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diff --git a/76660-0.txt b/76660-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a3b3985 --- /dev/null +++ b/76660-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5952 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76660 *** + + +[Illustration: AND TEDDY DID “RIDE ’IM.” + +_The X Bar X Boys at the Round-Up_ _Frontispiece_ (_Page 210_)] + + + + + THE X BAR X BOYS + AT THE ROUND-UP + + BY + JAMES CODY FERRIS + + AUTHOR OF “THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH,” + “THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL,” ETC. + + + _ILLUSTRATED BY_ + WALTER S. ROGERS + + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + + Made in the United States of America + + + + + WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS + + By JAMES CODY FERRIS + + THE X BAR X BOYS BOOKS + + THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH + THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON + THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER + THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL + THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP + + (OTHER VOLUMES IN PREPARATION) + + GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + Copyright, 1927, by + GROSSET & DUNLAP + + _All Rights Reserved_ + + =The X Bar X Boys at the Round-Up= + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE PACK 1 + + II RESCUE 11 + + III ROY’S KNIFE 21 + + IV OVERHEARD 31 + + V HORTENSE RUNS WILD 41 + + VI MR. PETERSON’S FORFEIT 51 + + VII POP WAXES WROTH 59 + + VIII SOMETHING QUEER 67 + + IX THE WILD HORSE 76 + + X ROY’S ROPE 84 + + XI THE FLYING HAT 91 + + XII VOICES IN THE NIGHT 101 + + XIII A DOWN-GRADE PROBLEM 110 + + XIV THE CRYSTAL GAZER 123 + + XV MYSTERIOUS DANGER 131 + + XVI THE START OF THE ROUND-UP 138 + + XVII DRIVING IN 146 + + XVIII TEDDY GETS HIS ORDERS 154 + + XIX INTO THE CORRAL 161 + + XX THE STRANGE FIRE 167 + + XXI THE RUSTLERS’ CAMP 174 + + XXII CAPTIVES 180 + + XXIII TOO LATE 186 + + XXIV THE TRAIN OF EMPTIES 193 + + XXV THE RODEO 201 + + + + + THE X BAR X BOYS + AT THE ROUND-UP + + + + + CHAPTER I + + THE PACK + +Pulling his pony to a sudden stop, the rider gazed intently at a cloud +of dust sweeping over the horizon. His companion, a slightly younger +lad, with facial characteristics so similar that anyone would have +instantly labeled these two as brothers, reined in his own mount and +likewise stared at the dust cloud. + +“Coming?” he asked, more to himself than to his brother. + +“Going,” the other answered decidedly. “And he’s not waiting to count +his money, either. I’d like to get a look at that hombre, Teddy.” + +“For reasons of your own, I guess,” Teddy Manley responded. Then he +laughed. “And to what may we attribute this sudden curiosity, Roy?” + +“You know as well as I do,” Roy Manley answered shortly. “Just about +this time each year I get a craving to know every man who rides as +close to our cattle as that--and you should, too. With round-up so +near, this is no time for fooling.” + +“As the African said when the lion sneezed in his face.” Teddy watched +the dust disappear as the distant rider sank down behind a hill. Then +he turned his head slowly, his gaze sweeping over the panorama of +the brown, sun-drenched mountains, walling in the uneven plains like +a gigantic picture frame. “Maybe he’s just viewing the beauties of +nature,” the boy said, and urged his horse forward again. + +“Or on his way to Sunday-school on Monday,” Roy responded disdainfully. +“If he’s interested in scenery, what does he ride like that for? He was +sure burning up the ground.” + +“Oh, well, I give up,” Teddy declared impatiently. “Give that active +mind of yours a rest, will you? Let’s get on the job again. Golly, +there’s another break! Have the animals around here taken to eating +wire?” + +Sliding off his horse and trailing the reins over the animal’s head, +Teddy Manley drew a pair of pliers from his pocket and walked toward +the fence. His brother, grumbling to himself, followed. Riding fence +was not easy work, this late in the year. Somehow, there seemed more +labor to be done in the fall than at any other time. They had repaired +six breaks in the last mile. + +“Bring some of that extra wire,” Teddy called, fingering the top strand +of the fence, which dangled loosely. “This will never reach.” He looked +at the break thoughtfully, as though wondering how it had occurred. But +what he said was: “See if my gloves are hanging on my saddle, will you? +My hands are cut now from this stuff.” + +“Here’s the wire,” Roy declared, holding out a coil. “And your gloves +are in your back pocket. I’ll anchor this end while you splice. Say, +this looks as though it had been cut!” He seized the wire excitedly and +stared at it. “Look how clean this break is, Teddy!” + +“Yea, and look how rusty the other end is, too,” Teddy said +sarcastically. “I just wiped this piece off with my hand. Here--pull +hard now, and we’ll get this together.” + +Grunting and straining, Teddy succeeded in forcing the two loose +strands together and fastening them securely. When the task was +finished he mopped the sweat from his face and the two boys remounted. + +“Your turn to take the next break,” Teddy asserted, as they rode on. +“Hope it’s a good one.” + +“There won’t be any next,” Roy answered. “We’ll have to ride in now and +let someone else start from here to-morrow. We’re supposed to be at the +ranch this evening to talk to those two birds from Iowa--the Lefton +brothers. Me, I don’t like ’em! But dad seems to think that they’ll +take at least twelve hundred head, so we’ll have to dicker with ’em, I +guess. Hope we get a good price.” + +“Why don’t you like ’em?” Teddy asked curiously. Roy glanced over at +his brother in surprise. + +“Teddy, that’s the first remark of mine to-day that you’ve taken +seriously! So you, too, think there’s something funny about them, do +you?” + +“I didn’t say so,” Teddy responded. + +“You don’t have to say so. Well, spill it! What do you know about ’em?” + +“Nothing much,” Teddy answered evasively. “Only they sure asked Nick a +lot of queer questions.” + +“Did they?” Roy looked eagerly at his brother. “What sort of questions? +About cattle?” + +“Yes, about cattle--our cattle. Nick said that both of them cornered +him down by the bunkhouse, offered him cigarettes, and tried to pump +him. Nick told ’em that we had fifty head of shorthorns that were being +shipped to the King of Siam, in trade for a herd of elephants. He said +that we were going to start an elephant farm out here and grow ivory +for our own pool balls.” + +“He did? What did they say then?” + +“Nothing. Guess they looked at him as if they wondered whether he was +crazy, and wandered off. I heard next they got Gus Tripp, and asked him +a lot of questions, too.” + +“Mighty inquisitive pair of boys,” Roy commented dryly. “Must want to +know all about the cattle they buy. Well, you can’t exactly blame them +for that, I suppose.” + +“They weren’t asking about the kind of cattle they were, but where we +grazed ’em. How many head here, how many there, and so forth.” + +“You don’t say! Nick tell you that?” + +“Gus did. But he didn’t give them any satisfaction. Gus is too wise for +that.” + +Roy, his tall body straight in the saddle, his head held rigid, +remained silent. After a moment Teddy glanced at him and grinned. + +“Six times six is thirty-six and six is forty-two! Come out of it!” + +“I was just thinking,” Roy said deliberately, “of the Lefton brothers.” + +“You don’t tell me! Why, I thought you were trying to do mental +arithmetic. So you were thinking of the Lefton boys! Well, well! Now +what could have been the cause of that, do you suppose?” + +“I was wondering if they really intend to buy cattle,” Roy went on, +refusing to reply to Teddy’s sarcasm. “They’ve been hanging around two +days now, and never once made an offer. To me, that seems mighty funny. +Of course, you, with your superior brain, may think of it differently.” + +“Yes, it does look a little like rain, if that’s what you said. Well, +to tell the truth, my lad, I had an idea all along that they were a +couple of four-flushers. That younger one--Jerry, his name is--talks +too loud and too freely. Besides being loquacious, he says too much. +And the other--Bill--has a wart on his nose. I don’t like people with a +wart on their nose--noses, I mean, maybe warts.” + +“We can’t afford to let a customer go because he has a wart on his +nose. If they meet our price, we’ll give ’em the dogies, irrespective +of what they look like. Tell that cayuse his supper’s waiting for him, +will you? We want to get home before dark, you know.” + +Checking the reply that rose to his lips, Teddy Manley clucked to +Flash, and the bronco lengthened his stride. The brothers were riding +on the edge of a shallow gully that dipped down just the other side of +the fence. Far to their left the cattle were grazing, content to keep +to their own territory and not investigate these two riders. A quarter +of a mile farther on, the boys came to a gate in the fence, and went +through into the gully. For some distance they followed the ravine, +then cut sharp left, and headed home. By riding through the gully they +had avoided a steep hill which lay just within the fence. + +The day was drawing to a close. The few clouds in the deep blue sky had +gathered on the horizon, like white sheep flocking to the fold. The +orange and yellow colors of early sunset were already streaking the +heavens. A bird, flying low, left a streamer of purling song behind him. + +The landscape was dotted with water-holes, some of them dried up from +the long summer sun, others containing only moisture enough to cover +the bottom. As the boys rode on, Bitter Cliff lookout came into view, +and then it was only a half hour to the X Bar X Ranch. + +“Well, whoever does get our stock will get one fine bunch,” Roy said +suddenly, breaking the silence. “We’ve never had a finer lot. Healthy, +every one of ’em.” + +“Be a tough break to lose any of ’em now, wouldn’t it?” Teddy remarked +absently. “All the summer’s work gone for nothing.” + +“Why should we lose ’em?” Roy demanded sharply. “Think our men can’t +handle a round-up? Bet we don’t miss a single cow!” + +“Of course, there may be others interested in our cattle,” Teddy said +mysteriously. “Like those two Lefton brothers. There _are_ ways of +acquiring cows other than buying them, you know. In case--snakes! Did +you see that prairie dog?” + +He pointed to a brown streak that was heading for a clump of bushes. +The next moment it was out of sight. + +“Prairie dog!” exclaimed Roy. “If that was a prairie dog I’m a +grasshopper! Haven’t you ever seen a wolf before?” + +“Wolf? You mean a wolverine?” + +“I mean a wolf! A full grown one, too! I got a good look at him just +before he entered that mesquite. Let’s go get him--he’ll kill a cow, +sure, if he gets away!” + +Teddy nodded, and touched his heels to the pony’s sides. As they raced +over the prairie both boys drew their revolvers and held them in +readiness. + +“You take the left, I’ll circle around!” Roy panted. “Make sure you +don’t miss him. Once he gets very deep into the brush, he’s gone for +good!” + +Swiftly the riders dashed toward the brush wherein the animal had +disappeared. Wolves were most uncommon on the ranges of this country. +This one had probably been driven down by hunger from the mountains. + +“The one who shoots him gets the pelt!” Teddy yelled. “Let’s go!” + +The two brothers swung apart. About three hundred yards from the +mesquite stood a group of quakermasts, and they wanted to cut the +animal off from this protection. Even as they neared the brush, +however, they saw the wolf dart toward the trees. + +Crack! Teddy’s gun spoke, and a spurt of dust arose behind the running +animal. + +Roy fired. The beast faltered, and dropped to his haunches. From his +throat came a peculiar wailing cry. + +“You got him!” Teddy shouted. “He’s--” The sentence was never +completed. As if in answer to a call, another wolf leaped from the +grove of quakermasts. Then another, and another--almost tumbling over +each other in their efforts to reach their fallen comrade, a full pack +of snarling, yelping, savage wolves! + +The horses, squealing in terror, planted their forefeet in the turf +and came to a back-jerking stop. Wildly they swung about, their riders +unable to control them in the face of this charging death. + +“Don’t shoot--no time--get away!” Teddy yelled. “There’s hundreds of +’em--” + +Glancing swiftly around, Roy saw that this was scarcely an +exaggeration. The pack seemed to increase every second. As they reached +the wounded beast, a few stopped, but the rest came on. Foam was +dripping from their jaws in huge flakes. + +“They’re mad--crazy with hunger!” Roy gasped. “They’re starved! If +they catch us--” + +He bent low over Star’s back. There was but one thing to do--ride, and +put their faith in their broncos. In the steel-like muscles of Star and +Flash lay the boys’ only hope of safety. + + + + + + CHAPTER II + + RESCUE + + +With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the +ponies flashed across the prairie. Direction was forgotten in the mad +rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close. + +The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single +misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, +being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would +bring death. + +Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the +frequent badger holes. In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the +group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill. + +The broncos were racing side by side, not ten feet apart. After the +first hot wave of panic, that minute they had come face to face with +what had seemed certain destruction, Teddy and Roy quickly regained +control of themselves. The paralyzing shock of fear passed, and left a +cool, clear mind, which seemed to register impressions more vividly +than ever before. Each rider knew just what he was to do if he hoped to +escape alive. It was as though a huge screen were before them, with the +words: “Over this hill--swing left--turn--and shoot.” Neither boy said +a word to the other, yet almost as one rider they mounted the incline +and bore to the left. Then Teddy yelled: + +“Now! We’ve gained a little, Roy. You take that big gray hunky. I’ll +get the next one--” + +Reverberating from the closeness of the hills, the guns roared their +challenge. The gray wolf, that appeared to be the leader, whirled about +in a circle, snapped at his side, fell, and lay still. + +“There’s one down!” Roy shouted, gripping with his knees the sides of +the bobbing pony and raising his revolver for another shot. “That may +stop ’em!” + +The pack, seeing their leader down, hesitated for a moment. Then with +the vicious savageness of their breed, they fell upon him. + +“Wolf--eat--wolf!” Teddy panted hoarsely. “We’ve got a chance, Roy! A +chance!” + +Useless it was to dig frantic heels into the ponies’ ribs. They were +expending every ounce of energy they possessed, seeking to lose those +horrible yappings. Farther and farther away from that surging mass +of bodies they coursed, the wind carrying snarls that drove the +frightened horses ever onward. For a moment Roy had a vision of a +mangled shape in the midst of digging, prying claws and eager teeth, +and the boy grew sick with the thought, feeling that perhaps Teddy or +himself might be lying there not motionless, but turning and twisting +in obedience to a tug here, a pull there! + +“Steady, Flash, steady,” Teddy was breathing, the reins tight as iron +bands in his hand. “We’re all right now, old boy.” + +“We can’t keep this pace up!” Roy called tensely. “We’ll kill the +broncs! Pull him up, Teddy!” + +Leaning forward, Roy grasped Star’s neck muscles, just below the mane. +He talked in a low tone, as evenly as he could, keeping the trembling +gasps out of his voice. Behind them the fierce yelps were growing +fainter. Gradually the horses took on a calmer, more controlled gallop. +Flash snorted noisily. + +“All right--I guess,” Roy said doubtfully. He exhaled his breath in a +peculiar whistle. Star shook his head and whinnied. + +“Easy, easy,” Roy soothed. “Save it, bronc. Teddy, keep your gun out. +That pack won’t stay put very long. They’ll come again. We’ve got to +head for home as quickly as we can. No time to waste.” + +Teddy nodded silently. He, too, realized that the danger was not yet +over. But the horses were rapidly recovering their strength, and the +boys knew they would be able to respond with another dash when the time +came. These riders understood their mounts thoroughly--understood, and +loved them. + +When a man and a horse are together through long hours of loneliness on +the wide plains of the West, when they ride into and out of perils of +all sorts, there springs up between them a strange bond, which seems to +have something in it other than mere friendship. + +So it was with Teddy and Flash, and Roy and Star. Ever since that day +they had lost them, when the horses had been stolen from the hitching +rail at Eagles, and the boys had risked their lives more than once +to recover them, the broncos had come to mean more than mere saddle +horses. The story of how they finally caught the horse thieves who had +stolen the ponies, and in doing so rid the range of a desperate gang of +rustlers, is told in the first book of this series, called “The X Bar X +Boys on the Ranch.” + +These exciting adventures were followed by many others, when Teddy and +Roy searched the mysterious Thunder Canyon for Belle Ada, their sister, +and her two friends, who had been kidnapped. Then came a hazardous +journey down Whirlpool River, to recover some cattle that had been +rustled by Denver Smith and his gang. In the book, just before the +present volume, “The X Bar X Boys on Big Bison Trail,” the tale is +related of a moving picture company on location and of the part Teddy +and Roy played in its affairs. How they aided their cowboy friend, Nick +Looker, to recover a legacy left by his uncle, is also told. + +Throughout all these experiences the two Manley boys had, as their +constant companions, Flash and Star. Many times the horses had been the +means of saving the lives of their masters. Thus Teddy and Roy came to +know them as few masters know their horses--to know their weaknesses, +their strength. And both boys realized that, at this moment, should +they be compelled to drive them forward before the wolves, they would +again answer as they had before. + +Teddy saw that Roy, who was leading, had swerved to the right and was +listening intently, his hand cupping his ear. + +“They’re still making plenty of noise back there,” Teddy called, but +Roy shook his head. + +“It’s a different sort of noise. We’ve got to swing pretty wide. +They’re on the run again. Listen! Notice that new note?” + +Truly there did seem to be a change in the yapping sounds the wolves +were making. The boys were on the other side of the hill now, out of +sight of the animals, but every moment they expected to see the pack +appear over the crest. Teddy rapidly replaced with cartridges the +shells that had been exploded, and seized his weapon more firmly. + +“It would be worse than useless to face that pack,” he said with a +slight shudder. “Where in thunder could they have come from? There +hasn’t been a wolf in these parts for years.” + +“We’ll talk that over later,” Roy answered shortly. “The thing to do +now is to get out of their way. Let’s make time.” + +Their shadows had lengthened into long, dark blots as the two boys +threw their mounts into a gallop. They rode diagonally away from the +pack, gradually edging toward the X Bar X. Night must not overtake them +here on the range, while the frenzied beasts were still close upon +them. Their best chance lay not in out-distancing them, but in throwing +them off their track. + +“Stick to this trail,” Roy said. “We’re getting nearer home each +minute. Golly, I think we’ve beaten them! Listen! Aren’t they farther +away?” + +Shrewdly realizing that often one hears that which he hopes to hear, +Teddy would not admit that the danger was past. The cries of the wolf +pack could still be plainly heard, and there was no means of telling +whether they were coming toward the boys or running at right angles to +them. It was not necessary for the animals to see the riders to follow +them. Both Roy and Teddy knew that a wolf can track a man by the scent, +as a dog does, and unless something occurred to shift the attention of +the pack they might chase the boys to the very yard of the ranch. + +“Provided we can last that long,” Teddy said grimly, finishing his +thought aloud. “We may not have a chance to slow ’em up again. Snakes, +they sound like a convention!” + +“I’ll tell a maverick they do! Well, we can keep going only so far, +and then--” Roy dropped his hand to the butt of his gun, which he had +replaced in its holster. “We’ll have it out with ’em, I guess. We can +never hope to keep this pace up till we reach home.” + +The two horses were running freely now, but not with the easy lope +natural to them. It was more of a forced canter, as though the steeds +could feel their riders’ anxiety, the tense, dogged helplessness of +the hunted. Teddy prayed that they at least might keep the beasts +out of sight. To hear them is bad enough, but to see them coming on +remorselessly was infinitely worse. + +Teddy and Roy were riding silently. Their attention was concentrated +on keeping their broncos running smoothly and avoiding all ruts and +holes which might interrupt the stride. In these moments their skill +was invaluable--they sat on their horses as though they were part of +them, directing them by slight changes in the position of the reins, by +the pressure of their knees. + +Before them a small ravine opened. They nosed their horses down, +carefully, and headed for the other side. Teddy turned his head as they +struck the upgrade. + +“Roy! Roy! Flash is limping! I’ll never make it! Here they come!” The +boy’s voice was hoarse, cracked. Roy swerved suddenly. + +He saw that his brother had spoken the truth. Flash was limping badly, +and over the top of the gully poured a tossing flood of brown wolves. + +“I reckon, Roy, I’ll stay here,” Teddy panted. His horse faltered, +missed a step, and slid backward. Teddy turned him, and halted. “You go +on,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’ll take my chances. I can hold +’em back for a while. Take it, you mangy dogs!” He raised his gun, and +pulled the trigger viciously. + +“Teddy, save it! We’ll stand right here, and if they want us, they’ll +have to plough through hot lead to get us! Steady, bucko! Wait till +they--” + +Yelping triumphantly, the pack reached the bottom of the gully. Roy +could see blood on their jaws, still wet from their recent feast made +from their dead comrade. Soon, perhaps, they might obtain another food +supply. Roy’s eyes narrowed, and drawing his gun he took careful aim. + +“We’ll fire together,” he said in a low voice. “And keep on shooting. +But they’ll never stop now to feed. We either win this fight or we +don’t. Good luck, ole hoss!” + +“Good luck, Brother,” Teddy whispered. It was the first time he had +ever used the term. + +The wolves came on. They reached a spot fifty yards from the waiting +horsemen, who sat quietly, holding their mounts with one hand and their +guns with the other. The broncos were trembling violently, but still +they stood, not panic stricken now, but placing implicit faith in their +masters. + +“Let ’em have it!” + +Crack! Crack! + +The roaring thunder of the guns filled the ravine, drowning the savage +cries of the wolves. One of the animals was down, another snapping +fitfully at his shoulder. But the pack did not halt, nor even hesitate. +Before them was prey far sweeter than their own kind. + +“Reckon it’s curtains!” Teddy yelled. “Stick to it, kid! Blast ’em!” + +Suddenly, directly behind Roy, a wild shout arose. Guns--many of +them--split the air with their reports. There were more yells. A +torrent of lead struck into the advancing horde, halted them, turned +them, and sent them scampering away, leaving five dead upon the ground. +The fight was won, but the bullets that had stemmed the tide had not +come from the guns of Teddy and Roy Manley. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + ROY’S KNIFE + + +As an encore to the heavy cracks of the guns came a voice--low, amused, +and dryly sarcastic: + +“Reckon you’ll hang the ‘Welcome’ sign on your door for us, hey?” + +Teddy and Roy swung quickly around. Facing them, guns out and still +smoking, were three men. One of them had a wart on his nose. The second +was shorter, and looked a great deal like his disfigured companion. The +other horseman, who had made the remark, was a lean grizzled vaquero, +whose mouth drooped at the corners, and whose eyes were mere slits in +his leathern skin. + +“Why, you’re the Lefton brothers!” Teddy exclaimed. “How did you--” + +“The same, at your service,” the taller one answered. “And this is Mob +Jamisson. You’ll have to figure out for yourself why they call him Mob.” + +“Howdy,” Mob said curtly. “Seems like you boys were ready to furnish +them animals with a meal, hey?” + +“We were,” Roy answered, speaking for the first time. A puzzled +frown creased his forehead. Somehow, these rescuers were sneeringly +contemptuous of the thing they had done, as though the two lives they +had saved scarcely mattered. But at all events they had prevented a +dangerous, if not fatal, issue, and Roy’s face cleared as he held out +his hand. + +“We owe you plenty,” he said heartily. “My brother’s pony would never +have been able to make the top of this hill--he went lame. I’m afraid +to imagine what would have been the outcome of a scrap with those crazy +animals.” + +Teddy, who was staring hard at the Lefton brothers, shoved his gun back +in the holster and likewise held out his hand, which was grasped by +each in turn, as Roy’s had been. + +“We were ahead of them, with a fair chance of escape, when my bronc +stumbled in a hole,” the boy explained. “Not enough to throw me, but I +knew if I forced him he’d cave in. So we turned and decided to fight it +out.” + +“Pretty sights you’d be if we hadn’t come along,” Mob Jamisson +declared. He glanced down at Teddy’s horse. “Left front, ain’t it? +Better get off an’ see if it’ll last you till you get to the--till you +get home.” + +“We’re from the X Bar X,” Teddy said, watching the man closely. +“You’ve heard of it?” + +“Slightly,” Mob drawled. He rolled and lit a cigarette. “Well, the +excitement seems to be about over. Where’d you pick up them wolves, +anyhow? Didn’t know they ever traveled much in this country.” + +“Neither did we,” Roy answered. “We saw one, and decided to get him, +and before we knew what was happening the whole pack was on top of us. +They ran us ragged.” + +Jerry Lefton, the shorter of the two brothers, spoke for the first time. + +“If you want to,” he said, “you can come over to our camp and rest your +bronc.” + +“That’s nice of you,” Teddy answered. “But it’s getting pretty late. +Say, by the way, I thought we had a date with you fellows this evening +to talk over a cattle deal? We were hurrying home, trying to make it on +time--” + +“Teddy, I think we’d better rest Flash a bit,” Roy interrupted hastily. +“Which way is your camp? If it isn’t too much trouble--” + +“None at all,” Mob declared. “Guess you can pay for what you eat.” + +Teddy and Roy stared at him in surprise, and Jerry Lefton made haste to +put in: + +“He was just fooling. We’ll be glad to have you. Over this way ’bout a +mile. Guess your bronc can make that all right.” + +“Sure,” Teddy answered. “He’s not hurt badly.” A question was trembling +on his lips, but, noticing Roy’s face, he refrained from asking it. +“Those wolves will wander away soon,” the boy substituted. “I don’t +reckon they’ll hang around here.” + +“Not long,” Bill Lefton, he with the wart on his nose, added. “They +travel where there’s the most chance for food. Say, your range is near +here, isn’t it? Hope your cattle stay bunched. I pity the cow that +walks alone with that pack around.” + +“They’ll bunch,” Teddy declared shortly. “We don’t aim to have any of +’em injured, or taken.” + +Bill Lefton looked at him quickly, but Teddy’s head was turned away. He +seemed to be intent on some object down the gully. + +The five riders swung about, and, led by Mob Jamisson, made their way +slowly along the steep side of the ravine. After a short journey they +turned sharp right, and ascended. + +During the ride Teddy had an opportunity to study his companions. +The Lefton boys he had met several times before, and a more intimate +acquaintance had not increased his liking for them. He realized, of +course, that they had earned the gratitude of himself and Roy. But he +could not free his mind from a vague distrust of them. + +This Mob Jamisson, now--Teddy had never seen before, but he had heard +of him. Among the cattle ranches his reputation was none too savory. +There were certain incidents of strange marking of cows, of selling +diseased stock, in which his name had figured. Nothing definite, but +in the West a rumor of that sort usually has some basis in fact. Teddy +wondered how the Lefton brothers had met him. Then he recalled that +they were new to this section, and, like as not, had run across him +accidently. It seemed well to give them the benefit of the doubt. + +Whatever had been Roy’s motive in accepting the invitation to visit +the Lefton camp was not brought out as they rode along. The talk was +purely general--of weather conditions, of the possibility of the wolves +returning. All agreed that it would be a good thing to chase the beasts +out of that region as soon as possible. They were a constant menace to +man and cattle. + +The conversation that followed continued until the camp was reached, +and as they sighted the three pup tents, darkness was fast approaching. + +“We’ve been making this our headquarters for a while,” Jerry Lefton +explained, as he saw the look of surprise on the faces of Teddy and +Roy. “You see, Bill and I may locate here permanently, and we wanted +to get a look at the country.” + +Even this, thought