coming out choking,
dripping and laughing.

All this made a favorable impression on the Rangers. Boys who could
take rough handling such as this, without losing their tempers or even
offering any objection, surely must be worth while. Then, too, there
was the story about Tad and Ned having captured the desperado, Dunk
Tucker, who was now well on his way to the calaboose in El Paso.

"I reckon you kin go back and dry off now," drawled Dippy. "Anything
else you cayuses reckon you want?"

"Yes, you might fetch me a piece of soap," answered Butler laughingly.

"I reckon you'll use sand, young man," answered Orell witheringly.

The Pony Rider Boys made their way back to the camp, wet but happy, the
only dissatisfied one in the crowd being Stacy Brown. But their
troubles for the night were not wholly over yet. Their initiation was
not yet complete. The Rangers had still other plans for their visitors.

CHAPTER XI

BAG-BAITING THE 'POSSUMS

"Guess you fellows are forgetting about that 'possum hunt?" drawled Cad
Morgan as the boys came noisily into camp.

"'Possum hunt?" cried Stacy, brightening at once.

"I wasn't talking to you," answered Morgan witheringly. "Don't break
in when men are talking."

"Men? Where are your men? I want to go 'possum hunting, too."

"So do I," chorused Ned and Walter. Tad did not speak. He was
watching the Rangers to see if they meant it. Evidently they did.

"That's so," answered Dippy. "We had plumb forgotten all about it.
We better get a move on or we won't have that 'possum for breakfast.
Ever go bag-baiting for 'possum?" he demanded wheeling on Tad.

"I never did."

"Neither did I," interjected Stacy crowding in between Tad and the
Ranger. "I want to bag a 'possum."

"Better look sharp or the 'possum will bag you," warned Pete Quash.

"I guess I'm not afraid of any 'possum that ever climbed a tree.
Haven't I killed lions and bob cats and fought Indians, and---"

"Stop it!" roared Dippy. "I'll be worse'n my name if you keep filling
me up with that line of talk."

"What's bag-baiting 'possum?" asked Walter.

"What! You never heard of bag-baiting?" demanded Cad.

"I never did."

"Well, you fellows are tenderfeet!"

"May we go along and help?" asked Chunky.

"What do you say, fellows?"

"We might let them on a pinch. I suppose they've got to learn some
time."

"All right, you fellows may go out and help us, but it's a job, mind
you! You'll