The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pony Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers
by Frank Gee Patchin

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Title: The Pony Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers

Author: Frank Gee Patchin

Release Date: July 22, 2004 [EBook #12980]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PONY RIDER BOYS / TEXAS RANGERS ***

Produced by Jim Ludwig

The Pony Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers
or
On the Trail of the Border Bandits

By Frank Gee Patchin

CONTENTS

CHAPTERS
I. Excitement on the West Fork
II. A Mysterious Attack
III. In a Bad Man's Power
IV. Tad Butler Makes a Discovery
V. When the Tables Were Turned
VI. The Camp in an Uproar
VII. Receiving a Late Visitor
VIII. A Much-Wanted Desperado
IX. Showing Good Generalship
X. The Pony Rider Boys Initiated
XI. Bag-Baiting the 'Possums
XII. Insects Win the Battle
XIII. An Inquisitive Visitor
XIV. When the Air Grew Chill
XV. Making a Starting Discovery
XVI. Joining Out With the Rangers
XVII. Fun on the Mountain Trails
XVIII. One Hiss Too Many
XIX. Surrounding the Enemy
XX. Learning Some Fancy Shots
XXI. A Hole in the Mountain
XXII. The Cave of the Bandits
XXIII. In a Perilous Position
XXIV. Conclusion

CHAPTER I

EXCITEMENT ON THE WEST FORK

Leaving the main branch of Delaware Creek, a broad, sluggish stream that
slowly made its way toward the muddy Pecos River, a party of horsemen
turned up the west branch.

Horses and men alike were wearied, dusty, perspiring and sleepy under
the glare of a midsummer Texas sun. Little had been said for some
time. None felt like talking. For hours they had been working south
by west, urged on by the green of the foliage that they could see a
short distance ahead. At least it had seemed a short distance for the
last five hours, but the green trees now appeared to be just as far
away as when the party had first sighted them early in the morning.

At the head of the line rode a grizzled, stern-faced man, sitting on
his pony very stiff and erect. Just behind him was a young man,
slender, fair haired and smiling, despite the discomfort his red face
showed