THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH

DOWN TOWARD THE ROAD SWEPT THE RIDERS.

THE X BAR X BOYS
ON THE RANCH

BY
JAMES CODY FERRIS

Author of “The X Bar X Boys in Thunder Canyon,�
“The X Bar X Boys on Whirlpool River,� etc.

ILLUSTRATED BY

Walter S. Rogers

NEW YORK

GROSSET & DUNLAP

PUBLISHERS

Made in the United States of America

WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS

By JAMES CODY FERRIS

THE X BAR X BOYS BOOKS

THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH

THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON

THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER

THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL

THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP

(OTHER VOLUMES IN PREPARATION.)

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

Copyright, 1926, by

GROSSET & DUNLAP

The X Bar X Boys on the Ranch

THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH
CHAPTER I
THE ROAD TO EAGLES

Two boys loped along the winding, dusty road on the way to Eagles. One of them, astride a white-faced mustang, was leading a third horse, a bay, which, though riderless, was saddled and bridled. The day was hot; the road steep and tortuous; and the riderless horse, with head held low, was doing his best to retard the procession.

Taking a firmer hold of the leading rein, the boy gave it a jerk forward.

“Come up here, General!â€� he cried. “Where do you think you’re going—to a funeral? Pretty near train time and we still have a good stretch ahead of us!â€�

His companion, a slightly older youth, riding a brown pony, turned in his saddle.

“Is he holding back on you, Teddy? Those Spanish bridles make awfully poor leading. I think he’s got a sore mouth. And, if he has, dad’ll find it out quick!�

“Boy, don’t I know it! Why,� Teddy Manley added with a chuckling laugh, “I bet dad could tell if General didn’t sleep well the night before. He sure is crazy over this horse!�

“I’ll tell a maverick he is!� cried Roy Manley. “Last thing he told me before he left was to be sure to bring General in to meet him. But as far as liking goes, you don’t exactly hate that Flash of yours, I notice.�

The other boy grinned and patted the side of his bronco.

“Well,� he admitted, “I’m not saying much, but you have no right to talk about falling in love with a horse. The way you treat Star would make any one think he was made of cut glass! All the while it’s easy now, Star, you might hurt yourself! Is that cinch-strap too tight, Star? Here, let me brush that fly off your ear!’ Huh! Do you tuck him in bed and kiss him good-night, Roy?�

Roy Manley refused the bait.

“I remember,â€� he said calmly, wiping the sweat from his upper lip and leaving in its stead a streak of black dust, “when you first got Flash. Dad gave him to you for your birthday. You were just a little shaver then—â€�

“Aw, donkey-dust! Who do you think you are—Methuselah? Just because you’re a year older—â€�

“You were just a little shaver then,â€� Roy went on imperturbably, “and maybe you didn’t know what you were doing. You simply went into ecstasy. Get that—ecstasy? Sixty-cent word. Yep, you jumped up and down with glee, I’ll tell a maverick!â€�

“Well, if I jumped up and down with glee, you, by golly, stood on your head when dad gave you Star! Now laugh that off!�

“We won’t argue about it,� Roy replied, with assumed dignity. “Baby, this road is sure some dusty! Wind’s right at our backs, too. If I took a drink of water now I’d turn into a mud-pie. Hey, Teddy, think you can coax that cayuse you’re riding into something more than a trickle? Maybe he’ll run, if you talk to him real nice.�

Teddy Manley did not reply, but clucked softly to his mount. Flash responded with a leap that caused General, the bay that Teddy was leading, to toss his head in protest.

“You’d better be careful,� Roy cautioned. “There’s only one man who can boss General, and that’s dad. If the bay takes it into his head to stop, he’ll stop, and neither one of us will be able to budge him. Then dad’s train will pull in, and he’ll expect to find General at the station waiting for him. And where’ll we be?�

“Down in the cellar eating spinach,� Teddy answered, with a grin. “Flash, here, won’t let General balk on us! will you, old boy?� and Teddy leaned forward and rubbed the horse’s nose. Flash nuzzled his master’s hand affectionately.

“Why don’t you let up on that mush?â€� Roy asked in a disgusted tone. “Go on, whisper pretty nothings in his ear! Talk about me and Star! Why, when Gilly Froud—â€�

Eyes blazing, Teddy turned swiftly on his brother.

“Don’t mention that cur’s name to me,â€� he said thickly. “You know what he did to Flash? He kicked him, that’s what he did! Kicked him! And if dad hadn’t stopped me, I’d have—I’d have—â€�

“Cool off, cool off,� Roy advised soothingly. “I don’t like Froud any more than you do. You know that. Anyway, dad threw him off the ranch, so let’s forget him. Come on, step on it. Dad’s train is due soon.�

Breathing heavily at the memory of Froud’s mistreatment of Flash, Teddy pulled General’s leading rein and urged his own mount to a faster pace.

This Gilly Froud had been a hand on the X Bar X ranch, which was owned by Mr. Manley, the father of Roy and Teddy. One day the ranch owner had caught Froud abusing Flash. Teddy had come around the corner of the bunkhouse at the same instant, and took in the scene at a glance. White to the lips, the boy started for Froud. Mr. Manley took one look at his son’s face, and, springing forward, seized Teddy by the shoulders. Flash—Teddy’s Flash—had been kicked, and Teddy had seen it. Mr. Manley tightened his grip on his son’s shoulders. There was not going to be that sort of fight on his ranch if he could prevent it.

Teddy had come to his senses quickly, and Mr. Manley released him. Then he turned and looked at Froud, whose face was sickly pale underneath his tan. After this occurrence, Froud went away from that ranch in something of a hurry.

As Teddy recalled the incident, his fist clenched and he unconsciously drew up on Flash’s rein. The horse snorted and shook his head, as though he knew what was passing through his master’s mind.

“Always did hate a man who mistreated a horse,� Teddy murmured. “Sure to be something else the matter with him. No decent fellow would kick a pony.�

“Still thinking about Gilly Froud?� Roy asked. “Come on, snap out of it! Lots of nicer things to think about. For instance, that wrist watch you bought at school. Baby, wait till Nick Looker finds out you own a wrist watch! Maybe he won’t ride you a little!�

Teddy grinned in reply, and pushed his sombrero back from his forehead. It was certainly a hot day.

The two Manley brothers, Teddy, aged fifteen, and Roy, one year older, were at home, for a long time, they hoped, if not for good, from the Hopper Boarding School, an institution just outside of Denver. Teddy had the golden hair and blue eyes of his mother, Barbara Manley, “the blonde angel of the West,â€� her husband often jokingly called her. But the laugh that always went with this remark deceived no one—least of all the boys. They caught the note of love in their father’s voice, and it found an echo in their own hearts.

“Jinks! She is an angel!�

Roy, the taller of the two, had hair as brown as the hills around him, and eyes but a trifle lighter in hue. He it was who had inherited from his mother a fondness for literature, and, though this last was carefully concealed, a liking for poetry.

Barbara Manley, before her marriage, had been a teacher of English in a Denver school, and until she had met Bardwell Manley, poetry had been her only sweetheart. Her eyes would shine with maternal pride when she observed Roy reading a “book of silly verses,� as Teddy called it.

Yet Roy was a real boy. More, he was a real Western boy, which is saying a great deal. He was one of the best shots on the X Bar X ranch, and although Teddy had a slight edge on him when it came to riding, Roy could “forkâ€� an unbroken bronco almost as well as any man on the ranch. In build the boys were much alike—lean, wiry products of range life.

Their father, Bardwell Manley, owned the X Bar X, a cattle ranch some thirty hours’ ride “on the cars� west from Chicago on Rocky Run River, a small stream. This ranch had been in the Manley family since Temple Manley, the boys’ grandfather, now several years dead, had settled there in 1868.

Roy and Teddy, together with their sister, Belle Ada, a girl now twelve years old, had, of course, lived much of their lives on the X Bar X. But as soon as they became old enough Mrs. Manley had insisted that the two brothers go away to study in Denver, and the last three winters Roy and Teddy had spent at the Hopper Academy.

Although their school days were happy enough, both boys were always eager for summer to come, bringing with it vacation time, which meant the ranch, with Flash and Star to gallop about on over many a winding trail. Roy and Teddy had the real cowboy’s love for a good pony and the wind-swept range. Though they did as well as most boys at their studies and Roy rather better than the average, they were both eager for the time to come when they could leave school and follow in the footsteps of their father.

It was now the third week since school had closed, and today the boys were riding to Eagles, a railroad station twelve miles from the X Bar X, to meet Mr. Manley, who had stipulated that they must bring his own special mount, General, for him to ride back. Of course they could have made the trip in an auto, but Mr. Manley always said he preferred “hoss flesh to flivvers.�

“Shucks! I don’t see the use of having an auto trail to Eagles when dad rides General all the time,� Teddy half grumbled as he sank his chin deeper into his neckerchief. “This is too blame dusty!�

In the memory of some at the X Bar X, there had been a time when this road, winding up the mountain, had been just a trail, hardly wide enough for two horses abreast. But the auto had since invaded the West, and had widened the path into a dusty highway. In the opinion of Roy and Teddy Manley, it was a change for the worse.

“Stop beefing,� challenged Roy, grinning. “Here! Take a look at that and be thankful you’re allowed to live in the country!�

The two boys had come to a turn in the road almost at the top of the mountain. The horses stood, champing their bits, on a small plateau. The road wound itself about the elevation on either side, stretching out like a long, brown ribbon. To the left, where the highway made its sharpest curve, was a small slope, and beyond this the mountain seemed to have been shorn off with a giant axe, making a sheer drop of some three hundred feet.

Often and often the boys traveled this road, yet each time they reached Bitter Cliff, as it was called, and looked off over that vast stretch of country, they halted, fascinated anew by the beauty of the scene before them.

Down below, the whole range was spread out in a clear-cut panorama. Far in the rear rose the ranch buildings of X Bar X; the mess-house, where Sing Lung, the cook, invented the sometimes strange but always very palatable combinations of food; the high-fenced corral, now almost empty, for the cattle were out on the grazing ground; the ranch house—the home of Roy and Teddy; the “bronco-peeler’sâ€� bunkhouse; and the Rocky Run River, like a streak of dull silver, flowing placidly through a border of cottonwoods and willows about half a mile from the ranch house.

To the west, like another section of some great map, lay 8 X 8 ranch, owned by Peter Ball, an old friend and neighbor of Bardwell Manley.

“She’s sure some view!� exclaimed Teddy, with a long, indrawn sigh of peace and satisfaction. “Some view! Just as good as that picture of the Great Open Spaces we’ve got hanging up in the school auditorium.�

“Huh! Comparing this to a picture!� Roy snorted. “Why, man, this is real! As good as a picture! Huh!�

“All right! All right!� Teddy said easily. “Then it isn’t! You can’t get me sore,� he smiled amiably.

“What isn’t?â€� demanded his brother. “You mean to tell me you’d speak of a picture in our school auditorium in the same breath with—with—â€� and Roy flung out his arm in a mute and helpless gesture of finality.

“All right, I said! Go easy with that arm of yours! You made General jump then! But look! Isn’t the air clear? You can almost count the horses down at 8 X 8!�

“So you can. Well, we’d better be on our way. Dad won’t want to be kept waiting. He’ll be anxious to climb aboard General again, after a week of walking and flivvers in the city.�

“My boy, that’s just what I’ve been thinking. You show remarkable powers of perception. As soon as you can wake up that cayuse of yours, we’ll be moving.�

CHAPTER II
A DISHEARTENING LOSS

Clucking to their horses, the Manley boys proceeded toward Eagles. The road led downward now, and the going was easier.

