ee that they knew would come down with
a bump.

It did. The Rangers were still shooting. Tad and Stacy were in a
dangerous position. The Rangers were firing right over them. The
instant the boys heard the base of the tree fall into place, Tad
uttered the owl call.

"Don't shoot, don't shoot!" howled Chunky.

"It's the boys! Stand fast. Lie low!" commanded the Ranger captain.
"Something is going on here that we don't know about."

A moment later Tad and Chunky came staggering into the arms of their
friends.

"Surround the base of the tree. They're in the cave," cried Tad.

"Wait, wait!" commanded the Ranger.

In the cave the outlaws were beginning to think. Tad's shots had been
laid to the carelessness of one of the men. Each one denied that he
had fired them.

"That was a signal. Somebody here is a traitor!" cried the leader.

Out there in front of the cave Tad was rapidly whispering to the
Ranger captain what had occurred. He told him the bandits were all
in the cave and that he believed the only exit was there behind the
roots of the big tree.

"Boys, we've got 'em!" cried Billy. "We've got 'em in a trap.
Hurrah! Tad, you've saved the lives of some of us. That was as brave
a thing as ever a Ranger did and I'll tell you what I think about it
after we have smoked those ruffians out."

The smoking-out process was a matter of some time. At the captain's
direction, a row of fires was built in front of the cave so that none
of the outlaws could escape. On each side of the row of bonfires
McKay placed flanking parties who stood with rifles ready to train
on the opening should the bandits seek to escape.

All that night and the following day did the Rangers keep silent
watch over the cave. The second night fires were built up as before,
and part of the force stood watch while the others slept on the
ground with rifles for pillows.

It was not until about noon of the third day that any sign of life
was observed in the cave. Willie Jones hailed the captain, declaring
that he was ready to surrender. Terms were quickly made. The men
were to walk out singly, leaving their arms in the cave. There was
no need to caution Willie Jones as to what would follow the least
sign of treachery. He knew without being told. Grim Rangers were
standing on one side so that they should have a clear shooting space
in front of them. Billy McKay stood directly facing the opening, as
if for the purpose of temptin