"
"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.
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