The Pony Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers; Or, On the Trail of the Border Bandits

he mountaineer. Without an instant's hesitation the fellow picked up the boy, starting down the side

en built a little fire under a thick growth of pines, whose tops served to bre

Ned against a tree, passed a piece of rope about the boy's body, pinioning his arms to his sides, securi

Even under more pleasing circumstances this man would have caused Ned to give him a wide berth. Discovering that

e go, or it'll be the w

ct

you this time," gri

You will get what is coming to you when my friends find ou

to find out," answered

at I am as

n't answering

you sho

id

now yo

sked the mountaineer,

s Rector--

e you

sso

ou doin

or my health," answered

ing his own cause

d so that the barrel lay along his right leg, the muzzle pointing straight at Ned. The latter was not greatly disturbed at this.

make me answer any questions that I do

r mind before I git done w

me, and fortunately for you, I am all alone. But when my friends do find out what has happened you'd better

illy?" demanded

illy?" won

tend you don't know w

y do not. Who is

Joe Wi

e friend of yo

n escaped the lips

ppy Hunting Grounds in about ten minutes from now. I haven't got all night to sit here talking with you. I've got to git

ow of your existence until you began

to guess. Bill McKay must think we're e

when I see hi

you I'm going to send a bullet through your head. Maybe they'll

eyes of the man before him which, all at once, to

we are?" demanded

t of the Ra

e w

own as the T

r lau

ngers. We are known as the Pony Riders and we are o

ts. I had his little game sized up the minute I set eyes on your bunch. But I'll clip your claws. I'll show McKay that we ain't so easy. Now you out with the whole story. If

any orders,

Kay reckon you wo

, I don't want to know them. But I do want to tell you that if you don't let me go--that if you heap any

Ye b

, I

," answered the mountaineer, shifting his rifle about suggestively. "Now I'll g

ad gone a long distance out of his course. After a time he realized this and at once started back toward the plain. It was his intent

tural woodsman, added to which was an experience of some two or three years in moun

and stood with head thro

here. That means some one is in camp here. I can't be f

ecided upon this he started in the direction named, but proceeded with much more caution than before as he

w a faint fli

fired his revolver had he got into trouble. He may be waiting for me down by the creek. But I must find

rough the bushes, each foot being placed on the ground as softly as an animal stalking its prey could have done. Not a

view of the fire. He was obliged to crawl some three or four rods from that p

t the first finger of the right hand was toying with the trigger. His glances followed the direction indicated by the muzzle of the weapon. Then Tad's face flushed hot all over. There, b

me to tell you?" de

at already. What

told you, I have no

are in y

including t

ut the cayuses. Who

't know if

askin

Zepplin, Prof

scientific

being a shooter. He is

t got to do wi

fesser get his orde

" answered Ned wit

t you was

know what

willing to answer right smart after I've fanned you wit

replied Rector with some heat, "I have told you that

our health, a little time ag

if we are?"

p. You've lied to me pretty near every word you've said. You said you didn't know B

azy," scof

to gulp down all them fairy stories. You're young. Mebby you d

idea about it by thi

id is a lie and you kno

g somewhat particular

re, are you goi

mething that sent the blood coursing through his veins madly. That something was

ned up until he had risen to his full height. Now the rifle came up to position, ready for work. It was at his chest again. T

e could not resist one more look in Tad's direction. But that

g,

til after the rifle had spit two charges of fire and lead. Ned's head dropped. Everything g

ould not come. He could not utter a sound

ell for help, a yell that carried far beyond the s