ALL TOGETHER
Never before had Mountain Village experienced such a sensation. The news of their arrival spread like lightning. All had been given up for lost, their thrilling accident had been discussed and rediscussed, and was still the principal topic of conversation.
But the boys paid little attention to the questions hurled at them by the excited people, until assured of the safety of Dick Travers and Tom Clifton. They were rejoiced to hear of their rescue by Jim Havens and Phil Levins.
They also learned that "Little Bill" Dugan and "Surly Joe" Tomlin had been arrested and taken to the town of Penton, some ten miles distant, to await the action of the authorities.
The Ramblers soon tore themselves away from their interested auditors, and hurried toward Rickham House.
On the porch they saw Dick Travers and Tommy Clifton, who stood for an instant motionless, then, with loud shouts of joy, rushed down the steps.
Two sad, dejected-looking boys were suddenly transformed into the happiest of mortals. They danced around, hugged their chums who had so fortunately escaped the perils of Canyon River, and, altogether, acted as if they had taken leave of their senses.
Little Tommy Clifton, in his joy, actually broke down and began to cry, but the others pretended to take no notice.
"By all that's wonderful!" gasped Dick, wringing Bob's hand for the tenth time, "somehow or other, I felt in my bones that it must come out all right. And Fenton here, too? Great Cæsar, but I'm happy—hurrah, hurrah!" and Dick began another wild jig.
"This is the best thing that ever happened," laughed Tom Clifton, excitedly. "Whoop la!" and he slapped Dave Brandon so energetically on the back that the "poet" declared it was almost a case of assault and battery.