t'll take the starch out of him right smart," nodded Polly.

"Dunk Tucker has got away, Bugs."

"Em" Chunky was interested at once.

"Don't make me say it so many times. It hurts me. I said that Dunk
Tucker has got away. He 'busted' out of the calaboose over at El
Paso some time yesterday morning and he's on the warpath."

"G---g---g---got away?" gasped Chunky.

"Yep, and he's heading in this direction to get even with you fellows
for taking him up. What d'ye think of that, Bugs?"

"Oh, help!" groaned the fat boy.

"Is this right?" questioned Tad. "Has Tucker really escaped?"

The Rangers nodded.

"That's what we're here for, to catch him up when he makes connections
with his crowd again. I reckon he'll be on the trail of this outfit,
first of all, before he joins out with his own outfit. He'll never
rest till he puts a bunk of cold lead under the skins of the fellows
who got him."

"This is where I---I get shot again," wailed Stacy. "I knew it. I knew
something else would come along to spoil all my fun!"

"No use trying to sleep in this bedlam," cried Captain McKay springing
to his feet. "Saddle up. I want to make the Ten-Mile cross-trail
before noon. We'll find two men waiting there for orders. Professor,
can you get under way at once?"

"Of course we can," answered Tad for the professor.

"Don't we get any breakfast?" cried Chunky.

"Yes, but you'll eat it cold this morning."

"Oh, pooh!"

"If you are going to be a Ranger you must be willing to take a Ranger's
fare," smiled the captain.

"I haven't said I wanted to be a Ranger. I don't. I want to be a
peaceful citizen."

"With four square meals a day and a whole pie thrown in," suggested Tad.

"Something like that," smiled Stacy.

The tent was already coming down. The Pony Rider Boys showed the
Rangers that they were used to quick work. Twenty minutes later the
boys were ready. The Rangers had watched their preparations with
interest.

"Good work," said Captain McKay approvingly.

"Anybody'd think you had traveled with a one-hoss circus," grinned
Dippy.

"We've got some of the animals left yet," laughed Tad.

"The Fattest Boy on Earth and---" began Polly when Chunky shied a tent
stake at the head of the Ranger, thus sharply ending the discussion.
A few moments later they were on their way. The boys had to ride
rather fast to keep up with their escort, for the Rangers were rapid
riders under all circumstances. A grea