“Speaking of the 8 X 8, did you hear what happened there?� Teddy asked, as he pulled gently on General’s leading rein.

“Yep! Twenty head of short-horn Durhams stolen; wasn’t it? Pete ought to put better men to riding his cattle.�

“Now, I don’t know,â€� Teddy replied slowly. “They’ve got some good punchers over on the 8 X 8. Way I figure it, those rustlers are mighty clever. They ride into a herd at night, cut out as many head as they can handle, and drive ’em away before the riders can get to them. But, by jinks, they’d better not try to get away with any of the X Bar X cattle! They’ll have one sweet fight on their hands if they do;â€� Teddy looked down at the side of his saddle where the insignia X—X, burned in the leather, could be plainly seen. The X Bar X was proud of its mark. It stood for many years of upright, square dealing.

Pop Burns, the oldest hand on the X Bar X ranch, claimed that he had “inventedâ€� the brand for Temple Manley, the grandfather of Roy and Teddy. Pop was inordinately boastful of this distinction, which he had conferred on himself, and he never tired of telling newcomers how he had happened to hit on the device of the “two sawbucks with a piece of rail fence in between,â€� as he sometimes described it. So vain was he of the mark that he placed it on everything brandable—saddles, bridles, wagons, the autos, and all. Jim Casey claimed he had even caught Pop marking Jim’s fancy vest with the X Bar X, but this the veteran denied.

“Yes, sir, there’ll certainly be something doing if those rustlers take any of our stuff,� Teddy went on. “Pop would be on their necks in a minute! I can just see the old geezer raving mad, and frothing around about: ‘Steal one of my brands, will ye? I’ll get ye fer that if it takes me ten years!’ Oh, baby!� and Teddy laughed.

“That’s right!� Roy remarked. “But, say, I hope dad’s train is late. If it isn’t, we’ll never make it! Come on, let’s hit it up!�

The boys urged the horses to a faster pace, and, somewhat winded, reached the station at Eagles in a cloud of dust, much of which clung to them and their mounts, where they slipped from the saddles with grunts of relief. They tied the three horses to a hitching rail not far from the station and concealed from the highway and the railroad office by a rough shack that served as freight and express depot.

“Yep, she’s late, all right,� announced Foley, the ticket agent, as the boys tramped into the station. “All of thirty minutes behind time. Your dad’s comin’ today, ain’t he? I see you got General out there. Spotted him when ye swung around to tie up. That road to your place must be some dusty, with the wind blowin’ up your back, hey?�

“I’ll tell a maverick it is!� agreed Roy, and then he and his brother, after a glance about the dingy waiting room, sauntered out to look over the town.

Perhaps “town� would be dignifying Eagles beyond its merits. There was a main street, consisting of two restaurants, a post-office, six stores and the railroad station. A little way down the track was a large corral, used as a temporary retention place for dealers who sent their steers to this point to be shipped. Often there would be a delay of a day or more before sufficient cattle cars would arrive at Eagles.

It was the cattle that brought the station; the station brought the town, and the town brought all sorts of things, one of which was now leaning against the front of Rimor’s Place, hat pulled low over his face, smoke from an invisible cigarette drifting lazily about his head.

Rimor’s Place was one of the two restaurants, although as an eating house it failed to qualify. Yet its habitues were never heard to complain of the quality of its food. The “hard-stuff� was good.

“There’s a tough-looking baby,� Teddy said in a low voice, nodding toward the figure of the man outside of Rimor’s. “Seems like his breakfast had soured on him.�

“It’s a rare bunch that hangs out at Duck Rimor’s,� Roy replied. “They ought to close that place. Slim Dery’s restaurant is enough for Eagles,� he declared emphatically.

A short time later the brothers again stood on the station platform, eagerly watching for the express from the city. It pulled in, and a tall, well set-up man of perhaps fifty-five alighted. He wore a heavy dark mustache, and beneath his broad sombrero his black hair was here and there tinged with gray. As his foot struck the platform he reached in his pocket, and by the time Roy and Teddy had greeted him, a corncob pipe reposed in the corner of his mouth.

“Hello there, Roy and Teddy! The two sons of the prairie come to meet their father, who has been far away in the land of the snicker-snackers! Greetings! Boys, I’ve got a surprise for you.�

“What is it, Dad?� Roy asked, grinning at his father.

“A whiffletree, hey, Dad?� Teddy inquired.

“No, not a whiffletree. Nor a wham-wicker either. Behold! Nell and Ethel, allow me to present my two dutiful sons, Roy and Teddy. Pardon me, Theodore! Boys, this is Nell Willis, and this Ethel Carew. They’re Peter Ball’s nieces.�

The boys now saw two young girls, of about their own age, who had just stepped from the train to the platform. Small hats were set over piquant faces; laughing eyes looked into those of Roy and Teddy. Somewhat in a daze, the boys acknowledged the introduction.

“Yes,â€� went on Mr. Manley, tamping the tobacco gently down into his pipe, “they’re Peter Ball’s nieces from New York, goin’ to visit the 8 X 8. Met ’em on the train. I used to know ’em a long time ago—â€� applying a match to the pipe—“but they wouldn’t remember me. I want ’em both to come over and see your sister, Belle Ada,â€� he explained to the boys. “Golly, it’s good to be back again!â€� Thereat, with a contented sigh, he blew out a huge cloud of fragrant smoke.

“Oh, we’d love to come!â€� one of the girls said, she whom Mr. Manley had introduced as Nell Willis. Then she looked at Roy. “You know, I’ve always wanted to come West. I think it’s so—so weird, don’t you?â€�

“Weird?â€� Roy repeated, as though to himself. “You mean—weird? Oh, yes! Sure! Awfully weird! Yep! Sure is!â€�

“And do you ride just all the time?� the other, Ethel Carew, asked Teddy.

“Who, me? Nope! Sit down to eat,� and Teddy grinned. Nice eyes the girl had.

