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

ering Tad, the latter with quick instinct, realizing that Ned

urther purpose of hiding him from the man who was shooting at him. The mountaineer had not even caught a sight of Butler, quick as had bee

himself to the ground. The boy came to his feet as if propelled by a spring. At that se

caught the eyes of the ruffian. He swung toward Butler

trigger the mountaineer received Tad's rock in the pit of his stomach. With such force had the missile been hurled that the fellow st

yed and staggered then fell over a dead l

ous in his present mood. He did not pause to think what a terrible chance he was taking in thus rushing forward. Fortunately for Tad, however, the mountaineer was suffering such agonies that he

as upon him li

ac

point of the jaw as the man raised his head half d

went down

put the finishing touches to father. Cut me loose!

he danger lay with the man stretched out there on the ground. Tad worked rapidly. His rope was jerked free from his

it into the bushes. Then he tied the man's ankles together, after whi

rm, isn't

came near being pretty warm for you. Are you going to cut me lo

it until our friend there comes to his senses before

nto it." Ned then went on to relate briefly how he ha

rying to get y

Ranger, a member of some fello

the man?" q

e's a captain of Rangers, or something o

it does," answer

w s

as Rangers are after this fellow he must be w

s in Mexico, so why not some of them up here to stir up trouble? He looks li

m. He may have some more

only weapon left on his person. Tad threw the knife away. About th

allop," wondered Ned, standing ov

a stone, then with my fist.

grun

that way. That surely was a soc

er. "We rather turned the

this!" growled th

o-night. What I would like to know is

t through with you, you and your whole gan

othing to do with any of you people

er cayuse said. Look

ou. You began shooting at us before we got into the foothills. Who were y

as the on

low, Tad?" asked Ned. "Surely it won't be safe to let h

a litter--by the way, fellow, are there

her there are or not,

nswered my question. I

ut down a coup

ou want to

to the

gh for that ruffian--too good for him. He o

e to make a litter. We can carry him down to the fork. Take hold of the feet. I'll take the heavier end. And you, fellow! You will get along much bet

o reply to

ck him up, Ned

ing to take

ld be best. The rifle is goo

ir prisoner up. He proved a heavy burden, though fortunately the distance was short to the fork where Tad had decided to carry the man. The fellow had nothing to say, but the expression

t?" dema

s are tethered, then ride to the outfit. Tel

he gulch here. I'll answer it if all is

you goin

e to leave him alone," chuckled Tad. "Get back as soon as you can. I'll have a fire

hat what h

t wa

e didn't

uess

lead to-day," answered Rector with a chuckle. "Se

position to say much yourself," replie

to the roots

ow I got jumped on. I am as easy as a baby.

it at any rate. You didn't appe

ime to think it all over, I'm scared stiff righ

it in my mind. So he t

he Rangers

uch toward clearing this state of the ba

o have got them al

state wherever their services may be needed. I understand they are paid by the state. I guess

t has just happened," answe

get started tonight?" de

this very

aineer, but all this was forgotten now that the man had been taken and was safely t

t gallop. He shouted as he neared the camp, where no fire had been lighted, uttering a

ot again!" c

d?" called t

or us. You are to pack up a

nger," protested

I don't believe you

what yo

to do after we get over t

right?" dema

th of time. You are to fetch everything. We are going into camp

assed when the lads failed to return, now hastened to get ready to accompany Ned. On the way he explained bow Stacy Brown had been fanned by

something one of the

arned somet

ve

hav

t have you

down here can shoo

myself," muttered Ned, with the memory of

as as it should be, but the young man turned a deaf ear to all their questions, replying only now and t

er well in sight all the time. Butler knew that the man was a tough customer and that were he to

everly outwitted and captured him. The mountaineer now believed more firmly than before that these two young men were carrying out the orders of Captain Billy

Yahee!" sounded off on th

wager my hat. I'll bet N

r that Butler's keen ears caught the sound of hoofbeats. He stepped back into the shadows, the prisoner eyeing him inquiringly. Tad did not take th

lly came to rest on the bound form of the mountaineer;