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diff --git a/old/69356-h/69356-h.htm b/old/69356-h/69356-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 22a315c..0000000 --- a/old/69356-h/69356-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8583 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="UTF-8"> - <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The X Bar X Boys on the Ranch, by James Cody Ferris</title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> - <style> - body { margin-left:8%; margin-right:8%; } - p { text-indent:1.15em; margin-top:0.1em; margin-bottom:0.1em; text-align:justify; } - h1 { text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.3em; } - h2 { text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:0.9em; margin-top:2.5em; margin-bottom:1.5em;} - .chapter { } /* trigger for epub file split */ - .sectiont { page-break-before:always; - margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; - border-bottom: 1px solid silver; padding-bottom:2em; } - .sectionb { page-break-before:always; - margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; - border-top: 1px solid silver; padding-top:2em; } - dt { margin-top:0.7em; } - dd { font-size:0.9em; } - ul { list-style-type:none; } - li { margin-top: 0.5em; } - - table.toc {} - table { page-break-inside: avoid; width:100%; } - table.tcenter { border-collapse:collapse; padding:3px; - margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:0.5em; - margin-left:2em; } - td { vertical-align:top; } - td.c1 { text-align:right; padding-right:0.7em; } - td.c2 { font-variant:small-caps; } - - .w001 { margin-left:17%; width:65% } - .x-ebookmaker .w001 { margin-left:12%; width:75% } - .mt01 { margin-top:1em; } - .mb01 { margin-bottom:1em; } - .caption { text-indent:0; padding:0.5em 0; text-align:center; font-size:smaller; } - </style> -</head> - -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The X Bar X boys on the ranch, by James Cody Ferris</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The X Bar X boys on the ranch</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: James Cody Ferris</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Walter S Rogers</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 15, 2022 [eBook #69356]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH ***</div> - -<div class='sectiont'> - <h1>THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH</h1> - <div id='ifpc' class='mt01 mb01 w001'> - <img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' style='width:100%'> - <p class='caption'>DOWN TOWARD THE ROAD SWEPT THE RIDERS.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sectiont' style='text-align:center'> - <div style='font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>THE X BAR X BOYS<br>ON THE RANCH</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:1em;'>BY<br>JAMES CODY FERRIS</div> - <div style='font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:2em; font-variant:small-caps;'> - Author of “The X Bar X Boys in Thunder Canyon,”<br> - “The X Bar X Boys on Whirlpool River,” etc.</div> - <div style='font-style:italic; font-size:smaller;'>ILLUSTRATED BY</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:2em; font-variant:small-caps; font-size:1.1em;'>Walter S. Rogers</div> - <div style='font-size:smaller;'>NEW YORK</div> - <div>GROSSET & DUNLAP</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:2em;font-size:smaller;'>PUBLISHERS</div> - <div style='font-size:smaller;'>Made in the United States of America</div> -</div> - -<div class='sectiont'> - <div style='text-align:center;'> - <div>WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:1em; font-size:0.9em;'>By JAMES CODY FERRIS</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:1em;'>THE X BAR X BOYS BOOKS</div> - </div> - <blockquote style='text-align:center'> - <div style='text-align: left; display:inline-block'> - <div>THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH</div> - <div>THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON</div> - <div>THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER</div> - <div>THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL</div> - <div>THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP</div> - </div> - </blockquote> - <div style='text-align:center; font-size:0.8em; margin-top:1em;'>(OTHER VOLUMES IN PREPARATION.)</div> - <div style='text-align:center; font-size:0.9em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK</div> - <div style='text-align:center; margin-top:2em; font-size:smaller;'>Copyright, 1926, by</div> - <div style='text-align:center; font-size:smaller;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP</div> - <div style='text-align:center; font-size:smaller; margin-top:1em;'>The X Bar X Boys on the Ranch</div> -</div> - -<div class='sectiont'> - <table class='toc tcenter' style='margin-bottom:3em'> - <thead> - <tr><td style='text-align: center' colspan='2'>CONTENTS</td></tr> - </thead> - <tbody> - <tr><td class='c1'>I</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chI'>The Road to Eagles</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>II</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chII'>A Disheartening Loss</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>III</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chIII'>A Puncher in a Checked Shirt</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>IV</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chIV'>A Clue</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>V</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chV'>Rimor’s Place</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>VI</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chVI'>The Three Horsemen</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>VII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chVII'>Rattlers</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>VIII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chVIII'>The Fall</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>IX</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chIX'>Facing a Mountain Lion</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>X</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chX'>Searching</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XI</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXI'>The Return</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXII'>Visitors</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XIII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXIII'>Norine Entertains</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XIV</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXIV'>Gus Comes Home</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XV</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXV'>Planning a Dance</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XVI</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXVI'>Bug Eye’s Arrival</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XVII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXVII'>Pursuit</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XVIII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXVIII'>The Man With the Scar</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XIX</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXIX'>Escape</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XX</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXX'>The Decision</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XXI</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXXI'>News From the 8 X 8</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XXII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXXII'>The Storm</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XXIII</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXXIII'>Discovery</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XXIV</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXXIV'>Brand</a></td></tr> - <tr><td class='c1'>XXV</td><td class='c2'><a href='#chXXV'>The Round-Up</a></td></tr> - </tbody> - </table> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - -<h2 id='chI' title='I—The Road to Eagles'> - <span style='font-size:1.3em;'>THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH</span><br><br> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER I</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE ROAD TO EAGLES</span> -</h2> - -<p>Two boys loped along the winding, dusty road -on the way to Eagles. One of them, astride a -white-faced mustang, was leading a third horse, -a bay, which, though riderless, was saddled and -bridled. The day was hot; the road steep and -tortuous; and the riderless horse, with head -held low, was doing his best to retard the procession.</p> - -<p>Taking a firmer hold of the leading rein, the -boy gave it a jerk forward.</p> - -<p>“Come up here, General!” he cried. “Where -do you think you’re going—to a funeral? -Pretty near train time and we still have a good -stretch ahead of us!”</p> - -<p>His companion, a slightly older youth, riding -a brown pony, turned in his saddle.</p> - -<p>“Is he holding back on you, Teddy? Those -Spanish bridles make awfully poor leading. I -think he’s got a sore mouth. And, if he has, -dad’ll find it out quick!”</p> - -<p>“Boy, don’t I know it! Why,” Teddy Manley -added with a chuckling laugh, “I bet dad -could tell if General didn’t sleep well the night -before. He sure is crazy over this horse!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick he is!” cried Roy Manley. -“Last thing he told me before he left was -to be sure to bring General in to meet him. But -as far as liking goes, you don’t exactly hate that -Flash of yours, I notice.”</p> - -<p>The other boy grinned and patted the side of -his bronco.</p> - -<p>“Well,” he admitted, “I’m not saying much, -but you have no right to talk about falling in -love with a horse. The way you treat Star -would make any one think he was made of cut glass! -All the while it’s easy now, Star, you -might hurt yourself! Is that cinch-strap too -tight, Star? Here, let me brush that fly off -your ear!’ Huh! Do you tuck him in bed and -kiss him good-night, Roy?”</p> - -<p>Roy Manley refused the bait.</p> - -<p>“I remember,” he said calmly, wiping the -sweat from his upper lip and leaving in its stead -a streak of black dust, “when you first got -Flash. Dad gave him to you for your birthday. -You were just a little shaver then—”</p> - -<p>“Aw, donkey-dust! Who do you think you -are—Methuselah? Just because you’re a year -older—”</p> - -<p>“You were just a little shaver then,” Roy -went on imperturbably, “and maybe you didn’t -know what you were doing. You simply went -into ecstasy. Get that—ecstasy? Sixty-cent -word. Yep, you jumped up and down with glee, -I’ll tell a maverick!”</p> - -<p>“Well, if I jumped up and down with glee, -you, by golly, stood on your head when dad -gave you Star! Now laugh that off!”</p> - -<p>“We won’t argue about it,” Roy replied, -with assumed dignity. “Baby, this road is sure -some dusty! Wind’s right at our backs, too. -If I took a drink of water now I’d turn into a -mud-pie. Hey, Teddy, think you can coax that -cayuse you’re riding into something more than -a trickle? Maybe he’ll run, if you talk to him -real nice.”</p> - -<p>Teddy Manley did not reply, but clucked -softly to his mount. Flash responded with a -leap that caused General, the bay that Teddy -was leading, to toss his head in protest.</p> - -<p>“You’d better be careful,” Roy cautioned. -“There’s only one man who can boss General, -and that’s dad. If the bay takes it into his -head to stop, he’ll <i>stop</i>, and neither one of us -will be able to budge him. Then dad’s train -will pull in, and he’ll expect to find General at -the station waiting for him. And where’ll we -be?”</p> - -<p>“Down in the cellar eating spinach,” Teddy -answered, with a grin. “Flash, here, won’t let -General balk on us! will you, old boy?” and -Teddy leaned forward and rubbed the horse’s -nose. Flash nuzzled his master’s hand affectionately.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you let up on that mush?” Roy -asked in a disgusted tone. “Go on, whisper -pretty nothings in his ear! Talk about me and -Star! Why, when Gilly Froud—”</p> - -<p>Eyes blazing, Teddy turned swiftly on his -brother.</p> - -<p>“Don’t mention that cur’s name to me,” he -said thickly. “You know what he did to Flash? -He kicked him, that’s what he did! Kicked -him! And if dad hadn’t stopped me, I’d have—I’d -have—”</p> - -<p>“Cool off, cool off,” Roy advised soothingly. -“I don’t like Froud any more than you do. You -know that. Anyway, dad threw him off the -ranch, so let’s forget him. Come on, step on it. -Dad’s train is due soon.”</p> - -<p>Breathing heavily at the memory of Froud’s -mistreatment of Flash, Teddy pulled General’s -leading rein and urged his own mount to a -faster pace.</p> - -<p>This Gilly Froud had been a hand on the -X Bar X ranch, which was owned by Mr. Manley, -the father of Roy and Teddy. One day the -ranch owner had caught Froud abusing Flash. -Teddy had come around the corner of the bunkhouse -at the same instant, and took in the scene -at a glance. White to the lips, the boy started -for Froud. Mr. Manley took one look at his -son’s face, and, springing forward, seized -Teddy by the shoulders. Flash—Teddy’s Flash—had -been kicked, and Teddy had seen it. Mr. -Manley tightened his grip on his son’s -shoulders. There was not going to be that sort -of fight on his ranch if he could prevent it.</p> - -<p>Teddy had come to his senses quickly, and Mr. -Manley released him. Then he turned and -looked at Froud, whose face was sickly pale underneath -his tan. After this occurrence, Froud -went away from that ranch in something of a -hurry.</p> - -<p>As Teddy recalled the incident, his fist -clenched and he unconsciously drew up on -Flash’s rein. The horse snorted and shook his -head, as though he knew what was passing -through his master’s mind.</p> - -<p>“Always did hate a man who mistreated a -horse,” Teddy murmured. “Sure to be something -else the matter with him. No decent fellow -would kick a pony.”</p> - -<p>“Still thinking about Gilly Froud?” Roy -asked. “Come on, snap out of it! Lots of nicer -things to think about. For instance, that wrist -watch you bought at school. Baby, wait till -Nick Looker finds out you own a wrist watch! -Maybe he won’t ride you a little!”</p> - -<p>Teddy grinned in reply, and pushed his sombrero -back from his forehead. It was certainly -a hot day.</p> - -<p>The two Manley brothers, Teddy, aged fifteen, -and Roy, one year older, were at home, -for a long time, they hoped, if not for good, -from the Hopper Boarding School, an institution -just outside of Denver. Teddy had the -golden hair and blue eyes of his mother, Barbara -Manley, “the blonde angel of the West,” -her husband often jokingly called her. But the -laugh that always went with this remark deceived -no one—least of all the boys. They -caught the note of love in their father’s voice, -and it found an echo in their own hearts.</p> - -<p>“Jinks! She <i>is</i> an angel!”</p> - -<p>Roy, the taller of the two, had hair as brown -as the hills around him, and eyes but a trifle -lighter in hue. He it was who had inherited -from his mother a fondness for literature, and, -though this last was carefully concealed, a liking -for poetry.</p> - -<p>Barbara Manley, before her marriage, had -been a teacher of English in a Denver school, -and until she had met Bardwell Manley, poetry -had been her only sweetheart. Her eyes would -shine with maternal pride when she observed -Roy reading a “book of silly verses,” as Teddy -called it.</p> - -<p>Yet Roy was a real boy. More, he was a real -Western boy, which is saying a great deal. He -was one of the best shots on the X Bar X ranch, -and although Teddy had a slight edge on him -when it came to riding, Roy could “fork” an -unbroken bronco almost as well as any man on -the ranch. In build the boys were much alike—lean, -wiry products of range life.</p> - -<p>Their father, Bardwell Manley, owned the -X Bar X, a cattle ranch some thirty hours’ ride -“on the cars” west from Chicago on Rocky -Run River, a small stream. This ranch had -been in the Manley family since Temple Manley, -the boys’ grandfather, now several years dead, -had settled there in 1868.</p> - -<p>Roy and Teddy, together with their sister, -Belle Ada, a girl now twelve years old, had, of -course, lived much of their lives on the X Bar X. -But as soon as they became old enough Mrs. -Manley had insisted that the two brothers go -away to study in Denver, and the last three -winters Roy and Teddy had spent at the Hopper -Academy.</p> - -<p>Although their school days were happy -enough, both boys were always eager for summer -to come, bringing with it vacation time, -which meant the ranch, with Flash and Star to -gallop about on over many a winding trail. Roy -and Teddy had the real cowboy’s love for a -good pony and the wind-swept range. Though -they did as well as most boys at their studies -and Roy rather better than the average, they -were both eager for the time to come when they -could leave school and follow in the footsteps -of their father.</p> - -<p>It was now the third week since school had -closed, and today the boys were riding to -Eagles, a railroad station twelve miles from -the X Bar X, to meet Mr. Manley, who had -stipulated that they must bring his own special -mount, General, for him to ride back. Of course -they could have made the trip in an auto, but -Mr. Manley always said he preferred “hoss -flesh to flivvers.”</p> - -<p>“Shucks! I don’t see the use of having an -auto trail to Eagles when dad rides General all -the time,” Teddy half grumbled as he sank his -chin deeper into his neckerchief. “This is too -blame dusty!”</p> - -<p>In the memory of some at the X Bar X, there -had been a time when this road, winding up the -mountain, had been just a trail, hardly wide -enough for two horses abreast. But the auto -had since invaded the West, and had widened -the path into a dusty highway. In the opinion -of Roy and Teddy Manley, it was a change for -the worse.</p> - -<p>“Stop beefing,” challenged Roy, grinning. -“Here! Take a look at that and be thankful -you’re allowed to live in the country!”</p> - -<p>The two boys had come to a turn in the road -almost at the top of the mountain. The horses -stood, champing their bits, on a small plateau. -The road wound itself about the elevation on -either side, stretching out like a long, brown -ribbon. To the left, where the highway made -its sharpest curve, was a small slope, and beyond -this the mountain seemed to have been -shorn off with a giant axe, making a sheer drop -of some three hundred feet.</p> - -<p>Often and often the boys traveled this road, -yet each time they reached Bitter Cliff, as it -was called, and looked off over that vast stretch -of country, they halted, fascinated anew by the -beauty of the scene before them.</p> - -<p>Down below, the whole range was spread out -in a clear-cut panorama. Far in the rear rose -the ranch buildings of X Bar X; the mess-house, -where Sing Lung, the cook, invented the sometimes -strange but always very palatable combinations -of food; the high-fenced corral, now -almost empty, for the cattle were out on the -grazing ground; the ranch house—the home of -Roy and Teddy; the “bronco-peeler’s” bunkhouse; -and the Rocky Run River, like a streak -of dull silver, flowing placidly through a border -of cottonwoods and willows about half a mile -from the ranch house.</p> - -<p>To the west, like another section of some -great map, lay 8 X 8 ranch, owned by Peter -Ball, an old friend and neighbor of Bardwell -Manley.</p> - -<p>“She’s sure some view!” exclaimed Teddy, -with a long, indrawn sigh of peace and satisfaction. -“Some view! Just as good as that -picture of the Great Open Spaces we’ve got -hanging up in the school auditorium.”</p> - -<p>“Huh! Comparing this to a <i>picture</i>!” Roy -snorted. “Why, man, this is <i>real</i>! As good as -a picture! Huh!”</p> - -<p>“All right! All right!” Teddy said easily. -“Then it isn’t! You can’t get me sore,” he -smiled amiably.</p> - -<p>“What isn’t?” demanded his brother. “You -mean to tell me you’d speak of a picture in our -school auditorium in the same breath with—with—” -and Roy flung out his arm in a mute -and helpless gesture of finality.</p> - -<p>“All right, I said! Go easy with that arm -of yours! You made General jump then! But -look! Isn’t the air clear? You can almost -count the horses down at 8 X 8!”</p> - -<p>“So you can. Well, we’d better be on our -way. Dad won’t want to be kept waiting. -He’ll be anxious to climb aboard General again, -after a week of walking and flivvers in the city.”</p> - -<p>“My boy, that’s just what I’ve been thinking. -You show remarkable powers of perception. -As soon as you can wake up that cayuse of -yours, we’ll be moving.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chII' title='II—A Disheartening Loss'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER II</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>A DISHEARTENING LOSS</span> -</h2> - -<p>Clucking to their horses, the Manley boys -proceeded toward Eagles. The road led downward -now, and the going was easier.</p> - -<p>“Speaking of the 8 X 8, did you hear what -happened there?” Teddy asked, as he pulled -gently on General’s leading rein.</p> - -<p>“Yep! Twenty head of short-horn Durhams -stolen; wasn’t it? Pete ought to put better -men to riding his cattle.”</p> - -<p>“Now, I don’t know,” Teddy replied slowly. -“They’ve got some good punchers over on the -8 X 8. Way I figure it, those rustlers are mighty -clever. They ride into a herd at night, cut out -as many head as they can handle, and drive ’em -away before the riders can get to them. But, by -jinks, they’d better not try to get away with -any of the X Bar X cattle! They’ll have one -sweet fight on their hands if they do;” Teddy -looked down at the side of his saddle where the -insignia X—X, burned in the leather, could be -plainly seen. The X Bar X was proud of its -mark. It stood for many years of upright, -square dealing.</p> - -<p>Pop Burns, the oldest hand on the X Bar X -ranch, claimed that he had “invented” the -brand for Temple Manley, the grandfather of -Roy and Teddy. Pop was inordinately boastful -of this distinction, which he had conferred on -himself, and he never tired of telling newcomers -how he had happened to hit on the device of -the “two sawbucks with a piece of rail fence -in between,” as he sometimes described it. So -vain was he of the mark that he placed it on -everything brandable—saddles, bridles, wagons, -the autos, and all. Jim Casey claimed he had -even caught Pop marking Jim’s fancy vest with -the X Bar X, but this the veteran denied.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, there’ll certainly be something doing -if those rustlers take any of our stuff,” -Teddy went on. “Pop would be on their necks -in a minute! I can just see the old geezer raving -mad, and frothing around about: ‘Steal one of -my brands, will ye? I’ll get ye fer that if it -takes me ten years!’ Oh, baby!” and Teddy -laughed.</p> - -<p>“That’s right!” Roy remarked. “But, say, -I hope dad’s train is late. If it isn’t, we’ll -never make it! Come on, let’s hit it up!”</p> - -<p>The boys urged the horses to a faster pace, -and, somewhat winded, reached the station at -Eagles in a cloud of dust, much of which clung -to them and their mounts, where they slipped -from the saddles with grunts of relief. They -tied the three horses to a hitching rail not far -from the station and concealed from the highway -and the railroad office by a rough shack -that served as freight and express depot.</p> - -<p>“Yep, she’s late, all right,” announced Foley, -the ticket agent, as the boys tramped into the -station. “All of thirty minutes behind time. -Your dad’s comin’ today, ain’t he? I see you -got General out there. Spotted him when ye -swung around to tie up. That road to your -place must be some dusty, with the wind blowin’ -up your back, hey?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick it is!” agreed Roy, and -then he and his brother, after a glance about -the dingy waiting room, sauntered out to look -over the town.</p> - -<p>Perhaps “town” would be dignifying Eagles -beyond its merits. There was a main street, -consisting of two restaurants, a post-office, six -stores and the railroad station. A little way -down the track was a large corral, used as a -temporary retention place for dealers who sent -their steers to this point to be shipped. Often -there would be a delay of a day or more before -sufficient cattle cars would arrive at Eagles.</p> - -<p>It was the cattle that brought the station; the -station brought the town, and the town brought -all sorts of things, one of which was now leaning -against the front of Rimor’s Place, hat -pulled low over his face, smoke from an invisible -cigarette drifting lazily about his head.</p> - -<p>Rimor’s Place was one of the two restaurants, -although as an eating house it failed to qualify. -Yet its habitues were never heard to complain -of the quality of its food. The “hard-stuff” -was good.</p> - -<p>“There’s a tough-looking baby,” Teddy said -in a low voice, nodding toward the figure of the -man outside of Rimor’s. “Seems like his -breakfast had soured on him.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a rare bunch that hangs out at Duck -Rimor’s,” Roy replied. “They ought to close -that place. Slim Dery’s restaurant is enough -for Eagles,” he declared emphatically.</p> - -<p>A short time later the brothers again stood on -the station platform, eagerly watching for the -express from the city. It pulled in, and a tall, -well set-up man of perhaps fifty-five alighted. -He wore a heavy dark mustache, and beneath -his broad sombrero his black hair was here and -there tinged with gray. As his foot struck -the platform he reached in his pocket, and -by the time Roy and Teddy had greeted him, -a corncob pipe reposed in the corner of his -mouth.</p> - -<p>“Hello there, Roy and Teddy! The two sons -of the prairie come to meet their father, who -has been far away in the land of the snicker-snackers! -Greetings! Boys, I’ve got a surprise -for you.”</p> - -<p>“What is it, Dad?” Roy asked, grinning at -his father.</p> - -<p>“A whiffletree, hey, Dad?” Teddy inquired.</p> - -<p>“No, not a whiffletree. Nor a wham-wicker -either. Behold! Nell and Ethel, allow me to -present my two dutiful sons, Roy and Teddy. -Pardon me, Theodore! Boys, this is Nell Willis, -and this Ethel Carew. They’re Peter Ball’s -nieces.”</p> - -<p>The boys now saw two young girls, of about -their own age, who had just stepped from the -train to the platform. Small hats were set over -piquant faces; laughing eyes looked into those -of Roy and Teddy. Somewhat in a daze, the -boys acknowledged the introduction.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” went on Mr. Manley, tamping the -tobacco gently down into his pipe, “they’re -Peter Ball’s nieces from New York, goin’ to -visit the 8 X 8. Met ’em on the train. I used -to know ’em a long time ago—” applying a -match to the pipe—“but they wouldn’t remember -me. I want ’em both to come over and see -your sister, Belle Ada,” he explained to the -boys. “Golly, it’s good to be back again!” -Thereat, with a contented sigh, he blew out a -huge cloud of fragrant smoke.</p> - -<p>“Oh, we’d love to come!” one of the girls -said, she whom Mr. Manley had introduced as -Nell Willis. Then she looked at Roy. “You -know, I’ve always wanted to come West. I -think it’s so—so weird, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Weird?” Roy repeated, as though to himself. -“You mean—weird? Oh, yes! Sure! -Awfully weird! Yep! Sure is!”</p> - -<p>“And do you ride just all the time?” the -other, Ethel Carew, asked Teddy.</p> - -<p>“Who, me? Nope! Sit down to eat,” and -Teddy grinned. Nice eyes the girl had.</p> - -<p>“How’s your mother?” Mr. Manley interrupted.</p> - -<p>“Fine,” Roy answered, turning to his -father. “She’ll be glad to see you again. She’s -been a little lonesome.”</p> - -<p>“No trouble?” his father asked quickly. “I -heard something about rustlers getting away -with some of the 8 X 8 stock. Man on the train -told me. They haven’t been around our place, -have they?”</p> - -<p>“Not that I know of,” Roy replied. “I guess -mother’s been a bit upset ever since—er—” -He glanced over at Teddy, who was explaining -to Ethel Carew why they called a cowboy -a puncher. “Ever since you had that fuss -with Gilly Froud,” Roy went on. “She’s always -sort of afraid he’ll come back and do -some damage.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley scowled and removed his pipe -from his mouth.</p> - -<p>“He better not let me catch him around the -X Bar X,” he said sternly. “And if he’s wise, -he’ll steer clear of Teddy, too. Froud may be -big, but I wouldn’t bet a plugged nickel on him -if Teddy ever saw him kick Flash again.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mr. Manley, did I hear some one say -something about rustlers?” exclaimed Nell -Willis. “I’d just <i>love</i> to see a real, live rustler. -Did you ever shoot one, Mr. Manley?”</p> - -<p>“Who, me? Shoot a rustler?” Roy’s father -demanded. Then he saw that Nell was looking -at Roy. “Oh, you mean him. I thought you -were talkin’ to me. That’s Roy, there.”</p> - -<p>The girl reddened slightly.</p> - -<p>“Roy, then! And you call me Nell. But -tell me—did you ever shoot a rustler—Roy?”</p> - -<p>“No, I can’t say that I did,” Roy answered, -with a laugh. “But if you’d like it, I’ll try to -arrange to do it for you,” and he laughed -again.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no!” Nell replied with a pretended -shiver. “I don’t want you to do it. I just -wondered if you <i>had</i>.”</p> - -<p>“Roy’s only joking,” Mr. Manley stated. -“People back East think we’ve got nothing to -do but chase Indians and string up hoss-thieves. -Why, even if there were Indians runnin’ -around loose, we wouldn’t have time to chase -’em. We have plenty to do on a ranch without -lookin’ for trouble,” he declared. “That reminds -me, Teddy—who’s doin’ most of the -outridin’ these days?” Outriding was the -process of investigating the condition of the -stock on the range.</p> - -<p>“Nat Raymond and Jim Casey, mostly,” -Teddy answered. “Then, I thought maybe it -would be a good idea to have Nick Looker take -a hand, too. Since the rustlers started raiding -the 8 X 8, I’ve been kind of worried about our -own cattle.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, have Nick do that,” replied the lad’s -father approvingly. Mr. Manley thought it -best that his sons should assume responsibility -early in life. Accordingly, he gave each one -the practical management of the ranch on alternate -weeks. This week Teddy had been the -foreman.</p> - -<p>“Well, no use standin’ out in the hot sun,” -Mr. Manley continued, with a glance at the fair -skin of the two girls. He wondered how long -it would be before a coat of tan covered those -pink-and-white faces. “Roy, just cart the bags -into the depot, will you? Some one coming out -from the 8 X 8 for you, I take it?” and he -looked over at Nell and Ethel.</p> - -<p>“We expect a car,” Ethel answered dubiously. -“Although Uncle Peter may send -horses—” and she glanced down at her traveling -dress.</p> - -<p>“Now, don’t worry about that,” Mr. Manley -said, with a hearty laugh. “We have autos -out here, same as you have in New York. -Pete’s got two of the finest cars in the state, -though mostly he uses flivvers. You won’t -have to fork no bronc—pardon me, I mean ride -a horse.”</p> - -<p>Seizing the girls’ two bags, Roy carried them -into the station while the others followed more -slowly. Mr. Manley had but a small hand bag, -and Teddy left this with the station agent to -be brought over later on the wagon. When the -ranch-owner traveled, he wanted to be ready -to “light out in a hurry,” as he expressed -it. Usually a clean shirt and some collars completed -his traveling kit. Mr. Manley had lived -in the West all his life, and had the Westerner’s -contempt for “dofunnies,” as unnecessary -equipment was called.</p> - -<p>“But once you get used to a horse,” Mr. -Manley went on, as he walked toward the rear -of the station, “you’ll never set foot inside -an auto again,” he assured the girls. “Now, I -have a horse I call General. Gentle, strong, -and quick as a flash. Him, me, an’ this corncob -pipe have been through plenty of rough places -together in the last four years. Tell you, I -wouldn’t trade General for ten of the best mustangs -in the state!” and he nodded his head -decidedly, so that little rings of smoke detached -themselves from the bowl of the pipe and -drifted gently away.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure we’ll just love it out here,” Ethel -remarked enthusiastically. “Of course, we’ve -both ridden in the city, but we always used -much smaller saddles than you use here,” she -commented as she saw a rider pause in front -of Rimor’s Place.</p> - -<p>“Postage stamps!” Mr. Manley said, with a -grin. “That’s what we call those saddles out -West. The kind we ride are real saddles. Like -the one I have on General, for instance. He -wouldn’t know what to do if some one pasted -one of those English saddles on his back.”</p> - -<p>By this time they had reached the corner of -the station. Back of the freight station the -three horses had been tied by Roy and Teddy. -Mr. Manley was in the lead. He turned suddenly -and faced Nell and Ethel.</p> - -<p>“Now I’m goin’ to show you three of the -prettiest ponies you ever saw,” he declared. -“Whenever I go to the city I always have Roy -or Teddy meet me with General, so’s I can ride -back on him. I suppose you tied ’em in the -usual place, Teddy?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I sure did, Dad,” Teddy answered. “Tied -right on the old rail.”</p> - -<p>With a smile of anticipation on his face, Mr. -Manley stepped forward. Then he paused, and -those behind him heard him give a gasp of -surprise.</p> - -<p>“Why,” he said in a puzzled tone, “what’s -this? A joke?”</p> - -<p>Roy and Teddy stepped quickly forward. -Their eyes stared at the rail. Where the ponies -had stood, there remained nothing but the -hoofprints in the soft dirt of the spot!</p> - -<p>The horses were gone!</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chIII' title='III—A Puncher in a Checkered Shirt'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER III</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>A PUNCHER IN A CHECKERED SHIRT</span> -</h2> - -<p>Roy craned his neck forward, eyes wide. Mr. -Manley stood with hands on hips, legs spread, -staring intently at the vacant hitching rail. -The corncob pipe drooped at a downward -angle.</p> - -<p>Teddy passed the back of his hand over his -forehead, pushing back his hat.</p> - -<p>“Why, that’s funny,” he said in a dazed -voice. “They don’t seem to be here.”</p> - -<p>“They—they must have wandered off,” Roy -said uncertainly. “Queer. They were all tied -tight. I wonder—”</p> - -<p>“You mean to say they were here, and now -they’re gone?” Mr. Manley asked, a new note -creeping into his voice.</p> - -<p>“The horses were here, all right,” Teddy -declared unevenly. “I can’t understand it.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I can!” Mr. Manley cried. His eyes -were blazing. “They’ve been stolen! Those -ponies ain’t the kind to wander around, once -they’re tied up. They’ve been stolen an’ -nothin’ less!” he thundered.</p> - -<p>“What happened? Is something the -matter?” Nell asked, as she and Ethel faced -Mr. Manley.</p> - -<p>“You bet there’s something the matter!” the -cattleman roared. “There’s a whole lot the -matter! My hoss has been taken right from -under my nose—stolen from Eagles in broad -daylight! What kind of a town is this, anyway? -Hey you!” He strode over to a cowboy -who was leaning against the door jamb at -Rimor’s. Roy and Teddy realized that he was -the man they had noticed when they reached -town.</p> - -<p>“You know anything about three hosses that -were tied to that rail?”