“How’s your mother?� Mr. Manley interrupted.

“Fine,� Roy answered, turning to his father. “She’ll be glad to see you again. She’s been a little lonesome.�

“No trouble?� his father asked quickly. “I heard something about rustlers getting away with some of the 8 X 8 stock. Man on the train told me. They haven’t been around our place, have they?�

“Not that I know of,â€� Roy replied. “I guess mother’s been a bit upset ever since—er—â€� He glanced over at Teddy, who was explaining to Ethel Carew why they called a cowboy a puncher. “Ever since you had that fuss with Gilly Froud,â€� Roy went on. “She’s always sort of afraid he’ll come back and do some damage.â€�

Mr. Manley scowled and removed his pipe from his mouth.

“He better not let me catch him around the X Bar X,� he said sternly. “And if he’s wise, he’ll steer clear of Teddy, too. Froud may be big, but I wouldn’t bet a plugged nickel on him if Teddy ever saw him kick Flash again.�

“Oh, Mr. Manley, did I hear some one say something about rustlers?� exclaimed Nell Willis. “I’d just love to see a real, live rustler. Did you ever shoot one, Mr. Manley?�

“Who, me? Shoot a rustler?� Roy’s father demanded. Then he saw that Nell was looking at Roy. “Oh, you mean him. I thought you were talkin’ to me. That’s Roy, there.�

The girl reddened slightly.

“Roy, then! And you call me Nell. But tell me—did you ever shoot a rustler—Roy?â€�

“No, I can’t say that I did,� Roy answered, with a laugh. “But if you’d like it, I’ll try to arrange to do it for you,� and he laughed again.

“Oh, no!� Nell replied with a pretended shiver. “I don’t want you to do it. I just wondered if you had.�

“Roy’s only joking,â€� Mr. Manley stated. “People back East think we’ve got nothing to do but chase Indians and string up hoss-thieves. Why, even if there were Indians runnin’ around loose, we wouldn’t have time to chase ’em. We have plenty to do on a ranch without lookin’ for trouble,â€� he declared. “That reminds me, Teddy—who’s doin’ most of the outridin’ these days?â€� Outriding was the process of investigating the condition of the stock on the range.

“Nat Raymond and Jim Casey, mostly,� Teddy answered. “Then, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to have Nick Looker take a hand, too. Since the rustlers started raiding the 8 X 8, I’ve been kind of worried about our own cattle.�

“Yes, have Nick do that,� replied the lad’s father approvingly. Mr. Manley thought it best that his sons should assume responsibility early in life. Accordingly, he gave each one the practical management of the ranch on alternate weeks. This week Teddy had been the foreman.

“Well, no use standin’ out in the hot sun,� Mr. Manley continued, with a glance at the fair skin of the two girls. He wondered how long it would be before a coat of tan covered those pink-and-white faces. “Roy, just cart the bags into the depot, will you? Some one coming out from the 8 X 8 for you, I take it?� and he looked over at Nell and Ethel.

“We expect a car,â€� Ethel answered dubiously. “Although Uncle Peter may send horses—â€� and she glanced down at her traveling dress.

“Now, don’t worry about that,â€� Mr. Manley said, with a hearty laugh. “We have autos out here, same as you have in New York. Pete’s got two of the finest cars in the state, though mostly he uses flivvers. You won’t have to fork no bronc—pardon me, I mean ride a horse.â€�

Seizing the girls’ two bags, Roy carried them into the station while the others followed more slowly. Mr. Manley had but a small hand bag, and Teddy left this with the station agent to be brought over later on the wagon. When the ranch-owner traveled, he wanted to be ready to “light out in a hurry,� as he expressed it. Usually a clean shirt and some collars completed his traveling kit. Mr. Manley had lived in the West all his life, and had the Westerner’s contempt for “dofunnies,� as unnecessary equipment was called.

“But once you get used to a horse,� Mr. Manley went on, as he walked toward the rear of the station, “you’ll never set foot inside an auto again,� he assured the girls. “Now, I have a horse I call General. Gentle, strong, and quick as a flash. Him, me, an’ this corncob pipe have been through plenty of rough places together in the last four years. Tell you, I wouldn’t trade General for ten of the best mustangs in the state!� and he nodded his head decidedly, so that little rings of smoke detached themselves from the bowl of the pipe and drifted gently away.

“I’m sure we’ll just love it out here,� Ethel remarked enthusiastically. “Of course, we’ve both ridden in the city, but we always used much smaller saddles than you use here,� she commented as she saw a rider pause in front of Rimor’s Place.

“Postage stamps!� Mr. Manley said, with a grin. “That’s what we call those saddles out West. The kind we ride are real saddles. Like the one I have on General, for instance. He wouldn’t know what to do if some one pasted one of those English saddles on his back.�

By this time they had reached the corner of the station. Back of the freight station the three horses had been tied by Roy and Teddy. Mr. Manley was in the lead. He turned suddenly and faced Nell and Ethel.

“Now I’m goin’ to show you three of the prettiest ponies you ever saw,� he declared. “Whenever I go to the city I always have Roy or Teddy meet me with General, so’s I can ride back on him. I suppose you tied ’em in the usual place, Teddy?� he asked.

“I sure did, Dad,� Teddy answered. “Tied right on the old rail.�

With a smile of anticipation on his face, Mr. Manley stepped forward. Then he paused, and those behind him heard him give a gasp of surprise.

“Why,� he said in a puzzled tone, “what’s this? A joke?�

Roy and Teddy stepped quickly forward. Their eyes stared at the rail. Where the ponies had stood, there remained nothing but the hoofprints in the soft dirt of the spot!

The horses were gone!

CHAPTER III
A PUNCHER IN A CHECKERED SHIRT

Roy craned his neck forward, eyes wide. Mr. Manley stood with hands on hips, legs spread, staring intently at the vacant hitching rail. The corncob pipe drooped at a downward angle.

