Stacy took his time in dressing, then
strolled out.
"Hullo, I guess the crowd is sleeping late this morning," he muttered.
Then he halted. His eyes rested on the 'possum sack that he had left
in the tent of the Rangers the night before. A broad grin spread over
his face.
"I guess they won't be playing monkeyshines on Stacy Brown right away.
I wonder if they got bitten much? I'm all swelled up where the insects
made a meal on my skin. Hullo! Hi, fellows!"
Tad Butler and Ned Rector appeared at the door of their tent almost at
once.
"Can't you let a fellow sleep?" demanded Ned. "What's the row about?
Got a 'possum for breakfast?"
"No, but I've got something else for you."
"What's that?" questioned Butler.
"A surprise."
"What kind of a surprise?"
"Just a surprise surprise, that's all. What do you think?"
"Too early to think. I'm going back to bed," growled Rector. "And
don't you dare wake me up again."
Tad stepped out.
"The crowd has given us the slip," announced Stacy.
"What---why they've gone!" exclaimed Tad.
"Yes, they've gone. Gone where there aren't any Pony Rider Boys to
make life miserable for them."
Tad was mystified. The Ranger company had disappeared utterly. They
had slipped away silently and mysteriously. Even the chuck wagon had
disappeared.
"Why, what can it mean?" marveled Tad Butter.
"You may search me.
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