</p> - -<p>The puncher tilted his head back, and looked -insolently out from under the rim of his hat.</p> - -<p>“What hosses?”</p> - -<p>“<i>My</i> hosses! Those boys over there tied -them to the rail. Now they’re gone! You see -anything of ’em?”</p> - -<p>“Nope.”</p> - -<p>“How long you been here?”</p> - -<p>“Not so long.”</p> - -<p>“You were here when we rode in!” Teddy -cried hotly, crossing the street. “He must -have seen them, Dad; he’s been there for half -an hour. The ponies were stolen while Roy -and I came around to the front of the station -to watch for the train.”</p> - -<p>The puncher turned his head lazily and -stared coldly at Teddy.</p> - -<p>“You’re, mebby, one of them correspondence -school detectives, hey?” he sneered.</p> - -<p>“Don’t get funny,” Teddy advised, his eyes -narrowing. “Roy and I both saw you here -when we rode up. You know we tied the ponies -to that hitching rail. And you’ve been here -ever since. The broncs are gone. Who took -them?”</p> - -<p>The cowboy removed the cigarette from his -mouth and straightened. Then he hitched up -his belt and faced Teddy.</p> - -<p>“Listen, kid,” he said slowly, “I don’t know -nothin’ about yore horses. Mebby I was here -all the time, an’ mebby I wasn’t. That’s my -business. But get this straight! No baby is -goin’ to order me around. I don’t know who -you are, an’ I don’t give a hoot. I ain’t in -the habit of mindin’ broncs, an’ you can pack -that behind the rim of yore derby. Understand?” -Deliberately he flicked his cigarette -toward Teddy, sending a shower of sparks into -the boy’s face. Turning abruptly he entered -the restaurant.</p> - -<p>Eyes flashing, Teddy started forward. His -father laid a hand on the boy’s arm.</p> - -<p>“Not here,” he said in a tense voice. “Don’t -start a fight here. You know what Rimor’s is. -We have women-folks along.” Unconsciously -the man slid his hand to his side, where in the -old days would have hung his gun. Now his -hand came away empty.</p> - -<p>“All right, Dad—if you say so,” Teddy said -through clenched teeth. “But I’ll remember -that bird! I’ll remember him!” It was difficult -for the boy to hold himself in check. He -could not trust himself to say more.</p> - -<p>Roy hurried over to his brother.</p> - -<p>“Come on, Teddy. Let’s go,” he said -evenly. “Maybe Foley can tell us something -about the ponies.”</p> - -<p>At that moment the ticket agent came hurriedly -across the street.</p> - -<p>“Somethin’ wrong, Bardwell?” he asked -Mr. Manley. “Thought I heard your voice -takin’ a work-out.”</p> - -<p>“You did,” Mr. Manley answered grimly. -“Our hosses are gone.”</p> - -<p>“Sho!” Foley looked across to the hitching -rail. “By golly, they are! I was outside -and saw Teddy and Roy tie ’em up there, too! -Now that’s right queer. Where you suppose -they went?”</p> - -<p>“They didn’t <i>go</i> no place, Hank! They were -stolen!”</p> - -<p>“Sho! You don’t say! Stolen!” Foley -gave a long whistle, and, removing his hat, -scratched the bald spot on the top of his head. -“Mighty queer how they could be stolen with -so many people around. You ask anybody if -they saw ’em?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley gave a short laugh.</p> - -<p>“I just had a sweet bit o’ conversation with -one of your choice characters,” he said. -“Puncher that was standin’ right here all the -time an’ must have seen the broncs taken. He -told us to go chase our own hosses.”</p> - -<p>“What did he look like?” Foley asked in an -interested tone.</p> - -<p>“Tall, kind of stringy looking,” Teddy answered -quickly. “Squint eyes. Checkered -wool shirt. No vest. He’s inside Rimor’s -now.”</p> - -<p>The ticket agent nodded sagely.</p> - -<p>“I know the waddy. Came to town about -three days ago. Don’t know where he sleeps, -but he spends most of his time hanging around -Duck Rimor’s.”</p> - -<p>Teddy nodded.</p> - -<p>“Stranger here. From up around Montana, -most likely. So he was nasty, hey?”</p> - -<p>“He wasn’t any too polite, from what I -saw,” Roy broke in.</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley looked over at Teddy. The boy -was staring intently at the door through which -the puncher had disappeared.</p> - -<p>“We have got to get busy,” the cattle owner -said in a loud voice. Of a sudden his face -darkened. Deliberately he tapped the tobacco -out from his pipe by knocking the bowl against -the palm of his hand. Then he placed the pipe -in his pocket.</p> - -<p>“We have got to get busy,” he repeated in -a quieter tone, “an’ quick. General has been -stolen. Flash an’ Star along with him. We’re -goin’ after the man that took ’em an’ get our -hosses back.” He turned and walked swiftly -to the other side of the street, where the two -girls had been silently watching the scene.</p> - -<p>“I’m thinking that whoever stole your dad’s -hoss made a poor bargain,” Foley said to Roy. -“I know Bardwell. I saw him look like that -before, when back in ninety-eight Slag Wallace -shot a dog your dad owned. Slag ain’t around -now. Yep, the waddy who picked up General -is going to be mighty sorry.”</p> - -<p>Roy and Teddy followed their father without -a word, leaving Foley standing in the street, -rubbing his bald spot with a puzzled air.</p> - -<p>Nell Willis and Ethel Carew were waiting, -eyes full of questions. Nell started the attack.</p> - -<p>“Did that cowman want to fight?” she -asked, gazing full at Roy. “He seemed -awfully mean. Maybe he didn’t like to have -us standing here watching. But I simply -couldn’t leave; could you, Ethel? It was so -thrilling! Did he have a gun? I didn’t see -one. Why didn’t he answer your questions -about the horses?”</p> - -<p>“He had his reasons, I guess,” Roy answered -a trifle shortly. Star was gone, and -here he stood listening to a lot of chatter. Still, -Nell was pretty! Maybe she had got scared -when that puncher started to act up. Roy’s -eyes softened, and he looked at the girl with a -new interest. Probably she didn’t know much -about the West. Why, her face wasn’t even -a little bit tanned! She seemed pale, even! -Maybe she <i>was</i> scared!</p> - -<p>“I just hated that man when he threw that -cigarette at you!” Ethel burst out impetuously -to Teddy. “That was an awfully mean -thing to do!”</p> - -<p>“I know it,” Teddy answered in a low voice. -He turned to his father, who was staring up the -road. “Dad, we’ve got to get back and get -some more broncs. How are you figuring on -going?”</p> - -<p>“Can’t you come with us?” Ethel asked. -“Uncle Peter said he would send a car. It -must have been delayed, but I’m sure it will -come.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, if Bug Eye brings a car for you, we -can all pile in. Bug Eye usually drives for old -man—pardon me, I mean Mr. Ball.”</p> - -<p>“That’ll be fine!” Nell said enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>“Here comes something now,” Mr. Manley -stated, peering up the road. “Lots of dust, -anyhow. Sounds like a flivver. Yes, that’s -Bug Eye. Tell the way he drives. All over -the place.”</p> - -<p>With an elaborate jamming on of brakes and -swinging of front wheels, a car pulled up alongside -of the waiting group. Following closely -was a cloud of dust, which enveloped the auto -the moment it stopped. From within the cloud -came a voice:</p> - -<p>“Whoa there, you tin-plated drone, you! -Pull up on yo’ busted axles! Plant yo’ locoed -wheels and stay set! Stop that shakin’! <i>Stop</i> -it, I say! Boil me in oil, if I don’t rip yo’ carburetor -right out o’ you! Try to bounce the -liver outta me, hey? Why, you salivated piece -of yaller-backed tin, I’ll— Excuse <i>me</i>, -ma’am!”</p> - -<p>The dust had blown away, disclosing the -surprised face of Bug Eye Wilson.</p> - -<p>“I shore didn’t know you was here,” he said -to Nell and Ethel, with an embarrassed grin. -“I wouldn’t have talked like that if I’d knowed -ladies was around. I don’t never do such -things. But this hopper-necked, sawed off, lead -mule—pardon <i>me</i>, ma’am! I forgot!”</p> - -<p>Nell and Ethel were doing their best to preserve -straight faces, but the task was almost -too much for them. Ethel had to press a handkerchief -to her mouth, while her eyes watered -with strangled mirth.</p> - -<p>“You’re—you’re late, aren’t you?” Nell -asked, trying to control her voice.</p> - -<p>“Yes, ma’am. Got a puncture. Had to put -on a new tire. Then this—this—well, ma’am, -you know what I mean!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I guess I do,” Nell answered faintly. -“But I’m glad you came. Mr. Manley’s horses -have been stolen, and he and Roy and Teddy -are going to ride back with us.”</p> - -<p>“Hey! What’s that?” Bug Eye turned -swiftly toward the ranchman, the grin fading -suddenly from his face. “Broncs gone, -honest?”</p> - -<p>“Sure have gone,” answered Mr. Manley -laconically. “Hooked. Rustled. Stolen. -Whatever you’ve a mind to call it. And right -off the main street of Eagles!” he added -bitterly.</p> - -<p>Of a sudden, he turned and walked rapidly -down the street.</p> - -<p>“What’s the game, Dad?” asked Roy, not -quite able to account for his father’s action.</p> - -<p>“You stay there. I’ll be back in a minute,” -Mr. Manley called over his shoulder. “I want -to see what I can find out about this.”</p> - -<p>In a moment he was out of sight behind the -freight shed. The two boys wanted to go with -him, but Roy mentioned to Teddy that they had -been told to stay where they were.</p> - -<p>“I hope dad doesn’t get into a scrap,” murmured -the older lad.</p> - -<p>“I don’t reckon he will,” remarked Bug Eye. -“But if he does, all he needs is to sing out, an’ -we’ll all come runnin’!”</p> - -<p>The anxiety of Teddy and Roy was soon at -an end, for in a few minutes their father re-appeared. -He looked tired and dusty, but there -was a grim smile on his face.</p> - -<p>“Some of the railroad men down at the corral -saw ’em,” Mr. Manley reported to his sons. -“There were three fellows leading our three -horses away.”</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t they stop ’em?” Roy wanted -to know.</p> - -<p>“They didn’t have any cause to, son. -Thought the men owned the horses, as was -natural. Those fellows didn’t wear any brand -to let folks know they were rustlers.”</p> - -<p>“No, I reckon not,” agreed Teddy slowly.</p> - -<p>“Did you find out which way they went?” -asked Roy eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Not much satisfaction in questioning those -railroad fellows,” answered Mr. Manley in discouraged -tones. “They couldn’t follow an elephant’s -trail, much less notice which way -hoss-thieves took. Some say the scoundrels -went one way and some say another. All they -appeared to notice was three shady-looking -chaps leadin’ three horses.”</p> - -<p>“Then there isn’t much chance of heading -them off, is there?” asked one of the girls.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t say that,” was Mr. Manley’s -answer. “If they took the back trail over the -mountain there’s a chance that we can nab ’em -before they get into the rough going, if we -make it quick. Once there, though, it’s a toss-up -if we ever see our ponies again, boys!”</p> - -<p>His sons knew just how Mr. Manley felt over -this loss.</p> - -<p>“The back trail!” mused Bug Eye. “Yes, -if they went that way yo’-all have a chance of -headin’ ’em off. Ain’t this a fine town, though, -where a man can’t leave a hoss hitched for a -few minutes without some doggoned rustler -steps up an’ rides it off? But better pile in -my flivver, Mr. Manley, an’ I’ll git ye back to -yo’ ranch quicker’n ef yo’ walked. You’ll want -to saddle up an’ chase after them thieves, I -reckon!”</p> - -<p>“That’s right!” agreed the ranch-owner. -“We’ll be glad of a lift.”</p> - -<p>“How long did you leave the horses here?” -asked Nell.</p> - -<p>“Just while we were waiting for the train, -which was late,” answered Roy, while Bug Eye -got out to crank the flivver, the self-starter of -which, he announced apologetically, “was on -the cheese.”</p> - -<p>“And some one took them away from the -rail to which they were tied?” the girl went on.</p> - -<p>“Stepped right up to the rail and helped -themselves,” said Teddy.</p> - -<p>“It’s a wonder some one didn’t see them.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” admitted Roy, “the rail isn’t in -plain sight except from certain places. And, -I suppose, even if some one had seen the -actual theft taking place, they would think that -it was the real owners of the horses who were -unhitching them.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe,” agreed his father doubtfully. -“Anyway, no one seems to have done anything -toward stopping them.”</p> - -<p>“But there are some here who know more -about it than they are letting on,” murmured -Teddy and he looked significantly across the -street toward Duck Rimor’s place.</p> - -<p>“It shore is too bad,” affirmed Bug Eye. -“But pile in, everybody! It’s going to be a -tight squeeze, but these flivvers are made of -rubber, I guess. Got bags, ladies? All right, -Teddy! Chuck ’em in the back. Shore, put -yo’ dad’s in there, too! All ready? Here we -go! Hang on!”</p> - -<p>The car started with a jerk, the transmission -bands being worn thin. Roy looked around -from the front seat to see that they cleared the -edge of the station, which they did by the fraction -of an inch. Bug Eye was eccentric in his -driving at times.</p> - -<p>As Roy gazed, he noticed a figure coming -out of Duck Rimor’s. It was the cowboy in the -checkered shirt. Catching the ranch boy’s -eyes, the puncher grinned derisively and waved -mockingly at the departing auto.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chIV' title='IV—A Clue'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER IV</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>A CLUE</span> -</h2> - -<p>As the automobile careened along the dusty -road, a strained silence settled over the occupants. -The only sounds were the muffled exhaust -of the motor and the squeaking and -groaning of the springs as the car bounced its -way toward the X Bar X.</p> - -<p>Bug Eye and Roy were in the front seat and -Mr. Manley and the two girls were seated in -the rear. Teddy was supporting himself upon -a rear door of the touring car, clenching the -sides to hold his place against the joltings -of the flivver, and bent almost double to avoid -hitting the roof whenever Bug Eye dived into -a particularly deep rut.</p> - -<p>Thoughts of the loss of the ponies were uppermost -in the minds of all. Bug Eye, used to -Western ways, did not press Mr. Manley as to -his plan of action. He knew the cattle owner -would prefer to keep whatever opinions he had -until he reached the X Bar X and could get his -men together. Bug Eye, belonging to another -outfit, could have no concern in the matter until -Mr. Manley asked for his help, at which time -the cowboy would lend willing aid. Such is the -code of the West.</p> - -<p>Ethel, wedged in between Nell and Mr. Manley, -stole a glance at Teddy as the boy braced -himself upon the edge of the car door, his -shoulders hunched, his body swaying with the -motion of the machine, his eyes staring moodily -out at the dust-covered bushes at the side -of the road. She noticed how hard and brown -was the hand that clenched the top of the door. -The mouth, widened into a happy grin when -she had first seen it, was now drooped at the -corners. The bronzed forehead, below the -sombrero, was drawn into a frown.</p> - -<p>Ethel nudged Nell with her elbow.</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t it seem quiet out here, after the -city?” she murmured, with another glance at -Teddy.</p> - -<p>The boy looked at her quickly.</p> - -<p>“You mean us, I guess,” he said, grinning -slightly. “We haven’t been very polite, have -we? But, you see, it kind of hurts to lose a -pony you’ve had for so long. I—”</p> - -<p>“Of course, I know just how you feel!” -Ethel burst out impulsively. “It’s a shame! -You just go after those—those rustlers, and -get your horses back!”</p> - -<p>“We will,” Teddy answered grimly. “At -least, we’ll do our best. But there’s no use -crying over spilt milk.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the way I feel about it, son,” Mr. -Manley said quietly. “We’ll do all we can to -get the broncs back! When we’re ready, I want -you and Roy to come along with me. As soon -as we reach home we’ll get other ponies and be -on our way.” He pulled the ends of his mustache -and settled down once more into silence.</p> - -<p>Teddy knew this mood of his father. He -had seen it twice before, once, years ago, when -a puncher had knocked Roy down, and once -when a cowboy, with a misshapen idea of -humor, had coaxed Teddy upon the back of the -worst horse on the ranch, a real “man-eater.” -On each of these occasions certain things had -happened which directly affected the person in -error.</p> - -<p>When the car reached Bitter Cliff lookout, -Bug Eye slowed down and stopped for a moment.</p> - -<p>“Look there!” he said laconically, waving -his arm in a wide gesture.</p> - -<p>Nell leaned forward, then uttered a slight -exclamation.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” Roy asked, smiling.</p> - -<p>“It’s so—so close and high!” the girl answered, -with a motion of her hands. “Why, it -almost seems as though I could reach out and -touch the chimney of that house away off -there!”</p> - -<p>“You try it,” Teddy said, with a chuckle. -“That’s six miles away! Those buildings are -on the X Bar X ranch—our place. Over to the -west, where you see that other corral, is the -8 X 8, where you’re going.”</p> - -<p>“Bug Eye,” Mr. Manley said gently, “if it’s -all the same to you, we’d better get goin’.”</p> - -<p>“Right!” Bug Eye answered. He advanced -the gasoline control and the flivver again shot -forward.</p> - -<p>The moment they reached the ranch yard of -the X Bar X, Mr. Manley leaped from the car. -A cowboy, who was leaning against the corral -fence, craned his neck forward in surprise. -The boss riding in an auto!</p> - -<p>“Nick,” Mr. Manley called sharply to the -puncher, “our broncs have been rustled. We’re -goin’ out after ’em! You and Gus Tripp get -your ponies an’ three others for Roy an’ Teddy -an’ me. Bring your guns.” Short, terse sentences. -Mr. Manley was no longer a cattle -owner. He was a cowboy, whose pony had been -stolen.</p> - -<p>“Right!” Nick Looker answered. He disappeared -around the corner of the bunk-house.</p> - -<p>As Mr. Manley walked rapidly towards the -ranch house, he called back over his shoulder:</p> - -<p>“Nell an’ Ethel, we all expect you over for -a visit. Excuse me runnin’ away like this. -Teddy, fetch in my bag.”</p> - -<p>“Dad means business,” Roy said in a low -voice. “Having General stolen has hit him -pretty hard. There’s mother.”</p> - -<p>A woman’s figure appeared on the porch of -the house, and in a moment she was enfolded in -Mr. Manley’s arms. Mrs. Manley’s eyes -widened in surprise when she saw the auto and -missed the horses; and Mr. Manley explained -briefly what had occurred. Questions were -trembling on her lips, but she did not delay her -husband with them. Mr. Manley kissed her -again, and, turning, rushed into the house.</p> - -<p>As Mrs. Manley walked toward the auto, Nell -and Ethel could scarcely believe that this -radiant young-looking woman was the mother -of two big boys.</p> - -<p>“Welcome to the West,” she said, with a -smile, as she extended a hand to each of the -girls. “Mr. Manley has told me who you are. -This is Ethel, isn’t it? And Nell?” Ethel instantly -noticed how much, in a curious way, -both Roy and Teddy resembled her. Teddy had -her blonde hair and blue eyes. Roy had her -sensitive, fine mouth.</p> - -<p>Belle Ada, the sister of Roy and Teddy, now -came out of the house and toward the car, evidently -having been told by Mr. Manley that -there were visitors. As she was introduced, -she mentally decided that she liked Nell and -Ethel. That was like Belle Ada—impulsive -and eager to make friends.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid we’ll have to go now,” Nell said, -after a few moments’ conversation. “Uncle -Peter will be waiting for us.”</p> - -<p>“But you will come over and visit me?” -Belle Ada asked, her dark eyes on the two -girls.</p> - -<p>“Of course we will!” Ethel answered. “As -soon as we can!”</p> - -<p>Teddy seized his father’s bag from the rear -of the auto, and he and Teddy shook hands -with the girls. Bug Eye jammed down the -pedal. The car leaped forward. As it swung -about, the girls leaned out and waved farewells.</p> - -<p>“Pretty nice!” Roy said, as he watched the -car being swallowed up in a cloud of dust. -“Pretty nice!”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Manley smiled. Then, remembering -what her husband had told her on the porch, -the smile left her face.</p> - -<p>“Boys, you go in and speak to your father,” -she said. “He wants to tell you something. -Belle and I will walk around to the garden and -wait until you come out. You—you will be -careful if you ride with him after those rustlers, -won’t you?” Her eyes held an anxious light.</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry, Mom!” Teddy cried, kissing -his mother affectionately. “We’ll be all right. -There’s no danger!”</p> - -<p>The two boys walked stiffly toward the house.</p> - -<p>“Wonder what it is?” Teddy mused. “You -know, I have a hunch that dad found out more -from those fellows down at the corral in Eagles -than he told.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe,” came from Roy. “We’ll soon -know.”</p> - -<p>They met their father coming out of the front -door. His “city clothes” had been changed -for a pair of leather chaps and a flannel shirt, -open at the neck. Across one arm he carried a -rifle.</p> - -<p>“Want us, Dad?” Roy asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes. Before we start, I want to tell you -something. Teddy, you remember Gilly Froud, -don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” Teddy remarked in a low voice. His -eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>“Well, when I talked with those men down -by the station, one of them said he saw a man -with a scar on his face leading our broncs. Did -Froud have a scar on his face?”</p> - -<p>“He sure did,” Teddy answered excitedly. -“On the left side.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley thought for a moment. Then he -said:</p> - -<p>“I kind o’ thought that’s how it was. Boys, -we have a clue! We may get those broncs back -after all! Come on, let’s go! Nick! Where in -thunder is Nick? Bring those ponies around!”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chV' title='V—Rimor’s Place'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER V</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>RIMOR’S PLACE</span> -</h2> - -<p>In response to this call, Nick Looker soon -appeared astride a horse and leading another. -Mr. Manley hurried forward.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Gus?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Comin’, boss. He’s bringin’ two more -broncs.”</p> - -<p>“Yell to him to hurry up. We’ve delayed -too much as it is.”</p> - -<p>Nick Looker turned in his saddle and let out -a shout.</p> - -<p>“Gus! Bring them ponies here, fast!” -Another puncher came riding up. He led two -horses, fully saddled. Suddenly, from behind -the house, came the sound of an excited voice.</p> - -<p>“Hey, wait a minute! Hey, boss! Wait!”</p> - -<p>“It’s Pop,” Teddy said. “Knew he’d show -up before long.”</p> - -<p>A cowboy was running toward them. His -wide hat was held in his hand, disclosing a head -almost without hair. His face was lined with -wrinkles. He wore a blue denim shirt. Wide -trousers flapped grotesquely about a pair of -bowed legs. As he ran he waved both arms, -windmill fashion.</p> - -<p>“Wait a second, boss!” he called again. “I -just heard about it! Snakes! The fust time the -old X Bar X brand has been stolen! Me, I’m -comin’ with you, ain’t I, boss? Ain’t I?” He -reached Mr. Manley, breathing hard.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Pop, you can come,” Mr. Manley answered. -“Wondered how long you’d be -reachin’ here. Git your pinto an’ come on.”</p> - -<p>Pop Burns clapped his hat on his head, and -made for the corral, to return in a moment upon -his horse.</p> - -<p>“All right, men!” he exclaimed. “After -’em! Snakes! No rustler kin steal any X Bar -X brand an’ get away with it!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley turned from the old wrangler to -Roy.</p> - -<p>“Son,” he said slowly, “get your rifle. -Bring Teddy’s out, too. Hurry up!”</p> - -<p>The boy ran up the steps and into the building. -Mr. Manley handed his own gun to -Teddy.</p> - -<p>“Hold this,” he ordered. “I’m going to say -good-bye to your mother.”</p> - -<p>He made for the side of the house where Mrs. -Manley and Belle Ada were waiting in the garden. -When he returned his face wore a grim -look. The time for action had come.</p> - -<p>Roy had brought the rifles, and he, Mr. -Manley, and Teddy vaulted into the saddle. -The others, Pop, Nick, and Gus Tripp, were -already mounted.</p> - -<p>The news of the theft had gone the rounds -of the ranch like wildfire. Every puncher on -the place, except those riding herd, were watching -from the top rail of the corral fence. Even -Sing Lung, the cook, deserted his kitchen and -came to the door of the mess-house, carrying -in his hand a huge spoon.</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley gave a yell. Spurs raked the -sides of the steeds. There was the sound of -hoofs on the hard earth. The six horses swung -into action. Down toward the road swept the -riders. Past the corral, the punchers astride -the top rail yelling encouragement. Past the -mess-house, Sing Lung waving his spoon wildly -and shouting Chinese in a fluent stream. Out -of the yard and into the road leading to Eagles. -A cloud of dust arose. The chase was on.</p> - -<p>“Take it easy for a while, boys,” Mr. Manley -advised, as he pulled his horse down to a -slower pace. “There’s some things I want to -tell you. First of all, I want to say this. I see -you all have got rifles along. Well, don’t do -any promiscuous shootin’. We want to get -those hosses back, but we don’t want any -more trouble than we can help. Savvy?”</p> - -<p>“We get you, boss,” Gus Tripp drawled. -“No fireworks! Just clean up this job, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Right!” Mr. Manley tugged at one end -of his mustache. “Now there’s something -else. I reckon you all don’t know much about -this rustlin’. Here’s how it happened.”</p> - -<p>He told, as briefly as possible, how the horses -had been stolen.</p> - -<p>“When I talked to the punchers down by the -railroad corral, I got an idea,” he continued. -“You remember Gilly Froud, don’t you?” -Short nods came in answer. “Well, Froud had -a scar on the left side of his face. So did one -of the men who stole our broncs, accordin’ to -the fellers I talked to. That mean anything?” -he questioned.</p> - -<p>“Sure does, boss!” Pop Burns exclaimed -excitedly. “Proves what I been thinkin’ all -along. This Froud is a rustler! I knowed -that as soon as I saw him tryin’ to carve out -an X Bar X from a hunk of wood one day -down by the river. Came upon him sudden -like, an’ he tried to hide the wood on me. But -I seen it. Seen the X Bar X brand, too.”</p> - -<p>“Did, hey?” Mr. Manley asked in an interested -tone. “You never told me that. But let -it go. We know who to look for now. Golly, -she’s sure some dusty!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy murmured, -wiping his brow.</p> - -<p>The excitement of the first dash had somewhat -worn off, and they rode along now with -a show of quiet determination.</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley and Roy were in the lead. Their -horses took on that long, easy gait that carries -a cowboy comfortably over thirty miles of -prairie in a day. No one knew just how long -this chase would last.</p> - -<p>Gus Tripp urged his mount closer to Mr. -Manley’s.</p> - -<p>“Say, boss,” he drawled, “I suppose you -heard about the 8 X 8 bein’ visited?”</p> - -<p>“A little, Gus,” Mr. Manley answered. “Man -on the train told me. Do they know who the -rustlers were?”</p> - -<p>“Well, they got kind of an idee. There’s -been other ranches missin’ stock in just the -same way that the 8 X 8 lost theirs. They -say the same gang does all the jobs.”</p> - -<p>“They do, hey?” Mr. Manley considered. -“I wonder—” He started, then stopped. -Whatever was in his mind he kept to himself.</p> - -<p>“Dad, are you figuring on stopping at -Eagles?” Teddy called. “Maybe we can find -out something more from one or two of the -men there.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t think so, son,” his father answered. -“There’s a certain crowd that hangs out in -Eagles that I don’t particularly hanker for. -I guess you know who I mean.”</p> - -<p>“There’s one bird I’d like to see again,” -Teddy remarked slowly. “The puncher who -was outside Rimor’s. He needs a lesson in politeness.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley nodded.</p> - -<p>“We may meet him again. Seemed to me he -knew more than he wanted to tell. Still, he -might have been just plain ugly. You can’t -accuse a man of bein’ a rustler because he -won’t answer questions.”</p> - -<p>“Did some buckaroo answer you short?” -Pop wanted to know, pushing his hat farther -back on his head. “Who was it?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t know,” Teddy replied. “He was -leaning against Rimor’s Place when the broncs -were stolen. He must have seen them, sure! -When we asked him about them, he— Well, -never mind what he did. But he didn’t tell -us.”</p> - -<p>“Have on a checkered shirt?” Pop asked. -“An’ no vest?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” Teddy replied in a surprised tone. -“How’d you know, Pop?”</p> - -<p>“I seen him,” was the brief answer. “He’s -been stayin’ at Rimor’s. Friend of Gilly -Froud’s.”</p> - -<p>“He is?” Roy exclaimed excitedly. “Hear -that, Dad?”</p> - -<p>“I heard,” Mr. Manley said briefly. “I had -an idea I’d seen him before. He rode out to -the X Bar X one day and asked for Froud. -When I told him Froud was ridin’ cattle, he -cut back for town. Yes, I remember, now.”</p> - -<p>As they rode along, each man kept a sharp -lookout for anything that might indicate which -way the rustlers had gone. There was not -much chance of finding a clue until they reached -Eagles, yet they could not afford to let any -trace, no matter how slight, slip by unnoticed.</p> - -<p>They saw no sign of the thieves, however, -and when the six riders swung into Eagles, -Mr. Manley had a determined look on his face. -He had been talking to Roy and Teddy about -the puncher in the checkered shirt. Deciding -to locate the man if he could and to find out -just how much the puncher knew of the taking -of the horses, Mr. Manley stopped in front of -Rimor’s.</p> - -<p>“Goin’ in, boss?” Nick asked, a surprised -look on his face. The boss was not the type of -man to frequent a place like Rimor’s. All the -men on the X Bar X knew he never took a -drop of liquor.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’m goin’ in, Nick,” Mr. Manley answered, -his face set in stern lines. “There’s a -bucker in here that I want to talk to. I guess -you all know who I mean.”</p> - -<p>Nick nodded. Mr. Manley had told them of -the cowboy in the checkered shirt.</p> - -<p>“Want any company, boss?” Gus Tripp -drawled. “Just say the word, an’ we’ll come -a-runnin’!”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks,” the cattle owner replied. -“Teddy, hang on to this rifle for me. Don’t -want to look like a stick-up artist when I go in -the door. Roy, just grab this bronc’s rein, will -you?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley slid from the saddle.</p> - -<p>“Sure you don’t want me to come with you, -Dad?” Teddy asked, a bit wistfully.</p> - -<p>“I know what you’re thinkin’ of,” his father -answered, as he looked up at his son. “But -you’d better stay out here until I get what -I want. If I need help, you’ll know it!” he -added meaningly.</p> - -<p>He walked toward Rimor’s, and, pushing -open the door, entered.</p> - -<p>“Hope dad doesn’t get into any trouble,” -Roy said, a frown upon his face. “I’ve heard -of some funny things that happened in -Rimor’s.”</p> - -<p>“Now don’t you go worryin’ about your -dad,” Pop Burns advised, squinting his eyes -at the door through which Mr. Manley had disappeared. -“He can take care of himself. -There’s plenty in this town that ’ud like to see -the boss in trouble, ’cause he wouldn’t agree -to loadin’ them cattle scales at the corral over -there. They wanted to put lead weights on the -bottom of the scale so the Durhams would -weigh ’bout half again what they really did. -Your dad wouldn’t have nothin’ to do with the -scheme.” Pop removed his hat and thwacked -it in a dust-raising gesture across his leg. -“But snakes! I never did see the buckaroo -that could catch your dad sleepin’. He’s safe -enough.”</p> - -<p>Still the veteran puncher stared intently at -the door of Rimor’s. He knew of the “hombre -in the checkered shirt.” He knew him for a -“bad-actin’ bucker.”</p> - -<p>Nick and Gus were conversing in low tones as -they sat on their restless horses. Teddy rode -up and down in front of Rimer’s Place. Roy -was bending over his broncho’s back, raising -his left stirrup a trifle. It was hard to get used -to another horse, after owning Star.</p> - -<p>Pop Burns sat quietly in the saddle, facing -the restaurant. A close observer could have -seen that his revolver was loose in its holster, -and the rifle he had removed from its case on -the saddle was held lightly in his hands, ready -for action.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, from within the restaurant, came -a cry of alarm. A moment’s silence, and another -cry of alarm rent the quiet air.</p> - -<p>Like a flash Pop Burns slipped from his -saddle.</p> - -<p>“Come on, boys!” he yelled, making a dash -for the door. “Inside! Fast! We gotta help -the boss!”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chVI' title='VI—The Three Horsemen'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER VI</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE THREE HORSEMEN</span> -</h2> - -<p>When Mr. Manley entered Rimor’s he -looked sharply about him. After the bright -sunshine of the street, the subdued light in the -restaurant, due to shaded windows, caused the -cattleman to squint his eyes. He hitched up -his belt, from which, in a holster, hung a heavy -revolver, and walked forward.</p> - -<p>A bar, ostensibly for the serving of soft -drinks, ran from the front of Rimor’s place to -the rear. To the right of this, on the other side -of the room, were a number of tables, three -with signs on them, “Reserved for Ladies.” -These tables were the excuse for the title “Restaurant.”</p> - -<p>An odor of staleness permeated the room. -Flies buzzed lazily in the hot, close air. When -the ranchman entered the only other person in -the place was the bartender, an aproned figure -with “New York” plainly written on his patent -leather shoes and slick plastered-down -hair. He sat on a chair in front of the bar, -eagerly reading a week-old copy of a Manhattan -paper.</p> - -<p>As the cattleman approached, the barkeeper -raised his eyes from the paper and calmly surveyed -Mr. Manley.</p> - -<p>“Well, Manley, what can I do for you?” -he asked in a surly voice. Bardwell Manley -was no favorite with the Rimor outfit.</p> - -<p>“You might do a whole lot,” Mr. Manley replied -slowly. “Then, again, you might not. -You know a puncher who hangs around here -with a checkered shirt?”</p> - -<p>“Do I know a puncher who hangs around -here with a checkered shirt?” the barkeeper -repeated. “Well, now, I can’t say that I do. -There’s plenty of punchers that come in here, -but I never knew one yet that hung around -with a checkered shirt. Sure it’s the puncher, -and not a collar that you’re lookin’ for?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley flushed beneath his tan, but he -held himself in check.</p> - -<p>“I guess you know right enough what I -mean,” he said genially. “So you ain’t seen -him, hey?”