e trail they left."

"Shake!" cried the captain leaning from his saddle. "You're the
alfiredest sharp youngster I've ever come up with. Oh, it's too bad
that you have to waste your talents in a city! Too bad, too bad!
You ought to be out here on the plains and in the mountains where
one's manhood counts for something."

"Did you come out to pick up that trail, sir?"

"That's what I came for, my boy. I reckoned those two fellows who got
after us in camp last night would take this trail and head for the
lower end of the mountain range. That's what they've done. This
trail proves that. Of course they may get sidetracked, but that's
their idea up to this point. I think we are safe in following our
original plans now."

Captain Billy did not say what those plans were, nor did Tad ask him.
They now turned about and started toward home at a slow jog trot,
riding side by side where the trail permitted and in single file
where it did not.

On the way back the captain asked Tad many questions about himself,
the members of his party and their experiences during their various
journeyings into the wilder parts of their native land.

"Ever think of joining the army yourself, Tad?" questioned the Ranger.

"Have I? I am thinking of it most of the time. Oh how I wish I were
old enough. I know I could give my country good services now."

"You bet you could, Kid. You would make a wonderful scout over there,"
declared the captain, nodding.

"Some day, if the war lasts, I shall go," asserted Tad in a low voice,
tense with emotion.

Billy said he had been East to Chicago once, where he had been robbed
of everything he had on except his clothes.

"Funny, isn't it? I'd like to see a fellow go through me out here in
my native pastures. But back there in the city---" Billy shook his
head. The subject was too great for words.

They found the camp quiet and in order. The three boys and the
professor had been sleeping a good part of the afternoon, and without
having put out a guard, either. The captain shook his head, glancing
significantly at Tad as he heard this. In fact the two had to shout
to awaken the party. Then to learn that they had been sleeping all
day---well, there was nothing to be said.

"Do we move to-night, sir?" asked the professor.

"Can't tell you. Not until I hear the reports of my men, and the
messenger or scout whom I looked for to meet us here at noon. Seen.
anything of that rattler arou