self as comfortable
as you can, and in the morning we'll come to an understanding. We've got
another prisoner besides yourself, and between the two of you I reckon
we'll find out before long just what the boomers are up to."

And with a dark look upon his face, Louis Vorlange stalked out of the
apartment, locking the door after him, and thus leaving Nellie to her
fate.

CHAPTER XX.

THE MOVING OF THE BOOMERS.

"Pawnee Brown at last!"

The words came from one of the boomers, a fat but spry old chap named
Dunbar.

"Yes, Dunbar," answered the great scout. "Were you getting anxious about
me?"

"Well, just a trifle, Pawnee."

"The camp must move at once. Send the word around immediately, Dunbar."

"Whar do we move to?"

"To Honnewell. As soon as all hands are at Honnewell I'll send out
further orders."

In less than half an hour the immense wagon train organized by the
boomers located in Kansas was on the way.

At the front rode Pawnee Brown, Clemmer and several others who were
personal friends of the scout.

It was a grand sight, this moving. To this day some of the boomers say
it was the grandest sight they ever beheld.

Every heart was full of hope. Past trials and hardships were forgotten.
The boomers were to enter the richest farming lands in the States and
there start life anew.

The movement was made in silence and in almost utter darkness. Of
course, it was impossible to hide the news from the citizens of Arkansas
City, but the train was well on its way before the news had any chance
of spreading.

At the time of which we write there were several trails to Honnewell
from Arkansas City. The regular road was a fair one in good weather,
but, after such a rain as had fallen, this trail was hub-deep with mud
in more than one spot.

"Oi'll not go thot trail," was Delaney's comment. "Oi'll take the upper
road."

"Thot's roight, Mike," put in Rosy, his wife. "It's not meself as wants
to stick fast in this black mud. Sure, and it's worse nor the bogs of
Erin!"

"Vot's dot road you vos speakin' apout alretty?" put in Humpendinck, who
had as heavy a wagon as anyone.

"It's a better road nor this, Humpy," replied Mike Delaney. "Folly me
an' we'll rach Honnewell afore enny of 'em, mark me wurrud."

Thus encouraged, Humpendinck followed Delaney on the upper trail, and,
seeing the two go off, half a dozen followed.

It was more than half an hour after before Pawnee Brown heard of their
depar