THE SADDLE BOYS
OF THE
ROCKIES
E
CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON


SAFI
6-
to
Merry Christmas
Ralph. from starry &
Heod Storekee
1923.
oda









THE BIG POWERFUL BLACK ACTED AS THOUGH HE HAD
GONE WILD.
The Saddle Boys of the Rockies
Page 22
-
-


The Saddle Boys
of the Rockies
Or
Lost on Thunder Mountain
BY
CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON
AUTHOR OF "THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON," "TI
SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS," THE SADDLE BOYS AT
CIRCLE RANCH," ETC.
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
PUBLISHERS


BOOKS FOR BOYS
BY CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON
THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES
Izmo.
Cloth. Illustrated.
THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIBS
Or, Lost On Thunder Mountain
THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND
CANYON
Or, The Hermit of the Cave
THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS
Or, After a Treasure of Gold
THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH
Or, In At The Grand Round-Up
Copyrighted 1913, by
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
Printed in U. S. A.


LILAR
15,448
Haticani
¿Sob
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
PAGE
I
.
13
24
I. ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
II. THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF
DOMINO
III. OLD HANK COOMBS BEARS A
MESSAGE
IV. A Note OF WARNING AT THE
SPRING HOLE
V. The VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN
VI. A SECOND ALARM
VII. The “RUSTLERS
VIII. A STARTLING DISCOVERY
IX. WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG
X. THREATS OF TROUBLE
XI. THE BLACK NIGHT
XII. LOSING THEIR BEARINGS
XIII. The Smoke TRAIL
XIV. A CALL FOR HELP
XV. SPANISH JOE DROPS A HINT
XVI. THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
XVII. FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK
XVIII. A GUESS THAT HITS THE BULLS-
.
41
52
60
69
79
91
100
108
118
128
138
146
154
163
.
.
EYE
171


CONTENTS
PAGES
CHAPTER
XIX. THE WORKING OF
THE GOLD
LODE
XX. TRAPPED IN THE CANYON
XXI. A CLOSE CALL
XXII. ONCE MORE AT CIRCLE RANCH
-CONCLUSION
CANYON
179
188
196
.
204


THE SADDLE BOYS
OF THE ROCKIES
CHAPTER I
ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
“Hello! what brought you here, Frank Hay-
wood, I'd like to know?"
Well, I reckon my horse, Buckskin, did, Peg."
“And who's this with you—your new chum;
the boy from Kentucky?”
“ That's who it is, Peg-Bob Archer; and he's
come out West to see how life on the plains suits
him.”
“Oh! a greenhorn, eh?'”
Perhaps some people might call him that,
though he knows a heap about horses. But seems
to me, Peg, 'twasn't so very long ago that you
yourself dropped in on us here. Since when did
you climb up out of the tenderfoot class, tell me?"
The boy who answered to the name of Frank
Haywood was a rather chunky, well set-up lad
of about sixteen. He had blue eyes, that were
usually sparkling with mirth; and a mop of yellow
hair; while his skin was darkened by long ex-
posure to sun and wind.
Frank was the son of a rancher, who not only
I


ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
3
When he came to the great X-bar-X ranch,
not so very far distant from the Haywood home
place, Peg had adopted the same tactics that had
carried the day for him in the past. The cow-
boys belonging to his father's estate seemed to
knuckle under to him from the first. However
much they might ridicule Peg behind his back,
they cringed when he gave orders; because he was
a liberal paymaster, and no one wished to incur
his enmity.
So it came to pass that Peg actually began to,
believe himself of great importance in the com-
munity. He assumed airs that ill became one who
was really ignorant of many things connected with
ranch life.
He and Frank had never become friends.
There was something about the fellow that the
saddle boy could not tolerate. More than once
they had almost come to blows; and, only for the
peace-loving nature of Frank, this must have oc-
curred long ago.
The two chums had taken the long gallop to the
town on the railroad on this particular day to do
a little important business for Mr. Haywood, who
was associated with Bob's uncle in certain large
mining enterprises. And it was while entering
the town that they met Peg, who, with his cus-
tomary assurance, had halted them with the ques-
tion that begins this chapter.


ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
5
now. Money couldn't buy him from me,” replied
the tall boy, curtly.
It was not Bob Archer's habit to speak in this
strain to anyone; but there seemed to be a some-
thing connected with Peg Grant that irritated him.
The manner of the other was so overbearing as
to appear almost rude. He had had his own way
a long time now; and thus far no one connected
with the big ranch owned by his father had arisen
to take him down.
“Oh! well, there are plenty of horses just as
good, I guess," Peg went on; and some people
don't appreciate the value of money, anyway.
But see here, Frank, you let your eyebrows travel
up when I mentioned the fact that I'd graduated
from the tenderfoot class. I could see that you
doubted my words. Now, I'm going to tell you
something that will surprise you a heap. Are you
ready for a shock?"
Oh; I can brace myself for nearly anything,
Peg," replied Frank, easily; "so suppose you tell
us your great news. Have you entered for the
endurance race at the annual cowboy meet next
month; or do you expect to take the medal for
riding bucking broncos ? "
“Any ordinary range rider might do that, even
if he lost out,” Peg went on; "but my game is
along different lines; see? I'm on my way right
now to run down the mystery of Thunder Moun-


SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
tain! I understand that for years it's puzzled the
whole country to know what makes that roaring
sound every now and then. Many cowboys
coudn't be hired to spend a single night on that
mountain. As for the Indians, they claim it is the
voice of Great Manitou; and steer clear of
Thunder Mountain, every time. Get that,
Frank?"
Well, Peg, you have given me a jolt, for a
fact," answered the saddle boy, as his face ex-
pressed his surprise. “I allow that you show
a lot of nerve in laying out such a big plan; and
if you only find out what makes that trembling,
roaring sound, you'll get the blessing of many a
range rider who believes all the stories told about
Thunder Mountain."
Peg stiffened up in his saddle, as though he
realized that he was engineering a tremendously
important thing; and had a right to be looked
up
to as a hero, even before the accomplishment of
the deed.
“Well, that's always the way with you fellows
out here, I find,” he remarked, loftily; you
leave all the big things to be done by fellows with
real backbone. But then, I don't mind; in fact
I'm obliged to you for neglecting your opportuni-
ties so long. Just you wait, and you'll hear
something drop. Couldn't I induce you to name
a price on that black beauty, Archer?”


ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
7
“ Domino is not for sale at any price," replied
the other, quietly.
“Ohl all right then. So long, Frank. Go back
home, and wait till I send you word about what
I've found out!” and with a careless wave of his
arm Peg whirled his horse around, and galloped
off.
“Now, I wonder did he mean that; or was he
just bluffing?" said Frank, as he turned to his
chum.
“He looked as if he might be in dead ear-
nest,” replied Bob; “but you know him better
than I do, and ought to be able to say whether
he'd have the sand to take up such a job as
that.”
“Oh! nobody doubts his grit, when it comes to
that," Frank went on, as though trying to figure
the matter out. And he seems to want to do
something everybody else lets alone. You know
what I told you about Thunder Mountain, Bob;
and how it has been a mystery ever since the coun-
try hereabout was settled by people from the
East?"
“Yes," the Kentucky boy replied, “and some-
how, what you told me seemed to shake me up as
I don't ever remember being stirred before. It
was like a direct challenge -just like somebody
had dared me to look into this queer old mountain,
and find out what it all meant."