Teddy passed the back of his hand over his forehead, pushing back his hat.

“Why, that’s funny,� he said in a dazed voice. “They don’t seem to be here.�

“They—they must have wandered off,â€� Roy said uncertainly. “Queer. They were all tied tight. I wonder—â€�

“You mean to say they were here, and now they’re gone?� Mr. Manley asked, a new note creeping into his voice.

“The horses were here, all right,� Teddy declared unevenly. “I can’t understand it.�

“Well, I can!� Mr. Manley cried. His eyes were blazing. “They’ve been stolen! Those ponies ain’t the kind to wander around, once they’re tied up. They’ve been stolen an’ nothin’ less!� he thundered.

“What happened? Is something the matter?� Nell asked, as she and Ethel faced Mr. Manley.

“You bet there’s something the matter!â€� the cattleman roared. “There’s a whole lot the matter! My hoss has been taken right from under my nose—stolen from Eagles in broad daylight! What kind of a town is this, anyway? Hey you!â€� He strode over to a cowboy who was leaning against the door jamb at Rimor’s. Roy and Teddy realized that he was the man they had noticed when they reached town.

“You know anything about three hosses that were tied to that rail?�

The puncher tilted his head back, and looked insolently out from under the rim of his hat.

“What hosses?�

“My hosses! Those boys over there tied them to the rail. Now they’re gone! You see anything of ’em?�

“Nope.�

“How long you been here?�

“Not so long.�

“You were here when we rode in!� Teddy cried hotly, crossing the street. “He must have seen them, Dad; he’s been there for half an hour. The ponies were stolen while Roy and I came around to the front of the station to watch for the train.�

The puncher turned his head lazily and stared coldly at Teddy.

“You’re, mebby, one of them correspondence school detectives, hey?� he sneered.

“Don’t get funny,� Teddy advised, his eyes narrowing. “Roy and I both saw you here when we rode up. You know we tied the ponies to that hitching rail. And you’ve been here ever since. The broncs are gone. Who took them?�

The cowboy removed the cigarette from his mouth and straightened. Then he hitched up his belt and faced Teddy.

“Listen, kid,� he said slowly, “I don’t know nothin’ about yore horses. Mebby I was here all the time, an’ mebby I wasn’t. That’s my business. But get this straight! No baby is goin’ to order me around. I don’t know who you are, an’ I don’t give a hoot. I ain’t in the habit of mindin’ broncs, an’ you can pack that behind the rim of yore derby. Understand?� Deliberately he flicked his cigarette toward Teddy, sending a shower of sparks into the boy’s face. Turning abruptly he entered the restaurant.

Eyes flashing, Teddy started forward. His father laid a hand on the boy’s arm.

“Not here,� he said in a tense voice. “Don’t start a fight here. You know what Rimor’s is. We have women-folks along.� Unconsciously the man slid his hand to his side, where in the old days would have hung his gun. Now his hand came away empty.

“All right, Dad—if you say so,â€� Teddy said through clenched teeth. “But I’ll remember that bird! I’ll remember him!â€� It was difficult for the boy to hold himself in check. He could not trust himself to say more.

Roy hurried over to his brother.

“Come on, Teddy. Let’s go,� he said evenly. “Maybe Foley can tell us something about the ponies.�

At that moment the ticket agent came hurriedly across the street.

“Somethin’ wrong, Bardwell?� he asked Mr. Manley. “Thought I heard your voice takin’ a work-out.�

“You did,� Mr. Manley answered grimly. “Our hosses are gone.�

“Sho!� Foley looked across to the hitching rail. “By golly, they are! I was outside and saw Teddy and Roy tie ’em up there, too! Now that’s right queer. Where you suppose they went?�

“They didn’t go no place, Hank! They were stolen!�

“Sho! You don’t say! Stolen!� Foley gave a long whistle, and, removing his hat, scratched the bald spot on the top of his head. “Mighty queer how they could be stolen with so many people around. You ask anybody if they saw ’em?�

Mr. Manley gave a short laugh.

“I just had a sweet bit o’ conversation with one of your choice characters,� he said. “Puncher that was standin’ right here all the time an’ must have seen the broncs taken. He told us to go chase our own hosses.�

“What did he look like?� Foley asked in an interested tone.

“Tall, kind of stringy looking,� Teddy answered quickly. “Squint eyes. Checkered wool shirt. No vest. He’s inside Rimor’s now.�

The ticket agent nodded sagely.

“I know the waddy. Came to town about three days ago. Don’t know where he sleeps, but he spends most of his time hanging around Duck Rimor’s.�

Teddy nodded.

“Stranger here. From up around Montana, most likely. So he was nasty, hey?�

“He wasn’t any too polite, from what I saw,� Roy broke in.

Mr. Manley looked over at Teddy. The boy was staring intently at the door through which the puncher had disappeared.

“We have got to get busy,� the cattle owner said in a loud voice. Of a sudden his face darkened. Deliberately he tapped the tobacco out from his pipe by knocking the bowl against the palm of his hand. Then he placed the pipe in his pocket.

“We have got to get busy,� he repeated in a quieter tone, “an’ quick. General has been stolen. Flash an’ Star along with him. We’re goin’ after the man that took ’em an’ get our hosses back.� He turned and walked swiftly to the other side of the street, where the two girls had been silently watching the scene.

“I’m thinking that whoever stole your dad’s hoss made a poor bargain,� Foley said to Roy. “I know Bardwell. I saw him look like that before, when back in ninety-eight Slag Wallace shot a dog your dad owned. Slag ain’t around now. Yep, the waddy who picked up General is going to be mighty sorry.�

Roy and Teddy followed their father without a word, leaving Foley standing in the street, rubbing his bald spot with a puzzled air.

Nell Willis and Ethel Carew were waiting, eyes full of questions. Nell started the attack.

