arently the boys were doomed to remain helpless on
a narrow shelf of rock; our readers recall how Tad Butler, at the
risk of his life, spent hours in the attempt to get them out of their
dangerous situation. The mysterious circumstances that followed the
boys all the way along on their journey through the great canyon form
a most remarkable series of events.

Now, from Arizona, Tad and his friends had journeyed onward and into
the Lone Star State. Here they looked forward only to a long,
healthful ride, full of pleasures, yet devoid of anything like
sensational excitement. Yet one never knows what the day may bring
forth, and these young travelers of ours, though they did not suspect
it, were on the threshold of the most exciting experiences that had yet
befallen them. The blue mountain ridge in the near distance was teeming
with the story that was to unfold before them. So far the ride had
been lonely. Of late rarely had they come in sight of a building of
any sort, for this part of the state was but sparsely settled. To meet
a horseman was an event. In fact they had not met one since the early
morning. The Pony Riders had no guide with them on this journey,
believing that one would not be needed. Nor did they carry a pack train.
One additional pony bore all their extra baggage, each mount being
loaded with all that he could carry in addition to its rider. For tents
they had brought one large enough to accommodate the entire party.
This was in sections, carried on the different ponies.

Five o'clock had come and gone. The sun was partly bidden by the ridge
of the Guadalupes towards which the Pony Rider Boys were slowly drawing.
Ned called up to the professor who was riding at the head.

"Where are we going to make camp, Professor?"

"Tad will decide that," answered Professor Zepplin without looking back.

"Near a stream, of course," answered Butler.

"Any mosquitoes there?" demanded Stacy.

"No odds, if there are," retorted Ned. "They wouldn't bite you."

"Not if they had got at you first," returned Stacy solemnly. "There's
a level place in there by the creek."

"I see it. I'll ride on and have a closer look at it."

Butler spurred his pony ahead of the others. Reaching the foothills
of the range he shaded his eyes, gazing up into the cool, green valley
or canyon that led into the mountains.

"I guess this will do very well, boys," he said. "I---"

Bang!

"Wow!"

Stacy with a howl of t