of fleas on them. Ha,
ha, ha! I guess you got revenge on them, young man. By the way,
you're Brown, aren't you?"

"I was done brown down there in the bush that night. Mosquitoes were
worse than a volley of rifle bullets."

"But---I don't understand," protested the professor.

Captain McKay laughingly explained. He told them how the Rangers
had been so pestered by the fleas and other insects that Stacy had
captured in the 'possum bag that the men were forced to get up and
walk all the rest of the night, until a messenger had come from their
commander, ordering them to go on a hurry scout some forty miles from
where they were camped.

The Pony Rider Boys laughed uproariously at this. Once more they
sat down with a captain, but the same thought was in the mind of
each---who was the first man who had passed as Captain McKay? McKay
himself did not appear to be over curious as to this. However, after
the meal was finished he turned to the professor.

"Now tell me about my double," he said.

"I don't know what to tell you except that he was about your age and
build, dark hair and dark eyes, a very pleasant gentleman, I should
say."

"Did behave a scar on his left ear lobe?"

"I must say that I did not notice."

"Yes, he had," spoke up Tad. "It looked as if he had been shot there."

"Exactly, young man. You are very keen. I put a bullet through that
ear myself, more than a year ago. I suppose you do not know who the
gentleman is whom you entertained?"

"No, sir," chorused the boys.

"That, my friends, was the infamous Willie Jones, one of the most
desperate characters on the Texas border."

CHAPTER XVI

JOINING OUT WITH THE RANGERS

Exclamations of amazement greeted the announcement of the Ranger captain.

"Willie Jones!" gasped the professor.

"That is the man. You see what a sharp fellow he is. I suppose he
pumped you gentlemen pretty thoroughly?"

"I guess he learned all he wanted to know," replied Tad, flushing. "I
don't recall much of anything that he missed."

Professor Zepplin wiped the perspiration from his forehead.

"This is most disturbing, sir. I see now that Tad was right. He
counseled caution. I gave no heed to his words of warning."

"Master Tad is a very shrewd young man, Professor. I guess I shall
have to take him in with us."

"Impossible! Impossible!"

"Why impossible?"

"I could not permit it."

"Let me tell you something. Willie Jones now knows al