Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-09-13

lessy. They're up to something, | can't
make out Just what and they're afraid wen
find it out I'm going to propose that we
take tramp while he's here and you two
must say you'll go along; and then we'll"
How far is it?" asked Will in a very
loud voice, at this moment. asking the ques-
ton for Marks benefit. he making his ap-
pearance while Herb was speaking.
oh. not more than two miles," answered
Herb, in an equally loud voice.
We'll, III 60, said VIII.
And how. about you, old lazy bones"
pursued Herb, turning to Ed.
oh don't know. Ill-um-go, I guess"
draw1ed Ed.
We're talking Of going for little tramp
up the mountain. Do you want to go alongY
asked Herb Of Mark. as ne came up 10 the
party.
"Oh-no-I think not" replied Mark pre-
tending to hesitate in his answer 1--WE
haven't quite finished the spring board yet,
and I'd have to change my clothes, and
well. | don't Just feel like tramping today,
Herb could hardly keep his face straight
while Mark was declining the invitation with
these fimsY excuses.
We'll. if you don't feel ike tramping, we
wont ur2e You to so. of course" he said
But we re going to have lots of fun on the
trlp and I'm afraid you'll be sorry that you
didn't go along"
."oh. don't believe IN be SO sorry"
you'll have lots Of fun"
And he went inside the tent to get the
nails ne bad come after.
Herb did Imile then. he nearly laughed out
loud, and Ed had to stuff one corner of
snorting out. just as Mark came out of the
tent. Herb said:
IF you, fellows are all ready. we'd better
start. ] think"
And he got up, followed by VIII and Ed,
and the three started up the mountain side.
Mark hurried off to impart to Percy the
joyful information he had obtained by his
visit to. the tent, not once suspecting that he
was being tricked and that the three whom
he supposed. were then on their way up the
mountain were at that very moment follow
ing him. and chuckling as they saw how
nicely their little game had worked.
"We're all right. old fellow" he called
out, cheerily. as he ran down the path to the
swimming pool. "Those chumps have gone
for a tramp up the mountain and won't be
back for two or three hours"
Percy tossed his cap up into The air to give
vent to his delight over this piece of good
news, not. suspecting, any more than Mark,
that the information was false; although il
either of them had stopped moment to con-
slider the matter they would have known
right away that there was something wrong
when Ed 50. readily went on a tramp up the
mountain side.
'Well. now, I'll go down and fasten this
on" said Mark, taking the rope out from his
blouse as he spoke; sand then we1l get out
there on the bank and yank that chest out in
the twitch of lambs tai"
Saying which, he took one end of the rope
in his hand and let himself down from the
end of the spring board into the dark water.
It's all right" he said, coming to the
surface 9. moment later. And now for the
treasure"
Herb nudged Ed as the word Treasure"
reached their ears and the three hidden boys
stared at each other questioningly, mutely in
curing what Mark meant by that word.
They. soon found out, however, without
answering each others looks. for Mark and
Percy had little trouble in pulling the chest
to the shore with the aid Of the rope.
Look at thatl" exclaimed Herb. as the chest
was drawn out of the water. "a chest of
sOmeth.i1ng, IS sure as you're born. ] wonder
Tits no wonder they were mysterious"
said VIII. Il fancy anybody would be. under
the circumstances"
The three watched breathlessly as Mark,
after vain endeayor to Dry the cover off the
chest began chopplng hole in the end of it.
Tt would be good joke. on us if they
have discovered something valuable wouldn't
it?" said Herb. sTd feel almost as foolish
as"
They've got it Openi" interrupted Ed.
"And- they've found their treasured" ex-
claimed Herb, laughing uproariously as Mark
and Percy slipped up the. chest and poured
mud. "Ha. ha. hal Look at their faces!"
The three took one look at the contents Of
the chest and at the faces Of the two treasure
hunters and then rolled over on the ground,
in ccnvulsive fit of laughter.
"Ha, ha. ha!D and "Ho, no, hoi' they
roared until their sides ached.
And then when Mark and Percy heard
the laughter and glanced sheepishly in their
direction. they laughed again louder than
ever
ssHa. ha. ha! That's the richest thing outl''
yelled Herb. you fellows viii take a page
of the camp diary and no mistake"
Poor Mark Poor Percyl Together with
the disappointment their treasure chest had
brought them. there was added the chagrin
of having beeS discovered in the work Of
a glowing account of the event recorded in
the camp diary.
Afterward they did not particularly enjoy
"a al L.