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The Floating Press - Clarence Young

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155 pages

English

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Description

The pen name "Clarence Young" was signed to the work of a group of writers who banded together to tap into the then-underserved market for juvenile fiction, especially action-adventure stories. The Jack Ranger series follows the title character through a series of excursions and journeys. In this volume, the hero visits the Wild West, where he enjoys the untamed landscape and outsmarts a few nefarious characters.

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Children's

Informations

Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 août 2013
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781776528042
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP
FROM BOARDING SCHOOL TO RANCH AND RANGE
* * *
CLARENCE YOUNG

*
Jack Ranger's Western Trip From Boarding School to Ranch and Range First published in 1907 ISBN 978-1-77652-804-2 © 2013 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
*
Chapter I - Fun at Washington Hall Chapter II - Jack in Trouble Chapter III - A Threatening Letter Chapter IV - A Lesson in Chemistry Chapter V - Turning the Tables Chapter VI - A Plan that Failed Chapter VII - Foiling a Plot Chapter VIII - The Burglar Scare Chapter IX - Nat's Invitation Chapter X - A Meeting with Chowden Chapter XI - A Grand Wind Up Chapter XII - Ho! For the West! Chapter XIII - An Old Acquaintance Chapter XIV - Professor Punjab's Trick Chapter XV - Shooting an Oil Well Chapter XVI - Mr. Post's Adventure Chapter XVII - The Wild Steer Chapter XVIII - The Old Stockman Chapter XIX - A Thief in the Night Chapter XX - A Strange Seance Chapter XXI - Finding Orion Tevis Chapter XXII - Jack Hears of His Father Chapter XXIII - On the Ranch Chapter XXIV - The Old Man Chapter XXV - The Cowboy's Trick Chapter XXVI - Jack's Wild Ride Chapter XXVII - The Cattle Stampede Chapter XXVIII - Hunting Mountain Lions Chapter XXIX - Lost on the Mountain Chapter XXX - A View of Golden Glow Chapter XXXI - Jack and Nat Prisoners Chapter XXXII - The Escape Chapter XXXIII - Down the Sluiceway Chapter XXXIV - Jack's Great Find Chapter XXXV - The Round-Up—Conclusion
Chapter I - Fun at Washington Hall
*
"Now then, are you all ready?" inquired a voice in a hoarse whisper.
"Galloping grasshoppers! We're as ready as we ever will be, JackRanger!" replied one from a crowd of boys gathered on the campus ofWashington Hall that evening in June.
"Nat Anderson, if you speak again, above a whisper," said JackRanger, the leader, sternly, "you will have to play 'Marching ThroughGeorgia' as a solo on a fine tooth comb seven times withoutstopping!"
"Sneezing snakes! 'Nuff said!" exclaimed Nat, this time in therequired whisper. "Playing combs always makes my lips tickle."
"Now then, is every one ready?" asked Jack again. "If you are, comeon, for it's getting late and we'll have to do this job quick and beback before Dr. Mead thinks it is time to send Martin the monitorafter us. Forward march!"
Then the crowd of boys, from the boarding school of Dr. Henry Mead,known as Washington Hall, but sometimes called Lakeside Academy, fromthe fact that it was on Rudmore Lake, in the town of Rudmore, startedforth on mischief bent.
It was Jack Ranger's idea,—any one could have told that. For Jackwas always up to some trick or other. Most of the tricks wereharmless, and ended in good-natured fun, for Jack was one of thebest-hearted lads in the world. This time he had promised his chumsat the academy something new, though the term, which was within amonth of closing, had been anything but lacking in excitement.
"Fred Kaler, have you got your mouth organ with you?" asked Jack,turning to a lad just behind him.
"He always has his mouth-organ, or how could he speak?" asked anathletic looking lad walking beside Jack.
"That's a poor joke, Sam Palmer," commented Jack, and he ducked justin time to avoid a playful fist Sam shot out.
"Want me to play?" asked Fred.
"Play? You couldn't play in a hundred years," broke in Nat Anderson,Jack's best chum. "But make a noise like music."
"Play yourself, if you're so smart!" retorted Fred.
"Simultaneous Smithereens!" cried Nat, using one of hischaracteristic expressions. "Don't get mad. Go ahead and play."
"Yes, liven things up a bit," went on Jack. "Give us a good marchingtune. We're far enough off now so none at the Hall can hear us."
Fred blew a lively air and the score of boys behind him began tomarch in step.
"What is it this time?" asked Sam in a low tone, of Jack. "Youhaven't let on a word."
"We're going to administer a deserved rebuke to a certain characterin this town," Jack answered. "You've heard of Old Smelts, haven'tyou?"
"That fellow who's always beating his wife and hitting his littlegirl?"
"That's the old chap. Well, I heard he just got out of the lock-upfor being too free with his fists on the little girl. Now if there'sanything that makes me mad it's to see a kid hurt, girl or boy, itdoesn't matter. I've got a surprise in store for Mr. Smelts."