Roy, was scarcely a reason for staying out on +the prairie when much more comfortable accommodations could be had +at Eagles. But he kept his thoughts to himself and accepted the +explanation at its face value. + +“Better let me look at yore bronc’s laig,” Mob Jamisson suggested. He +dismounted, as did the others, and raised Flash’s front foot. The horse +shied slightly, but when Teddy put a hand on his neck he stood quietly. +“She’s sprained, but not bad,” Mob pronounced. “Won’t hurt to ride him. +Fact is, it’ll keep it from gettin’ stiff.” + +“That’s how I figured,” Teddy answered. “So I reckon we’d better be +getting along home. I guess we won’t have any more trouble with the +wolves.” + +“Stay and have some grub with us,” Jerry said loudly. “You’ll miss your +supper anyhow, and there’s no sense ridin’ on an empty stomach. What +say?” + +“I guess we’d better--” Teddy began, when Roy interrupted. + +“Sure we’ll stay! I’m hungry, I don’t mind saying. If you like, we’ll +pay you for whatever we eat.” + +“Certainly not!” Bill Lefton said angrily. “Mob was joking when he +said that. Weren’t you, Mob?” + +“Um--suppose so,” Mob answered ungraciously. “Great little joker, me. +Sit down boys, an’ fill up.” + +While Jerry started a fire, Mob and Bill “rustled” the food. When +twilight made its farewell bow, the bacon and beans were sizzling over +the flames. The boys had no fear that they were causing worry at home +by staying on the range longer than they had expected to. Early that +afternoon they had started riding fence, and they knew Mr. Manley would +realize that something had occurred to delay them. He was confident of +their ability to take care of themselves under all circumstances; they +had proved that, many times. And whatever fears Mrs. Manley had for +them she kept to herself. Never would she let them see that she worried +when they were unaccountably absent. Long ago she had determined +that the best way to bring up her sons was to make them independent, +self-reliant. She knew that continual expressions of worry would only +hinder their growth into what she wanted them to be--true men, sons of +the West. They never realized that she had spent many sleepless nights +wondering, praying for their safety when they were from home on a +mission of danger. She wished them to be brave, and she, herself, held +forth the shining example. What she was, her sons would be. + +The meal at the Lefton camp was soon concluded. No mention was made +of buying or selling cattle, although Teddy several times suggested +that the round-up was soon to take place and that his father expected +several buyers from the East. Each time either Jerry or Bill Lefton +changed the subject rather hurriedly, and when Teddy and Roy arose to +start their journey home both realized that it was practically useless +to count on these brothers to take any of their cattle. + +They remounted, and turned their broncos, homeward. + +“Yore horse all right now?” Mob inquired, motioning with his head +toward Flash’s leg. + +“Sure! O.K.,” Teddy replied. “He’ll step lively on the way to the +ranch. Thanks, again, for all you’ve done for us. If ever we get the +chance, we’ll repay you.” + +“Don’t reckon you’ll get the chance,” Jerry answered, a bit gruffly. +“We’d do that for anybody. So long!” + +“So long! Much obliged!” + +The boys rode out of the circle of the firelight. + +The three men were standing, watching them depart. Soon they were +swallowed up in the moonless night. + +Silently the lads rode, for fully five minutes, and then Teddy said: + +“Get what you went after, Roy?” + +“Huh? What I--oh! Yep, I did. I found out one thing--they’re not cattle +buyers. It may have seemed foolish to hang around when we should have +started home, but I figured we might as well learn all we could about +the Lefton brothers. And I learned enough.” + +“Yea?” + +“I learned, for one thing, that they did not intend to go to the X Bar +X to-night to keep their appointment with dad. They’d rather drop in +unexpectedly, it seems.” + +Another period of silence. Then: + +“It was lucky they showed up when they did. We’ve got that to thank +them for,” said Teddy. + +Roy nodded. + +“Check! Well, if we get the chance, we’ll wipe the slate clean. I don’t +like to be in their debt. Something tells me we may have to put them on +the other side of the books soon.” + +Teddy was about to question this enigmatical statement when Roy +suddenly uttered an exclamation. + +“Hang the luck, my knife’s gone! I must have dropped it out of my +pocket when we were sitting around the fire. Snakes! I hate to lose +that. It was the one dad gave me for my birthday last year--silver +mounted, you know. Say, I’m going back for it. You wait here. Soon as +I get it I’ll shoot back. No use both going--and Flash has a sore leg. +You stick right by this bush. I won’t be a minute.” + +“Wait! I might as well go along! Flash is all right. He’s--” + +But Roy had started. Teddy shook his head and prepared to wait as he +had been told to do. + +“Funny brother I got,” he murmured. “He can’t tell me he didn’t drop +that knife on purpose. He should have been a detective.” Then he +chuckled. “Wonder what sort of story he’ll have when he gets back?” + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + OVERHEARD + +When Roy Manley left Teddy alone by the bush and went through the night +toward the camp he had just left, two thoughts were paramount in his +mind. One was that he hated to trick his brother with the knife story. +The other was that Mob Jamisson had not met the Lefton boys accidentally. + +As to the first, he had no need to give himself concern. Teddy had not +been fooled. He knew, he was sure, that the tale of the lost knife had +been only a ruse to allow Roy to return without being laughed at if his +efforts at spying bore no fruit. And as to the second thought, it was +based on sound reasoning. + +A man who has just become acquainted with another does not pitch camp +with him on the prairie unless they agree to be partners in some sort +of enterprise. Hence the three pup tents indicated one thing--that the +two Lefton boys and Mob Jamisson had joined forces. For what purpose +Roy could not even speculate, but he was satisfied that it had nothing +to do with Sunday-school--not with Jamisson having a hand in it. + +By this time Roy could see the red haze of the campfire, and he +dismounted and led Star forward. He felt uneasy at repaying the +hospitality of his hosts with such a questionable procedure, but, +telling himself that the end justified the means, he went on. + +Star, he knew, would be as silent as himself, and he had no fear of +discovery until he chose to show himself. If, by chance, they did find +him out, he could always claim that he had returned after the lost +knife. + +As to the exact reason of this night sally, Roy was not even certain +himself. It was on impulse that he decided that this was the one time +to learn as much as possible about the Lefton brothers. + +Why had they asked all those questions of the X Bar X hands when they +did not intend to buy cattle? And surely it was plain now that all +thought of purchasing cows had departed from their minds, if, indeed, +they had ever held such thoughts. + +When they had first come to the X Bar X, they purposely gave the +impression that they were cattle buyers. Why? It seemed now to Roy that +they had never had any real intention of entering into negotiations. +If they had meant actually to buy cattle, why had they dropped the +project, even before terms were mentioned? + +Thus it seemed to Roy that his conduct now was perfectly logical. +He knew that Teddy would scoff at the idea of spying on the Leftons +and attempt to dissuade him from his purpose. But Roy, romantically +inclined, saw things in a different light. He determined to play the +part of investigator. + +The low tones of the three men reached him as he drew nearer the camp. +As yet he could not distinguish words, but placing his hand over Star’s +nose to avoid any possibility of discovery he walked quietly closer. + +He saw that Mob Jamisson sat with his back toward him and that the +other two faced Mob. Jerry was talking in excited tones. + +“--easily six hundred head,” he was saying. “Fine, splendid cattle! +Healthy! I tell you that you people out here don’t realize what it +means to have cattle like that.” + +“But how?” Bill questioned. “The cars--” + +“Getting cars would be a cinch! Nothing to it! Why, it’s only an eight +mile run, you know.” + +“That’s a fact!” Mob broke in. “Eight miles isn’t far. The old Jarmey +place--” + +“Wait!” Bill raised his hand. “I heard something. If it’s--You! What +the mischief--” + +“I dropped my knife,” Roy answered steadily, moving closer to the fire. +His hands hung at his sides, limp, innocent of weapon. “Just rode up +this second. See it around here, any of you? Silver, with my initials +on it.” + +“You just rode up, you said?” Mob demanded springing up and striding +forward. “How comes we didn’t hear you, hey? First thing we know you’re +on top of us. You’ve been listening--” + +“What difference does it make?” Roy asked calmly. + +“What? Say, you--” + +“I said, what difference does it make how I came up? I tell you I lost +my knife and came back for it. Why all the argument? What’s wrong about +losing a knife? The way you talk you’d think I’d overheard something I +should not have. What do you think I am, anyhow?” + +“He’s right, Mob,” Jerry said quickly. “You must be pretty nervous +to-night. I can’t figure out why you’re making such a fuss myself. Go +ahead, look for the knife, Manley. We’ll help.” + +Mob Jamisson, realizing that he was beaten, subsided. He looked at Roy +intently. Just how much of their conversation had the boy heard? He +could not ask without indicating that there was something he wished to +keep secret. + +As Roy bent over the ground, Mob’s hand fell to his gun--then came +slowly away. He had seen the firelight glitter on metal at Roy’s +side--and guns in holsters do not reflect light. Chin in hand, he stood +contemplating the youth. + +“Got it!” Roy exclaimed suddenly, and straightened. He held an object +in his hand. “Found it hidden under a stick. Lucky, hey?” + +“It is lucky,” Bill said quietly. “It would have been too bad for you +to come all the way back and then not find the knife.” + +“I’ll tell a maverick it would!” Roy answered easily. If the Lefton +brothers had expected him to show embarrassment at the pointed +statement he was disappointed. “Well, I’ll be getting along. Thanks for +helping me.” + +“Sure you got everything now?” Mob asked truculently. “Yore hat? Belt? +Ain’t lost yore pants, have you?” + +“Don’t think so,” Roy answered seriously. “Nope, I’m sure I haven’t. +But thanks for asking. Hold still now, bronc, while I climb up. Right. +So long!” + +There was no reply. Chuckling, Roy rode off into the night. + +He found Teddy easily, and together the two boys started homeward. +After some moments Teddy inquired: + +“Find it, Roy?” + +“Uh-huh.” + +Silence, except for the hoof-beats of their mounts. Then, Teddy: + +“Nice night, isn’t it?” + +“Wonderful!” + +“See here, you secretive bronco-buster, if you think I’m going to ask +all sorts of silly questions--” + +“All right, laddy!” Roy burst out laughing. “All I needed was coaxing. +Now you tend to your knitting and I’ll tell you the story of my journey +to Walla-Walla land. I arrived all safe and sound, and stood on the +door-step a moment before ringing the bell. Voices came to me from an +open window.” Suddenly he became serious. “Teddy, what has the Jarmey +place got to do with autos? Are there any cars kept there?” + +“Cars? Not that I know of. Unless you mean freight cars. There’s a +siding near there, you know.” + +“Freight cars! Golly, I never thought of that! Cars! Well, yes, they +might be freight cars. Anyway, that’s what the voices were talking +about. Cars and the Jarmey place and something about an eight mile run. +And--oh, yes, cattle. Six hundred head.” + +“Who said that?” + +“Jerry Lefton. Can you figure out what he may have meant?” + +“Not me. We’ll see what dad has to say about it. Got your badge on?” + +“What badge?” + +“Detective.” + +Roy chuckled and urged his pony on. + +As they rode into the ranch yard, past the bunkhouse, Nick Looker +called to them: + +“You fellers must have been puttin’ up a new fence.” He came closer, +and they waited for him. “What happened to Flash? Fall?” + +“Not quite,” Teddy answered. “He stuck his leg in a hole at a very +embarrassing moment. We almost had supper with a pack of wolves.” + +“Wha-a-a-at?” + +“Fact! We met a whole gang of ’em. You and Gus had better do a little +hunting in the morning.” And the story was told. + +Nick expressed his surprise that the animals should be in this region, +and promised to see that they were driven out. When he heard about the +Leftons’ part in the affair he nodded sagely. + +“Thought they might be around here somewhere. With Mob Jamisson, hey? +Better tell the boss. He’ll be interested.” + +Of all the cowboys on the X Bar X Ranch Teddy and Roy liked Nick Looker +as well as anyone. Nick was generous to the core, as had been evinced +when he had inherited quite a sum from an uncle and had promptly helped +one cowboy out of a financial hole, squared up with another for losing +his six hundred dollars, and then aided some distant relatives who +suddenly came to light and proved to be poor. And on top of all this +he had distributed some of the cash between his bunkhouse friends not +by giving it to them direct but by pretending to lose to them at cards. + +Mr. Manley was not quite so interested as Teddy and Roy thought he +would be, even after hearing of the remarks about “six hundred head” +and “Jarmey’s place,” and “cars.” + +“Just talk, I reckon,” he declared. He pulled the ends of his long +black mustache and looked at his sons quizzically. “No need to tell +mother about the wolves. She’s got enough to think about.” + +“But, Dad,” Teddy persisted, “what do you make of the Lefton brothers?” + +“Don’t make anything. I’m certain that they don’t want to buy our +cattle, for all their questions, an’ that’s all that interests me. +Let’s go in.” They had been standing on the porch of the ranch house. +“See Nick when you came by?” + +“Yes, he’s over at the bunkhouse. Come on, Teddy, we’ll say hello to +mother. Guess my detective work went for nothing; hey, Dad?” + +Mr. Manley laughed and placed a hand on his son’s shoulders. He was +tall, this ranch owner, with a pair of eyes that were as keen as the +day he rode the ranges as a puncher. “You stick to it, Roy. Never mind +what Teddy says. I suppose he laughed at you for sneaking back for +your knife?” + +“I did at first, Dad. But not when Roy told me what he had heard,” +Teddy answered seriously. “I’ll bet that meant something--about the +cars and the rest of it. But I reckon you know best.” + +“We won’t say anything to mother about the wolves. We’re glad enough to +forget ’em,” added Roy. + +“So it was that close, eh?” Mr. Manley looked at his sons keenly. They +had not told him exactly how near they had been to death, not wanting +to seem important. Their father guessed, however, what they left out. + +“Pretty close, Dad,” Roy answered in a low voice. “We have the Lefton +brothers and Mob Jamisson to thank that we’re here.” + +Mr. Manley drew a corncob pipe from his pocket and filled it. He lit it +and exhaled a cloud of smoke before he spoke. + +“I’d rather see wolves on four feet than on two,” he said slowly. Then, +raising his voice: “Belle Ada wants to visit at the 8 X 8 to-morrow. +You two go along with her. See you later.” He strode down the steps and +walked toward the bunkhouse. Teddy, watching him go, grinned. + +“Dad is getting your habit, Roy. I’d like to know just how much he +does think of that conversation you heard. Two-legged wolves! Well, +the more we learn the less we know. Come in, my child, your bed-time +approaches. Oh-h-h, snakes, but I’m sleepy!” + +Stretching high, he kicked open the door and entered the house. + + + + + CHAPTER V + + HORTENSE RUNS WILD + + +When the Manley boys came down to breakfast the next morning they found +their mother waiting for them at the foot of the stairs. Her soft blue +eyes, her blond hair, with never a streak of gray in it, her pretty, +unlined face, would make one doubt that she could have two such large +boys as Teddy and Roy for sons. + +“Good morning, night-hawks,” she gaily greeted and kissed them. “I +suppose I’m not to know what kept you out until all hours? Last evening +you said hello and good-night to me. No, never mind. We have corn bread +and bacon for breakfast. Mrs. Moore made it especially for you. Did +your father tell you where you were going to-day?” + +“You mean to the 8 X 8 with Belle?” Teddy asked. + +“That’s right. I hope Curly and Nell are there.” + +“Why? Have they gone back to the city?” Roy opened his eyes wide. + +“No, Roy, they haven’t,” Mrs. Manley laughed. “You rose to the bait +splendidly, however. I’m sure you’ll see them.” + +“Don’t worry about that, Mom,” a girl’s voice called from the next +room. “Think they’d visit the 8 X 8 without seeing Nell and Ethel?” + +“Come out here, Miss Manley, and say that,” Teddy laughed, blushing. +“It’s a good thing a wall is between us.” + +“Oh, is it?” Belle Ada, her face wreathed in a grin, came to the door. +“Mother, protect me! Now how about it, Mr. Smarty?” + +“Get to the left of her, Teddy,” Roy said in a loud whisper. “I’ll take +the other side. Now!” + +“Let go my hair! Moth-er! They’re spoiling my--my coiffure!” + +“Your what?” Teddy demanded, halted in his tracks. “Say that again!” + +“Coiffure!” + +“Where’s that book?” Roy shouted, making a dive into the room Belle had +just left. He reappeared in a moment, holding a volume in his hands. +“Look at this, Teddy! ‘Lady Gwendemere’s Secret!’ Oh, boy! So that’s +where you get your big words from, sister mine? Let’s see--” He opened +the book. “There was a moment of silence as Lord Morleigh raised his +glass. Then, in a voice fraught with passion, he cried: ‘To the fairest +woman in the world! A jewel incomparable! May she--’” + +“Give me that book, Roy Manley!” Belle, her face aflame, snatched it +from him. “Don’t you go snooping into my affairs! I guess I can read +what books I want to.” + +“Within limits, my dear,” Mrs. Manley corrected, and smiled. “It +wouldn’t do for you to feed on too much silly fiction, you know. +Upstairs I have a volume containing essays by famous writers.” Mrs. +Manley had been a school teacher before her marriage. “Suppose you get +that and read it for a while?” + +“Yes, Mother,” Belle said dutifully, and started for the stairs. Then, +with an expressive grimace, she shook her fist at Roy. “I’ll fix you +for that, Roy Manley!” she threatened in a vibrant whisper. “You’ll see!” + +“Better get some of that corn bread, quick,” Teddy laughed, as he +started toward the breakfast room. “You’ll need it, when Belle has +decided what form her revenge will take!” + +The meal was soon concluded, and the boys made ready for their trip. +They were to go in one of the ranch cars, although Belle wanted to ride +her pony. But due to the fact that she would have to take a bag with +her, Mr. Manley said the auto would be more convenient. Perhaps he +did not care to have his daughter take the long ride to the 8 X 8 with +wolves in the vicinity. + +“You can borrow a pony from Mr. Ball,” he told her. “The weather looks +a bit uncertain, an’ I don’t want you to get caught in a storm. Yes, I +think you’d better take the car.” + +By nine o’clock the young folks were on the road. Life on a ranch +begins at seven in the morning, and to a cowboy anything between nine +and twelve is the “forenoon.” + +To all outward appearances, Belle had forgotten the debt she owed +Roy. But Teddy noticed her staring frequently at his brother with a +speculative look in her eye. + +“She’ll make him pay somehow,” he chuckled to himself. “I hope she +doesn’t include me in her plan of vengeance.” + +They reached the 8 X 8 a little after twelve. They were compelled to +drive slowly on account of the condition of the roads, and arrived at +the Peter Ball ranch later than they had expected. Nell Willis and +Ethel, or “Curly,” Carew, who had been informed of their coming, were +sitting on the porch as they drove up. These two girls were nieces of +Peter Ball. Their home was in New York, and they had been staying with +their uncle while their parents were traveling in Europe. + +“Greetings, voyagers!” Ethel called out, and ran to meet them. “How’s +the sacred chariot running?” + +“Great!” Teddy answered. “Hitting on all thirteen. Hello, Nell--here’s +Roy.” + +“I see him,” Nell laughed. “Belle, these brothers of yours haven’t +changed much, have they?” + +“Well--” Belle considered. “Teddy is about the same. But Roy, you see, +he’s--Oh, excuse me, Roy, I almost forgot. It nearly slipped out.” + +“What’s all this?” Ethel answered curiously. “Nell, here’s something we +must look into!” + +“It’s nothing. She’s only kidding,” Roy declared, his face red. “She’s +getting back at me for finding her book at home this morning.” + +“Finding my book at home--that’s right,” Belle said demurely. “Come, +boys, take your little sister’s bag into the house. What are you +blushing about, Roy?” + +“I’m not blushing,” Roy retorted furiously, and quite inaccurately. +“Don’t pay any attention to her, Nell.” + +“But, Roy, there’s really no need of your getting flustered,” Belle +said seriously, looking up into his face. “I didn’t tell--what I wasn’t +supposed to--did I?” she finished in a thrilling whisper. + +“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Roy said, turning his head +away. “Hand me that bag, will you, Teddy?” + +“Sure,” Teddy answered, grinning. “Methinks your sins are finding you +out, young man!” + +“But what _is_ all this about?” Ethel demanded. “Roy, have you been up +to tricks?” + +“No, I haven’t! I told you Belle is only getting even! All right, go +ahead, have your fun. Some day you’ll--” he was walking rapidly up the +steps with the bag and the rest of the sentence was lost. + +“I guess we’re square now,” said Belle, chuckling gleefully. “Poor Roy! +He gets excited so easily! Teddy, you go and console him. He’ll set +fire to the house with that face of his.” + +A hail from across the path caused Teddy to abandon his intention of +following Roy into the house. Bug Eye, grinning from ear to ear, stood +waving at him. + +Bug Eye had always been a character and was getting more and more so +every day. Ordinarily he was a cow puncher; but he drove Mr. Ball’s +auto and spent all of his odd hours in inventing things or in improving +his mind--so he said. + +“Go see what he wants,” Nell suggested. “He’s been pestering us for two +days wanting to know just when you were coming over. I think he has +something he wants to show you.” + +Teddy answered the call, and walked over to the young puncher just as +Roy came down the steps. + +“Howdy, Bug Eye!” Roy shouted, as he saw his friend. “What’s the news?” + +“Nothing much,” Bug Eye answered, and, stepping forward, he grasped a +hand of each of the boys. “Long time since you visited us, ain’t it?” + +“Been kind of busy. Near round-up time, you know,” Teddy replied. “But +what happened to you? Every day I expected to see that old flivver of +yours come rolling in. Where have you been?” + +“Workin’,” Bug Eye said mysteriously. “On a new invention.” + +Teddy looked significantly at Roy. + +“What sort of an invention, Bug Eye--perpetual motion?” + +“Nope--tain’t that. Though some day I’m gonna work on that. This here +is a machine for cuttin’ grass all by itself!” + +“Cutting grass!” Roy exploded. “But where under the sun is any grass +you can cut around here? Not counting on--” + +“It ain’t fer use here,” Bug Eye interrupted pompously. “This is for +importation. You wait here. I’ll show you.” + +While Teddy and Roy stood in mute expectation, Bug Eye disappeared +within the bunkhouse, to reappear in a moment dragging something heavy +behind him. + +“Give us a hand,” he panted. “I had it hid behind the door. Golly, +she’s some heavy! Pull, now! Here she comes! Look out!” + +In obedience to a strong tug, a strange and fearsome contraption rolled +out of the doorway, rumbling as it came. Four wheels were mounted on +what had once been the square top of a table. Set in the center of +the table top was a gasoline motor from a flivver. This motor had two +flywheels, each with a belt, one to drive the machine along the ground +by turning the rear wheels, and one to cause a series of long knives +beneath the table top to revolve. + +“There she is!” Bug Eye said proudly. “The wonder of the age! What do +you think of her?” + +“Well,” Roy began, looking at “her” dubiously, “I can’t tell just yet. +Will it grind coffee?” + +“Can’t say--never tried her out for that,” Bug Eye replied seriously. +Then his face brightened. “But I’ll bet she would, at that! Now I’ll +show you how she works. Let’s see--we’ll run her across the yard an’ +back for a starter.” + +“Where do you sit to drive it?” Teddy inquired curiously. + +“Who, me? I don’t sit no place! That’s the beauty of it--she drives +herself! Goes along, cuttin’ the grass, then when she gets to the end +of the yard she turns an’ comes back. Wish we had some grass to cut, +but you’ll get the general idea. First I gotta prime ’er.” + +Holding an oil can in his hand, he bent over the motor. + +“What’s that you have there?” Teddy asked. + +“Gas. She runs on kerosene the rest of the time. Economical, hey?” + +He squirted gasoline liberally over the motor, and enough of it +evidently reached the petcocks, for in a moment he laid the can aside +and busied himself with the numerous levers set in the side of the +machine. + +“Now she’s ready!” he proclaimed, straightening. “Just stand aside, for +we don’t want no accidents to happen. When Hortense gets goin’ she just +naturally mows down everything within reach.” + +“That’s our cue to move,” Roy muttered. “All right, Bug Eye, let ’er +rip!” + +The puncher seized the larger flywheel and swung it over. The motor +coughed twice, then was silent. Once more he turned the wheel. + +The machine awoke with a sullen roar. Bug Eye had not thought to put a +muffler on it, and the sounds of its resurrection could be heard for at +least a mile. Then, slowly, ponderously, it started to move. + +“Yip-ee! Watch her go! Step on it, Hortense! Show ’em what yo’re made +of!” + +The machine seemed to take Bug Eye at his word. There was a sudden +shriek of metal upon metal, and some part of the contraption went +sailing into the air. As though Hortense had gotten rid of something +that had been bothering her for years, she took a new lease on life +with this eruption. Her wheels--all of them--spun rapidly around. The +knives underneath whirred and flashed. Like a being with a single, +definite purpose in view, she leaped across the yard. + +“Her reverse is busted!” Bug Eye yelled. “She won’t turn now! Snakes, I +can’t stop her! Watch out!” + +With a metallic bellow, Hortense continued on her wild career. +Suddenly, midway on her journey, her front wheels turned and she swung +to the left. As she plunged along Teddy gave a cry. + +Hortense was headed directly for Mrs. Ball’s favorite bed of lilies! + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + MR. PETERSON’S FORFEIT + + +“Good-bye, flowers!” shouted Teddy Manley, and ran closer to the scene +of impending disaster with a vague notion of doing something to stop +the onrushing monster. But as he took another look at the murderous +knives, he slowed up and halted. It was hopeless even to think of +causing Hortense to hesitate. + +Mrs. Ball, attracted by the noise, rushed out to the porch, followed +by the three girls. When she saw the machine bearing down upon her +precious lilies, she let out a shriek of dismay. + +“Stop it, somebody! Stop it! My flowers!” + +“Might as well try to stop a herd of wild elephants!” Roy yelled. “Bug +Eye, can’t you--” he turned toward the puncher. To his surprise Bug Eye +had vanished. + +“Where in thunder is that bucker?” he called. “Bug Eye! Come out here!” + +By this time Hortense had approached to within ten feet of the flower +bed. Mrs. Ball leaned over the railing, calling frantically for someone +to do something. + +“My lilies! My lovely lilies,” she groaned. “Can’t you stop that thing? +Bug Eye! Where--” + +“Comin’, ma’am!” + +Teddy and Roy swung around toward the bunkhouse. They saw a figure +burst through the door, arms waving. It was the missing puncher. + +“I’ll stop her or bust!” he exclaimed. “Get ready, boys. You gotta’ +help me pull!” + +Then they saw the reason of his haste. In his hand he held a lariat, +and as he ran he began whirling it about his head. + +“Yip-ee! Go get him!” Teddy shouted, and sprang after Bug Eye. “Rope +’er, cowboy!” + +Faster and faster spun the rope. Now it was making a perfect circle +over the running punchers. + +“Toss it! Be too late in a second!” Roy exclaimed. + +But Bug Eye knew his business. Just at the moment when Hortense was +about to fall upon the flowers and grind them under her flashing +knives, the bucker threw. Like a striking rattlesnake the rope snapped +forward, and the loop settled hungrily full about the raised motor. + +“Yay! He made it! Grab hold, Roy! Yank!” + +Yank they did. Three pair of well-muscled arms seized the rope and +pulled. + +The lariat jerked taut. Hortense, on the very edge of the flower bed, +was halted. She seemed to pause uncertainly, as though an unwelcome +stranger had tapped her on the shoulder. Then, with a protesting roar, +she reared on her hind wheels and fell over backwards. + +“Yow! Hog tie her, Bug Eye! Three seconds flat! That’s first prize, +sure!” + +Like some giant bug, Hortense lay on her back with her wheels +spinning madly. Her roar gradually sank lower and lower. She coughed +once--twice, trembled in the throes of a death struggle, and yielded up +the ghost. The flowers were saved. + +Bug Eye, his face drawn into lines of despair, contemplated the wrecked +machine. Then he sighed. + +“She’s done for,” he said sadly. “Poor Hortense! Just temperament, +that’s all ailed her!” + +“Just--just--” Roy stuttered, and choked. “She was only eccentric, Bug +Eye! That’s all! Poor--” + +“Bug Eye Wilson, come here!” + +Mrs. Ball, her head thrust forward, stood