</p> - -<p>“No, I ain’t,” the man replied, with an accent -of irony on the last word. He resumed -his reading.</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley stood for a moment looking -down at the hunched figure before him. He -tightened his jaw, and little knobs of muscles -showed just below his ears. To those who knew -Bardwell Manley, this was a sign not to be -ignored.</p> - -<p>“Mind if I take a look around?” the cattleman -said easily.</p> - -<p>“Nope! Go as far as you like.” The barkeeper -did not look up.</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley walked toward the rear of the -place. As he did so, a man stepped from a -side door and confronted him. It was the cowboy -in the checkered shirt.</p> - -<p>“Lookin’ for some one?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Was. Found him now,” Mr. Manley answered -shortly. “I want to talk to you. Do -you know Gilly Froud?”</p> - -<p>“Suppose I do?” the puncher answered insolently.</p> - -<p>“This much. I think you know something -about my broncs that were stolen from the -hitchin’ rail out there a while ago.” Mr. Manley -looked at the man keenly.</p> - -<p>“Yea?” The puncher drew a sack of tobacco -and cigarette papers from his shirt pocket. -Deftly he rolled a cigarette and applied a match -to it. “Well, suppose I do?” he asked, blowing -out a cloud of smoke. His right hand slid -inside his heavy shirt and toward his left armpit.</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley saw the motion and his own hand -flashed down to his side. Suddenly there was -a wild yell behind him, and an empty bottle -whizzed past his head. The barkeeper, seeing -Mr. Manley going for his gun, had picked up -the bottle and aimed for the ranchman’s head.</p> - -<p>Swift as light Mr. Manley turned. His gun -leaped from its holster, and he brought -down the butt end on the barkeeper’s wrist.</p> - -<p>The rascal’s right arm went limp. He uttered -another yell and sank back in alarm.</p> - -<p>At that moment the door burst open, and -Pop, followed by Roy and Teddy, leaped into -the room. The barkeeper bent to pick up a -bottle with his left hand, but before he could -reach it Roy kicked it into the corner and -shoved his revolver into the man’s ribs. -Teddy, seeing that his father was uninjured, -made a dash for the man in the checkered shirt.</p> - -<p>But the lad was too late. The puncher, realizing -the turn affairs had taken, disappeared -through the side door, slamming it behind him. -When Teddy reached it and flung it open, the -man was gone. It would be useless, as well as -foolhardly, to follow down that dark passageway -upon which the door gave entrance. Best -to hunt for the fellow outside the place, or to -hope Gus and Nick, who had waited at the front -of the restaurant, had seen and stopped him. -Teddy turned back.</p> - -<p>“You all right, Dad?” Roy and Teddy asked -in almost the same breath.</p> - -<p>“All right, boys,” their father answered -cheerfully. “He never touched me.”</p> - -<p>“What’ll we do with this varmint, boss?” -Pop asked, poking the barkeeper with the barrel -of his gun.</p> - -<p>“I cracked him one on the wrist,” Mr. Manley -said. “Guess we’ll let him alone, Pop. He -won’t do no harm for a long while yet. Say, -where’d that other hombre get to?”</p> - -<p>“He ducked out,” Teddy answered. “Went -through a side door. I didn’t chase him, because -I didn’t know where he’d gone. I -thought maybe Nick or Gus would spot him.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe. I hope so. That bucker knows -something about our ponies, or I’m a ring-tailed -doodlebug. Pop, quit pokin’ that geezer -with your gun. Hey, you—” this to the -“geezer” sharply, “better have that arm -bandaged, or it’ll go bad on you.” This was -characteristic of Bardwell Manley—solicitous -even of a man who had tried to attack him -from the back.</p> - -<p>“Boss, we better get out of here,” Pop declared. -“If you want to hunt them broncs, -we ought to get goin’.”</p> - -<p>“As usual, Pop, your lips gives forth words -of wisdom. We shall leave. Stranger, you -tend to that arm of yours.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley, followed by Teddy, Roy, and -Pop, made for the door. Outside, in the street, -a crowd awaited them. That is, a crowd for -Eagles—population one hundred and fifty in -a rush season. Three cowboys, one woman, -and five children stood staring curiously at the -four men as they emerged from Rimor’s Place. -Nick and Gus Tripp were prancing about on -restless ponies, rifles held in readiness. As -these two saw the four men, their faces cleared -and Nick yelled:</p> - -<p>“Everything O. K., boss?”</p> - -<p>“Yes!” Mr. Manley answered. Then, as his -eye roved over the small crowd in front of the -restaurant, he added. “We were havin’ a -little argument, that’s all. It’s all over now.”</p> - -<p>The cowboys looked dubious at this explanation -of the yelling, but the gathered people -slowly drifted away. The boys remounted -their ponies, which, like good Western horses, -had stood quiet when the reins were thrown -over their heads and left dangling.</p> - -<p>Roy urged his animal over to Nick.</p> - -<p>“Say, Nick,” he said in a low voice, “you -and Gus didn’t see anything of a puncher in a -checkered shirt busting out of Rimor’s, did -you?”</p> - -<p>“No, we didn’t, Roy,” Nick answered.</p> - -<p>“He the bucker what was doin’ the yelling?” -Gus asked casually. It would take a great deal -to startle Gus out of his placid way. When he -acted, he acted quickly. When he did nothing, -to quote himself, he “did it just as slow as -he knew how.” Gus was a product of New -Mexico.</p> - -<p>“He didn’t do any yelling,” Teddy answered. -“That was done by the New York -plug-ugly they’ve got in there for a barkeeper. -Dad taught him a few things about the use -of a revolver.”</p> - -<p>“Kill him?” Gus drawled, as though he were -asking the time of day.</p> - -<p>“Certainly not!” Roy answered, startled. -“He just clubbed him. Put his right arm out -of commission by a crack from the butt of -his gun.”</p> - -<p>Nick Looker nodded approvingly. Nick was -young and fair-haired. He had not the assumed -callousness of Gus. He knew, though, -that beneath this pretended hardness, Gus had -a heart as soft as a woman’s.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be gettin’ on,” Mr. Manley said. He -had heard Nick say he had not seen “checkered -shirt,” as Roy called the puncher, and he knew -there would be no use in delaying further. -They could get no information in Eagles.</p> - -<p>The six swung down the main street and out -of the town. They were riding directly away -from the X Bar X and into a valley separating -Bitter Cliff Mountain from its neighbor, -Mica Mountain. Here the road lost its travel-worn -appearance and dwindled into an uphill -trail. Up this trail the six men rode.</p> - -<p>Teddy and Roy were in the rear of the riders, -about two hundred yards from the rest.</p> - -<p>The trail turned now, and in a moment those -ahead were out of sight of the two boys.</p> - -<p>“Come on, let’s get along,” Roy said. -“Dad’s hitting a good gait, all right.”</p> - -<p>Touching spurs to the ponies, Roy and -Teddy galloped forward. They came to a fork -in the trail, and here halted for a moment.</p> - -<p>“This way,” Teddy advised, with a gesture. -“That other’s only a little path. I rode over it -just the other day.”</p> - -<p>Roy did not reply. He pulled his horse to a -halt and stared up the left trail. Seeing him -stop, his brother did likewise.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter, Roy?” Teddy asked in -a puzzled tone.</p> - -<p>“Ahead there!” Roy exclaimed in a tense -voice. “Those horses! See them?”</p> - -<p>Teddy stared intently up the steep trail. -Then he gave a yell.</p> - -<p>“Our broncs! Flash and Star and General, -or I’m a Lottie Blue-bird! Who’s ridin’ ’em? -Let’s go get ’em!”</p> - -<p>A quarter of a mile above them, three men -on three horses turned and looked down the -trail. For a moment they stood, watching Roy -and Teddy dashing toward them. Then, without -a word, they wheeled and disappeared -around a bend.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chVII' title='VII—Rattlers'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER VII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>RATTLERS</span> -</h2> - -<p>Mr. Manley and the others did not hear -Teddy’s yell. They were a good distance away -and this, with the creaking of saddles, the beating -of the horses’ feet on the hard ground of -the trail, and the talk of what had just happened -in Rimor’s Place, made it practically -impossible for them to hear the boy’s cry. -Hence they continued up the other trail, confident -that Roy and Teddy were riding behind -them.</p> - -<p>As the two boys dashed up the left fork, -Teddy found himself wishing, with a certain -bitterness, that he had not given that yell. -Flash was just ahead. If Teddy had contained -himself, it might have been possible for him and -Roy to have taken by surprise whoever was -riding the horses. Then he would have gotten -Flash back. But now there was only one thing -to do—that was to ride! Ride after the rustlers -with all the skill and energy the two boys -possessed.</p> - -<p>There was no time for talk. Both boys bent -low in their saddles and with expert hands -guided the ponies up the treacherous, winding -trail. The only sounds were the breathing of -the broncos and the monotonous drubbing of -their feet on the ground. Now and then a pony -would toss his head, and flecks of foam would -fly backward. Desperately the boys urged the -horses on. General, Flash, and Star were just -ahead! They <i>must</i> catch them!</p> - -<p>Roy groaned aloud when he thought of the -sting of the quirt across Star’s flank and the -raking of the spurs as the rider above roweled -the pony in an effort to escape. Roy could -almost see Star trembling in surprised fright -at this cruelty, his eyes misted with reproachful -agony. It would be the first time in his -life he had ever been beaten. Yet he would -know it was not Roy on his back. He would -know it was a stranger who was sending those -stabs of pain through his body.</p> - -<p>Roy clenched his teeth in a fury of determination. -Up, up—to the right of that rock -there—now to the left—the path turned here—up—up—harder—faster!</p> - -<p>For a short space in front of them the trail -lay open. Teddy shouted something unintelligible, -and Roy whipped his head around. -Teddy was motioning furiously, and, as Roy -followed his brother’s gesture, he saw General -and his rider, who were in the rear of the other -two rustlers, leap off the trail and through the -brush.</p> - -<p>“Mark that spot!” Teddy panted. “We -turn there!”</p> - -<p>Roy sought to fasten his gaze on the place at -the side of the path. That bush,—that brown -bush—he must keep his eyes on it! If they lost -it, Star would be lost too!</p> - -<p>It is not easy to rivet one’s attention on a -spot on the road while guiding one’s pony up -a tortuous mountain trail. Roy’s mount, free -of the hand which seemed to lift him over those -leg-wrenching holes, faltered, stumbled, and, -like a deer stricken with a hunter’s bullet, -crashed headlong to the ground.</p> - -<p>Automatically, Roy’s whole body relaxed as -he flew through the air, so that the shock would -be distributed equally throughout his frame. -When he hit, his breath was jarred from him, -but no bones were broken.</p> - -<p>Teddy almost pulled his pony over backward -in his effort to stop. He leaped swiftly -from his horse and ran to his brother’s side.</p> - -<p>“Roy! Roy!” he cried. “Are you hurt? -Are you all right? Roy!”</p> - -<p>“All right, Teddy,” Roy gasped weakly, -struggling to his feet. “Just a—a—fall. -Wind’s gone.” He bent over for a moment, -gasping for breath. When he straightened up, -the lines of pain had disappeared from his face.</p> - -<p>“Pretty lucky! Where’s that bronc? If his -leg’s broken—” Then he saw his pony standing -in the underbrush, unhurt, but trembling -violently. Quickly he ran toward the steed and -patted him gently.</p> - -<p>“Snap into it, Teddy! We won’t give up -yet! There’s still a chance! We’ve got to find -Star and Flash! And if we can bring back -General for dad—”</p> - -<p>Without finishing his sentence, Roy vaulted -into the saddle, and once more the boys galloped -up the mountain trail. Roy’s fall was -but an incident in the chase.</p> - -<p>When they came to the spot where they -thought the thieves had turned off, Roy pulled -his horse to a halt.</p> - -<p>“Think this is it?” he asked Teddy.</p> - -<p>“I think so,” answered his brother. “We’ll -take it—have to! Come on!”</p> - -<p>As Teddy headed his horse off the trail and -into the bush, he had a queer feeling that this -was all a vivid dream—that he and Roy had -been riding like this forever, on and on, mile -after mile, over mountains and through valleys. -Chasing—what was it they were chasing? -Oh, yes! Flash! And Star and General! -Why, of course. What was the matter with -him? He shook his head savagely. Was he -a tenderfoot that a ride like this should do him -up? Why, he—around that fallen tree, you -bronc you! Not over it! Suddenly swift -realization came to Teddy. No wonder he felt -weak! Here it was late afternoon, and he had -not had anything to eat since breakfast!</p> - -<p>“Feel all right, Roy?” he yelled, turning in -his saddle.</p> - -<p>“Yes—pretty good! Kind of hungry!”</p> - -<p>“Me, too!”</p> - -<p>The comparative safety of the trail had given -way to a heavy tangle of underbrush which -made the riding extremely dangerous. Still, -the boys had for consolation the fact that it -was as bad for the rustlers as it was for them.</p> - -<p>Gradually it came to Roy that the chase was -hopeless unless they could tell which way the -thieves had gone. He motioned to Teddy to -stop, and the two boys listened intently. There -was no sound of cracking twigs, no noise of distant -crashing of horses’ feet through the forest. -All was silent.</p> - -<p>“Seems like we’ve lost them,” Roy said, a -note of despair in his voice.</p> - -<p>Teddy settled deeper in his saddle and -blew out his breath in a long sigh. The world -seemed especially dark at that moment. After -that long, hard ride, with success almost in -their grasp, to have failed now! The boy took -off his hat and ran his fingers through his damp -hair, then let his arm drop heavily down to his -side in a gesture of despondency.</p> - -<p>“It’s tough luck!” he said in a dull voice. -“Pretty tough luck! We almost had ’em!”</p> - -<p>“If I hadn’t fallen we might have caught -’em,” Roy declared regretfully. “I could kick -myself! Pulling a stunt like that!”</p> - -<p>“Aw, it wasn’t your fault,” Teddy said in -rough sympathy. He tried to cover up the -memory of how his heart had leaped into his -throat when Roy crashed to the ground. -Teddy looked over at his brother. Their eyes -met. Then Roy knew how Teddy had felt while -he, himself, was lying in the brush.</p> - -<p>“Well, we can’t do much here,” Teddy said, -moving uneasily in the saddle. “Let’s go -back. It’s getting late.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick it is! And I’m hungry. -Besides, dad’ll be worried. When we started -up that left fork, I thought dad and the rest -might hear us and follow. But I guess they -were too far ahead. Well, the best thing we -can do now is to find him and tell him what -we saw. Maybe we’ll be able to pick up the -trail of our lost broncs when we get back on -the path.”</p> - -<p>Looking up at the sun to make sure of their -direction, the boys rode slowly back toward the -path. After the excitement of the pursuit, the -reaction had set in, and both felt low in spirits. -The fact that they had had no dinner contributed -not a little to their depression.</p> - -<p>The horses, heads held low, picked their way -through the brush. They, too, were tired and -thirsty.</p> - -<p>For a long time neither of the boys spoke. -At length Teddy licked his lips and remarked:</p> - -<p>“I’m mighty dry, Roy. Seems to me there’s -a spring around here somewhere. Remember -it?”</p> - -<p>“Sort of. Not just sure where it is, though. -I’ll—”</p> - -<p>He stopped. To his ears came a peculiar -buzzing, like the sound of some giant locust.</p> - -<p>The horses heard it at the same instant, and -they swerved about and would have bolted but -for the firm hands of their riders. Teddy -peered sharply down at a large gray boulder -that lay half imbedded in the soil, a deep, wide -gash running from one end of it to the other.</p> - -<p>Again came the buzzing noise, and now a -strange, pungent odor floated out, which told, -plainer than words, what that sound meant.</p> - -<p>“Rattlers!” Teddy cried. “Sidewinders! -A whole den of ’em!”</p> - -<p>“Kill ’em!” Roy yelled, drawing his rifle -from its case on the saddle. “Kill ’em! Pour -lead into the varmints! Salivate ’em!”</p> - -<p>He leveled his rifle, and, as he did so, a veritable -horde of writhing, slimy, scaly creatures -issued forth from the rocky crevice, like a -phalanx of some horrible, crawling army!</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chVIII' title='VIII—The Fall'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER VIII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE FALL</span> -</h2> - -<p>The woods echoed with the crack of the rifles -as Roy and Teddy opened fire on the rattlesnakes. -The horses were prancing about in a -frenzy of fear, and it was almost impossible to -take accurate aim, but there were so many of -the hissing creatures that this was not necessary. -The ground near the rock seemed literally -covered with the snakes, and a shot placed -anywhere among them was nearly sure to hit -one.</p> - -<p>“Blow their heads off!” Teddy was yelling. -“Pulverize ’em!”</p> - -<p>The boy had an intense hatred of rattlesnakes, -like most Westerners, and considered -it a good deed to kill as many as possible.</p> - -<p>The rifles were spitting lead as fast as the -boys could pump bullets into the chambers and -pull the triggers. The earth in front of them -was beginning to resemble a butcher’s block. -Torn bodies of the snakes were everywhere.</p> - -<p>“Don’t seem to know when they’ve had -enough!” came from Teddy as he pressed another -clip into the rifle. “Golly, there must -be a million of ’em!”</p> - -<p>The angry buzz of the reptiles increased in -intensity as more and more of the serpents issued -forth from the cleft rock. The horses -were whinnying in terror, and it needed all the -skill the boys possessed to keep them from -bolting. And, indeed, the sight of the deadly, -wicked-looking, triangular heads of the snakes -was a terrifying spectacle.</p> - -<p>“There’s one less of ’em!” Roy cried, as -he cut a large diamond-back in half with a -bullet.</p> - -<p>“Atta boy!” Teddy answered. “If this -bronc of mine would hold still for a minute, I -could get that big one near that tree!”</p> - -<p>Roy looked to where his brother indicated -and saw a huge snake lying coiled with his head -drawn back ready to strike. The boy raised -his rifle and took careful aim. Then a strange -thing happened.</p> - -<p>Almost more swiftly than the eye could follow, -the snake uncoiled and glided toward -Roy’s horse. But, suddenly, it stopped, raised -its head, and for a moment stood perfectly still, -directly in front of the two boys. The sound -of rattling stopped as a radio that has been -turned off. In surprise, Roy held his hand -and did not take advantage of the splendid -target offered, it seemed purposely, by the -snake.</p> - -<p>Teddy, however, was held in no such trance. -Before him was a snake. It was his duty to -kill it. The boy raised the rifle to his shoulder -and squinted along the barrel. By almost a -miracle, the horse remained quiet.</p> - -<p>Roy watched the scene in a detached way, almost -as though he was part of an audience of -a staged drama. It was the moment of breathless -suspense before the crisis.</p> - -<p>But this sense of unreality did not last long, -for the silence was shattered by the crack of -Teddy’s gun. Roy looked down at the spot -where the snake had stopped, expecting to see -it a mangled mass of blood and skin. To his -surprise, he saw the snake still in that upraised, -immobile position, as firm and steady -as a rock. Teddy had missed!</p> - -<p>He had no opportunity to correct this mistake. -The huge serpent sounded his rattles -just once. Then he swiftly lowered his head to -the ground, as though bowing farewell, and, -like a streak of light, was gone. And where, -before, the ground had been alive with the -forms of writhing diamond-backs, there remained -only the torn bodies of those the boys -had killed. The other snakes had gone with -their leader.</p> - -<p>Teddy glanced at his brother, a sheepish look -on his face.</p> - -<p>“I missed him, clean!” he said, sliding the -rifle back into its case on the saddle. “Roy, I -would have bet anything that I drew a perfect -bead in his head. I had him lined up just right -when I squeezed the trigger. I can’t understand -it,” and Teddy shook his head.</p> - -<p>“You missed, all right,” Roy answered, as -though to himself. “He was the king snake -of that whole bunch! Wasn’t he a whopper, -though? Never saw such a big one! The way -he stood there, with his head raised looking -right into your rifle barrel, he seemed -like—like—Ajax defying the lightning. You know, -Teddy, I’m kind of glad you did miss.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you soft-hearted bronco-peeler!” -Teddy laughed. “Glad because I didn’t kill a -sidewinder! Wait till dad hears about that! -And, speaking of dad, we’d better get back to -him. He doesn’t know where we are, and he -may worry. Let’s go!”</p> - -<p>“I only wish I hadn’t fallen,” Roy remarked -in a low voice as they rode along. “I’ll bet we -would have had our broncs back now.”</p> - -<p>“Aw, forget it,” his brother declared. “It -wasn’t your fault. Anyway, they were a good -bit ahead, and we might not have caught them, -even if you hadn’t fallen. And when we did, -we’d have had a fight on our hands, I’m thinking. -Not that I’d mind it,” he added quickly. -“But if we got punctured, mother and dad -would worry like all get-out!” It hardly entered -the boy’s mind that he might have been -killed if he and Roy had succeeded in forcing -the rustlers to the wall.</p> - -<p>“Where in thunder is that spring?” Roy -asked in a petulant voice. “Baby, I’m some -dry! Next time I go chasing rustlers, I’ll -bring along a canteen, I’ll tell a maverick!”</p> - -<p>Teddy did not reply. He was thinking that -perhaps they would not get another chance to -go after the rustlers. Certainly the men ahead -were moving fast. Star, General, and Flash -had more stamina than any other three horses -he had ever seen. This meant that, in a pinch, -the thieves could ride them well out of the -county before night.</p> - -<p>“Now you take that puncher in the checkered -shirt,” Roy went on, talking more to -himself than to Teddy. “He’s a queer proposition. -When dad was knocking politeness into -that barkeeper to keep him from doing any -plugging, old Checkered Shirt could have had -things to his own liking. Instead, he runs. -Afraid, most likely.” Roy bent lower in the -saddle to avoid a tree branch which overhung -the trail. “Pop said he was a friend of Gilly -Froud’s.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t care if he’s a friend of Black Mike, -the Killer!” Teddy burst out. “If he flicks -a cigarette in my face again I’ll salivate him!”</p> - -<p>Roy looked quickly at his brother. He -knew the strain the younger boy had been -under, and felt that the best thing to do was -to take his mind off Flash and Checkered Shirt.</p> - -<p>“Say, Teddy,” he said in a loud voice, “what -do you think of those two girls dad met on the -train?”</p> - -<p>Teddy glanced over and grinned.</p> - -<p>“Think I need a little cheering up, Roy?” -he asked. “Well, maybe I do. Now what was -that you wanted to know?”</p> - -<p>“Say-y-y-y, you can’t get away with that!” -Roy laughed. “You heard me all right!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes—the girls! Why, I think they’re -very nice.”</p> - -<p>“‘Very nice!’” Roy mimicked. “You don’t -say! My boy,” and his voice took on a paternal -note, “I admire your restraint. But then, -of course, you know more girls than I do. To -me—to me, they were as the breath of springtime!”</p> - -<p>“Aw, dry up!” Teddy exclaimed sheepishly. -“Stop that kidding! You liked ’em as well as -I did. Jimminy, I’m thirsty!”</p> - -<p>“Seems to me that spring is around here -some place,” Roy declared, pulling his horse -up suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Let’s separate, and see if we can find it,” -suggested Teddy. “I’ll go down the mountain -a way, and you go up. If you find it, yell, and -I’ll do the same if I locate it. If we miss it, -we can meet here in ten minutes.”</p> - -<p>Roy nodded his approval of the plan. He -turned his steed to the right, and started up -the incline at an angle. Teddy watched him for -a moment, and then, licking his dry lips, faced -in the opposite direction. Chirping to his pony, -he took a firm grip on the reins and started -the descent.</p> - -<p>Riding down an incline is never as easy as -riding up. Teddy realized this, and he guided -the pony slowly down Mica Mountain. As he -rode, he turned his head from side to side, -seeking for the spring. The boy was getting -more thirsty every moment.</p> - -<p>He came to a spot which seemed more -treacherous than the rest. The footing was of -loose stone and very steep. Teddy seriously -debated whether it would not be better to dismount -and lead the pony.</p> - -<p>Fate, in the guise of a hornet, decided the -problem for him. As the hornet thrust his -poisoned lance into the pony’s flank, the horse -gave a snort of pain and leaped forward. -Teddy made a grab for the saddle horn, missed, -and went flying through the air. He landed -face downward on a bed of knife-like stones, -and, as the horse regained his balance and -trotted off, Teddy, with a wild yell, went sliding -down the mountainside!</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chIX' title='IX—Facing a Mountain Lion'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER IX</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>FACING A MOUNTAIN LION</span> -</h2> - -<p>As Teddy Manley rolled and tumbled down -the incline, sudden stabs of searing, burning -pain shot through his body. There was one -thought paramount in his mind—that he must -stop himself soon or be dashed to death on the -rocks below. His fingers sought to grasp some -solid object, that he might cling to it; but with -a sob the boy realized that there was nothing -here to seize except loose stones which mocked -his efforts by falling upon him in an avalanche.</p> - -<p>The thought came to him that perhaps this -was the end—that he had escaped all the other -dangers of life, only to be killed, ignominiously, -so it seemed to him, by a fall down a mountain -side. Strangely enough, he could look at this -picture with clear imagination, even while his -arms were pressing vainly the earth as he shot -downward. Never, it seemed, had he been able -to think so clearly. Flash, his pony, where was -he now? Teddy hoped whoever had him would -treat him well. He deserved it. Flash was a -good bronc. None better. If only Roy -hadn’t— That small tree just below—reach -out and grab it—hold on—hold on—</p> - -<p>With a breath-taking jolt, Teddy hit the tree -and clutched desperately at its slim trunk. -For a second that seemed an eternity, he clung -there, hoping. Then a sharp crack, the tree -gave way, and Teddy slid down, down—</p> - -<p>Below him a ledge of rock stuck its ugly lip -out into space. Nice drop, that—must be thirty -feet. Those gray things at the bottom must be -boulders. Which one would he hit? Ah—h—</p> - -<p>For one terrible moment Teddy hung on the -edge. Then a swift drop—and night closed -about him with velvet wings.</p> - -<p>How long he had lain there unconscious, -Teddy never learned. He opened his eyes upon -a sky ripped and torn by red lightning flashes. -Idly he lay on his back, staring upward at the -unusual spectacle of a thunder storm without -thunder or rain, and with red lightning instead -of white. Queer, that! He’d have to tell Roy -about it. Where was Roy, by the way? He’d -enjoy this. He always did like sunsets and such -things. Poetry, too! Funny fellow. Reading -books of verses! Like mom, maybe. She used -to be a school teacher. Denver, or some place -like that. Jimminy, look at that streak of fire! -All the way across the sky! Watch for the -next one, now. Why, was the storm over? Certainly -there were no more lightning flashes. -Seemed to be clearing up. Wow, what a headache!</p> - -<p>With a supreme effort that caused a wave of -pain that almost overpowered him, Teddy -struggled to a sitting position. He looked -around him in a puzzled manner, trying hard -to adjust his mind to the scene about him. The -sky was as blue as it always was, and there was -no sign of a storm. The red flashes had disappeared. -In the west, the sun, a huge ball of -fire, was casting a radiance on the forest below. -It was nearly evening.</p> - -<p>Teddy shook his head to clear it, then pressed -his hand to his lips to keep back a cry of -agony. He must not give in. But, for a moment, -the boy fell back upon the rock, breathing -hard.</p> - -<p>When he raised himself again the searing -sensations at the back of his head had turned -to dull, aching pain. Gingerly, the boy moved -first one leg, and then the other. They seemed -all right. Neither of his arms was broken. -Taking a deep breath, Teddy determined to -stand. It was easy—just bend one leg under -him, lean on his elbow, and push upward. Then -his head would have to come along, no matter -how much it wanted to lie quietly on the cool -rocks. Now—one, two, three! He was up!</p> - -<p>Wondering how long his legs would support -him, Teddy leaned weakly against a wall of -rock. Steady, now! He’d have to figure this -thing out. Here he was in a prison of rock. -On three sides there arose the bare, hard -granite. The front of this rocky cubicle was -open, and Teddy staggered to the edge and -looked over. Below him yawned a sheer drop -of two or three hundred feet. Now the question -was, how in thunder did he get here?</p> - -<p>He had fallen, that was one sure thing. No -doubt about that, Teddy thought, as he looked -ruefully at his torn clothes and bruised and -bleeding hands. But how did he get so sliced -up? A fall would never have done that. The -fall could have caused that cut on his head, but -not these rents in his clothes. Why, he looked -as though he’d been put through a meat-chopper.</p> - -<p>If his head would stop whirling for a moment -he might be able to figure this out! -Think, now. Thirsty—yes, he was thirsty. -Awfully thirsty. He must find some water. A -spring. A spring! Why, he was looking for -a spring! That’s what happened! He and Roy -were thirsty, so they separated, trying to find -that spring! Then that slide!</p> - -<p>A shudder passed over Teddy’s body. Memory -returned with a rush, and with it came desperate -realization. He was trapped here, -alone, and he had no way to tell Roy and the -others where he was! Suppose they never -found him? Suppose the horse he had fallen -from wandered far off and misled the others in -their search? Teddy gave a shiver. Then he -straightened up. Have to cut that out. He had -been in worse fixes than this, and he always -had gotten out all right. He would this time, -too. Dad and Roy would surely find him. If -he only had some water! He was burning up.</p> - -<p>He put his hand to his head and brought it -away covered with a dark, sticky substance. -Blood! No wonder it ached so. He’d have to -find some water and bathe it.</p> - -<p>Over to the right was some sort of a depression -in the rock. Perhaps there was water -there! Hope surging high within him, the -ranch boy staggered toward the spot and, with -a cry of joy, flung himself face downward beside -a pool of sparkling water. He buried his -face in it, and drank in great gulps.</p> - -<p>The point of saturation being reached, Teddy -stopped, and, tearing a piece from his shirt, -soaked it in the water and bathed his head. -The coolness felt wonderfully soothing, and, -much refreshed, the boy arose and considered -matters. The situation seemed not half so desperate -as it had been before he had found the -spring.</p> - -<p>True, night was approaching and the pangs -of hunger were becoming more severe.</p> - -<p>“Yet if one has water, one can go for a number -of days without food,” the boy murmured. -“And I feel sure that help will come before -long.”</p> - -<p>Up to this point the boy had refrained from -calling, both from a feeling of weakness and -the thought that it would do little good. Now, -however, he raised his head and sent a yell -echoing up into the stillness. He waited tensely -for an answer. None came, and, after a moment, -he shouted again. But his head was beginning -to whirl, and he was compelled to sit -down for a moment.</p> - -<p>“Can’t afford to do much of that,” he said -grimly to himself.</p> - -<p>A thought came to him, and he drew his revolver, -which, luckily, was still in the holster -at his side. He pointed it aloft and was about -to pull the trigger when he hesitated. Then, -with a gesture of despair, he shoved the gun -back into the holster. He could not waste the -ammunition. If night caught him here, it was -probable that he would need all his bullets for -defense against the animals which might seek -out that spring. They would not wantonly attack -him, he knew, but if they thought he was -trying to keep them from water, they might -attempt to make an onset on him. The animals -were all of the cat family, but Teddy had seen -some huge mountain lions in that section. They -could easily kill a defenseless man if they were -so minded.</p> - -<p>Feeling much stronger now, Teddy proceeded -thoroughly to investigate his “prison.” If -there were a means of escape, it would be well -to find it before night settled, otherwise he -would have to wait until morning. He could -take no chances on climbing up a cliff in the -dark, especially in his weakened condition.</p> - -<p>First he threw himself on his face at the edge -of the cliff and peered down. That way was -closed to him—the rock was as smooth as a -shingled roof and it would be worse than folly -to attempt a descent. There was but one thing -left—to climb up, if he could, and regain the -ledge from which he had fallen.</p> - -<p>At first glance, this seemed as hopeless as it -would be to climb down. But Teddy, born and -reared in this country, knew that though often -these crags appear insurmountable they are -not really so, for by clinging to the vines which -grow on them and getting a foothold in small -depressions worn by the action of the elements, -one can sometimes reach the top. Certainly, it -was dangerous. Yet, Teddy thought, he had -just fallen from the very height he wished to -conquer. And, with a grim smile, he murmured:</p> - -<p>“What’s one fall more or less between -friends?”</p> - -<p>Taking another long drink from the spring, -Teddy began his tour of inspection. The red -of the sky had deepened to orange, and the boy -knew that at the most, he had but an hour of -daylight left. If he were going to make the -attempt, now was the time.</p> - -<p>Tightening his belt, the boy walked over to -the rocky wall. Here the vines seemed -heaviest, and Teddy experimented by seizing -one of the creepers and resting his weight on -it. There was a crackling of wood as it pulled -away from the side of the cliff, but it held, and -Teddy determined to take the chance.</p> - -<p>He was just about to draw himself up when -a noise behind him caused him to hesitate. He -did not immediately look around, for he was -held in that sort of helpless panic one feels -when he realizes there is something behind -which one dreads to face. Hands upraised, -clutching the vine, Teddy stood motionless. -But he must look behind him. He had that -queer feeling that he was not alone—that some -one or something was standing on the rocky -floor, watching him.