blanks, withdrew to a quiet corner to prepare the message.
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