8
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“That's just it,” said Frank, watching the
face of his chum with a show of eagerness. “It
struck me the same way long ago, and I can re-
member often thinking what a great time a few
of the right kind of fellows might have if they
took a notion to go nosing around that old pile of
rock, to see what does make all that row every
little while.”
“And you tell me nobody knows what it is ? "
demanded Bob.
“Why, don't you understand, the cowboys all
keep away from Thunder Mountain as much as
they can. They're worse than the Injuns about
it, because while the reds say that is the voice of
Manitou talking, these fellows just up and de-
clare the mountain is haunted. Lots of 'em
couldn't be hired to spend a night on the side of
that big uplift."
“But Frank, we don't believe in any such
thing, do we?” pursued Bob, as if he had begun
to suspect what all this talk was leading up to,
and wished to draw his chum on.
“We sure don't, and that's a fact," declared
Frank. Twice, now, one of our boys has made
out that he saw a ghost, but both times I managed
to turn the laugh on him. All the same, if
you
offered a lump sum for any fellow to go and camp
out half-way up the side of Thunder Mountain
for a week, I don't believe he could be found, not
at Circle Ranch, anyhow.”


ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
9
" I've seen the same kind of men myself; and
the coons around our old Kentucky home always
carried a foot of a graveyard rabbit, shot in the
full of the moon, as a sure talisman against
ghosts. I've seen many a rabbit's foot. No use
talking to any of them; it's in the blood and can't
be cured. But about that offering a sum for any
fellow to go and camp on the side of that old
fraud of a haunted mountain, if you happen to
hear about such a snap you might just think of
me, Frank.”
The other saddle boy smiled broadly. He be-
lieved he knew Bob pretty well by this time, and
could no longer doubt what the Kentucky lad was
hinting at.
“Say, look here, would you take me up if I
proposed something right now?' asked Frank,
his face filled with sudden anisaation.
“If you mean that we try and beat Peg Grant
at his own game, and learn what the secret of
Thunder Mountain is, I say yes!” answered
Bob, steadily.
Impulsive Frank threw out his hand.
"Shake on that!” he exclaimed. “I'm just
primed for something that's out of the common
run; and what could be finer than such a game ?
I saw Billy Dixon in town; and we can send back
word to father that we've gone off for a big
gallop; so he won't worry if we don't turn up for
a few days. Is it a go, Bob?".


ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE
11
there first, so that he couldn't say we'd stolen
his thunder."
Half an hour later the saddle boys, having fin-
ished their business, and sent the Circle ranch
cowboy galloping homeward bearing the message
to Mr. Haywood, were moving slowly through the
main street of the town, heading toward a store
where they could pick up a couple of blankets, a
simple cooking outfit, and some of the substantials
in the way of bacon, coffee and the like, when
they came upon a scene that instantly attracted
their attention.
It was a terrified
cry
that reached their ears at
first, and caused both boys to pull in their horses.
Glancing in the direction whence the sound
of distress seemed to spring, they saw a small
Mexican girl struggling with an over-grown
fellow, garbed in the customary range habit,
even to the
chaps " of leather covering his
trousers.
Both Frank and Bob jumped from their sad-
dles, for the little affair was taking place in the
courtyard of an inn that fronted on the street.
Whether the brute was simply playing the bully,
and trying to kiss the girl; or meant to strike her
for getting in his way, Bob Archer did not stop
to inquire.
His warm Kentucky blood on fire, he made a
swoop for the fellow, and managed to give him a


12
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
tremendous blow that toppled him over in a heap.
“ Lie there, you coward!” he exclaimed.
And then, as the fellow whom he had knocked
down struggled to his knees, to stare up at him,
Bob discovered, not a little to his surprise, and
satisfaction as well, that he was looking into a
familiar face.
It was Peg Grant!


CHAPTER II
THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO
66
"Well, I declare!” exclaimed Frank; which
remark showed how much surprised he was to
recognize the youth whom his chum had sent to
the ground.
What do you mean by hitting me like that?"
snarled the rich man's son, as he managed to
scramble to his feet again, though he seemed a
bit“ groggy," and one of his eyes was already
turning dark, as if it had come in violent contact
with a stone when he struck the ground.
“What do you mean, hurting that poor little
Mexican girl?” demanded Bob, who stood on his
guard, as though he might not be averse to trying
conclusions with the bully, if so be the other felt
like seeking satisfaction for his upset.
“She sassed me when I ordered her to get out
of my way, that's what she did; declared Peg,
wrathfully, “and I'd look nice now, wouldn't I,
letting a little greaser kid talk back to me? So
I was just giving her a good shaking when you
broke in. Guess you didn't know who you were
hitting when you did that, Bob Archer!"
13


14
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
"Perhaps I didn't," replied the Kentucky lad,
calmly; "though that wouldn't have made any
particular difference. Any cur who would lay his
hands on a child like that ought to get knocked
down every time. I'd do it again if you gave me
the chancel"
Peg stared at him. Perhaps he had never been
treated in this manner before. All his life his
acquaintances had truckled to him on account of
the great wealth of his father, and the liberal way,
he himself, as a boy, rewarded those who were al-
lowed the privilege of being his cronies or mates.
“You—would, eh?” he gasped, as if hardly
daring to believe his ears. “ Even if you
knew
it was Peg Grant you'd treat me that way; would
you? I'll remember that! I'm not the one to
forget in a hurry. Some day, perhaps, you'll wish
you'd never tried to play the hero part, and hit
me when
my
back was turned. I've got a good
notion to teach you a lesson right now; that's
what!”
“ All right,” remarked Bob, coolly.
pose you begin. I was never in a better humor for
trouble. Somehow I seemed to just know we'd
hit it up sooner or later if our trails crossed. I
give you my word, my friend here won't put a
finger on you, if so be you get the better of the
you
Frank?"
“ I should say not,” declared the lad, instantly,
“Sup-
row; will


STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO
15
adding: “and unless I miss my guess there
won't be any need of it, either.'
Are you coming on, Peg?" asked the Ken-
tucky lad, temptingly.
From under his drooping eyebrows Peg ob-
served how easily the other had assumed a
position of self-defense. Somehow Peg did not
fancy the athletic build of his antagonist; for,
while Bob was rather slender, he had the marks
of one accustomed to exercise; possessing at least
ordinary ability to take care of himself.
"It'll keep, and be all the better for the delay,"
Peg grumbled, as he clenched one fist furiously,
and used the other hand to feel of his injured
optic. “Besides, I don't feel fit to fight right
now, with this bunged-up eye. But just wait till
the right time comes, and see what you get then
for doing this.'
Oh! well, suit yourself," returned Bob, with
a laugh. "If the little brown-faced girl hadn't
vamoosed I declare if I wouldn't feel like making
you get down on your knees, and asking her to
excuse you. Bah! you're not worth bothering
about, Peg. Get out!”
The other moved away. He did not like the
manner in which Bob said this; and he seemed to
be afraid that perhaps the other might yet decide
to press some further indignity on him.
When, however, he had reached the door of the


