ods were the talk
of the whole country.

Then it was the Coconino sheriff had conceived the idea of an alliance
with his brother officer in the adjoining county, of which the thriving
city of Prescott was the seat of government.

Frank even had Mr. Stanwix describe the two men whom the officers were
pursuing.

"We expect to be around the Grand Canyon for some weeks," the lad
remarked; "and it might be we'd run across these chaps. To know who they
were, would be putting us on our guard, and besides, perhaps we might be
able to get notice to you, sir."

"That sounds all right, Frank," the other had hastened to reply; "and
believe me, I appreciate your friendly feelings. It's the duty of all
good citizens to back up the man they've put in office, when he's trying
to free the community of a bad crowd."

Then he explained just how they might get word to him in case they had
anything of importance to communicate. Although the Tarapai sheriff knew
nothing about wireless telegraphy, he did understand some of the methods
which savage tribes in many countries use in order to send news hundreds
of miles; sometimes by a chain of drums stationed on the hill tops miles
apart; or it may be by the waving of a red flag.

"And I want to tell you, Frank," Mr. Stanwix concluded, "if so be you
ever do have occasion to send me that message, just make up your minds
that I'll come to you on the jump, with Hand at my heels. But for your
own sakes I hope you won't run across these two hard cases. We've got
an idea that they mean to do some hold-up game in the Grand Canyon,
where hundreds of rich travelers gather. And if luck favors us we expect
to put a spoke in their wheel before they run far!"

CHAPTER VIII

THE MOQUI WHO WAS CAUGHT NAPPING

Sheriff Stanwix arose with a sigh.

"Reckon we'd better be moving on, Hand," he said, evidently with
reluctance; for it was very pleasant sitting there, taking his ease
beside the camp fire of the two boys; but when duty called this man
never let anything stand in the way.

Their horses had not strayed far away. Like most animals they had sought
the company of their kind, as various sounds indicated, Buckskin
doubtless showing his prairie strain by sundry nips with his teeth at
the strangers.

Another shake of hands all around; then the sheriffs threw themselves
into their saddles, and were off. The last the two lads saw of them was
when their figures were swallowed up in the night-