“Did that cowman want to fight?� she asked, gazing full at Roy. “He seemed awfully mean. Maybe he didn’t like to have us standing here watching. But I simply couldn’t leave; could you, Ethel? It was so thrilling! Did he have a gun? I didn’t see one. Why didn’t he answer your questions about the horses?�

“He had his reasons, I guess,� Roy answered a trifle shortly. Star was gone, and here he stood listening to a lot of chatter. Still, Nell was pretty! Maybe she had got scared when that puncher started to act up. Roy’s eyes softened, and he looked at the girl with a new interest. Probably she didn’t know much about the West. Why, her face wasn’t even a little bit tanned! She seemed pale, even! Maybe she was scared!

“I just hated that man when he threw that cigarette at you!� Ethel burst out impetuously to Teddy. “That was an awfully mean thing to do!�

“I know it,� Teddy answered in a low voice. He turned to his father, who was staring up the road. “Dad, we’ve got to get back and get some more broncs. How are you figuring on going?�

“Can’t you come with us?� Ethel asked. “Uncle Peter said he would send a car. It must have been delayed, but I’m sure it will come.�

“Yes, if Bug Eye brings a car for you, we can all pile in. Bug Eye usually drives for old man—pardon me, I mean Mr. Ball.â€�

“That’ll be fine!� Nell said enthusiastically.

“Here comes something now,� Mr. Manley stated, peering up the road. “Lots of dust, anyhow. Sounds like a flivver. Yes, that’s Bug Eye. Tell the way he drives. All over the place.�

With an elaborate jamming on of brakes and swinging of front wheels, a car pulled up alongside of the waiting group. Following closely was a cloud of dust, which enveloped the auto the moment it stopped. From within the cloud came a voice:

“Whoa there, you tin-plated drone, you! Pull up on yo’ busted axles! Plant yo’ locoed wheels and stay set! Stop that shakin’! Stop it, I say! Boil me in oil, if I don’t rip yo’ carburetor right out o’ you! Try to bounce the liver outta me, hey? Why, you salivated piece of yaller-backed tin, I’ll— Excuse me, ma’am!â€�

The dust had blown away, disclosing the surprised face of Bug Eye Wilson.

“I shore didn’t know you was here,â€� he said to Nell and Ethel, with an embarrassed grin. “I wouldn’t have talked like that if I’d knowed ladies was around. I don’t never do such things. But this hopper-necked, sawed off, lead mule—pardon me, ma’am! I forgot!â€�

Nell and Ethel were doing their best to preserve straight faces, but the task was almost too much for them. Ethel had to press a handkerchief to her mouth, while her eyes watered with strangled mirth.

“You’re—you’re late, aren’t you?â€� Nell asked, trying to control her voice.

“Yes, ma’am. Got a puncture. Had to put on a new tire. Then this—this—well, ma’am, you know what I mean!â€�

“Yes, I guess I do,� Nell answered faintly. “But I’m glad you came. Mr. Manley’s horses have been stolen, and he and Roy and Teddy are going to ride back with us.�

“Hey! What’s that?� Bug Eye turned swiftly toward the ranchman, the grin fading suddenly from his face. “Broncs gone, honest?�

“Sure have gone,� answered Mr. Manley laconically. “Hooked. Rustled. Stolen. Whatever you’ve a mind to call it. And right off the main street of Eagles!� he added bitterly.

Of a sudden, he turned and walked rapidly down the street.

“What’s the game, Dad?� asked Roy, not quite able to account for his father’s action.

“You stay there. I’ll be back in a minute,� Mr. Manley called over his shoulder. “I want to see what I can find out about this.�

In a moment he was out of sight behind the freight shed. The two boys wanted to go with him, but Roy mentioned to Teddy that they had been told to stay where they were.

“I hope dad doesn’t get into a scrap,� murmured the older lad.

“I don’t reckon he will,� remarked Bug Eye. “But if he does, all he needs is to sing out, an’ we’ll all come runnin’!�

The anxiety of Teddy and Roy was soon at an end, for in a few minutes their father re-appeared. He looked tired and dusty, but there was a grim smile on his face.

“Some of the railroad men down at the corral saw ’em,� Mr. Manley reported to his sons. “There were three fellows leading our three horses away.�

“Why didn’t they stop ’em?� Roy wanted to know.

“They didn’t have any cause to, son. Thought the men owned the horses, as was natural. Those fellows didn’t wear any brand to let folks know they were rustlers.�

“No, I reckon not,� agreed Teddy slowly.

“Did you find out which way they went?� asked Roy eagerly.

“Not much satisfaction in questioning those railroad fellows,� answered Mr. Manley in discouraged tones. “They couldn’t follow an elephant’s trail, much less notice which way hoss-thieves took. Some say the scoundrels went one way and some say another. All they appeared to notice was three shady-looking chaps leadin’ three horses.�

“Then there isn’t much chance of heading them off, is there?� asked one of the girls.

“I wouldn’t say that,� was Mr. Manley’s answer. “If they took the back trail over the mountain there’s a chance that we can nab ’em before they get into the rough going, if we make it quick. Once there, though, it’s a toss-up if we ever see our ponies again, boys!�

His sons knew just how Mr. Manley felt over this loss.

“The back trail!� mused Bug Eye. “Yes, if they went that way yo’-all have a chance of headin’ ’em off. Ain’t this a fine town, though, where a man can’t leave a hoss hitched for a few minutes without some doggoned rustler steps up an’ rides it off? But better pile in my flivver, Mr. Manley, an’ I’ll git ye back to yo’ ranch quicker’n ef yo’ walked. You’ll want to saddle up an’ chase after them thieves, I reckon!�

“That’s right!� agreed the ranch-owner. “We’ll be glad of a lift.�

“How long did you leave the horses here?� asked Nell.

“Just while we were waiting for the train, which was late,� answered Roy, while Bug Eye got out to crank the flivver, the self-starter of which, he announced apologetically, “was on the cheese.�

“And some one took them away from the rail to which they were tied?� the girl went on.