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, desperately, he jerked his head -around. Then his face blanched. Not ten feet -from him, tail lashing angrily, was one of the -largest mountain lions he had ever seen!</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chX' title='X—Searching'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER X</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>SEARCHING</span> -</h2> - -<p>When Roy Manley turned his horse up the -mountain, he determined to find that spring, -and find it quick. Haste was imperative, for -Mr. Manley and the others had no means of -knowing where he and Teddy were. They -might conclude the two boys had taken the left -trail, but certainly if Roy and Teddy did not -join them soon, there would be cause for worry. -Chasing rustlers is not a pastime, it is dangerous -work.</p> - -<p>Roy realized the state of mind his father -would be in, and just touched the spurs to the -pony’s side. Looking at the sun, the boy decided -that it must be nearly four o’clock.</p> - -<p>Roy ran his hand over the pony’s flank.</p> - -<p>“Not sweating much, are you?” he said. -“Guess you need water, all right. Chances are -you haven’t had any since early this morning.”</p> - -<p>He halted the horse and peered closely at -the ground.</p> - -<p>“Seems softer here. Hold still now, bronc, -and I’ll look.”</p> - -<p>He threw the reins over the pony’s neck -and dismounted. Leading the horse, he made -for a small clump of bushes.</p> - -<p>“Sure looks like there ought to be a spring -around here,” he declared. “I sort of remember -this place. I’ll bet this is where Teddy and -I stopped last year on our way to Molten to -look at those cattle dad was thinking of -buying.”</p> - -<p>Parting the bushes, he gazed within the space -they enclosed.</p> - -<p>“Yay, boy! Water! Go to it, old fellow! -Easy now. Don’t bust your boiler.”</p> - -<p>Removing his hat, he scooped himself up a -drink. He then stood watching the pony drink -the cool water. When the animal was satisfied, -which was not until he had again dipped his -nose into the spring, the boy patted him affectionately.</p> - -<p>“Some good, I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy exclaimed, -with a sigh of satisfaction as he -wiped his lips on the back of his hand. “Come -on now, bronc! We have got to tell Teddy!”</p> - -<p>He replaced his hat, mounted, and again -started down the mountain toward the place -he had agreed to meet his brother. Arriving -there, he cupped his hands to his mouth and -let out a yell.</p> - -<p>“Yay-y-y-y, Teddy! Yay-y-y!”</p> - -<p>He paused for an answer, but none came.</p> - -<p>Again he called.</p> - -<p>“Yo-o-o-o, Ted! Come here! I found it!”</p> - -<p>He strained his ears for a reply, but the -echo of his cry was the only answer.</p> - -<p>“That’s funny,” he said, straightening in -the saddle. A perplexed frown came to his -face. “Teddy oughtn’t to be out of earshot. -He said ten minutes, and it’s easily that, and -more!”</p> - -<p>Rising in his stirrups, Roy peered through -the trees.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to ride after him,” he declared -after a further period of waiting. “I don’t -like this a little bit! When Teddy says ten minutes, -he means just that, and no longer. It’s a -cinch he wouldn’t delay when he knows we’ve -got to get back to dad in a hurry.”</p> - -<p>He was just about to guide his horse down -the mountain when the sound of men’s voices -caused him to turn swiftly in his saddle. An -idea came to him that these might be the -rustlers, so he jumped his horse off the trail -and into the bushes at the side. The next moment -he gave a yell and swung the pony back -on the path. Riding toward him were his -father, Nick Looker, Pop Burns, and Gus -Tripp.</p> - -<p>“Roy!” Mr. Manley called. He spurred his -bronco forward. “Where’ve you been, son? -We’ve been worried about you!”</p> - -<p>“It’s a long story,” Roy answered, forcing -his mount toward his father, adding: “Say, -have you seen Teddy?”</p> - -<p>“Teddy? Why, no! I thought he was with -you.”</p> - -<p>“He was, up to half an hour ago. Then we -separated, trying to find a spring. He hasn’t -come back yet.”</p> - -<p>A look of alarm shadowed Mr. Manley’s face. -He turned to the others.</p> - -<p>“You didn’t see Teddy, did you, anybody?” -he asked.</p> - -<p>“Not me, boss,” Nick Looker answered. -“We’ve been with you all the time except when -Pop and I fell behind, a ways back.”</p> - -<p>“I ain’t seen him,” Gus declared. “Pop, -ain’t neither, I know. Have you, Pop?”</p> - -<p>“Nope! Snakes! You don’t mean to tell -me he’s lost? I can’t believe that. Teddy -wouldn’t get lost in these hills. He knows ’em -like a book.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think he’s lost, either,” Roy said -in a troubled tone. “I don’t know what to -think. He and I caught sight of the rustlers -on our broncs, Dad, and—”</p> - -<p>“You saw the galoots?” Pop burst out excitedly. -“Where, Roy? How long ago? Let’s -go after ’em! Snakes!”</p> - -<p>“Go easy,” Gus drawled. “Let Roy tell it. -Go ahead, Roy.”</p> - -<p>Roy “went ahead” and told his story, ending -with the words:</p> - -<p>“I haven’t seen Teddy since. That’s all!”</p> - -<p>“That’s a-plenty,” Mr. Manley declared. -“Where do you suppose Teddy went, Roy? -Oughtn’t he to be back by now?”</p> - -<p>“He should,” Roy replied. “As I told you, -he said ten minutes. Golly, I don’t know where -he is, Dad! I’m worried. Something must -have happened to him.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t <i>know</i> that,” Nick Looker broke -in. “Don’t cross no bridges till you come to -’em. Teddy’s all right!”</p> - -<p>“I hope so,” Mr. Manley replied moodily. -“But I never knew Teddy to stay away when -he said he’d be back unless he couldn’t come. -Well, let’s not waste time here. We must find -him.”</p> - -<p>“Want to spread out, boss?” Pop asked. -“Better that way, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Right!” Mr. Manley answered shortly. -“Roy, you come with me. Pop, you and Gus -ride to the left. Nick can take the right. Roy -and I will go straight down.”</p> - -<p>The men and the boy started on their search. -Mr. Manley and Roy took the very same path -over which Teddy had traveled, though, of -course, they did not know this.</p> - -<p>“Mighty funny where he could have gone,” -Roy remarked. “Jimminy! I hope nothing -happened to him. But it sure looks queer!”</p> - -<p>“Take Nick’s advice,” his father answered. -“Teddy may be riding around looking for us.” -But Roy stole a quick glance at his father’s -face and saw the lines of worry.</p> - -<p>The ranchman knew what it meant to be lost -in these hills with night coming on. Then -there was the added danger that Teddy had met -the horse-thieves. If one of them was really -Billy Froud, Mr. Manley had visions of Teddy -riding straight at him and pulling him off -Flash. Somehow, Mr. Manley knew that Froud -would be riding Flash if, indeed, he was one of -the rustlers.</p> - -<p>The rancher thought of the other two thieves -as leveling their guns at Teddy. Drawing his -hand across his forehead in a quick gesture, -the ranchman forced his horse on.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Roy gave a cry. He pointed to -something ahead.</p> - -<p>“There’s Teddy’s horse!” he exclaimed. -“That’s Teddy’s horse, Dad! But he isn’t on -him! Ted must be around here somewhere! -Hey-y-y Teddy! Yo-o-o!”</p> - -<p>Father and son strained their ears for an -answer. Silence! Then, echoing among the -hills like the single beat of a taut drum, came -the sound of a shot. With startled eyes the -two looked at each other.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXI' title='XI—The Return'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XI</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE RETURN</span> -</h2> - -<p>Teddy Manley’s breath caught in his throat -as he stood, his back to the wall, arms outstretched, -watching the mountain lion. The -only thing moving on that rocky plateau was -the animal’s tail. While the lion remained as -firm and steady as a statue, its tail lashed back -and forth with grim significance. It seemed to -Teddy that he could not take his eyes off that -waving tip.</p> - -<p>Then from the lion’s throat came a low growl, -like the first mutter of distant thunder, telling -of a coming storm. With the sound, Teddy’s -brain threw off the shackles of fear. Swift as -thought, the boy’s hand flashed down to the -gun at his side. The blue barrel came out and -up in a draw that would have left old Pop -Burns gaping in envious amazement.</p> - -<p>At the same instant the boy bent low and -jumped to one side, holding his gun before him, -finger ready on the trigger. But the lion did -not spring. Instead, it whirled with the boy, -and instantly was again facing him, this time -at a greater distance, Teddy having backed -away, once he was clear of the wall.</p> - -<p>Thoughts were flashing through the boy’s -brain like subtitles on a moving picture screen. -Should he shoot and risk having the animal -charge if he missed? Would it be better to -wait and see if the lion would depart of its -own accord? Perhaps the brute was frightened. -Given time, it might turn tail and make -off without attacking. Still, where had it come -from? If it had leaped down from above, -Teddy would surely have heard it. Why, it -must have been here when Teddy had fallen!</p> - -<p>Still backing, the boy determined to let the -lion decide the issue. If it made off, very well. -If it sprang—Teddy took in a bit more of the -trigger slack and raised the barrel just a trifle, -so that it pointed directly at the lion’s left eye. -Ad least he would go under, fighting.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the tail stopped its restless lashing. -Teddy saw the shoulder muscles of the -beast move like ropes in silken sheathes. He -knew the moment had come.</p> - -<p>As the lion sprang, Teddy fired. In that -small enclosure the roar of the large automatic -was deafening.</p> - -<p>When the lion landed, not five feet from -Teddy, it turned its head and began biting -savagely at its left flank. Teddy’s bullet had -only wounded the animal.</p> - -<p>He fired again and jumped aside. The bullet -hit the beast just below the heart. Furious -with pain, it whirled about and came at the -boy.</p> - -<p>Now a hot, almost unreasoning, rage took -possession of Teddy.</p> - -<p>“Come on, come on, you yellow coward!” he -shouted wildly. “Fight! Don’t lay down so -soon! Fight, you sneak!”</p> - -<p>Teddy’s abstinence from food, his chase -after the thieves, and the fall down the mountainside -had snapped his restraint. He knew -nothing, except that he was facing an enemy—something -he must kill. With an abandonment -of fury, he fired his remaining shots in -the direction of the lion, threw his gun from -him, and started forward, fists clenched, eyes -burning with a feverish light.</p> - -<p>“Now, you coward, we’re even!” he yelled. -“Fight, if you’re not too ornery. Let’s see -what you’re made of! Come on! Think I’m -afraid, hey? I’ll show you! You yellow -coward.”</p> - -<p>The strange spectacle of an unarmed boy -advancing toward him with something white -wrapped around his head and making furious -noises with his mouth, caused the lion to hesitate. -But only for a moment. Then he leaped -forward to meet this presumptuous being, and -teach him respect for tearing claws and knife-like -teeth.</p> - -<p>Teddy braced himself for the shock. There -was no thought of death in his mind—only that -he would soon be at grips with an enemy whom -he hated.</p> - -<p>Through a red mist, the boy saw the roaring -beast launch itself into the air. He saw the -lips drawn back in a snarl of rage. He saw the -forefeet close together, white, curving claws -projecting from small rubber-like pads. He -saw the eyes gleam wickedly.</p> - -<p>Teddy put up his hands to ward off that -hurtling body, and at that moment two sharp -cracks came to his ears. He saw the lion’s -body twitch. Automatically he dodged, and the -beast struck his shoulder, dashing the boy to -the ground. There was another crack, then -another. Teddy rose dazedly to his feet. He -looked down. On the rocky floor lay the lion—quivering, -but stone dead.</p> - -<p>From above there came a cry.</p> - -<p>“We got him, Dad! Yay, Teddy! Are you -all right? Teddy!”</p> - -<p>Putting his hand to his head, the boy glanced -up. What he saw caused quick tears of emotion -to come to his eyes. Staring down at him, -their faces alight with eagerness, stood his -father and Roy.</p> - -<p>“Dad! Roy!” Teddy cried weakly. He -staggered to the wall and leaned against it. -There was a lump in his throat that choked -him, and try as he did, he could not keep the -tears from starting to his eyes. This would -never do. What would they think of him? -He shook his head savagely and sunk his teeth -into his lower lip. There, that helped! He -looked up again.</p> - -<p>“You sure timed your entrance,” he called, -grinning bravely. “Quite a show!”</p> - -<p>“Teddy, are you all right?” Mr. Manley -shouted.</p> - -<p>“Sure! Come on down. The water’s fine.” -His head was spinning around, and the red rim -of the sun was stretched into a long line of fire -across the sky. To his surprise, the boy suddenly -found himself sitting down. He laughed -at the absurdity of this change, but it was a -weak laugh.</p> - -<p>Above him, Roy and Mr. Manley had seen -the boy sway back and forth for a moment, -then fall to the ground. Swiftly Mr. Manley -ran back to where his pony was standing and -detached a rope which hung from the saddle -horn. He tied one end around a tree, and -dangling the other end over the edge, he slid -down, careless of the blistering burns the -strands inflicted on the palms of his hands. -The moment he hit bottom he ran to his son.</p> - -<p>“Teddy! Teddy boy!” he stammered. -“That was a close one! If Roy and I had -missed—” He hunched down and threw one -arm about his son’s shoulders. Even Mr. -Manley’s eyes were not quite dry. He had -just seen his son escape from a horrible death.</p> - -<p>“All right, Dad. I’m O. K. now,” Teddy -said, resting one hand over his father’s as it -lay on his shoulder. “I’ll give you and Roy -the prize for marksmanship. You sure clipped -the beast good!”</p> - -<p>“Hey, Dad, I’m coming down!” Roy yelled -from above. “Is Teddy hurt?”</p> - -<p>“No!” Mr. Manley answered. “He’s not! -You stay up there, Roy. Wait for the rest! -Yell at ’em!”</p> - -<p>“I can get up now,” Teddy declared. To -prove it he struggled to his feet, and promptly -sat down again.</p> - -<p>“Golly, my legs are made of India-rubber!” -he said, grinning. “What do you know about -that, Dad? Funny, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Sure,” Mr. Manley assented, smiling -broadly now. He knew from the change in -Teddy’s voice that the boy was gaining control -of his nerves and would soon be himself again. -“Just take it easy, son. Here!” he ran to the -spring and dipped his hat in the water. -“Drink this. Slow!”</p> - -<p>Teddy obeyed, and the merry-go-round on -which the trees were riding came gradually -to a stop.</p> - -<p>The boy got to his feet again, and this time -he stayed there.</p> - -<p>“Where’s my friend?” he asked, looking -about. “Ah, there she is. A beauty, hey, -Dad?” he touched the dead mountain lion with -his foot. “Look at that hide! Say, do you -think we can get her up out of here and cart -her along home?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t see why not,” his father answered. -“Golly, boy, do you know you went for this -lion with your bare hands? Went right at -her!”</p> - -<p>“Did I?” Teddy said indifferently. He -kicked the carcass again. “Must have been a -little crazy, I guess. I didn’t know what it -was all about for a while.”</p> - -<p>He walked over toward the spring. Suddenly -he uttered an exclamation.</p> - -<p>“Well, for the love of Pete! Dad! Take a -look at this! No wonder the old lady wanted -to fight. Can you beat this?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley hurried to his son’s side and -bent over. In a scooped-out hollow of the wall, -partly screened by bushes, he saw two little, -yellow kittens.</p> - -<p>“Baby lions!” the ranch owner cried. -“Say, Teddy, we’ve got to save ’em! We shot -their mother, and now it’s up to us to help the -babies make a start in the world. We can—”</p> - -<p>“Hey-y-y, Dad!” came from above. “Here -are Pop and Gus and Nick! Want me to come -down?”</p> - -<p>“No! You boys get ready to haul up!” Mr. -Manley answered. “Teddy,” he added, in a -lower voice, “I want you to let them pull you -up. Oh, yes, I know you can climb it,” he -said, interrupting his son’s protest. “But, just -for fun, let ’em pull you. They need the -exercise.”</p> - -<p>He fastened the rope below Teddy’s armpits -and yelled to those above to hoist away. -Up Teddy went. In a moment he was safe -upon the ledge. Then came Mr. Manley’s turn; -and with two, tawny, squirming kittens held -against his chest he made the ascent as Teddy -had done.</p> - -<p>The last rays of the sun were sending a -shower of gold over the mountains as Roy’s -hand clasped Teddy’s in a firm grip, that told, -louder than any words, what was in the heart -of each. The two boys were together again. -Teddy had been saved from what had seemed -certain death.</p> - -<p>It was too late to look further for the horse -thieves, and Mr. Manley gave the word to start -for home. Evening was upon them, and as the -two brothers rode along through the gathering -dusk, side by side, talking in low tones, each -had a small, warm kitten cuddled on his saddle.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXII' title='XII—Visitors'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>VISITORS</span> -</h2> - -<p>“Nick, why’n thunder don’t you give that -mouth-organ of yourn to Sing Lung an’ let him -make soup out of it?” Gus Tripp drawled.</p> - -<p>The cowboys, Roy and Teddy among them, -were sprawled in lazy attitudes just outside -the bunk-house. Several days had passed since -they had ridden after the horse thieves—days -of fruitless searching for the lost animals.</p> - -<p>Nick finished the last, plaintive strains of -“Home, Sweet, Home,” and removed the instrument -from his lips. Noon mess had just -been concluded, and the men were resting a few -moments before resuming the work of the -ranch.</p> - -<p>“Huh?” Nick grunted. “What was that, -Gus?”</p> - -<p>“I say you ought to give that wind-wailer -to Sing Lung to make soup out of.”</p> - -<p>“Yea?” Nick tapped the harmonica gently -on the palm of his hand. “Maybe you figger -the noise you make drinkin’ soup would turn -into music then, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Chalk up one for Nick,” Teddy grinned. -Except for a small cut on his head, the boy -had completely recovered from his dangerous -fall.</p> - -<p>“Notice you been practicin’ up quite a bit -lately,” Jim Casey put in. “Norine say she -likes to hear you play, Nick?” he questioned. -Norine was Mrs. Moore’s daughter, Mrs. -Moore being a widow who for five years had -been the cook and housekeeper at the ranch -house.</p> - -<p>“That’s all right,” Nick returned. “Roy, -tell us what Jim had on the other night when -he went callin’ over to the house. Go on, tell -the assembled multitude!”</p> - -<p>“A boiled shirt,” Roy answered, with a -smile. “At first I didn’t believe it was Jim, -but when I went closer I heard him sing, and -then I knew it was him.”</p> - -<p>“There you are!” Nick arose and spread -his arms in a wide gesture. “The gentleman -goes callin’ in a boiled shirt, an’ singin’! Could -anything be sweeter?”</p> - -<p>“Yes! Crackers an’ milk!” Pop Burns exclaimed. -“But not much sweeter. Tell you, I -don’t know what this younger generation is -comin’ to. Nick learns to blow tunes on a -hunk o’ tin. Jim sports a boiled shirt. Gus—I -don’t know what Gus does. I ain’t ketched -him yet. An’ all because a silly girl knows -how to make goo-goo eyes!”</p> - -<p>“She ain’t a silly girl!” Explosions of indignation -burst about Pop’s ears.</p> - -<p>“She’s nice, let me tell you!”</p> - -<p>“You bet she is! Silly girl! Huh!”</p> - -<p>“She’s the purtiest girl I ever see!”</p> - -<p>“How’d you used to go callin’ on a girl, you -old bronco-peeler? With a six-gun hangin’ -from yore belt an’ a bowie knife between yore -teeth?”</p> - -<p>“Yes!” Pop shouted, above the din. “I sure -would! In my day we went courtin’ in hats, -not hair tonic!”</p> - -<p>“I suppose that’s why you got so much -hair now!” Gus yelled, doubling up with exaggerated -laughter. “Boy, that dome of yourn -shines like a Mexican dollar!”</p> - -<p>Pop clamped his hat savagely back on his -head, and then grinned.</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose boys will be boys. ’Scuse -me now. I got to work. There’s some blocks -behind the cook-house you children can amuse -yourselves with. You can build houses. But -don’t build ’em too high. They might fall on -you an’ bust a finger nail or somethin’. Then -Norine wouldn’t like you no more!” Before -they could answer him, the veteran puncher -tramped off.</p> - -<p>“Crazy old coot!” Nat Raymond said with -a grin. “Always has the last word! Well, -let’s get goin’, boys. There’s plenty to do. -Roy, you’re the boss this week, ain’t you? -Want me to ride down to Eagles and see if our -inoculation stuff has come in yet?” He had -reference to an antitoxin which cattle are given -to prevent a disease called blackleg.</p> - -<p>“Guess you’d better, Nat,” Roy said. “And -while you’re there, take a good look around. -See if you can spot that puncher in a shirt -that—isn’t striped.”</p> - -<p>“I get you,” Nat returned. “An’ if I see -a geezer with a scar on the left side of his face -I’ll let you know that, too.” Mr. Manley had -told the story of the robbery to all the men on -the X Bar X.</p> - -<p>Roy and Teddy walked slowly over toward -the corral.</p> - -<p>“How does the old head feel, Teddy?” Roy -asked.</p> - -<p>“Pretty good. Aches a little now and then. -But I’d rather have a headache than an obituary -notice. Roy, if you and dad hadn’t gotten -there when you did, I’d have had to be swept -up with a shovel.” A slight shudder passed -over the boy.</p> - -<p>“Forget it,” Roy advised, laying a hand on -his brother’s shoulder. “It’s over now. Say, -I’ve been thinking. I—”</p> - -<p>“So have I,” Teddy interrupted. “About -Flash, mostly. I miss him, Roy. Miss him like -anything! If I ever catch the thief who took -him—”</p> - -<p>“I know,” and Roy nodded. “I feel the -same about Star, and I guess dad does about -General, too. But we can’t do any good thinking -about it. When the time comes, we’ll act. -The boys say that the gang who rustled the -cattle from the 8 X 8 is around again, and I’ve -still got a hunch those are the waddies who -stole our broncs. We just have to sit tight, -Teddy, and do a little figuring. In the meantime, -I’ve got an idea that might interest you.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s hear it,” Teddy suggested. “Not -about the broncs, is it?”</p> - -<p>“No,” Roy answered. “It’s about those -two girls over at Pete Ball’s place. Remember—Nell -and Ethel?”</p> - -<p>“Well, now that you speak about it, I do,” -Teddy drawled, with an assumption of carelessness. -“Why?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing, except that they’re coming over -here.”</p> - -<p>“They are?” Teddy looked up with quick -eagerness, then, as quickly, turned away his -head. “Well, that’ll be nice for you, Roy.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t say!” his brother laughed. -“Nice for me, will it? How about you?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I guess I can stand it. How long can -they stay?”</p> - -<p>“I notice you didn’t ask when they’re going -home, did you?” Roy asked. “‘How long can -they stay!’ Teddy, my boy, your innocence -is sublime. Well, mother telephoned to Mrs. -Ball this morning, and I guess they’ll be here -tonight or early tomorrow. Bug Eye will -probably bring them over.”</p> - -<p>The two boys had reached the corral, and -Roy paused for a moment, leaning against the -rails. He peered at the horses within. Somehow, -the place did not seem the same without -Star trotting over to nuzzle his hand.</p> - -<p>“You mentioned something about rustlers -at the 8 X 8,” Teddy remarked, as he examined -the initials cut in one of the rails.</p> - -<p>“Yes. Dad heard from Eagles that they -might be the same thieves who stole Flash, -Star, and General. Don’t know who told him, -but I imagine it was one of the men who saw -them ride our ponies away. You know; the -gang that hangs around the corral in town. -Some of them are pretty decent, and they’d -help us if they could. There’s only a certain -bunch that’s got it in for dad because he -wouldn’t go in for that scheme of weighting -the cattle scales, as Pop told us.”</p> - -<p>Teddy nodded.</p> - -<p>“I remember! I’ll bet Checkered Shirt is -one of them, too. Well, let’s get to work. You -and I are going to ride fence, aren’t we? -Might as well get started. The better shape -we keep the fence in, the harder it will be for -the rustlers to nab any of the X Bar X stock, -if they’re planning to do that. Golly, what’s -this country coming to? They claim the old -West is gone, but if some of those birds who -say that would come here, they’d soon find out! -But we can do without rustlers, if we have to, -I guess.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick we can!” Roy declared -forcibly. “If they’re part of the old West, let -’em go. I won’t keep ’em. Come on, grab a -bronc and let’s be on our way.”</p> - -<p>It was almost dark when the two boys returned -from their work of repairing the fence. -As they dismounted and led the horses to the -watering trough, a familiar noise greeted their -ears. It was the rattle of a flivver, above which -sounded a voice.</p> - -<p>“Made it, ladies! Got this tin bronco ridin’ -right along, didn’t I? Whoa! Grab a-holt, -ladies, we’re goin’ to land, an’ there’s no tellin’ -what she’ll do when she hits ground again! -Yow! There she is. Ho-o-o-old up now, you -snortin’ peanut-roaster!”</p> - -<p>“Bug Eye!” Roy exclaimed, with a grin, -turning to his brother.</p> - -<p>“And he’s not alone, either!” Teddy remarked -mischievously. “He was talking to -‘ladies,’ Roy! Did you get that?”</p> - -<p>A girlish laugh punctuated Bug Eye’s further -description of the “peanut-roaster.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXIII' title='XIII—Norine Entertains'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XIII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>NORINE ENTERTAINS</span> -</h2> - -<p>Leaving the horses to drink their fill at the -watering trough, Roy and Teddy hurried over -towards the car, which had come to a stop near -the entrance to the ranch house.</p> - -<p>“Howdy, boys!” Bug Eye called, as he -alighted and opened the rear door. “The -ladies was afraid I wouldn’t get here before -dark. But they needn’t have worried. I can -make any place before dark! I got you here -O.K., didn’t I?” he asked proudly, as he helped -Nell and Ethel out of the auto.</p> - -<p>“You certainly did!” Nell answered, with a -laugh. “Hello, Roy and Teddy!”</p> - -<p>“Hello, Nell!” Roy greeted.</p> - -<p>“How are you, Ethel?” asked Teddy. -“Have a good trip over?”</p> - -<p>“Sounds as though we just landed from an -ocean voyage!” Ethel laughed. “Yes, we had -a fine trip, Teddy. Bug Eye is such a careful -driver that—”</p> - -<p>“<i>Careful</i>, ma’am?” Bug Eye interrupted, -pushing his sombrero back and wiping the -perspiration from his forehead with the back -of his hand. “Careful? I guess you ain’t -heard about the time—”</p> - -<p>“Here it comes,” Teddy remarked in an undertone.</p> - -<p>“About the time I was sent over to Eagles -by the boss to bring back a crate of eggs,” Bug -Eye went on imperturbably. “You see—nope, -Roy, they didn’t bring no bags except them two -pocket-books in the rear; you can tote them in -if you want. As I was sayin’, the boss sent me -down to Eagles to bring back a crate of eggs -what was comin’ in on the train. Now you -know what a freight wrastler does to eggs. -‘Handle with care’ means ‘Treat ’em rough’ to -baggage heavers.</p> - -<p>“Well, as soon as I saw them eggs I knew -what had happened. The yaller was drippin’ -down the sides of the crate an’ there wasn’t a -whole egg in the lot. Thinks I, I’ll cart the -box home, anyway, an’ show the boss. So I -shoves her in the back of this here bus an’ sets -out for the 8 X 8. Well, sir, believe it or not, -when I hit the ranch, every last one of them -eggs was back in their shells, just as they were -the day the hens laid ’em! <i>Careful!</i> Why—”</p> - -<p>“Whoa, Bug Eye, you’re going around a -curve!” Teddy sang out. “Take it easy! -You’ll strain yourself! I guess the girls know -by this time what a careful driver you are.”</p> - -<p>“We do,” Nell said laughingly. “We didn’t -even know we were riding!”</p> - -<p>With a nod of approval at this remark, Bug -Eye once more took his place behind the wheel, -and with a shout of, “telephone if you need -anything and I’ll bring it over in the tin puddle-jumper,” -the puncher started with a rush back -to the 8 X 8.</p> - -<p>“He’s quite a boy,” Roy remarked as, carrying -the girls’ week-end bags, or “pocket-books,” -as Bug Eye called them, he led the way -into the house. Teddy went to put the horses -in the corral for the night.</p> - -<p>“He surely is,” Nell replied to Roy. “Tell -me, Roy, did you ever get your horses back?” -she went on, her face suddenly serious.</p> - -<p>“Never did—yet,” Roy answered. “We—Teddy -and I—saw them being ridden, and we -chased after them, but they got away.”</p> - -<p>“And that fresh man in the checkered shirt!” -Ethel exclaimed. “Have you ever seen him -again, Roy?”</p> - -<p>“Once,” was the grim answer. Hurriedly -the boy opened the door and stood aside to let -the girls pass in. “Oh, Mother!” he called. -“Visitors!”</p> - -<p>The sound of light footsteps descending the -stairs was heard immediately, and in a moment -Mrs. Manley appeared. She greeted the girls -warmly and said that Belle Ada would be ready -in a moment.</p> - -<p>“Roy, turn on the lights, please, won’t you?” -his mother asked. He pushed a wall-button, -and a soft glow immediately illuminated the -room. Then, as Mrs. Manley saw the girls -glance up in apparent surprise, she said, smiling -a little: “Yes, we have electric lights—and -everything. Mr. Ball has them, also, as -you must have noticed. You see most of the -ranchers around here have their own gasoline -motors which generate the current. But take -off your things, won’t you? You are tired and -dusty, so come upstairs. Belle is eager to see -you.”</p> - -<p>Roy was hurrying to his own room to “slick -up,” as he called it, when Teddy burst into -the house.</p> - -<p>“I just wanted to—” he began. Then, -seeing his brother was alone, he stopped in -confusion.</p> - -<p>“Go on, tell me,” Roy jeered. “I make a -fine audience. What was it now?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing!” answered Teddy, his face a -trifle red. “I—I forget what I was going to -say. Where you bound for in such a rush?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I was just going to put on a clean -shirt,” Roy responded carelessly. “Have to -dog-up a bit for supper.”</p> - -<p>“Uh-huh,” Teddy grunted, with a grin. -“For supper! Sure! Have to get dogged-up -for supper. Guess I will, too.” Then his face -took on a more serious expression. “Say, Roy, -you don’t think we’ll have to stop looking for -those thieves while the girls are here, do you?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick we won’t!” Roy exploded. -“Not if dad has anything to say about -it, and I guess he has! He wants General back, -and he wants him bad. If any clue turns up, -we’ll go right after the rustlers!”</p> - -<p>The evening meal, with the two girls as -guests, was a jolly one. Mr. Manley was at -his best, and his chuckling remarks kept the -company in a gale of laughter, though often -he directed a sly remark toward Roy or Teddy, -which caused them to change the subject hurriedly. -Belle, following her father’s leads, -contributed not a little to the general hilarity.</p> - -<p>When the meal ended they all strolled into -the living room of the ranch, a large, well-lighted -apartment with a huge oak table in the -center, on which were piled books and magazines. -A stone hearth was built into the wall, -and a log fire was crackling away merrily, -lighted, Mr. Manley hastened to explain, with -a sly grin at his wife, “not for warmth but -for effect.” Above the fireplace, was the -mounted head of a bison, set on a wooden panel.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I think this is simply gorgeous!” Ethel -murmured as she looked about her. “Belle, you -don’t know how lucky you are to be able to -live in such a wonderful place!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe she wishes she could live in New -York,” Teddy remarked, with a glance at his -sister. “Then she could go to parties and -dances every night—if she had any one to take -her.”</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t want to go to dances every night, -Teddy Manley, and you know it!” Belle answered. -“Even if I did have some one to -take me,” and she pouted in mock anger.</p> - -<p>“There wouldn’t be much difficulty about -that,” Nell declared, with a look at Belle’s -raven hair and lustrous, dark eyes.</p> - -<p>“So you think my girl would be the Belle-Ada -of the town, hey?” Mr. Manley laughed, -as he ruffled his daughter’s hair with an affectionate -hand. “Well, maybe next year you can -go to school in New York if you want to, -daughter.”</p> - -<p>“And leave you and mother?” Belle asked -with wide eyes. “No! Not me, Daddy!”</p> - -<p>“Of course she forgets all about Ted and -me,” Roy said, grinning. “We just <i>live</i> here. -Nell, what would you do with a sister like -that?”</p> - -<p>“Now don’t tease,” Mrs. Manley said, and -smiled. “Bardwell, couldn’t we have some -sort of entertainment for the girls? Some of -the cowboys play musical instruments. Don’t -you think they’d oblige us?”</p> - -<p>“Nick Looker!” exclaimed Teddy and Roy -in the same breath.</p> - -<p>“What’s Nick do? Play on the linoleum?” -Mr. Manley asked, with a grin.</p> - -<p>“The mouth-organ, Dad,” Teddy replied -seriously. “What do you say? Shall we get -him to perform? He’ll do it, I know.”</p> - -<p>“How about getting Norine to dance that -Irish jig of hers?” Roy suggested. “With Nick -playing for her, she ought to be great!”</p> - -<p>“Yea, if Nick doesn’t get too bashful when -he sees Norine,” Teddy said. “But let’s try -it. Shall we, Mother?”</p> - -<p>Hardly waiting for the assent he knew his -mother would give, Teddy made for the front -door.</p> - -<p>“Belle,” he called over his shoulder, “you -go and talk to Norine! Tell her Nick loves to -see her dance. Then she’ll come. Roy, grab -some of these chairs and cart ’em out on the -porch. We can all sit there. We’ll have a -moonlight show!”</p> - -<p>“Wait! We’ll come with you!” Ethel declared, -getting up. “Come on, Nell, we can -help too. Where are you going, Teddy?”</p> - -<p>“Going to root out Nick and the rest of -’em. Come along, both of you, if you want to. -See what the ranch yard looks like in moonlight.”</p> - -<p>While Roy and Mr. Manley were bringing -the chairs to the porch, Teddy led the way -toward the bunk-house. In the light of the full -moon the forms of the punchers dotting picturesquely -the landscape near the door of the -shack could be seen. As the two girls approached, -plaintive wailings came to their ears.</p> - -<blockquote style='text-align:center'> - <div style='text-align: left; display:inline-block'> - <div style='margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'> - <div>“A handsome young cowboy was dy-ing, (dy-ing)</div> - <div>And as on the prairie he lay— (he lay—)</div> - <div>To the punchers who came round him sigh-ing, (sigh-ing,)</div> - <div>These last dy-ing words he did say: (he-e-e di-i-id say-y -y -y.)