The San Francisco call., 1910-10-23

II HREE days more and 1t would be
the first of April The creeks were
in prime condition. the sky little
threatening, but with the assurance of
the weather man that the storm would
break farther north. Jayne's creek,
where it passed a short distance below
Pickles hill was reported fairly alive
with mountain trout. Rockford and
Yarrow boys alike, younger citizens of
the two nearest towns were as busy
as a hive of bees with their fish lines,
hooks, sinkers and flies, and were dig
ging bait and mending old alarm clocks.
These were days when they buried
their little differences, as the engrossing
call of the fishing. season enforced an
armistice.
The first of April was on a Saturday.
On Friday evening there were hurried
gatherings of big and little boys max
ing their last preparations and getting
meeting places a little better under
stood. About the most excited boy in
either town was young Mark Thorp of
,Yarrow. His father was an old sea
captain, having commanded the good
ship Pelican in the southern seas. for
more than quarter of a century. The
son had his fathers love of outdoor life
along with his remarkable physical de-
veIopment. While not any taller than
most boys of his age he was considered
the best wrestler and boxer in the town
among lads several years older than
himself. He was just full of good ma
ture and youthful exuberance.-
In the midst of one Of these excited
groups of boys that had gathered in
Yarrow was Mark The meeting place
was in the schoolyard about a quarter
OF mile from the main business
street. AS they stood and talked in
pairs and groups around the big maple
tree that spread it's graceful branches
high up over the red roof Of the little
schoolhouse suddenly several of the
boys looked up and gazed steadily
toward the road which led to Ruck-
ford. Their quick ears had detected
buzz of voices coming from that di-
rection. AS the sounds drew nearer
all of the Yarrow boys were alert.
Some were for rushing toward the
fence to investigate, for now voices
and footsteps could be plainly heard.
Mark strained his ears to catch every
sound, then suddenly he motioned to
the rest OF the boys TO keep very quiet.
They're Ruckford boys he whis-
pered, "and ! think they're coming
here"
Following Marks lead each boy stole
swiftly and stealthily toward the old
woodshed. all concealing themselves
behind a pile of old boards. Now they
could distinctly hear boys, seemingly
dozens, scrambling over the fence. 1t
was getting dusk by this time and the
outline of the newcomers could just
be made out by the Yarrow boys as
they cautiously peered out from their
hiding place. The party was larger
than their own and there was still day
light enough left to perceive red bands
around their waists, and in their midst
boy, somewhat taller than the others
wearing a red cap. He was as the
Yarrow boys were well aware the re-
doubtable Beetles, with his band of
Terrible Terriers" from the neighbor-
ing town OF Ruckford.
Beetles had thick. fiery red hair,
which rivaled his cap In brilliancy. The
full, deep voice, which occasionally
cracked and went up high, sounded
more terrible than the boys had ever
heard 1t before. Beetles was the most
dreaded boy In the whole town OF Ruck-
ford. The Yarrow boys longed to find
him alone and vowed If they ever did
he would get fine good battering
from them. But they were never fortu-
nate enough 10 meet him Unattended
He was always accompanied by two or
three OF his Terriers"
The chief delight and pastime OF the
Terrible Band" just referred to- was