Captain McKay, the real Captain McKay this time, was almost boyish in
appearance. He was of about the same build as the other man who had
declared himself to be the captain, but the real captain had light
hair and laughing blue eyes, as opposed to the dark hair and eyes of
the other man. The captain's skin was fair. It seemed not to have
suffered from exposure to the sun and storm of the plains.
Tad led the way to the camp, followed by the visitor and the rest of
the Pony Rider outfit.
"Most remarkable, most remarkable," muttered the professor, taking keen
sidelong glances at Captain McKay.
"You are Butler, aren't you?" called the captain.
"Yes, sir," answered Tad, glancing back.
"I knew you the instant I set eyes on you. You're a sharp young man.
You discovered me before I got into your camp."
"Discovered you?" exclaimed the professor.
"Yes. He heard me. I stepped on a stick that bent down under my foot.
The stick didn't snap and how that young scout ever caught the faint
sound is more than I can explain."
"So, that was what you were looking at?" laughed Ned.
"Tad's got ears in the back of his head," added Stacy.
"I observe that all of you have pretty keen senses," smiled the Ranger
captain. "Something smells good."
"It's the coffee that Tad's making for you," answered the fat boy
solemnly. "How's the going?"
"Pretty fair.
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