</div> - </div> - <div style='margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'> - <div>“‘Take his forefoot from out of my back-bone, (back-bone)</div> - <div>His back te-eeth from out of my brain, (my brain)</div> - <div>His hindfoot from out of my liver (liver)</div> - <div>And assemble the bronco agai-ai-ai-ai-ain!’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</blockquote> - -<p>“Hey, you birds, close up that butcher-shop!” -Teddy called out. “Don’t you keep -union hours? Nick! Where’s Nick?”</p> - -<p>“Right here, Teddy, right here,” one of the -figures replied, separating himself from the -group. “What’ll it be?”</p> - -<p>“Feel in the mood for a little mouth-organ -solo tonight, Nick?”</p> - -<p>“Yep! Sure do! I just learnt a new piece. -It’s an Irish dance, and—”</p> - -<p>“Atta boy, Nick! Just what we want! -Norine is going to jig for us.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, she is?” Ethel could see the young -puncher hesitating. “Well, Teddy, if you’ll -wait just a second while I—”</p> - -<p>“He wants to get dooked out!” came a voice -which Teddy recognized as Pop’s. “What’d I -tell you?”</p> - -<p>“Aw, dry up!” Nick growled playfully. -“All right, Teddy, I’ll be over in two minutes. -Want the rest of these here pinto wrestlers?”</p> - -<p>“Sure! Everybody!” Teddy answered. -“Over to the front porch as soon as you’re -ready.”</p> - -<p>When Teddy and the two girls reached the -house, they found that a row of chairs had been -placed on one end of the porch. Norine was -waiting, and, after being introduced to the -girls, she shyly told them:</p> - -<p>“I knew a boy once that came from New -York. He had curly hair and finger nails that -glistened just like Pop Burns’ head. Oh, he -was lovely! Did you know him, at all?”</p> - -<p>Nell and Ethel confessed that they did not, -by that description.</p> - -<p>“But then we haven’t seen Pop’s head yet, -so we can’t just say.”</p> - -<p>Norine laughed merrily, and began a torrent -of questions about New York that was -only stopped by the arrival of Nick and his -fellows.</p> - -<p>“All set, boys?” Mr. Manley called out.</p> - -<p>“All set, boss!” Nick repeated. “Is—er—Miss -Norine—er—ready?”</p> - -<p>“I am that, Nick!” was the answer. “An’ -when you blow into that pipe-organ, think of -something else besides horses an’ cows! Think -of that moon up there, an’ maybe you can -make music!”</p> - -<p>“He’s not thinking of cows just at present,” -Roy remarked in a low voice to Nell. “See him -watch Norine!”</p> - -<p>Then Nick put his instrument to his lips and -began to blow; slowly at first, then faster. -Norine took up the dance.</p> - -<p>Nick must have been thinking of the moon, -for it was real music that came from that -cheap mouth-organ. As the strains of “Rory -O’More” floated out into the night air, the -ranch house disappeared and, to the girl’s -mother, even the silvered prairie, and Norine -was dancing upon the grassy heath of Ireland. -Mrs. Moore stood in the doorway, a proud -look in her eye, her head swaying from side -to side, her foot gently tapping the doorsill. -This was <i>her</i> girl that was dancing!</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXIV' title='XIV—Gus Comes Home'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XIV</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>GUS COMES HOME</span> -</h2> - -<p>Roy and Teddy were showing the two girls -around the X Bar X the next morning.</p> - -<p>“Here is where the bronco-busters do their -stuff,” announced Teddy, when they came to -the corral. “Rad Sell, who’s out on the range -just at present, is one of the best leather-stickers -we’ve got on the place.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Teddy, I wish we could see him tame -a wild horse! Don’t you, Nell?” Ethel asked, -eyes wide with curiosity. “Of course we’ve -seen it done many times in the moving pictures, -but—”</p> - -<p>Teddy laughed heartily.</p> - -<p>“When Rad climbs aboard some of those -fresh ponies, he doesn’t stay in one place long -enough to have a picture taken of him. How -about it, Roy?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” his brother agreed. “Remember -the time he broke Tiger? First they -tore around the corral like a cyclone. Then, -all of a sudden, Tiger took a look at the fence, -pulled back, and the next second he was over -and running wild for the mountains. That was -before dad had this other rail put on. No -horse in the world could jump it now.”</p> - -<p>“What happened then?” Nell inquired -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, nothing much,” Roy said carelessly. -“Rad had a long ride, and when he got back -Tiger had turned into a lamb. He’s one of -the best saddle horses on the ranch now. You -can ride him later, if you want to.”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks,” Nell laughed. “I’d rather -not, if you don’t mind.” She walked on a little -way, and then said: “Look, here’s a notice of -some sort. What is it about?”</p> - -<p>Tacked upon one of the rails of the corral -was a piece of paper, written on in heavy, black -letters. Teddy and Roy gazed at it curiously.</p> - -<p>“Never saw it before,” Teddy remarked in -a puzzled tone. Then he came closer and read -the words:</p> - -<div style='text-align:center; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'> -ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD<br> -FOR THE CAPTURE OF<br> -THE THIEVES THAT STOLE<br> -THREE BRONCOS BELONGING<br> -TO THE X—X FROM THE HITCHING<br> -RAIL AT EAGLES. -</div> - -<p>“That’s mighty funny,” Roy mused. “I -wonder—”</p> - -<p>“Lookin’ at my sign?” exclaimed a voice -behind them, and Mr. Manley, together with -Belle, came toward the corral. “I put that up -early this morning. Belle Ada suggested it. -Don’t know whether it’ll help or not, but I’d -give a lot more than that to get General back. -What say, boys?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy declared. “So -would Teddy and I be glad to get Star and -Flash back. Think it’ll encourage the boys, -Dad?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I don’t know,” Mr. Manley answered -slowly. “I happened to hear Jim Casey and -Gus Tripp talkin’ about the theft, an’ the way -they feel they’d run themselves ragged to locate -those rustlers. Pop would, too—he still -sees red because the X Bar X brand was stolen. -So I guess they’ll do the best they can, without -that reward being offered.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but, Daddy, wouldn’t it be nice to give -something to the boys if they did catch the -thieves?” Belle asked. “And then, too, I think -they’d look just a <i>little bit</i> harder, if they knew -they’d get a hundred dollars when they found -the horses. Now, wouldn’t they?”</p> - -<p>“Mebby—mebby,” Mr. Manley agreed. -“Won’t do any harm to try. Well, are the boys -showin’ you around the place?” he asked, -turning to Nell.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and it’s perfectly thrilling!” Ethel -broke in. “I’d just adore it if I could live -here always.”</p> - -<p>“Have you shown them the kittens we -brought back?” Mr. Manley inquired of Teddy, -winking one eye.</p> - -<p>“Not yet, Dad,” his son returned. “We -were just going over there when we saw this -notice of yours.”</p> - -<p>“What kind of kittens?” Ethel wanted to -know.</p> - -<p>“You’ll see!” Belle Ada exclaimed. “And -I’ll bet you never saw any like them in your -life before! Come on—they’re near the bunk-house.”</p> - -<p>The two city girls bent eagerly over the -large, wire cage that stood in the shelter of -the bunk-house wall. When they saw the soft, -furry little creatures romping about inside, Nell -gave a cry of delight and was about to reach -down and pet them when Roy caught her hand.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t do that,” the boy warned. -“Their teeth and claws are growing pretty -fast. You might get nipped.”</p> - -<p>“What kind of kittens are they?” Ethel -wanted to know.</p> - -<p>“Mountain lions,” answered Mr. Manley. -“Real mountain lions! We shot their mother, -and we figgered we ought to give the youngsters -a start in life. So we brought ’em over -here.”</p> - -<p>“Aren’t they cute?” came from Nell. -“When they grow up, maybe you can tame -them.”</p> - -<p>“And maybe <i>not</i>,” Teddy retorted grimly. -“The only tame mountain lion I ever saw was -a dead one. When these grow up they go to -the circus, hey, Dad?”</p> - -<p>“If they live,” answered Mr. Manley.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said Roy, as he pushed the cage -further out into the sun, “we’ll show you our -famous cook, Sing Lung. This way, ladies and -gentlemen! This way for the big show!”</p> - -<p>They strolled to the front of the mess-house, -and Teddy stuck his head inside.</p> - -<p>“Hey, Sing Lung!” he called. “Come here -a minute, will you? You have visitors.”</p> - -<p>Sing Lung, his face wreathed in an expansive -smile, shuffled forward.</p> - -<p>“Hillo,” he greeted them genially. “How -you? Nice day?”</p> - -<p>“Keep him talking a while,” Teddy said in a -low voice to Roy. “I’ll get his fiddle.”</p> - -<p>“Sing Lung, this is Miss Carew, and this -is Miss Willis. They are staying at the 8 X 8,” -explained Roy.</p> - -<p>“Glad to see you.” The cook smiled and -extended his two clasped hands in the oriental -welcome. “You velly pletty—almost pletty -like Belle Ada,” and he grinned widely. To his -mind few girls had reached Belle’s perfection -of beauty.</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” Nell answered, blushing a little. -It was a new experience to be complimented -with a reservation in favor of another’s beauty.</p> - -<p>“Sing Lung, tell the ladies what you give -the punchers for mess,” Mr. Manley said, with -a wink to the cook.</p> - -<p>“Mice,” Sing Lung declared, nodding his -head. “Little white mice, velly tendle; bleckfast, -dinna, suppa! Yep! Me catchee! You -like I makie you mice stew? Maybe mice -flied?”</p> - -<p>“Heavens, no!” Ethel said, with a shudder. -“Mr. Manley, I think that’s <i>terrible</i>! Do the -men really <i>like</i> to eat mice?”</p> - -<p>Belle and Roy could hold in no longer. They -exploded into a hearty laugh. Nell and Ethel -saw the joke immediately, and could not refrain -from laughing too.</p> - -<p>“I think you’re mean to tease us,” Ethel -exclaimed, pouting in mock anger. “We are -awfully green, aren’t we? I might have known -you were only fooling!”</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” Belle consoled the Eastern -girls. “If you stay out here long enough, -you’ll be a real Westerner. Then you can go -back to New York and ride a horse down -Broadway.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Teddy returned with a black -box.</p> - -<p>“Here, Sing Lung,” he said, thrusting it toward -the Chinese cook. “Give us a tune, won’t -you? The girls have heard, all the way back in -New York, what a player you are.”</p> - -<p>“Me not so good,” and the cook grinned -modestly, eyeing the box enviously, however.</p> - -<p>“Sure you are!” Roy declared. “You play, -Sing Lung, and then we’ll leave it to the girls. -Hey?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, please, Sing Lung!” coaxed Belle Ada.</p> - -<p>“Well—” the cook hesitated, but it was -plain to be seen that he was more than willing -to oblige. Teddy at last settled the question -by forcing the box into the cook’s hands.</p> - -<p>With a look of almost reverence on his face, -Sing Lung opened the box—and, as he did so, -there sprang from it a mouse!</p> - -<p>With a yell, the cook dropped the case and -dashed into the mess-house, from which there -immediately issued an explosion of high-fire -Cantonese. The two girls, who had looked at -the little rodent with simple curiosity and with -none of the fright which members of the feminine -sex are supposed to exhibit on such occasions, -laughed merrily at the strange spectacle -of a Chinese running from a mouse.</p> - -<p>“He’s scared to death of mice,” Roy said, -a wide grin on his face. “When I heard him -talking about serving them to the punchers, I -thought I’d try a little kidding myself. He’s -got a trap back there that he catches the mice -in, so I took one out and put it in his fiddle-box.”</p> - -<p>“Poor old Sing Lung! I don’t think much -of your joke!” declared Belle Ada.</p> - -<p>“You’d better tell him the danger’s over, or -he’ll go through the roof,” Mr. Manley declared, -with a chuckle. “Teddy, you go in and -bring him out, will you? Say Roy chased the -mouse away.”</p> - -<p>While the others—all but Belle Ada—looked -on in amusement, Teddy braved the storm of -cyclonic, oriental language and entered the -cook house.</p> - -<p>“All right, Sing Lung,” they heard him say. -“Mouse gone. You can come down now.” -Then, in an aside to the others: “Golly, he’s -crawled onto a shelf and curled up!”</p> - -<p>Reverting to English for a moment, the cook -screamed:</p> - -<p>“All lite! All lite! You say all lite when -little lat he inside my fi’il? I no clazy! All -lite! Ha! Maybe you puttee little lat in fi’il, -hey?”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t a rat, it was a mouse, Sing Lung, -and it’s gone now. So come on down.”</p> - -<p>“You say so—yes?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I say so. Come on down.”</p> - -<p>The cook descended cautiously to the floor -and looked about him. Finding that the mouse -was not in sight, he blew on his finger tips and, -with a grin on his face, went to the door.</p> - -<p>“She’s gone, I guess,” he said calmly. “Me -no like ’um. Poison! Now, you, li’l Belle, you -hand me fi’il; yes?”</p> - -<p>“He knows if you give it to him, there won’t -be any mice in it,” Mr. Manley laughed. “Go -ahead, Belle Ada, give it to him.”</p> - -<p>With a smile, Belle picked up the case, and, -taking the queer-looking instrument out, she -handed the two-stringed Chinese fiddle to Sing -Lung. He took it gingerly, and, after receiving -the bow, got ready to play.</p> - -<p>“Now you’ll hear some real laundry music,” -Roy said in a low voice to Nell. “Don’t laugh. -Make believe you like it,” he warned.</p> - -<p>Sing Lung slowly drew the bow across the -strings. He evoked a peculiar, wailing noise, -more akin to a sick cat on the back fence than -to anything else to which the girls had ever listened, -so they said later.</p> - -<p>There was a sudden interruption. The sound -of a rapidly approaching horse was heard, and -all looked up in surprise. Gus Tripp was riding -toward them, his steed in a lather.</p> - -<p>As he came closer Mr. Manley noticed that -Gus slumped oddly in his saddle. At the sight -the cattle owner ran quickly forward. Gus -held up his right arm in a mute gesture.</p> - -<p>From his fingers blood was dripping!</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXV' title='XV—Planning a Dance'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XV</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>PLANNING A DANCE</span> -</h2> - -<p>“Gus!” exclaimed Mr. Manley. “What happened?” -Teddy and Roy looked anxiously at -the rider.</p> - -<p>“Had a little accident, boss,” Gus replied, -a wry smile on his somewhat pale face. -“Mebby if you an’ I was to take a little -walk—”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley nodded quickly, understandingly, -and turned to the girls.</p> - -<p>“Belle Ada,” he said swiftly, “suppose you -show Nell an’ Ethel the garden? I know they’d -like to see it.”</p> - -<p>Sensing the reason behind her father’s suggestion, -Belle led the way toward the side of -the ranch house. Gus turned in his saddle and -watched the three girls depart. When they -were out of sight and hearing, he took a long -breath, swayed in the saddle, then gritted his -teeth and straightened up. Roy walked over -to him and, reaching up, seized him around the -waist and practically lifted him from his horse.</p> - -<p>“Let’s see that wound, Gus,” Mr. Manley -demanded. His teeth set grimly in his lower -lip, the puncher thrust the injured arm forward.</p> - -<p>The cattle owner took hold of it gently and -bent over it. Then he gave a cry.</p> - -<p>“It’s a gunshot wound! You’ve been -plugged, Gus!”</p> - -<p>“Cor-rect.” Gus turned his head wearily. -“Teddy, I wonder if you’d cut this here sleeve -off me? You see it’s kind o’ stuck, an’ when -I pull it—”</p> - -<p>“Sure, Gus!” the boy answered with a note -of pity in his voice. “Have it off in a jiffy.”</p> - -<p>Opening his jackknife, Teddy slit the sleeve -loose just below the armpit. As gently as he -could, he peeled the cloth away from the wound. -Gus winced, but uttered never a word until the -sleeve was off. Then he heaved a sigh and -said laconically:</p> - -<p>“Thanks, Teddy! Feels better now. Much -obliged.”</p> - -<p>Sing Lung, who stood watching the scene -with wide eyes, now scurried into the cookhouse -and returned in a moment with a stool.</p> - -<p>“Gus,” he said, “you sittee down. Feel -bettah. I gettee you dlink!” Entering the -kitchen once more, the Chinese came back with -a cup of water. Gus drank it gratefully.</p> - -<p>“You’re a fine cook, Sing Lung,” the injured -man drawled, handing the cup back. The sun-tanned -red had returned to his cheeks, but Mr. -Manley noticed that there was just a bit too -much color there now.</p> - -<p>“Yep, a fine cook,” Gus repeated, as though -to himself. “A fine cook! Only—you can’t -bake <i>bread</i>.”</p> - -<p>“Here, Gus,” Roy said in a loud voice, -“snap out of that! Does your arm hurt much? -What happened?”</p> - -<p>“What—this?” Gus held up the arm and -examined it as if it belonged to another man. -“Naw, she don’t hurt. Feels kind of funny, -that’s all. Well, I’ll tell you what happened.” -Taking another deep breath, the cowboy regained -control of himself with an obvious effort -and went on:</p> - -<p>“You know I went down to Eagles for the -mail.” Mr. Manley turned to Sing Lung and -said something in a low voice. The cook disappeared, -to return in a moment with a white -shirt. While Gus talked, Mr. Manley was using -strips of this as a bandage to stop the bleeding.</p> - -<p>“For the mail,” Gus repeated. “When I -reached town I tied my bronc up an’ stopped -for a second outside Rimor’s Place, thinkin’ of -Checkered Shirt. But I thought there was no -use in goin’ in there to look, ’cause, even if I -did find him, I didn’t have nothin’ on him. So -I started for the post-office.” He hesitated, -while Mr. Manley wound the improvised bandage -tightly about the arm. “Well,” he continued, -“just then Rimor’s door swung open -and a puncher came out. He took a quick look -at me, turned around, an’ ducked back again. -Boss, that’s plenty tight! Where was I? Yea—he -ran in again.</p> - -<p>“Thinks I, I’ve seen that buckeroo some -place before. Then it hits me like a load of -bricks. It was Gilly Froud!”</p> - -<p>Teddy and Roy started back. Mr. Manley -looked up into the eyes of the injured man.</p> - -<p>“Go ahead, Gus,” the cattle owner said -tensely. “What else?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I couldn’t let a chance like that slip -by, so I made a jump for the door an’ followed. -The second I got inside, I seen my mistake. -Froud was leanin’ against the bar, gun out, -starin’ my way. We had a few words about -them stolen horses, an’ all of a sudden before I -could make a move he blazed at me an’ put my -arm out of commish. I couldn’t do nothin’ -then, crippled like that, except let out a few -of my opinions about Froud, but he only -laughed an’ tole me to bring my army next -time. So I hopped back on Axlegrease an’ come -home. Here’s yore mail.”</p> - -<p>Reaching inside his shirt, Gus drew out several -letters. He made as though to hand them -to Mr. Manley. Suddenly his body went limp. -His head dropped forward, and the envelopes -fell from his nerveless fingers. Roy leaped -forward just in time to keep the cowboy from -pitching off the stool to the ground.</p> - -<p>“The nervy fellow!” Teddy said slowly, -looking first at the letters and then at the still -form of Gus. “Gets shot, goes to the post-office -for the mail, an’ rides twelve miles back -home with his arm still bleeding!” The boy -looked at the unconscious man with open admiration. -Then, bending swiftly down, he -seized the puncher’s shoulders. “Where’ll we -take him?” he asked of his father. “In here?” -motioning toward the cook-house.</p> - -<p>“No, better take him to the house,” Mr. -Manley suggested, looking at Gus closely. -“He’s out, cold! No wonder! Ridin’ twelve -miles under that sun with a hole ripped in his -arm! He sure is a nervy boy!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy exploded. -“Come on, Teddy, we’ll lift him over to the -house. Sing Lung, you run ahead and tell -mother to get a bed ready. And talk English, -not Chinese.”</p> - -<p>“Me fixee! Me fixee!” Sing Lung chattered, -setting out on a run.</p> - -<p>With Teddy at his shoulders and Roy at his -feet, Gus was soon being carried toward the -ranch house. Mr. Manley walked alongside, -holding the injured arm so that it should not -hang down.</p> - -<p>Gus was soon resting quietly in a bed upstairs. -Teddy telephoned for the doctor, but -Mrs. Manley took no chances of blood poisoning -setting in while waiting for the physician. -She dressed the arm herself, with swift, sure -fingers. Later, when the medical man arrived, -he declared that no professional nurse could -have done a better job.</p> - -<p>Leaving the cowboy resting quietly, Mr. -Manley and his two sons walked toward the -corral.</p> - -<p>“There’s one thing sure,” the rancher declared, -“and this is that Froud is the one who -stole our broncs! And another thing—I have -an idea that he’s one of the gang of rustlers -that have been operatin’ hereabouts. Bug Eye -said he saw a scar-faced man ridin’ away from -the 8 X 8 the very day their cattle was stolen. -And I’ll lay money it was Froud!”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t I tell you?” cried Teddy excitedly, -turning to Roy. “Froud! He’s in that gang -sure as fate! And so is Checkered Shirt! I -can’t give you a reason for saying that, but I’ll -bet it’s so, just the same.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley looked over at his son.</p> - -<p>“You mean that bad egg who was standin’ -outside Rimor’s the day General an’ Flash an’ -Star were rustled? The one I wanted to talk -to later? The chap who vamoosed?”</p> - -<p>“That’s the one, Dad! Yes sir, he and Froud -are together on these shady deals, I’ll bet a gold -mine!”</p> - -<p>“Mebby,” Mr. Manley said slowly, “mebby.” -He rested his foot against the lower rail of the -corral fence. “But we can’t do anything just -yet. Froud ain’t in town now, that’s sure. -Wouldn’t do any good to ride after him. What -we’ve got to do, is to get him when he doesn’t -know we’re comin’. I don’t mind sayin’ I’ll -have him for shootin’ Gus.”</p> - -<p>Slow in speech, slow to declare what he intended -to do, both Teddy and Roy recognized -fixed determination in their father’s tone. -Froud’s days of freedom were numbered. It -might take time, but the boys knew that Mr. -Manley would never rest until he had placed -Froud behind bars—or put him permanently -out of commission.</p> - -<p>When the other punchers heard that Gus had -been shot, they were loud in their declarations -of vengeance upon Froud. Gus was well liked -by all the boys on the X Bar X, and each -puncher vowed:</p> - -<p>“I’ll square it up for you, Gus!”</p> - -<p>Pop, especially, was wild with anger at the -rustler. He asserted that:</p> - -<p>“Shootin’ a man is worse than stealin’ the -X Bar X brand,” which, for Pop, was the criterion -of mean and despicable actions.</p> - -<p>Nell and Ethel had been persuaded to stay -several days longer than they had intended, -Belle meeting the objection that they “had no -clothes,” by the statement that on a ranch -they needed none, and as Norine offered to -wash any needed linen over night, the excuse of -“no clothes” was taken from them.</p> - -<p>Truth to tell, Roy and Teddy were as insistent -as was their sister that the girls stay. -Having found that Nell and Ethel were no -strangers to horses, Teddy and Roy took them -for many miles over the mountainous land about -the X Bar X, showing the real West. Ethel, -or “Curly,” as Teddy called her because of -her light, tousled, bobbed hair, was a tireless -rider, and she and Teddy had many happy -jaunts over the prairie. In Teddy’s language, -she was “a regular fellow.”</p> - -<p>One afternoon, a few days following the incident -of the wounding of Gus, found Nell, -Ethel, Belle and the two boys listening to Nick -play his mouth-organ in accompaniment with -Sing Lung, who caused varied and sundry -noises to come from his “fi’il.” It was a slow -day. The chores of the ranch having been attended -to, Mr. Manley was waiting for something -definite to lead him before starting the -hunt for Gilly Froud. He had, of course, reported -the shooting of Gus to the sheriff of -Easton, a fairly large town to the south of -Eagles, and aid in capturing the horse thieves -had been promised. Mr. Manley was doubtful -as to the efficacy of this help, but he determined -to give the law a chance before acting.</p> - -<p>Nick and Sing Lung were in the midst of -“Oh, Susannah,” when Belle and Ethel suddenly -exclaimed in the same breath:</p> - -<p>“Let’s have a dance!”</p> - -<p>“What’s that, a chorus?” Teddy asked, with -a grin. “You two have been practicing, I can -see that!”</p> - -<p>“No, we just thought of it!” Ethel declared. -“Wasn’t that funny, Belle, both saying it together?”</p> - -<p>With a laugh, Belle agreed.</p> - -<p>“But I really mean it,” she added. “We -could use the living room and push all the -furniture to one side. Would you play for us, -Nick?”</p> - -<p>“Sure would, ma’am!” Nick declared, with a -grin. “An’ Jim Casey can shake an accordion -a little—or a whole lot, accordin’ to him,” and -he chuckled noiselessly.</p> - -<p>“And Sing Lung could play his fiddle!” Nell -exclaimed. “That <i>would</i> be great!”</p> - -<p>“Then it’s settled!” Belle cried. “A cowboy -dance! Teddy, you can be master of ceremonies. -Roy can be manager. We’ll have it -tomorrow night!”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXVI' title='XVI—Bug Eye’s Arrival'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XVI</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>BUG EYE’S ARRIVAL</span> -</h2> - -<p>As Nick Looker said, “The day that the -dance was to be that night dawned bright an’ -fair.”</p> - -<p>As manager of the entertainment, Roy had -to see to it that the floor was prepared, the -furniture moved, and everything made ready -for the great occasion. Although Gus Tripp, -because he had a slight fever, was forbidden -by the doctor to take part in the festivities, he -played the part of critical adviser to the rest -of the punchers. From his bedside, he became -a director of manly fashions, with the success -of a Beau Brummel. Ethel overheard him -speak to Jim Casey, who had approached him -with a question concerning the wearing of a -“diamond” stickpin in a green tie:</p> - -<p>“Well, now, Jim, you gotta to use restraint -in yore manner of dress.” Gus declared. “The -correctly appointed gentleman don’t never -wear loud clothes. As George Beaumont -Fletcher says, when you come outer a drawing-room—that’s -a high-hat name fer picture gallery—no one -ought to be able to tell what -you had on. That don’t mean you should go -in a bathin’ suit. It means you should be able -to march in front of a herd of yearlings without -stampedin’ ’em. Now let me see that pin, -Jim. Put her in the tie. Now—jest stand over -a bit more—by the window. There! Um—no, -I’m afraid not, Jim. She don’t match. -She <i>clashes</i>! Yore dress should be like a -symfunny ochestry, Jim. Everything’s gotta -match. Now if you was to put that pin in a <i>red</i> -tie, instead of a <i>green</i> one, she might do O. K. -Yep—a <i>red</i> tie is what you need! Then come -back an’ let me see how she looks.”</p> - -<p>There were few who dared dispute Gus’s -taste in the matter of clothes, but among these -insurgents was Pop Burns. He flatly refused -to listen to Gus.</p> - -<p>“I ain’t no dude,” Pop proclaimed forcibly. -“If I can’t put on decent clothes to go to a -jamboree without a New Mexican buckeroo -tellin’ me, I’ll dry up an’ blow away. I suppose -if Gus didn’t have a busted arm, he’d be -puttin’ on spats an’ carryin’ a cane. Huh! I -goes like a man, not like a bloomin’ fashion -dummy!”</p> - -<p>But for all Pop’s protests, the preparations -went forward with gusto. Strange to relate, -the general store at Eagles was completely -stripped of green ties. To Teddy, this was a -mystery until he happened to hear Norine humming -“The Wearing of the Green.” Then -Teddy nodded his head sagely and grinned.</p> - -<p>The first thing Nell and Ethel had thought -of after it had been decided to have the dance -was, naturally, their “party dresses.” Each -girl had brought one evening gown with her, -but these were fifteen miles away at the 8 X 8. -Belle it was who solved the problem.</p> - -<p>“If Teddy or Roy were to ride over for -them, they would probably crush the dresses -flat before they got here,” Belle declared. -“But I know what we <i>can</i> do—we can telephone -Bug Eye to bring them over in the flivver. -Then they’d get here in plenty of time.”</p> - -<p>The two guests fell in with this idea -enthusiastically, and asked their uncle by phone -to have his man drive over with the dresses. -Mr. Ball readily agreed, declaring Bug Eye -would have them there by evening unless he -got caught in a cyclone.</p> - -<p>By late afternoon, the living room had been -made ready for the dance. Belle, Ethel and -Nell had, under the direction of Mrs. Manley, -decorated the apartment in truly festive style. -Brightly colored streamers of silk hung from -the ceiling, and Roy or Teddy did not even -guess they were Belle’s old hair-ribbons tied -together. Flowers were placed in every available -spot, chairs were arranged along the walls, -and in one corner a platform of boards was -erected for the orchestra, which was to consist -of Nick Looker, with his mouth-organ, Sing -Lung, violinist extraordinary, and Jim Casey, -“Maestro of the accordion.” Teddy’s offer to -be a trap-drummer, with tin pans for drums, -was declined with thanks.</p> - -<p>An hour before supper Nell and Belle Ada -were in Belle’s room, trying to decide which -of Belle’s light summer dresses she was to -wear. Teddy, Roy, and Ethel were walking -in the direction of the mess-house, to see if the -orchestra was prepared to “execute” the dance -numbers. As the three neared the kitchen, a -determined voice reached their ears. Teddy -held up his hand and they listened.</p> - -<p>“I tell you that ain’t the proper way!” Nick -was declaring loudly. “Now watch me, you -iggernant punchers.”</p> - -<p>Teddy, Roy, and Ethel stole nearer and -peeped through the door. What they saw -caused Ethel to clap her hand to her mouth -to avoid bursting into laughter.</p> - -<p>The cowboys were standing about in attitudes -of rapt attention. In the center was Sing -Lung, a tablecloth around his waist, an old, -faded, blue-cloth hat on his head, and a simpering -grin on his face. The interpretation was -obvious. He was made up to resemble a girl! -Toward him walked Nick Looker, his right -hand resting on his chest, his head bent deferentially.</p> - -<p>Striding to within a pace of the cook, Nick -bowed low.</p> - -<p>“I begs you to excuse the liberty,” he said -with a precious accent, “but may I have the -honor of this jig?”</p> - -<p>“<i>Dance</i>, not <i>jig</i>, you Indian!” Rad Sell -roared. “A gentleman don’t never ask a lady -to <i>jig</i>!”</p> - -<p>Nick turned a haughty look upon the interrupter.</p> - -<p>“Who’s doin’ this askin’; you or me?” he -demanded coldly.</p> - -<p>“All right! All right! Go ahead in yore -own dumb way! You’ll learn!”</p> - -<p>“I’m tryin’ to learn you birds!” Nick exclaimed. -“I know how! Now look! You goes -up to Norine an’—I mean you goes up to the -lady an’ bows. Then you says: ‘Pardon me -fer takin’ the liberty, ma’am, but mahvis -dance?’”</p> - -<p>“What? What was that last?”</p> - -<p>“Mahvis dance! Didn’t you ever hear that, -you iggernant bronco-busters? That’s what -you say when you want to waltz—you say -‘mahvis dance, please’?”</p> - -<p>“But what’s it <i>mean</i>?” Nat Raymond demanded.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know what it means,” Nick answered. -“But you <i>gotta</i> say it. All the tony -gents do. ‘Mahvis dance?’ Like that.”</p> - -<p>“What on earth can he mean?” Ethel asked -in a whisper of the boys. “I never heard anything -like it in my life! And will you look at -Sing Lung! Honestly, I—”</p> - -<p>“Sh-h-h!” Teddy warned, with a grin. -“This is good! Listen! Maybe we’ll find out -what he means later.”</p> - -<p>So intent were the punchers on the etiquette -of the ballroom, as expounded by Mr. Nick -Looker, that they never glanced in the direction -of the door. With suppressed mirth that -threatened to break all bounds at any moment, -Ethel, Roy, and Teddy watched the scene.</p> - -<p>“Now what I do?” Sing Lung wanted to -know. “I mebby kiss you, hey?”</p> - -<p>“No! No!” Nick roared, his face a fiery -red. “You don’t do nothin’ of the kind! You -say ‘Cern’ly, pleecetuh!’ That’s all. Go on, -say it.”</p> - -<p>“Celn’ly, pleecetuh,” simpered Sing Lung.</p> - -<p>“That’s right! Here, Nat, you try it. Don’t -forget, Sing is a lady, even though he don’t -know it. Go ahead!”</p> - -<p>With an exaggerated gait, Nat Raymond -strutted forward. Bowing down, he said to -Sing Lung:</p> - -<p>“Askin’ your liberty fer a-takin’ of the pardon, -ma’am, but—but—Nick, why in thunder -don’t you dry up and blow away! I can’t remember -that crazy thing you say!”</p> - -<p>“Celn’ly, pleecetuh!” Sing Lung replied. -He was doing his part.</p> - -<p>Nick threw his hat on the floor in disgust.</p> - -<p>“Mahvis dance, you bonehead!” he shouted. -“Mahvis dance! Mahvis dance! Can’t you -remember that?”</p> - -<p>Roy could hold in no longer. He burst out -in a roar of laughter.</p> - -<p>“I know what he means now!” he gasped. -“Oh, for Pete’s sake! He means, ‘<i>May I have -this dance!</i>’ Wow! Hold me up, somebody! -Mahvis dance! Jimminy! I’m going to cave -in, sure! Nick, you old—” and vainly Roy -struggled for breath.</p> - -<p>Like a flash, every head turned in the direction -of the door. Nick grinned in embarrassment. -Sing Lung, with a yell, tore off the apron -and hat.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry, Nick, but I couldn’t help it!” -Roy gasped. “We just happened to hear what -you said. Sing, you sure are one fine lady! -Excuse me, boys, but I just have to—” and he -went off in another gale of merriment.</p> - -<p>Ethel and Teddy were doing their best to -preserve straight faces, but the strain was too -much. They, too, started to laugh.</p> - -<p>“Sure, go ahead!” Nick said, with a grin. -“We don’t mind it. I was just showin’ the -boys how to act tonight. You see, they don’t -know nothin’ about polite society, an’ I—”</p> - -<p>“Yea, I suppose you know it all!” Pop -Burns burst out. “Teddy, what’s that crazy -thing this coot’s been tellin’ us. What does -‘mahvis dance’ mean?”</p> - -<p>“It means ‘may I have this dance!’” Teddy -answered. “Nick, you take the first prize. -Where did you ever hear that?”</p> - -<p>“What, mahvis dance?” Nick asked. “Why, -that’s what those New Yorkers said over at -Easton when they had that dance fer the benefit -of the starvin’ Negroes or somethin’. I -went to it, so I know. But these hyenas, here, -don’t pay no attention to me!”</p> - -<p>“You just go on explaining to them, Nick,” -Ethel advised, with a smile. “You’re perfectly -right. ‘Mahvis dance’ is correct.”</p> - -<p>“There, I told you!” Nick exclaimed -triumphantly. “Now mebby you’ll listen! I -<i>knew</i> I was right!”</p> - -<p>“He’s your friend for life,” Roy declared, -with a grin, as he, Ethel, and Teddy walked back -to the house, leaving the cowboys to “professor” -Nick Looker. “Say, this dance will be a -riot! I’ll bet every one of those boys, except, -maybe, Pop Burns, is in love with Norine! -There’s going to be some wild struggle to decide -who has the first waltz with her!”</p> - -<p>Supper at the X Bar X was quickly concluded, -and the hour for the dance approached. -By dint of much coaxing, Gus obtained permission -to sit on the side and watch.