on the steps. “Come here to +me!” + +“Yes, ma’am,” and Bug Eye, sighing profoundly, walked meekly forward. +As he passed the still form of his beloved Hortense, with the rope, +like a long, thin tail, still hanging from her, he shook his head and +muttered: + +“You weren’t long for this world, old girl! Motor busted clean off the +chassis. Well--” + +“Bug Eye, what do you mean by sending that engine of destruction on to +my flower bed?” + +“I didn’t go for to send it on to the flower bed, ma’am,” Bug Eye +answered gently. “That was her own doin’s. I aimed her across the yard, +an’ the rest she did herself. Reckon she got tired of the straight an’ +narrow.” + +Speechless, Mrs. Ball stared at him. Then with a +what-can-you-do-with-a-man-like-that gesture of her hands, she turned +and entered the house. + +The girls, who had stood watching the scene, let out peals of laughter. +The woebegone expression on Bug Eye’s face changed not a bit as he +rested a hand on one of Hortense’s wheels. To think that he, himself, +had been the cause of his beloved’s untimely decease was an added +reason for sadness. + +“Cheer up, Bug Eye. You may be able to fix her,” Teddy called, +struggling hard against laughter. + +“Nope--she’ll never be the same,” the puncher sighed. “Her life is +finished. But I sure saved the lilies, didn’t I?” he added in a +brighter tone. + +“You certainly did,” Roy agreed. “I never saw a neater exhibition of +roping in my life. Think he ought to get a prize, girls?” he called to +Belle and her friends. + +“He should--and I’ll see that he does!” Nell promised. “If I have to +bake it myself. Which do you like, Bug Eye--apple or lemon?” + +“Huh? Oh, that’s all right. I’m used to tough breaks. Don’t worry about +me. Maybe it’s better off this way, anyhow.” + +“He’s still thinking about Hortense,” Ethel whispered to Nell. “He was +so anxious to show Teddy and Roy how it worked, and the first time he +took it out it smashed. Let’s go in and leave him to his dead darling!” + +Bug Eye, with the help of Teddy and Roy, at last carted the remains +away. And before they had decently disposed of her behind the bunkhouse +Bug Eye was aflame with a new idea--a way to utilize the parts for +which Hortense had no more use. + +“Off with the old love--on with the new!” Teddy laughed. “What’s this +one to be, Bug Eye?” + +“I’m not sure yet,” the puncher answered musingly. “Maybe a fire +extinguisher. Maybe--well, anything. But I know one thing! It won’t +have no way to move about!” + +Teddy and Roy, with faces that were prone to grin suddenly when some +incident of the runaway Hortense was recalled, wandered about the yard, +leaving Bug Eye to his thoughts. They had decided to start back in an +hour or so, in order to be at the X Bar X for supper. Anxious as they +were to prolong their visit, so that they might talk to Nell and Ethel, +they knew there was plenty to be done at home. Round-up season is a +busy time for all. + +Soon after dinner they said good-bye to the girls and started. The ride +home was uneventful, and they reached the ranch at four-thirty. As they +drove the flivver into the yard they saw that their father was talking +to a stranger down by the corral. When they had put the car away he +called them over. + +“Boys, this is Mr. Peterson,” he said. “These are my two sons, Mr. +Peterson--Teddy and Roy.” + +“Howdy!” the stranger greeted them. He offered his hand. The boys +thought they had never shaken hands with a man who seemed so lacking in +muscle. The hand was soft and flabby and limp. + +Mr. Peterson was short, but not plump. Somehow, he appeared +unsubstantial, as though even a fair punch could knock him over. +Neither Teddy nor Roy realized that they were thinking of punching in +connection with Mr. Peterson. + +“He wants some of our dogies,” Mr. Manley continued. “Six hundred head, +I think you said?” + +Roy started, as if the figure brought some thought to his memory. + +“Six hundred--that’s right,” Peterson replied. His voice was like his +manner, querulous, overbearing. “Of the best you got.” + +“Don’t worry about that. What you pay for, you get,” Mr. Manley +declared shortly. Teddy got the impression that he shared their dislike +of the man. But business knows no likes or fancies. + +“There’s one condition, but don’t suppose it makes much difference to +you,” Peterson said. “The firm I work for is in the habit of requiring +the seller to post a forfeit, so we’ll sure get the cattle we bargain +for. Just a matter of form--but the firm demands it. That’s all right +with you, isn’t it?” + +“A forfeit?” Mr. Manley turned toward the boys. “Ever hear of that +bein’ done before, Roy?” + +“Once in a while,” Roy answered. He looked at his father queerly. Why +had he asked him a question the answer of which he must have known +himself? + +“Once in a while, hey? Well, Mr. Peterson, I guess we can accommodate +you. How much do you need?” + +“Five hundred,” Peterson declared. “You can put it in the bank at +Eagles. Now that that’s settled, I’ll pay my deposit, just to make +matters shipshape. Here’s five hundred on our part. That enough?” + +“Plenty. In fact, it isn’t necessary,” Mr. Manley said. “We do a great +deal of business on trust out here. But you’re the doctor.” He thrust +the roll of bills into his pocket. “Now where and when do you want +these cattle shipped?” + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + POP WAXES WROTH + + +Peterson passed his hand over his chin as though he were thinking up +the answer to this last question. But his hesitation was too obvious to +be real. Roy knew he had made his choice long ago. + +“Know where Red Rock is?” he asked finally. + +“Sure,” replied Mr. Manley. “Jump-off place. Tracks run upgrade there. +Pretty high, where the station is. Why?” + +“Thinkin’ I’d like the cattle delivered there. Railroad gave me an +option on some box cars that are restin’ on a siding at Red Rock. Might +as well use them--save money in the end. Well?” + +“You mean you’d rather have the cattle driven there instead of to +Eagles?” Teddy interrupted. + +“That’s it. If they went to Eagles they’d have to go by the regular +route. You get the idea?” + +“Partly--partly.” Mr. Manley hitched his belt up and glanced about +him. “Reckon your price entitles you to have ’em driven where you want +’em, within reason. Teddy, just get my account book, will you? It’s in +the top drawer of my desk. I want to put this all down.” + +“That’s the way I like to do business,” Peterson declared a trifle +importantly. “Have everything in black an’ white. I been in this game +now for eleven years, an’ I never lost nothin’ yet by puttin’ it on +paper.” + +Then, as Teddy returned with the notebook, he began to tell the items +off on his fingers: + +“First, I gave you five hundred dollars deposit. Second, you agreed +to post a five hundred dollar forfeit, to become mine in case of +non-delivery. Third, six hundred head of your best cattle. Fourth, +they’re to be delivered at Red Rock. I’ll let you know the exact time +later.” + +“An’ fifth, it looks a mite like rain,” Mr. Manley drawled, closing his +book. “All right, Mr. Peter Peterson. I’ll see that your orders are +obeyed to the letter.” + +“I didn’t mean to sound like a sergeant,” Peterson said uneasily. “Just +wanted to make certain you had it all straight.” + +“Sure! I know. Well, I reckon I have. Course, I’m a new man at this +game, you might say, an’ I appreciate any advice from a man who knows +more than I do.” + +“So?” A light appeared in Peterson’s eyes, then died down, like a door +suddenly closed to conceal the entrance of the house from passers-by. +“I kind of thought you hadn’t been at this so long. You ain’t got the +look of a veteran rancher. Well, I hope we succeed in puttin’ this deal +through.” + +“Hope so,” Mr. Manley repeated, smiling innocently. “Well, so long, Mr. +Peterson. Thanks!” + +“You’re welcome,” Peterson replied pompously. “Always like to help +anyone. Cattle dealing is a risky business. There’s always some crook +in it trying to get the best of an honest man.” + +“That’s right,” Mr. Manley agreed solemnly. “You can’t be too careful.” + +Mr. Peterson nodded, and mounted his pony which had been standing +quietly near by. Then, waving his hand genially, he rode off. + +“He cuts quite a figure, according to himself,” Teddy laughed. “So +you’re a new hand at this game, Dad?” + +“I couldn’t help that,” Mr. Manley said, grinning. “He was too allfired +sure and certain of everything. And a man with a hand-shake like his +always did set me on my ear.” + +“Felt like a piece of mutton,” Roy commented. “He wanted to tie you up +tight with his forfeit, didn’t he, Dad?” + +“Oh, well, we don’t have to worry about that. We’ll make delivery all +right. The thing that strikes me funny is wantin’ the cattle driven to +Red Rock instead of Eagles. His story of the cars he’s rentin’ sounds +fishy. It’s much cheaper to send them over the regular route. But +that’s his business. Belle Ada get to the 8 X 8 all right?” + +Teddy replied that she did, and told his father about Bug Eye’s +latest venture and its result. Mr. Manley laughed heartily over the +description of the puncher’s skill in roping Hortense, and then Teddy +and Roy went in to wash for supper. At the table the talk veered +naturally around to the rodeo to be held on the thirtieth of September +at Silver City, a large town seventy miles from Eagles. + +“Round-up will be finished by the twelfth anyway,” Mr. Manley declared. +“Pass the bread, Teddy. Suppose you boys are countin’ on entering?” + +Teddy and Roy looked at their mother. She smiled, and nodded. + +“Of course they are!” she declared. “They’re certainly not going to +stay out on my account.” + +“That’s the stuff!” Roy exclaimed, his eyes alight. He reached over +and seized his mother’s hand. “You’re a game sport, Mom! But we’ll be +careful--no bulldogging, or stuff like that. I’m going to try for the +fancy riding prize.” + +“Trick ridin’, we used to call it,” Mr. Manley said. “You’ll need lots +of practice for that, Roy. Better begin soon.” + +“I am. To-morrow, if I get a chance. How about you, Teddy?” + +“Bronc riding,” Teddy declared laconically. “And there’s one more I’d +like to try--wild cow milking.” + +“Wild cow milking!” Mrs. Manley repeated. “Is that really a contest, +Teddy?” + +“I’ll say it is!” her husband broke in. “In my younger days that was +one of the big things.” He chuckled reminiscently. “I remember one +year when they held the events at San Antonio. Me, I thought I was the +champion wild cow milker. Pop can tell you about this, ’cause he went +in it too. Well, I gets my pail in action right away. Goin’ fine, for +the first five seconds. Then things started to happen. Anyway, I didn’t +win. But neither did Pop.” + +“Bardwell, I can’t imagine you trying to milk a cow,” Mrs. Manley +laughed. “What other contests do they have, boys?” + +“Anything you can think of,” Roy answered. “Calf roping, steer +bulldogging--eight hundred pound steers, too. Races, bell calf +roping--” + +“How is that done?” + +“Usually they have five riders, and six calves to be roped. The one who +ropes his calf first then gets his lariat over the calf with the bell +on it--they have only one of them--wins.” + +“They rope those poor little calves!” Mrs. Manley exclaimed. “I should +think it would hurt them!” + +“Only their dignity,” Teddy laughed. “Say, Roy, how about trying for +the Pony Express? You could use Star and Flash and that other pony I +broke this spring. You’d have a good chance of coming through in that. +Don’t you think so, Dad?” + +“Sure,” Mr. Manley answered forcibly. “I want to see one of you boys +get a prize. Reckon we’ll go down an’ watch ’em, hey, Mother?” + +“Yes, I’d like to very much,” said Mrs. Manley, in a small voice. Then +she looked at her husband anxiously. “I suppose no one gets hurt in +those--those things?” + +“Not often,” Mr. Manley assured her. “Seein’ as how this is the first +one the boys have ever been in, I reckon they’ll be plenty careful. +You’ve never even seen one, have you, Mother? We’ll have to go, sure. +When that there band gets playin’ an’ a ridin’ fool is on top of a +pony that’s headin’ for the sky, an’ all the people are yellin’ an’ +shoutin’--by jinks, it makes you tingle all over! I been waitin’ for +the day my boys would be big enough to get in the rodeo. An’ I want to +see one prize, even if it’s only a booby prize.” + +“We’ll steer clear of that one,” Roy declared. “I’m going to get Nick +and Pop to give me some pointers. Come on, Teddy, we’ll go over now and +talk to them!” + +“You’re excused,” Mr. Manley chuckled. “Golly, Barbara, how it does +bring back the days I used to ride in those events! The first one I +went in kept me awake the whole night before, thinkin’ of it! Now I got +two grown sons to keep up the good work. Guess we haven’t had such a +bad time of it after all, hey, girlie?” + +“You talk like a grandfather!” his wife laughed. “Run along, boys--your +father is getting sentimental! But do be careful of those--those wild +cows, won’t you?” + +The boys found Nick Looker, Pop Burns and Gus Tripp playing +mumblety-peg on the ground in front of the bunkhouse. They stood for a +moment watching the game, until Nick gave up in disgust when he took a +small slice out of his hand. Declaring that the light was too uncertain +for a master to show his stuff, he arose. + +“I see yore dad talkin’ to another cattle dealer,” he proclaimed. +“Anything stirrin’?” + +On the X Bar X the hands were treated almost as partners in the +business, so Nick’s question was perfectly proper. + +“Made a deal,” Roy answered. “Six hundred head. Dad had to post a +forfeit.” + +“Don’t like this forfeit business,” Pop Burns declared. Pop, as the +oldest man on the ranch--and the baldest--took upon himself the +privileges of seniority. Needless to say his place in the sun was hotly +contested by the other punchers. + +“Too easy to lose money that way,” he continued. “I remember one time--” + +“Carry me back to old Virginy!” Gus caroled. “Where the--” + +“Funny, ain’t you?” Pop sniffed. “But let me tell you one thing! I was +bustin’ broncos when you was bustin’ baby crackers. An’ that’s no song, +either!” + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + SOMETHING QUEER + + +“Take it easy, boys,” Teddy chuckled. “Pop, go on with your story. You +were saying--” + +“Talk to these bow-legged skillet-curlers? Not me! I wouldn’t waste +breath on ’em. Maybe when round-up time comes they won’t be quite so +chipper. I’ve known buckets to welch before this.” + +“Here’s one that won’t,” Nick declared. “Go ahead, rave on, old +man! Now, Teddy, I think we were talkin’ business when so rudely +interrupted. About those cattle--” + +“What we came over here for was to get some dope on the rodeo,” Roy +broke in. “While we’ve seen ’em, of course, we’ve never been in any. +Teddy and I are going to have a try for some of the prizes.” + +“Rodeo? Listen, brother!” Pop exclaimed. “I’ll give you the low down +on them events. There’s one thing you want to be careful of--steer +bulldoggin’. There’s nothin’ in it, an’ it’s too dangerous. It ain’t +worth the trouble. Now wild cow milkin’--there’s somethin’ for your +money! I used to be a great little milker myself. One time, down San +Antonio way, I milked a--” + +“Dad told us about it,” Teddy laughed. “He said you--” + +“If he told you, there’s no use repeatin’ it,” Pop said hurriedly. He +appeared somewhat taken aback. Roy wondered what his interpretation of +the occasion would have been. “But anyway,” he continued, “that’s great +sport.” + +“We were thinking of entering that,” Roy explained. “That, and trick +riding and bronco busting. Maybe pony express. Dad says he’s coming to +watch us.” + +“Try an’ keep the boss away,” Gus chuckled. “Especially with his sons +ridin’. When you boys gonna practice?” + +“Every day, from now on,” Teddy declared. “Any suggestions will be +appreciated. Pop, we’re counting on you to help us out.” + +“Any time, boys, any time. ’Bout three years since I went to a cowboy +reunion, but I guess I ain’t forgotten.” + +“How many years?” Nick inquired, with a grin. + +“Three, I said! Well, maybe a little longer. But, anyway, I’d like to +see a prize or two come to the X Bar X. Ain’t had any since yore dad +was in the ring. He was the one who could nab ’em! Don’t suppose he +said much about how many he won. Most likely told about the ones he +missed up on. Right?” + +“That’s right,” Teddy laughed. “No wonder he was anxious to have Roy +and me cash in for a prize. Well, we’ll do the best we can. Now there’s +something else I--that is, Roy and I--want to talk about. Nick, what do +you know about the Lefton brothers?” + +“Nothin’ more than I told you, Teddy, except that I didn’t take to ’em +much. When you told me they was pallin’ with Mob Jamisson I wasn’t much +surprised.” + +“Uh-huh.” Teddy nodded understandingly. “Roy, here, heard some funny +remarks they made when they didn’t think he was listening. Did he tell +you?” + +“Told him most of it,” Roy said. “You know--about the cars and the +eight mile grade, and the rest of it. You couldn’t make much out of it, +could you, Nick?” + +“Nothin’ at all. But--” + +“Eight miles from where?” Pop interrupted. + +“Maybe from the Jarmey place. That mean anything?” + +“Well, not exactly,” Pop said slowly. “That Jarmey place is an old +station that used to be a shipping point. Only thing it’s good for now +is to keep rats in. An’ there’s plenty of them. Say, who was this +geezer what wants the six hundred head, Teddy?” + +“Peterson, his name is. Peter Peterson, I think. Ever hear of him?” + +“Never did. He must be new on the job. Like as not he’s an agent for a +Chi. firm. They have men in this section nearly all the time now. Hope +the boss makes a good deal with him.” + +“Dad says he offered two dollars a head more than any of the other +buyers,” Roy declared. “Didn’t even try to get a lower rate. But +that may be his way of doing business--knows what he wants and goes +after it. We won’t kick about that. Still, that forfeit idea is a new +wrinkle--at least, for our ranch. Gus, and the rest of you, see if you +can get any dope on him, will you? Ask Jules and Nat Raymond. If you +hear anything, let us know.” + +Teddy and Roy had thought to inquire more about the Lefton brothers and +to ask Nick’s opinion of them. But with the introduction of an added +topic--concerning Peterson--the new interest overtopped the old one, so +far as cattle buying went. It was now important that Peterson be given +consideration. + +Gus, who was to go to town to-morrow, promised to make inquiries about +Peterson. + +“Chances are I won’t hear anything, though. He must be representing an +Eastern firm. Two dollars more a head than the others, hey? Must be +made of money.” + +“But we ought to find out _something_ of his qualifications,” Roy +objected. “Certainly, they’ll know about him at the freight office. +He said he’s been in this business a number of years. Tried to give +dad advice.” Roy smiled. “Dad took him for a little ride, but Peterson +didn’t know it.” + +Teddy and Roy were to make a trip to Red Rock the next day, to look +over the territory where the six hundred head were to be driven. So +after a little more talk with Nick and the other hands they sought +their beds. + +They started for Red Rock early. Flash had entirely recovered from the +slight sprain he had received in the flight from the wolves, and he +whinnied with the joy of living when Teddy headed him toward the open +range. + +“Running well, isn’t he?” Roy remarked, as, riding close to his +brother, he watched Flash’s feet tap the ground. + +“Sure is! I’m depending on him to help us cop a prize at the rodeo. +And, believe me, Star is no slouch either!” He motioned with his elbow +toward Roy’s pony. “With these two, we ought to get something.” + +Roy grinned, and the two rode on. The chill of the fall morning had +given way to the warmth of Indian summer. Ahead of them a jack-rabbit +scurried across the path. The mountains gleamed green and white +beneath the early sun. In the distance a river threaded its way between +banks of quakermasts and evergreens. + +Roy breathed deep of the tonic air. + +“It’s good,” he said simply, “just to be here.” + +Teddy did not laugh. He, too, was beginning to realize more of life. +There had been a time, not long ago, when this remark would have +brought a smile to his face. But now he thought seriously that it _was_ +good to be here. Thus, quickly, youth comes into its heritage. But +humor is not diminished. Rather, it is increased. + +The two brothers had been long together. They had been through many +trials and dangers. Between two such a bond, firm, unbreakable, is +established. There was no selfishness in either one. If occasion came, +one would cheerfully, willing, offer his life for the other. + +Both seemed to feel something of this sentiment as they rode the range +toward Red Rock. They had, of course, been vividly reminded of it that +day they had been menaced by the wolves. Perhaps they were thinking +of this, for it was some moments before either spoke. But youth is +buoyant, not introspective. The mood passed. And when Teddy, apropos of +nothing, declared that Bug Eye would see many a day go by before Mrs. +Ball let him try his inventions near her flower bed again, Roy laughed. + +“Poor Bug Eye! He always manages to get in wrong. Remember his +Fishmobile? Wonder what happened to that? And the time he got +interested in hypnotism, and Pop let him think he had him hypnotized. +I’ll never forget that.” + +“Me, either. Bug Eye thought sure he had him under his spell. Then Pop +showed him up. Say, how far is it to Red Rock?” + +“Plenty far. Lucky there are no steep hills on the way. Reckon we might +as well choose this route to drive those cattle over. Peterson wants +to give us all the trouble he can, I reckon. Be much simpler to take +’em to Eagles, as we’ve always done. We’ll earn that two bucks a head +extra, I’m thinking. He must have had this journey in mind when he made +the offer.” + +“Uh-huh. Maybe, and maybe not. He was a fish, that man. I hate to talk +about another behind his back, and especially when I’ve only seen him +once, but--well, I just don’t like him!” + +“You and me both. But, as dad said, you can’t afford to let your liking +interfere with business.” + +“Dad didn’t say that. I did. It’s true. So we’ll forget Peterson till +we learn something about him. Perhaps Gus will have found out from the +boys in town what kind of a man he is.” + +“I doubt it. But we’ll let the matter rest, anyhow. What we want to +do is to select the best way to take the cattle to Red Rock, and this +looks like it. Let’s get a wiggle on.” + +They urged their horses forward, and finally came into sight of Red +Rock. The town itself was much like Eagles, but smaller. The railroad +station was the center, and as they rode in the boys saw that a large +corral opened out at the rear of the depot. They looked over this well, +and decided that, after all, they might not have much more trouble in +bringing the cattle here than they would in bringing them to Eagles. + +“Not as many people to bother us, at any rate,” Teddy declared, and he +halted his pony in the center of the dusty main street. “Three stores +and a row of houses back there. Looks like a deserted village.” + +“Not quite deserted,” Roy said in a low voice. “Look there.” + +Teddy swung around. Three men had just stepped from behind the corner +of the station. They were talking earnestly, and did not see either +Teddy or Roy. + +As they came closer Teddy uttered an exclamation. + +“The Lefton brothers--and look who’s with them!” + +It was Peter Peterson, the man with whom their father had, only +yesterday, closed a contract. + +“Let ’em see us,” Roy suggested quietly. “There’s something queer about +this.” + +Snatches of the talk drifted toward the waiting boys. + +“--plenty of cars”--“easy to get”--“only an eight mile run--” + +“What the mischief--” Teddy began, when he was interrupted by the roar +of a train pulling in at the station. As the three men heard it they +turned hurriedly and ran for the platform. Another moment, and they had +entered one of the cars, leaving Teddy and Roy staring after them. With +a shrill whistle the train puffed away from the station. + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + THE WILD HORSE + + +“That,” said Roy deliberately, “is pret-ty blamed funny.” + +“All of what you just said. Hear what they were talking about?” + +“Couldn’t help it. Seems to be a habit with those Lefton boys--that +eight mile stuff and about the cars. We’ve got a nice little jig-saw +puzzle to fit together, Teddy, my lad. How come Peterson knows the +Leftons? Can you tell me that?” + +“Ask me something easy,” Teddy returned musingly. “What I’m interested +in is the meaning of this line of talk. We couldn’t very well yell at +’em and tell ’em we were here, and not to talk so loud. Oh, I forgot, +you’re a detective. That’s right. We’re privileged to listen.” + +“That was a nasty crack, Teddy,” Roy said, and grinned. “I suppose +you’re referring to my losing my knife that night and going back for +it. Well, it’s lucky I did. Forewarned is forearmed, you know.” + +“You really think there’s something to this, do you?” + +“I’m sure of it! Hold up there, Star--stop that prancing! Now listen, +Teddy. First thing that happens is that the Leftons come to the X +Bar X and make motions like cattle dealers. But are they? Not so you +could notice it! Then they ask Nick and some of the others all sorts +of questions about where our ranges are located and how many head we +have in certain places. If they don’t want to do business with us, +what’s the big idea of that? Then I hear ’em talking about cars being +easy to get, and six hundred head, and the Jarmey place. That wouldn’t +be so bad, but, by jinks, here comes Peterson, who _is_ going to buy +our dogies--or so he says--and they mention the same things again! And +don’t forget we saw the Leftons with Mob Jamisson! By golly, Teddy, +that chase by the wolves was one of the luckiest days in our lives, +even if we did come near passing out of the picture! We know where we +are, now!” + +“Oh, do we?” Teddy chuckled. