CHAPTER XIX
THE TROUBLES OF THE SURVEYING PARTY
Shortly after the meeting with Gabrielle the boys were greatly surprised by the doctor's announcing that he had received a proposition from the company which operated the mountain railroads in that section for the Hilltop boys to survey a new line and afterward build it.
"This will give those of you who are studying engineering and surveying some practical experience," the Doctor added. "Just the surveying for the branch road will be done at this time, and later, some time in the fall, before the regular term begins, you will do the building. If you are agreeable we will move our camp in a day or so and begin the work at once. Not all of you will care to go, of course, as all are not far advanced enough for the work."
Percival, Jack and a number of others were fit to go into the work, however, and they were delighted at the prospect of a change of scene and of doing other work, and the party was quickly made up.
Being settled in their new camp, the young surveyors set out, carrying their instruments, a number of the boys who were not engaged in the work following them out of curiosity to see them at work.
Percival and his gang went ahead, and shortly after they had started, Jack and his boys followed, Jack with a level over his shoulder and boys with flags, axes, chains and other things necessary in the work, accompanying him, all in high spirits.
Billy Manners had a magazine camera slung over his shoulder and as the boys set out at a brisk walk he ran ahead of the party, turned his camera upon them, and took a snap shot, saying with a laugh:
"There, that's the first exhibit. That shows us on our way to build a railroad."
"You did not get yourself in it, Billy," said Jack as they went on.
"There isn't room on the plate for him; he's too fat," remarked young Smith, who carried a pair of signal flags and a pole. "You would need a bigger lens to get Billy on the plate."
The boys went on at a good gait and at length were surprised by hearing a considerable noise ahead of them, loud and angry voices of men being the principal part of the disturbance.
"Hello! there is trouble ahead," cried Harry. "I wonder what it is all about?"
"We will find out in a few minutes," said Jack, hurrying forward, the others quickly following.
In a short time they came to a little station in the woods, not much more than a shack, by the way, and here they saw Percival and his gang opposed by a number of men of rough appearance, who were talking in loud and angry tones and with threatening gestures.
"Hello! I've got to get this!" exclaimed Billy, pointing his camera at the group and giving the bulb a squeeze. "This'll be the second exhibit, trouble on the line. I wonder what it is all about?"
The arrival of the other party was somewhat of a surprise to the men and they fell back a pace, Jack hurrying toward Percival and asking:
"What is the matter, Dick? What do these men want?"
"They say that we are going to ruin their farms by running a road through them," replied Percival. "I'd like to know where they are. I never heard of any farms through here, nor any one else."
"Well, they is!" snarled one of the men, a big, rough-looking fellow with a shaggy beard and long hair which seemed not to have been combed in a month. "They is farms here and they's trout brooks an' pasters an' we ain't goin' to have 'em ruined by no railroad."
"You will have to see the company," answered Jack quietly. "We are not going to build immediately anyhow. We are only surveying now. The company has given us the right to do this, and if they were going to ruin any farms they would not do it. Where are the farms? I am pretty well acquainted with this section and I don't know of any farms worth mentioning in all of it. We have authority from the railroad to make our surveys and you had better see some of the officers before you make trouble. Dr. Wise also will give you all the information you require. He is with the rest of the boys, about half a mile back."
"Well, we was told you was going to ruin our farms, and we won't stand fer that. You talk all right, but the fust thing we know we'll be druv out o' house an' home an' all our crops sp'iled."
"You should have them in by this time. Who told you that your farms would be ruined?"
"Well, we was told, anyhow, an' we warn ye that if any damage is done to our farms or crops ye'll have ter suffer fer it. We ain't goin' to be ground under by no graspin' mono'ly, we ain't, an' yer' goin' to know it fust as last."
"There is no grasping monopoly in it," said Percival impatiently. "We have a right from the railroad to make our surveys and we are going to make 'em. I don't believe there is a farm within ten miles and you don't look like farmers."
"Send some one back for the doctor, Dick," said Jack, who saw that his friend's words had angered the men. "Who told you that we were going to ruin your farms?" he added, turning directly to the big man.
"I don't have to tell ye!" blustered the other. "I know what railroads is an' we ain't goin' to have none on 'em rootin' up our land, an' if ye sot up any o' them machines here we're goin' ter—-Hi! don't shoot!"
Billy Manners had suddenly turned his camera upon the follow, considering him a good subject for a picture, and was just about to squeeze the bulb when the man caught sight of him and sprang back.
"Ah! keep still," cried Billy in disgust. "You've spoiled the picture. It would've been a fine one if you'd kept quiet."
"I don't want my picter took!" growled the big man, falling back among the others. "Ye want ter use it ag'in me, that's what. I know you fellers. An' ye ain't goin' to run no railroad, nuther!"
Jack looked around and quickly discovered that young Smith was missing, and at once came to the conclusion that he had gone off to get the doctor so as to settle the dispute about the surveying.
"If you will wait till we can send for Dr. Wise," he said to the men, "he will assure you that we have every right to make the survey, as well as to build the road. Will you send some one, Dick?"
"I will go," said Kenneth Blaisdell, who was one of Percival's party.
"All right, Ken, go ahead," and the boy set off through the woods, Jack noticing at the same time that two of the men slipped away with the evident intention of waylaying him and preventing him from delivering the message to the doctor.
"I suspected as much," he thought. "Well, they don't know that young J.W. has already started. He will get through all right, for although he's little, he can be depended upon."
Then Jack gave Percival a wink and stepped back a little.