</p> - -<p>“Won’t hurt me a bit,” he proclaimed. “I -feel fine! Arm don’t hurt a-tall.”</p> - -<p>As the darkness deepened, Nell and Ethel -became somewhat worried about their evening -dresses. Surely Bug Eye should have been -here by now. Mr. Manley went to the phone -and called up the 8 X 8. When he returned his -face wore a puzzled look.</p> - -<p>“Pete Ball says Bug Eye started three hours -ago. He’s got your dresses in the flivver, an’ -said he should have reached here by six -o’clock. Something must have happened to -him—a puncture, or a blowout. We’ll just -have to wait, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>A half hour went by, and still no Bug Eye. -Nell and Ethel began to grow restless. The -party would be a total failure without their -evening dresses, they felt.</p> - -<p>“Do you think he’ll come?” Nell asked Mr. -Manley, over and over again.</p> - -<p>“Unless he’s hurt, he will,” the cattle -owner responded. “I guess he’ll get here before -the dance starts. We’ll wait till late -before the music begins.”</p> - -<p>But when nine o’clock arrived and there was -still no sign of Bug Eye with the dresses, it -was decided to go ahead. Ethel and Nell were -disappointed, but they made the best of it. -Belle and her mother lent them some scarfs -and accessories, but they did not have dresses -that would fit either of the visitors.</p> - -<p>“I guess we’ll just have to go without party -gowns,” Nell sighed regretfully. “But it -would have been such fun if we could only -be dressed up like you, Belle!”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, the boys won’t know the difference,” -Belle consoled them. “And certainly -Teddy and Roy won’t mind. You can have -just as much fun in knockabout dresses. Anyway, -Bug Eye might still arrive.”</p> - -<p>By nine-thirty all hope of getting the dresses -was abandoned, and the “orchestra” started -to tune up. Sing Lung drew his bow across -the fiddle strings. Nick let out a blast on his -mouth-organ. Jim Casey sent into the air a -long, wailing note from his accordion.</p> - -<p>Every person on the ranch had gathered in -the living room. Pop Burns had his shoes polished -until they rivaled the high-lights of his -bald head. Gus Tripp sat proudly in the seat -of honor at the side of the room, his arm -swathed in bandages. Rad Sell was resplendent -in a new yellow-striped shirt. Also it was -noticed that Nick Looker had given up the idea -of a diamond stickpin. He had on a green tie, -as did every other hand on the ranch. The -punchers were waiting eagerly for the music -to start. And, Teddy noted gleefully, Norine -stood demurely in a corner, garbed in a <i>red</i> -dress!</p> - -<p>Mr. and Mrs. Manley watched the scene with -happy smiles. They were parents of children -almost grown, but there were no younger -people in that room than those two.</p> - -<p>Teddy walked to the middle of the floor.</p> - -<p>“Ladies and gentlemen!” he exclaimed pompously. -“The dance is about to begin! Orchestra, -are you all ready?”</p> - -<p>“All set, Teddy!”</p> - -<p>“We’re ready!”</p> - -<p>“We can do music when you say yes!”</p> - -<p>“Then choose your partners!”</p> - -<p>There was a wild rush. From the orchestra -burst forth a strange medley of sounds. Heavy -shoes shuffled over the floor. Norine, surrounded -by eager punchers, laughed with delight.</p> - -<p>Just then the outer door burst suddenly -open. There was a quick shout. The music -stopped in a harsh discord. All eyes were -focused upon the entrance.</p> - -<p>Leaning against the jamb, panting brokenly, -his clothes covered with dust, stood Bug Eye. -He looked around him wearily.</p> - -<p>“Boys,” he gasped, “I’ve been robbed! -The flivver’s gone! A gang of rustlers held -me up! I had to walk for miles to get here! -The thieves—they took the flivver, dresses, and -everything, and left me flat! An’, by golly, I -know who done it, too!”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXVII' title='XVII—Pursuit'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XVII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>PURSUIT</span> -</h2> - -<p>Slowly the import of what Bug Eye had -said was realized by every one in the Manleys’ -living room. Teddy ran forward. Roy was -not a moment behind him.</p> - -<p>“Sit down here, Bug Eye!” the younger boy -cried, thrusting a chair toward the swaying -man. With a gasp of relief, Bug Eye sank into -it.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure some tired,” he declared slowly, -“<i>and</i> thirsty! If I could have—”</p> - -<p>“Just a second!” Roy hurried to the pitcher -of water which stood on a table in a corner. -“Here! Take it easy now. There’s ice in it.”</p> - -<p>Bug Eye drank in great gulps, grunting with -satisfaction. When he had finished he leaned -back in his chair and looked at the ring of -anxious faces. Even the orchestra had deserted -its post and stood with the others, -eagerly waiting for the story of the robbery.</p> - -<p>“Are you hurt at all, Bug Eye?” Mr. Manley -asked. “Anything we can get you?”</p> - -<p>“No, I’m O. K. now, thanks,” the man answered. -“I was just thirsty and winded. -Why, those double-distilled, knock-kneed, ornery -bunch of tin mule-stealers, drat their -hides, made me walk all the way from Sanborn’s -Point!”</p> - -<p>“He’s all right,” Teddy said to Roy, with a -grin. “The same old Bug Eye! Listen to him -rave!”</p> - -<p>Having gotten some of the accumulated feeling -out of his system, the puncher ended with -a vigorous “whoosh!” and started his story.</p> - -<p>“Well, when the boss got your message,” -he said, nodding toward Nell and Ethel, “he -told me to get set for a trip to the X Bar X. -So I filled the ole puddle-jumper up with oil, -gas, an’ water. Long about four o’clock the -boss gives me two boxes an’ tells me to treat -’em careful. Roy, hand me that pitcher again, -will you?” The young fellow complied, and -after another drink Bug Eye went on:</p> - -<p>“So I throws ’em in the back. I means I -puts ’em in the back. Then Mrs. Ball comes -out an’ gives me another box, a small one, -which she tells me to be <i>very</i> careful of. Says -it’s a present for Miss Belle here.” And Bug -Eye nodded once more. “So I puts that with -the dresses—Mrs. Ball tells me what was in -the other boxes, so I wouldn’t sit on ’em by -mistake,” he apologized.</p> - -<p>“Then I starts out. Got along fine till I -reached Sanborn’s Point—you know where -that is, hey Teddy? Well, I shoots her the -gas, so’s I can make the hill on high. But -nothin’ doin’. ’Bout half way up she stalls, -an’ I shoves her in low gear. Just as I do -that, I hear a yell, an’ three men with masks -jumps from the bushes, guns out, business ends -toward me, an’ tells me to stop!”</p> - -<p>There was a buzz of excited comment, and -questions were shot at Bug Eye with machine-gun -rapidity. He simply shook his head and -went on.</p> - -<p>“Now, boys, give me time! I’m tellin’ it -as fast as I know how. As I said, they tells me -to stop. So I stops, not bein’ crazy. They -pulls me from the front seat an’ pushes me -into the bushes. Then they hop in, one of ’em -behind the wheel, one of ’em keepin’ me covered. -The other watches out the side.</p> - -<p>“An’ up they go—up the hill an’ down the -other side, with flivver, dresses, present, an’ -all!”</p> - -<p>“But, Bug Eye, you said something about -knowing who did it!” Roy exclaimed. “Could -you recognize the men?”</p> - -<p>Bug Eye looked up at his questioner. He -leaned forward in his chair, his elbows resting -on his knees.</p> - -<p>“One of them,” he said slowly and deliberately, -“had a scar on the left side of his -face!”</p> - -<p>“Gilly—” Teddy burst out, and then stopped. -His father cast a warning glance at him.</p> - -<p>“Thought you said they had masks on?” Mr. -Manley remarked.</p> - -<p>“They did; but they was only half-masks,” -Bug Eye explained. “I could see the scar -below.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know any one with a scar on the -left side of his face?” the cattle owner questioned, -looking sharply at the seated man.</p> - -<p>Before he replied, Bug Eye got to his feet. -His fists were clenched.</p> - -<p>“I’ll say I do!” he roared. “An’ I got good -reason, too! That’s the hombre that’s been -rustlin’ our cattle, an’ you can’t tell me any -different.”</p> - -<p>“Why do you say that?” Teddy asked, leaning -forward.</p> - -<p>“Because I seen him!” Bug Eye exclaimed. -“That’s why! I was on the range that day -the bunch was cut from our herd. I saw ’em -go, too, an’ made a dash for the rustlers. But -they got away. There was one buckeroo who -took a pot shot at me, an’ I saw him close! -He was the one with the scar on his face, an’ -he’s the one who stole that flivver, or I’m a -Siamese twin!”</p> - -<p>“You don’t know his name, do you?” Roy -demanded excitedly.</p> - -<p>“You mean what he <i>calls</i> himself? No, I -don’t! An’ I don’t want to either! I don’t -need no introduction to a rattlesnake to shoot -him!”</p> - -<p>In the excitement, Gus Tripp had arisen and -was listening with the rest. Now he walked -forward and held out his uninjured hand to -the driver of the stolen flivver.</p> - -<p>“Shake, Bug Eye,” he said solemnly. “You -an’ me are together on that. I’m lookin’ fer -that very same rattlesnake!”</p> - -<p>“What happened to you?” Bug Eye asked, -in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Little accident,” and Gus grinned sardonically. -“Accident caused by that hombre with -the scar on his face you tell about bein’ interested -in. He shot me.”</p> - -<p>“Yea? You don’t say! Well, by golly, we’ll -get him! Shake!”</p> - -<p>“Here, we’re in on this!” Pop Burns cried, -stepping forward. “He stole three of our best -horses, each one with the purtiest X Bar X -brand on it you ever see, ’cause I branded ’em -myself!”</p> - -<p>“What do you say, boys?” Mr. Manley -cried, turning to the punchers. “Do we go -after ’em? Hey?”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” came his answer in a roaring -chorus. “Let’s go! Nick, throw that mouth-organ -of yours out the window! We got business!”</p> - -<p>“All right, boys! On our way!”</p> - -<p>There was a rush for the door. Decorations -were scattered ruthlessly. Chairs were tossed -aside. And where, but a moment before, was -a crowd of jostling, happy, overdressed cowpunchers, -now stood only Mrs. Manley, Belle, -Ethel, Nell and Norine, looks of anxiety on -their faces. Even Gus Tripp had gone with -the rest.</p> - -<p>“Our evening dresses!” Ethel exclaimed -mournfully. “We can say good-bye to them, -I guess!”</p> - -<p>“You may get them back!” Belle insisted. -“When dad goes after some one he usually -lands him; doesn’t he, Mother?”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Manley did not reply. She stood twisting -her handkerchief into a tight knot. In her -heart was a prayer that her two boys and her -husband would come through safely.</p> - -<p>Outside, Teddy, Roy, and the others were -running for the corral.</p> - -<p>“Hold on! Wait a minute!” Mr. Manley -called. “We can’t all go! Gus, where in thunder -do you think you’re bound for? Come -back here! Want to be in bed two days -more?”</p> - -<p>“Aw, please, boss!” Gus coaxed. “I’m all -right, honest! I want to get a crack at the guy -who laid me up! Can’t I come, boss?”</p> - -<p>“No!” Mr. Manley said with finality. -“You’re too good a man to lose. You get -back into the house. Anyway, we have to keep -some men here. Teddy, Roy, Nick, Pop, Jim, -Bug Eye an’ I will do the chasin’. The rest of -you punchers hang around here. Can’t tell -but that Fr—I mean the thieves who stole the -flivver—may have done it to draw us away -from the X Bar X. We have to keep our -heads up. They’re not goin’ to pull off any -more robberies if I can help it! Climb aboard -your broncs, boys, an’ let’s go! Nick, get a -mount for Bug Eye.”</p> - -<p>Without stopping to change their resplendent -attire for something more serviceable, the -X Bar X punchers whom Mr. Manley had -named flung themselves on to their horses. -White shirt fronts stuck out grotesquely from -vivid-colored vests. Green ties flaunted free -in the night wind. “City trousers” tickled the -horses’ sides. Yet from each belt hung a heavy -revolver.</p> - -<p>“Step on it!” Mr. Manley yelled as they -swept out of the yard. “All you’ve got, boys! -Don’t waste any time! We’ll get those -rustlers, or know the reason why! No slip-ups -this time!”</p> - -<p>Across the moonlit range the riders galloped. -Men and boys leaned forward in their -saddles. On each face was a look of grim determination.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXVIII' title='XVIII—The Man with the Scar'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XVIII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE MAN WITH THE SCAR</span> -</h2> - -<p>High above the riders, the full moon shone, -a white orb set in the velvet blackness of the -sky, lighting the scene with a silvery radiance. -Soon the buildings of the X Bar X were left -behind and the horsemen raced swiftly over -the open range. Bug Eye was in the lead, -and he made straight for the spot where he had -been held up.</p> - -<p>Teddy and Roy were riding side by side, a -short distance behind their father.</p> - -<p>“If we’re able to trail the thieves, we may -find out something about our horses!” Teddy -yelled to his brother.</p> - -<p>“Hope so,” Roy returned. “It’ll be a good -night’s work if we do.”</p> - -<p>On and on they rode. There was little time -for conversation, as the ponies were flashing -along at their best speed. They came to an up -grade, at the top of which was Sanborn’s -Point. As they neared their destination, Mr. -Manley called to Teddy:</p> - -<p>“You an’ Roy stick close to Bug Eye. I’m -going to come in from the left, and see if I -can spot the rustlers.”</p> - -<p>Teddy nodded and spurred his mount onward. -Shouting to Nick and Pop to follow -him, Mr. Manley wheeled about in a semicircle. -The rest followed Bug Eye.</p> - -<p>“Almost there!” Bug Eye yelled to Roy. -“Where’s yore dad goin’?”</p> - -<p>“He’s circling around to the left, so he can -cut in! There’s a trail that leads to Hawley—guess -you know the one I mean—and dad’s -figuring on cutting the thieves off, if they went -that way!”</p> - -<p>“Good idee!”</p> - -<p>With a final dash, Bug Eye’s party reached -Sanborn’s Point. Bug Eye held up his hand, -and all pulled the horses back.</p> - -<p>“Right here is where she happened,” the -puncher said. “I was coming up the hill, and -when I got here they jumped me. Then they -went over this rise in the flivver, an’ I lost -sight of ’em. See! There’s the tracks of the -wheels! Boy, I’m sure thankful there’s a -moon! Now we can foller them tracks, an’ we -may run into the galoots after all!”</p> - -<p>As Bug Eye had said, the imprints of the -tires led over the hill. Slowly the punchers -followed them, and when the rise was topped -Teddy gave a yell.</p> - -<p>“The tracks go left from here! Just the -way dad went! Come on—let’s go!”</p> - -<p>Leaving the road, the men followed the tire -trail off to the left. In the soft soil this was -not a hard thing to do, and they could ride -faster now and still keep the tracks in sight.</p> - -<p>“If we ever catch up to them waddies, they’ll -wish they’d never seen that tin mule!” Bug -Eye vowed. “Makin’ me walk all them miles! -What’d they want with a Lizzie, anyhow? Did -they think I was carryin’ dust or somethin’? -By golly, I bet they took the car out of plain -cussedness! They don’t want that flivver any -more than the man in the moon!”</p> - -<p>“Seems like you’re right, there,” Roy -agreed. “But you never can tell. We’ve got -a little account to settle with scar-face, and the -sooner we square it the better.”</p> - -<p>“Say, Bug Eye, you didn’t happen to notice -whether one of those men who robbed you had -on a checkered shirt, did you?” Teddy called -out as he rode along.</p> - -<p>“Checkered shirt? Well, now that you mention -it, I do remember just that! Long, stringy -sort of ranger, with a peaked hat? Yep! Why -did you ask that, Teddy?”</p> - -<p>“Tell you later, Bug Eye,” the boy answered. -He felt that this was no time for explanations, -when they were riding hard to -catch the man who had taken Flash. Teddy -was sorry the flivver had been stolen. “But,” -he said to himself, “what’s a flivver compared -to Flash?”</p> - -<p>Jim Casey, who was riding slightly in the -rear, suddenly gave a yell.</p> - -<p>“Here’s somethin’ like a box at the side of -the road!” he called. Bug Eye looked to where -Jim was pointing, and then jumped off his -pony. He ran toward the object, and, bending -over, he examined it carefully.</p> - -<p>“We’re on the right trail, boys!” he exclaimed. -“This here is the box Mrs. Ball gave -me fer yore sister, Teddy. But it’s empty, -now. Whatever was in it, the thieves took. -Well, that’s some help! Roy, we ought to -meet up with yore dad soon, unless he made a -powerful wide circle.”</p> - -<p>Remounting again, Bug Eye and the rest resumed -their chase. Ahead of them they spied -three horsemen.</p> - -<p>“There’s dad now!” Roy cried, forcing his -mount onward. “Yay, Dad! Find anything?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet! But we’ve not finished! How’d -you make out?”</p> - -<p>“We got a clue, boss!” Jim Casey answered. -“I spotted a box in the road an’ Bug Eye says -it was in the flivver with him. So the thieves -must have come this way.”</p> - -<p>Roy spurred his horse close to his father’s.</p> - -<p>“Another thing, Dad,” the boy remarked in -a low voice. “Bug Eye said that one of the -hold-up men had on a checkered shirt!”</p> - -<p>“You don’t say!” Mr. Manley appeared -startled. “But of course we have to remember -that there’s probably more than one checkered -shirt around here, though I don’t recall ever -seein’ one as loud as the one we noticed at -Eagles. Roy, that’s right interestin’ news!”</p> - -<p>“Do we go on, boss?” Nick Looker asked.</p> - -<p>“We sure do!” the ranch owner answered -forcibly. “We’ll trail that flivver till we get it, -by jinks!”</p> - -<p>Once more the riders started off. The night -was growing misty now, and the tracks were -harder to see, so that the punchers had to proceed -more slowly. Once Pop Burns thought -he saw the car at one side, but it proved to -be only a large boulder.</p> - -<p>After riding some five or six miles, Mr. Manley -called to his party to halt.</p> - -<p>“There’s something fishy about this,” the -cattle owner declared. “These tracks don’t -seems to get any place! An’ by the way, there’s -more than one car in this part of the country, -though I can’t think why any one would take -this trail unless they wanted to get away in a -hurry. Let’s spread out, and cover more -ground. Even if we do find the flivver, it won’t -help us much. It’s a cinch the thieves aren’t -going to hang around it, once it stops; an’ it -can’t go on forever. How much gas did it have -in the tank, Bug Eye?”</p> - -<p>“Plenty, Mr. Manley. I filled her up just -before I started.”</p> - -<p>“Then the rustlers can lead us a merry -chase. Now I have an idea that they may have -left one man to drive the flivver, so as to fool -us into following the tracks, while the other -two—and I’ll bet they’re the two we want to -get—took a side path. Yep, boys, we ought to -separate. We can cover more ground then.”</p> - -<p>“Say when, boss,” Nick Looker exclaimed. -“We’ll rake this range with a fine comb!”</p> - -<p>“Well, let’s get started then! Every man -for himself! Spread out! If you get into -trouble, fire three shots. But don’t get too far -apart, so the fellow next to you couldn’t hear -them. I’ll be the center man, and you can deploy -on me. Open up now, boys, an’ let’s go!”</p> - -<p>With a yell to the horses, the chase started -anew. Teddy and Roy took the left and right -of Mr. Manley, each riding out straight for a -quarter of a mile, and then turning. The -others rode the same distance from the man -nearest to him, until there was a long line -streaked across the prairie. The ground was -fairly level here, and there were few trees, the -growth being mostly sage bush.</p> - -<p>More clouds had obscured the face of the -moon, making the night dark. Roy tried to -keep an even interval from his father and the -man on his right, but he found that this was -impossible, so he rode forward hoping he might -catch a glimpse of the rustlers.</p> - -<p>A slight grade rose ahead of him, and he -urged his mount up it. A little to his left he -saw a small clump of trees. Deciding to ride -close to these, Roy pulled his horse over. As -he did so, he uttered an exclamation.</p> - -<p>Out of the group of trees had ridden a man -on horseback. He turned, and saw Roy coming -toward him. Wheeling his bronco about, he -re-entered the shadow of the grove.</p> - -<p>Roy leaped his steed forward to the edge of -the wooded section. He heard the sound of a -creaking saddle and turned swiftly. His hand -flashed down to his gun.</p> - -<p>But he was too late. Not two feet from his -head was the blue barrel of a revolver, held in -a steady grasp.</p> - -<p>“Welcome, stranger!” a sardonic voice exclaimed.</p> - -<p>At that moment the moon slid from behind a -cloud, lighting the scene with its pale glow. -And, like some vision of the night, motionless -and tense, a horseman sat facing Roy. The -man’s head was turned slightly to the right, -and on the left cheek Roy saw a deep scar.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXIX' title='XIX—Escape'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XIX</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>ESCAPE</span> -</h2> - -<p>It was not fright that held Roy motionless, -but a realization of the hopelessness of resistance. -A slight tightening of the crooked finger -that touched the trigger would send a ball of -lead tearing through his body, and at the short -range there could be but one result. It seemed -best to Roy that he bide his time.</p> - -<p>“Nice of you to call on me like this,” Gilly -Froud went on, in that sinister, mocking tone. -“An’ I begs you’ll excuse the looks of the -place. We ain’t quite ready to receive visitors, -yet.”</p> - -<p>“What did you do with our horses and with -Bug Eye’s flivver?” Roy asked, looking -straight at the man.</p> - -<p>This Froud was no weakling. He sat -hunched over in his saddle, huge shoulders bent -forward. The arm which supported the gun -wavered not an inch, but held firm as a rock.</p> - -<p>“Don’t start askin’ questions,” Froud -growled. “It won’t do you no good, ’cause I -don’t know nothin’ about yore hosses. I heard -you had ’em stolen from the hitchin’ rail at -Eagles. Well, any one who’s fool enough to -leave a hoss unguarded in that town, should -have him stolen!”</p> - -<p>“That’s a lie, Froud, and you know it!” Roy -said hotly. “They’d never have been touched -if it hadn’t been for you—and that pal of yours -in the checkered shirt.”</p> - -<p>“Hey? What’s that?” Froud exclaimed in -a startled voice. The muzzle of the gun -pointed downward for a moment, but Froud -quickly brought it to bear again upon the boy. -“What do you know about a man in a checkered -shirt? Speak up!”</p> - -<p>“Enough,” Roy ventured grimly. He was -watching the rustler closely, ready to take advantage -of any chance offered. But Froud did -not relax his vigilance.</p> - -<p>“What’s his name, this bird in the—er—striped -shirt?” the former cowboy from the -X Bar X demanded.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know his name, but I know him!” -the boy exclaimed. “And I know he’s one of -your gang, too!”</p> - -<p>“So you don’t know his name, hey?” Froud -appeared relieved. “Well, he’s no friend o’ -mine. He travels with a different outfit than -what I do. Here—”</p> - -<p>Froud suddenly peered out from the trees. -The next moment he jammed the gun into -Roy’s ribs.</p> - -<p>“You make a sound an’ I’ll drill you sure!” -he whispered fiercely.</p> - -<p>Cautiously, Roy turned his head. Not fifty -feet away was his brother Teddy, riding slowly -along past the grove.</p> - -<p>“Quiet!” Froud ordered softly between set -teeth. “If you want to see how two ounces of -lead feels between yore ribs, just yell! By -golly, I’ll blow yore liver right out o’ you!”</p> - -<p>Roy recognized the desperate ring in the -rustler’s voice and knew that the least move -on his part would result in his death. Froud -was seized with a sort of panic, and at the -slightest sign from Teddy that the latter knew -of his brother’s plight, the rascal would start -shooting.</p> - -<p>As Roy saw his brother pass out of sight, -he felt the pressure of the gun at his side relax, -and Froud unconsciously sighed with relief.</p> - -<p>“I’m takin’ no chances,” he whispered in -Roy’s ear. “Don’t you talk till I say so! Do -you hear?”</p> - -<p>A moment more, and the sound of Teddy’s -horse died away in the distance.</p> - -<p>“Guess he’s gone,” Froud declared. “But -I don’t want no funny work, savvy? Don’t -think that because I haven’t got this gun stuck -in yore ribs that I ain’t got you covered. You -keep both yore hands on the pommel of yore -saddle—no lower.”</p> - -<p>“If you didn’t steal our broncs, what’s the -idea of being so touchy?” Roy asked in as innocent -a voice as he could summon. “Why -not let me ride on and try to find the thieves -who took Bug Eye’s flivver?”</p> - -<p>“That’s my business!” Froud retorted savagely. -“When I wants advice from you, I’ll ask -for it, see? I ain’t forgot how your old man -kicked me off the X Bar X!”</p> - -<p>“He had a right to!” Roy cried angrily. -“You were mistreating Flash, and you know -it! Dad didn’t want a man of your type about -the place.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he didn’t, hey?” Froud growled. An -ugly frown came to his face. “He’s pretty -pertic’lar, ain’t he? That bronc of yore -brother’s needed a good lickin’, and I was givin’ -it to him. I was interrupted. But since then -I—” he stopped suddenly.</p> - -<p>“You finished it, you mean!” Roy exclaimed, -his fists clenched. “Froud, if you’ll -drop that gun I’ll have it out with you right -here!”</p> - -<p>“Nice little hero!” Froud sneered. “College -boy wants to fight bold bad man, does he? -G’wan, you little rat! I could break you in -two! Now shut up! I don’t know where your -broncs are, an’ that’s the end of that! You -can see I ain’t ridin’ Flash, or either of the -other two. This is my own hoss. Satisfied?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll have to be, I guess,” the boy said in a -low voice.</p> - -<p>“Now yore talkin’ sense! Say, how many -of yore crowd is ridin’ tonight?”</p> - -<p>“Seven.”</p> - -<p>“Seven, hey! I reckon you’d better come -with me. It’ll be morning soon; then you can -ride back. If I turn you loose now, yore liable -to get to the rest. Not that I’ve got anything -to be afraid of!” the man added quickly. -“But that brother of yours is hot-headed, and -I wouldn’t put it past him to take a pot shot at -me fer what I done to Flash. So come along.”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“See that clump of quakermasts over yonder? -Head fer them.”</p> - -<p>Against his will, Roy was forced to ride forward, -while Froud trailed him closely, gun still -in readiness. A faint glimmer of gray appeared -in the east, betokening the coming -dawn.</p> - -<p>Froud knew he must put much territory between -him and his pursuers before daylight, -so he urged the horses on to a faster gait. Roy -rode silently, hoping that his chance might -come before he got too far away from the -others to give the alarm. But as the two rode -along, this hope dwindled, and the boy knew -that, even if he did escape, he would not be -able to reach the others in time to give chase -to Froud.</p> - -<p>Angry thoughts were milling in the boy’s -mind as they neared the group of quakermasts. -Turning his head slightly, Roy saw that they -had reached a section of the country known as -Harver’s Gully. The light in the east was -stronger now, and Roy could make out the -Rocky Run River a few miles to the north. -Further up the stream was the X Bar X, but if -one followed the course of Rocky Run, winding -as it did, it would require a ride of some three -or four hours to reach the Manley ranch.</p> - -<p>Roy knew that a steep hill arose beyond -these trees. He wondered if Froud would -make for this, but the next moment his captor -ordered him to pull his horse up.</p> - -<p>“We’re stayin’ here a spell,” Froud said -shortly. He rode closer to Roy. “So you -think I travel with a man who wears a checkered -shirt, hey?”</p> - -<p>Startled by this question, apparently coming -from a clear sky, Roy did not reply for a moment.</p> - -<p>“Answer me!” growled Froud. He thrust -his left hand out and seized the boy by the -throat.</p> - -<p>Like a flash, Roy realized his intention. For -reasons of his own, Froud wanted Roy out of -the way. If he could get him to draw, he could -kill him in cold blood, and then say that he -shot in self-defense. The fact that Roy had -his gun in his hand would corroborate his -story.</p> - -<p>With anger surging within him at the -cowardly trick, Roy sat perfectly still. Froud -wound his fingers about the boy’s throat and, -with a sneering laugh, made as if to choke him. -Then with a grunt as if of contempt he took his -hand away.</p> - -<p>“You’re not worth it,” he snarled. “You -an’ that sissy brother of yores ought to be -travelin’ with a nurse!”</p> - -<p>He looked keenly at Roy, but the young -rancher did not reply. He stared long and -steadily back at Froud.</p> - -<p>“So you know Checkered Shirt, hey?” the -rustler mused. “Well, I don’t! I never saw -him in my life! Get that? I don’t know who -he is!” Realizing that, by this very denial, -forcible as it was, he admitted the thing he was -repudiating, Froud stopped.</p> - -<p>“You think yore pretty clever, don’t you?” -he demanded.</p> - -<p>Roy made no answer. He kept staring at -Froud.</p> - -<p>“Answer me, you rat! Thought you’d corner -me an’ make me confess to a thing I never -did, hey?”</p> - -<p>“You’re the best judge of that,” Roy replied -coldly.</p> - -<p>For a moment Froud glared at the boy. -Then, with a snarl of rage, he leaped his horse -forward.</p> - -<p>This was the chance Roy had been playing -for. Digging his heels into his pony’s side, -he met Froud head on. There was a wild yell. -The boy threw himself on one side of his saddle -at the very moment that Froud fired. Roy -felt his horse twitch beneath him, and knew the -pony had been hit. But the horse remained on -its feet. Now the boy had his own gun out, -and, taking as careful aim as he could in that -poor light, he fired. The cattle rustler’s face -went white, and his right arm dangled helplessly.</p> - -<p>But the rustler was not beaten yet, and, in a -moment, had transferred his gun from his -right to his left hand. He fired again, and Roy -felt a sudden sting on his left ear. The boy -took aim once more, and again pulled the -trigger.</p> - -<p>This time he missed completely, but Froud -had had enough. Wheeling his horse about, he -made off at a gallop.</p> - -<p>Roy watched him go. He could not bring -himself to shoot a man in the back, and Froud -probably counted on this. He also knew that -Roy would not follow, for, with a wounded -horse, he had small chance of catching the -rustler.</p> - -<p>Roy put his hand to his ear.</p> - -<p>“Got it,” the boy said as he saw a dark stain -of blood. “Go on, run, you horse thief! I’ll -get you later!”</p> - -<p>Roy then remembered that he had felt his -pony wince, and the boy dismounted to learn -the extent of the bronco’s hurt. It was merely -superficial, Roy noted with relief, and while -the horse would have to travel slowly, there -was no danger from the wound. He had been -hit in the right flank.</p> - -<p>The sun was high above the horizon when -Roy rode into the yard of the X Bar X. He -was tired and thirsty. His face was bloody -from the wound in his ear. His horse was -limping painfully.</p> - -<p>As Roy looked up, he saw his father running -toward him.</p> - -<p>“All right, Dad,” the boy called cheerfully. -“I’ve quite a story to tell! No, I’m not hurt. -Just got a nick in the ear. Did you find the -flivver?”</p> - -<p>“Roy!” Mr. Manley exclaimed. “Son, I’m -glad you’re back! Your mother’s been awful -worried—an’ so have I! What happened?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I found Froud, for one thing. But -wait till I get a drink and some food in me, and -I’ll tell you all about it.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXX' title='XX—The Decision'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XX</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE DECISION</span> -</h2> - -<p>Roy’s breakfast was flavored with the tale -of his moonlight ride to Harver’s Gully. Between -bites he told the story of his meeting -with Froud and of the rustler’s strange insistence -that he did not know Checkered Shirt.</p> - -<p>“You say Froud wasn’t riding one of our -horses?” Teddy asked.</p> - -<p>“No. He was sitting on a bronc I never saw -before. One of his own, or maybe one he -rustled from another outfit. Somehow, he -seemed puzzled after he had me covered, as if -he didn’t know what to do with me. Took him -a mighty long time to decide to bring me to -Harver’s Gully.”</p> - -<p>Neither Mr. Manley nor Teddy had yet taken -to their beds, having reached the X Bar X but -an hour before Roy. All night they had spent -in looking for the missing youth, and at last -they had decided he might have returned home. -They were about to start on another search -when Roy rode into the yard.</p> - -<p>“Say, Dad, did you find that flivver?” Roy -asked, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied -sigh. A strip of adhesive tape marked the spot -where the bullet had torn his ear.</p> - -<p>“We did,” the ranchman stated. “Teddy -marked it in a ditch. Wasn’t hardly worth -sweepin’ up. They’d stripped it clean and -smashed the motor to pieces with a wrench. -Bug Eye was seein’ red. He could hardly talk. -By golly, if the same gang is doin’ all this dirty -work, they’ve got an awful lot to settle for!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick they have!” Roy declared -hotly. “And they’ll settle, too! Froud -made a mistake when he brought me over to -Harver’s Gully. I’ve got an idea that the -gang’s headquarters is around there some -place. Teddy, you and I will have to take a -ride over there soon. It’s right on a deep part -of the river, you know, and we might get a few -fish—though the kind of fish I’d like to get -can’t be caught with a hook and line.”</p> - -<p>It was eight o’clock before Roy threw himself -upon his bed and gave himself over to the -blissful luxury of complete relaxation. The -others who had joined in the chase, including -of course Mr. Manley and Teddy, were likewise -catching up on some sleep. At twelve o’clock -the ranch yard presented a strangely deserted -appearance. When usually the cowboys would -be yelling loudly for Sing Lung to hurry up -with that grub, now from the bunk-house -sounded only the snores of punchers sunk deep -in slumber. Those who had not gone on the -night ride stayed as silent as possible, out of -respect for their fatigued brothers. But it -would have taken a salvo of twenty-one guns -to awaken those buckers.</p> - -<p>At four o’clock Roy opened his eyes full upon -a beam of sunlight that shot through his window -and played upon his face. Automatically -he turned upon his side, then saw that in the -bed across from him Teddy still slept peacefully. -Reaching over, Roy gently raised the -window shade, so that the sun now shone upon -Teddy. The boy moved restlessly, threw his -hand over his eyes, then turned and saw his -brother grinning at him.</p> - -<p>“What time?” he asked in a monotone.</p> - -<p>“Six-thirty! You going to sleep all day? -I’ve been up hours. Had lunch and went for a -ride with Curly.”</p> - -<p>“Curly? You mean Nell?”</p> - -<p>“No, I mean Ethel. Why?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, nothing.” Then, when he saw the grin -on his brother’s face, Teddy turned to the wall -with a snort of disgust.