Westwood High School - Chipmunk Yearbook (Westwood, CA)

Page 32 text:

Page Twenty-Eighth THE CHIPMUNK do I’ll hit her with my spur; that will send her flying, and she’ll head straight for camp. Now if you stick on and peep out so as to see which way we’re heading, you can get the cavalry out in time.” Hardly a second passed between Mike’s hurried whispers and the yell he gave as he sprang off Jenny’s back, hitting the mule with his spur as he did so. The sudden spur sent Jenny off on a mad run, and the other teamsters hearing the yell came riding up quickly. ‘‘Pete Newell, boys,” exclaimed Mike, with the wave of his hand in the direction of a gang of about fifty wild-looking ruffians who were approaching. ‘‘The Kid’s in Jenny’s saddle-bag gone to camp for help; we’ll bluster a bit, then surrender.” Flannigan had barely time to give this explanation when the out- laws were upon them. “Throw up your hands”, called out their leader, a tall, finely built man, but with a bad face. Flannigan and his men at once held up their hands. ‘‘Good evening to you, Pete Newell,” remarked Mike, airily. “Don’t keep us in this position any longer than you can help.” “I’ve no time nor taste for joking, Mike Flannigan,” was the surly answer. “You know me; we’ve met before.” “We have,” answered Mike. “We give up, Pete, you’re too many for us. Now, what’s your game?” “You’ll soon see,” was the outlaw’s brief reply. Newell gave some rapid orders to his followers. In five minutes the mules were being driven rapidly across the plains, while in a clump of scrub oak Flannigan and his men were gagged, blind folded, and tightly bound to the trees. There they were left, while their cap- tors hurried off after the rest of the gang. Tattoo was just sounding loud and shrill, and Mr. Brownson. officer of the guard, was inspecting the second relief on the small gravelly square in front of the guard house. Suddenly there came the noise of running hoofs, and up the line came Jenny, the big mule, while little Tommy Collins, standing up in the saddle-bag, was shriek- ing, “Stop her, stop her!” The frightened animal was caught by a dozen hands as she tore up to the guard house, and Mr. Brownson lifted Tommy from his dangerous position. Such a looking Tommy as he was! His big eyes twice the usual size, his face, white and drawn between terror and excitement, was pitiful. He began to sob out a few words which no one understood. “What is it, lad? Get your breath,” said Mr. Brownson, and in a moment Tommy had gasped out his strange tale. “Run for his mother,” Mr. Brownson took time to command. It wasn’t long before Tommy was safely clasped in his mother’s arms, and the two of them stood on the guard house porch as Lieuten- ant Brownson with K troop swept by on their way to Mike’s rescue. It was a hot chase and a long one before they caught up with the thieves. It was dawn when the camp was discovered in a deep gully off the main divide. Caught unaware, the thieves found them-

Page 31 text:

THE CHIPMUNK Page Twenty-Seven Flannigan’s tone was very scornful and Tom was at once deeply interested. “Is it Pete Newell that’s around, Mike?“ he wispered, casting a glance backward. “Yes, that’s what they claim.” Tommy felt a thrill of pleasure at the sound of the dreaded name; he knew it well; it was used as a bugbear to frighten naughty children throughout the settlement. Resting frequently, they reached Indian Creek about ten and there they spent a most delightful day. After the noon dinner Mike and Tommy went fishing, having such good luck that they only returned in time for a hasty supper. Shortly after five o’clock the herd was on its way back to the post. B troon passed the mule train on a wild run and the young troopers called back a jolly “Good night, fellows, see you all by reveille.” Flannigan and Tom on Jenny set a good smart pace, half trot, for the mule train, and they were making excellent time. “Are you tired. Tommy, lad?” Old Flannigan asked of the small figure sitting his saddle, or rather the pommel, as steady and straight as any cavalry man. “Not one bit,” he answered, “but please sing ‘Aileen Aroon’ for me, Mike, will you?” “Wait till I finish my pipe, and I will.” “May I stand up and look around, Mike?” “You may. Hold on to my shoulder tight, and if you see Pete Newell, give me warning.” Flannigan laughed at his little joke, and Tommy did too. Suddenly, Tommy said: “Hold on, Mike, there’s a whole lot of cowboys just coming over the trail. See, I think they’re waving to us to stop.” The old teamster turned quickly, gave one look and then his weatherbeaten face grew quite white, while a grim stern look settled down like iron over his countenance. “Pete Newell and those scoundrels of his! I’d know him and that ugly looking roan any day. They mean mischief, too!” “Tommy.” he said suddenly, “you’re no baby, are you? I’ve got a job for you that will show your grit. That’s Pete Newell, sure enough; he’ll run off this mule team and disgrace me forever. But if you’ve got the pluck, you can save me, and if you do the best cow pony in Wyoming shall be yours.” “I’ll do it, Mike; try me.” “Here, pop into this grain bag before they see you. Can you breathe? Now listen while I tell you; hold up the flap so that you can peep out.” Tommy’s white, terror-stricken face peered out from the saddle bag which hung from Jenny’s side. “Our men haven’t seen these scoundrels yet, and Pete doesn’t know that we’ve seen him. I’ll pretend to jump off Jenny, and as I

Page 33 text:

THE CHIPMUNK Page Twenty-Nine selves surrounded by eighty odd cavalry, with as many shining carbines pointed straight at them. Fairly trapped, there was nothing to do but surrender. The cavalry quickly disarmed them, and, with drawn pistols, to prevent any attempt to escape, the whole lot was marched to Fort Harding. Finding Flannigan and his herd guard missing, Mr. Brownson forced Newell to tell what they had done with them, so it wasn’t long before Mike and his men were released from their painful positions. Tommy was quite ill, for a week or more after his exciting ad- venture, with a sort of low nervous fever, but when he emerged from his sick bed he found himself famous; people came from miles around to see the boy that helped capture Pete Newell. True to his word Flannigan presented him with the best cow pony that money and influence could buy. “It doesn’t pay you, Tommy Lad, for what you did, but just take her with my love.” Following the gift of the pony came a handsome little saddle and bridle from Mr. Brownson, who was delighted with his small godson’s pluck, which had enabled him to catch the worst scoundrel west of Wyom- ing and bring him to justice without the loss of a single life. Marguerite Morris ’31 Alice Miley ’30 Fay Hoyt ’30 YE OLDEN CHIVALRYE King Arthur’s round table was a wonderful sight. Lancelot sat at the king’s right and Galahad sat on the other side. The table was loaded until it looked as though it would break, and here and there was an empty space where a knight was out on an errand or was wooing a fair damsel. I was still a knave, but had the next right to show how I could kill a dragon and save a fair princess. At last my time had come. A lady was asking a boon of the King and I was to go and help her. Her sister was in a castle leagues and leagues away and it would take many days to complete my errand. During the journey we had a few mishaps such as a couple of dragons and two or three giants challenging our way, but after many days we reached a dense wood near which the castle stood. The lass told me of the enchanting properties of the dragon which had his victim locked in. He could change his form any time he wanted and to whatever he wanted, to bird, animal, mouse, or even flea. He could move from place to place with amazing rapidity. He could change to stone anyone who looked at him. I would have to keep my wits about me and keep my eyes shut or I would be just like one of the many statues of stone which stood before the castle. My lady told me just where her sister was locked so I started very slowly for the castle. The night was dark and weird with the many statues of knights who had looked up while going through the immense grounds.