16
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
inn, so that he could have a way of escape open to
him in case of need, he stopped and shook his fist
threateningly toward the saddle boys.
“You're both going to pay dear for this little
fun, hear that?” he called, his voice trembling
with passion. “I'll find a way to get even, see if
I don't! And when Peg Grant says that he means
it, too! Just you wait till 14"
And then, as Bob started to advance toward the
hostelery Peg retreated in a panic, slamming the
door after him.
“Well, what d'ye think of that?" asked Frank,
who had been an amused observer of this curious
scene.
“He's turned out just what I thought he
would,” remarked Bob, as he once more gained
the side of his comrade, a grim smile on his face.
“Whenever you run across a fellow who likes
to boast of the way he does things, make up your
mind he's a rank coward, every time. No matter
what he claims he will do, there's a yellow streak
in him somewhere, and sooner or later it's bound
to show."
“I believe you're just about right, Bob,” said
Frank; "and it agrees with my own opinion ex-
actly. Still, that fellow can be dangerous if he
wants."
“So can a rattlesnake; but at any rate the
reptile is honest, for he gives plenty of warning


STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO
17
“ Lei him,
before he tries to strike; and that's more'n Peg
would do, if I read him straight.”
* You must keep an eye out for him after this,
Bob. He'll never forgive you that crack. My!
but didn't it drop him, though! Just like a steer
would go down when the loop of a lariat closes
on his foreleg. That fellow will lie awake nights
trying to get even with you."
remarked Bob, carelessly; next
time perhaps I'll put a little more steam back of
my fist, if he pushes me too hard. That's the
way they treat cowards back where I was brought
up; and they call anybody by that name who will
put his hand in anger on girl or woman. But see
here, Frank, is this little affair going to force us
to change our plans ? "
“Whew! I forgot all about that,” said the
other, with a whistle, and an uplifting of his eye-
brows. “If we go poking around Thunder
Mountain, and Peg is there, with a couple of the
tough cowboys he has trailing after him most of
the time, Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings, perhaps
we'll run up against a peck of trouble.'
Well, how about it?" asked Bob, with a
shade of annoyance on his face.
“What do you say?" asked Frank, in turn.
Go, by all means," came the quick response.
" You don't think so mean of me as to believe I'd
be frightened off by the bare chance of running


.18
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
across that fellow's trail out there; do you,
Frank ?"
“All right, call it a bargain, then. I'm with
you through thick and thin, Bob. Let Peg have
a care how he meddles with us. We're going to
pay attention to our own business, and he'd better
do the same. But what became of the little Mex?
I thought I'd seen her face before, somewhere,
but she skipped out before I could take a second
look. Some cowboy, or cattle rustler's child from
beyond the Rio Grande, I reckon. Well, come
along, let's get in the saddle again, and finish our
shopping. Then we'll go out to the country along
the river, and put in a day waiting for Peg to have
his chance at finding out what makes Thunder
Mountain groan and shake just so often, and
scare the Injuns out of their seven senses.
As the two chums swung themselves into their
saddles, and cantered away, a head was thrust
cautiously out from behind a pile of boxes near
by; and then, finding the coast clear, the small
girl who had been the cause of all the trouble
darted across the courtyard, vanishing beyond the
gate.
Frank and Bob went about making their pur-
chases, first fastening their horses to a rail in
front of the general store, where everything they
needed could be bought.
More than one cattleman in passing would cast


STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO
19
an envious eye toward those two splendid mounts,
for they could not fail to catch the attention of
anyone accustomed to judging horseflesh, as
these Western men were. Still, it would be a bold
man indeed, white or Indian, who would dare at-
tempt to steal a horse in broad daylight, in a
country where such a thief was treated to a rope
when caught.
Frank had had considerable experience in
roughing it, while his comrade was, in a measure,
new to such a life. Consequently it was Frank
whose judgment was called into play when making
a selection of the things that would be essential
to their comfort when on this new campaign.
Many articles they could do without; but a
blanket apiece was absolutely necessary, as was a
frying pan and coffee pot, two cups, as many
platters, as well as common knives, forks and
spoons such as prospectors and cattlemen use.
For food they took some bacon, coffee, dried
meat, hard-tack in place of bread, a can of con-
densed milk, and several other things which would
carry well.
We must make them up in two packs," Frank
went on;
so that each of us can fasten one to his
horse, back of the saddle. And, as I'm an old
hand at this business, just watch me get a hustle
on. Next time you'll know how to go about it for
yourself, Bob.”


20
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
The Kentucky boy always studied everything
his comrade showed him, for it was his ambition
to excel in the many little tricks connected with
the free life of the plains. Things were done so
differently here from what he had been accus-
tomed to in his old Kentucky home, before his
father died, that they often puzzled him; but Bob
was a persistent boy, and would never rest content
until Frank could teach him no more.
Neither of them suspected what was going on
outside, while they busied themselves in pur-
chasing the supplies needed for the little cam-
paign in the neighborhood of the mysterious
mountain. And yet all was not as quiet as it
might be.
The saddle boys had hardly been inside the gen-
eral store ten minutes before a slinking figure
might have been observed drawing nearer and
nearer to the horses ranged along the bar. There
were several besides the animals of our two young
friends; but, somehow, the handsome black
seemed to attract the entire attention of this
shadowy form.
Twice he stopped, and assumed an attitude that
would indicate his utter indifference to such com-
monplace things as horses. Then, finding that it
must have been a false alarm, he would edge
closer.
Finally he was beside the black horse, uttering


STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO
23
acts like a locoed horse; but there isn't a bit of
the poison weed growing within twenty miles of
here. And why was Peg Grant standing on the
stoop of the tavern grinning as I rode past? Can
he have had a hand in this sudden crazy spell of
the black? Spanish Joe knows all the tricks of
putting a thorn under a saddle, that will stab the
horse when the rider mounts. Is that the trouble
now? If it is then it's lucky my chum knows as
much as he does about managing a horse, or he
would never come back alive from that mad ride.
And all I can do is to sit here, wait for his re.
turn, and watch Peg Grant and his cronies ! ”


HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE
27
releasing the band; and, with a sudden jerk, he
threw the saddle to the ground.
His quick eye detected signs of blood on the
glossy back of the Kentucky horse.
“That's what it was!” he exclaimed, angrily.
“A thorn of some kind, put there so that when
I jumped into my seat my weight would drive it in.
And I reckon, too, it would be just like the coward-
ly sneak to pick out one that had a poison tip!
Oh! what a skunk! and how I'd like to see some
of the boys at the ranch round him up! But I
wonder, now could I find it? I'd like to get
Frank's opinion on it."
The horse had by now ceased his mad prancing.
This proved that the cause for his strange actions
had been removed when Bob cast the saddle off.
And it did not require a hunt of more than two
minutes to discover some little object clinging to
the cloth under the saddle. It was, just as Bob
had suspected, a thorn with several points that
were as sharp as needles, and very tough.
Bob
put
it
away in one of his pockets. Then
he once more replaced the saddle, carefully ad-
justing the girth so as to avoid any more pressure
on the painful back of Domino than was absolutely
necessary.
The horse seemed to understand his master's
actions, and, although still restive, allowed Bob
to mount.
Cantering along over the back trail, in half an