</p> - -<p>“Don’t be silly! You just woke up yourself. -Six-thirty! Humph! I’ll bet it’s about twelve -o’clock. Well—” as he looked at a watch on -the chair beside him—“it’s only a little after -four, anyway. I knew you were kidding.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you did! I noticed that as soon as I -said I’d been riding with Curly. But say, we’d -better get up.”</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute. I want to ask you a few -questions about Froud, Roy. You say he got -sore when you mentioned Checkered Shirt?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick he did! There’s something -up between those two. I wish we could -come across that hombre in the cross-word -puzzle laundry-piece!”</p> - -<p>“He probably’s got another by now. Even -rustlers have got to change their shirts once -in a while. But, seriously, what made you -think that Harver’s Gully is headquarters for -Froud’s gang?”</p> - -<p>“Because, didn’t he head right for there? -And then when we got there he seemed sort -of sorry he’d come. He thought I knew too -much for the good of his health. Golly, Ted, -when you rode by that grove of trees I sure -held my breath! Froud had his gun stuck hard -into my ribs, and if you had taken it into your -head to ride in I’d be strummin’ a harp right -now.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, if I had come in, Froud might -have beat it off. Can’t tell. Roy, you should -have seen that flivver! The top was ripped -completely off. Two tires were flat. The -motor was a wreck. It looked as though it had -been struck by lightning.”</p> - -<p>“Wonder what they did all that for? I suppose -you didn’t find the dresses Mrs. Ball sent -over?”</p> - -<p>“Not a trace. Looked like a spite job to -me. Bug Eye said the same. If he ever -catches the gang who held him up, he’ll spite -’em!”</p> - -<p>“Did he go back to the 8 X 8?”</p> - -<p>“No; he’s asleep in the bunk-house. He -wants to have another look for the thieves, I -guess. If his boss thinks it’s the same gang -that stole his cattle, he’ll let Bug Eye search all -he wants to—and maybe help him. I’ve got a -hunch that something is bound to break soon. -The people around these parts are pretty sick -and tired of having those roughnecks play fast -and loose with their property.”</p> - -<p>“You said a mouthful! Come on! Let’s hit -the deck. We’ve got plenty to do.”</p> - -<p>“Think we ought to have another go at the -dance tonight?”</p> - -<p>“Not me! Anyway, the evening dresses of -Nell and Ethel are lost, and so they won’t be -so keen for it. We’ll just let it slide. Things -are going to be pretty lively here from now -on. There won’t be much time for dancing.”</p> - -<p>Springing from his bed, Roy walked to the -bathroom and doused his head and face with -cold water. Teddy did the same, and after -“slicking up” a bit the two boys made for the -yard. Mr. Manley was standing talking to -Nick Looker when Roy and Teddy approached.</p> - -<p>“Roy,” his father called, “c’mere a second, -will you? Want to ask you some more about -that scar-faced friend of yours. Whereabouts -in Harver’s Gully did he take you?”</p> - -<p>“Well, there’s a grove of quakermasts down -on the near side of the river. If you keep on -going, you’d come to a small rise, from which -you could see for a good distance on either side. -I rode over there only last fall.”</p> - -<p>“Yore dad said you had an idee the rustlers -hang out around there,” Nick stated. “That -so, Roy?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know whether it’s so or not, Nick; -but that’s what I think. As I told dad, Froud -seemed kind of sorry he’d brought me to the -gully. Then he ducked as soon as he could -without waiting to fight it out with me, though -I winged him in the arm after he’d nicked me -here,” and Roy pointed to his ear. “He’s got -to have that arm of his treated some place, or -he’ll get poisoned. The nearest doctor is over -at Hawley. Say, I think I’ll—”</p> - -<p>“Telephone to him to hold a man with a -wounded arm?” Teddy interrupted. “I -thought of that, too. Go ahead, Roy. Myself, -I don’t figure much on getting Froud that way. -But it won’t do any harm to try.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley said they would wait there while -Roy telephoned. When the boy returned his -face bore a disappointed look.</p> - -<p>“Doc said he’d been there early this morning -and gone,” Roy declared. “We might -have had a chance if I had called up sooner. -Well—”</p> - -<p>“The doc couldn’t have held him,” Mr. -Manley broke in. “Suppose it happened to be -the wrong man? Doc ’ud be in a fine fix then. -No, boys, we’ve got to work this thing out for -ourselves. No use foolin’ around. The thing -to do is to ride that varmint down an’ snub -his horns so he can’t do no more damage. -Seems to me he’s got a streak of real meanness -in him. Didn’t do him no good a-tall to steal -that flivver. He just wanted to act up. Well, -his time will come. An’ when it does, he’s got -an awful lot to account for!”</p> - -<p>Bug Eye made his appearance at six o’clock. -He had slept off his wild anger at finding his -flivver wantonly wrecked, but still the indignity -of being made to walk all those miles to the -X Bar X smouldered within him. A cowboy’s -legs are not for walking, they are to keep him -steady on a horse.</p> - -<p>Upon being told of Roy’s adventure with -Froud, Bug Eye asked Mr. Manley for a horse -to ride after the rustler, but he was persuaded -to calm down and sit tight for a bit.</p> - -<p>“This waitin’ gets on my nerves,” he proclaimed -to the world in general. “If I had my -way, I’d get a gang together an’ stick so close -to that hoss-thief’s neck that his feet would -bust through the soles of his shoes.”</p> - -<p>“Yea, an’ have his head for cover, pronto,” -Nick sneered, “with twenty head of yore cattle, -our three horses, an’ Pete knows how much -else. Then where’d we be? No sir, the thing -to do is to go about this thing like you was -eatin’ custard pie. Soft an’ easy, but sure to -get there. We don’t want no more flare-backs. -Twice we almost stumbled on their heels, an’ -both times they stepped out o’ their shoes an’ -vamoosed right quick. Why, Teddy an’ Roy -got within shootin’ distance of Froud up on -Mica Mountain, but it didn’t do no good, an’ it -wasn’t the boys’ fault that they got away, -either. So when we get ’em, we want to get -’em good. None of this half-way business for -us.”</p> - -<p>This seemed the general consensus of opinion -at the X Bar X, and nothing was done immediately -except to notify the sheriff at -Hawley that a hold-up had occurred and that -some property was stolen from a car.</p> - -<p>“Though I might as well have told a cigar -store Indian for all the good it’ll do,” Mr. -Manley declared, with a grim laugh. “That -sheriff is more politics than he is sheriff. -Whatever roundin’ up of thieves we want -done, we’ve got to do ourselves.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXXI' title='XXI—News from the 8 X 8'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XXI</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>NEWS FROM THE 8 X 8</span> -</h2> - -<p>The next morning Peter Ball sent a car for -Nell and Ethel, and, together with Bug Eye, -the girls went back to the 8 X 8. Roy and -Teddy were sorry to see them go, as was Belle -Ada, but they consoled themselves with the -thought that they could easily ride over to the -Ball ranch later and see them. It was arranged -that Belle should go on a visit to the -8 X 8 before the summer was over.</p> - -<p>The business of ranching was taken up once -more at the X Bar X, although an undercurrent -of vigilance seemed to be ever present. -Days of being without Star and Flash did not -seem to console the boys appreciably for their -loss. Rather, as each day passed they realized -more and more keenly that Flash and Star had -meant a great deal to them. Mr. Manley, although -he did not dwell on the misfortune of -losing General, as did Roy and Teddy over -their ponies, yet wished heartily that he had -the bronco back.</p> - -<p>Gus Tripp’s arm healed rapidly, and he was -in the saddle again within a week, looking, as -he said, whiter than he had since he was four -years old. Otherwise he was little the worse -for his experience. Of course the arm was still -bandaged but Gus said that was only a reminder, -“like you’d tie a string around yore -finger, so’s not to fergit somethin’.” When -asked what it was that he wanted to remember, -he answered vaguely that it had something to -do with rattlesnakes.</p> - -<p>Several times Nick and Pop had ridden into -Eagles, watching for Checkered Shirt, but the -man seemed to have left that part of the country. -No one in town had seen him for a week. -The barkeeper at Rimor’s had likewise disappeared -for the time being.</p> - -<p>One morning Roy and Teddy determined to -go fishing. The day was just right for the -sport, cloudy, and they had hopes of bringing -home a mess of mountain trout. By common -consent, the boys agreed to ride to Harver’s -Gully and cast along that part of Rock Run -River which flowed by the spot.</p> - -<p>Having arrived at the gully, the two boys -rode slowly through the grove of quakermasts -where Roy had been held captive. Then they -mounted the hill on the other side and looked -sharply about them.</p> - -<p>“Don’t see much of importance, do you?” -Teddy queried.</p> - -<p>“Not much. Guess I was mistaken. But it -looked queer, I’ll tell a maverick! I thought -sure we’d find something hereabouts.”</p> - -<p>“After all, it was only a hunch,” Teddy -stated. “Most of the time they go wrong. -Come on, let’s give the fish a whirl. Pop said -they’re running fine.”</p> - -<p>Riding down the incline, the boys came once -more to the river. At this time of year it -was a sizable stream, the snow on the mountains, -having melted and run down, had swelled -it to almost a flood stage. The water hissed -merrily against the lines as Teddy and Roy -cast.</p> - -<p>For some minutes neither got a strike. Then -Roy, who was up-stream from his brother, suddenly -saw his line go taut.</p> - -<p>“Strike!” he called out, and Teddy, abandoning -his own casting, ran toward Roy.</p> - -<p>“Feels like a whale!” the boy sang out. -“Hand me that net, Ted!”</p> - -<p>There was haste to oblige, and Roy played -his fish carefully. The trout seemed not unused -to the ways of anglers, for it did not dash -aimlessly about, but with short, purposeful -spurts prevented the young rancher from taking -in much line.</p> - -<p>“Looks as if you were in for a fight!” Teddy -exclaimed, watching with interest the contest -between his brother and the fish. “He’s no -amateur at this business, that trout! He knows -his stuff!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick he does!” Roy said, -breathing hard. “Golly, he must weigh a ton! -He’s <i>some</i> scrapper!”</p> - -<p>Suddenly the line swayed down, hanging -loosely.</p> - -<p>“Now’s your chance!” Teddy shouted. -“Reel in! Reel in!”</p> - -<p>Roy needed no such advice, for he was reeling -in as fast as he could. Then, with a slight -twang, the line tightened. Roy was still taking -in slack when it happened, and he could not -stop in time. There was a quick jerk, and the -frayed end of the cord dangled from the tip -of the rod. The fish had won.</p> - -<p>Roy threw the pole down in annoyance.</p> - -<p>“Thought I had him, sure!” he declared. -“Ever see a fish act like that before? Wise as -they make ’em! He just waited until I started -to reel in, then stopped short and broke the -line. Well, he sure timed it pretty. My respects -to a clever fish,” and he removed his -hat and made a mock bow.</p> - -<p>“But he’s carrying quite a weight of line,” -Teddy said, with a chuckle. “He’ll have that -to remember you by, Roy.”</p> - -<p>“Like fun he will!” his brother cried. “He -knows his apples, that fish. He’ll just swim -around a stump a few times, tangle the line -in it, give a jerk and he’s free. I know that -kind. Some of ’em can speak Greek and -Latin.”</p> - -<p>The boys fished with fair luck for an hour or -so longer, Teddy landing two large ones and -Roy three smaller trout. The “whopper” that -had struck Roy’s line did not return, though -the ranch lad had coaxed him with all the -brightly colored flies in his packet.</p> - -<p>“Getting sort of late,” Teddy remarked, as -he stood on the bank adjusting a hook. “What -say we cut for home? We’ve got quite a ride -ahead of us, you know. Let’s get started.”</p> - -<p>Roy nodded.</p> - -<p>“I just want to make one more cast. Something -tells me that the big fellow I hooked first -is still hanging around. If he is, and wants -some more fun, I’ll give it to him! Just once -more, Teddy.”</p> - -<p>The boy drew back his rod for a cast. His -arm still bent back, Teddy caught his wrist. -Roy looked up in surprise.</p> - -<p>“What—” he began. Then he saw the look -on his brother’s face and stopped.</p> - -<p>“Keep quiet!” Teddy whispered. “Through -the bushes there! See? A man on horseback!”</p> - -<p>Roy stared intently. But he did not get a -good view of the intruder, for the sound of a -pony breaking trail came to the ears of the -boys at that moment, and the horse and rider -disappeared.</p> - -<p>“Roy, I’ll bet anything that was Froud!” -Teddy exclaimed excitedly. “And he was on -Flash, too! I’d know that horse among a million! -Golly, that settles it! Froud is the -thief!”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure it <i>was</i> Froud?” Roy asked. -“I didn’t get a good look at him—but what I -saw didn’t look a great deal like Scar Face!”</p> - -<p>“He did to me!” Teddy insisted. Then the -boy stepped from the side of the stream into -the woods. He parted the bushes, and glanced -about.</p> - -<p>“Not a sign of him,” he said regretfully. -“Let’s get our broncs, Roy, and ride around -here! There may be something to that theory -of yours about the gang’s headquarters.”</p> - -<p>The boys ran quickly to where they had left -the horses. Teddy half expected to find them -gone, but they were not, and, in a moment, the -two young ranchers were mounted, having -taken their rods apart and slipped them into a -case as they ran.</p> - -<p>They rode toward the place they had seen -the figure and examined the earth for hoofprints. -These they easily discovered.</p> - -<p>“He went this way,” Roy declared, pointing. -“We can ride along and see what we can find. -It’s toward home, anyway.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll bet anything that was Froud on -Flash!” Teddy remarked, almost to himself. -“When he saw us he beat it. Let’s follow up -these tracks, Roy.”</p> - -<p>The boys cantered along, eyes upon the -ground, easily tracing the marks in the soft -earth near the side of the stream. For about -a mile they rode. Then they were halted. The -tracks led directly down into the stream.</p> - -<p>“That stops us,” Roy declared, in a disappointed -tone. “He may have gone any place -from here. Most likely he doubled back and -crossed to the other side. Well, that’s that! -Another failure!”</p> - -<p>“But I’m sure it was Flash he was on!” -Teddy said in a positive voice. “I couldn’t be -mistaken there. We’ll hurry back and tell -dad. Maybe he’ll want to go after the skunk.”</p> - -<p>The day was drawing to a close, and the -two boys started homeward. Roy had not forgotten -the fish, and these hung from the pommel -of the saddle, giving the horse many -uneasy moments trying to figure what those -cold things were that kept tapping him on the -side.</p> - -<p>Teddy was really disappointed that they had -not succeeded in catching the lone horseman, -but Roy still had his doubts about the fellow -being Froud. Little was said concerning the -incident, however, until the boys reached the -ranch yard of the X Bar X.</p> - -<p>There all was confusion. Punchers were -rushing about, catching their ponies and throwing -saddles on with almost indecent haste. -The corral was nearly empty of horses. Mr. -Manley stood in the center of the yard issuing -orders.</p> - -<p>As the brothers rode up they eyed this -strange scene with puzzled frowns.</p> - -<p>“For Pete’s sake, what’s all the shooting -for?” Teddy inquired.</p> - -<p>“Blamed if I know!” Roy answered. -“Looks as if everybody was going some place! -Hey, Dad, what’s the trouble? Why all the -fuss?”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you hear?” Mr. Manley called out. -“Where’ve you been— Oh, that’s right, -you’ve been fishin’. Well, we got some bad -news from the 8 X 8.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” came from Teddy -quickly. “Have they been raided again?”</p> - -<p>“That’s just what happened!” the boys’ -father declared. “Rustlers got away with a -hundred head of their cattle last night, an’ -plugged two of their men! We’re ridin’ out -after the thieves—the whole 8 X 8 outfit an’ -us! This time we stay ridin’ till we round up -that gang, too.”</p> - -<p>Teddy and Roy looked at each other. Had -the figure they had seen at Harver’s Gully anything -to do with this new outrage?</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXXII' title='XXII—The Storm'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XXII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE STORM</span> -</h2> - -<p>“Going to start now, Dad?” Teddy asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes—right away! Can’t afford to lose any -more time. The bunch from 8 X 8 is due any -minute now, an’ we’re goin’ to start from here. -We’ll work in shifts—one gang take the trail -tonight, and another in the mornin’. In that -way we’ll ride the rustlers down before they -have a chance to cache the cattle. We want -to prevent those thieves from driving the Durhams -to a hiding place. If we keep on the -jump, we may be able to get ’em before they -make their way to a retreat.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley hurried toward the corral. The -two boys dismounted and led their horses to -the hitching rail, thinking they might need -them soon.</p> - -<p>“A hundred head of Durhams!” Roy mused. -“Those fellows sure work fast! Mighty funny -they didn’t start something with the X Bar X -herd.”</p> - -<p>“Guess they thought that the 8 X 8 outfit -would be easier to raid. It looks like it was, -too. What kind of men has Pete Ball got riding -his cattle to let rustlers raid their herd -twice in a month?”</p> - -<p>“Well, as I said before, that gang is pretty -clever. They’re no amateurs at the game, and -I’ll bet they’ve got half the men in Eagles in -league with them, especially those who hang -around Rimor’s. Say, do you suppose dad -wants us to come with him?”</p> - -<p>“Wait here while I ask him.”</p> - -<p>Teddy walked rapidly toward his father. It -was in his mind to tell his parent of the occurrence -at Harver’s Gully, but when he thought -it over he realized that it would be but a slender -clue and might lead the pursuers astray. -Looking back, he could not be absolutely sure -that that man was Gilly Froud, however much -he appeared to be.</p> - -<p>“No, son, I want you an’ Roy to stay around -here,” Mr. Manley replied in answer to -Teddy’s question. “Mother is a bit worried, -and she’ll feel a lot safer if you two are here. -You an’ Roy can go out with the morning -bunch—that is, if we don’t spot the rustlers -before that. Belle Ada has to get to the 8 X 8 -in the morning, too, as she promised Nell and -Ethel she’d come over. Myself, I’d rather -she’d wait a few days, but she wants to go, so -I’ll let her. You and Roy can take her over, -can’t you? You can join in the chase later.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, Dad, if you say so. We’ll do whatever -seems best to you.”</p> - -<p>Having communicated to Roy his father’s -advice, Teddy put the two ponies away for the -night. He really wanted to ride with the rest, -but he knew it would be better for him to stay -at home until his father returned.</p> - -<p>Six men from Peter Ball’s place arrived just -before supper, and after a hurried meal, the -chase for the horse thieves started.</p> - -<p>This time there was none of the wild rushing -of the former pursuit. The men clucked -quietly to their horses, and, led by Mr. Manley, -they rode out of the yard. They were on a -grim business, and each felt the responsibility -of his position. They were banded together to -wipe out a gang of rustlers. A stern task was -ahead of them, and they simply proceeded toward -it.</p> - -<p>With most of the punchers riding away with -Mr. Manley, the ranch yard of the X Bar X -was now a quiet spot. For some minutes Roy -and Teddy stood in silence, watching the dust -settle. The sky was overcast, and the usual -glory of the western sunset was missing. A -drizzle of rain was falling, and, turning -about, Teddy and Roy entered the ranch house, -to eat in more leisurely manner than those who -had gone on the chase.</p> - -<p>Supper was rather a dreary meal. Try as -she would, Mrs. Manley could not altogether -conceal her anxiety for the safety of her -husband.</p> - -<p>Teddy reached across the table and laid his -hand over his mother’s.</p> - -<p>“Cheer up, Mom,” he said, with a smile. -“Dad’s all right. You’ll see him come rushing -in here in the morning, saying that they caught -the rustlers and is there any coffee and beans -left.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I hope so,” Mrs. Manley replied, smiling -slightly. “It is foolish of me to worry, and -I won’t do it any more. Certainly your father -can take care of himself. Belle, dear, do be -careful of that pitcher! Roy, pour your sister -some milk. I know she’ll spill it, reaching in -that fashion.”</p> - -<p>There were those at the X Bar X who did not -sleep much that night. Mr. Manley might return -at any time and tell of success—or failure. -Many times Teddy and Roy leaped up from -their beds, where they were lying fully dressed, -and ran to the window, only to find that the -noise they had heard was the wind blowing a -shingle across the yard or a horse in the corral -rubbing against the rails. The drizzle stopped, -though the sky remained cloudy and a cold -wind blew.</p> - -<p>At one o’clock the boys heard a tapping on -their door. Opening it quickly, they found -their mother standing there.</p> - -<p>“I wondered if you were asleep,” she said, -with a little smile. “Now, this won’t do at -all. We can’t have you wasting your strength, -you know. Come down to the kitchen with me, -and I’ll make some cocoa. Then you’re going -to take off your things and get in bed—even -if I have to tuck you in as I used to, not so -long ago. In the morning you have to take -Belle over to the 8 X 8, and, after that, there’ll -be plenty of work to do. So you need all the -rest you can get. Come now, we’ll get the -cocoa made, then it’s to bed with both of you!”</p> - -<p>“But don’t you want us to wait up for dad, -Mother?”</p> - -<p>“No, Roy. When he comes I’ll call you. -You must get your sleep. My, listen to that -wind!”</p> - -<p>After a warming drink, Teddy and Roy, in -obedience to their mother’s laughing orders, -hopped into bed. Both declared that they -wouldn’t sleep a wink, but, somehow, they could -not keep their eyes open, and two o’clock found -them deep in slumber. Mrs. Manley it was who -watched at the window for the returning horsemen, -her hands clasped tightly.</p> - -<p>The day was three hours old when Teddy -and Roy opened their eyes. Roy was the first -one out of bed, and, practically throwing his -clothes on, he made for the door. Teddy was -a close second, and they descended the stairs -together.</p> - -<p>Their mother was waiting in the dining -room. She put her finger to her lips and said -in a low voice:</p> - -<p>“Don’t make too much noise, boys. Your -father is asleep right above. He came in at -five o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Did he—did he—” Teddy began tensely.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Manley shook her head.</p> - -<p>“No luck, boys. He wants you to take Belle -over to Peter Ball’s place as soon as you can -and to hurry back. I wish she would wait until -this business is over. Still, I won’t be foolish -and start to worry. She is so eager to visit -Nell and Ethel that I haven’t the heart to say -she can’t. There is not a great deal of opportunity -for social life out here. Anyway, I want -her to become well acquainted with the two -girls, for she may go to New York next winter -and she’ll be happier if she has friends there. -When do you want to start?”</p> - -<p>“As soon as Belle can, Mother,” Boy answered. -“Dad is all right, then?”</p> - -<p>“Just tired. He could hardly keep his eyes -open, poor man. And he’s doing all this to help -a friend, too!”</p> - -<p>“Dad would do more for a friend than he -would for himself,” Roy said softly. “Golly, -I hope we catch those rustlers! Boy, how I -hope it! Teddy, can’t you feel old Flash under -you once more? And Star! Come on, Ted, -let’s hurry so we can get back soon! Mom, how -soon before Belle will be ready?”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Manley smiled at her son. It was like -him to think more of getting his horse back -than of capturing the rustlers—the mother -knew the great affection that existed between -Roy and Star and between Teddy and Flash. -Yet, when she thought of the dangers of the -chase, her face sobered. Still she did not forbid -them to go. She knew that her boys must -learn to be men.</p> - -<p>The two brothers and their sister were soon -ready to start. Cautioning them to be careful, -Mrs. Manley kissed them good-bye. They -were going on horse back, Belle having her own -favorite pony which she could not think of -leaving behind.</p> - -<p>As they set out, Teddy looked up at the sky.</p> - -<p>“More rain,” he remarked thoughtfully. -“Makes trailing that much harder. Belle, were -you up when dad came in?”</p> - -<p>“No. But I heard him. He said the men -never got a glimpse of the thieves. Then he -said something about Harver’s Gully, but I -didn’t quite catch that.”</p> - -<p>“He did?” Roy asked excitedly. “What -was it, Belle? Think!”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t hear it all, Roy, because he shut -the door just then.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder if they rode over that way!” -Teddy exclaimed. “Roy, the more I think of -that man we saw, the more I’m sure it was -Froud!”</p> - -<p>“You saw Gilly Froud?” Belle asked, her -eyes wide.</p> - -<p>“We weren’t sure,” Teddy said quickly. -Then he changed the subject and suggested -that they hurry, as the clouds were getting -heavier.</p> - -<p>They reached the 8 X 8 after a long ride, -finding it in much the same condition as their -own ranch. That is, most of the punchers were -on the range, trying to get track of their stolen -cattle. Bug Eye Wilson remained, “to keep -the cook company,” as he said, much as he had -wanted to ride with the rest. His time would -come later unless the rustlers were caught soon.</p> - -<p>There was an attitude of quiet determination -about the men on the 8 X 8. Teddy noticed -that the punchers who remained were talking -in low tones and with none of their accustomed -banter.</p> - -<p>“They’re all business,” Roy remarked to -Teddy. “If those rustlers get away this time -they’re pretty clever. This last trick they -pulled was one too many. They’ve got the -whole country on their necks now.”</p> - -<p>Needless to say, Nell and Ethel were delighted -to see Belle, and also her brothers. But -Roy and Teddy could scarcely stay long enough -to say “hello.” They were anxious to get -back, see their father, and join in the chase.</p> - -<p>The sky was blacker than ever when they -turned and started for home. The wind -had increased in violence, and the boys bent -low in their saddles as they rode.</p> - -<p>Three miles out Roy gave a yell.</p> - -<p>“Here she comes! She’s goin’ to be a pip, -too! Wow!”</p> - -<p>With a sullen roar the storm struck. The -rain fell in torrents and the wind whipped the -boys’ faces stingingly.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got to find shelter!” Teddy shouted. -“Can’t ride in this! The broncs will fall, -sure, and maybe break a leg! Then we’ll be -out of luck!”</p> - -<p>Bracing themselves against the furious -blasts, the boys galloped on, searching for some -sort of protection. The lightning was flashing -almost continually, so they wisely kept out of -the vicinity of large trees.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Teddy gave a shout.</p> - -<p>“There’s something ahead! Looks like a -house! Let’s head for that!”</p> - -<p>The boys forced their broncos onward. -Through the dashing rain they could see the -outlines of a shack.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXXIII' title='XXIII—Discovery'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XXIII</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>DISCOVERY</span> -</h2> - -<p>Pulling their hats further down on their -heads to keep the rain out of their eyes, the -two boys directed their ponies toward the -cabin. The horses were twitching nervously -every time a streak of lightning tore the rain-washed -sky, and it took skillful hands to keep -them from running wild.</p> - -<p>A blinding flash came just as they reached -the cabin, and a tree not a hundred yards away -fell to the ground with a startling crash. -Teddy’s pony threw back his head and whinnied -in terror.</p> - -<p>“Close!” Roy yelled. “Watch that bronc -of yours, Teddy! He’s a sidewinder!”</p> - -<p>The warning was unnecessary, for Teddy at -the same moment seized the horse’s mane with -a firm hand. This had a quieting effect, and -the bronco lowered his head once more.</p> - -<p>Now they were at the door of the dwelling, -and both boys leaped from their mounts. The -cabin was a ramshackle affair, simply four -walls and a roof, with no porch. There was -one window in the front and one on the side, -neither of which had an unbroken pane. But -at least the place afforded shelter, and tying -their ponies to a pole which stood at the rear, -partly under the eaves, Teddy and Roy ran to -the front door.</p> - -<p>Seizing the knob, Teddy pushed. The plank -door flew open, and the boys entered. The -windows allowed some light to penetrate the -interior, but, even so, it was dark and dreary -within. The boys saw that four chairs were -grouped about a rough table. On one side was -a couch that had long passed its days of usefulness. -A stone fireplace was built in one of -the walls, and Roy noticed with relief that -there were several pieces of wood piled on -the andirons. A door opened into another -room, evidently a bed chamber. Above were -the bare rafters, opening up to a peaked roof.</p> - -<p>Teddy removed his sodden hat and whacked -it on the table.</p> - -<p>“Wow!” he gasped. “Some rain! Golly, -I’m wet through!”</p> - -<p>“So am I, I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy exclaimed. -He looked about him curiously. -“We’re pretty lucky to stumble on this. Wonder -who in thunder ever lived here?”</p> - -<p>“Some sheep-herder, most likely,” his -brother declared. Walking to the door he -pushed it more firmly shut. “Thank goodness -the roof doesn’t leak! Say, look at the wood -in the grate! Seems as if some one had been -here not so long ago and intended to come -back.”</p> - -<p>“Well, if he comes back now, he’ll find his -wood being used,” Roy said, with a chuckle. -“Got a dry match, Teddy?”</p> - -<p>Searching his pockets, Teddy found a box -nearly full. The water had not touched them, -and in a few moments a fire was crackling -merrily.</p> - -<p>“This is gravy!” Teddy exclaimed, extending -his hands to the warmth. “Baby! Listen -to that rain! We’d be about drowned if we -were out in that.”</p> - -<p>“Ever see this place before?” Roy asked, -as he took off his vest and hung it on a chair. -Neither of the boys wore coats, heavy shirts -and vests affording them all the protection -they needed in that country at this season.</p> - -<p>“Nope. Don’t remember. Did you?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t think so. Let’s see what’s in that -other room.”</p> - -<p>The door was a trifle hard to open, but Roy -put his shoulder against it and shoved. It -gave under his weight, and he entered.</p> - -<p>For a moment he stood staring.</p> - -<p>“Well, what is it?” his brother asked, walking -forward. “See a ghost, or something?”</p> - -<p>“Mighty funny,” Roy said in a puzzled tone, -as though to himself. “Take a look!”</p> - -<p>He stepped aside, and Teddy peered in. -What he saw caused him to utter an exclamation.</p> - -<p>On the side of the wall was a gun-rack. -Hanging from it were seven rifles, all well oiled -and polished, as though they had been recently -taken care of. On the floor were several -boxes of cartridges. But, stranger than this -and what had brought the cry of surprise from -Teddy, was a pile of queerly shaped implements -in one corner.</p> - -<p>“Branding irons!” Roy ejaculated. -“Branding irons, as sure as you’re a foot -high! Can you beat that?”</p> - -<p>“They sure are!” Teddy cried excitedly. -Bending over, he picked one up. “Roy! See -here!”</p> - -<p>The older boy looked eagerly at the object -in his brother’s hand. It was a square -piece of iron fastened to a wooden handle, and -between the handle and the plate was a piece of -fluted and corrugated metal, to allow rapid -radiation of heat and prevent the burning of -the wood. Teddy turned the iron over. On -the face, in raised characters, was marked: -8 X 8.</p> - -<p>“Pete Ball’s brand!” Roy exclaimed. “Now -what—”</p> - -<p>“If they had a sign on the door, ‘Horse -Thieves,’ they couldn’t tell us plainer than -this,” Teddy interrupted.</p> - -<p>“But this is an 8 X 8 branding iron,” put in -Roy slowly. “They wouldn’t want to brand -the cattle they stole with the same brand.”</p> - -<p>Instead of replying, Teddy picked up another -one of the irons. This had a small circle -at each end and four curves between.</p> - -<p>“I’ll bet this is a fake branding iron!” cried -the younger ranch lad triumphantly. “Don’t -you see, Roy? They can stamp this fake iron -directly over the 8 X 8 and that will make an -entirely different brand, having a three-leafed -clover at each end with a curved rope uniting -them.”</p> - -<p>“Say, I’ve heard something about that before!” -came quickly from the older boy. -“Don’t you remember dad’s talking once -about the Rope and Clover brand which was -used by some rustlers in upper Montana? I’ll -bet this is the same kind of outfit!”</p> - -<p>“It certainly looks that way!”</p> - -<p>The two brothers examined the fake iron -and the real one with care, and then Teddy -turned to his brother.</p> - -<p>“The question is—what is to be done?” he -demanded.</p> - -<p>“Well, what can we do? Seems like it’s -raining harder than ever now. Even if we -did cut for home and tell the gang what we’ve -found, what good would it do? It’s a cinch -those rustlers won’t come back when they -know we’re watching this cabin.”</p> - -<p>“But do they have to know that? Why -can’t we get the bunch, sneak back, and lay -for those horse and cattle thieves? They’ll -return sooner or later, because their guns and -stuff are here.”</p> - -<p>Roy thought for a moment.</p> - -<p>“It’s a chance,” he said finally. “Of course, -they may come back while we’re gone and cart -their things away. But we’ve got to risk that. -The only thing is, if we stayed here ourselves -we’d be sure to see them and maybe we could -follow them to their hiding place where they -keep the cattle. Then we’d have them cold—our -horses too. That is, if this is the same -bunch that stole Star and Flash and General.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you worry about that! There’s only -one gang of rustlers about here, and they do all -the jobs. And Froud is one of them, I’ll bet! -So is Checkered Shirt.” Teddy tossed the -branding iron into the corner. “But if we did -stay here, and even if the rustlers did return, -how do we know they’d lead us to their cache? -And suppose they caught us and we got -plugged? That whole gang would head for -the border, pronto, and drive their stolen cattle -before them. They’d take our broncs with -them, most likely, and that’d be the end. Nope, -Roy, we’d better get the rest of our fellows and -try to capture the thieves when they come back -here.”