that's
chasing them and they'll be hiking for cover at the rate of some miles
an hour."

"You are sure you are not badly hurt?" asked the professor anxiously.

"If I never get any worse, I'll be satisfied. I'm a marked man, you
know. Some day, when my gun sticks in the holster, I may get mine."

"Come back to camp with us. Surely you are not going on to-night?"

"Thank you, but I must be getting on. I've got to be at the camp by
daylight."

"If you think there is danger of your being attacked, we will ride with
you," said Tad.

"No, pard, I'm better off alone. I'll know enough to dodge them now."

"Speaking of danger, you don't suppose these men will come back and
visit our camp, do you?" asked the professor.

"No, I don't think so. But were I in your place I think I'd put out
my fire and set a guard for the rest of the night. It's always a safe
thing to do. They won't touch you in the daytime; in fact, I think
those fellows will be hiding. We'll set a couple of men on their trail
just as soon as I get to camp; now that I know where the trail starts.
They know I know, and that's what makes me think they won't let the
grass grow under their feet."

"I am glad to hear you say so," answered Professor Zepplin. "I am
afraid we should not have mixed up in this affair at all, though
naturally I am pleased that we have been able to be of some service
to you when you might have been killed."

"And some others with me," answered the Ranger grimly. "Well, so long.
I'll talk with you to-morrow."

"Good night and good luck!" called the boys.

"Good night, pards," answered the Ranger heartily. Swinging his pony
about he galloped away into the darkness, while the boys turned their
own mounts toward their camp in the canyon. They had done a good
night's work and Tad's generalship alone had won the battle for the
Ranger lieutenant. But there were other equally exciting experiences
ahead of them in the near future, in which the Border Bandits would
play an active part.

CHAPTER X

THE PONY RIDER BOYS INITIATED

It was rather a solemn party that took its way slowly back to the Pony
Rider Boys' Camp in the mountains. The boys realized that they had
taken a rather active part in what might prove for them a serious
affair. If, by any chance, the bandits learned who had interfered
with them, it might be necessary for Professor Zepplin and his
charges to make lively tracks for the border and seek oth