Всего за 5.99 руб. Купить полную версию
And adventures were awaiting them.
CHAPTER II
IN WHICH TOMMY DELAYS PROGRESS AND THEY LOSE THEIR WAY
It was a fresh, cool morning, with a southerly breeze blowing up from the ocean and rustling the leaves of the willows and maples along the meadow walls. Big fleecy clouds sailed slowly across a blue September sky, hundreds of birds flitted about the way and made the journey musical, and life was well worth living. Not until they had turned into the country road, a level, well-kept thoroughfare, did they catch a glimpse of any habitation. Then a comfortable-looking farmhouse with its accompanying barns and stables came into view.
Lets go in and get a drink of water, suggested Tom.
No one else, however, was thirsty, and so Tom passed in through the big gate alone while the others made themselves comfortable on the top of the wall. Tom was gone a long time, but finally, just when Dan was starting off to find him, he came into sight.
Whats he got? asked Nelson.
Looks as though he was eating something, answered Dan. By Jupiter, its pie!
You fellows missed it, called Tom, smiling broadly. She gave me a piece of apple pie and it was great.
Doesnt look like apple, said Bob.
Oh, this is squash. The first piece was apple, was the cheerful reply.
Well, of all pigs! said Nelson. How many pieces did you have?
Only two, was the unruffled response. And a glass of milk.
Nelson looked his disgust, but Dan, reaching forward, sent the half-consumed wedge of pastry into the dust.
Hope you ch-ch-choke! said Tommy warmly, viewing his prize ruefully. It was gu-gu-gu-good pie, too!
But he got no sympathy from his laughing companions. Bob declared that it served him jolly well right.
Hell wish he hadnt eaten any before he gets to the end of the days journey, said Dan. Weve got six miles and more to Jericho, and I guess wed better be doing em.
So they took up the march again. Everyone was in high feather. Side excursions into adjoining fields were made, Dan went a hundred yards out of his way to shy a stone at a noisy frog, and Nelson climbed a cedar tree to its topmost branches merely because Bob hazarded the opinion that cedar trees were hard to shin up. Only Tommy seemed to experience none of the intoxication of the highway and the morning air. Tommy appeared a bit sluggish, and kept dropping back, necessitating frequent halts.
Look here, Tommy, said Dan presently, were awfully fond of you, but we love honor more; also dinner. If you really want to spend the day around here studying nature, why just say so; well wait for you at Jericho.
Whereupon Tom gave a grunt and moved faster. But at the end of half an hour the truth was out; Tommy didnt feel just right.
Where do you hurt? asked Bob skeptically.
I I have a beast of a pain in my chest, said Tom, leaning against a fence and laying one hand pathetically halfway down the front of his flannel shirt. The others howled gleefully.
On his chest! shrieked Dan.
Sure it isnt a headache? laughed Nelson.
Tom looked aggrieved.
I gu-gu-gu-guess if you fu-fu-fu-fellows had it you wu-wu-wu-wu-wu
Look here, Tommy, said Bob, you havent got a pain; youve just swallowed an alarm clock!
Thats what you get for eating all that pie and making a hog of yourself, said Dan sternly.
Its Tommys tummy, murmured Nelson.
Whatever it was, it undoubtedly hurt, for Tommy was soon doubled up on the grass groaning dolefully. The others, exchanging comical glances, made themselves comfortable alongside.
Got anything in your medicine chest that will help him, Dan? asked Nelson. Dan shook his head. The medicine chest consisted of a two-ounce bottle of camphor liniment and a similar sized flask of witch-hazel.
How you feeling now, Tommy? asked Bob gravely.
Better, muttered Tom. Id ju-ju-ju-just like to know what that woman put in her pu-pu-pu-pie!
You dont suppose it was poison, do you? asked Dan, with a wink at the others.
Toms head came up like a shot and he stared wildly about him.
I bu-bu-bu-bet it wa-wa-wa-was! he shrieked. It fu-fu-feels like it! A-a-a-a-arsenic!
Thats mean, Dan, said Bob. Hes only fooling, Tommy. You have just got a plain, everyday tummyache. Lie still a bit and youll be all right.
Tom looked from one to the other in deep mistrust.
If I du-du-du-die, he wailed, I I
He broke off to groan and wriggle uneasily.
What, Tommy? asked Dan with a grin.
I I hope you all ch-ch-ch-ch-choke!
Toms pain in his chest kept them there the better part of two hours, and it was past eleven when the invalid pronounced himself able to continue the journey. There was still some four miles to go in order to reach Jericho, which hamlet they had settled upon as their dinner stop, and they struck out briskly.
What was that chaps name? asked Dan. The one we were to get dinner from.
Hooper, answered Bob, William Hooper. I wish I was there now. Im as hungry as a bear.
There was a groan from Tom.
Thats all right, Tommy, but we havent feasted on nice apple and squash pie, you see.
Shut up! begged Tom.
How bigs this Jericho place? asked Nelson.
Out came Bobs road map.
Seems to be about three houses there according to this, answered Bob.
Gee! I hope we dont get by without seeing it, said Dan. Do you suppose theres a sign on it?
I dont know, but Ive heard there was a tree opposite it, Bob replied gravely. And theres something else here too, he continued, still studying the map. Its a long, black thing; looks as though it might be a skating rink or a ropewalk.
Maybe its the poorhouse, suggested Dan, looking over his shoulder.
Or a hospital for Tommy, added Nelson.
Anyhow, I hope theres something to eat there, said Bob.
Me too, sighed Nelson. This is the longest old seven miles I ever saw. And its after twelve oclock. Sure were on the right road, Bob?
Of course. Look at the map.
Oh, hang the map! Lets ask some one.
All right. It does seem a good ways. Well ask the next person we see.
But although they had met half a dozen persons up to that time, it seemed now that the district had suddenly become depopulated. Nelson said he guessed they were all at home eating dinner. After another half hour of steady walking, during which time Tom recovered his spirits, they came into sight of a little village set along the road. There was one store there and some five or six houses.
Anyhow, said Dan hopefully, we can get some crackers and cheese in the store.
But when they had piled through the door they changed their minds. It was a hardware store! A little old man with a bald head and brass-rimmed spectacles limped down behind the counter to meet them.
Is this Jericho? asked Bob.
Jericho? No, this aint Jericho, was the answer.
Oh! Er what is it?
Bakerville.
Wheres Bakerville?
Right here.
I know, but well, wheres Jericho?
Bout eight miles from here.
Four boys groaned in unison. Bob pulled out his map, in spite of the fact that Dan looked as though he was ready to seize upon and destroy it.