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, +suppose you tell me just where we are, brother mine!” + +Roy looked down at his pony, and coughed. + +“Don’t take me so literally. I mean we know what to watch out for. +This Peterson’s with the Lefton boys. The Lefton boys are in with Mob +Jamisson. _Ergo, et cetera_, or what have you?” + +“A bag of nothing, I guess,” Teddy answered. “You seem to be able to +build up the finest suspicions I ever saw, Roy. Trouble is, we’ve +started looking at this thing from one angle, and we can’t see it from +any other. All these things may mean absolutely nothing. We told dad +of what you heard when you went back for your knife, but he didn’t +think much of it. You see, we’re biased. We can’t figure clearly. Every +time the Lefton boys come into the picture we’re looking at it through +fogged glasses. What we want is a disinterested viewpoint.” + +“Yes, but there’s this side of it too, you must remember.” Roy was +leaning over his saddle, forgetful that he was standing in the center +of the main street of Red Rock. One or two men who had wandered out of +a store regarded the two boys curiously, but they were oblivious of +their audience. Roy was absolutely, intensely serious, as was Teddy. + +“You’ve got to look at it this way, Teddy,” Roy continued. “We’ve +actually seen and heard all this. Anyone we’d tell it to would be +getting secondhand information. He couldn’t judge how it impressed us. +The most everyday matters may mean a whole lot more if you can see +them happening instead if hearing about them. The tone of a person’s +voice, his actions as he’s speaking, all figure in. A first impression +is usually correct, I’ve heard, and I believe it. And my impression is +that this Peterson and the Lefton boys are up to some mischief that has +something to do with us!” + +Teddy thought for a moment, his chin resting on his hand. So still was +he that Flash turned his head inquiringly, as though to be sure his +master was still with him. At last the boy spoke, saying slowly: + +“All right, Roy. You’ve about convinced me. But what of it? What can +we do? Nothing except to tell dad to be careful in his dealings with +Peterson. And he’d do that anyway. Dad is no fool--he knows the kind of +people he bargains with. And he knows Peterson is questionable, too. +How can I tell that? By the way he looked at him. So the best thing we +can do is to keep our suspicions to ourselves until something turns up. +When we get home we’ll ask Gus what he found out about Peterson. And, +if dad questions us, we’ll tell him what we think. That’s as far as we +can go. We don’t want to make mountains out of molehills, you know.” + +Roy nodded. + +“You’ve got the answer, Teddy. We’ll play our own little game. And if +anything crops up we’ll be ready. We won’t say anything about seeing +Peterson here. Now let’s get back. I want to put in a little practice +riding for the rodeo. Won’t hurt you to do some, too, if you want any +of the prizes.” + +“Check! We’ll go.” They turned the horses and rode down the street and +out of the town. The two men who were standing on the side watched them +go. One of them faced the other. + +“Say, Jack,” he drawled, “where’d the crowd come from? Circus here?” + +That was Red Rock. + +The boys reached home, told Mr. Manley that the trail to the shipping +point was in fair shape, and went again into the yard to start their +practice. Nick was waiting for them. + +“Which one of you goin’ in for bronco ridin’?” + +“I am, Nick,” Teddy answered. “Why?” + +Nick motioned him over. + +“Got something here you might be interested in,” he chuckled. “Came +while you were gone. I asked Nat Raymond to bring it in for me from +Sanborn’s Point. Yore dad wanted a new horse. Here it is.” + +He led the way to the corral. “It” proved to be a small mustang, whose +fiery eyes and nervous movements proclaimed that this was his first +experience with civilization. + +“Pete Lazerus caught him last week, an’ he’s been keepin’ him near his +camp over at the Point, where he’s located. The bronc ain’t never been +rode.” + +Teddy walked close to the bars and observed the animal intently. He +noticed the full chest, the legs with hard bunches of muscle behind +them, the long head with the ears lying flat against the skull. + +“No need to tell me that,” he said grimly. “Anyone ever try?” + +“Pete--for about three seconds,” Nick chuckled. “He sold him cheap. +Said when he wanted dynamite he’d buy it in boxes, not wrapped in hoss +flesh.” + +“Pop around?” + +“Yep. He’s been waitin’ for you, too. Yo, Pop!” + +“Comin’!” + +The veteran rancher ambled toward them. + +“Goin’ to teach him manners, Teddy?” + +“Going to register him for a course, anyway,” Teddy laughed. “May take +a day or so. Nick, will you ride in and cinch him for me--you and Pop?” + +“Sure. Git yore bronc, Pop. Need two of us to do this job. What leather +you want, Teddy?” + +“My own. I’ll drag it off Flash.” + +He did this, and returned with the saddle. By this time Pop and Nick +had mounted and were within the bars of the corral. Roy was sitting on +the top rail, with a rope held ready in his hand. + +“Just in case,” he explained. + +The wild pony strongly resented any interference with his liberty. When +Nick rode up to him with a large handkerchief in his hand, to blindfold +him before putting the saddle on, he shied and refused to stand. Nick +unwound his lariat. + +“Have to coax him, I reckon.” + +The rope flew through the air, and settled full over the mustang. An +instant of struggle, with Nick’s mount standing as firm as a rock, and +suddenly Pop cast. With two ponies holding the bronco, between them +they managed to put on the saddle and cinch it. + +“Buck strap, Teddy?” + +“Not any! Leave him open. All right, put the handkerchief on.” + +Quickly Nick secured the cloth in place over the bronco’s eyes. The +horse stood perfectly still, but was trembling violently. + +“He’s plumb full of action,” Pop declared. “Careful, Teddy. Hold him +now, Nick. Climb aboard, Ted! All set?” + +Teddy, his face moulded in stern lines, settled himself in the saddle. +He grasped the reins, and straightened up. + +“All set, Pop. Raise the curtain.” + +The two lariats were thrown to the ground. Nick, leaning over +cautiously, put his hand on the eye cloth. + +“Here she goes!” + +He pulled the handkerchief off with a snap. The bronco was free. + +“Stand clear!” + + + + + CHAPTER X + + ROY’S ROPE + + +Like a carved statue the bronco stood, silent, immobile. As an arrow +pauses for a moment at its zenith before descending. As a gunner, +intent on destruction, takes deadly aim before he pulls the trigger. +Thus the bronco stood. + +Suddenly his back arched. His feet bunched together. Seemingly without +effort he arose straight into the air. + +“Stick to him! Stick--” + +He came down stiff-legged. The shock jerked Teddy’s head forward. The +boy grunted, and those watching saw his hand come down on the horse’s +flank in a tremendous slap. + +“On your way, baby! Take me off!” + +The bronco leaped to one side and turned like a reed in a whirlwind. +Then he sprang upward again. + +“Don’t let him roll, Teddy!” Nick, prancing about on his own horse, was +yelling with excitement. “Hang on, boy!” + +Teddy hung on. Not with his hands, but with his knees alone did he +remain upright. He had not “gone to leather.” + +The horse, frustrated for the moment, remained quiet. But he had only +begun to open his bag of tricks. Of a sudden he reared high, came down, +and rolled sideways. He hit the ground with a thud. + +But Teddy was ready for this--was waiting for it. As the horse neared +the ground he slipped from the saddle and stood straddling the pony as +he lay on the earth, and when the bronco leaped up again Teddy was in +the saddle. + +Pop shouted his approval. + +“That’s the stuff, Teddy! Fooled him then! Yea, bo! Look at him ride!” + +Maddened to find that weight still on his back, when he had expected to +dislodge it easily, the pony began a series of bucks that caused the +watchers to gasp with fear for Teddy’s safety. The boy pulled his hat +from his head and slapped the pony with it. + +“He’s fannin’ him! Go to it, puncher! Make him hang out the white flag! +Snakes, did you see--” + +Discarding for a moment his frantic jumping, the bronco headed for the +bars of the corral. Reaching them, he swerved, and sought to scrape +Teddy off. The boy’s leathern chaps prevented real injury, but Roy saw +his brother’s face go white with the pain of the shock. + +“Nick!” he called. “Get between him! Want me to take him, Teddy?” He +stood upon the second rail from the top, bracing himself, and loosened +his lariat. + +“No! No! Don’t throw! I’m all right! This bronc is mine!” + +“Full of nerve, that kid,” Pop said in a low voice. “Get close to him, +Nick.” + +The cowboy had already started. As the wild horse skirted the bars, +Nick put himself between the rails and Teddy. Every time the bronco +made for the corral fence he found Nick’s horse blocking his way. + +He gave this up with a suddenness that was characteristic. He pranced +like a dancer toward the center of the enclosure. + +“You’ve got him, Teddy!” Roy shouted gleefully. “He’s shown about all +his stuff!” + +It seemed as though Roy was right. Gradually the horse became calmer. +The whites of his eyes went under, and more of the pupil showed. The +stiffness went out of his legs. + +“All right, pony,” Teddy said soothingly. “Let’s run around a bit, hey? +Now--into a gallop!” + +He let the reins hang slack. The horse looked around inquiringly, +puzzled for a moment. What happened next is still unexplained by +those watching, and Teddy has only a hazy idea of it. It was all too +quick--too unexpected. + +The strap binding the saddle to the horse--the cinch strap--parted. +Terrified at this sudden sensation, the pony started bucking again. +There were three other girths about the belly, but these broke like +paper ribbons. The hind feet went up in the air, and Teddy and the +saddle shot over the bronco’s head. + +Teddy lit with arms out-stretched, taking the shock evenly. The moment +he hit the ground he rolled, and avoided the pony’s hoofs by a fraction +of an inch. Dazed, he staggered to his feet. + +“Stay there, Teddy! Don’t move! I’ll get him!” + +It was Roy, standing upright on his perilous perch, lariat whirling in +a wide circle. + +The pony, seeing a defenseless man before him, and realizing that here +was the author of his misfortunes, started forward, snorting viciously. +His lips were drawn back and the teeth showed white and savage. All his +former rage again took possession of him. + +Nick and Pop leaped their horses toward the maddened bronco. Even then +they could see that their efforts were useless, that the wild horse was +too close to Teddy for them to reach him on time. + +“He’s done! Roy, he’s--” + +At that moment the loop left Roy’s hand. Strangely, he thought of Bug +Eye and his automatic lawnmower as he watched the loop snake out. In +time of great stress one’s mind plays queer tricks. + +Teddy was too weak from his fall to move. He stood there, arms before +him to ward off the brute, and waited for the end. + +But the pony never reached him. Roy’s lariat settled over the bronco’s +neck. Like a flash the boy twisted the end he held about a post. + +With a jerk that drew from him a scream of pain, the pony’s dash was +halted. He twisted, and bit at the rope that held him. In that second +Nick and Pop bent low in their saddles, seized Teddy, and carried him +to safety. + +The pony was still struggling with the lariat as Roy ran toward his +brother. There was no more danger now--the rope was firmly on, and each +movement of the horse drew it tighter. At present he had no time for +living enemies with that coil of fire about his neck. + +“Teddy! Are you--” + +Teddy laughed weakly. + +“Nope, not quite, Roy. Just a little numb. I didn’t expect that fall. +Maybe--” he staggered, and Roy seized his arm. + +“You come over to the house now. That was one bad spill. Look +here--don’t cave in yet!” + +“No danger.” Teddy smiled at his brother. “Just bent over to see if my +legs were still there. They feel kind of--missing.” + +Pop chuckled. + +“Don’t wonder, son. If that’d been me I’d have felt all missin’. But +Roy’s right--in the house for yours. What under the sun made that cinch +strap break?” + +Teddy shook his head. “It’s beyond me. Everything happened so quickly +I didn’t have time to take an observation. Roy, that was a wonderful +throw of yours. Standing on the rails! If you hadn’t, I--” + +“Just what Bug Eye did to stop his lawnmower,” Roy declared, and +grinned. “Funny, as the rope left my hand I was thinking of him. I +figured he could do it, so--” + +Teddy reached out and rested his hand on his brother’s shoulder. + +“I’ll let you get away with it, Roy, old boy,” he said quietly. “We +won’t talk about what would have happened if you’d missed. Let’s get +out of here.” + +The three walked toward the gate. Pop and Nick had dismounted, and had +turned their ponies loose. They watched Teddy carefully, to see that he +was able to walk without assistance. + +“Don’t bother about me,” the boy laughed as he saw them staring at him. +“And for the love of Pete, don’t anybody mention it to mother. I don’t +want her to worry.” + +“If she worried, Teddy, you’d never know it,” Pop said in a low voice. +“She knows a man on a ranch can’t be safe all the time. She’d take it +standing up, and never a whimper out of her.” + +They came to the gate, and went through. Teddy turned and looked at Pop. + +“You’re right, Pop. In all my life I’ve not heard her say she was +afraid. Roy, let’s go in. Want to put some liniment on my leg.” + +Nick and Pop stood at the foot of the steps as the two brothers entered +the door of the ranch house. They gazed in open admiration at the +departing figures. + +“The best thing I can say about ’em--” said Nick musingly, “the thing +that takes in all the rest of it--is that they’re the sons of their +mother and father. Come on, Pop, let’s eat.” + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + THE FLYING HAT + + +Stiff and sore in every muscle, Teddy arose from his bed the morning +following his disastrous ride and bent over experimentally. Roy, who +had a bed on the other side of the room, grinned widely. + +“Are you a little stiff from bowling?” + +“I’m a big stiff from bowling. Where is Bowling, anyhow, that so many +stiffs come from there? Golly, if someone took a swing at me now I’d +break right in two. Say--” he sat on the side of the bed and observed +his brother--“suppose the cinch straps break in the rodeo. Does it +count as a throw?” + +“Hum! Have to ask Pop about that. Don’t see why it should. Now take +that pony yesterday, for instance--you had him beaten. It wasn’t your +fault that the girths broke. He was trotting for you when it happened. +You went over his head like a skyrocket, I’ll tell a maverick!” + +“Don’t I know it! There’ll be no more of that, though. When I ride him +again, which will be to-day or to-morrow, I’ll make certain sure that +the straps are O.K. Baby, when I saw that bronc coming for me with his +teeth sticking out, I thought I’d never see a cinch strap again! Well, +it’s over now--and luckily, thanks to you. Oh-h-h-h, but I’m stiff! +Wow! See if you can take the kinks out of my back, will you?” + +Teddy removed his pajama shirt, and Roy doused him liberally with +liniment. Then he kneeded the back muscles vigorously as Teddy lay face +downward on the bed. + +“Uh--uh--have--a--heart! Ouch! What--you--using, anyway? Iron balls? +Oof!” + +“Only my hands, Teddy; only my hands,” Roy said, grinning. “You’ve +got to get used to this. Wait, there’s a spot right between the +shoulderblades that I haven’t touched. There she is.” + +“Yow! I’ll say she is! Go--easy! Finished? Thank goodness!” Teddy sat +up, blinking. “That was fun for you, wasn’t it? You should have been +living in the days of the Inquisition. Bet you could have gotten a job. +Let’s see now.” He stretched, cautiously. “By golly, it is better at +that! The ache’s mostly gone. Yep, Roy, you’re some doctor!” + +“Certainly! Had to hurt a little--all good doctors do. Or else the +patient doesn’t get his money’s worth. Now you hop into your clothes +and we’ll see how much bacon and eggs we can put away. They’ll make +you forget your troubles. Come on, I’ll beat you getting dressed.” + +Teddy, however, refused to race. He said he was in no condition to +try for athletic laurels. He took his time, and when he reached the +breakfast table Roy had already started on his second course. + +Mr. Manley smiled as he saw how carefully his son eased himself into +the chair. + +“’Fraid of breakin’ it, Teddy?” + +“Uh-huh. Can’t bear to see a chair busted. Never forgive myself.” + +“Broken, Teddy, not busted,” Mrs. Manley corrected gently. “I’m +thinking it’s more than the worry over that chair that is bothering +you. Would you like to try that trick of standing on your hands for me, +Teddy?” + +Teddy swallowed, and coughed. + +“Well, Mom, maybe later. I’m hungry now. Norine--” this to the +waitress, who was bringing in some more bacon--“will you please ask +your mother if she has any corn bread?” Mrs. Moore, the mother of +Norine, had been housekeeper and cook at the X Bar X for a number of +years. + +Norine, a young, pretty Irish girl, dimpled and declared that the +kitchen was never empty of anything “for the likes of yourself and +Mister Roy.” The corn bread, very hot, was brought in. + +“Had something of a jolt last night, I hear, Teddy,” remarked Mrs. +Manley, after Teddy had helped himself to the corn bread. + +“Huh? Oh--Who told you anything about it, Mom?” + +“Do you really think much goes on concerning my children that I do not +know about?” and Mrs. Manley laughed. + +Belle Ada looked up from her corn bread and syrup. + +“Then there’s me, Teddy. Don’t you suppose that I know all that goes on +on this ranch?” + +“Oh, it was you, Miss Pry! That explains everything.” + +“Yes; and it’s a good thing that you have a sister to keep an eye on +you.” + +After the meal was concluded the boys walked to the corral and viewed +the bronco that had thrown Teddy. He looked docile enough as he stood +eyeing them, and Teddy determined to ride him without delay. Roy was for +waiting until afternoon, but Teddy vetoed this, and together the two +boys managed to saddle the horse. He remained perfectly quiet, even +when Teddy put a hand on the saddle horn. + +“Never mind the blind,” he said. “Something tells me this bronc is +cured. You watch.” + +Before Roy could utter a word Teddy had vaulted into the saddle. But +nothing happened. The animal moved calmly about the corral as correctly +as any school horse, and after a few minutes Teddy dismounted. + +“Anyone could ride him now,” he declared. “Glad I decided to climb +aboard before he forgot me. Hope the broncs in the rodeo will be as +easy to stay with.” + +“Let’s forget that rodeo for a while,” Roy suggested. “There are a few +things more important just at present--Peterson and his offer for our +cattle, for instance. See Gus yet?” + +“How could I? I’ve been with you all the time. Let’s wander over and +see if he’s around.” + +The boys found Gus Tripp near the hitching-rail preparing to ride +through the country near Mica Mountain and investigate the condition +of the ground. He had his bronco saddled, and was mounting as the boys +came up. + +“Got time to wait a second, Gus?” Teddy called. + +“Sure! Reckon you want to know what I found out about Peterson. Well, +the answer’s easy--nothin’. Yore dad asked me, too; an’ when I told him +no one in town had ever heard of him, he looked sort of worried. Tell +you how it is--a man likes to know somethin’ about a man he’s dealin’ +with, especially when it’s a large order like this. Course Peterson +did put up a deposit; but there’s plenty of things can happen between +now an’ the time he puts the purchase price in yore dad’s hands and +takes delivery. I don’t blame the boss for askin’ questions.” + +“So no one knew him!” Roy mused for a moment. “I suppose, actually, +that that fact alone doesn’t mean much. But, you see, Gus, this +Peterson is acquainted with the Lefton boys.” Roy glanced at his +brother, for they had decided not to tell anyone of their discovery. +But in the face of Gus’s statement, it seemed best that the whole thing +be laid on the table. Teddy nodded his approbation. “And you know how +those Lefton brothers’ deal fell through, after practically demanding +we tell ’em all about our business. Of course that’s exaggerated, but +you get what I mean.” + +“Yep, I get ya’. Well, I guess we can’t do nothin’ about it. I better +be gettin’ along now. See you later.” Gus waved and rode off. + +Teddy and Roy stood there for a moment, watching him go. Then they +walked slowly toward the house. + +“I’m thinking,” Roy mused, “that the molehill we were talking about +a while ago has increased in size. Maybe it’ll grow to a fair-sized +mountain after all.” + +“Um! In other words, things are stirring. Let’s take a ride over to +the south range. Remember where we found so many breaks in the fence? +We can do a little repair work on the side. I don’t think dad wants us +for anything special. I’ll ask him before we go, to make sure.” + +Teddy found his father talking to Nat Raymond, both standing by the +side of one of the ranch wagons. Nat waved to Teddy, and called: + +“Hey, take a look at what we got here. Maybe you’ll recognize some of +’em.” + +“What? Recognize--” + +He reached the wagon and peered in. Then he gave a low whistle of +amazement. + +Within were the bodies of some ten of fifteen wolves. + +“He cleaned that gang up for you, Teddy,” Mr. Manley said. “Remember +when I sent the boys out to chase these critters off the range? They +didn’t have so much luck then, but Nat, Jules an’--who else was with +you, Nat--Joe, wasn’t he?--they went out yisterday an’ did a little +fancy shootin’. I feel more easy, now--didn’t like Belle Ada to ride +around with these things roamin’ the hills. Some nice pelts there.” + +Teddy reached out and touched one of the dead wolves. + +“This big one, Dad, was probably the leader. The rest--those that are +left, I mean--will scatter now. Good work, Nat! Wish I could have been +there when you brought these down. Where’d you run across them?” + +“Near Sanborn’s Point. We just stood still an’ picked ’em off. They +tried to rush us, but we soon discouraged ’em. I’ll take ’em out back, +boss, an’ get someone to help skin ’em. These pelts are worth money.” +He clucked to the small roan that was standing quietly between the +shafts, and the wagon creaked out of the yard. Teddy turned to his +father. + +“Dad, Roy and I want to do a little fence riding. There were a few +places we missed the last time, and we’ll fix ’em now. We may be gone +all day. Anything special to do around here?” + +“Reckon not, Teddy. Say--” Mr. Manley paused for a moment. “Did you +speak to Gus after he got in from town?” + +“Yep! About Peterson, you mean? Said no one seemed to know him. But I +can tell you one thing--Peterson knows the Lefton brothers.” + +“The Lefton brothers!” Mr. Manley started. “I thought they’d left the +country. A bunch of four-flushers, that’s what they are! I didn’t take +to ’em when I first met ’em. They’re not cattle dealers. So Peterson is +acquainted with them, hey?” He took his corncob pipe from his pocket +and stuck it, unfilled, between his teeth. His eyes narrowed in thought. + +“Saw the three of ’em together in Red Rock. They hopped a train just as +Roy and I were going to yell at ’em. Still, I suppose there’s no harm +in that,” suggested Teddy. + +“No harm, no.” Mr. Manley tugged at the ends of his mustache. “Well, +go along, Teddy. Stay as long as you want to. Nothing important around +here. So he knows the Lefton boys, hey?” + +Turning, Mr. Manley walked slowly toward the house. Teddy saw him mount +the steps of a small side porch and enter his office. The door slammed +shut. + +When Teddy rejoined his brother, who was waiting with the two horses, +Star and Flash, already saddled, he told him of Nat Raymond’s wolf +hunt. Then he spoke of their father’s behavior on learning of +Peterson’s friendship with the two Leftons. + +“Seemed worried, did he?” Roy asked, and Teddy nodded. + +There was no more said for a time, and, mounting, the boys rode out +of the yard. After an hour they came in sight of a small herd of +cattle--about a hundred--and they loped over. + +“See if there are any strays in this bunch,” Roy said. “There are a few +breaks in the fence, you know. Of course there’s no range near us--that +is, no range where cattle are grazing, but we’ll look, anyway. The best +time to take out strangers is before round-up, not after.” + +They came closer, and peered at the brands. On every cow there could be +plainly seen the X--X. + +“Guess these are all right,” Teddy commented. “Might as well--” + +A peculiar whistle came from the air just above them, and the two boys +ducked automatically. At the same instant Teddy’s hat flew from his +head. He gasped, and put his hand up. Then he looked at the fingers in +amazement. + +They were smeared with blood! + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + VOICES IN THE NIGHT + + +Teddy’s surprise did not prevent him from going into immediate action. +He had not been hurt by the bullet, which had been just low enough to +draw blood and not stun him. He jumped Flash forward and swung to the +left, leaning far over his saddle. + +Roy, when he saw that his brother was not injured, followed. But there +were no more shots. + +On the other side of the herd of cattle they halted. There were a +hundred cows between them and the hidden gunman, for the shot could +only have come from the one direction. Thus protected, they pulled rein. + +“Better slide off,” Roy said in a low voice. He dismounted, as did +Teddy. “Let’s see your head.” + +Teddy submitted to an inspection. + +“Skin’s broken, but that’s all,” Roy pronounced, relief in his voice. +“By golly! who in thunder did that?” His anger flared up suddenly. +There is a feeling of helplessness about being shot at from ambush +which fills one with a hot rage. “That’s the trick of a skunk! Tried to +get you from the back! By golly--” + +“Well, he missed,” Teddy said shortly. His lips were pressed tightly +together. His eyes flashed. “If we had guns on I’d like nothing better +than to do a little hunting. I know where that shot came from. Some +place in that grove of trees.” + +“What grove? Oh, there?” Roy pointed to a group of trees the tops of +which could be seen over the backs of the cattle. Teddy nodded grimly. + +“I’d take a bet on it. That’s the only place anyone could hide. Say, +gun or no gun--” + +He rested his hand on the saddle horn and was about to mount when Roy +seized him by the arm. With Teddy’s just desire for vengeance there had +arisen in Roy a more calculating mood, taking the place of his former +anger. He was now the steadier of the two. + +“We’ll do nothing as foolish as that, Teddy,” he said quietly. “We +wouldn’t have the ghost of a chance. If I wanted to remove someone, I’d +like nothing better than to have him come for me in the open, unarmed, +while I was hidden and had a gun. That’s the way our friend will +figure. No, not this time. We’d have to ride across that open space to +reach the woods, and if there is someone there who wants to see us +pushing up daisies, he’ll sure get his wish. We’ll have to let him go.” + +“But--” + +“I know. It’s tough. But you know we can’t do anything. Think it over.” + +“You mean to say we’re going to do nothing--not even find out who fired +that shot? Just go away and pretend nothing happened?” + +“But, Teddy, what can we do? Now listen. I know how it feels to be shot +at. In fact, it may have been me instead of you at whom that bullet was +directed. We were pretty close together, you know. Well, it’s a nasty +sensation, I’ll admit. Makes you want to beat up something or other. +But look at things calmly. That gunman is over in that grove of trees, +you say, and I think you’re right. Unless, of course, he ran when he +saw that he’d missed. You and I are here without guns. Problem--to get +to him without his getting to us. Do you know the answer?” + +“Reckon it hasn’t any,” and Teddy grinned ruefully. “He’s got us cold, +all right. Though I’d be satisfied to find out who fired that and take +my chances of getting him later. However, I can at least get my hat.” +He mounted, and started to ride back. + +“No, you don’t, Teddy! That hat is right in line with his fire. No +telling how long he’ll wait there, hoping we’ll go by again. You let +that hat rest awhile.” + +“And go home without it? Not for a million bucks! If I have to stay +here till night I want that hat. These cows look as though they were +here for the rest of the day. I’ll just stick here, behind ’em, and +when it gets dark I’ll go after my Stetson.” + +Roy looked at his brother with an amused smile. This was a new side +to Teddy’s character, one which he had never seen before. The hat was +a small item, yet Roy knew that Teddy meant exactly what he said. He +would never leave without that hat. + +“Well,” Roy laughed dubiously, “if you think that much of it, I guess +we’ll hang around. As you say, the dogies seem to be pretty well +settled, or else they might take a notion to trample that headpiece of +yours to dust. We’ll wait.” + +Teddy nodded, as though Roy had said exactly what he had expected him +to say. The fact is, it was hard for Roy to understand this mood of his +brother’s. He thought that by agreeing with him he might discover his +purpose in staying. Roy could scarcely believe that Teddy would wait +five or six hours simply to recover a hat. + +Yet there was no more reason behind Teddy’s stubbornness than just +this. It relieved him a great deal to feel that he was not giving +in entirely to his hidden enemy--that he was contesting with him the +supremacy of the small plot of ground that lay between the cattle and +the grove of trees. If Teddy had ridden on without his hat, it would +have meant that the gunman was the admitted ruler. Thus the Stetson +stood for one of the vital principles of Teddy’s life--don’t give up in +the face of danger. + +The two boys picketed their ponies near a bush, and sat down about two +hundred yards from the cattle. Now and then a cow would leave the herd +and trot toward them, but seeing they made no motion, it would trot +back again. There was no danger from these Durhams, even to a man on +foot. The sun was too warm, the air too pleasant, to waste energy on +the pursuit of human beings. + +The cattle moved slowly, when they did move, to find new grazing spots, +and the boys had no trouble in keeping behind them. An hour in one +place, then a shift, when the ponies were led to the new resting place, +and Teddy and Roy again threw themselves on the ground and talked. +Roy made no mention of the ridiculous course of conduct they were +following. He was wise enough to let a thing rest when he could not +understand it. + +The hat had fallen quite a distance back, but Teddy had the spot +marked. The day grew colder as the sun approached the horizon. +Gradually the mountains took on that blueish tint that heralds the +twilight. The moon arose, a pale, washed-out circlet in the azure sky. +As the day darkened, the moon became brighter, and when it finally +shone, an incandescent orb, Teddy arose. Night had come. + +“Now,” he said casually, “I’ll get my hat.” Roy stared at him curiously. + +“Going to ride over or walk?” + +“Walk. I know just where it is, and I might miss it on horseback. You +stay here and watch the ponies, will you? Too bad we didn’t get in any +fence repairing, but we can do that to-morrow.” + +He sauntered off, a strange figure in the moonlight. The cattle were +some distance off now, and this was fortunate, for Durhams do not like +men on foot near them at night. + +Now Teddy was directly in front of the grove of trees, and he halted to +gaze at them steadily. If anyone were there, waiting, this should draw +the fire. It was not quite so foolhardy a proceeding as it appeared. +The light was very poor and the distance too great for accurate +shooting. For a moment the boy stood there, then moved on. Not a sound +disturbed the stillness of the night. There was no sign of life in the +grove of trees. + +The hat was lying where it had fallen, near a bush. It looked like a +mound of white sand as Teddy approached. He picked it up, dusted it +off, felt with his finger the bullet hole, then clapped it on his head +and started back. A voice, low, distinct, came to his ears, and he +dropped to the ground with the limpness and suddenness of a man whose +legs have turned to water. + +The voice came from the group of trees. It was hard, as a whiphandle is +hard, and was applying itself to the scourging of someone. + +“You’re still a fool, I see! A skunk I can stand. A fool isn’t even +worth killin’--his hide’s no good. Understand?” + +“But Jerry, you told me--” + +Jerry! That was it! Jerry Lefton! That’s who the speaker was! He and-- + +“I told you,” the voice went on “not to try anything without me or Bill +with you! Just because you’re known as Mob Jamisson, bad man, you think +you can’t miss, hey? Well, here’s one you missed, and it’s going to +mean plenty of trouble for us, too! Even if you did plug one of ’em, +what about the other? He’d get away sure, an’ the fat would be in the +fire. It is, anyhow, I guess. They know we’re after ’em now. Before +they only suspected it. Mob, I could crease you myself for this!” + +“Aw, lay off!” The voice was raised in anger. Mob had evidently come +to the limit of his endurance. “You’ll crease nobody! Get that? An’ you +won’t bawl me out no more, either! If there’s any creasin’ to be done, +I’ll do it! I’m a partner in this scheme, same as you are. If I got an +idea that I think is a good one, I can try it, I reckon.” + +“You’d better let me or Bill look over your ideas for you,” Jerry +Lefton said dryly. “If you were alone I wouldn’t care what you did. You +could hang yourself for all of me. But the way things are fixed now, +if the rope goes around your neck it goes around ours too. Me, I don’t +like that kind of a necktie. You hear me?” + +“I hear you,” Jamisson growled. “I bungled, I admit it. But I thought +I could get that fool easy. Must have been a bum cartridge. Well, the +next time you want a thing done you’ll do it yourself. I