28
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
hour Bob came in sight of his chum heading to-
ward him.
“Well," said Frank, as they finally met, “I
was beginning to get worried about you, even
though I knew you could manage a horse all
right. It was a lively run, I should say,” as he
glanced at the foam-streaked flanks of the gloss
black.
“ As fierce a dash as I ever want to take," an-
swered Bob, patting his horse gently.
“ Did you find out what ailed him?" asked the
other.
“After I'd spent some time trying to keep from
being thrown, I did.”
As he said this Bob drew the thorn from his
pocket, and held it before Frank, who took the
vicious little thing in his hand.
“I thought so,” he muttered.
“ That's Peg's
idea of getting even with us; the coward!”
But
you don't mean to say Peg did that?" ex-
claimed Bob, astonished.
Well, not with his own hand. He wouldn't
know how, you see; but he had a Mexican cowboy
along with him who is up to all these tricks
Spanish Joe. When we were busy in that store, he
crept up and fixed this thorn under your saddle.
Of course, as soon as you sprang into your seat,
your weight just drove one of these tough little
points in deeper. And, as the horse jumped, every


HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE 29
movement was so much more torture. Get onto
it, Bob?"
“Sure I do; and I guessed all that while rid-
ing back. But tell me, why did he pick out my
horse, instead of your Buckskin?” asked the
Kentucky boy.
“Look back a little. Who was it gave Peg his
little tumble when he was striking that child?
Why, of course it was nobody but Bob Archer. I
saw Peg standing on the porch of the tavern as I
galloped after you; and give you my word, Bob,
he had a grin on his face that looked as if it would
never come off. Peg was happy-why? Be-
cause he had just seen you being carried like the
wind out of town on a bolting nag. And I guess
he wouldn't care very much if you got thrown,
with some of your ribs broken in the bar.
gain."
Bob proceeded to tell how he had figured on
what caused the queer antics of his horse, and
then what his method for relieving the pressure
had been.
Just what you should have donel” exclaimed
Frank, enthusiastically. “Say, you're getting on
to all the little wrinkles pretty fast. And it
worked too, did it? ”
“Thanks to the smartness of Domino, it did,"
replied Bob, proudly.
“Some other horses might
have broken away as soon as their rider dis-


30
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
mounted; but he's mighty near human, Frank, I
tell
you. He just stood there, quivering with ex-
citement, and pain, till I got the thing off. But
do you know what kind of thorn this is ? '
“I know it as well as you would a persimmon
growing on a tree in Old Kentucky; or a pawpaw.
in the thicket. It's rank poison, too, and will
breed trouble if the wound isn't taken care of in
time.
“That's bad news, old fellow. I'd sure hate
to lose my horse," remarked Bob, dejectedly, as
he threw an arm lovingly over the neck of the
black.
“Oh! I don't think it'll be as bad as that;
especially since I happen to have along with me in
my pack some ointment old Hank Coombs gave
me at a time I fell down on one of the same kind
of stickers, and got it in my arm,” and Frank
opened the smaller of the two packs ne had
fastened behind his saddle.
When the ointment was being thoroughly rub-
bed into the spot where the barb of the thorn had
pierced the flesh of the ainmal, Domino seemed to
understand what their object was. He gave sev-
eral little whinnies, even as he moved uneasily
when his mater's hand touched the painful spot.
"Now what's the programme?" asked Bob,
after he had replaced the saddle.
'Just what we decided on before," replied his


HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE 31
chum;“ a little rest before we make a start.
Twenty-four hours will do Domino considerable
good, too. How did you come out about the duf-
fle you were carrying; any of it
get
lost?”
" None that I've noticed. I'll make a round-
up and see, before we go any further," Bob re-
marked, examining the packages secured behind
his saddle.
“How?” queried Frank, in the terse, Indian
style, as he saw that the other had gone carefully
over the entire outfit.
“Everything here, right side up with
with care. And
now I'll have to mount again, a thing that may
not appeal very much to Domino. But it's lucky I
long ago learned the jockey way of riding, with
most of the weight upon the withers of the horse.
In that manner you see, Frank, I can relieve the
poor beast more than a little."
Together they rode off slowly. Really, for
one day it seemed that the big black must have had
all the running his fancy could wish. Besides,
neither of the boys knew of any reason for haste.
As Frank had suggested, it would perhaps be just
as well to allow a certain amount of time to elapse,
before pushing their intended investigation of the
mysteries supposed to hover around Thunder
Mountain.
The afternoon had almost half passed when
Frank's sharp eyes discovered a single horseman


32
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
riding on a course that would likely bring him
across their trail soon.
“Seems to me there's something familiar about
that fellow's way of sitting in the saddle," he ob-
served; and then, reaching for the field glasses
which he carried swung in a case over his shoulder,
he quickly adjusted them to his eyes. “Thought
so," he muttered, and Bob could see him smile as
he said it.
“Recognize the rider, then? Don't tell me now
that it's Peg, or one of those slippery cowboy
friends he has trailing after him," remarked Bob.
“Here, take the glasses, and see what you
think,” replied the other, laughingly.
No sooner had the Kentucky lad taken a single
good look than he called out:
Who but old Hank Coombs, the veteran cow
puncher of the Southwest! I suppose your
father has sent him on an errand, Frank.”
Just as likely as not, because he trusts old
Hank more than any man on the entire ranch.
You can see he's headed in a line that will fetch
up at the Circle Ranch by midnight, if he keeps
galloping on. Look there, he sees us, and is
waving his arm. Yes, he's changed his course so
as to meet us, Bob."
“But if we needed the glass to find out who
he
was,
how does it come that an old man like
Hank could tell that we were friends, at such a


HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE 33
'distance ?" asked the young tenderfoot, always
eager to learn.
“Because his eyes are as good as ever they
were. Some of these fellows who have lived in
the open all their lives have eyes like an eagle's,
and can tell objects that would look like moving
dots to you. Let's swing around a bit, so as to
keep old Hank from doing all the going.”
As he spoke Frank veered more to the left, and
in this fashion they speedily drew near the ad-
vancing horseman. He proved to be a cowman in
greasy chaps, and with many wrinkles on his
weather-beaten face. But Hank Coombs was as
spry as most men of half his age. He could still
hold his place in a round-up; swing the rope in
a dexterous manner; bring down his . steer as
cleverly as the next man; ride the most dangerous
of bucking broncos; and fulfill his duties with ex-
actness. Few men grow old on the plains. Most
of them die in the harness; and a cowboy who has
outlived his usefulness is difficult to find.
The veteran eyed the additional packs back of
the saddles of the two boys with suspicion in his
eyes. He knew the venturesome nature of his em-
ployer's son; and doubtless immediately suspected
that Frank might have some new, daring scheme
in view, looking to showing his friend from th
East the wonders of this grand country, where
the distances were so great, the deserts so furious-


