CHAPTER XXXIV

THE GREAT ADVENTURE

Skippy had two things to show his delighted father when they met at the railroad station a few weeks later, by which time Skinner had confessed murdering Josiah Flint when mad with rage at having been caught stealing, and Skippy’s grief over Big Joe’s death had become less poignant. One was the gawky Mugs and the other a little satchel which he carried under his arm with the greatest care.

“What’s in there, Skippy son?” Toby asked after their outstretched arms had clung in an awkward embrace.

Skippy winked at his father mysteriously.

“I waited to tell you now, Pop—sort of as a surprise. It’s what Buck Flint calls redress money—money that Old Flint should have paid you and didn’t. And he says it’s for the price of the _Minnie M. Baxter_ too. Altogether he said he figured Old Flint owed you a thousand dollars with interest—see Pop?”

Toby was overwhelmed.

“What we a-goin’ ter do with it, son?” he wanted to know.

“Whatever you say, Pop. There’s enough to buy another _Minnie M. Baxter_ and more besides, huh? An’ there’s enough to buy a nice hot dog stand somewheres up in the mountains where the doctor said I wouldn’t have no more bad throats. So what do you say, Pop?”

“Mountains, Skippy boy,” said Toby with shining eyes. “We’ll call our stand the _Minnie Baxter_ jest the same, hey? ’Cause didn’t she sort uv bring us luck in the end, after all? How’d we got all this money if she hadn’t uv burned up and that helped ter show up Skinner and made Buck Flint feel sorry and that he ought ter make good. Yessir we’ll call her that.”

A train announcer sauntered out of the big iron gates and in his sonorous voice called out, “Mountain Express on Track Number Four ... Cold Glen ... Pine Ridge ... Baxter....”

“Did yer hear that, Skippy?” asked Toby excitedly. “There’s a place in them mountains what’s called _Baxter_! Seems like as if it was Fate or somethin’! S’pose we jest try her fer luck. What do you say?”

“I’m on, Pop,” Skippy cried joyfully. “Baxter for luck!”

And arm in arm, Skippy and Toby, with Mugs sniffing at their heels, darted through the big iron gates on their Great Adventure.

END

FOOTNOTES

[1]Stolen goods.

HAL KEEN MYSTERY STORIES By HUGH LLOYD

Boys! Meet Hal Keen, that lanky, nonchalant, red-headed youth whose guiding star is the star that points to adventure, excitement and mystery. Follow him in his hunts for clues and criminals. There are plenty of thrills and shivers in these stories to keep you on your toes.

THE SMUGGLER’S SECRET

Hal Keen sets out to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens the safety of a whole community.

THE MYSTERIOUS ARAB

Mystery, excitement, murder in a scientist’s camp in the jungles of Africa, where hate, revenge, and suspicion lead to tragedy.

THE HERMIT OF GORDON’S CREEK

The disappearance of two airmail pilots leads to a mystery that centers about an abandoned mine and a strange old man.

KIDNAPPED IN THE JUNGLE

A hint of buried treasure in the ruins of an old French mission leads Hal deep into the Central American jungle.

THE COPPERHEAD TRAIL MYSTERY

Baffling and blood-curdling events center about the ranch where Hal Keen and his friends had gone in search of gold.

THE LONESOME SWAMP MYSTERY

The lonely and mysterious swamp gave up its secret only after a series of terrifying events taxed Hal’s courage and ability.

THE CLUE AT SKELETON ROCKS

In this new thriller Hal Keen finds mystery and adventure in and about a lonely lighthouse on Skeleton Rocks, off the Maine coast.

THE DOOM OF STARK HOUSE

Mystery and terror in an old house in the wilderness above Quebec where Hal Keen is the guest of a strange family.

THE JUDY BOLTON MYSTERY STORIES By MARGARET SUTTON

Here is a new series of mystery stories for girls by an author who knows the kind of stories every girl wants to read—mystery of the “shivery” sort, adventure that makes the nerves tingle, clever “detecting” and a new lovable heroine, Judy Bolton, whom all girls will take to their hearts at once.

THE VANISHING SHADOW

Judy’s safety is threatened by a gang of crooks who think she knows too much about their latest “deal.” She is constantly pursued by a mysterious shadow which vanishes before she can get a glimpse of its owner.

THE HAUNTED ATTIC

The Boltons move into a large rambling house reputed to be haunted. Even the brave Judy who has looked forward to “spooky” goings on is thoroughly frightened at the strange scrapings and rappings and the eery “crying ghost.”

THE INVISIBLE CHIMES

Through an automobile accident a strange girl is taken into the Bolton household—the whole family becomes attached to her and interested in her story. Judy tracks down many clues before she finally uncovers the real identity of “Honey.”

SEVEN STRANGE CLUES

Judy gets to the bottom of a mystery that centers around a prize poster contest and a fire in the school building—through seven baffling clues that hold the key to the answer.

THE NANCY DREW MYSTERY STORIES By CAROLYN KEENE

Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.

Here is a thrilling series of mystery stories for girls. Nancy Drew, ingenious, alert, is the daughter of a famous criminal lawyer and she herself is deeply interested in his mystery cases. Her interest involves her often in some very dangerous and exciting situations.

THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK

Nancy, unaided, seeks to locate a missing will and finds herself in the midst of adventure.

THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE

Mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion lead to an investigation by Nancy.

THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY

Nancy has some perilous experiences around a deserted bungalow.

THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN

Quick thinking and quick action were needed for Nancy to extricate herself from a dangerous situation.

THE SECRET AT SHADOW RANCH

On a vacation in Arizona Nancy uncovers an old mystery and solves it.

THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM

Nancy exposes the doings of a secret society on an isolated farm.

THE CLUE IN THE DIARY

A fascinating and exciting story of a search for a clue to a surprising mystery.

NANCY’S MYSTERIOUS LETTER

Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a fortune. This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew.

FLYING STORIES FOR BOYS IN THE AIR WITH ANDY LANE By EUSTACE L. ADAMS

Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.

Mr. Adams, the author of this flying series for boys is an experienced aviator and has had many thrilling adventures in the air—both as a member of the famous Lafayette Escadrille in the World War and in the United States Naval Aviation Service flying with the squadrons patrolling the Atlantic Coast. His stories reveal not only his ability to tell daring and exciting air episodes but also his first hand knowledge of modern aeroplanes and the marvelous technical improvements which have been made in the past few years. Andy Lane flies the latest and most highly developed machines in the field of aviation.

FIFTEEN DAYS IN THE AIR OVER THE POLAR ICE RACING ROUND THE WORLD THE RUNAWAY AIRSHIP PIRATES OF THE AIR ON THE WINGS OF FLAME THE MYSTERIOUS MONOPLANE THE FLYING WINDMILL THE PLANE WITHOUT A PILOT WINGS OF ADVENTURE ACROSS THE TOP OF THE WORLD PRISONERS OF THE CLOUDS

THE REX LEE FLYING STORIES By THOMSON BURTIS

Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.

The author of this series of exciting flying stories is an experienced aviator. He says, “During my five years in the army I performed nearly every sort of flying duty—instructor, test pilot, bombing, photographing pilot, etc., in every variety of ship, from tiny scout planes to the gigantic three-motored Italian Caproni.”

Not only has this author had many experiences as a flyer; a list of his activities while knocking around the country includes postal clerk, hobo, actor, writer, mutton chop salesman, preacher, roughneck in the oil fields, newspaper man, flyer, scenario writer in Hollywood and synthetic clown with the Sells Floto Circus. Having lived an active, daring life, and possessing a gift for good story telling, he is well qualified to write these adventures of a red-blooded dare-devil young American who became one of the country’s greatest flyers.

REX LEE; GYPSY FLYER REX LEE; ON THE BORDER PATROL REX LEE; RANGER OF THE SKY REX LEE; SKY TRAILER REX LEE; ACE OF THE AIR MAIL REX LEE; NIGHT FLYER REX LEE’S MYSTERIOUS FLIGHT REX LEE; ROUGH RIDER OF THE AIR REX LEE; AERIAL ACROBAT REX LEE; TRAILING AIR BANDITS REX LEE; FLYING DETECTIVE

THE HARDY BOYS SERIES By FRANKLIN W. DIXON

Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.

The Hardy Boys are sons of a celebrated American detective, and during vacations and their off time from school they help their father by hunting down clues themselves.

THE TOWER TREASURE—A dying criminal confessed that his loot had been secreted “in the tower.” It remained for the Hardy Boys to clear up the mystery.

THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF—Mr. Hardy started to investigate—and disappeared! An odd tale, with plenty of excitement.

THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL—Counterfeit money was in circulation, and the limit was reached when Mrs. Hardy took some from a stranger. A tale full of thrills.

THE MISSING CHUMS—Two of the Hardy Boys’ chums disappear and are almost rescued by their friends when all are captured. A thrilling story of adventure.

HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD—In tracing some stolen gold the trail leads the boys to an abandoned mine, and there things start to happen.

THE SHORE ROAD MYSTERY—Automobiles were disappearing most mysteriously from the Shore Road. It remained for the Hardy Boys to solve the mystery.

THE SECRET OF THE CAVES—When the boys reached the caves they came unexpectedly upon a queer old hermit.

THE MYSTERY OF CABIN ISLAND—A story of queer adventures on a rockbound island.

THE GREAT AIRPORT MYSTERY—The Hardy Boys solve the mystery of the disappearance of some valuable mail.

WHAT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT—The boys follow a trail that ends in a strange and exciting situation.

WHILE THE CLOCK TICKED—The Hardy Boys aid in vindicating a man who has been wrongly accused of a crime.

FOOTPRINTS UNDER THE WINDOW—The Smuggling of Chinese into this country is the basis of this story in which the boys find thrills and excitement aplenty.

WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS By JAMES CODY FERRIS

Each Volume Complete in Itself.

Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces.

The Manly boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all circumstances.

The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when required, but full of fun and daring—a bunch any reader will be delighted to know.

THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER’S GAP THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES THE X BAR X BOYS RIDING FOR LIFE THE X BAR X BOYS IN SMOKY VALLEY

BOOKS BY LEO EDWARDS

Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.

Hundreds of thousands of boys have laughed until their sides ached over the weird and wonderful adventures of Jerry Todd, Poppy Ott, Trigger Berg and their friends. Mr. Edwards’ boy characters are all real. They do the things other boys like. Pirates! Mystery! Detectives! Adventure! Ghosts! Buried Treasure! Achievement! Stories of boys making things, doing things, going places—always on the jump and always having fun. His stories are for boys and girls of all ages.

THE JERRY TODD BOOKS

JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE COLORED CAT JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG JERRY TODD AND THE PURRING EGG JERRY TODD IN THE WHISPERING CAVE JERRY TODD, PIRATE JERRY TODD AND THE BOB-TAILED ELEPHANT JERRY TODD, EDITOR-IN-GRIEF JERRY TODD, CAVEMAN

THE POPPY OTT BOOKS

POPPY OTT AND THE STUTTERING PARROT POPPY OTT AND THE SEVEN LEAGUE STILTS POPPY OTT AND THE GALLOPING SNAIL POPPY OTT’S PEDIGREED PICKLES POPPY OTT AND THE FRECKLED GOLDFISH POPPY OTT AND THE TITTERING TOTEM POPPY OTT AND THE PRANCING PANCAKE POPPY OTT HITS THE TRAIL

THE TRIGGER BERG BOOKS

TRIGGER BERG AND THE TREASURE TREE TRIGGER BERG AND 700 MOUSETRAPS TRIGGER BERG AND THE SACRED PIG

THE TUFFY BEAN BOOKS

TUFFY BEAN’S PUPPY DAYS TUFFY BEAN’S ONE RING CIRCUS TUFFY BEAN AT FUNNY-BONE FARM TUFFY BEAN AND THE LOST FORTUNE

GARRY GRAYSON FOOTBALL STORIES By ELMER A. DAWSON

Illustrated. Each Volume Complete in Itself.

Garry Grayson is a football fan, first, last, and all the time. But more than that, he is a wideawake American boy with a “gang” of chums almost as wideawake as himself.

How Garry organized the first football eleven his grammar school had, how he later played on the High School team, and what he did on the Prep School gridiron and elsewhere, is told in a manner to please all readers and especially those interested in watching a rapid forward pass, a plucky tackle, or a hot run for a touchdown.

Good, clean football at its best—and in addition, rattling stories of mystery and schoolboy rivalries.

