r, whatever occurs, you are to leave your
revolver in its holster. Don't you dare to draw it unless I tell you
to. One little slip might be the death of us. For once in your life
be prudent."

"I'll be prudent, but I wish I had a sandwich. Have you looked to see
if there's anything to eat in this hole?"

"No, I have something of more importance than food to think about at
present."

Tad struck a match, taking a long, careful look about the outer chamber
of the cave. He saw nothing to encourage him. Rocks everywhere, with
here and there a discolored spot where tiny streams had trickled
through, perhaps during a heavy rainstorm.

Tad was thinking with all his might, trying to devise some plan by
which they might protect themselves in case they were surprised by
the return of the bandits, which he did not think would occur before
night, even if then. He reasoned that the bandits were far away else
the Rangers would not have gone on a long journey in search of them.
That meant that the bandits would not be likely to return until matters
had quieted down and the Rangers had left the locality.

"I am afraid we are in here for a long stay, old chap," Butler said
finally.

"Another case of being buried alive, eh?" questioned Stacy. "I told
you so. I always am right. But I wasn't when I trusted myself to you.
You can get into more trouble, and faster than---"

"At least I don't try to shave the professor with my revolver," retorted
Tad sharply. "Hark! What was that?"

"I---I didn't hear anything."

"Sh-h-h!" Tad gripped the arm of his companion. Stacy repressed an
"ouch" with some difficulty. The two lads stood listening.

Particles of dirt were rattling from the roots of the fallen tree,
sounding like hailstones as they fell to the rocks in the cave. Then
a faint ray of light appeared under the bottom of the mass of roots.

"Somebody is coming," whispered Tad. "Stand perfectly still until I
tell you to move."

"They can't see us at once. Don't make a sound on your life."

"Wha---what are you going to do?" whispered Stacy, his teeth chattering
audibly.

"Duck, if I get half a chance. But I don't think I shall. There it
goes!"

The great mass of roots rose clear of the ground, exposing the full
height of the opening, and the eyes of the two Pony Rider Boys grew
large at what they beheld there in the framed circle of light,

CHAPTER XXIII

IN A PERILOUS POSITION

As root mass swun