"What is it?"
"You've heard of the Klu-Klux-Klan, I suppose?"
"You mean that southern society that made such a stir during theCivil War?"
"That's the one. We're going to be Klu-Klux-Klaners to-night."
"But we haven't got any uniforms."
"You'll find them in yonder wood!" exclaimed Jack in tragic tones,and he pointed to a clump of trees just ahead.
"What's this, amateur theatricals?" asked Nat, catching the lastwords.
"Maybe," replied Jack. "Now Fred you can pay off your orchestra," headded. "I want to do a little monologue."
The boys crowded around Jack, and he told them what he had related toSam.
"I have provided the necessary uniforms to enable us to take the partof Klu-Klux-Klaners," he said. "Old Smelts is a southerner and knowsthe significance of the thing. We'll throw a good scare into him, andmaybe he'll let his wife and daughter alone. Now we're to put on thesheets and the tall white helmets, and you leave the rest to me. Dojust as I do when we get to Smelts's house."
"Hemispheres and hot handkerchiefs!" exclaimed Nat. "This is goingsome!"
Jack went to the foot of a big hollow tree, from which he pulled alarge bundle. This he opened and showed a number of ghostly uniforms.He distributed these among the boys, who at once donned them, makinga weird looking band in the little glade.
"Every one stand still until I put the finishing touches on,"commanded Jack.
With a bottle of phosphorous he outlined waving flame lines aroundthe holes cut for eyes, nose, and mouth on each white-shroudedfigure,
"Now we're ready," announced the leader. "Smelts's house is justbeyond this wood. Follow me, and, Fred, when you see me put my handon my head that means I want slow tremulous music, like they have inthe theater when, the heroine is dying."
"Your wishes shall be obeyed," spoke Fred, in hollow tones, whereatthe others laughed.
"Silence!" commanded Jack.
It was a good thing those in charge of Washington Hall could not seethe pupils just then. If they had the prank would have cost theparticipators dear. But, after all, as Jack said, it was in a goodcause. On they went until their leader held up a warning hand.
"Arrange yourselves in a circle about me," he whispered. "I am goingto beard the lion in his den."
He walked up to a small cottage that stood some distance from anyother dwellings on a lonely street in the village, and knockedloudly.
"Who's there?" came a voice, in answer, a few seconds later from anupper window.
"Tobias Smelts, come forth!" called Jack in deep tones. "We would holdspeech with thee!"
The boys could see a man thrust his head further out of the casement.
"Come forth and linger not!" called Jack.
"Oh! Oh! It's the Klu-Kluxers! It's the Klan! They're after me!"exclaimed Smelts. "Oh, what shall I do?"
"Come forth if ye would not have us drag ye out!" cried Jack. "Wehave business with thee!"
"What'll I do?" wailed Tobias.
"Better go 'fore they come in here after ye," a woman's voice couldbe heard to say. "Remember what they did to Pete Baker in SouthCaroliny!"
The head was drawn in, with many a groan.
"Get ready, he's coming," whispered Jack.
A few minutes later a very much frightened man, clad in his shirt andtrousers came out on the front steps, around which the boys in theirghostly disguise were gathered.
"Advance!" commanded Jack, and Tobias, his knees trembling, walked onuntil he stood in the midst of the frolicking students.
"Bind him to the stake!" commanded the leader.
A small, pointed stake had been prepared and with a hammer it wasdriven into the ground. Then the man was fastened to it with severalcoils of clothes line.
"Now the faggots!" said Jack, and the boys dropped some pieces ofwood at the victims feet. A second later Jack had emptied the phialof phosphorous over the wood, and the lurid light shone forth.
"They're burning me alive!" yelled Tobias. "Save me!"
"This is the fate dealt out to all who beat their wives andchildren!" chanted Jack. At the same time he raised his hand to hishead and Fred played tremulous music on the harmonica, lending aweirdness to the scene.
"Please don't kill me, good Mr. Klu-Klux-Klan men," begged Tobias."I'll never do it again. I promise you I never will!"
"Do you promise by the great seal of the United States?" inquiredJack, in sepulchral accents.
"Yes, Oh yes; I'll promise anything!"
"'Tis well! This was but the first trial by fire. The next time willbe more severe!" and with that Jack kicked aside the phosphorouscovered sticks and signaled to those holding the ends of the ropes toloosen them.
Tremblingly Tobias crawled into the house.
"Be ye dead, Tobias?" asked his frightened wife, yet she was not alittle gratified that her husband had made the promise the mysteriousvisitors exacted.
"Jest about," was the answer. "Oh, this is a terrible night!"
"Hence, my brave men," spoke Jack solemnly. "We have work elsewhere.But remember, Tobias Smelts, if thou dost so much as raise a fingerto a woman or child we shall hear of it through our ghostly messengersand will visit thee again."
"I'll be good! Oh, I'll be good!" promised Tobias.
Then at a nod