Chapter I: Front Matter

The Rambler Club
with the
Northwest Mounted

BY W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD

AUTHOR OF

“THE RAMBLER CLUB AFLOAT”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S WINTER CAMP”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB ON CIRCLE T RANCH”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB AMONG THE LUMBERJACKS”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S GOLD MINE”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S AEROPLANE”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S HOUSE-BOAT”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S MOTOR CAR”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S BALL NINE”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S FOOTBALL TEAM”

Illustrated by the Author

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA
MCMXIV

COPYRIGHT
1914 BY
THE PENN
PUBLISHING
COMPANY

Introduction

When Bob Somers and his four friends, of Kingswood, Wisconsin, formed the Rambler Club they probably had little idea of the numerous and exciting adventures which were before them. These are related in: “The Rambler Club Afloat,” “The Rambler Club’s Winter Camp,” “The Rambler Club in the Mountains,” “The Rambler Club on Circle T Ranch,” “The Rambler Club Among the Lumberjacks,” “The Rambler Club’s Gold Mine,” “The Rambler Club’s Aeroplane,” “The Rambler Club’s House-boat,” “The Rambler Club’s Motor Car,” and “The Rambler Club’s Ball Nine.”

The present book carries them to the great Northwest Territories, patrolled by that famous body of men known as the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. Their intention was to camp out, to see the country, and to meet their old-time friend, Jed Warren, of Circle T Ranch, Wyoming, who had become a member of the force. The lads’ plans, however, are thoroughly disarranged at the start by an unwelcome surprise, and their energies are immediately turned into other channels. They do see a great deal of the country, and are also mixed up with some of the affairs of the “riders of the plains.” In a great measure this is brought about through the agency of big blond Larry Burnham; and the astonishing events which follow an apparently trivial occurrence surprise the lads as much as they do the Royal Northwest Mounted.

In “The Rambler Club’s Football Eleven” is told the interesting experiences of the club at the Wentworth Preparatory School. Here, again, many unexpected things take place.

W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD.

Contents

I. AT THE BARRACKS 9

II. “WHERE IS JED WARREN?” 22

III. TEDDY BANES 39

IV. IN THE SADDLE 49

V. THE INDIAN VILLAGE 62

VI. BILLY ASHE 78

VII. THE FIRST CAMP 90

VIII. THE STAMPEDE 105

IX. LARRY HAS A PLAN 117

X. FOOL’S CASTLE 126

XI. THE RIDER 136

XII. TOM FOLLOWS 145

XIII. SMUGGLERS 157

XIV. LARRY’S COURAGE 167

XV. CAPTURED 178

XVI. THE LOADED WAGON 188

XVII. THE WHOLE CROWD 199

XVIII. ASKING QUESTIONS 209

XIX. BOB RIDES ALONE 219

XX. THE RANCH-HOUSE 235

XXI. LOST 251

XXII. A CRY FOR HELP 262

XXIII. BILLY ASHE IS DISAPPOINTED 270

XXIV. THE PRISONER 281

XXV. EVERYBODY HAPPY 299

XXVI. FACING THE SERGEANT 303

Illustrations

PAGE

“SORRY YOU’RE GOING SO SOON, BOYS” _Frontispiece_

“HOW DO YOU DO?” 67

“GOOD LUCK, OLD BOY” 147

THE WHOLE CROWD WAS THERE 203

HE LOOKED UP AT THE MAN 273

The Rambler Club Among the Northwest Mounted