had--” + +The voices grew indistinct as the men moved on. An isolated word would +come back to Teddy, then the tones ceased altogether. Still the boy lay +there, thinking. + +“Jerry Lefton and Mob Jamisson,” he muttered slowly. “Now we’re out +in the open. The cards are on the table. He wanted to kill me--and +Roy--because we suspect what they are up to. Uh-huh.” + +He got to his feet and settled the hat more firmly on his head. +Carefully, quietly, he walked back. Roy was waiting for him. + +“Got it, hey? Bet you had a hard time to find it. I should have gone to +you. Golly, I was afraid you’d got lost!” + +“No, I didn’t get lost,” Teddy answered musingly. “And I didn’t have a +hard time to find the hat,” he added. “I knew just where it was.” + +“You did? Then what in thunder--” + +“Roy, you haven’t got a spare badge, have you?” + +“Huh? What’s that? What kind of a badge?” + +“A detective badge.” Teddy chuckled. “I just joined your force.” + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + A DOWN-GRADE PROBLEM + + +Late as it was when Teddy and Roy Manley reached home that night, a +conference was called. Mr. Manley sat in his office, a room set aside +for his exclusive use, and listened to Teddy’s story, the while he +puffed thoughtfully on his corncob pipe and, now and again, tugged at +the ends of his mustache. When the tale was finished he clapped his +hands together in the manner of a man who has come to a sudden decision. + +“Mob Jamisson has attempted to commit murder!” he ejaculated. + +Teddy and Roy started. It had not seemed so serious to them. They had +not the advantage of Mr. Manley’s years in interpreting the occurrence. +To them it had merely appeared that a man with a grudge against them +had tried to injure them. + +“Murder!” Roy repeated slowly. “Sounds nasty, Dad.” + +Mr. Manley nodded. He picked up the ’phone and called a number at the +Hawley exchange. + +“Hello--speak to the Sheriff. What? This is Bardwell Manley, at the X +Bar X Ranch. Right.” + +He waited a moment, evidently while someone was being called to the +instrument. Then he said: + +“This you, Sheriff? This is Bardwell Manley. X Bar X Ranch. What do you +know about a man who goes by the name of Mob Jamisson? Wanted, is he? +What for? Yes.... Uh-huh. Listen. Add attempted murder to that charge, +and see--he tried to kill my boy, Teddy. Shot at him. We have proof +all right. And there was another man with him, name of Lefton--Jerry +Lefton. Heard of him too, hey? Well, I’d like you to get out warrants +for both of them. Soon as possible. That’s it. Let me know if you find +’em. Sure. Thanks. So long!” Mr. Manley hung up the receiver, and faced +about. + +“That’s the first gun,” he said. “We’ll take no more chances on waddies +like that. Makay is a good man. He’ll bring ’em in if they’re still +around. Now--” he tapped the ashes from the bowl of his pipe and +arose--“the next time you boys go out you wear guns. If Jamisson and +his gang have the idea they’re bad men of the West, we’ll just show ’em +that the old West isn’t dead yet. Round-up is next week. I don’t want +anything to happen, especially with that big order we got. Six hundred +head is a large-size bit.” + +His face clouded, and the boys waited for him to finish his thought. + +“Peterson--he called me up to-day. Wanted to be sure I could make +delivery. Never said a word about money, and the market is goin’ down +every day, too. Way it stands now, he’s payin’ three a head more than +Pete Ball, at the 8 X 8, expects to get. I don’t understand it.” + +“What did he say when he called up?” Roy asked curiously. + +“Nothin’ much--just asked me how things were comin’. Told him fine. +They are, too. I don’t want to lose that forfeit. Five hundred isn’t +exactly pin-money.” + +“I’ll tell a maverick it isn’t!” Impressed with the seriousness of this +talk, Roy’s voice unconsciously assumed a deeper tone. + +Mr. Manley, under cover of a cough, looked at his sons. They were +growing to manhood quickly, these boys. Their eyes had a steadier light +in them, and he noticed how straight they sat, as though they were +holding their muscles taut. In the past two years they had gone through +many adventures, and had come out of each with an increased feeling of +reliance upon themselves. He knew now that it was wise to have allowed +them to stop school when they wished. The West had been their school, +as it had been his, and when one graduated from it one was well +equipped for the battle of life. + +Under his prolonged stare, the boys shifted and looked up inquiringly. +Mr. Manley chuckled and rested a hand on a shoulder of each of his sons. + +“I was just thinkin’, boys, that soon you’ll be wantin’ to run this +ranch yourselves. You can, too. You’ve grown up, both of you. Grown +up into sons I can be proud of.” Abruptly his manner changed, and he +pulled them toward him affectionately. “Hit the hay now, buckers! +You’re not too old for me to spank if you stay up too late!” Laughing, +he released them. “Up early to-morrow. Plenty to do. Good-night, boys!” + +“Good-night, Dad!” + +Halfway up the stairs Teddy paused. + +“I think,” he said slowly, “that dad is a regular fellow. I’d do +anything for him.” + +Roy replied with a single sentence, but so fervent was it that it +seemed almost like a prayer: + +“I’ll tell a maverick he is!” + +And they continued to their room. + +Early the next day the telephone in Mr. Manley’s office rang, and Roy +answered it. His father was not in at the moment, and he asked if he +could take the message. + +“This is Peterson,” the voice at the other end said. “Will you tell +your father that I’ve heard talk of rustlers in this vicinity, and warn +him to guard his stock well? I’ll tell you now that I’ll hold him to +that forfeit if he can’t deliver, for it means a great deal to me.” + +“We’ll deliver all right,” Roy declared. “Don’t worry about that. Who +told you there were rustlers around?” + +“Oh, it’s general talk,” Peterson said evasively. “Just remember I +warned you. Good-bye.” + +“Wait a--” + +There was a click as the other end disconnected, and Roy hung his +receiver. He turned to find Teddy watching him. + +“More news?” + +“You might call it that. Peterson just called up. Told me to tell dad +that he’s heard there are rustlers around, and to keep track of our +stock. Said he’d demand the forfeit if we didn’t deliver.” + +“Huh! Sort of knocks our theory into a cocked hat--about his being in +with the Lefton crowd. If he--I mean Peterson--was a rustler, the last +thing he’d want to do would be to warn us to watch the cows.” + +“Yea. Does look like that. Well, I’ll tell dad what he said. Coming?” + +The two boys walked out of the office and into the yard. When Mr. +Manley heard Roy’s story he merely nodded, and gave no thought to +Teddy’s suggestion that this proved Peterson “was O.K.” + +“Maybe, an’ maybe not,” he said, and returned to his work of repairing +his saddle. The boys waited for a moment, then wandered off. + +“Hard to tell what he does think about it,” Roy commented. + +“That’s a fact. Dad never did much talking. Wonder if the sheriff in +Hawley heard anything from Jamisson?” + +“Not likely. He’ll lay low for a while, I reckon. The skunk! Every time +I think of him trying to shoot you in the back--” + +“Me, too! You know, I have an idea that your remark of the bullet being +meant for you wasn’t so far wrong. Here’s how I figure: he knew you’d +heard them talking that night you went back after your knife. And +whatever you heard he didn’t want broadcast. Say, that means something +else, too! It means that what they said was important! By golly, I just +thought of that! Now let’s see. We’ll work this thing out.” + +“Good stuff, Teddy. Let’s walk over this way.” He started for the side +porch, and Teddy followed. They sat on the lower step. + +“Now, what they said was this,” Roy began. “First they said something +about six hundred head. That’s cattle. Then they mentioned cars, and +an eight mile run, and the old Jarmey place. We heard ’em talk about +the Jarmey place when we saw ’em at Red Rock, too.” + +“Yep. Say, just where is the Jarmey place?” + +“I have a rather hazy idea. It’s near Red Rock, I know. Suppose we ask +Pop?” + +Teddy nodded, and arose. + +“Think he’s around?” + +“We can try. Might be near the bunkhouse.” + +They walked over. Pop was cleaning a rifle, and looked up as the two +boys approached. + +“Mornin’, gents. Got an hour to myself, an’ I decided to get this here +shootin’ iron into shape. Set!” + +In response to the invitation, the boys squatted on the ground near him. + +“Pop,” Teddy said, “we want to ask some questions.” + +Pop removed his hat and scratched his bald head. + +“Ain’t riddles, are they?” + +“Nope. Say, just what do you know about the old Jarmey place?” + +“Hum--thought I told you about that once before. Well, it’s about four +miles from Red Rock. Know where that is, don’t you?” + +“Sure. We’ve been there.” + +“Well, after you leave there you go west, up a steep grade. The Jarmey +place is right on top of a hill, with the tracks runnin’ down. Used to +be a railroad depot, but it ain’t used for nothin’ now.” + +“Can you get to it from Red Rock by following the tracks?” + +“Nope. You got to go around Shock Mountain. That’s between, an’ you +can’t climb it with a horse. The trail around is about ten or twelve +miles long.” + +“But you said four miles--” + +“As the crow flies. Now look. Suppose we start at Eagles.” He laid his +rifle down carefully, and with his forefinger drew a map in the dust. +“This here is Eagles. The main line comes in this way--you know that +part of it. Now, there’s a pair of tracks that run from Eagles to Red +Rock, on a branch. They ain’t used no more, since the main line came +in. Eagles is pretty high up, you know--higher’n Red Rock. The branch +that runs to Red Rock starts a little above Eagles. Well, you follow +these tracks down to Red Rock. Then they dip pretty sharp an’ curve, +an’ four miles farther come into the Jarmey station. I think they run +about eight miles beyond this, then peter out near Hawley. At least, +that’s my recollection of it.” + +“Then, practically speaking, it’s down grade all the way from Eagles to +where that branch railroad ends?” + +“Uh-huh. That’s one of the reasons they had to make a new railroad--the +engines couldn’t pull cattle cars up the hills.” + +“Are there any cars on the siding now?” + +“You mean down at the Jarmey place?” + +“Well, either there or above Eagles.” + +“Can’t say for certain. Might be. More chance of ’em bein’ above Eagles +than down at the other end. But if there are any, I wouldn’t want to +ride in ’em.” + +“Think the tracks are still there, all the way to Red Rock?” + +“Sure, an’ some distance beyond. There ain’t never been nobody with +enough gumption to root ’em up, so I reckon they’ll stay there till +they rust to pieces.” + +“How far is it from Red Rock to where the tracks end?” + +“Eight miles, didn’t you say, Pop?” Teddy broke in. + +“About that. Why, thinkin’ of buyin’ the shebang?” + +“Not any,” Roy laughed. “Eight miles!” He thought for a moment. “And +all down grade?” + +“Yep. Reckon you could coast a bicycle all the way down, if you was so +minded. Or sky, for that matter.” + +“Sky?” + +“Sure! Ever hear of that? You put two barrel staves on your feet and +use ’em like skates. Course there has to be snow on the ground.” + +“Oh, I see,” Teddy said, and turned his head away to hide his smiles. +“Well, that’s all, I guess. Thanks for the information, Pop.” + +“Welcome. Any time at all. Glad to oblige.” He picked up his rifle +again. “Still practicin’ for the rodeo?” + +“Haven’t to-day,” Roy answered. “Suppose we try a little, Teddy? Let’s +see what we can do with the pony express.” + +“All right. I was thinking we might--But never mind. Sure, we’ll +practice some.” + +“Like to watch you, boys, but I got to ride out in a few minutes. Usin’ +Star an’ Flash, I suppose?” + +“Sure are! Well, see you later.” + +Pop nodded, and they left him to his labors. + +“Eight miles, and all down grade,” Roy mused. “Those words seem +familiar, Teddy?” + +“They do, sonny; they do! That was the song Mob Jamisson was singing, +with the Lefton brothers, tenors, joining in the chorus. Wonder when +they go into their dance?” + +“You think they will, then?” + +“Every good team does a song and dance. Unless they get the hook first. +You and I, Roy, will try to be the so-called hook.” + +“Uh-huh. Before they get to the dance. But I’d like to know just what +kind of a dance they’re best at, and where it’ll be staged. It’ll be +our job to find out.” + +“Right! We’ll keep our eyes peeled, lest we get our knuckles skinned. +Now let’s try this pony express stuff.” + +They had come to the corral, wherein were Star and Flash, and they soon +had the horses saddled. + +“Pony express” is the art of quick dismounting and mounting, as +practiced by the mail riders in the days of Wild Bill Hickock. A man +dashes up, throws himself from his bronco, transfers his mailbag to +another and fresher mount, and dashes away again with the loss of as +few seconds as possible. It calls into action all the expertness a +rider possesses. A single slip means ill-afforded delay. + +Nick Looker was called upon to help, since he was idle at the moment, +and he saddled the bronco that Teddy had lately broken. The start was +at the extreme end of the yard, the first change half way across, and +another change at the end, when the rider would swing back over his +route. + +“You go first, Teddy,” said Roy. + +“All right; it’s all one, I suppose,” was Teddy’s reply. + +He mounted Flash, and was in readiness for the signal. At some +distance Roy waited with Star, and farther on still was Nick with the +other bronco, which they decided to call, sarcastically, Angelica. + +“All set?” Teddy called. + +“O.K. here!” was Roy’s answer. “How about you, Nick?” + +“Ri-i-i-ight!” + +Roy looked at his wrist watch. When the minute hand pointed to zero he +yelled: + +“Go!” + +Teddy bent low, and Flash leaped forward. Across the yard the pony +tore, his feet lost in the haze of dust. Ears laid back, fine head +thrust forward, he made a wonderfully pretty sight. Teddy sat on him as +though he were a part of the horse, riding beautifully. Straight for +Roy and the waiting Star he dashed. + +Reaching him, the boy fairly flew from the saddle before Flash had +fully halted. Springing the short distance separating him from Roy, he +bounded into the saddle again, and in a second had Star racing toward +Nick at full speed. The change had been made with scarcely a moment’s +delay. + +But as Star hurtled for Angelica, the new pony shied and pulled away +from Nick, who had relaxed his hand in his excitement at Teddy’s riding +ability. Thus, when the boy jumped off, there was no horse there to +receive him. It took precious seconds to catch the pony, and when +Teddy pulled up, panting, at the end of the run, Roy looked up from +gazing at his watch. + +“Two-fifty-six. Not so bad. Would have been much better if Nick hadn’t +let go Angelica. But you have to expect those accidents. We’ll try +again later. Say, here comes Gus, and he’s got a grin on him a mile +wide. Wonder what’s up?” + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + THE CRYSTAL GAZER + + +That Gus Tripp was the bearer of news was easy to be seen. It fairly +oozed from him, and he had a hard time to keep from shouting it as he +approached. But he managed to contain himself, and when he came closer +he asked: + +“You fellers busy just now?” + +“Well, not so very,” Teddy replied. “You look as though you had +something to say. Go ahead, spill it!” + +“Sure I ain’t interruptin’?” + +“No, no! For Pete’s sake, get it out of yore system!” Nick chuckled. +“You’ll bust in another minute. What’s the joke?” + +“There’s a medium down at the bunkhouse!” + +“What’s that?” + +“Huh? Say it again, an’ say it slow. What’s down at the bunkhouse?” + +“A medium!” + +“Medium what?” + +“Medium nothin’--just a medium! A guy what tells the future!” + +Light dawned slowly. + +“You mean a fortune-teller!” Roy exclaimed. “That it?” + +“Uh-huh. Say, he’s a pip! You ought to see him! Got a funny thing +around his head. Rode up in a little buckboard. Talks some funny kind +of language. He’s waitin’ down there now. Wish my wife was here, ’stead +of in the city. She loves that stuff. She’s mostly Mexican, you know. +Come on down!” + +“Where did you say he was?” + +“Waitin’ near the bunkhouse. Golly, I wish Pop was here--an’ Bug Eye! +We could sure have some fun! Pop just pulled out as this gink came in.” + +“Wait till we put these broncs up, and we’ll be with you.” + +“All right; but hurry along.” + +The horses were tied to the hitching-rail, and the four punchers walked +toward the bunkhouse, led by Gus. He was greatly delighted with the new +experience of meeting a medium. Chances for entertainment are few and +far between on Western ranches, and when it comes the buckers make the +most of it. + +“There he is! See him?” Gus whispered in a thrilled tone, pointing. +“Snakes, ain’t he a beaut?” + +And indeed he was a “beaut.” + +Seated on the ground near the door of the bunkhouse, legs curled up out +of sight under him, was a strange figure. A bright blue fez crowned +a dark, swarthy countenance. A long, flowing robe of green and yellow +enveloped him. A vivid red sash was wound several times about his +waist, giving him the appearance of a bag of potatoes--but a bag of +such colors as was never seen in that part of the world. Close to him +was the buckboard, a forlorn donkey standing dejectedly between the +shafts. + +Catching sight of the four men, the medium arose smoothly, like a snake +unwinding, and, spreading his hands wide, he bowed. + +“Come in, come in, gent’men,” he droned in a low monotone. “I wait for +you.” + +“Come in where?” Nick asked blankly. + +“What matter? Into my fold. I see before me--” he paused. + +“What do you see before you?” Gus inquired curiously. + +“That I weesh to know,” and the medium smiled blandly. “You mus’ tell +me, no?” + +“I don’t exactly get--” Nick began, when Teddy interrupted. + +“He wants to know who we are. This is Nick Looker, and this is Gus +Tripp. The gentleman there is my brother, Roy Manley. I’m Teddy Manley. +This is our ranch, the X Bar X. That do you?” + +“Please no get angry,” the man pleaded, and smiled again, sensing a +slight antagonism in Teddy’s voice. “I mean no harm. I help you. +I tell you--” He looked up at the sky, and waved his arms. “I tell +you everything! What has been, what is to be! Nothing is hidden! You +listen, no?” His voice dropped suddenly, leaving him gazing eagerly +forward. + +“Well, maybe,” Roy answered, not wishing to commit himself. “How much?” + +“That--the gold--I care not for. It is for the happiness of you that +I tell, young man. But--we must live. Shall we say five dollars--each +one?” + +“We shall not,” Teddy said. “That’s too much. Two dollars apiece.” + +“Three dollars?” + +“Two, I said.” + +The man bowed. + +“You know best. It is not good that we become greedy for gold. For two +dollars I will give you a life reading.” + +“What’s that?” Gus demanded, watching the man with a fascinated stare. + +“It is the telling of your life--what has been, what is to be. I do it +thus.” + +From the folds of his robe the man produced a crystal globe with such +suddenness that Nick unconsciously dodged. The East Indian, if such he +was, smiled. + +“You think I hurt you, no? You think I have about me a cobra or a +boomslang, no? That is foolishment. I am no cheat. I do not deal in +trickery. I am a true fakir.” + +“Yo’re a faker, an’ you admit it?” Nick asked, with surprise in his +voice. “How do you expect--” + +“Not faker, _fakir_,” the man corrected gently. “My name is Mohammed +Ali Ben Suliman, by which you may know that I am of the true faith.” + +“Seems like a sincere little cuss,” Roy said in an aside to Teddy. +“Probably has a hard time of it out here. What say we give him two +bucks and let him do his stuff?” + +“Sure! Suits me. It’ll be fun, anyhow.” He turned to Mohammed. “Where +do you do this crystal-gazing?” + +“Any place where I and my friend can be alone.” The blue eyes twinkled +for a moment. “If you are afraid, young man,--” + +“Afraid of what?” Gus asked wonderingly and truculently. + +“Of what I shall tell you.” + +“Guess that needn’t worry us,” Nick snickered. “Go ahead, boy; we’ll +stand for anything!” + +“Yes?” the little man smiled again, inscrutably. “I wish for you a good +fortune. Who will be the first?” + +“You, Nick,” Gus whispered. “See what he says. Go on.” + +“Naw, you try it first. You found him. Or maybe Roy or Teddy--” + +“We’re in no hurry,” Roy declared, grinning. “You can have the freedom +of the bunkhouse.” + +“Bunkhouse? What is that?” Mohammed asked curiously. + +Roy pointed. “In there. Where the boys sleep. That all right?” + +The mystic bowed. “What you say. We shall go into the bunkhouse.” + +“Good name for it,” Teddy chuckled, but not so Mohammed could hear him. +He had no wish to offend the man, who appeared slightly frightened and +not at all assertive. He kept eyeing the guns the boys, in obedience to +the command of their father, had by their sides. + +“Well, I’ll go first,” Gus declared at last. “Can’t Nick come in with +me?” + +“I do not like it,” Mohammed said dubiously. “Better alone. But it can +be done. If the man wishes, anyone can listen.” + +“Then we can all go in!” said Gus, and Teddy fancied his voice +expressed relief. “I don’t care who hears my future. The past--well, +let ’er come. Reckon I can stand that, too.” + +“If you will go first--” and Mohammed made a motion with his slim, +nervous hand. “I shall follow.” + +Gus entered, and Mohammed walked slowly behind him. Teddy asked him if +it was all right to leave the donkey. + +“Stamboul will stand for days,” the little man declared solemnly. “He +has the true gift of patience. I have taught him.” + +Once within the bunkhouse, he looked about him eagerly. + +“You sleep here?” + +“Sure do,” Nick replied. “All of us. Good, too. Why?” + +“Nothing,” and Mohammed sighed. “Under these so blue skys, I myself +would live. No roof would cover me. Still--” + +“Not in the winter you wouldn’t,” Gus chuckled. “Gets thirty below out +here.” + +Mohammed nodded absently. It is doubtful if he understood. + +“I use the table, yes?” he asked, after a moment. + +“Sure. Go to it,” Roy agreed. “Here’s a chair.” He pulled one up. “Take +a seat.” + +“Take a--ah, yes. Now young man,” he looked at Gus. “If you will be +across from me--” + +Gus, a trifle nervously, seated himself on the other side of the table. + +“Not goin’ to hypnotize, are you?” he asked, with an attempt at humor. +“We had a feller do that once. He didn’t make out so well.” + +“I do not do thus,” Mohammed answered seriously. “That is black magic. +I am afraid for that. Now you will give me your hand, please?” + +Gus forced a smile, and stretched out his hand limply. Mohammed grasped +it. + +“Tight, please. That is it. Now for a moment, quiet. You will make a +wish. When you have made it, say ‘yes’.” + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + MYSTERIOUS DANGER + + +There was a moment’s silence, while Gus essayed a grin which failed to +live up to his expectations. The brown face across the table was too +much in earnest, too sincere, to allow for any levity. Then, in a low +voice, Gus said: + +“Yes.” + +“Very well. It is not for me to say what your wish is. You know that. +Later, I shall say if it will occur. Now, please look at me.” + +Gus stared across the table like a bird looking into the eyes of a cat. +Suddenly he flushed, and shifted his eyes. The brown man smiled. + +“It is not so hard, is it?” + +“Huh? Oh, you got that, hey? I was afraid--” + +“You were afraid I was trying to hold your eyes, and you moved them to +find out. Is that not so?” + +“That’s right,” Gus admitted uneasily. + +“He’s clever!” Roy whispered to Teddy, in admiration. “Bet he knows a +lot about psychology.” + +If Mohammed heard him, he made no sign. + +“There are many things I see for you,” he said slowly, “many, many +things. Some good, some bad. First I shall tell you of what you have +been. You were born in a very hot country, no?” + +“Uh-huh. On the border,” Gus admitted laconically. + +“I know not that place. But I see that you have the nature of the +south. Slow, gentle, kind. I, myself, have that nature. You do not like +excitement.” + +“Nor work,” Nick added, _sotto voce_. + +“What? No, young man, that is not so. This man is not lazy. He goes +carefully, that is all. He like not to jump into things. And that is +good. One thing I sorry for. You have not music in your life, as you +should.” + +“Huh? I can’t play nothin’.” + +“I not understand what you say, ‘play.’ I tell you that you should have +music, and you have not. Too bad. You have the soul for it. Now, you +are married, no?” + +“Yep.” + +“Your wife, she, I think, is from hot country. That kind of girl go +with your nature. Some time, I think before you marry, you have trouble +with this girl--you not be so sure of her. I see you unhappy for a +time. Is that true?” + +“That’s true,” Gus answered. He looked up at Roy. The boy was +observing Mohammed intently. + +“You would like to know something of the future?” + +“Go ahead.” + +“Eleven months from now you will be most un-happy. I cannot say why, +but I see it for you. That will pass. You must remember that it will +pass. You will never be much rich. But you will have that which is +better than riches--health and love. Your life will be long. Never +shall you cross great water. The big world shall not know of you, but +along your path those friends you have will honor you. Should you have +music into your life, it will help you to happiness. And you will some +day be a fine, wonderful musician if you allow the music to enter. +Still your path is not into the cities, but through fields. Your music +will be for your friends, not for the world. There will be one who will +know how great a musician you could become. That is your wife.” He +paused, and put a hand to his head. “That--is all.” + +Gus sat quietly, staring down at the table. The thoughts that were +running through his head showed in his face--wonderment at the brown +man’s powers of divination, memories of what had happened so long ago +in Vegas. Suddenly he grinned, and looked up. + +“You sure hit ’em right, Mo! Say, can I ask you any questions?” + +“As much as you will.” + +“Well, have I got anyone who’s lookin’ to do me dirt?” + +“What? I cannot see this, what you mean ‘dirt’.” + +“He means any enemies,” Teddy explained. + +“Enemies! Now listen. In this room I feel that all are friends--good +friends. Yet there is something that trys to get in--someone who is +an enemy to all here. Yes, young man, you have an enemy, but not of +yourself--he is enemy because of what you are, not because who your +are.” + +“Yea. Maybe. But I don’t get what you--” + +“You mean that someone is his enemy because he is a friend of ours?” +Roy asked bluntly. + +“That is it, young man,” Mohammed answered, not at all dismayed. “You, +all of you, have those who wish you not well. They seek to harm you.” + +“An’ will they?” Nick demanded, leaning forward. + +Mohammed kept silence for a moment, then spoke, slowly: + +“That, friend, is in the laps of the gods. I may not tell you of it. +Please, you will excuse now?” He smiled appealingly. + +“Sure! You earned your money,” Teddy said quickly. “If you’ll do a +trick for us, we’ll give you five bucks--altogether. How about it?” + +“Trick? Perhaps.” He gazed long at Teddy, then nodded, as though the +boy had told him something. Later Teddy explained that he wanted Gus to +forget what he had been told, and to get his mind on other things Teddy +had suggested the trick. The brown man realized his purpose without +knowing the reason, and consented to work “magic” for them. + +They leaned forward eagerly as the mystic took from the folds of his +robe a small flower pot. The thoughtful expression left Gus’s face and +he grinned happily. + +“Gee, I allus wanted to see this!” he exclaimed. “You gonna make a +plant grow, ain’t you?” + +Mohammed nodded and smiled. + +“I shall do an attempt,” he said. “Not always succeed. Watch, please.” + +Over the pot he waved his hands, intoning, the while, words in a +strange language, the only expression of which Teddy was sure was +“_Allah Akbar_.” Then, before the astonished gaze of his audience, a +stem pushed its way through the earth. Higher and higher it grew, while +they watched, and then tiny oranges came into being. Leaves sprouted. +The plant flourished, and a faint, sweet perfume came from it. + +“Golly!” Nick breathed. “She’s growin’!” + +At a height of about five inches the development stopped. Mohammed +dropped his hands, and bowed. + +“It is finished,” he said simply. “Take and eat this.” + +He pulled an orange off and handed it to Roy, who broke it open. The +fruit inside was fresh and fragrant. + +“Can we have the tree?” he asked. + +Mohammed shook his head. + +“So sorry--that I must keep. See--” + +He waved his hands again, and the tree shrank. Smaller and smaller it +grew, until finally it disappeared altogether. Then he seized the pot +and concealed it once more beneath his robe. + +“Great!” Gus cried enthusiastically. “Good stuff, Mo! Golly, I wish I +could learn that! Here’s my two bucks. It sure was worth it.” + +“Save it, Gus,” Roy said, and handed Mohammed a five dollar bill. The +brown man pocketed it casually. “Thank you,” he said. + +“Where you goin’ from here?” Nick inquired. + +The shoulders shrugged. “Who knows? I shall travel with Stamboul. Once +more, I thank you.” He bowed low, and walked toward the door. + +“Mind if my brother and I ride a way with you?” Roy asked suddenly. + +Mohammed gazed at him in surprise. + +“If you so wish,” he said finally. “We follow no path, Stamboul and I. +You are welcome.” + +Teddy, at a motion from his brother, ran toward the hitching-rail and +returned with Star and Flash. They mounted while the brown man seated +himself in his wagon. + +“So long, Mo!” Nick called. “Good luck!” + +Mohammed smiled his answer and picked up the reins. Stamboul came to +life wearily, and moved off. Teddy and Roy followed at a short distance +behind. + +“Don’t say anything for a while,” Roy whispered. “Not till we get a way +out.” + +Mohammed Ali Ben Suliman sat upright, his long robe trailing over the +edge of the wagon. Stamboul walked on, and when the mystic had passed +over a little hill, out of sight of the ranch, he turned. + +“Looks kind of like rain, doesn’t it?” he called, every trace of his +accent gone. + +Teddy started. Roy smiled. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + THE START OF THE ROUND-UP + + +“Sure does,” Roy answered Mohammed Ali Ben Suliman’s question casually. +He saw that Teddy was about to speak, and silenced him with a glance. +Both boys urged their ponies forward until they were close to the man +in the buckboard. + +“Mind telling us your real name?” Roy asked pleasantly. + +“Who, me? Not at all.” The man drew his fez from his head, reached into +his robes, and filled and lit a pipe before answering. “I can’t take +these robes off,” he apologized. “It’d scare the donkey if he turned +around. My name is Benjamin Sullivan. I’m a professor of psychology in +the university of Middleton. That, in case you don’t know it, which you +don’t, is what is known as a jerk-water college.” + +“A professor of psychology!” Teddy exclaimed. “Then you’re not--” + +“Hardly,” and the professor grinned. “This is what I do every vacation. +It--er--adds to my income--” he coughed--“and also to my knowledge. +It’s wonderful practice for a psychologist. Say, would you mind telling +me how you got on to me?” he asked Roy. “I knew you realized I wasn’t +what I pretended to be when you were watching me at the table.” + +“Well, there wasn’t any psychology about that,” Roy chuckled. “When +you drew your robes back to get the flower pot I saw the pipe sticking +out of your top pocket. Never heard of an East Indian yet who smoked a +briar.” + +“You saw that, did you? I’ll have to remember to put it in my trousers’ +pocket after this. Get along there, Stamboul. Then you rode out with me +just to let me know I hadn’t gotten away with anything?” + +“Not altogether,” Roy answered seriously. “You mentioned something +about our enemies. Was that a stab in the dark, or did you really know +what you were talking about?” + +Professor Sullivan puffed silently for a moment. + +“Well, I’ll tell you,” he said finally. “Last night I was traveling +through a small town about ten miles from here. Let’s see--Bed Rock, or +something like that.” + +“Red Rock!” Teddy exclaimed eagerly. + +“Red Rock--that’s it. Just outside of the town I came upon a campfire. +I was hungry, so I stopped. There were four men there. One was tall, +and had a wart on his nose. Another was much shorter. The other two +I didn’t get a very good look at. Well, I pretended not to understand +much English, and offered to tell their fortunes for a meal. They +accepted. I didn’t like the looks of any of them, and concluded that +none of them made his living by hard work. So I took a chance, and told +them that pretty soon they were going to receive some property or goods +that they would get for nothing.” + +“What did they say then?” Roy demanded. + +“Nothing. But they looked enough. I followed this lead, and I could +tell every time I hit it right by the way they acted. Then one of them +whispered to another. They didn’t think I heard, but I did.” + +“What was it they whispered?” + +“It was this: ‘Sounds like he knows we got that Manley bunch sewed up +cold.’” + +Teddy whistled, long and low. Roy’s face was alight with interest. + +“Anything else? Do you know who we are?” + +“The last question first. Yes, I do. You told me. No, that’s all I +heard.” + +“It was plenty!” Teddy said grimly. “Golly, Professor, you sure had +me fooled! They think they’ve got us sewed up, do they?” His mind, +youthful, jumped from one topic to another. + +“If you don’t mind, Mr. Sullivan, we’ll leave you here,” Roy said +suddenly. “Thanks very much for your information. And--good luck.” + +“Same to you,” Professor Sullivan returned graciously. “If I hear +anything else I’ll try to let you know. I take it those men I met last +night aren’t friends of yours?” + +“Not so you could notice it,” Teddy replied. “The fact is, we think +they’re rustlers.” + +“Hum! I suspected as much. Well, it takes all sorts to make up a world, +you know. Good-bye, boys. Giddap, Stamboul!” + +“So long!” + +Teddy and Roy turned, and started for the ranch. They got one last +sight of the professor before he disappeared into a valley. He had +replaced his fez, and the smoke from his pipe drifted about him like a +mystic haze. The wagon creaked, bounced over a stone, and was out of +sight. + +“Professor of psychology!” Teddy said thoughtfully. “Can you beat that!” + +“Funny cuss, isn’t he?” Roy remarked. “Clever as they come. Look how he +spotted Gus. Say, I wonder who that fourth man at the Lefton camp was? +I suppose you recognized his description of the Lefton boys?” + +“Sure did. Reckon Mob Jamisson was there. As to the fourth--Peterson, +do you think?” + +“I was going to mention that. Doesn’t seem likely, though, after his +warning us against rustlers. But you can’t always tell. Gee, I’ll be +glad when round-up is over and we get the cattle safe in Red Rock.” + +“Same here. Shall we tell the boys who Mohammed was?” + +“No, let’s not. They got a lot of fun out of it, and why spoil it? +Chances are they wouldn’t believe us, anyhow. He sure did look the +part. Well, Teddy, my boy, in three days the real work starts. We’ll +have to let our rodeo practice go for a while, I guess. Dad is going +to need all our time for the round-up. Need everybody, if the Leftons +start anything. Well, let ’em come. I’d like to see Mob Jamisson for a +few minutes, myself.” + +The three days that followed were busy ones. There was much outriding +to be done, to insure the condition of the cattle and to make certain +that none of them had been rustled. A close guard was kept, and the +two boys had their share of this dreary work. All cattle that showed +any signs of disease were thoroughly inspected and cut from the herd. +There were many ponies to be shod, for when out on the round-up there +was no time to stop and lead in a bronco that had cast a shoe and was +splitting its hoof against the hard earth. Flash and Star stood quietly +while this disturbing operation was accomplished, but some of the other +ponies, notably Angelica, were not so well mannered. + +In the hustle of preparation the Lefton brothers and Mob Jamisson were +almost forgotten. + +Almost, but not quite. Peterson visited the ranch on the evening before +the round-up, and again remarked that he had heard of rustlers in the +vicinity. + +“Don’t forget that forfeit,” he added meaningly. “Going to be able to +get the six hundred head to Red Rock on time?” + +“Why not?” Mr. Manley countered. “If you and your playmates--” + +He did not finish the sentence, not wishing to antagonize the man. But +when Peterson left, Mr. Manley confessed to Roy that if his price had +not been met so quickly he would have told Peterson the deal was off. + +“Can’t quite afford to let this chance slip,” he said regretfully. +“Even if, as you say, Peterson knows the Lefton boys an’ maybe is +a rustler himself. I sure wish his boss would deal direct with me. +Peterson showed me a letter from Chicago, with the name of a well-known +firm on top, addressed to him, so I guess he’s reliable enough. But, +somehow, I don’t take to him--always got an idea that he’s out to cheat +us if he can. Suppose it’s only my imagination, though.” + +As the ranch sought its rest that night, Mr. Manley declared that he +was satisfied with the preparations. The morrow would see the start of +the round-up, and the punchers went to their bunks early. A round-up, +while savoring of the romance of the West, is actually just another bit +of distasteful work heaped on the already overloaded shoulders of the +poor cowboy--at least, according to him. But it is necessary, and the +punchers know it. + +The reason for a round-up is not, contrary to fiction, for the purpose +of allowing the buckers an opportunity of showing off their riding +ability and giving them a chance to shoot and yell. It is the only +method there is to herd all the animals of a particular ranch to one +spot, for the purpose of checking them, removing the cattle which do +not belong where found to their proper ranges, and sorting out those to +be sold. + +It is tiresome work, replete with danger, and everyone is glad when it +is over. + +The corrals used by the X Bar X for the round-up were far distant from +the ranch house. They had been repaired in anticipation of the huge +herds of cattle they must soon accommodate, and at the first streak +of dawn the chuck wagon under the guidance of Sing Lung, started its +creaking journey toward the point of deployment. This wagon was a +traveling kitchen, for during round-up time the boys ate and slept on +the range. + +The extra saddle ponies were driven out, in charge of Pop Burns and +Gus. They were to be held in reserve until a puncher needed a fresh +bronco, for the work was of such a laborious nature that frequent +changes of mounts were necessary. Every horse, except the ones to be +ridden by the punchers, was sent after the chuck wagon. + +With the home corral empty, the ranch took on a deserted appearance. +And at six o’clock Teddy, Roy, Mr. Manley and the punchers started for +the range. + +The round-up was under way. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + DRIVING IN + + +Straight toward the rising sun the herders rode. The corral, within +which the cattle were to be driven, was about seven miles out, and they +were to go there and get their instructions from Mr. Manley. + +There were eight riders in the group, led by Teddy, Roy and their +father. The others were trailing along behind. In the extreme rear rode +Nick Looker and Jules Kolto. + +“Peach of a day,” Teddy remarked. “Thought sure we’d have rain--always +does pour when you don’t want it to.” + +“Teddy, you and Roy are going to be round-up bosses,” Mr. Manley +stated. “I reckon you knew that, anyway. Roy, you’d better put a good +tally-man on the job. I want to know just how many, if any, we’re shy +since the spring.” + +“Right, Dad. Now about the six hundred we’re bringing to Red Rock! Want +them herded into the corral first?” + +“No, I reckon not. Only waste time that-a-way. There’s a bunch of +dogies far down on the southwest corner--or they were the last I +heard--that I’m countin’ on for that herd. Best and fattest of the lot. +How many men do you want with you?” + +“You mean to get that bunch together and drive ’em to Red Rock?” + +“Yep.” + +“Well, what do you think, Teddy? Suppose we take Nick, Gus and Pop. Or +do you want them to--” + +“Nope--you can have ’em. These boys back there all know their +business.” He motioned with his head to those following. “But we won’t +start the drive until to-morrow. I want to get the rest together--as +many as I can--first.” + +They rode on quietly for some little while, each man busy with his own +thoughts. The day was perfect--bright, with the tang of coming winter +in the air. Everything seemed to be going perfectly--too perfectly, Roy +thought, to last. There came vividly to him the memory of Professor +Sullivan and of what the professor had heard the Leftons say: “--got +’em sewed up cold.” For all the beauty of the tall, imposing mountains +surrounding them and the deep blue sky overhead, Roy found it hard to +shake off a feeling of uneasiness. It appeared to him like the calm +before a storm. + +He did not confide his fears to his father, however, for he realized +that they were based on mere suspicion. + +“Trouble with me is, I think too much,” he said grimly to himself. +“Chances are the Leftons and Mob Jamisson aren’t within miles of this +place. Keeping out of sight of the sheriff, most likely. But if they +wanted to, they sure could cause us plenty of trouble now.” + +This was no more than the truth. Anything can happen in round-up time, +and it does not take much to cause it to happen. + +“Have to forget that stuff,” Roy thought, and chuckled. Teddy looked +over at him. + +“Joke?” he asked. + +“No--just ideas. Hope Sing Lung has got some grub rustled for us when +we get there. I’m hungry.” + +“What, again? Better save it till dinner. It’s a long time between +meals out here. Well, a mile more, and we’ll arrive.” + +“Um, arrive. That’s a good word, too. Much more elegant than saying +we’ll be there.” + +Teddy bowed mockingly, though it failed to impress Roy because Flash +stepped into a badger hole at the moment and interrupted the gesture. + +“Nell likes big words, you know,” he said loftily, when he had +straightened out the pony. “You should practice up a bit.” + +“Counting on Curley coming to the rodeo?” Roy asked innocently. + +“What for--to see me fall off? Hope not.” + +“Yes-s-s-s, you hope not! Hear that, Dad? He doesn’t want Curley to see +him in the rodeo!” + +“That so, Son?” Mr. Manley said, grinning. “You’ve got to have someone +to hand the first prize to. Might as well be Ethel.” + +“That doesn’t worry me,” Teddy laughed. “All the first prizes I get +I’ll carry home in a handkerchief.” + +They now came in sight of the corral, or rather the corral they were to +use as a base. The chuck wagon was already there, with smoke pouring +out of the stack. + +“We eat, boys!” Mr. Manley called to those following. The breakfast at +the ranch house had been a sketchy affair, and he felt, wisely, that a +good meal would do more than anything else to urge the punchers on to +their labors. + +As the riders spurred their horses forward, Sing Lung appeared at the +door of the chuck wagon. + +“Come gettee!” he yelled. + +“An’ we will, brother--we will!” Nat Raymond shouted. + +The men dismounted, and, picketing their horses, crowded around the +wagon. They realized that this was to be their last meal for a good +many hours, and they were going to make the most of it. + +“What is it, Sing--stew?” + +“Bet it’s bean soup!” + +“Naw, he’s got strawberry short-cake for us! See the strawberries?” + +“They ain’t strawberries--that’s his checkered shirt, stupid!” + +When the meal was dished out, it proved to be some concoction of veal +and bread dressing. At least it was popular, and many of the riders +clamored for “more!” + +This second breakfast was concluded, and the men gathered about Mr. +Manley for instructions. It was now eight o’clock, with the sun fully +up. A fresh breeze blew from the east, causing the ponies to sniff +loudly and joyfully. They, too, were impatient to begin. + +The corral they were to use as the base of operations was about an +eighth of a mile from the chuck wagon. This corral was connected to +several smaller ones by a system of gates, so that the main herd could +be driven in and then separated and sorted into their respective +enclosures. + +“Well, boys, here’s the program,” Mr. Manley said. “You can all hear +me, can’t you?” + +“Yep!” + +“Go ahead, boss!” + +“I’ve got a deal on for six hundred head of cattle. Suppose you all +know that. It’s important that these cattle be up to expectations, and +also that they get to Red Rock on time--for certain reasons.” + +He paused, and glanced around him. The punchers were listening intently. + +“We’ve had a bit of trouble with two or three waddies who haven’t any +love for this outfit,” he continued slowly. “I’m not mentioning any +names. You can guess them, I reckon. And if they aim to make trouble, +we’ll have to give ’em as good as they send. Get me?” + +“Sure thing, boss!” + +“All right I’m just tellin’ you to watch your step. Now I guess that’s +settled.” He drew a deep breath. “Teddy and Roy here are the round-up +bosses. If you want instructions an’ I’m not around, you go to them. +One man has got to stay near this here wagon, to watch the extra +horses. That’ll be you, Joe.” He nodded to a small man who was leaning +against the wheel. + +“Right, boss! I get’cha.” + +“The rest of us will start on the herd in the northern corner of the +range. We’ll ride out from here, and circle every cow we see toward +this corral. The bunch that goes to Red Rock is in the southwest part, +an’ we won’t hit them to-day. Everything understood?” + +“O.K!” + +“Then let’s go. Joe, you stick around here. ’Bout two o’clock remind +Sing Lung that grub will be appreciated. Come on, you buckers!” + +There was a rush for horses. Each man vaulted into his saddle and swung +his steed about. Hats were raised high into the air and brought down +sharply on the ponies’ flanks. Spurs were brought into play. + +“Let’s go-o-o-o-o!” + +“Yip-yip-yipe-e-e-e-e!” + +Like children on a holiday, they started. The harder a piece of work to +be done the more ceremonious is the beginning. And a round-up occurs +only twice a year. + +Out across the range they rode, Mr. Manley leading, Teddy and Roy +following close behind. After the first burst of speed they quieted +down, for the energies of the ponies had to be conserved. + +Mile after mile they traveled. By ten-thirty they reached the spot they +were to begin circling from--a small knoll at the extreme edge of the +Manley range. On their way they had passed many herds of cattle, some +numbering no more than fifty, some containing two hundred head. All +these had to be gathered together and driven into the base corral. + +At a signal from Mr. Manley, the men separated, forming themselves in +a long skirmish line. This line was converged at each end, to make a +semicircle. So widely apart were the riders that they stretched over +nearly two miles of territory. + +Teddy was on one end, Roy on the other, and their father was the center +man. Slowly they started, each man keeping his distance, none getting +ahead of the others. Everything that ran on four legs was to be driven +in by the advancing line. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + TEDDY GETS HIS ORDERS + + +As the men rode forward, a small herd, some seventy-five or a hundred +head, which was grazing quietly in a shallow valley, looked up +inquisitively. The horsemen did not quicken their pace, but proceeded +calmly toward the cows. + +“Mostly yearlings,” Roy called to Nick, who was next to him in line. +“Yearling” is the term used by the cowboy to denote an animal two or +three years old, and intended for food rather than for breeding. + +Now the advancing line came to the cows. A few men let out their +“yip-yip-yip-eee!” and the herd, aroused, quitted their grazing ground +and trotted forward, in the same direction, of course, as the men were +headed. These were the first of the round-up, and formed the base of +what was later to become a huge parade of animals. + +These ranges were all fenced in, and hence the round-up was not so +difficult as it would have been if the cattle had to be driven in from +open prairie. Yet the fenced territory was so large that for many +purposes it was still unprotected range. Perhaps there was fifty or +seventy-five miles of fence surrounding the Manley lands. Necessarily +there were many breaks in this long stretch, through which animals from +other ranges might stray, as well as antelopes and deer. These mixed +with the stock and had to be weeded out, and a round-up was the weeding +machine. + +The riders walked their horses onward, keeping a constant pace, and +the cattle finally adjusted themselves to this speed and went forward +resignedly. On the far end of the line, where Teddy rode, another herd +was picked up. These, seeing their brethren in the distance, went to +meet them, and the two herds were merged into one, near the center of +the line. + +Now Mr. Manley left his place, motioning to those on each side of him +to close up and fill the gap. He circled around until he came out in +front of the walking cattle. From now on the riders were to take their +pace from him. + +Everything was done quietly and in orderly fashion. The men were silent +for the most part, keeping their ponies to a steady walk and watching +for a break in the bunch of cows. It came when they encountered the +third herd. + +Teddy, on one end, and Roy, on the other, had moved up until they were +riding opposite the two sides of the herd. Suddenly Teddy saw a beast +leave his companions and cut out diagonally across his line of march. +He waited, rather hoping the steer would depart quietly, and willing to +let him go rather than create a panic by forcing him back. But another +beef followed, and another, until twenty-five or thirty were running +wild. + +The time had come for action. Unless they were brought quickly back, +the whole herd might break, and the round-up would have to be started +anew. Teddy yelled to Gus. + +“Circle ’em in! Come up--come up!” + +He dashed forward, Gus behind him. They swept about on the outside of +the running cattle. + +“Get in there, you crazy loons!” Teddy shouted. “Back you go! Take ’em +back, Flash!” + +At the sight of two forms flanking them in whirlwinds of dust, the +cattle hesitated, stopped, and gave ponderous thought to the situation. +Why were they breaking out of line? It was much easier to rejoin their +plodding mates. And then, all thought of flight disappearing, they +turned, pawed the earth for a moment, and trotted back into the herd. +Teddy breathed a sigh of relief. + +“Had plenty luck then, Gus!” + +“I’ll say! Thought we had a job on our hands. Those fool cattle were +achin’ to start somethin’. We cured ’em, though. Whew! Some hot!” + +Wiping his face with his sleeve, he pulled his neckerchief up until it +covered his mouth and nose, thus to protect him from the heavy dust. +Teddy also had his face thus covered, as did the other riders. This +is the true reason for the cowboy’s red bandanna, worn, except on +occasions like this, loosely about his neck. + +Once more the line moved forward. Mr. Manley, from his position in +front, had seen the work of Teddy and Gus, and nodded approvingly to +himself. + +“Good boy,” he muttered. “Did that like an expert. Saved a lot of +trouble then.” + +The herd had increased with astonishing rapidity. As they went along +all grazing cattle would be gathered in the net. Three days before Mr. +Manley had received word that one herd, numbering some six or seven +hundred head, had wandered so far afield as to be out of reach of the +line of riders. This was a piece of unexpected good fortune, for it +meant that these could be left there until ready to be driven to Red +Rock and delivered to Peterson. All of them, or nearly all, were steers +in the technical meaning of the term, indicating that they were ready +to be sold for meat. Nick had reported that they were fat and healthy; +indeed, the pick of the lot. + +Mr. Manley, as he rode along, felt a glow of satisfaction. + +“These behind me will be in the corral by night,” he said to himself. +“Then to-morrow Teddy and Roy can take the six hundred over in the +southwest part to Red Rock, and we’ll be all set. Reckon I did a lot +of worrying for nothing. Those Lefton boys probably gave up the ship. +An’ Mob Jamisson ought to be out of the country by now.” As he rode +he whistled a tune newly come to the X Bar X via a phonograph record: +“This is my lucky day.” + +“It is, too,” he muttered. “Reckon I’m pretty fortunate in having two +sons like Teddy an’ Roy. Pretty good ole world, after all!” + +Nearer and nearer the corral came the driven cattle. The sun was +directly overhead, beaming cruelly, causing the sweat to pour down the +faces of the riders. Beneath their protecting neckerchiefs Teddy and +Roy felt the perspiration streaking in rivulets down their cheeks. They +were hot, dusty, and tired. But their job was still before them, and +they went on without a murmur. + +Occasionally an animal would break, causing confusion and necessitating +quick work. But as the corral came into view, they had held most of the +herd intact. + +Mr. Manley glanced behind him. The cattle were lowing nervously, +impatient at the slow, steady pace they had been forced to adopt for +so long a time. Another hour of this and open mutiny would take place +within their ranks. + +Mr. Manley motioned to Pop Burns, who was nearest, to come closer. The +veteran ranger left his place in line and rode slowly around the herd +and approached his boss. Wisely he waited until he was within speaking +distance before asking any questions. At a moment like this any unusual +sound might cause a stampede. + +“Want me, boss?” he inquired quietly. + +“Yep. Ride back and tell Teddy he’s to take this bunch in.” + +“Take ’em in, hey!” The puncher whistled. “That’s a right dangerous +job. But I reckon he can do it. All right, boss.” + +He rode off. Fifteen minutes later Teddy reached his father, it having +taken that long to make the circuit of the herd. + +“All set, Teddy?” + +“Sure thing, Dad.” The boy shifted in his saddle, but smiled gamely. +“Guess Flash will stand the strain. I never brought ’em in before, but +there’s nothing like starting. Want me to take the lead now?” + +“Uh-huh. I’ll ride the flank you had. Now listen. Keep ’em down for +half an hour more, if you can. Then go into a trot. Soon as you get ’em +moving well--let ’em ride. Get me?” + +“I get you, Dad. Half an hour ought to bring us pretty near. Well, so +long. See you later.” + +“So long, Teddy.” + +Mr. Manley turned and rode away. Never once did he glance back. But as +he took Teddy’s place in line his heart was thumping madly. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + INTO THE CORRAL + + +Teddy, himself, realized the post of danger that he held. Behind him +came some three thousand cattle--some horned and all hoofed with bone +as sharp as steel. He, alone, was to guide that thunderous herd into +the corral, between the wing-like gates. Half an hour more he had--then +the test would come. The boy leaned low in his saddle and patted his +pony’s side. + +“It’s up to us, Flash,” he said softly. “But I’m glad dad gave me the +job. It’ll show what I’m good for, at least. If I fail--I sha’n’t be +here to know it.” + +He rode onward, never increasing his pace. All thought of Jamisson, of +the Lefton brothers, of the fear of rustlers, had left his mind. He +concentrated on one thing--getting these cattle into the corral. + +There were no more herds to be gathered in. Before him lay open +country. Every animal on the range, except, of course, that one bunch +of six hundred which had been purposely avoided, was in that crowd of +plodding beasts behind him. If a break came now it would mean disaster. + +He heard a grunt of impatience from the leading cows and turned +quickly. He saw heads being lowered and raised nervously. His eyes +swept over a tossing sea of horns. Ten minutes more before the rush +would come. Would they hold? + +Flash seemed to sense the tensity of his rider, and whinnied softly. + +“Steady, boy,” Teddy murmured. “Not yet. Save all you’ve got. We’ll +need it later.” + +A mile or so in front of him loomed the corral. Was it time yet? Could +Flash carry him to safety if he started now? + +He glanced back again. The cattle were closer to him, and he had not +lagged. That meant that they were moving faster. Their grunts and +lowings became more pronounced. A small section on the left broke into +a run, goaded into activity by the long, slow march. Those in the +center, directly behind Teddy, swerved to the right. + +“Here it comes!” thought the boy, breathing jerkily. “Steady, Flash! +Just a little faster--jus-s-s-st a little.” + +The pony went into the trot. The cattle saw him pulling away from them, +and unconsciously increased their speed. The circle of riders in the +rear moved forward. + +Now the corral was but three-quarters of a mile away. Faster and faster +came the cattle. At the instant, Teddy gave Flash his head. + +The horse leaped ahead. There was a sound of thunder, and the earth +shook as the herd followed madly after the lone rider. A cloud of dust +arose, blotting out the sun. Through the haze the corral showed faintly. + +“All you’ve got, baby!” Teddy panted. “Take ’em in!” + +The pony flashed over the ground like a brown streak. Close on his +heels came the cattle, running with all their power, pressed on by +those behind. The horse was doing his best, and still he increased the +distance between him and the onrushing horns not a trifle. A steer on +the rampage shows tremendous speed. + +Straight for the winged fences Teddy directed the pony. For a moment +they were hidden from view, so thick was the dust, and when they came +into sight again the boy was almost within them. And still he kept on. + +When it seemed as though he must surely be swept into the corral by the +beasts behind him and cut to ribbons under their hoofs, he whirled the +bronco. Flash answered the call. He shot to the left, his flank nearly +grazed by the horns of the leaders, leaped frantically--and was clear. +Teddy’s part was over. + +The rushing herd, unable to stop or to change direction, flowed through +the gates into the corral. Those in front were smashed solidly against +the fence at the extreme end. The others rushed forward, their momentum +carrying them where they had no desire to go. Within four minutes it +was finished--the cattle were safely within the corral, every last +one of them. Sing Lung and Joe, who were waiting, rushed forward and +dropped the bars. Teddy had not failed. + +Mr. Manley was the first to reach the boy, and Roy was the second. + +“Son, you’re there! Congratulations! Boy, you sure turned that trick! +Shake!” + +Father and son clasped hands in a firm grip. + +“Thanks, Dad,” Teddy answered, grinning. “It was as much Flash as it +was me. He practically did the whole thing.” + +“Don’t let him get away with that!” Roy shouted. “Teddy, congrats! That +was a big job. And you did it, too.” + +“You mean ‘I done well’,” Teddy laughed. “Baby, I’m sort of shot! Let’s +get off these ponies.” + +The men, dismounting, crowded about Teddy, shaking his hand, clapping +him on the back, none too gently. And this praise was well deserved. +It was the first time the boy had been “general” of a round-up, and +everything had depended on his skill in starting the rush at precisely +the right moment and not swinging out of the way a second too soon. +Besides this, he had to keep the pace down at the most dangerous time, +half an hour before he “broke” the cattle. In these few minutes the +success of a round-up is decided. It means untold labor if the leader +bungles his job--and death for the bungler under the feet of the cattle. + +The excitement wore off gradually, and