36
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
the Rio Grande every leetle while, to grab a bunch
o'long horns."
“My opinion exactly, Hank," went on Frank.
“But listen till I tell you what they are thinking
of doing about finding out the secret of Thunder
Mountain.”
Quickly he related the incident of their meeting
Peg, and of his boast.
“They'll never do it, mark me,” declared Hank,
after he had been put in possession of the main
facts. “ Thet noise ain't human! I been a-
hearin' it for the last forty years, an' I give ye
my word it's gittin' wuss right along. The reds
believe as how it's the voice of the Great Spirit
talkin' to 'em. An' honest now, Frank, thems
my sentiments to a dot.”
“In other words, Hank, you believe the moun-
tain is haunted, and that anyone bold enough to
wander into the unknown country that lies back
there is going to get into a peck of trouble?”
Frank asked, seriously.
“Reckon as how that kivers the ground purty
well," replied the cowman, grimly.
“Well," Frank went on,
we happen to believe
something different, and we mean to look into the
thing a bit. It wouldn't surprise me to find that
some sharp crowd has been taking advantage of
the bad name Thunder Mountain has always had,
to hide among those canyons. And, Hank, I'm


HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE
37
92
going to look for the trail of some cattle while
I'm there!"
"Which I take it to mean,” Hank continued
thoughtfully, “ that
you
kinder think them rustlers
might be usin' the ha'nted mounting for a hiding
place to keep the cows which they run away with?
Um! wa'al now, I never thort o' that afore. But
stands to reason no Mexicans'd ever have the
nerve to go whar white cowmen kept away from.”
“Not unless they had solved the strange mys-
tery of the mountain, and no longer saw any rea-
son to be afraid of the thunder. But listen while
I tell you something else that happened to my
friend here."
Frank then described the sudden bolt of Dom-
ino. At his first words the experienced western
man looked wise. He had immediately guessed
what caused the unexpected action of the usually
tractable black horse.
“As low down a trick as was ever carried out,"
he remarked, finally, as he looked at the thorn.
“And jest sech as thet sneakin' coyote, Spanish
Joe, would be guilty of tryin'. I've seen it done
more'n a few times; and twict the critter was
rounded up, and treated like he'd been a hoss thief;
'case ye see, in each case 'twar a woman as rid the
animile as got the thorn. But ye must let me rub
somethin' on thet wound right away, Bob."
“Don't bother," sang out Frank, cheerfully;


38
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“because we happened to have with us that oint-
ment you gave me, and I used it a while ago. I'll
put on more to-night when we get the saddles
off, and once again in the morning."
“Then ye mean to go into camp soon?” in-
quired Hank.
“See that timber over yonder, where a stream
runs? We'll settle down for the night there.
Better hold over with us, Hank, unless you're in a
terrible hurry to get back home," Frank observed.
I'd like to fust rate, Frank; and p'raps thar
aint no sech great need o' gittin' back to the ranch
to-night. Yes, I'll hang over. P'raps I kin coax
ye to give up that crazy ijee 'bout Thunder Mount-
ing."
And when they had settled down under the
trees, with the westering sun sinking toward the
horizon where, in the far distance, Frank pointed
out to his chum the towering peak toward which
they were bound, old Hank did try to influence
his employer's son into giving up his intended
trip.
It was useless, however. Frank had made up
his mind, and obstacles only served to cause him
to shut his teeth more firmly together and stick to
his resolution. And so they spent the night very,
comfortably, under the twinkling stars.
“Tell dad not to worry about us at all, Hank,"
Frank said to the veteran, on the following morn-


HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE 39
ing, as they were bidding him good-bye.
"We'll
turn up all right in the course of a few days. And
perhaps, who knows, we might be able to tell you
all about the queer noise that shakes the earth
every little while around the big uplift. So-long,
Hank!"
The old cowman sat in his saddle, and looked
after the two boys as their horses went prancing
away, each of the riders turning once or twice to
wave a jolly farewell, with uplifted hats.
As fine a pair o' happy-go-lucky boys as ever
drawed breath,” Hank muttered, as his eyes
fol-
lowed their vanishing forms beyond the mesquite
thicket. “ But I sure feel bad 'bout them goin'
into that 'ere Thunder Mounting territory. I
hopes Mr. Haywood'll start out with a bunch o'
cowmen to round 'em up. But he thinks that
Frank kin hold his own, no matter what comes
along. If he don't show signs o' bein' worried,
I'm goin' to see if the overseer, Bart Heminway,
won't take the chances of sendin' several of us out
to hunt for strays; an' it'll be funny now, how,
them mavericks all run toward Thunder Mount-
ing."
Chuckling, as if the new idea that had appealed
to him gave him considerable satisfaction, the old
cow-puncher stirred his little bronco into action,
and was soon galloping away. But, more than a
few times, he might have been observed to turn in


40
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
his saddle and cast a look of curiosity, bordering
on apprehension, toward the dimly-seen mountain
that arose far away on the Southwestern horizon.
For to Hank Coombs that peak stood for every-
thing in the line of mystery and unexplained do-
ings.
----


CHAPTER IV
A NOTE OF WARNING AT THE SPRING HOLE
“Pull up, Bob; I sure glimpsed something mov-
ing, out there in the sage brush!”
Both horses came to an immediate stop as the
bridles were drawn taut.
" Which way, Frank?" asked the Kentucky lad,
eagerly, as he threw back his shock of black hair,
and waited to see where the finger of his com-
panion would point.
Whatever it was disappeared behind that
spur
of the low foot hills yonder. I just caught a peep
of the last of it. Here, Bob, take the glasses,
and wait to see if it shows up again on the other
side of the rise," and Frank thrust the binoculars
into the hand of his chum.
“Think it could have been a prowling coyote;
or perhaps a bunch of antelope feeding on the
sweet grass around some spring hole, as you were
telling me they do?" asked Bob, holding himself
in readiness.
“Well,” returned Frank, quickly, “the sun was
in my eyes some, you see, and so I wouldn't like
41


42
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
to be too sure; but somehow, Bob, I just have a
notion that it was a horse."
“With a rider on it, of course!” exclaimed the
other lad, as he raised the glasses to his eyes, train-
ing them on the further end of the squat elevation
that stood
up
in the midst of the sage level like a
great hump on a camel.
“There, looks like I was right, Bob!" ejacu-
lated Frank, a minute or so later, as something
came out from behind the low hill, moving steadily
onward.
“ Indians! as sure as anything!" fell from the
lips of the one who held the field glasses to his
eyes.
“One—two-three—a heap of the reds in that
bunch, I reckon," muttered Frank, watching with
his naked eye; although the distance, separating
them from the spot where the figures were passing
steadily into view, was considerable.
“Say, these glasses are jim-dandy ones, all
right! ” remarked Bob, presently, as he turned to
offer them to his chum, who immediately clapped
them to his own eyes.
“Huh!” grunted Frank a moment later,
squaws along; each cayuse dragging poles on
which they heap their lodges, blankets and such;
reckon there's no war party about that, Bob.”
“I should think not, if what you've told me
about the Indians is a fact, Frank. But look here,


