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

them might get a good look at the prisoner. The lad considered it a fortunate coincid

uttered an exclamation under his breath, while

w, for once in your life. Thought you were shooting up Rangers, did you? Instead you barked up against

" growled the prisoner. "I don't

too, that the captain will be glad to see you. He'll have a warm welcome for you, you bet. They certainly have you tied up for keeps," laughed the

y disgustedly throwing his gun on the ground at t

nd what this man is? You appear to be wel

But how did

swer that question. He an

ught that man?" wond

"But I'll admit that it was a pr

me abo

ng as little of his own

he prisoner had gained

d of the latter's nar

will be interested in you," said Mr. Withem.

who the fellow is, ye

pp

on his trail for weeks, but he's managed to give us the slip every time. We never expected to

r. "I did not suppose such conditions e

not, or

the man Tu

y are smugglers and thieves. They have even gone back to the old style of stock stealing. Up to date it is estimated that they have run across the border into Mexico several hundred head of stock. The ranchers are up in arms. The Rangers

rying to stir up trouble on this side of the line, and these border ruffians are ready to do anything for the sake of easy money, even at the e

force--committed murder or anything o

stern border of the state. A few stopped bullets, but so far as we know no one was killed. I am t

soner confess, can yo

pp

on the Rio Grande. It is so close to Mexico, so easy to get across the border that bad men cannot resist taking advantage of it. That is why t

" asked th

are subject to the orders of the governor,

your com

n Billy

ccused us of belonging to McKay'

did,

es

t you up just the same, even if he had

of your party, Mr.

what evasive answer. "I'll get in touch

ucker with you, will

will," laugh

ong for you? You have

t a good shaking up, but it won't hurt Dunk. He's too tough to be bothered by a little thing like th

, then go on down to the Rio Gra

m ref

u. There's a reward out for Dunk. Captain Bill

ell him that whatever reward is paid, belongs to the Rangers. We are g

s hand, grasping T

rt, young man. I wis

he Ra

of c

d not be possible," sm

affirmed Professor

do." The lieutenant lowered his voice. "We will be in camp to-morrow night ab

, s

high up, falling in a sort of spray. You can't miss the p

before you come in too close. Some of our boys are rather su

you poked that pistol in my face back there was a c

ttention to Chunk

in be there?" as

u don't know where to find him. He may be here to-night. and to-morrow morn

culties with any of this fellow's compan

n't be after you have come up wi

uarters--in these moun

find out. We have reckoned they had their

s band of Border Ban

don't know. We do know

he Mexican, Espinoso, k

les, a half-breed Mex ba

acy. "That doesn't sound very savage. I shouldn

and he has the manners of a city chap too. But you look out for Willie. There isn't a colder blooded man in th

there, I don't think I care to make his a

of Willie and by the time you get him sized up, it's too late to do you any good. I hope you don't

-r!" shive

man supposed to hide him

aps some more. There's a price on Willie's head. But what's the use speculating about it? We'

days when men's passions ran riot; when practically the only law of the land was the law of the gun. Now, conditions had changed. It was only in certain localities that lawlessness reigned in Texas, but these were bad spots, as evidenced by the presence

fter having partaken heartily of the appetizing meal. "I'll

It will be a pleasure to meet your command

orse if you will tell

a

other side of the creek abo

iculty in locating the horse, so carefully had the animal

oys are all ri

ithem rode away. They observed that his rifle was resting across the body of the prisoner, as if the lieutenant were looking for trouble

acked!" c

the fire!" shout

swered Tad, snatching up his rifle and making a bolt for hi

mmanded th

t do that. You stay here, Professor. We will take care of ourselves. Don't worry about

houted the fat boy, sta

w what kind of a man I

oo

boys. He groaned aloud. But Professor Zepplin was very active for his years. Ere the enthusiastic Pony Riders had started to gallop away the professor ha

t on the plain they saw vicious flashes of