the men sat down to their meal. +The rest of the days on the round-up were to be spent on unromantic +work--cutting out undesirable cattle, branding, “tailing” and so forth. +Then the horses held in reserve would be needed, for this work is very +wearing on the ponies. A careless puncher can easily ride a horse to +death. + +During the meal talk flowed freely. The men were relieved of a great +responsibility, and they reacted accordingly. + +“Teddy, there’s one thing I’m sorry for,” Roy declared, with a wink at +his father. + +“Yea? Well, go ahead. I suppose it’s some sort of wise crack.” + +“Wise crack? Oh, no, nothing like that. I was thinking--” + +“Well, spill it! I’m waiting.” + +“Golly, Teddy, your face looks as though it had been painted with +dirt! All in streaks.” + +“What of it? What were you going to say?” + +“Oh, yes. I was going to tell you something, wasn’t I? Well it was +this.” + +He hesitated, until everyone was listening. Then he arose and bowed. + +“Teddy, my boy, if Curly could only see you now!” + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + THE STRANGE FIRE + + +The ground in the shady side of the chuck wagon resembled a small +section of a battlefield where carnage had been complete. Tired bodies +were sprawled in every imaginable attitude, some reclining with their +heads on their hard saddles, imagining themselves comfortable, some +with feet raised above the rest of their bodies by the simple method +of bracing them against the wagon wheels, others lying face downward, +arms outstretched. They had earned their ease, and Mr. Manley declared +a vacation for the remainder of the day. + +The sun touched the horizon before anyone stirred. Then Roy sat up, +stretched, and poked Teddy with his foot. The boy jumped as though he +had been shot. + +“Only me, sweetheart,” Roy said, grinning. + +“Huh? Golly, you scared me! I was dreaming of that bunch of beeves and +I thought I was down under ’em. What time is it?” + +“Don’t know. Feels like time to eat. I--” + +“Hey, what’s all the noise about?” Nick, rubbing his eyes sleepily, +looked about him. “Convention, or something?” + +“Nope. Just one of Roy’s cute little jokes. He had an idea he’d slept +enough, so he kicked me. Needed company, I guess.” + +One by one the others came to life, yawning, stretching the kinks out +of their muscles. + +“Hey, Sing, when do we eat?” + +“What’s on the men-oo for supper?” + +“Get offa my foot, you ape! By golly, you been sleepin’ right on my +laig! An’ now, by jinks, that’s asleep! If I don’t warm you up for +that--” + +Gus, letting out frequent yelps, hopped about, trying to restore the +circulation in the benumbed member. Pop, who was the cause of this +commotion, grinned happily. + +“Don’t he dance well? Funny he only uses one leg. Come on, open up, +Gus. Show yore stuff. One, two, three, four! Let’s go! I wonder if my +baby does the Charleston--Charleston--” + +“Dry up, you old leather-backed coyote! Maybe you’d dance too if yore +laig was sound asleep. Uh! There she is.” He sat down suddenly, and +glared about him. “Next time you want a pillow, you use somethin’ else +besides my laig.” + +Mr. Manley was watching the scene with an amused smile. Finally he said: + +“Nick, suppose you jump that chuck wagon an’ find out if Sing Lung is +asleep too. If he is we’ll have to get our own chow, I reckon.” + +“I’ll wake him!” Nick declared, and pulled open the wagon door. “Hey, +you Chink, come to! Time to get up!” + +“Gettee out heah! Come in my klitchen, so! Out qlick! I beat you head +with this!” Sing, a skillet in one hand, peered out ferociously. + +“He’s awake!” Jules Kolto shouted. “Now we eat for sure. But I wouldn’t +like to take Nick’s share. He’ll probably get boiled mice.” + +“An’ I’ll eat ’em too,” Nick said forcibly. “I’m hungry enough to go +anything. Come on, Sing, show some speed.” + +The cook grinned and disappeared. Half an hour later the “come an’ get +it” signal was sounded, and the men sat down to their third meal on the +range, to which they did full justice. + +Evening had settled upon the land when the punchers rested from the +joyous labor of conveying food from pan to mouth. Satiated, they lit +cigarettes or pipes and wandered about, talking, or sat and played +cards in the waning light. Teddy and Roy stood near the corral talking +to their father and watching the milling beasts within. + +“Plenty of work to-morrow,” said Mr. Manley. “I can spot some cows +in there now that aren’t ours. Look--there’s a deer! See him?” He +pointed, and the boys saw a brown form flash past. The deer had been +caught in the rush of animals and had been driven into the corral with +the steers. + +“Probably be more than one,” Roy commented. “Say, Teddy, how tired are +you?” + +“Not very. Why?” + +“Like to take a little ride?” + +“Sure. Where to?” + +“Oh, over toward the southwest part of the range.” + +“Uh-huh. All right, Dad?” + +“Yep. Go to it. Don’t stay too long, though. You’ve got a long ride +to-morrow to Red Rock.” + +Teddy nodded, and went to saddle Flash. The night was cloudless, and +when the two brothers started the full moon gave them ample light to +see by. They rode slowly, enjoying the tang of the fall air and the +beauty of the scene. Somehow, the prairie seemed soft, more friendly +than it had under the hot sun. + +“Any special reason for this little jaunt, Roy?” Teddy asked, after +some minutes. + +“Well, there might be, and then, again, there mightn’t. I’d like to get +a look at that herd we’ve got to take Peterson. Maybe it’s shifted.” + +“Perhaps. Good idea to find out, anyhow. Wonder if we’ll ever see the +Lefton boys again?” + +“Hope not. I’ve had my fill of them. They’re with Mob Jamisson, some +place, I suppose. Thought they had us sewed up tight, did they? They’ve +got another think coming.” + +Teddy looked thoughtfully at his brother. + +“So you think they’ve given up whatever plans they had?” + +“I don’t think anything. I decided long ago that I did too much of +that. We’ll take things as they come. All we’ve got to do now is to get +that herd to Red Rock, and we’ll be finished. Maybe what that professor +heard didn’t apply to our outfit at all.” + +“You mean about having us sewed up?” + +“Uh-huh. But he didn’t say that. He said he heard our name mentioned, +and then came the rest of it. At least, as I remember, that’s what +he told us. It’s easy to think they--I mean the Leftons and Mob +Jamisson--were talking about us, then changed the subject and that +stuff about sewing up tight--or cold, or whatever it was--had nothing +to do with us at all.” + +“Sure, you can figure that way if you want to. Just as logical. Say, +look down that way. Do you see a light?” + +Roy pulled rein, and stared. + +“Some sort of a blaze. Let’s investigate. May be the beginnings of a +fire. Golly, that would be hard luck! Come on, let’s get a wiggle on. +If it is a fire we want to let the rest of ’em know.” + +The boys leaped their ponies into a run, and as they rode forward they +saw that a red glow showed in the distance. + +“Kind of small for a prairie fire,” Teddy called. “And it doesn’t seem +to get any larger.” + +“Let’s slow down,” Roy said suddenly. “That’s a fire, all right. But it +was made to cook stuff over, not to burn weeds.” + +“You mean a campfire?” + +“Sure do.” + +“On our range, too! Now who do you suppose--” + +“Soon find out. Take it easy.” + +They went quietly forward, and then Teddy saw that his brother had been +right. It was a campfire. They could see forms moving about, crossing +between them and the flame. + +“Shall we have a look?” Teddy asked in a low voice. + +“I’ll tell a maverick we will! Let’s leave the ponies here and walk. +Guess we’ll have to put our detective badges on again.” But there was +no humor in Roy’s voice as he said it. A strange campfire on a range +during round-up time is no joking matter. + +They dismounted and picketed Flash and Star to a near-by bush. Then +they proceeded on foot. + +“Got a fine nerve, whoever it is,” Roy remarked. “Probably thought we’d +all be too tired to do much riding to-night.” + +They could hear the sound of voices now, making no attempt at +concealment, loud in their denunciations of one of their members. As +yet the boys could distinguish no individuals, but they saw that there +were quite a crowd of men about the fire. + +“Six, anyway,” Teddy said softly. “Yep, just six. I can count ’em. +Listen!” + +One of the men was speaking. + +“I blame you, Jamisson, for this whole business. Ever since you’ve been +with us you’ve caused trouble. Once more--and you’re out.” + +“Is that so! Well, Peterson, I’ve heard that story before! An’ it’ll +take more than you and yore gang to call me out on a deal like this +after I’ve gone this far!” + +“Aw, for the love of Pete, let’s cut this fightin’ out!” murmured +another voice. “Where’ll that get us? Go ahead with your story, +Peterson.” + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + THE RUSTLERS’ CAMP + + +Teddy and Roy sank back into the shadows. Peterson! And the others were +Mob Jamisson and the Lefton boys! There were two strangers with them. + +“Well, I wanted to express my opinion of this bird,” Peterson growled. +“I’m getting the raw end of this deal, and I take the most chances, +too. Suppose that Manley bunch finds out I’m in with you? I’d walk +right into their hands and it ’ud mean a nice long jail sentence for +me. The rest of you can keep out of sight, but I’ve got to play close +to the ground.” + +“All right, all right! We know all that. Let’s have the plan now!” + +“Pipe down and I’ll tell you. Here’s the dope.” He lowered his voice, +and the boys crept closer, listening eagerly. Chance had given them +this opportunity to foil the rustlers, and they were going to make +the most of it. Roy, seizing his brother’s arm in a firm grip, leaned +forward. + +“This herd we want is about three miles from here, in a little valley,” +Peterson went on. “It’s the only herd they left out of the round-up, +for which we’re duly grateful.” And he chuckled meaningly. “We’ve got +to work fast, because old man Manley will start for that herd first +thing in the morning. Of course it won’t be where he expects to find +it, but it won’t take him long to locate it, unless we follow the plan +I’ve outlined.” + +“Well, tell us about it. Mike an’ Ginger haven’t heard it yet.” Jerry +Lefton nodded toward the two strangers. + +“Here it is. From this valley to the Jarmey place is only a short +distance. I found that out, and I’m not even a Westerner. We shoot +those cattle through there soon as it gets daylight.” + +“That means no sleep to-night,” the man called Ginger growled. + +“Well, what of it? You’re not in this business for your health, you +know. Now listen. We drive the cows to the Jarmey place. And right here +I want to make sure of one thing. Jerry, how about those cars?” + +“They’re O.K. Bill and I sent ’em down yesterday. We found a whole +train of empties on the siding above Eagles, and simply rode ’em down +grade to Jarmey’s. Nothin’ to it. Give you credit for thinkin’ of that +idea, Pete.” + +“How many cars?” + +“Thirty-three. Enough?” + +“Plenty. We can get ’em all in. Well, we load ’em as soon as we get +there. From then on it’s a cinch. We simply run the cars as far as +they’ll go--to the end of the line, that’ll be, and then unload ’em, +eight miles from Jarmey’s.” + +“There’s that eight-mile business!” Roy whispered. “Down grade from +Jarmey’s, too! Snakes, we--” + +Teddy cautioned him to silence by nudging him. Peterson was talking +again. + +“We’ll hide ’em there for a while, then drive ’em further on. We can +alter the brands anytime. That Manley gang won’t have a chance of +catching us, even when they do find out their cows have left them +without saying when they’d be back. You see, they’d have to go all +the way around Shock Mountain. We go straight through, following the +railroad. Get it?” + +“Sure do! That’s a sweet little scheme.” Bill Lefton waxed +enthusiastic. “Haven’t got much to say against that, hey, Mob?” + +“Sounds all right,” Mob answered grudgingly. “Wait till we see what +happens. I don’t never count my chickens before they’re hatched.” + +“You’ll get no hen to set by that plan,” Peterson laughed, pleased at +Lefton’s compliment. “Well, I guess that’s all. Now we might as well +try to get an hour’s sleep. No more--we can’t afford to be late. Throw +a few sticks on that fire, will you, Bill?” + +“Sure thing.” + +Bill arose suddenly, and plunged into the brush. + +“Teddy! Lie low! We’re--” + +“Mob! Pete! Come here, quick! Hi, Jerry! Here’s--” + +Teddy drew back his fist and caught Bill Lefton full on the jaw. The +boy turned to follow Roy, tripped over a vine, fought for his balance, +and fell prone. + +The next moment he felt the wind go out of him, and his head hit the +ground with a thud. + +“I’ve got this one! Chase the other! Come into the light, you!” + +There was no need to go after Roy. When he saw his brother had fallen, +he turned and lashed out furiously with his fists. But the darkness +favored the rustlers, rather than Roy, for the boy could not see the +faces before him. A blow on the body was of no avail, due to the heavy +clothing worn by the cattle thieves. + +“Sock him! Don’t shoot, you’ll hit one of us!” + +Mob Jamisson and Jerry Lefton jumped Roy at the same instant. His +senses reeled as the butt of a gun struck him a blow on the forehead, +knocking off his hat. He felt his arms pinned roughly to his sides. +The brief and uneven fight was over. + +“Drag ’em in, an’ we’ll have a look at ’em,” someone said grimly. +“Spies, hey? Know what we do with spies? We--well, for the love of +sweet William! It’s the Manley boys!” + +“What? Let’s see. By jinks, you’re right!” Bill Lefton tilted Roy’s +head back by pressing up on his chin. “Roy Manley! And his brother +Teddy! Well, well, well! Think of that! Lost your knife again, my lad?” + +Roy answered nothing. He stared intently into the eyes of the man +before him. + +“Ain’t this luck!” Mob exulted. “Now maybe I can finish what I started +a few days ago. I won’t miss this time, either.” He raised a gun +menacingly. + +“None of that, you fool! They may not be alone! Put that down!” +Peterson seized the man’s arm angrily. “Want the whole country to know +we’re here?” + +Jamisson growled something, but lowered the weapon. + +“Hand me a rope, Bill,” Peterson commanded. “We’ll truss ’em up for a +while. We can decide later what to do with ’em.” + +“I know what I’d do,” Jamisson said shortly. “An’ I will yet, if I can.” + +The boys were bound and then thrown roughly to the ground. They lay +there, dazed, with Peterson standing over them. + +“Roy and Teddy Manley,” he said softly. “And they walked right into our +hands! Well, boys, we’ll see what sort of entertainment we can furnish.” + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + CAPTIVES + + +“You know ’em?” Mike asked, pointing with his thumb to the two boys. + +“Know ’em? Listen, brother!” Peterson paused impressively. “These are +the sons of old man Manley who owns the X Bar X. Does it penetrate now?” + +“It sure does! Well I’m locoed! It’s their cattle we’re--” + +Peterson seized the man by the shoulder and spun him around. + +“Quiet, you idiot!” he whispered angrily. “If they don’t know about it, +what’s the use of telling them?” + +“They know, all right,” Mob Jamisson growled. He knelt down, and, +seizing Teddy’s arm, pulled him to a sitting posture. “Listen, you! How +long you been hidin’ out there?” + +Teddy stared straight at the man. + +“It’s none of your business,” he said deliberately. + +“Isn’t, hey? Talk up, now, or--” He clutched the boy by the throat and +shook him savagely. “You’ll answer me, an’ sudden, too!” + +Roy, his head spinning from the blow he had received, heard Teddy gasp +in agony. He struggled to one elbow. + +“Let him alone, you coward!” he shouted, tears of rage coming to his +eyes. “Let him up--” + +Bound as he was, he crawled nearer. Oblivious of consequences, +realizing only that his brother was in pain, he kicked out with both +feet, as hard as he could. They caught Jamisson in the small of his +back, bowling him over, and causing him to release his hold on Teddy’s +throat. + +“Thanks, Roy,” the boy gasped. “Guess this is the finish for both of +us. So long--” + +Jamisson, inarticulate in his anger, leaped to his feet and drew his +gun. + +“Try an’ stop this one!” he yelled. “I’ll blow you so far--” + +Without a word Peterson stooped, picked up a stick, and brought it down +solidly on Jamisson’s gun arm. The weapon fell to the ground. + +“When I say a thing, I mean it,” he said calmly. “There’ll be no +gun-play. You got only what you deserved. What good would choking him +do? Now you pipe down. Get over on the other side of the fire. I’m +not going to have this deal spoiled by you, just because you can’t +keep your temper. Jerry, watch him. If he starts anything let him have +it.” He stopped, and Jamisson, like a beaten dog, walked slowly away. +“That’s it. Now you pay attention to me, you two boys.” + +He motioned to the others to move to one side, so that he might have a +clear view of the captives. + +“You know me,” he continued. “And now you know something else, and +that is that we’re after some cattle of your father’s. I suppose you +heard our plans. No use trying to pretend any longer. I aim to get the +cattle, and that forfeit, too, when he can’t deliver. Figure out why +I’m telling you this?” + +Teddy shook his head. He could not trust himself to reply. + +“It’s because you’ll never make use of the information until it’s too +late. Oh, don’t get scared--I don’t mean any killing. We’re not all +fools.” He glanced toward Jamisson. “But we’ll keep you tied up here +until the whole thing is finished. Ginger, you’ll have to stay and +guard ’em. Reckon you won’t mind that. Relieves you of a lot of work.” +Ginger grinned, and nodded. “After two or three days we’ll turn you +loose.” + +“You going to keep ’em here?” Bill Lefton asked in surprise. + +“Well, where else? What’s the matter with this place?” + +“It’s too near their friends, that’s what’s the matter with it! We’ll +have to shift ’em. There’s a spot four miles from here in the timber +where they won’t be found for ten years. I say we drag ’em over.” + +Peterson paused, and thought. + +“You’re right,” he said finally. “That means we’ll have to start now. +Come on, break camp. Bill, bring up the broncs. Where are your ponies?” +He looked intently at Roy. + +The boy thought swiftly. Would it be better to refuse to tell him? If +Flash and Star wandered into camp riderless, Mr. Manley would know +something was up and send out a searching party. But if they did get a +chance to escape, they would be helpless without horses. Best to have +the ponies brought along. + +“Near a bush, over that way,” Roy replied. + +Peterson nodded. “Round ’em up, Jerry, and bring ’em in. Ginger, don’t +forget what I told you. You’re responsible for these boys.” + +His orders were obeyed promptly and without question, except by +Jamisson, who declared he would not “play no val-let for no fool of an +Easterner.” But he was wise enough to confine his objections to talk. + +Mounted once more on Flash and Star, with their hands bound firmly +behind them, Teddy and Roy rode into the darkness, guarded by +horsemen riding on each side of them and in the rear. Their way led +through underbrush and into a forest, so deep that the light of the +moon scarcely penetrated. For about half an hour they rode, then Bill +Lefton, who was leading, called a halt. + +“This is it. Couldn’t find a better place. O.K.?” + +The boys saw that they had come to a small clearing in the bottom of a +gully. Roy thought bitterly that Lefton’s words were true--that no one +would find them here in ten years. + +“This’ll do,” Peterson said, with satisfaction. “Help ’em off, someone. +I’ll mosey around and find a good place to tie ’em.” + +He selected a tree with a thick trunk, and the boys were forced to +sit, one on either side of it, while ropes were bound around them, +encircling the tree. The tree was thick enough to prevent either from +reaching back and untying the other. + +“There, that’s over,” Peterson muttered, and straightened. “About time +we started. Ginger, remember what I told you!” + +“We’re goin’ now--without no sleep?” Jamisson asked, his face +expressing disgust. + +“We are. You’ll get plenty of sleep later. Look, Ginger--here’s water +and food. Feed ’em when they’re hungry and give ’em water when they +need it. And stay right here all the time! Get me? Don’t move till you +hear from us, which will probably be to-morrow some time. Get me?” + +“Sure thing. An’ they won’t get away. I got somethin’ here that’s a +great little pacifier.” He patted his gun significantly. “So long. Good +luck.” + +Peterson nodded in answer, and remounted. + +“Let’s go, boys. We’ve got plenty to do. Ginger, watch your step. See +you later.” + +Teddy and Roy heard the horses crash their way through the brush. One +by one the riders filed into the woods. For many minutes the boys could +hear the sounds of their departure. Then, silence. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + TOO LATE + + +Ginger walked over and looked down upon the captive boys. He grinned +good-naturedly. + +“Well,” he said slowly, “I reckon it’s our day. Hope you boys are +comfortable. If you want anything, sing out. Um. It’s fine weather +to-night. Yep, it sure is fine weather.” + +Ginger sat down, and rolled a cigarette. + +“You boys thirsty?” + +Teddy, who was facing him, said he was. His throat was burning still +from Jamisson’s clutch. Ginger held the canteen to the boy’s lips, and +Teddy drank deep. + +“Thanks,” he said. “Could you loosen us just a little? My arm--” + +Ginger grinned, and shook his head. + +“That’s one thing I can’t do. Reckon you’ll have to sleep as best you +can. Hungry?” + +“No,” Roy replied shortly. + +He felt it was useless to argue. This guard, while good-natured enough, +could not be coerced into giving them their freedom. Roy realized that, +and decided to bide his time. Perhaps something would turn up before +morning. He could hear Star whinnying close by, where he and Flash had +been picketed. Roy thought that if he could manage to slip his bonds +and overpower Ginger he and Teddy might still save their cattle. But +now was no time to try it, while the guard was watching them. If he +would only fall asleep! + +But Ginger was not the sort to give in to weariness when he was told +to watch. He sat quietly, puffing on his cigarette, staring at the +captives. Time dragged interminably. The silence of the woods seemed +oppressive, overpowering. Roy felt his muscles tense with an effort at +control. Anything would be better than this monotony. + +“How long are you going to keep us here?” he asked suddenly. + +Ginger shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t say. Till morning, anyhow. Maybe +someone will ride back by that time.” + +Another period of silence. Roy strained his ears for the slightest +sound, hoping, desperately, that someone would come. But who? They had +not been gone long enough for his father to become worried and start to +searching for them. Even then, it was useless to expect them to find +this hiding place. It was too well concealed. + +Suddenly he started, nerves taut. Was not that a stick that broke +behind him? There! Surely he heard a footstep! + +“Any idea of the time?” he asked loudly. “Suppose you haven’t got a +watch. Not many punchers carry ’em. I remember when I first got one. +Thought I was king of the rock. Only a small wrist-watch, but, believe +me, I was sure proud of it. My dad gave it to me. Bet I have it yet +some place. Funny how you hang on to those things. Like an elk’s tooth, +or a rabbit’s foot. Sort of charm, you know. I knew a puncher that used +to--” + +A figure stepped quickly from the shadows and stood over Ginger. A club +was raised and brought down swiftly, landing on the man’s head with a +dull thud. Without a sound, his body relaxed, and he sprawled on the +ground, senseless. + +The figure bent down and felt of the rustler’s heart. + +“Just stunned,” he remarked, relief in his voice. He straightened, and +Roy uttered an exclamation. + +“Mohammed!” + +“Professor Sullivan, if you please. I have discarded my robes. I find +them cumbersome in situations of this sort. Now if you’ll just hold +still a second--” + +He knelt and felt for the rope that held the two boys. Teddy craned +his neck around, disbelief in his eyes, unable to credit their good +fortune. + +“Professor! Boy, we’re sure glad to see you! How in thunder--” + +“That shall be later. It is imperative now that you regain your freedom +as soon as possible.” He smiled. “Using the trade by which I make my +livelihood--which, by the way, is guess-work--I should say that those +who bound you and left this man as a guard are now on an errand which +you would like to intercept as soon as possible.” + +“I’ll tell a maverick we would! They’re rustlers after our cattle! +Here, get this knot untied. That’s the stuff. Ah!” Roy stretched, +feeling the blood flowing through his cramped veins. Then he leaped to +his feet, as did Teddy. “We can’t thank you now, professor, because +we’re in an awful hurry. You know where our ranch is. Come over there, +and we’ll do more than thank you! Come on, Teddy, let’s get the broncs! +Thank goodness, they brought ’em along.” + +The two boys dashed into the brush, to appear in a moment astride their +horses. + +“We got to go!” Teddy shouted. “Can you get back all right? Have you +got your wagon?” + +“Not the wagon. That is broken. But Stamboul waits patiently for me. I +shall ride him.” + +“Will you look after him?” Roy asked, pointing to the unconscious man. +“He’s all right--I wouldn’t like to see him badly hurt. And we may want +to question him later.” + +“I will. Good luck to you!” + +“Thanks! Let’s go, Teddy! Straight out!” + +The horses leaped forward. Through the woods they dashed, careless of +low hanging branches, intent only on reaching their cattle in time. The +boys gave their broncos their heads, trusting to their surefootedness +to bring them through safely. + +Their trust was not misplaced. Flash and Star, as though they realized +that their masters depended on them, ran swiftly, dodging in and out +of the brush, until they reached the open prairie. Roy gave a shout of +exultation. + +“Now we’re all set, Teddy! Baby, if we’re only on time! We’ve got a +run of about five miles. Lucky there’s a moon--we can see where we’re +going. Step on it, boy!” + +For answer Teddy raised his reins, the signal for every Western pony to +“spread himself.” Flash jumped ahead. Roy, not a moment behind, urged +Star to his best speed. This was no time for considering either man or +beast. Both boys knew the stuff of which their horses were made. They +would last--they would have to last! + +They headed for the southwest corner of the range. Their one chance +was to get there before the rustlers, and then, when they came, to +bluff them off. Since Peterson and his gang could not expect to see +them, thinking them still captives, this was not a vain hope. Unarmed +as they were, if they could force the rustlers to believe that they had +been released by their friends, who were with them, they might yet save +their cattle. + +The ponies were panting now, but still they kept up their tremendous +speed. The ground seemed to fly from beneath their feet. Nearer and +nearer they came to the spot where the cows were herded. It could not +be more than two miles more. Neither boy spoke, concentrating his +energies for the race against time. + +In the distance Shock Mountain arose, huge and weird in the moonlight. +Not far now! They could almost see the black blot of the herd of +steers as they stood in the lee of the mountain. Teddy craned his neck +forward, peering ahead intently. Another half mile, and they would be +there. The valley wherein the cattle were grazing came into view. + +“Guess we’ll make it!” Roy shouted. “Here’s where Peterson said they +were! Can you see ’em? Can you--” + +Then they topped a rise, and the whole landscape spread out before +them, every object plainly visible. The moon-lit scene was as light as +day. + +Teddy’s eyes swept over the valley. Were they on time? + +He gave a groan and drooped over his saddle. Their race had been +useless. There was not a sign of the six hundred head! The rustlers had +beaten them! + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + THE TRAIN OF EMPTIES + + +When one has counted so heavily on something, has worked desperately +for it, the moment when one realizes failure seems so definite, so +unrelieved, that the world spins on unnoticed. Teddy and Roy sat in +their saddles, staring down into the valley, despair written in every +line of their faces. + +“Too late,” Teddy stammered. “We’ve lost. They’ve started the drive. +Even if we could catch them, what would be the use? They’d never +abandon the cattle now without a fight. And what have we got to fight +with? Roy, we’re done! We’re done!” + +Roy nodded miserably. + +“Looks like it. By the time we got help it would be too late. We’re +miles from our camp now. Let me think. We’ve got to do something. But +what? They’ll take the cattle to the Jarmey place. Think, Teddy! Think!” + +“The Jarmey place!” Teddy fairly shouted the words. “We’ll have to head +for there! Now we’ve got it--our one chance! Can we find it, Roy?” + +“We’ll find it,” Roy answered grimly. “I know, from what Pop told us, +the general direction. Once we get there--” + +“We’ll think of that later,” Teddy interrupted. “The thing to do is to +reach those empty cars before they load the cattle. Golly, we’re sure +giving these broncs of ours a workout! But they’ll stand it, I reckon.” + +“Hope so,” Roy murmured, patting Star affectionately. “We can’t afford +to let ’em rest now--we’ve got to go on.” He swung the pony about and +headed away from the valley, Teddy following. It was not possible +to force the horses to the speed they had showed on the ride over. +They were covered with foam, and the tiny nerves in their backs were +twitching from the effort they had made. + +“We’ll be good for another hour, and that’s all,” Roy declared. He had +to keep a tight rein, for Star, keyed up as he was to the pitch of +excitement, would have taken his opportunity to run fiercely until