“It might have been yours, if you hadn’t made me go on, and leave you with Bill,” grumbled the unselfish tall chum.
“Oh! no, that’s where you’re away off, Lanky,” came the reply. “I knew that you were the only one who could head that Parker with the lead he had. But now let’s hope the same sort of success falls to us here as came in that long run.”
The gypsy camp looked rather quiet. Frank was glad to see no men in evidence, and could give a pretty good guess that they were all off, occupied with driving hard and fast bargains in horse trading with the many farmers in town for that day.
This pleased Frank, because if the gypsy men were absent it diminished the chances of a riot all the more, should Chief Hogg carry off the old queen. He expected to do this on the strength of the warrant Lanky had sworn out, charging her with abducting a child belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Elverson of a neighboring State.
When the wagon had arrived close to the camp those aboard jumped down, much to the surprise and consternation of several dark-faced women and children, who had run out to see the police wagon pass by.
“Which is her wagon, Lanky?” demanded the Chief, hurriedly.
“That biggest one, with all the gold paint, and pictures on the panels, over yonder,” replied the boy, pointing.
“This way, men, and surround that van! Be sure you let not a single person escape from it!” called the Chief, holding his long night-stick out in a threatening manner, as he led the charge through the camp; where kettles were kicked to one side, piles of bright-hued cushions leaped over, and a few dogs frightened off by the hostile demeanor of the men in blue uniforms.
In this manner, therefore, did the valorous Chief Hogg, and his several equally brave men, manage to reach the big van, which they speedily surrounded. The boys only hoped that no warning of their coming might have been conveyed to the queen; and that she would be caught inside, together with the child whom they had from the beginning been trying to rescue from bondage and tyranny.
In making this movement the head of the local force had been careful to take up a position himself that gave him command of the door in the rear of the traveling wagon. He looked about him as if to make sure that everything was arranged, and his men in their proper positions. Then he turned to Lanky.