Jack Rangers Western Trip | Page 2

none at the Hall can hear us."

Fred blew a lively air and the score of boys behind him began to march
in step.
"What is it this time?" asked Sam in a low tone, of Jack. "You haven't
let on a word."
"We're going to administer a deserved rebuke to a certain character in
this town," Jack answered. "You've heard of Old Smelts, haven't you?"
"That fellow who's always beating his wife and hitting his little girl?"
"That's the old chap. Well, I heard he just got out of the lock-up for
being too free with his fists on the little girl. Now if there's anything
that makes me mad it's to see a kid hurt, girl or boy, it doesn't matter.
I've got a surprise in store for Mr. Smelts."
"What is it?"
"You've heard of the Klu-Klux-Klan, I suppose?"
"You mean that southern society that made such a stir during the Civil
War?"
"That's the one. We're going to be Klu-Klux-Klaners to-night."
"But we haven't got any uniforms."
"You'll find them in yonder wood!" exclaimed Jack in tragic tones, and
he pointed to a clump of trees just ahead.
"What's this, amateur theatricals?" asked Nat, catching the last words.
"Maybe," replied Jack. "Now Fred you can pay off your orchestra," he
added. "I want to do a little monologue."
The boys crowded around Jack, and he told them what he had related to
Sam.
"I have provided the necessary uniforms to enable us to take the part of

Klu-Klux-Klaners," he said. "Old Smelts is a southerner and knows the
significance of the thing. We'll throw a good scare into him, and maybe
he'll let his wife and daughter alone. Now we're to put on the sheets and
the tall white helmets, and you leave the rest to me. Do just as I do
when we get to Smelts's house."
"Hemispheres and hot handkerchiefs!" exclaimed Nat. "This is going
some!"
Jack went to the foot of a big hollow tree, from which he pulled a large
bundle. This he opened and showed a number of ghostly uniforms. He
distributed these among the boys, who at once donned them, making a
weird looking band in the little glade.
"Every one stand still until I put the finishing touches on," commanded
Jack.
With a bottle of phosphorous he outlined waving flame lines around the
holes cut for eyes, nose, and mouth on each white-shrouded figure,
"Now we're ready," announced the leader. "Smelts's house is just
beyond this wood. Follow me, and, Fred, when you see me put my
hand on my head that means I want slow tremulous music, like they
have in the theater when, the heroine is dying."
"Your wishes shall be obeyed," spoke Fred, in hollow tones, whereat
the others laughed.
"Silence!" commanded Jack.
It was a good thing those in charge of Washington Hall could not see
the pupils just then. If they had the prank would have cost the
participators dear. But, after all, as Jack said, it was in a good cause. On
they went until their leader held up a warning hand.
"Arrange yourselves in a circle about me," he whispered. "I am going
to beard the lion in his den."

He walked up to a small cottage that stood some distance from any
other dwellings on a lonely street in the village, and knocked loudly.
"Who's there?" came a voice, in answer, a few seconds later from an
upper window.
"Tobias Smelts, come forth!" called Jack in deep tones. "We would
hold speech with thee!"
The boys could see a man thrust his head further out of the casement.
"Come forth and linger not!" called Jack.
"Oh! Oh! It's the Klu-Kluxers! It's the Klan! They're after me!"
exclaimed Smelts. "Oh, what shall I do?"
"Come forth if ye would not have us drag ye out!" cried Jack. "We
have business with thee!"
"What'll I do?" wailed Tobias.
"Better go 'fore they come in here after ye," a woman's voice could be
heard to say. "Remember what they did to Pete Baker in South
Caroliny!"
The head was drawn in, with many a groan.
"Get ready, he's coming," whispered Jack.
A few minutes later a very much frightened man, clad in his shirt and
trousers came out on the front steps, around which the boys in their
ghostly disguise were gathered.
"Advance!" commanded Jack, and Tobias, his knees trembling, walked
on until he stood in the midst of the frolicking students.
"Bind him to the stake!" commanded the leader.
A small, pointed stake had been prepared and with a hammer it was

driven into the ground. Then the man was fastened to it with several
coils of clothes line.
"Now the faggots!" said Jack, and the boys dropped some pieces of
wood at the victims feet. A