e machines here, and that we would be welcome to them
if we found they'd come handy."

"Well, yes," said Pardo, "I've got the motor cycles. If you insist on
going after the prospector, you can take them. But they'll only carry
two--one of you will have to stay behind."

"We'll draw straws, Red and I, to see who stays," chattered Ballard.

"No, you won't," cut in Merry firmly. "Pink, you've done enough for one
night, and have thrown a scare into me that I won't get over in a hurry.
You want to warm up, and the best way for you to do that is to sprint
for town, kick off those cyanide-soaked clothes, and get into bed."

"Now look here," Ballard protested, "I'm just as able to go on with this
chase as either you or Red. I've got an ax of my own to grind, too.
Remember, Chip, I'm the one that Porter dropped into the solution tank.
The prospector owes me something for that. Let Clancy go back to the
hotel--"

"You're as wet as a drowned rat, Pink," struck in Clancy, "and if you
don't go back to town Chip and I will worry our heads off about you."

"Oh, yes, you'll worry a lot," derided Ballard. "The excitement is just
beginning, and I'm entitled to a little of it."

"There are only two motor cycles, Pink," argued Merry, "so only two of
us can go."

"I'll ride the burro," suggested Ballard desperately.

"And we'd go to the Picket Posts and back while you were getting to
Loco's," laughed Clancy. "You for town, Pink. Don't hang back. Maybe
you'll dream some more."

"You go to blazes," growled Ballard, seeing that the argument was
already decided against him and that his protests were only delaying the
pursuit.

"Where are the machines, Mr. Pardo?" asked Merry.

"This way," the super answered, and led the boys to an adobe storehouse
not far from the corral.

The motor cycles proved to be twin-cylinder, highpowered machines.

"They're loaded with gasoline and oil," said Pardo, "for we always keep
them in trim for an emergency."

The gas lamps attached to the front of the motor cycles were lighted,
and two penciled gleams searched out the ground far in advance.

"Porter has a good, long start of us," remarked Clancy, an exultant note
in his voice, "but on these buzz buggies we ought to be able to travel a
dozen yards to his one."

"I don't know whether I ought to let you go," said Pardo. "I'd go on one
of the machines myself if the assistant superintendent wasn't away so
that I am needed here. What will Mr. Bra