boys. Even Brown
accomplished something," said McKay.

Stacy grinned broadly.

"I---I could hit a German, couldn't I?" he stammered.

"Yes, I think you could," laughed Billy.

"Especially if you were to turn your back to him before shooting,"
added Tad.

"Professor," said McKay, "I must go away for part of the day. I do
not believe your party will have any difficulty. The bandits are no
longer here. I should not be at all surprised if my men were to
round them up, as they are on the track of the enemy at this very
moment. If you want to move, you may do so, but I would suggest that
you make this your camp for the night"

"I am quite well satisfied here. The boys will no doubt want to go
out exploring. I am somewhat interested in the geological formation
of the canyon at this point, so we shall all be well occupied during
the remainder of the day. You plan to return here to-night?"

"I think so."

"We will see if we can't pick up the trail of the enemy," laughed Tad.

"Do so by all means. Who knows but that you may discover something
worth while? I am sure you have an idea in your mind," answered
McKay, giving Butler a shrewd glance.

"I will confess that I have, sir."

The Ranger captain did not say where he was going. But shortly after
that he rode out of camp and was seen no more until late that evening.
After the departure of McKay the professor cleared his throat and
stroked his damaged whiskers.

"I trust you young men will try to keep out of trouble to-day. I am
sorry to say that you are becoming rather too venturesome. Be good
enough to keep in mind that we are in what appears to be a hostile
country."

"It strikes me that Chunky is more hostile, more to be feared, than
anything else about here," chuckled Tad.

"I agree with you, and for that reason I am going to place Stacy under
your charge for the day, Tad."

"Oh, what a responsibility!" mocked Butler.

"I'm glad it isn't up to me," declared Ned.

"You will look after Walter."

"I don't need any looking after," protested Perkins.

"That's why he's put you in charge of Ned," scoffed Stacy.

"Shake hands. We will take a fresh start, Chunky," said Ned, extending
a friendly hand.

Chunky regarded Ned suspiciously. He wondered what Rector had in mind
to induce him to become so friendly all at once. As it chanced Ned
felt that perhaps he had been rather too hard on the fat boy. But the
fat boy had never thought of it in