“Stepped right up to the rail and helped themselves,� said Teddy.

“It’s a wonder some one didn’t see them.�

“Well,� admitted Roy, “the rail isn’t in plain sight except from certain places. And, I suppose, even if some one had seen the actual theft taking place, they would think that it was the real owners of the horses who were unhitching them.�

“Maybe,� agreed his father doubtfully. “Anyway, no one seems to have done anything toward stopping them.�

“But there are some here who know more about it than they are letting on,� murmured Teddy and he looked significantly across the street toward Duck Rimor’s place.

“It shore is too bad,� affirmed Bug Eye. “But pile in, everybody! It’s going to be a tight squeeze, but these flivvers are made of rubber, I guess. Got bags, ladies? All right, Teddy! Chuck ’em in the back. Shore, put yo’ dad’s in there, too! All ready? Here we go! Hang on!�

The car started with a jerk, the transmission bands being worn thin. Roy looked around from the front seat to see that they cleared the edge of the station, which they did by the fraction of an inch. Bug Eye was eccentric in his driving at times.

As Roy gazed, he noticed a figure coming out of Duck Rimor’s. It was the cowboy in the checkered shirt. Catching the ranch boy’s eyes, the puncher grinned derisively and waved mockingly at the departing auto.

CHAPTER IV
A CLUE

As the automobile careened along the dusty road, a strained silence settled over the occupants. The only sounds were the muffled exhaust of the motor and the squeaking and groaning of the springs as the car bounced its way toward the X Bar X.

Bug Eye and Roy were in the front seat and Mr. Manley and the two girls were seated in the rear. Teddy was supporting himself upon a rear door of the touring car, clenching the sides to hold his place against the joltings of the flivver, and bent almost double to avoid hitting the roof whenever Bug Eye dived into a particularly deep rut.

Thoughts of the loss of the ponies were uppermost in the minds of all. Bug Eye, used to Western ways, did not press Mr. Manley as to his plan of action. He knew the cattle owner would prefer to keep whatever opinions he had until he reached the X Bar X and could get his men together. Bug Eye, belonging to another outfit, could have no concern in the matter until Mr. Manley asked for his help, at which time the cowboy would lend willing aid. Such is the code of the West.

Ethel, wedged in between Nell and Mr. Manley, stole a glance at Teddy as the boy braced himself upon the edge of the car door, his shoulders hunched, his body swaying with the motion of the machine, his eyes staring moodily out at the dust-covered bushes at the side of the road. She noticed how hard and brown was the hand that clenched the top of the door. The mouth, widened into a happy grin when she had first seen it, was now drooped at the corners. The bronzed forehead, below the sombrero, was drawn into a frown.

Ethel nudged Nell with her elbow.

“Doesn’t it seem quiet out here, after the city?� she murmured, with another glance at Teddy.

The boy looked at her quickly.

“You mean us, I guess,â€� he said, grinning slightly. “We haven’t been very polite, have we? But, you see, it kind of hurts to lose a pony you’ve had for so long. I—â€�

“Of course, I know just how you feel!â€� Ethel burst out impulsively. “It’s a shame! You just go after those—those rustlers, and get your horses back!â€�

“We will,� Teddy answered grimly. “At least, we’ll do our best. But there’s no use crying over spilt milk.�

“That’s the way I feel about it, son,� Mr. Manley said quietly. “We’ll do all we can to get the broncs back! When we’re ready, I want you and Roy to come along with me. As soon as we reach home we’ll get other ponies and be on our way.� He pulled the ends of his mustache and settled down once more into silence.

Teddy knew this mood of his father. He had seen it twice before, once, years ago, when a puncher had knocked Roy down, and once when a cowboy, with a misshapen idea of humor, had coaxed Teddy upon the back of the worst horse on the ranch, a real “man-eater.� On each of these occasions certain things had happened which directly affected the person in error.

When the car reached Bitter Cliff lookout, Bug Eye slowed down and stopped for a moment.

“Look there!� he said laconically, waving his arm in a wide gesture.

Nell leaned forward, then uttered a slight exclamation.

“What’s the matter?� Roy asked, smiling.

“It’s so—so close and high!â€� the girl answered, with a motion of her hands. “Why, it almost seems as though I could reach out and touch the chimney of that house away off there!â€�

“You try it,â€� Teddy said, with a chuckle. “That’s six miles away! Those buildings are on the X Bar X ranch—our place. Over to the west, where you see that other corral, is the 8 X 8, where you’re going.â€�

“Bug Eye,� Mr. Manley said gently, “if it’s all the same to you, we’d better get goin’.�

“Right!� Bug Eye answered. He advanced the gasoline control and the flivver again shot forward.

The moment they reached the ranch yard of the X Bar X, Mr. Manley leaped from the car. A cowboy, who was leaning against the corral fence, craned his neck forward in surprise. The boss riding in an auto!

“Nick,� Mr. Manley called sharply to the puncher, “our broncs have been rustled. We’re goin’ out after ’em! You and Gus Tripp get your ponies an’ three others for Roy an’ Teddy an’ me. Bring your guns.� Short, terse sentences. Mr. Manley was no longer a cattle owner. He was a cowboy, whose pony had been stolen.

“Right!� Nick Looker answered. He disappeared around the corner of the bunk-house.

As Mr. Manley walked rapidly towards the ranch house, he called back over his shoulder:

“Nell an’ Ethel, we all expect you over for a visit. Excuse me runnin’ away like this. Teddy, fetch in my bag.�

“Dad means business,� Roy said in a low voice. “Having General stolen has hit him pretty hard. There’s mother.�

A woman’s figure appeared on the porch of the house, and in a moment she was enfolded in Mr. Manley’s arms. Mrs. Manley’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw the auto and missed the horses; and Mr. Manley explained briefly what had occurred. Questions were trembling on her lips, but she did not delay her husband with them. Mr. Manley kissed her again, and, turning, rushed into the house.

