Ned went in with a mighty splash, Walter Perkins
landing on top of him, nearly taking away the breath of Rector. They
had a rough and tumble scrimmage in the cold water, coming out choking,
dripping and laughing.
All this made a favorable impression on the Rangers. Boys who could
take rough handling such as this, without losing their tempers or even
offering any objection, surely must be worth while. Then, too, there
was the story about Tad and Ned having captured the desperado, Dunk
Tucker, who was now well on his way to the calaboose in El Paso.
"I reckon you kin go back and dry off now," drawled Dippy. "Anything
else you cayuses reckon you want?"
"Yes, you might fetch me a piece of soap," answered Butler laughingly.
"I reckon you'll use sand, young man," answered Orell witheringly.
The Pony Rider Boys made their way back to the camp, wet but happy, the
only dissatisfied one in the crowd being Stacy Brown. But their
troubles for the night were not wholly over yet. Their initiation was
not yet complete. The Rangers had still other plans for their visitors.
CHAPTER XI
BAG-BAITING THE 'POSSUMS
"Guess you fellows are forgetting about that 'possum hunt?" drawled Cad
Morgan as the boys came noisily into camp.
"'Possum hunt?" cried Stacy, brightening at once.
"I wasn't talking to you," answered Morgan witheringly. "Don't break
in when men are talking.
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