</p> - -<p>Roy walked to the door, which had blown -partly closed, and flung it open savagely.</p> - -<p>“I sure hate to leave here!” he declared, -his mouth pressed into a thin line. “This -bunch has got our broncos, I know it! What -I’d like to do would be to wait here till they -showed up, then with these rifles, make ’em -tell where the horses are. I’m getting sick and -tired of this waiting business. Can’t tell what -they’ve done to Star! If I find he’s been -beaten—”</p> - -<p>“Take it easy, Roy,” Teddy said softly. -“You’re doing the very thing you always tell -me not to do—lose my temper. That won’t -get us any place. I want Flash back as much -as you want Star, but we’ve got to go at it -carefully. Snap out of it now!”</p> - -<p>“Guess you’re right,” Roy replied, with a -slight grin. “I got sore for a minute, seeing -those irons and things and thinking of Star. -We’ll start for home and tell dad what we -found, collect Nick and the rest and mosey -back here as fast as we can. Baby! I hope -the rustlers are here then! Come on, Teddy, -let’s go! Rain or no rain, we’ll nab those -thieves!”</p> - -<p>Roy grabbed his vest from the back of the -chair and made for the front door. He was -just about to dash out into the storm when -Teddy caught his arm.</p> - -<p>“Think we better put the fire out?” the boy -asked. “If they come back and find that going, -they’ll know something’s up and they’ll move -plenty quick!”</p> - -<p>“Right!” Roy exclaimed approvingly. -“You’re sure using the old bean, Teddy. Out -she goes!”</p> - -<p>Seizing a poker that stood by the side of the -grate, Roy scattered the embers. He was about -to ask Teddy to get some water when a slight -sound at the door made both boys turn quickly.</p> - -<p>Startled, they watched the slow twisting of -the door knob. Roy took a firmer grip on the -poker. Softly the door opened, a crack at first, -then wider. Of a sudden, it was flung hard -against the wall, and Teddy and Roy started -back.</p> - -<p>In the door way stood a man. His peaked -hat was pulled low over his eyes. His face -was sickly pale, the cheeks were sunken in. -His shoulders drooped forward, his arms hung -weakly down at his sides. His checkered shirt -was ripped open on the left shoulder. Water -dripped from him in great drops. And, as -Teddy watched, he saw that these drops were -tinged with red.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXXIV' title='XXIV—Brand'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XXIV</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>BRAND</span> -</h2> - -<p>The man looked at the two boys with dull -eyes. He opened his mouth as though to speak, -then put his hand to his head. He swayed -uncertainly for a moment, gave a little cough, -and pitched headlong to the floor.</p> - -<p>“He’s hurt!” Roy cried, springing forward. -“Teddy, shut that door! Help me lift him -nearer the fire! Golly, he’s bleedin’ like a -stuck pig!”</p> - -<p>Together the boys carried the wounded man -closer to the warmth of the fire. Luckily it still -had some live embers, and Roy quickly piled -these together and added fresh wood so that -they flamed once more.</p> - -<p>Teddy noticed that the man’s lips were blue -and his closed eyes were sunk deep in his head. -The boy leaned over and swiftly opened the -man’s shirt. From the top of the left shoulder -to the breast ran a red gash.</p> - -<p>“Knifed!” Roy exclaimed. “If we don’t -stop that bleeding soon, he’ll cash in!”</p> - -<p>“A tourniquet—it’s the only chance,” came -from Teddy. “Can you make one?”</p> - -<p>“Think so—though the cut is in a mighty -tough place.” Always at his best in emergencies, -Roy ran to the other room and twisted the -wooden handle off one of the branding irons. -Then, with his jackknife, he cut the injured -man’s sleeve off at the shoulder, and bound it -about the man’s chest and shoulder so that it -pressed against the main arteries. He inserted -the handle of the iron under the cloth, and -twisted.</p> - -<p>Slowly the blood stopped flowing.</p> - -<p>“Got it!” Roy cried triumphantly. “Now -I’ve got to hold this until she clots. I don’t -think any of the large arteries are cut, but it -won’t do to take a chance. Teddy—” he -added in a questioning voice.</p> - -<p>His brother nodded.</p> - -<p>“I know. Recognized him as soon as he -came in. Checkered Shirt!”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s harmless now. That’s a terrible -wound. Wonder how it happened!”</p> - -<p>Teddy shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Hard to say. Poor geezer, I feel sorry for -him, even if he is one of Frond’s gang. He -stands a fair chance of passing out, and we -can’t do much for him. Want me to try to get -help while you watch here? If we could find -a doctor in time—”</p> - -<p>The ranch boy stopped. The man’s eyes -opened and his lips moved feebly. Roy bent -closer.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” he asked gently. “Just take -it easy now. You’re all right. Just lie quiet.”</p> - -<p>“Froud—Froud—” the man whispered. -“Stabbed me—”</p> - -<p>Roy looked up with startled eyes.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear that?” he demanded. “He -says Froud stabbed him! Yes, I’m listening.”</p> - -<p>“Knifed me—” the man faltered. He -struggled to sit up, but Roy prevented this. -The man’s fist clenched and his voice came -more strongly.</p> - -<p>“The rat!” he cried. “Cut me—without -givin’ me no chance. I’ll get him for this!” -He expelled his breath in a long sigh. -“Water,” he gasped. “Water. Pump in -back.”</p> - -<p>Teddy nodded, and ran to the rear. He returned -in a moment with a tin cup full of -water and held it to the man’s lips. After -drinking deep, the man turned his head from -side to side.</p> - -<p>“Better now,” he declared in a weak voice. -Then his eyes caught Teddy’s face. “I know -you! Manley—Bard Manley’s son, ain’t you? -And—” He looked at Roy and a slight grin -twisted his mouth. “Well, if this ain’t the -beatenest! Bein’ helped by the very guys who—who—” -he stopped.</p> - -<p>“Whose horses you stole?” Teddy finished. -“Is that what you mean?”</p> - -<p>The man shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Not me! I didn’t rustle yore hosses. But -what I was goin’ to—to—” a fit of coughing -wracked his whole frame. Roy tightened the -tourniquet slightly, so that the bleeding would -not begin again. When the man regained control -of himself Teddy gave him another drink, -and he grinned his gratitude. Then, for the -first time, he noticed the stick of wood entwined -in the improvised bandage. He looked at it -curiously.</p> - -<p>“Where’d you get that?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Guess you know,” Roy declared shortly. -“It’s the handle to an 8 X 8 branding iron.”</p> - -<p>A flicker of amusement appeared in the -man’s eyes. Then he started to laugh. Weakly -at first, then louder, until Teddy feared he -might be becoming delirious. But in a moment -the laughter ceased, to give way to a sardonic -smile.</p> - -<p>“Ain’t that luck for you?” He looked at -the stick once more. “Savin’ my life with a -rustler’s branding iron! An’ me—I’m the -rustler! Can you beat it?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind that now,” Teddy said. -“What were you saying when that cough hit -you?”</p> - -<p>“Give me a chance, will you?” the man -snarled. “Here I am dyin’, maybe, an’ you -keep askin’ questions! It’s funny, though—it -sure is funny—”</p> - -<p>“You won’t die unless you get strung up,” -Roy asserted coolly. “Better come clean. -Who are you? Do you know where our horses -are?”</p> - -<p>For a moment the man did not answer. He -appeared to be turning something over in his -mind. Then suddenly he hammered his fist on -the floor, and raised himself on one elbow.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell,” he said forcibly. “I’ll tell you -the whole thing! I’m done with Gilly Froud—the -rat! He tried his best to kill me! Now -listen!”</p> - -<p>The fire flared up, and Roy and Teddy bent -over the injured man. Outside the rain had -stopped, but the sky was still overcast, so that -shadows thrown by the dancing flames played -cheerily about in the dim light of the room. A -horse whinnied softly, but neither Roy nor -Teddy heard it. The man on the floor took -a deep breath and continued:</p> - -<p>“My name—never mind my name. You -wouldn’t know it, anyway. My business you -gotta know—I’m a rustler.” He paused for -a moment.</p> - -<p>“One of Gilly Froud’s gang?” Roy asked -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Gilly Froud’s gang? No! You think that -sneak has got nerve enough to boss a bunch of -rustlers? He was one of my gang until now, -an’ I hope he gets it good! Thought he could -kill me an’ take all the cattle for himself—left -me for dead an’ rode away. But I fooled him! -I ain’t dead yet, by a long shot! I waited till -I saw him go, then I started on foot—he’d -taken my bronc. Somehow I couldn’t stop this -bleedin’, an’ I got weaker. Then it started to -rain, an’ I said, ‘Well, here goes nothin’.’ I -made for this shack, thinkin’ I’d come here an’ -die, where I kept my brandin’ irons—an’ right -good irons they are, too, if I do say it myself! -I wanted to take one more look at ’em. Had -an idea that the 8 X 8 brand wasn’t just perfect, -an’ I wanted to find out before I passed -on. You see, we sometimes have to use the old -iron with the new.” He looked up at Roy, who -was holding the wooden handle of the tourniquet. -“Was it all right? Does that curl on -the eight look real?”</p> - -<p>“It does,” Roy answered, glancing down -with a puzzled expression. A man who thought -he was dying wanting to take a last look at the -irons with which he branded stolen horses!</p> - -<p>“Glad of that,” the wounded man said, with -a sigh. “I never made a mistake on an iron -in my life, an’ I just wanted to satisfy myself -before I kicked the bucket. Well, I guess you -know the rest. Here I am. What are you -goin’ to do with me?”</p> - -<p>“But our horses!” Teddy demanded. -“Where are they?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, they’re safe. We got ’em corralled -with the cattle. I said I didn’t steal ’em, and -I didn’t. But I saw ’em stolen. I was leanin’ -against Rimor’s Place that day you met me. -It was Froud that took yore broncs. He said -yore dad kicked him off yore ranch, an’ he -wanted to get even. I tole him to ferget it, but -he wouldn’t. Said he’d get square if it was -the last thing he ever did—that he wanted to -finish beatin’ a certain hoss. It was this that -turned me against him. I may be a rustler, but -I never beat no hoss! Nor hurt one!”</p> - -<p>“Did Froud beat the pony?” Teddy asked, -his eyes gleaming with a strange light. “Did -he?”</p> - -<p>“Started to. I seen him, an’ made him quit. -Guess he got sore at me then, an’ decided to -do me an’ keep the cattle we rustled fer himself!”</p> - -<p>Teddy looked at the man sympathetically.</p> - -<p>“You wouldn’t let him whip Flash? I’ll remember -that. Go ahead. Tell us where our -ponies are.”</p> - -<p>“Will you let me go if I do?” the man asked -cunningly.</p> - -<p>Roy glanced at his brother. Teddy knew -what was in Roy’s mind, for it was in his own, -too. They could get Flash, Star, and General -back. Also, they might recapture the cattle -stolen from the 8 X 8. If they could get Froud, -too, and jail him, together with the other -rustlers, the country would be rid of a band of -rascals.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, here was the man who -had confessed that he was the ringleader. If -they let him go, he might start another gang -and create more disturbance.</p> - -<p>“Will you promise to give up horse stealing -if we do?” Roy demanded.</p> - -<p>The man looked up. His eyes seemed -strangely as though they were laughing, but his -mouth never moved.</p> - -<p>“Now, wait a second, buddy. You don’t -know what yore askin’. Me, I been a rustler -fer years, an’ I don’t know nothin’ else. I can -copy any brandin’ iron an’ I can work a brand -over into another so you’d never know the difference. -There ain’t nobody who can do that -as well as me, if I do say it myself. Me, I -ain’t a hoss thief. I’m a brand-iron artist.” -He grinned widely. “But I’ll tell you what. -You let me go, an’ I’ll tell you where yore -broncs are and where all the cattle we stole -from this section is hidden. An’ then I’ll -promise—an’ I ain’t never went back on my -word yet—that I’ll leave this state an’ never -come back.”</p> - -<p>Roy stared him straight in the eyes. They -stared back, unwavering, sincere.</p> - -<p>“I believe you,” the boy declared. “Spill -it. You go free.”</p> - -<p>A broad smile came over the man’s face. -He thrust out his hand, and the boys grasped -it in turn.</p> - -<p>“Listen,” he said eagerly, “an’ listen good. -Froud is plannin’ to raid yore father’s herd -tonight. He’s goin’ to cut the fence on the -north side an’ get as many Durhams as he can -an’ drive ’em to Cottonwood Bowl, over near -Harver’s Gully. That’s where yore broncs are. -I was supposed to be in on this, ’cause I -planned it. But he’ll go through with it all -right. I know him. He’s money-mad! He -held up a flivver the other night just ’cause he -thought it was carryin’ jewelry. I didn’t want -to have nothin’ to do with it, but I rode along -to see there wouldn’t be no unnecessary -shootin’. I ain’t no sneak thief—nor a murderer, -neither. Maybe you know about the -flivver? From the 8 X 8, it was.”</p> - -<p>Both boys nodded.</p> - -<p>“Go ahead!” Teddy exclaimed. “Just -where is this Cottonwood Bowl?”</p> - -<p>The man chuckled.</p> - -<p>“You’d never find it in a million years if you -didn’t know where to look,” Checkered Shirt -went on. “I discovered it, an’ you couldn’t -get a better place fer hidin’ cattle if you tried. -First you head fer Harver’s Gully. You know -where that is, hey? Well, there’s a hill on the -other side. Don’t go up that. Foller the river -to the left, and you’ll come to a big rock. Climb -that. Then you’ll see soon enough where the -Bowl is. Baby, it’s sweet, sweet!”</p> - -<p>“An’ you’ll find yore broncs with the short-horns -from the 8 X 8. The brand ain’t been -changed yet. The way I work, I make an iron -just like the original. Then I teases the letters -into somethin’ else till even the owner wouldn’t -know his own brand. But I got to have the -original exact to do it. That’s why I asked -you if—”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but we haven’t time! What else about -that raid on our ranch?” Teddy interrupted.</p> - -<p>“It’s tonight, like I told you! On the north -side of the fence! An’, boys, I hope you get -Froud! Go to it!”</p> - -<p>Teddy straightened up.</p> - -<p>“Roy, here’s our chance to get our horses -back and capture Froud! We’ve got to get to -dad! You—er—”</p> - -<p>“Call me Brand,” the man said, with a grin.</p> - -<p>“Brand, can you ride? Will you go with -us?”</p> - -<p>Brand shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I stay here. Just cart some water for me, -and you’ll find some bread an’ meat in a closet -in back. An’ you might hand me down a rifle, -just in case. I’ll be all right. I’ll rest up, an’ -you can bring a doc when you come back. Then -when I feel better, I’ll be ridin’ on. Snap to -it now. You ain’t got much time.”</p> - -<p>For a moment Roy hesitated. Gently he unwound -the tourniquet. The bleeding had -stopped, and the cut seemed to be closing. If -the fellow who called himself Brand kept quiet -for a while, there was every chance that the -injury would soon mend.</p> - -<p>Teddy fetched the water and food and laid -them by the side of the man, together with a -rifle and a box of cartridges. Then he jerked -a blanket off the couch and threw it over the -figure on the floor. This done, the boys prepared -to leave.</p> - -<p>“So long, boys! Remember me to Froud—with -an ounce of lead! Ride’ em, buckers! Go -get ’em!”</p> - -<p>Teddy and Roy made for the door. In a -moment they were on their ponies.</p> - -<p>A cold wind cut their faces as they raced -across the range. Night was fast approaching. -The prairie lay like a sodden blanket beneath -a gray sky.</p> - -<p>In the cabin they had just left, a man pulled -himself across the floor and into the next room. -His hand reached out toward a pile of branding -irons, and his fingers closed over the one -without a handle. Clutching this, he struggled -back to the fire, and held it to catch the glow -of the dying embers. His fingers passed gently -over the raised surface. Then with a sigh of -satisfaction he sank back and watched the last -sparks fade into blackness.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> -<h2 id='chXXV' title='XXV—The Round-up'> - <span style='font-size:1.2em'>CHAPTER XXV</span><br><span style='font-size:1.1em'>THE ROUND-UP</span> -</h2> - -<p>The first stars were peeping from a cloud-strewn -sky when Roy and Teddy rode into the -yards of the X Bar X. Without waiting to tie -up their horses, they rushed into the house. -Mrs. Manley was talking to Norine in the living -room.</p> - -<p>“Mother!” Teddy exclaimed, “where’s dad? -Is he in?”</p> - -<p>“Just went toward the corral, Teddy,” Mrs. -Manley answered. Then, as she saw Teddy’s -face, she asked: “What happened? Is Belle -all right? She didn’t—”</p> - -<p>“Nothing like that at all, Mom!” Roy cried, -giving her a quick hug. “We’ve got good news. -We know where our horses are!”</p> - -<p>“Do you, now?” Norine broke in, her eyes -alight. “Then I’m glad! I missed those -ponies, so I did!”</p> - -<p>“You’d better hurry after your father,” -Mrs. Manley admonished. “He’s riding again -tonight after the rustlers. I do wish this -were over!”</p> - -<p>“It will be soon, Mom!” declared Teddy, -“Don’t worry now—we’ll have that gang before -morning!”</p> - -<p>“But, boys, you’re all wet! You really must -get some dry clothes on!”</p> - -<p>“When we find dad, Mom! Want to reach -him before he leaves! Come on, Teddy!”</p> - -<p>The boys rushed from the room. Mrs. Manley -turned to Norine with something very much -akin to pride in her eyes. Her boys were already -men!</p> - -<p>Teddy reached his father just as the ranchman -was throwing a saddle on a bronco. The -boys told their story quickly.</p> - -<p>“tonight, hey?” Mr. Manley pondered. -“Well, sons, you sure did a fine piece of work. -Now for the round-up of those rustlers! -Teddy, go to the bunk-house and tell the boys -to get over here, pronto! Tell ’em to bring -guns! Then you an’ Roy get some food in -you an’ some dry clothes on. This is the last -act, boys! We ring the curtain down on that -gang tonight!”</p> - -<p>Later, a small crowd of men sat on restless -horses. From each belt hung a heavy revolver, -and in more than a few saddlecases reposed -long-barreled rifles. Nick Looker was there, -and Pop Burns and Gus Tripp, now recovered, -and Jim Casey, and four other punchers. -Teddy and Roy were on either side of their -father.</p> - -<p>“Boys,” Mr. Manley called, “we’re set! To -the north fence—and don’t make any noise! -When you get there lay low. Keep your broncs -still. When I see the rustlers I’ll fire one shot—then -close in, an’ close in quick! Understand? -Then let’s go!”</p> - -<p>There was a clatter of hoofs as the horses -galloped over the ground. During that ride -hardly a word was spoken. Then the wait began. -Time seemed to stand still. The shadowy -clouds disappeared, and the moon shone -forth, silhouetting the group of watching -punchers. A breeze sighed through the -branches of a small grove of evergreens. Now -and then a pony whinnied nervously, to be instantly -quieted by a firm hand on his nostrils.</p> - -<p>“Snakes, this is like waitin’ for an explosion -when yore sittin’ on top of th’ dynamite!” -whispered Pop, who was close to Roy. “If -somethin’ don’t happen soon—”</p> - -<p>Roy raised his hand. From the west seven -riders came flashing over the moon-flooded -prairie, straight for the fence. The leader -leaped from his horse and, pulling something -from his pocket, rested his hand on the top -wire. There was a sharp crack as the strand -parted.</p> - -<p>A single shot rang out. Then a yell.</p> - -<p>“Get ’em, boys!” Roy shouted. “They’re -our meat! Get the one with the pliers in his -hand—that’s Froud!”</p> - -<p>Ponies sprang forward. Guns leaped from -holsters and were leveled at the astounded -rustlers. Three of the latter turned in a flash -and rode off like the wind, rifles cracking them -a farewell.</p> - -<p>The man on foot looked about him desperately. -In the moonlight the scar on his face -seemed like a small, silver snake crawling up -his face. He saw himself being surrounded -by determined cowboys with murderous guns -in their hands.</p> - -<p>With a cowardly yell, his courage fled and -he fell to his knees.</p> - -<p>“Don’t shoot!” he begged, his whole body -shaking. “Don’t shoot me! These men made -me do it! They forced me into it! I ain’t done -nothin’. I swear I ain’t! I even killed the -head of this gang, Brand! You ought to let -me off for doin’ that!”</p> - -<p>Teddy looked down at the groveling figure. -He turned and glanced at the other rustlers, -who, realizing that the game was up, stood -quietly by, hands held high in the air.</p> - -<p>“Brave leader you’ve got,” the boy said.</p> - -<p>One of the men looked down with a contemptuous -sneer.</p> - -<p>“Him? He ain’t no leader. He’s a yeller -dog! Wait an’ I’ll fix him for you. Hear -what he said about Brand? I knew somethin’ -was up. The rat said Brand told him to go -ahead with the raid an’ he’d meet us at the -Bowl. So you killed Brand, did you? Well, -kiss yoreself good-bye, ’cause yore sure goin’ -on a long journey!”</p> - -<p>The man’s hand flashed down to his side. -There was a crack, and a tongue of flame -belched from the muzzle. Froud gave a shrill -scream and gripped his left shoulder at the -same moment that Roy and Nick rode closer -and covered the fellow who had shot.</p> - -<p>But the man did not fire again.</p> - -<p>“I’m gettin’ pretty poor,” he said in a sad -voice. “Don’t worry, son, I won’t do no more -shootin’. Here, take the gun. I won’t have no -use for it where I’m goin’. ’Bout time I had -a rest, I guess. First time I ever failed to -kill a snake with one shot. And at ten paces, -too! Yo’re lucky, Froud! Look at him wiggle! -Let’s hear you sound yore rattles, you cussed -sidewinder!”</p> - -<p>“That’ll do,” Mr. Manley said sternly, riding -up. “You almost had a charge of murder -against you—though it don’t seem like murder -to shoot a snake. Froud, stop that yellin’! -You ain’t killed! Get on your feet. Let’s -see.” Mr. Manley dismounted, and, ripping -the man’s shirt open, disclosed a small gash in -the fleshy part of the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“You snivilin’ coward!” the cattle owner -cried. “All that shoutin’ over a scratch! Get -on your bronc now, an’ be quick about it! -We’re ridin’ in. Nick an’ Gus, stay in back. -Keep your guns out. The rest of you ride -close. If any one makes a break, shoot an’ -shoot straight! Here’s where this rustlin’ -stops, once an’ for all! We’ll find out from -these rats who those were who got away. Then -they won’t dare show their faces around here -again.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t let him get near me,” Froud whined, -pointing at the man who had shot him. “He’ll -kill me if he can! He was Brand’s friend—”</p> - -<p>“An’ you knifed Brand,” Mr. Manley finished, -with a fierce frown. “You rat! You -ought to be strung up!”</p> - -<p>“But it ain’t murder to kill a rustler, is it?” -Froud asked eagerly. “It ain’t! I could get -a reward fer doin’ it, couldn’t I? He’s -wanted! The police in three states want him! -So if I show you his body I get the reward, -don’t I? Don’t I?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Manley looked at him.</p> - -<p>“Froud,” he said slowly, “I seen some -snakes in my time. At least, till now I thought -I had. I can’t blame that bucker for shootin’ -you. Too bad he wasn’t a better shot. Froud, -listen to this! Brand ain’t dead! He’s alive, -an’ he’s lookin’ for you!”</p> - -<p>Froud’s face went livid. He swayed in his -saddle.</p> - -<p>“He—he—ain’t dead?” he stammered. -“But—I—”</p> - -<p>“You tried your best! But it wasn’t quite -good enough, an’ my boys here saved his life. -He got to that cabin of yours, an’ Roy an’ -Teddy bound up his wound. He told everything, -an’ he’ll be in the saddle again in two -weeks. Froud, you’re a marked man!”</p> - -<p>The rustler caught at the saddle horn. He -trembled as though with the ague, and wet his -lips with his tongue. He strove to speak, but -the words would not come.</p> - -<p>“Save ’em,” Nick Looker said in a contemptuous -voice. “You might need later all -the talk you got. Come on now! Ride on! -We ain’t got all night. All right, boss? Do -we go?”</p> - -<p>“We go, Nick! An’ don’t worry about -watchin’ Froud. If he starts to fall off, you -might prop him back on again. Boys, we’re -off! We’re headin’ home with a rare cargo! -Let’s go!”</p> - -<p>The procession of horsemen filed into the -yard of the X Bar X just as the gray dawn was -breaking. On all but four of the riders were -happy grins. One of these four sagged low in -the saddle. Frequently his tongue ran over -his dry lips. And on the side of his face a scar, -like a small snake, shone livid against his -sickly pallor.</p> - -<p>Teddy and Roy could hardly wait to ride to -Cottonwood Bowl. Swallowing a hasty breakfast, -they started, together with Nick and Pop. -Mr. Manley stayed at the ranch to guard -the prisoners until the sheriff from Hawley -could take them into custody.</p> - -<p>As the riders reached the spot Brand had -described, Teddy mounted the rock and parted -the brush which grew on top. He looked over. -Then he gave a yell.</p> - -<p>“Flash! And Star and General! Running -around like colts! Take a look, Roy! Take -a look! Baby! Let’s get down there quick! -Here’s the path around to the left! Come on, -Roy! Hurry up! Wow, you old bronc you! -Be with you in a minute!”</p> - -<p>“Just like kids,” Nick said to Pop, with a -grin, as the two brothers ran down the path -toward the enclosure. “They’re crazy to get -their ponies under them, an’ I don’t know as -I blame ’em! Golly—watch ’em! Look at -Roy! By jimminy, he’s <i>kissin’</i> the bronc! -Now he’s on—so is Teddy! Yay, boy! See -’em go! Ride ’em, cowboy! Yay!”</p> - -<p>Around the Bowl the boys flashed, milling -the small herd of cattle like veterans. Then -they broke the cows and ran them out of the -Bowl into the path. Aided by Nick and Pop, -they started the drive for the X Bar X, leading -General and their other horses.</p> - -<p>“Take a look at him!” Roy exclaimed, patting -Star’s side. “Skin shines like satin! -Must have taken good care of you, bronc! -That’s another thing we’ve got to thank Checkered -Shirt for. Golly, it’s good to be astride -again!”</p> - -<p>“Same here!” Teddy cried. “Gee, I never -expected to see this ole horse again! Did I, -you crazy coot, you? Nope, he says! Never -did! See him nod his head? Atta baby! -Speak up!”</p> - -<p>“Yo’re sure happy, ain’t you?” Pop grinned.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy exploded. “Why -shouldn’t we be? An’ wait till dad sees General! -Boy! He won’t be <i>very</i> glad!”</p> - -<p>At last they reached the X Bar X with the -cattle. It was a long, dusty, hot ride, but to -Teddy and Roy it was just a pleasure jaunt. -The cattle were placed in the X Bar X corral -until Mr. Ball should send for them. Mr. Manley -was overjoyed to see General again, and insisted -on riding with the two boys back to the -cabin where they had left Checkered Shirt, although -Mrs. Manley was sure they would fall -asleep in their saddles. They decided that it -would be better to bring the wounded man -back to the ranch if he could be moved, rather -than to waste time getting a doctor to the out-of-the-way -cabin.</p> - -<p>To his wife’s objection that he needed rest, -Mr. Manley answered:</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry about us, Barbara. We won’t -fall asleep. Not on these broncs! Hey, -Teddy? Nick, when the sheriff comes, tell a -few of the boys to saddle up and help him -bring those four galoots to Hawley. Guess -they won’t give you no trouble. All right, -boys, let’s go!”</p> - -<p>When Mr. Manley and his two sons reached -the cabin they noticed that the door was open. -Dismounting, they walked in.</p> - -<p>The shack was deserted. On the floor in -front of the fireplace was a branding iron, -resting on a piece of paper. Bending over, -Teddy picked the paper up. On it were the -words:</p> - -<div style='margin: 1em 20%;'> - -<div style='text-indent:0;'> -“Thanks fer helpin me out. Sorry I got to -leev so soon, but I gess you no wy. My cut is -mos better. Think Ill tak yore advice an quit -rustlin. I just noticed the X on this iron ain’t -korreck. The top is to large. So Im quittin. -So long. Good luck to you.</div> - -<div style='text-align:right; font-variant:small-caps;'>“Brand.”</div> - -</div> - -<p>“Can you beat that?” Roy said, with a -chuckle. “Stopping because he made a mistake -in a branding iron! Funny rustler, isn’t -he? I sort of like him, though. He’s no -coward. Well, we may as well start back. -Baby, I’m getting sleepy! Wait!” He seized -the iron that lay on the floor. “For a souvenir. -We’ll remember this summer, anyway! So -long, Checkered Shirt! Good luck to you, -too!”</p> - -<p>Indeed, the summer did linger long in the -boys’ memories. More exciting times were in -store for them, as will be told in the next book, -called “The X Bar X Boys in Thunder -Canyon.” But they never forgot their adventures -while chasing the rustlers and looking -for their stolen horses.</p> - -<p>As they mounted and turned their faces toward -home, Roy looked over at Teddy. Mr. -Manley smiled, for he knew what was coming.</p> - -<p>“Want to ride over to see Curly tomorrow?” -the boy asked, with a grin.</p> - -<p>Teddy smiled casually.</p> - -<p>“My boy,” he said, “your innocence is -sublime! We will ride to see Nell, and maybe -Ethel will be there. How about that?”</p> - -<p>“Race you to that bush!” Roy returned. -“Come on, Dad! Get in this! Let’s see what -General can do!”</p> - -<p>With a yell the three started. Over the -prairie they raced, their laughter ringing high.</p> - -<p>Neck and neck the three ponies reached the -bush, and with happy hearts the two boys and -their father rode homeward.</p> - -<div style='text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em'>THE END</div> - -</div> - -<div class='sectionb'> - - <div style='font-style: italic; text-align:center; font-size:larger; - margin-bottom:1em; text-decoration:underline;'> - This Isn’t All! - </div> - - <p>Would you like to know what - became of the good friends you - have made in this book?</p> - - <p>Would you like to read other - stories continuing their adventures - and experiences, or other books - quite as entertaining by the same - author?</p> - - <p>On the <i>reverse side</i> of the wrapper - which comes with this book, - you will find a wonderful list of - stories which you can buy at the - same store where you got this book.</p> - - <div style='text-align: center; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size:1.1em;'> - Don’t throw away the Wrapper - </div> - - <p><i>Use it as a handy catalog of the books - you want some day to have. But in - case you do mislay it, write to the - Publishers for a complete catalog.</i></p> - -</div> - -<div class='sectionb'> - - <div style='text-align:center;'> - <div style='font-size:larger; margin-bottom:1em;'>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</div> - <div>By VICTOR APPLETON</div> - <div style='font-size:0.9em; margin-bottom:1em;'> - Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in Itself. - </div> - </div> - - <p>Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. - Tom Swift is a bright, ingenious boy and his inventions - and adventures make the most interesting kind of reading.</p> - - <ul> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS</li> - <li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS</li> - </ul> - - <div style='text-align: center; font-variant:small-caps'> - Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York - </div> - -</div> - -<div class='sectionb'> - - <div style='text-align:center;'> - <div style='font-size:larger; margin-bottom:1em;'>THE DON STURDY SERIES</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:1em;'>By VICTOR APPLETON</div> - <div>Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:1em;'>WALTER S. ROGERS</div> - <div style='margin-bottom:1em;'>Every Volume Complete in Itself</div> - </div> - - <p style='margin-bottom:1em;'>In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and - the other a noted scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, - gaining much useful knowledge and meeting many thrilling - adventures.</p> - - <dl> - <dt>DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY; Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.</dt> - <dd>An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with wild animals and - crafty Arabs.</dd> - - <dt>DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS; Or, Lost in the Jungles of the Amazon.</dt> - <dd>Don’s uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the - biggest snakes to be found in South America—to be delivered - alive! The filling of that order brought keen excitement - to the boy.</dd> - - <dt>DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD; Or, The Old Egyptian’s Great Secret.</dt> - <dd>A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the - Valley of Kings in Egypt. Once the whole party became - lost in the maze of cavelike tombs far underground.</dd> - - <dt>DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE; Or, Cast Away in the Land of Ice.</dt> - <dd>Don and his uncles joined an expedition bound by air - across the north pole. A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks - the airship.</dd> - - <dt>DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES; Or, The Trail of the Ten Thousand Smokes.</dt> - <dd>An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of - Alaska in a territory but recently explored. A story that - will make Don dearer to his readers than ever.</dd> - </dl> - - <div style='text-align: center; font-variant:small-caps'> - Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York - </div> - -</div> - -<div class='sectionb'> - - <div style='text-align:center;'> - - <div style='font-size:larger;'>THE RADIO BOYS SERIES</div> - <div style='font-size:0.9em; margin-bottom:0.7em;'>(Trademark Registered)</div> - <div>By ALLEN CHAPMAN</div> - <div>Author of the “Railroad Series,” Etc.</div> - <div style='font-size:0.9em; margin-top:0.7em; margin-bottom:0.7em;'>Individual Colored Wrappers. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.</div> - </div> - - <p>A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, - both in sending and receiving—telling how small and - large amateur sets can be made and operated, and how - some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what they - did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating, - so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure - all lads will peruse them with great delight.</p> - - <p style='margin-bottom:1em;'>Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known - radio expert.</p> - - <ul> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS’ FIRST WIRELESS; Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT; Or, The Message That Saved the Ship.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION; Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS; Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE; Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS; Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL; Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.</li> - <li>THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS; Or, Saving the City in the Valley.</li> - </ul> - - <div style='text-align: center; font-variant:small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</div> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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