Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 12, 2025
"It's Tom Rover!" ejaculated Dan Baxter, as he leaped to his feet, followed by his parent. "Where did you find him, Noxton; over to that fire?" "Yes." "Were the others of the party with him?" put in Arnold Baxter quickly. "No, he was alone. He got lost from the rest last night, when they gave us the slip in the dark."
As soon as he was free the boy tiptoed his way to the window and looked out. He saw Noxton and Roebuck sitting on a fallen tree talking earnestly. Close to the door of the house stood the Baxters, and Arnold Baxter was laying down the law to his son, although what it was all about Tom could not determine. "I can't go by the window," he mused. "And if I try the door "
It may be as well to add here that, later on, Noxton, alias Slinky Bill, was tried in court and given a sentence of five years for his misdeeds. Jack Wumble and Sam had brought along Dick's horse, and they now took good care that the animal should not get away from them. Where to look for Dick, however, was a poser.
The entire party camped that night in the old hotel, and Tom showed where he had been a prisoner, and how he had escaped up the chimney. Noxton was not dangerously wounded, and the men did what they could to allay the pain he was suffering. Yet they had little sympathy for him, for, as stated before, horse stealing in that locality was considered one of the worst of crimes.
"But we'll take ye back to the county seat," said Yates. "And ye shall have a fair trial." "Take all I have, but let me go!" pleaded Noxton, but to this the men with Yates would not listen. Early in the morning the party under Yates set off, taking Noxton along, although the criminal protested that he was too weak to ride.
"Then you have seen nothing of the others?" said Arnold Baxter, and it was plain to see that he was keenly disappointed. "No, but I reckon they can't be far off," replied Noxton. Seeing that Tom contemplated running away, he made the youth dismount. "Better make a prisoner of him," he suggested. "By all means!" cried Dan Baxter, and brought forth a stout lariat.
I'll take your part agin him every time, hear me!" And his openness showed that he meant what he said. For the moment after Tom found himself in the presence of the Baxters he could not speak. Then he turned fiercely upon Bill Noxton. "You have fooled me!" he cried hotly. "That's right," laughed Noxton sarcastically. "And let me add, ye was fooled putty easy."
"I don't care what becomes of those horses," went on Tom. "Only I want my own." "You shall have it, lad. But you must put us on the trail o' them thieves. It runs in my mind thet I know this Bill Noxton, 'though perhaps not by thet handle. Thar used ter be a hoss thief down hyer called Slinky Bill, with a scar on his cheek an' one tooth missin' in front " "That's your man.
"Well, hardly." Bill Noxton hesitated for a moment. "I was alone, but day before yesterday I fell in with a couple of Englishmen who are out here to see the sights, and they hired me to show 'em around. Our camp is just below here. Will you come down an' be introduced to the beef-eaters?" "I suppose I might as well," answered Tom, never suspecting any trick.
Every ounce of courage had oozed away from him, for he had seen Noxton brought down, and thought the rascal was dead. "Shut up, you softy!" answered his parent in a rage. "Shut up, and we will be safe. I'll never give in to a Rover," he added vehemently. Tom and Sam had gone after the Baxters, with Jack Wumble behind them while the last man of the party turned to collar Roebuck.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking