CHAPTER XXVII.
WELL-EARNED REST—CONCLUSION.
Welcome indeed, was the sight of the two familiar tents, with a cheery camp-fire blazing in front; Mike and Molly, the two pack mules, browsing near by, and the three boys who had been left in charge caught in the act of cooking dinner.
It was just high noon on that day when Thad led his little victorious squad out of the brush, and in sight of the camp.
What an uproarious welcome awaited them! The three boys, who had begun to grow heavy hearted with suspense from long waiting and watching, vied with each other in trying to see who could make the most noise, and give the greatest assortment of yells intended to take the place of a welcome.
Why, even the astonished mules looked up and “hee-hawed to beat the band,” as Giraffe declared. And when Bob White, Smithy and Davy Jones discovered that sure enough their comrades were fetching a pair of hulking prisoners along with them, their delight surpassed all bounds.
“It’s getting to be a habit with us, fellers,” declared Giraffe, proudly. “Why, we just can’t take a little stroll any more, without bumping up against a pair of bad men, who need attention. Don’t blame us; we just couldn’t help it.”
Bumpus, bless his dear old heart, was looking as “fine as a peach;” nothing at all like the woebegone, half-starved tenderfoot, whom those left in the camp had expected to gaze upon, if indeed they were lucky enough to ever see him in the flesh once more.
With a beaming face he came along, his gun slung over his back by the heavy cord that had come in so handy when the grizzly chased him up a tree; and as he walked Bumpus had both hands up to his mouth, making sounds that would do credit to any horn. And behold, the burden of the air, as the shouting scouts recognized, was “Lo, the Conquering Hero Comes; Sound the Trumpets. Beat the Drums.”
Such a great time as they had, shaking Bumpus by the hand, pounding him on the back, and telling him again and again how lucky he ought to consider himself because he had such good and loyal chums, ever ready to go out and succor the unfortunate, and bring them home again safely.
And Bumpus never once lifted up his voice in protestations or boastings, simply grinned through it all, and kept one eye on Thad; who finally thinking it was time the fellows were made aware of the true state of affairs, called out: