nging that
kind of stuff."

"We came near ducking him in the lake," reminded Earl Hamilton.

"Yes," continued Miles in the attitude of a stage threat, "and if we
can't find a lake around here we can find a deep snowdrift to throw
him into."

"I wonder if he catches the drift of that argument," said Clifford
Long, with a wink at Miles.

"He not only catches it, but he understands, and hence he does snow
drift (does know drift) of what the menacing Miles means," declared
John, who had long answered to the nickname of "Johnnie Two Times,"
because of the combination of baptismal and family names by which he
was legally known.

A roar of pun-protesting groans filled the cavern, and as several of
the boys arose in attitudes of vengeance, the punster made a dive for
the exit and disappeared beyond the blanket portiere. None of the
protestors followed. They did not feel like engaging in any vigorous
sport following the strenuous exercises they had had.

Five minutes later "Johnnie Two Times" returned. One glance at his
face was sufficient guarantee that he had lost all his punning
facetiousness. He held in his hand a bit of paper which he laid on the
stone table by the lamp.

"Read that, boys!" he exclaimed, excitedly. "I found it outside. Those
men must have dropped it. They're after Mr. Stanlock--going to hold
him up."

The ten other boys needed no second bidding. They crowded around so
eagerly that nobody could read.

"Here, I'll read it aloud," said Clifford, picking up the paper and
holding it close to the lamp. Here is what he read:

"I will bring Old Stanlock along the foothill pike. Will slow up in
the sand stretch. Be there ready to grab him. Jake."

* * * * *

CHAPTER VII.

TO THE RESCUE.

"Boys, we've got to do something," declared Patrol Leader Ernie
Hunter, breaking the gaping silence that followed the reading of the
note.

"What shall we do?" asked Harry Gilbert, who was a good soldier, but
no leader.

"We must go to Mr. Stanlock's rescue," Ernie replied. "There is no
telling what those rascals are plotting. They may kill him if we don't
get there in time to prevent it."

"It's a long hike, and we may not be able to get there in time," Paul
Hunter warned.

"That means we've got to move mighty fast," Ernie said. "Boys, get
your guns and a supply of shells. I hope we won't have to use them,
but we'd better be well prepared. We're going to be late gett