o learn what all this mystery meant. "We found the
opening, easy enough, and made up our minds to crawl in after Sallie,
the whole three of us. So Hank picked up some wood for a flare, and in
we went."

"And you found her home? You met with a warm reception, I warrant!" the
other exclaimed, his eyes kindling with pride as he saw the quiet,
confident air with which Frank rattled off his story.

"Sallie was in, ditto five of her half-grown brood, and all full of
fight," the boy continued. "But of course they didn't have a ghost of a
show against our two repeating rifles. Hank held the torch, and Bob
fired first. Then the brute jumped, and nearly got Hank, who lost the
flare for a few seconds. We keeled over the ugly whelps as they started
for us; and later on found old Sallie, just as she had dropped. That big
jump was her last."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that, son," declared the rancher, who had
suffered long and seriously from the depredations of that sly animal and
her various broods, despite all efforts to locate her, and put an end to
her attacks.

"I'm glad you're pleased with what we did," Frank remarked.

"It will mean a lot to all honest ranchmen in this section," continued
the cattleman. "With Sallie gone, we can hope to raise a record herd the
coming season, without keeping men constantly on the watch, day and
night, for a slinking thief that defied our best efforts. Shake hands,
Bob, and let me congratulate you on making the shot that ended the
loping of the worst pest this country has known in five years."

"But when Ted came whirling along, shouting, and waving his hat, to tell
us you wanted me back home on the jump, it gave me a bad feeling, dad;
especially when I heard that you'd gone and hurt that leg again!" Frank
cried, as he, too, seized the other hand of his father, and squeezed it
affectionately.

"But I told Ted to be sure and let you know that it was not on account
of my new upset that I wanted you back," declared the ranchman,
frowning.

"Yes, he delivered the message all right, dad; but all the same I was
bothered a heap, let me tell you," Frank went on. "And now, please, tell
us what it's all about; won't you; and what this gentleman has to do
with it; also the bottle Ted said you were handling?"

At that Colonel Haywood smiled, and looked up at the stranger.

"This is a Mr. Hinchman, Frank," he remarked. "He lives in a small place
on the great Colorado River called Mohave City. And o