A NOTE OF WARNING
45
" We
reckon it's just as well we don't try to let him know
we're here," remarked Bob, uneasily.
didn't come out on this little picnic for trouble with
the reds. There they go, pushing through the
sage brush, Frank. So-long, Navajo, and good
luck to you on your hunt," waving a hand after the
departing string of distant figures.
“Our way lies yonder, along the foot of the
mountains," said Frank, as he turned his head to
look toward the grim range that stood out boldly
against the skyline.
“ Yes,” observed his companion, as he allowed
his black horse his head, once more advancing in
a Southerly direction, “and, unless all signs fail,
that's Thunder Mountain towering above the rest
of the peaks."
"You're right, Bob, that's what it is; and we're
going to camp at its foot unless something goes
wrong,” and as he spoke Frank urged Buckskin on
again.
The yellow bronco was a true range pony.
He had been taught many of the clever tricks for
which his kind are noted. A stranger would have
had a hard time keeping his seat on the back of
the animal, such was his dislike for unknown
parties. He could dance almost as well as a cir-
cus horse; and when Frank had tended the saddle
herd at night, as horse-wrangler, he was accus-
tomed to depend on Buckskin to give ample warn-
ing of trouble, whether in the shape of a storm,


46
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
a threatened stampede, or the presence of cattle-
rustlers.
Both boys were, of course, dressed pretty much
as cowboys are when on the ranch; leather
chaps” covering their corduroy trousers; with
boots that mounted spurs; flannel shirts; red hand-
kerchiefs knotted around their necks; and with
their heads topped by felt hats, such as the men of
the range delight in.
Slung to their saddles were a couple of up-to-
date guns of the repeating type, which both lads
knew how to use at least fairly well. Of course
both carried lariats slung from the pommels of
their high Mexican saddles. Frank was accus-
tomed to throwing a rope; while Bob, naturally,
had much to learn in this particular.
“Say," remarked the latter, who had fallen a
trifle behind his comrade, "to see the way we're
just loaded down with stuff makes me think of
moving day in the old Kentucky mountains. But
no use talking, if a fellow wants to be half way
comfortable, he's just got to lug all sorts of traps
along.'
That's right, Bob," assented the other, laugh-
ing. “And that applies in an extra way when
he means to be out in the Rockies for perhaps
a week.”
“No telling what he may run up against there,
eh?” queried Bob.
“Well, if it isn't a grizzly, it may be an ava-


48
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
remarked. “Well, I must say it shows up right
well. I've tried to picture the place from all
we've heard.”
“But you don't feel disappointed, do you?”
asked Frank.
"Not a bit, Frank,” his companion continued.
“ I've seen some mountains, even before I came
out here to your Rockies; but there's something
about this thing that just staggers a fellow.
Wow! but we'll sure have our troubles climbing
that wild slope."
“Never could make it if it wasn't for the can-
yons," Frank added.
"They all tell me that.
Here, let me put the field-glasses away. Half
an hour's gallop, and we'll jump off. That ought
to bring us to the foot of the slope. Here you go,
Buckskin; show us you're not tired after your
day's run. Whoop-la!”
Frank brought his hat down on the flank of the
horse, accompanying the action with a real cow-
boy yell. Instantly the spirited steed bounded
off, with Bob's Domino close behind, snorting, and
giving eigns of astonishing animation.
So they sped along, with clanking sounds from
the various packages fastened behind the saddles;
but after a few minutes both boys gradually drew
upon the lines, knowing full well that their mounts
had done a fair day's work already; and, besides,
there was no possible need of haste.


A NOTE OF WARNING
49
“How's this for a camping place?” asked
Frank, as he suddenly brought Buckskin upon his
haunches in a quick stop.
“Suits me first rate,” replied his chum, after
giving a glance around.
" Let's see if I remem-
ber all you told me about what a fellow has to
look for when he expects to go into camp. Water
handy, grass for the horses, wood for a fire, and
shelter from a hidden mountain storm. What
better could we ask, I'd like to know? Is it a go,
Frank?"
For answer the shorter lad jumped from his
seat. His first act was to remove the saddle,
and then, with a handful of dead grass, rub the
sweaty back of the mettlesome animal, as every
true son of the plains always does before he thinks
of his own comfort.
Next he hobbled the animal, and drove the
stake pin, to which the lariat was attached, deeply
into the ground. After that the bridle came off ;
and Buckskin's first natural act was to drop to the
ground, and roll over several times.
Bob was following this procedure with Dom-
ino. The intelligent animals seemed to under-
stand just what the programme was to be; for af-
ter rolling, they walked down to the little water-
course to slake their thirst; and then set about eag-
erly nibbling the sweet grass that grew all around.
The two chums went about preparing to spend


50
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
a night under the bright stars, with a readiness
that told of long practice. Bob, of course, knew,
less than his companion about such things, but
Frank had often accompanied the cowboys on his
father's ranch on their expeditions, and had even
spent nights in the
company of old Hank, when off
on a hunt for fresh meat; so that he knew pretty
well what ought to be done to add to their com-
fort.
It pleased him to show Bob some of the things
he had learned. There might be no real reason
why he should start a cooking fire in a hole he dug,
rather than make a roaring blaze that could be
seen a mile away; but Bob was tremendously in-
terested, and would never forget all that he
learned.
“Besides," Frank explained, after he had the
small fire started, " it is easier for cooking, once
you get a bed of red ashes; because in this warm
country a fellow doesn't much like to get all heated
up, standing over a big blaze."
Bob had, meanwhile, opened some of the bun-
dles. One of these contained a small coffee pot,
as well as the frying pan without which camping
would be a failure in the minds of most Western
boys.
“ Look out for rattlers," advised Frank, as his
chum went to the spring hole to fill the coffee pot.
“They often come to such places in dry season


CHAPTER V
THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN
“Hey! take care there, Bob!" shouted Frank, ,
starting up from beside his little cooking fire in
something of a panic; for that alarm signal is apt
to send the blood bounding through the veins like
mad, whenever heard.
“Don't bother!" came the reassuring reply of
the unseen Bob, from a point near by; “I think
I've got the beggar located, all right. Say, don't
he sing though, to beat all creation? He's mad
clean through, all right. I'm looking for a stick,
so as to knock him on the head."
"Go slow, and keep your eye out for a second
one," advised Frank, uneasily;“ because they gen-
erally hunt in couples. That isn't a measly little
prairie rattler either; but a fellow that's come
down from Thunder Mountain."
“Nice warm reception for visitors, I should re-
mark," laughed Bob, immediately adding:"there,
I've found just the stick I want. Now, old chap,
look out for yourself! I'm going to have that
rattle of yours to take home, unless you give me
the slip."
52


THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN 53
SO
“No danger of that,” remarked Frank; “be-
cause a rattler seldom runs away, once he shakes
his old box, and gives warning. Hit him just back
of the head, and let it be a good smart blow too,
that
you break his neck.”
Then came a swishing sound, twice repeated.
The thrilling rattle immediately subsided.
“Get him?" demanded Frank, ready to take
up his task once more, upon receiving a favorable
reply from his friend.
“He's squirming some, but helpless,” returned
Bob, composedly.“ I'll cut his head off, so that
he can't turn around and jab me while I'm getting
that rattle box of his."
Two minutes later he came back into camp,
carrying the coffee pot, which he proceeded to
place upon the fire Frank had started. The lat-
ter noticed that his chum was trembling a little,
and could give a shrewd guess that Bob had been
more startled than he had thus far admitted.
Perhaps I'll get used to it in time,” Bob re-
marked, presently; " but it sure does give a fel-
low a nasty shock to hear that sound burst out
close by your feet, knowing as you do what a bite
from those fangs means.
“Then it was a narrow squeak, was it?" asked
Frank.
“I guess I never want to be closer to a dia-
mond-back than that,” Bob admitted, with a shake
of his head.


THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN 55
For answer the other picked up the coffee pot,
and set it aside for a minute, to let the contents
settle.
“Grub's ready, Bob,” he said, laughingly;
“and I reckon we'll not bother banging on the
frying pan with a big spoon to-night, range
fashion. Sit down, and get your pannikin ready
for some of this bacon and meat. How does that
coffee look?"
Say, it's got the color, all right, and if it only
tastes half as fine as it looks you'll hear no kick
coming from me,” replied Bob, as he poured his
tin cup full of the liquid.
As the boys ate they chatted on various topics,
most of which talk had of course some connection
with the big cattle ranch they had so recently left.
“I'd give a heap to know if Peg Grant meant
business when he said we were riding to a fall if
we thought we were the only pebbles on the
beach." Bob remarked.
“Oh!” replied Frank, “ I reckon he's going to
make a try to solve that Thunder Mountain puz-
zle. But just think of a tenderfoot like Peg let
loose on that fierce slope up yonder; will you?
Perhaps he's here already," suggested Bob.
“Wouldn't be one bit surprised," Frank con-
tinued, readily enough, as though he considered
that a foregone conclusion anyway.
“He and his
cronies had time enough, unless Peg changed his


56
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
mind. He might be wondering what happened to
you, and thinking how the X-bar-X ranch
would be safer, in case some of our boys chased
after him to give him the tar and feathers he de-
serves for playing such a mean trick."
' But supposing they did come,” said Bob;
Peg and Spanish Joe, and that other treacherous
cowboy you told me about; we're pretty apt to
meet up with them if we go prowling around here
for the next few days."
“ Just so, and we'll try to mind our business all
the time,” remarked Frank; and then his eyes
flashed a little as he continued: “but if they try
any of their ugly little tricks on us, Bob, they're
likely to get hurt."
" I'm with you there, Frank," the other added,
shutting his teeth in a determined way. “I can
stand a certain amount of fun, and, I hope, take it
the right way. Your cow punchers said that when
they hazed me, you know. But I certainly do ob-
ject to any such rough-house business as fastening
a poisoned thorn under a fellow's saddle.”
“ That game has cost more than a few people
their lives," Frank declared vehemently.
men draw the line at it. You noticed how angry
old Hank became when he heard about that same
thing. But your horse seems to be getting on all
right, Bob.”
Sure he does. That ointment made by old
“Cow-


THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN 57
Hank is like magic. Domino won't suffer much
from that jab. But that was a bully good supper
all right, and I don't care how soon we repeat
it," he concluded with a laugh.
Finally both lads lay down to secure such rest
as they needed after a long and tiresome day.
The drowsy chirp of crickets, and shrill voices
of katydids in the lush grass near by, told of the
summer night. Many times had Frank listened to
this same chorus as he lay in his blanket on the
open prairie, playing the
part of night-wrangler
to the herd of saddle horses belonging to the
round-up party of cow-punchers.
He could hear some lurking rabbit slinking
through the hazel bushes over at one side. Some-
where off on the level, where the sage grew so
heavily, there must have been a prairie dog vil-
lage; for the sound of the peculiar barking of these
queer little animals frequently loated to his ears
as the breeze changed.
The two horses were still feeding at the time
Frank dropped off into a sound and refreshing
sleep, but doubtless they would soon lie down.
Bob was already breathing heavily, which would
indicate that he had passed beyond the open door
to slumber-land.
The minutes passed, and several hours must
have gone.
Frank was dreaming of the excitement attend-


58
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
ing some of the many dashing gallops he had lately
enjoyed in
company
with his chum, looking up
stray cattle, helping to brand mavericks, watching
the cowmen mill stampeding herds, or chasing
fleet-footed antelopes just to give the horses a run.
He was suddenly aroused by a strange sound
that seemed to cause the very earth under him
to tremble. The trample of a thousand hoofs
would make such a noise; if one of those old-time
mighty herds of bison could have come back to
earth again; or a stampede of an immense herd
of long-horns might cause a similar vibration.
But Frank Haywood knew that neither of these
explanations could be the true one, even as he thus
sat upright on his blanket to listen. The omin-
ous, growling, grumbling noise was more in the
nature of approaching thunder, just as though one
of those furious summer storms, tropical in their
nature, and often encountered in this country
where plains and mountains sharpiy meet, had
crept upon them as they calmly slept.
And yet, strange to say,
neither of the two boys
jumped quickly to their feet in wild dismay, seek-
ing to prepare for the rain that might soon burst
them. On the contrary they continued to sit
there, straining their ears to catch the rumbling
reverberations that kept coming, with little re-
spites between.
Say, now, what d'ye think of that, Bob?"
upon them.


THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN 59
asked Frank, when silence again held sway for a
brief period. “Nary a cloud as big as your hand
in the sky; and yet all that grumbling oozing out
of old Thunder Mountain! Looks like we might
have the biggest job of our lives finding out the
secret of that pile of rocks. There she starts in
again, harder than ever. Listen, Bob, for all
you're worth!”


CHAPTER VI
A SECOND ALARM
“It's stopped again!” remarked Bob, after
possibly five minutes had passed, during which
time the ominous rumbling, accompanied by earth
tremors, had kept up, now rising to a furious
stage, and then almost dying away.
Frank gave a big sigh.
“It sure has," he admitted; " and I don't won-
der now, after I've heard the racket with my own
ears, that the reds for a hundred years back have
always declared the Great Manitou lived in Thun-
der Mountain, and every little while let them hear
his awful voice."
Then this thing has been going on forever,
has it?" asked Bob.
“The Navajos say so; though even they admit
that, of late, it's got a brand new kink to the
growl," Frank answered. They believe it's
sure unlucky for any brave to be caught near the
mountain after dark, and especially when Mani-
tou scolds. You see, that accounts for the hurry
of that hunting party to climb out before sunset."
“Yes,” Bob went on. “And now I understand
60


A SECOND ALARM
61
what you said about the Indians never hunting
near Thunder Mountain. Perhaps they believe all
the game that hides along the slopes, and in the
deep gullies, belongs to the Great Spirit, and that
he'll punish any warrior bold enough to try and
get a line on it. But see here, Frank, do white
men-cowboys, prospectors, and the like-believe
this mountain is haunted ?"
Heaps of 'em do, and that's a fact,” replied
the other, chuckling. “I've heard some of our
cowpunchers talking about it more'n a few times;
and you remember how old Hank took it when we
told him what we had in mind ?
“They're a superstitious lot, as a whole, I take
it,” Bob ventured. “Now, as for me, I never
could believe in ghosts and all that sort of thing.
If there ever came a time when something faced
me that I couldn't understand, I just set my teeth
together and vowed I'd never rest easy till I had
found out what it meant."
"Same here, Bob; and that's why I just jumped
at the chance to beat Peg out in his game. The
funny part about it is why I never thought of this
racket before. But perhaps that was because
I didn't have a chum to stand back of me."
“None of the boys on the ranch would go with
you, then?” asked Bob.
“I should say not! Even old Hank would
balk at that, and he's never been afraid of any.


