hed, but now that the
danger was over, Chunky grew very brave. He told them all about
it and how "We" had driven the bandits off. The story grew and grew
with the telling until Stacy was convinced that he had fought a very
brave battle.

Tad lay awake a long time that night thinking over the occurrences
of the evening, pondering and seeking for a solution of what he
considered was a great mystery. On the following morning the greater
part of the band were off at an early hour, before the boys had risen,
on a day's scout, to try to pick up the trail of the bandits. It was
to be a day of excitement for some of the party and hard work for
others, for many miles would be covered by the Rangers before their
grilling ride came to an end.

CHAPTER XX

LEARNING SOME FANCY SHOTS

After breakfast Captain McKay took an hour's ride alone over the
surrounding country. In the meantime the boys pitched a more permanent
camp as it was more than likely that they would remain there for
another night, since McKay did not seem to want to leave the place
just yet. What he had in mind the boys did not know.

Returning from his ride the captain appeared to be in much better
spirits. His was a strange make-up. None wholly understood Captain
Billy. Perhaps that was one of the reasons for his success in his
perilous calling.

"Well, I promised to give you boys some lessons in revolver shooting,"
he said, tossing the reins to Tad who had come forward to take the pony.
"Who can put a hole through my sombrero?" cried the Ranger sending his
broad-brimmed Mexican hat spinning up into the air.

A flash and a bang followed almost on the instant. The Pony Rider Boys
howled. The shot had been fired by Professor Zepplin and he had
drilled a hole right through the Ranger's sombrero.

"Well, now, what do you think of that?" gasped Chunky, his eyes
growing large. "I didn't think you could hit the side of a barn
unless you were inside the barn."

The professor smiled grimly.

"I used to be counted the best revolver shot in my regiment when I was
in the army. But I'm a little slow these days."

"Humph! I see you are," grunted Billy. "Lucky for me that you aren't
quick or I wouldn't have had any hat left by this time. Anybody else
want to try to put a hole through my hat?" he asked looking about.

"I was going to suggest that we throw up the professor's hat and
let you take a shot at it," suggested Tad, coming up at this j