The Boy Ranchers; Or, Solving the Mystery at Diamond X

er, which fact was not altogether pleasing to him. It made it too easy for cattle thieves to operate, and more than once Diamond X had suffered from depre

luable to be disposed of easily, even though their proximity to Mexico, the

letter X in the centre, a mark easily recognized, even at a distance. Other marks were used on other and adjoining ranches, Mr. Merkel owning two others, one of which went by the name Square M

oprietor, while to the west was the Circle T ranch, its cattle being marked with a large ci

e Bud. "Must be a million of 'em," added the city youth as, from a rise, he caught a glimpse of many herds, some restrained

hey're cattle, or steers. Mother keeps a cow or two for the sake of the milk, and of course our men a

"I'm going to be a ranchman some

" commented

t is the clearness of the atmosphere in the West that renders objects so plain at a distance, that brings out the beauty of the stars and which al

to think of themselves in that class. The cousins rode together, with Babe in the

or?" asked Nort, as they turned aside from a large

ver to the railroad, t

raises cattle for-sh

tened up on a range we

sell now, prices are hi

y as w

ier they are the more money we get for 'em. I guess they won't go much farther to-night, though," he added, with a lo

t, half rising in his stirrups and breathing de

ed his brother. "I wouldn't h

ike it," mu

y as a sort of whine broke the silence of the night, punc

et Babe hear you say that. It's hi

foreman let his voice soar from a whine in

me not of the

cowboys are l

, an' some roo

bring me back

a whisper, as the cowboy began on the second

corkers, some of 'em. They sing 'cause it's lonesome ridin' line, and then, too, it seems to sort of soothe t

rt. "Oh, but this is the

own in there; isn't it?" he asked his cousin, pointing ahead toward where,

ud. "We got here sooner than I expected. Talk

in a low voice of his cousin. It was evident he referred t

that was worth prospecting after. There hasn't even any gold been found, as far as I know, though there were rumors that once a pros

commented Dick. "We're going

it!" dec

midst of the camp of the scientists, and a moment later Professor Blair

he asked as he recogn

d of you, to ta

nded over the bottles of medicine. "Tell th' boss to us

said the other, so translating th

e. "Tell the boss t

The men who were shot seem to be doing well, howe

anner pleasant. But it was evide

ght and the gleam of the fire, save the usua

liver the medicine, and no incident had marked their trip, un

romised Babe, as he and the boys turne

remarked Professor Blair. "We may m

rcastic of the other's cultured accent and w

iven ample evidence,

m for a while," murmur

s, learning to their delight that there would be chances to go hunting and fishing after the big round-up, and Babe was beginning on about the fort

the silence of the night, and the strangeness of

," said Bud. "Yes, I do!" he w

owboy was begging to be "toted back to the chuck h

ant foreman said. "It's about time they tr

of excitement leaping through his

ride 'em down!" He clapped spurs to his horse, an example followed by Nort and Dick, but, quick as they were, Babe h