As Mrs. Manley walked toward the auto, Nell and Ethel could scarcely believe that this radiant young-looking woman was the mother of two big boys.

“Welcome to the West,� she said, with a smile, as she extended a hand to each of the girls. “Mr. Manley has told me who you are. This is Ethel, isn’t it? And Nell?� Ethel instantly noticed how much, in a curious way, both Roy and Teddy resembled her. Teddy had her blonde hair and blue eyes. Roy had her sensitive, fine mouth.

Belle Ada, the sister of Roy and Teddy, now came out of the house and toward the car, evidently having been told by Mr. Manley that there were visitors. As she was introduced, she mentally decided that she liked Nell and Ethel. That was like Belle Ada—impulsive and eager to make friends.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to go now,� Nell said, after a few moments’ conversation. “Uncle Peter will be waiting for us.�

“But you will come over and visit me?� Belle Ada asked, her dark eyes on the two girls.

“Of course we will!� Ethel answered. “As soon as we can!�

Teddy seized his father’s bag from the rear of the auto, and he and Teddy shook hands with the girls. Bug Eye jammed down the pedal. The car leaped forward. As it swung about, the girls leaned out and waved farewells.

“Pretty nice!� Roy said, as he watched the car being swallowed up in a cloud of dust. “Pretty nice!�

Mrs. Manley smiled. Then, remembering what her husband had told her on the porch, the smile left her face.

“Boys, you go in and speak to your father,â€� she said. “He wants to tell you something. Belle and I will walk around to the garden and wait until you come out. You—you will be careful if you ride with him after those rustlers, won’t you?â€� Her eyes held an anxious light.

“Don’t worry, Mom!� Teddy cried, kissing his mother affectionately. “We’ll be all right. There’s no danger!�

The two boys walked stiffly toward the house.

“Wonder what it is?� Teddy mused. “You know, I have a hunch that dad found out more from those fellows down at the corral in Eagles than he told.�

“Maybe,� came from Roy. “We’ll soon know.�

They met their father coming out of the front door. His “city clothes� had been changed for a pair of leather chaps and a flannel shirt, open at the neck. Across one arm he carried a rifle.

“Want us, Dad?� Roy asked.

“Yes. Before we start, I want to tell you something. Teddy, you remember Gilly Froud, don’t you?�

“I do,� Teddy remarked in a low voice. His eyes flashed.

“Well, when I talked with those men down by the station, one of them said he saw a man with a scar on his face leading our broncs. Did Froud have a scar on his face?�

“He sure did,� Teddy answered excitedly. “On the left side.�

Mr. Manley thought for a moment. Then he said:

“I kind o’ thought that’s how it was. Boys, we have a clue! We may get those broncs back after all! Come on, let’s go! Nick! Where in thunder is Nick? Bring those ponies around!�

CHAPTER V
RIMOR’S PLACE

In response to this call, Nick Looker soon appeared astride a horse and leading another. Mr. Manley hurried forward.

“Where’s Gus?� he asked.

“Comin’, boss. He’s bringin’ two more broncs.�

“Yell to him to hurry up. We’ve delayed too much as it is.�

Nick Looker turned in his saddle and let out a shout.

“Gus! Bring them ponies here, fast!� Another puncher came riding up. He led two horses, fully saddled. Suddenly, from behind the house, came the sound of an excited voice.

“Hey, wait a minute! Hey, boss! Wait!�

“It’s Pop,� Teddy said. “Knew he’d show up before long.�

A cowboy was running toward them. His wide hat was held in his hand, disclosing a head almost without hair. His face was lined with wrinkles. He wore a blue denim shirt. Wide trousers flapped grotesquely about a pair of bowed legs. As he ran he waved both arms, windmill fashion.

“Wait a second, boss!� he called again. “I just heard about it! Snakes! The fust time the old X Bar X brand has been stolen! Me, I’m comin’ with you, ain’t I, boss? Ain’t I?� He reached Mr. Manley, breathing hard.

“Yes, Pop, you can come,� Mr. Manley answered. “Wondered how long you’d be reachin’ here. Git your pinto an’ come on.�

Pop Burns clapped his hat on his head, and made for the corral, to return in a moment upon his horse.

“All right, men!� he exclaimed. “After ’em! Snakes! No rustler kin steal any X Bar X brand an’ get away with it!�

Mr. Manley turned from the old wrangler to Roy.

“Son,� he said slowly, “get your rifle. Bring Teddy’s out, too. Hurry up!�

The boy ran up the steps and into the building. Mr. Manley handed his own gun to Teddy.

“Hold this,� he ordered. “I’m going to say good-bye to your mother.�

He made for the side of the house where Mrs. Manley and Belle Ada were waiting in the garden. When he returned his face wore a grim look. The time for action had come.

Roy had brought the rifles, and he, Mr. Manley, and Teddy vaulted into the saddle. The others, Pop, Nick, and Gus Tripp, were already mounted.

The news of the theft had gone the rounds of the ranch like wildfire. Every puncher on the place, except those riding herd, were watching from the top rail of the corral fence. Even Sing Lung, the cook, deserted his kitchen and came to the door of the mess-house, carrying in his hand a huge spoon.

Mr. Manley gave a yell. Spurs raked the sides of the steeds. There was the sound of hoofs on the hard earth. The six horses swung into action. Down toward the road swept the riders. Past the corral, the punchers astride the top rail yelling encouragement. Past the mess-house, Sing Lung waving his spoon wildly and shouting Chinese in a fluent stream. Out of the yard and into the road leading to Eagles. A cloud of dust arose. The chase was on.

“Take it easy for a while, boys,� Mr. Manley advised, as he pulled his horse down to a slower pace. “There’s some things I want to tell you. First of all, I want to say this. I see you all have got rifles along. Well, don’t do any promiscuous shootin’. We want to get those hosses back, but we don’t want any more trouble than we can help. Savvy?