he +dropped from exhaustion. But Roy was a wise rider. + +The horses were cantering, but not with that abandonment which means a +mile or so at top speed, then the finish. They might find the Jarmey +place easily. And, on the other hand, they might have to look for hours. + +They rode along, neither boy saying much, with a strange feeling that +this journey was to be endless, that they were fated to ride forever +over the moon-bathed prairie, up hills, into valleys, skirting groves +of poplars and evergreens, now and then leaping small streams. What +neither realized was that, from lack of sleep and food, they were +getting a trifle light-headed. + +“Must have moved it,” Teddy said suddenly, and laughed shortly. Roy +looked at him sharply. He pulled Star nearer to his brother’s horse +and, leaning over, rested a hand on Teddy’s arm. + +“Feel all right, old boy?” + +“Me? Sure! Why shouldn’t I? Throat is dry and got a little headache. +When I see Mob Jamisson again I’ll give him a headache! Where in +thunder are we going, any how?” + +“To the old station at the Jarmey place.” + +“Oh, snakes, I know that! I mean are we headed in the right direction?” + +Teddy did not hear the sigh of relief his brother gave. But when Roy +spoke his voice had a note of hope in it. + +“I think so, Teddy. We’ll soon know, anyway. If I’m right it’ll be over +the next hill. We’ve been going upgrade for the last half hour, and the +station is pretty high--Pop told us that.” + +He stopped and peered ahead. It was fully three hours since they had +left the camp of the rustlers. All that time they had been riding with +hope of success driving them on. For the first time Roy felt a wave of +lassitude sweep over him. Savagely he fought it off and gritted his +teeth. This was no time for sleep. Sleep! What had he thought of that +for? Sleep! How pleasant it would be to let his head drop forward and +drift off--off-- + +“Hey! Come out of it! Buck up there, boy! We’ve got plenty ride ahead +of us. Don’t cave in like that!” + +“Huh? You talk--talking to me? Oh! Hang it all, I did doze for a +minute, didn’t I?” Roy shook himself and sat straighter in the saddle. +“That sock on the head must have made me a bit goofy. I’m O.K. now. +Golly, Teddy, I think we’re almost there! Listen! Can you hear +anything?” + +Teddy pulled his pony to a sliding stop and strained his ears. Then he +uttered an exclamation. + +“Cattle on the march! Over to the left! We’re on time, Roy! We’re on +time! Head for the station!” + +“Straight ahead, isn’t it? Can we make that hill? Take a good start up. +Now--” + +Teddy felt Flash rear and leap forward. The loose stones gave a +precarious footing, and for a moment the boy feared that the pony +would go over backward. But he recovered himself, and lowering his head +plunged onward. + +The noise of the cattle became more distinct. They must be about half +a mile to the left, where the level ground allowed cattle to be loaded +into the cars. + +“We’ve got to make it--rustlers or no rustlers!” Roy panted. “If +they’re guarding the cars we’ll take a chance and run through ’em! If I +get hit, you keep on. Remember that!” + +The shouts of the men driving the cows toward the railroad could now be +heard, and Roy and Teddy dug heels into their ponies’ sides. Exhausted +as the horses were from their long, hard ride, still they responded +bravely, and digging their forefeet into the hill strove to carry their +masters to the top. + +“If we can reach the cars without being seen--” Roy gasped. + +The sentence was left unfinished, for he realized that Teddy knew what +was in his mind. They had one chance to save their cattle, and a slim +chance it was. + +The empties, they knew, stood on a steep grade. It was this incline +which the rustlers counted on as a means of getting the cars started +and carrying the cows to a place where they could be unloaded +without fear of interruption. This place was at the end of the line. +Thirty-three cars, loaded with heavy steers, would easily coast eight +miles, given a good start. + +If they could reach the train before the rustlers discovered them and +release the brakes, the train would start, and then nothing could stop +it. Peterson’s work would go for naught. The cattle would have to be +left where they were, for they could never be driven far enough to be +hidden from the punchers of the X Bar X. + +These thoughts were whirling through the minds of Teddy and Roy as they +spurred their horses up the steep hill. + +Ahead of them they saw a long line of mounds, looking like a caravan +of camels in the moonlight. As they came nearer the contours took on a +more angular form. + +“The cars! We’ve won, Teddy! We’ve won! Go on--go on! This is the last +lap, Teddy boy!” + +Panting fiercely, the boys dashed toward the line of empties, standing +motionless on the tracks at the top of the hill. At the same minute +they heard a shot and a bullet whined by overhead. + +“They’ve seen us!” Roy gasped. “Ride, Teddy, ride!” + +Far to the left they could see a huge herd of cattle--their cattle. Men +were dashing frantically about, spectres in the night. Streaks of fire +flashed into the blackness and winked out, and the solos of the bullets +merged into a chorus. The bright moonlight threw the two riders into +silhouette, a perfect mark for the rustlers. Suddenly Star faltered, +stumbled, went on more slowly. + +“He’s hit!” Roy groaned. “Star, don’t give up! Stick to it, boy! Stick +to it!” + +The pony whinnied with pain, but fought his way doggedly up the hill. A +little more! Just another hundred yards! + +“They’ve left the cattle! They’re after us!” Teddy shouted. “Ride low!” + +In front of them loomed the cars. Roy heard the wood splinter as the +bullets pinged into them. Up--up! + +“Hop it, Roy! Hit the ground! Let the ponies go; they’ll find their way +back!” + +At the top of the hill both boys sprang from their mounts. They turned +them loose and saw them scamper away, their heels flying in the air. +They were headed for home. + +The rustlers had come to the bottom of the hill, and now they started +up, sensing the plan of action. They shot as they came, hoping a lucky +bullet might find the mark. But now Teddy was on the side of one of the +freight cars, climbing up the ladder to the top. Roy sprang for the +next car. + +“The brakes--release ’em!” Roy shouted. “Start from the other end! +Release every car! She’ll start herself!” + +He ran to the front, and Teddy to the rear. Thirty-three cars make +a long train, and never had a freight seemed so long to the young +ranchers as they strove to get it started downgrade before the rustlers +reached them. Frantically they turned the brake wheels, jumping from +one car to another, while hot lead split the air on each side of +them. Luckily, not all the brakes were on, or they would never have +succeeded. At last Roy turned one of the wheels, and felt the train +give a lurch. + +“She’s started! Take ’em off, Teddy! Any more on?” + +“Can’t tell yet. Here’s one!” + +He kicked the cog loose and spun the wheel. For a moment nothing +happened. Then a groaning of metal on metal, a creaking of wood, an +exultant shout from the boys, and they threw themselves flat on the car +roof as the train, gaining momentum every second, pushed through the +ranks of firing rustlers and like an invincible iron monster started on +its journey downgrade--without the cattle! + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + THE RODEO + + +The cars were old and their joints rusty, and the noise they made as +they rumbled along resembled an avalanche. The pistol shots, puncturing +the roar, sounded like the popping of corks. + +“Try to stop us now!” Roy shouted gleefully. “Yow! Ride ’em, cowboy! +Out of my way!” + +The rustlers had reached the top of the hill and were firing +desperately. One of them sought to leave his horse and catch the +last car, but his pony shied, and threw the man from his back, to go +tumbling down the steep embankment. + +“Have a sleigh-ride!” Teddy called. “Tell us when you hit bottom!” + +Bill Lefton tried to swing his pony and ride parallel with the moving +freight, but the road bed was too narrow, and his horse, with a neigh +of protest, refused to follow this rumbling Juggernaut, then whirled, +and almost on its haunches, started down the slope. The train picked +up speed rapidly, and amid a fusillade of ineffectual shots it rounded +a curve, bearing Teddy and Roy to safety. + +The last glimpse the boys had of the rustlers was the sight of Peterson +waving his arms madly and shaking his fist--not at them, but at one of +his gang. + +“Mob Jamisson having the law laid down to him,” Teddy chuckled. +“They’ll blame him for this, sure as shooting. Boy, we’ve saved the +cattle! They’ll never be able to drive ’em far enough to hide ’em +before we’re on their necks.” He drew a deep breath. “Yes, it was worth +it--it sure was worth it.” + +They sat up now, and drew closer together. They had flung themselves +flat when the train began to move, one in the middle of the center +car--which, they afterwards discovered, was the key car--and the other +at the end. It was Teddy who had released the brake which really set +the train in motion. + +The grade was not very steep at this point, and the speed at which the +cars were running was not high enough to be dangerous. Teddy sat for a +moment watching the scenery “roll by,” as he expressed it, and then he +grinned. + +“I just happened to think,” he said, “that dad has Peterson’s deposit. +Maybe he’ll come and claim it--maybe not!” + +“The only deposit he’ll get will be deposited in jail,” Roy said +laughingly. It seemed the most natural thing in the world for +them to be seated on top of a freight car, at two o’clock in the +morning, running downgrade toward the end of the line. Gone was +their weariness--their thirst. All they thought of was that they had +succeeded--the cattle were saved--a good night’s work had been well +done. + +The train jolted and swung along. Teddy and Roy sat on the board which +runs along the top, the walking plank, arms about their knees, swaying +from side to side with the motion, happy, contented. They would soon +come to the end of the line, not far from Hawley. They could rout +the sheriff out of bed, organize a posse, and chase Peterson and his +crowd from here to the borders of the state--farther, if necessary. +The cattle would be safe until they rounded them up with the others, +to-morrow. Yes, it was a good night’s work. + +The grade was leveling off now, and the train ran more slowly. It +reached a curve, on the right of which the ground dipped, so that they +had a clear view for miles. + +“Teddy! Take a look!” + +Far to the right the lights of a town glimmered. + +“That’s Hawley! Let’s get off here. No telling how far this train will +run, and the end of the line is much farther from Hawley than this is. +It stops away off in some deserted hole, Pop said. Get busy with those +brakes. Hawley, Ha-a-a-aw-ley!” he cried, in the manner of a conductor +announcing a station. “All out for Hawley!” + +They ran from one car to another, applying the hand brakes. When the +train had slackened speed sufficiently they climbed down the ladder and +jumped to the ground. + +“Now we’ve got a nice little jaunt,” Roy said, peering toward Hawley. +“But it might be worse. So long, old Twentieth-century!” He waved his +hand as the train, barely moving, disappeared around a curve. “You sure +helped us out of a bad hole! Come on, Teddy--get those legs of yours +moving. _One_, two, three, four! _One_, two, three, four!” + +They set out joyfully, and in an hour reached the town, tired, but +still happy. Hawley was a fair-sized place and they found a restaurant +on the main street open. There was a telephone within, and they called +the sheriff. At first he was angry at having his sleep disturbed, but +when the boys told them who they were, he declared eagerly that he’d be +right down. He was as good as his word. Not five minutes elapsed before +he entered the door of the restaurant, fully dressed, two guns hanging +from his belt. + +The boys soon explained the situation to him, and then he, in his turn, +sat down at the ’phone and called many numbers. His orders were short +and to the point. His men were to arise, saddle their horses, and meet +him at the Alpha in six minutes--no longer. “Understand? All right! +’bye!” + +When he had finished he turned to the boys. + +“So you rode the empties down to here! Well, well! Boys, that’s as good +as a movie. Now listen. You ought to be pretty tired. I told my wife +that you’d be right over to the house, and to get a room ready. You +sleep--hear me? We’ll finish this job for you. We’ll let yore dad know +where you are right quick, so he won’t worry. Then we’ll take the trail +of them rustlers. Mob Jamisson with ’em, hey? Well, I’ll be plumb glad +to see him again, not sayin’ the same fer him. My house is the fifth +one down on this side of the street. Red brick. You can’t miss it. Just +ring the bell. Mary’s up, an’ waitin’ fer you. Here comes my gang.” + +He hesitated as the sound of the arrival of several horses sounded +outside the door. + +“I’ll go now. Don’t worry about yore dad. I’ll let him know first +thing. We can find his camp all right if it’s anywheres on the X Bar X. +Tell you a secret--I used to work fer that ranch when I was a kid. That +was when yore grandfather had it. Well, so long! Pete--” to the man +behind the counter--“if they’re hungry, you feed ’em an’ charge it to +me. So long, boys!” + +Hungry? Weren’t they, though! They scarcely saw the sheriff burst +through the door nor heard the noise of his departure. They were intent +on a whole ham which hung in a glass-enclosed refrigerator. + +“Could we--could we have some of that?” Roy asked, pointing. + +“Ham! You betcha! Fried ham an’ eggs. Sliced tomatoes. Potatoes. +Coffee. Pie a-la-mode. O.K.?” + +“I’ll tell a maverick it is!” + +Then they sat down to the best meal they ever remembered eating. At +three o’clock in the morning, just these two, in the restaurant in +Hawley, they ate until they could eat no more. When they had finished, +the waiter looked at them critically. + +“I’m thinkin’,” he said softly, “that they don’t need no bed to-night. +Maybe the sheriff’s house is only down a block, but they’ll never make +it, unless they walk in their sleep.” + +He moved softly to one side and turned low the light. Quietly he +tiptoed to the door and closed it behind him. And Roy and Teddy, +their heads resting on their arms, feet tucked under them, slept the +remainder of that eventful night on a table in the restaurant in Hawley. + +They awoke to find the sunlight streaming in on their faces and a +voice, miles off, calling: + +“Hey! Come to! ’Phone for you! ’Phone!” + +“What? Somebody wants us? What time is it? Gosh, this bed is hard! +Well, for the love of Pete--” + +Teddy, gazing about him stupidly, found the waiter grinning down at +him. It took a full minute for realization to come to the boy, and +another minute to explain to Roy. Sleep had sunk them so deep that they +simply could not understand what had occurred. Finally, however, Pete +convinced them that they were really in Hawley, and, what was more +important, that Mr. Manley was on the ’phone. + +“Dad!” Roy exclaimed, jumping. “I’ll take it, Teddy. Where’s that +’phone? Huh? Oh!” Almost next to his elbow, and he could scarcely see +it. He picked up the receiver. + +“Hello, Dad! Sure! Fine! Right next to me. Yep, he’s all right too. +Sort of sleepy. We fell asleep on a restaurant table--stayed there all +night. Get up there, Teddy. What’s that, Dad? Say it again, will you? +You caught--” He turned to his brother, eyes shining with excitement. + +“Teddy, they caught the rustlers! Every one of ’em! The sheriff found +our camp, and dad and the others went right out on the trail. Here, +Dad, tell Ted. He won’t believe me.” + +Then Teddy: + +“Hello, Dad! Is that straight? Got ’em all? And the cattle? Oh, boy! +What luck! Say, how about Flash and Star? Came home? You! That’s a +relief! How’s Star? That’s good.” Aside: + +“He says Star wasn’t hurt much. Bullet just grazed him.” Into the +’phone again: + +“Where’d you get the rustlers, Dad? Uh-huh! Tried to drive the cattle +away after all, did they? Didn’t think they were that stupid. Probably +figured we’d ride to the end of the line and wouldn’t be able to get +help before morning. Listen, Dad--did you get Mob Jamisson? Well, hold +him for me--he owes me a new hat! Yep. All right, Dad! Want me to tell +Roy anything!” A pause, and a grin stole over Teddy’s face. He looked +at his brother and winked. “Sure thing, Dad! Tell ’em we’ll see ’em +this afternoon! So long, Dad!” + +The receiver clicked down. Pete, the waiter, was watching the two +brothers with an amused smile. + +“Dad wanted me to tell you something,” Teddy said slowly. + +“Well, what?” + +“Oh, maybe you won’t be glad to hear it. I don’t know. Perhaps I’d +better wait till later. I don’t like to--” + +“Tell me now, you Indian! What is it?” + +“Well, he wants us to get home as soon as we can, because Nell and +Curly are there and they’re going to see us in the rodeo! So, hit the +trail, cowboy--hit the trail!” + + * * * * * + +A perfect fall day, with the bright sun laughing down on a scene of +vivid beauty. Flags flying in the fresh breeze. Bands playing. Girls, +in picture hats, gazing forward eagerly. Cow punchers, resplendent +in silver mounted belts, checkered shirts, and big woolly chaps, +swaggering proudly about. A crowd roaring its approval of a man in the +center of the arena astride a bucking, twisting bronco. The rodeo! + +The governor of the state had a box directly in the center of the +grandstand. Next to his was the Manley box. + +Within it sat Mr. and Mrs. Manley, with Belle Ada, Nell Willis, and +Ethel--no, Curly--Carew. And one other. In the rear, inconspicuous as +possible, a little man, tanned of face, with blue, kindly eyes, looked +out upon the scene. It was Mohammed Ben Ali Suliman--alias Professor +Sullivan, psychologist. He leaned forward and touched Mr. Manley on the +shoulder. + +“Does--er--our boy ride soon?” + +“Teddy, you mean? Yep. Next. Did you see Roy win that Pony Express +contest? Man, I’ve been with him all my life, and never knew he could +ride like that. First prize! Great, eh? Look--that man’s finished. +There he goes!” + +The rider gave a shout and flew over the pony’s head. He was out of +the race, but he arose gamely and shook his fist in mock rage at the +horse that had unseated him, then walked, a trifle unsteadily, to the +side. + +“Teddy rides now?” Mrs. Manley asked in a small voice. + +“Sure, Mother! An’ don’t you worry! He’ll take that bronc under his +wing as easy as pie. Watch! Here he comes!” + +A yell went up as another rider shot out from a corner, seated on a +bit of leaping horse-flesh. Roy, who stood leaning against the fence, +shouted: + +“Stick with him, boy! Hang on! You! Atta baby! Look at him go--! Oh, +look at him go! Sweet daddy! You’re sure ridin’ now, Teddy! Don’t go to +leather! Yay! Ride ’im, cowboy!” + +And Teddy did “ride ’im.” For every trick of the squirming pony, he +knew a better one. Up went his hat, and down on the bronco’s flank. +He was fanning him, and the crowd, quick to realize that here was no +ordinary rider, roared delightedly. + +Excitement reigned in the Manley box. + +“Oh, Mr. Manley, isn’t he _wonderful_!” + +“Splendid! Teddy’s splendid!” Mrs. Manley forgot her momentary fears +and gave way to the occasion, cheering with the rest. + +“Dad, he’s sticking--he’s sticking!” shouted Belle, wild with joy and +excitement. + +Finally the pony gave up. Head lowered, breath coming in gasps, he +submitted to the guiding rein. Over to the judges’ stand the boy rode +him, as easily as though he had been a saddle horse for years. Teddy +had won. + +Roy, unable to contain himself, jumped the fence, ran into the arena, +and, reaching up, grasped his brother’s hand. Those in the stand saw +the occurrence, and another yell went up. Brother greeting brother--two +expert riders, each a prize winner! The crowd went wild. Here was +romance, real Western life. + +“Teddy, congrats!” Roy said. “You’re a rider, boy!” + +“And how about you?” Teddy laughed, looking down at Roy. “The same +thing goes for you! You wait, and we’ll bring our cups over together. +Hold this bronc a second.” + +He dismounted, and another puncher took the horse away. Those in the +Manley box were watching with eager eyes. + +“I believe,” Professor Sullivan said slowly, “that riding like this +has its place among the arts. When I return to my college I shall +suggest that they add a Chair of Horsemanship to their curriculum. +My dear Mr. Manley, let me congratulate you. I shall leave it to our +two friends--” he smiled at Nell and Curly, who sat entranced, hands +tightly clasped--“to congratulate our boys. That was wonderful riding.” + +“If I’m not mistaken,” Mr. Manley chuckled, “that gets Teddy a first +prize. And Roy won the Pony Express contest. Not bad, hey, Barbara?” +He turned to Mrs. Manley. “What do you think of these boys of mine? +They save my cattle for me, get the sheriff after the rustlers, get +’em captured an’ put in jail, then come back an’ win two first prizes! +Well, mother, what about it? How about those two boys of mine?” + +Mrs. Manley looked at her husband and smiled. Then she saw coming +toward them Roy and Teddy, each one carrying a silver cup. They strode +along, heads held high, the light of conquest shining in their eyes. +Two horses stood awaiting them--Star and Flash. They mounted, and rode +over to the Manley box. As they approached they held the cups out and +grinned. + +“Yes, Bardwell,” Mrs. Manley said softly, “they’re fine boys, those +sons of yours. But you musn’t forget--” she smiled again--“I’m not to +be left out of this! They’re mine, too!” + + + THE END + + + + + WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS + + By JAMES CODY FERRIS + + Each Volume Complete in Itself. + + +Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which +will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in +the great open spaces. + +The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when +required, but full of fun and daring--a bunch any reader will be +delighted to know. + + THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH + THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON + THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER + THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL + THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP + THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP + THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER’S GAP + THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS + THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES + THE X BAR X BOYS RIDING FOR LIFE + THE X BAR X BOYS IN SMOKY VALLEY + THE X BAR X BOYS AT COPPERHEAD GULCH + THE X BAR X BOYS BRANDING THE WILD HERD + THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE STRANGE RODEO + THE X BAR X BOYS WITH THE SECRET RANGERS + THE X BAR X BOYS HUNTING THE PRIZE MUSTANGS + + + + + _On the Trail of Clues and Criminals_ + + Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. + + +Frank and Joe Hardy are sons of a celebrated detective. Often the +boys help him in his investigations. In their spare hours and during +vacations they follow up clues “on their own hook.” These activities +lead them into many strange adventures and dangerous situations. Yet +their efforts are usually successful in tracking down criminals. These +stories are packed with action, adventure and mystery. + + + THE HARDY BOYS STORIES + + By FRANKLIN W. DIXON + + + THE TOWER TREASURE + THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF + THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL + THE MISSING CHUMS + HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD + THE SHORE ROAD MYSTERY + THE SECRET OF THE CAVES + THE MYSTERY OF CABIN ISLAND + THE GREAT AIRPORT MYSTERY + WHAT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT + WHILE THE CLOCK TICKED + FOOTPRINTS UNDER THE WINDOW + THE MARK ON THE DOOR + THE HIDDEN HARBOR MYSTERY + A FIGURE IN HIDING + + + + + TED SCOTT FLYING STORIES + + By FRANKLIN W. DIXON + + Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. + + +You’ll like Ted Scott. He’s a daring young American whose feats of +flying thrill the whole world, but with it all he keeps a level head +on his shoulders. The whole flying series has been inspired by recent +aerial exploits and is dedicated to Lindbergh, Commander Byrd, Clarence +Chamberlin and other heroes of the skies. + + OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS + RESCUED IN THE CLOUDS + OVER THE ROCKIES WITH THE AIR MAIL + FIRST STOP HONOLULU + THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST FLYERS + SOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE + ACROSS THE PACIFIC + THE LONE EAGLE OF THE BORDER + FLYING AGAINST TIME + OVER THE JUNGLE TRAILS + LOST AT THE SOUTH POLE + THROUGH THE AIR TO ALASKA + FLYING TO THE RESCUE + DANGER TRAILS OF THE SKY + FOLLOWING THE SUN SHADOW + BATTLING THE WIND + BRUSHING THE MOUNTAIN TOP + CASTAWAYS OF THE STRATOSPHERE + + + + + Spotlight Books for Boys + + _From 12 to 16 Years_ + + +MYSTERY HOUSE _R. J. Burrough_ + +Another Smiley Adams story combines mystery and sports, with adventure +aplenty in the deserted house on an island one dark and stormy night. + +THE LONE RANGER _G. DuBois_ + +Mysterious, friend to all in trouble, this dauntless rider, ever +astride his magnificent horse, Silver, rides the Western range. + +FLASH GORDON _Alex Raymond_ + +Flash, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov, the only earthlings on the planet +Mongo, save King Vultan’s people from destruction. + +TAILSPIN TOMMY _Hal Forrest_ + +Tommy fills in for an ace stunt flier in a war movie. + +THE G-MEN SMASH THE “PROFESSOR’S” GANG _Wm. Engle_ + +Bob and Denny, G-men, in a chase that leads them into the underworld. + +SMILEY ADAMS _R. J. Burrough_ + +An exciting story about the disappearance of a football star between +halves. + + + + + Books for Boys by a Master of Fiction + + The Mark Tidd Stories + + By CLARENCE BUDINGTON KELLAND + + + =MARK TIDD= + +An ingenious fat boy and his three friends meet danger and excitement +in solving the mystery of the strange footprint in their secret cave. + + + =MARK TIDD IN BUSINESS= + +Mark and his three friends take Smalley’s Bazaar and make a success of +it, in spite of unfair competition from the villain of the story. + + + =MARK TIDD, EDITOR= + +The resourceful fat boy runs a country newspaper. As editor, foreman of +the press room, circulation manager and business manager, he makes the +_Wicksville Trumpet_ a paying proposition. + + + =MARK TIDD, MANUFACTURER= + +The boys take over an old mill fallen into disrepair and soon have it +showing a profit. How Mark outwits the unscrupulous representative of a +big power company makes an irresistibly funny book. + + + + + FOOTBALL AT ITS BEST + + “Hot Off The Gridiron” Stories + + + UNDER THE GOAL POSTS + by EDDIE DOOLEY + +A rousing story of college football by a great player. + + + By HAROLD M. SHERMAN + ONE MINUTE TO PLAY + +There wasn’t room in Red Wade’s trunk for his football togs and his +textbooks too--so he left his textbooks at home! + + + TOUCHDOWN! + +A thrilling, smashing, breath-taking football story--introducing the +“big three.” + + + BLOCK THAT KICK! + +Tingling romance, breath-taking mystery. Climaxed by a championship +football game at the Yankee Stadium. + + + CRASHING THROUGH! + +How a clever little quarterback kept his big rivals’ fighting spirit at +high pitch in order that his eleven might win a big game. + + + FIGHT ’EM, BIG THREE + +Plenty of action on the gridiron and in other fields also. A story of +three youths, Stuffy, Pepper and Brick. + + + GOAL TO GO! + +Shrimp and Tubby, the “David and Goliath” of the Merwin College eleven, +bring a great football crowd to its feet shouting like mad. + + + HOLD THAT LINE! + +A story of the heart-breaking and nerve-trying experience one college +player underwent before success. + + + NUMBER 44 + +How Bun Ritter, former mascot, becomes as famous as the mighty Branson, +makes a story packed with football sensation! + + + + + BOOKS BY LEO EDWARDS + + ILLUSTRATED. EVERY VOLUME COMPLETE IN ITSELF. + + +Hundreds of thousands of boys and girls have laughed until their sides +ached over the weird and wonderful adventures of Jerry Todd and Poppy +Ott and their friends. Mr. Edwards’ boy characters are real. They do +the things other boys like. Pirates! Mystery! Detectives! Adventure! +Ghosts! Buried Treasure! Achievement! Stories of boys making things, +doing things, going places--always on the jump and always having fun. +His stories are for boys and girls of all ages. + + + THE JERRY TODD BOOKS + + JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY + JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT + JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE + JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN + JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG + JERRY TODD AND THE PURRING EGG + JERRY TODD IN THE WHISPERING CAVE + JERRY TODD: PIRATE + JERRY TODD AND THE BOB-TAILED ELEPHANT + JERRY TODD: EDITOR-IN-GRIEF + JERRY TODD: CAVEMAN + JERRY TODD AND THE FLYING FLAPDOODLE + JERRY TODD AND THE BUFFALO BILL BATHTUB + JERRY TODD: UP THE LADDER CLUB + JERRY TODD’S POODLE PARLOR + + + THE POPPY OTT BOOKS + + POPPY OTT AND THE STUTTERING PARROT + POPPY OTT’S SEVEN LEAGUE STILTS + POPPY OTT AND THE GALLOPING SNAIL + POPPY OTT’S PEDIGREED PICKLES + POPPY OTT AND THE FRECKLED GOLDFISH + POPPY OTT AND THE TITTERING TOTEM + POPPY OTT AND THE PRANCING PANCAKE + POPPY OTT HITS THE TRAIL + POPPY OTT & CO.: INFERIOR DECORATORS + POPPY OTT--THE MONKEY’S PAW + + + GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK + + + + +Transcriber’s Note: + +Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like +this_. Obvious printing errors, such as lines printed in the wrong +order and partially printed letters and punctuation, were corrected. +Final stops and close quote marks missing at the end of sentences were +added. Fifteen misspelled words were corrected. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76660 *** |