GARRY GRAYSON’S HILL STREET ELEVEN; or, The Football Boys of Lenox. GARRY GRAYSON AT LENOX HIGH; or, The Champions of the Football League. GARRY GRAYSON’S FOOTBALL RIVALS; or, The Secret of the Stolen Signals. GARRY GRAYSON SHOWING HIS SPEED; or, A Daring Run on the Gridiron. GARRY GRAYSON AT STANLEY PREP; or, The Football Rivals of Riverview. GARRY GRAYSON’S WINNING KICK; or, Battling for Honor. GARRY GRAYSON HITTING THE LINE; or, Stanley Prep on a New Gridiron. GARRY GRAYSON’S WINNING TOUCHDOWN; or, Putting Passmore Tech on the Map. GARRY GRAYSON’S DOUBLE SIGNALS; or, Vanquishing the Football Plotters. GARRY GRAYSON’S FORWARD PASS; or, Winning in the Final Quarter.

BOB CHASE BIG GAME SERIES By FRANK A. WARNER

In these thrilling stories of outdoor life the hero is a young lumberjack who is a crack rifle shot. While tracking game in the Maine woods he does some rich hunters a great service. They become interested in him and take him on various hunting expeditions in this country and abroad. Bob learns what it is to face not only wildcats, foxes and deer but also bull moose, Rocky Mountain grizzly bears and many other species of big game.

BOB CHASE WITH THE BIG MOOSE HUNTERS BOB CHASE AFTER GRIZZLY BEARS BOB CHASE IN THE TIGER’S LAIR BOB CHASE WITH THE LION HUNTERS

_A Skippy Dare Mystery Story_ AMONG THE RIVER PIRATES

_By_ HUGH LLOYD

Nearly all the boats and barges on the River that was “home” to Skippy belonged to old Flint. A grasping and merciless man, Flint also controlled the lives of most of the people who tried to earn their living on the River. For many years Skippy’s father had worked for him; loading and unloading illicit merchandise—aware that he was involved in crooked business but reaping little benefit beyond a meager living therefrom.

Honest, courageous young Skippy finally persuades his father to leave Flint’s employ—but it is impossible to escape the evil net in which they are caught. Before they succeed in getting away from the illicit river traffic, they become involved with the police—the boy’s father is accused of murder—Skippy is forced into a crooked game—and the Basin, where the condemned river barges provide homes for the river people is blown up. In one great blast men, women, children and all their worldly goods are destroyed in a sea of lapping flames.

In the end Skippy’s fearless honesty and loyalty bring happy freedom to himself and his best pal—his father.

Hal Keen Mystery Stories

_By_ HUGH LLOYD

Follow Hal Keen on his hunts for clues and criminals. There are plenty of thrills and shivers in these stories of adventure and mystery.

THE HERMIT OF GORDON’S CREEK

The disappearance of two airmail pilots leads to a mystery that centers about an abandoned mine.

KIDNAPPED IN THE JUNGLE

A hint of buried treasure leads Hal deep into the Central American jungle.

THE COPPERHEAD TRAIL MYSTERY

What was the meaning of the baffling and blood curdling events that centered about the ranch where Hal Keen had gone in search of gold?

THE SMUGGLERS’ SECRET

Hal Keen sets out to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens the safety of a whole community.

THE MYSTERIOUS ARAB

Mystery, excitement, murder in a scientist’s camp in the jungles of Africa.

THE LONESOME SWAMP MYSTERY

The lonely and mysterious swamp gave up its secret only after a series of terrifying events.

THE CLUE AT SKELETON ROCKS

Hal Keen finds mystery and adventure in and about a lonely lighthouse off the Maine coast.

THE DOOM OF STARK HOUSE

A menacing cloud of mystery hangs over the isolated and snow bound Stark house.

THE LOST MINE OF THE AMAZON

Hal’s sympathy for an exiled white family leads him on to solve the tragic mystery that surrounds the lost mine.

_Skippy Dare_

courageous—honest—loyal

A young “detective” who keeps his head when trouble starts. And Skippy has a way of being in the thick of things

HIS ADVENTURES MAKE TENSE READING

He learns the trickery of crooked men on his father’s river barge; his experience stands him in good stead when he becomes an office boy in a detective agency—and he proves an invaluable aide to Conne, the great detective.... Fearless, fast thinking Skippy is a hero well worth knowing!

Skippy Dare Mystery Stories by HUGH LLOYD author of the “_Hal Keen Mystery Stories_”

AMONG THE RIVER PIRATES PRISONERS IN DEVIL’S BOG HELD FOR RANSOM

GROSSET & DUNLAP · _Publishers_ · New York

Transcriber’s Notes

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--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.

--Relocated the illustrations (printed on unnumbered pages) to the corresponding paragraph in the text.

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