CHAPTER XXIV
JOSIAH CRABTREE MAKES A MOVE
As quick as a flash of lightning Dick saw through Josiah Crabtree'sscheme for, letting matters Of the past drop. The former teacherof Putnam Hall was afraid the youth would hunt up the collegestudents from Yale and expose him to them.
As a matter of fact, Crabtree was already "on the outs" with twoof the students, and he was afraid that if the truth regarding hischaracter became known his present position would be lost to himand he would be cast off to shift for himself.
"You don't want me to speak to the students under your charge?"said Dick slowly.
"Oh, of course you can speak to them, if you wish. But I--ahem--Iwould not care to--er--er--"
"To let them know what a rascal you are," finished Dick."Crabtree, let me tell you once for all, that you can expect nofriendship, from me. You are not worthy of it. When I meet thosestudents I will tell them whatever I see fit."
At these words Josiah Crabtree grew as white as a sheet. Then,setting his teeth, he suddenly recovered. "Are those yourfriends?" he demanded, pointing up the lake shore.
As was perfectly natural, Dick turned to gaze in the direction.As he did so, Crabtree swung a stick that he carried into the airand brought it down with all force on the youth's head. Dick felta terrific pain, saw a million or more dancing lights flashthrough his brain--and then he knew no more.
"I guess I've fixed him," muttered the former teacher of PutnamHall grimly. He knelt beside the fallen boy and felt of hisheart. "Not dead, but pretty well knocked out. Now what had Ibest do with him?"
He thought for a moment, then remembered a deep hollow which hehad encountered but a short while before. Gazing around, to makecertain that nobody was watching him, he picked up the unconsciouslad and stalked off with the form, back into the jungle and up asmall hill.
At the top there was a split between the rocks and dirt, and intothis he dropped poor Dick, a distance of twenty or more feet.Then he threw down some loose leaves and dead tree branches.
"Now I reckon I am getting square with those Rovers," he muttered,as he hurried away.
The others of the Rover party wondered why Dick did not join themwhen they gathered around the camp-fire that night.
"He must be done fishing by this time," said Tom. "I wonder ifanything has happened to him?"
"Let us take a walk up de lake an' see," put in Aleck, and thepair started off without delay.
They soon found the spot where Dick had been fishing. His rod andline lay on the bank, just as he had dropped it upon JosiahCrabtree's approach.
"Dick! Dick! Where are you?" called out Tom.
No answer came back at first. Then, to Tom's astonishment, astrange voice answered from the woods: "Here I am! Where areyou?"
"Dat aint Dick," muttered Aleck. "Dat's sumbuddy else, MassahTom."
"So it is," replied Tom, and presently saw a tall and well-builtyoung man struggling forth from the tall grass of the jungle.
"Hullo, what are you?" demanded the newcomer, as he stalked towardthem.
"I guess I can ask the same question," laughed Tom. "Are you theDick who just answered me?"
"I am Dick Chester. And who are you?"
"Tom Rover. I am looking for my brother Dick, who was fishinghere a while ago. Are you one of that party of college students wehave heard about?"
"Yes, I'm a college student from Yale. May I ask where you comefrom?"
In a brief manner Tom told Dick Chester. "We can't imagine whathas become of my brother Dick," he went on.
"Perhaps a lion ate him up," answered the Yale student. "No, youneedn't smile. We saw a lion only yesterday. It nearly scared Mr.Crabtree into a fit."
"Mr. Crabtree!" burst Torn. "Josiah Crabtree?"
"The same. Do you know him?"
"Indeed I do--to my sorrow. He used to be a teacher at theacademy I and my brothers attend. But he was discharged. He's aregular rascal."
"You are sure of that?" queried Dick Chester. "I have thought soall along, but the others, would hardly believe it."
"I am telling the truth, and can prove all I say. But just now Iam anxious about my brother. You say you saw a lion?"
"Yes. He was across the lake; but Mr. Crabtree was scared todeath and ran away. Frank Rand and I took shots at the beast, butI can't say if we hit him."
"It would be too bad if Dick dunh fell into dat lion's clutches,"put in Aleck. "I reckon de lion would chaw him up in no time."
"Go back and call Cujo," said Tom. "He may be able to track mybrother's footsteps."
At once Aleck loped off. While he was gone Tom told Dick Chestermuch concerning himself, and the college student related severalfacts in connection with the party to which he belonged.
"There are six of us students," he said. "We were going to have aprofessor from Yale with us, but he got sick at the last momentand we hired Josiah Crabtree. I wish we hadn't done it now, forhe has proved more of a hindrance than a help, and his realknowledge of fauna and flora could be put in a peanut shell, withroom to spare."
"He's a big brag," answered Tom. "Take my advice and never trusthim too far--or you may be sorry for it."
Presently Aleck came back, with Cujo following. The brawnyAfrican began at once to examine the footprints along the lakeshore.
"Him been here," he said. "Him came up dis way. But him no walkaway."
"Didn't walk away!" ejaculated Tom.
"No. Udder footprints walk away, but not um Massah Dick."
"I don't understand, Cujo. Do you think he--fell into the lake?"
"Perhaps, Massah Tom--or maybe he get into boat."
Tom shook his head. "I don't know of any boats around here--doyou?" he asked of Dick Chester.
"No," returned the young man from Yale. "But the natives livingin the vicinity may have them."
"Perhaps a native dun carry him off," said Aleck. "He must besumwhar, dat am certain."
"Yes, he must be somewhere," repeated Tom sadly.
By this time Sam and Randolph Rover were coming up, and also oneof Dick Chester's friends. The college students were introducedto the others by Tom, and then a general hunt began for Dick,which lasted until the shades of night had fallen. But poor Dickwas not found, and all wondered greatly what had, become of him.
Tom and the others retired at ten o'clock. But not to sleep, forwith Dick missing none of the Rovers could close an eye. "We mustfind him in the morning," said Sam. "We simply must!" And theothers agreed with him.