62
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
thing that flies, runs or crawls. It was old Hank
who taught me all I know about range life. He
showed me how to shoot, throw a rope, and do
heaps of other things a prairie boy ought to know.
Hank thinks lots of me, and honest now, Bob,
that gruff old fellow would willingly lay down his
life for me."
“I reckon he would," assented the other, readily
enough.
“But Hank's a rank believer in the Injun story
of the mountain, and would never come here of
his own accord; but to keep an eye on me, and
stand between me and danger, he'd just crawl
down the crater of a live volcano."
“Seems like the show might be over for to-
night," Bob suggested.
“The row has stopped, sure enough," Frank
remarked, looking up at the dimly-seen outlines
of the far-away crest of the rocky elevation, where
it stood out against the starry heavens.
“ You don't believe, then, that there could have
been some kind of storm up there; do you
questioned Bob.
Well, it's sure a great puzzle," replied his
chum, with a long breath. My eyes are reck-
oned prime, but I can't glimpse any sign of a
cloud that would bring out all that noise. A mys-
tery it's been these many years; and if so be we
can learn the cause for all that queer roaring that
1?


A SECOND ALARM
63
shakes the earth, we'll be doing more'n anyone
else has ever done in the past.
“That's what we're here for, if Peg gives us
half a chance," remarked Bob, with the healthy
assurance of youth. “And as neither of us takes
any stock in the fairy story about the Manitou's
anger, we ought to stand some chance of locating
the thing; or 'bust the b'iler trying' as old Hank
would say.
Frank had crawled out of his blanket, and stood
erect.
“ What's on?" asked his camp-mate, presently,
noticing that he was holding up his hand, after
wetting his finger, a method much in vogue when
one wished to learn the direction of the passing air
currents.
“Southeast; and blowing strong a bit ago up
there on the mountain, I reckon," Frank re-
marked. You notice we happen to be sheltered
more or less down here, when she comes out of
that same quarter?”
“Meaning the wind,” Bob remarked. “Yes,
you're right, Frank. But what has that got to do
with the measly old grumble of the mountain, tell
me?"
“Huh! I don't know that it's going to have
anything to do with it," came the answer; “but
we want to know every little point as we go on.
And Bob, just remember that the wind was com-


64
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
ing out of the Southeast; and a clear sky over-
head!"
“But look here, Frank, you've heard your dad
talk about this Thunder Mountain business, I
take it??
“Well, now, I reckon I have, heaps of times;
but then you know, he isn't much on bothering
about things that don't concern him. Thinks he's
got his hands full, looking after the stock, keeping
tabs on the doings of those rascally Mexican rust-
lers, that have been running off batches of cattle
every little while; and fighting that big syndicate
of Eastern capitalists, headed by the million-
aire, Mr. Grant, Peg's father, that wants to
throw all the Southwestern ranches into a close
trust.
“ But what I wanted to remark is this: you
must have heard him give an opinion about this
thunder sound?” Bob persisted in saying.
“Oh! he thinks the same as several gentlemen
did who came out here a few years ago on some
business. They declared that once, hundreds of
years ago, perhaps, old Thunder Mountain
must have been a volcano; and that it still grum-
bles now and then, as the fires away down in the
earth begin to kick up some of their old monkey-
shines.”
Yes, I heard one man say that," laughed Bob.
“He declared that there's going to be the biggest


A SECOND ALARM
65
rimpus some fine day, when the fires inside get to
going out of bounds. Then the whole cap of the
mountain will go flying into a million pieces; and
good-bye to any unlucky cow-puncher caught nap-
ping near this place.”
“Well,” remarked Frank, as he prepared to
settle down again into his snug blanket," I reckon
we're not going to be scared away by a little thing
like that growl. Unless we hit a snag, or Peg
Grant and his guides break up our game, a few
days ought to see us heading back to Circle Ranch
with a story calculated to make the boys sit up.
and take notice; or else"
Just pull up right there, Frank,” interrupted
his chum, with a laugh. “There's nothing going
to happen to knock us out. If that same Peg
comes around, making a nuisance of himself, why,
he's due for a nice little surprise, mark me. Be.
sides that; what could there be to make trouble?
*Oh, I'm not bothering my head over it, Bob,'
declared the other, as he dropped into the nest
he had made in his blanket. “But say, did you
take notice of the way our horses acted while that
thing was going on?"
“ Just what I did," the other replied. “They
must have been trembling all over. I could hear
your Buckskin snorting to beat the band, and paw-
ing just like he does when he's worried. Reckon
they didn't know what to make of it, either, seeing


66
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
that there's nary a sign of a storm cloud around.
But both horses have quieted down again. They
think all danger of a howler has passed away."
Frank made no reply. He was already getting
ready to resume his interrupted nap; and Bob lost
no time in following his example, both confident
that in the alert Buckskin they had a sentry cap-
able of giving ample warning should peril
threaten.
Once more Frank composed himself for sleep.
The many noises of the night, which had seemed
to cease while that mysterious rumbling was go-
ing on in the heart of the lofty mountain, had
again resumed sway. The hum of insects; the
melancholy hooting of the lonely owl, in some wil.
low or cottonwood tree near the base of the moun-
tain; the far-off howl of the prairie wolf; or the
more discordant voice of the skulking coyote-
all these things were as familiar music in the ears
of the boy whose cradle had been the rich black
earth of the grazing country ever since he was
old enough to remember anything.
They all did their share in lulling him to sleep.
And, no doubt in dreams, he was once more
galloping across the wide prairie on the back of
his mount, his nostrils filled with the life-giving
air of the sage-covered level.
Frank slept, he never knew just how long.
This time it was not the rumbling sound and


A SECOND ALARM
67
the fearful vibration of the ground that aroused
the two saddle boys; but a far different cause.
When Bob sat up he found his comrade already
erect, and apparently listening as though keenly
alive to some approaching peril.
" Buckskin's uneasy, you see,” remarked Frank
in a whisper; "he's pawing the ground and snort-
ing as he always does when he scents danger."
As he said this, Frank dropped back again, and
seemed to place his ear to the ground, a trick
known and practiced among the Indians from the
days of the early pioneers along the Ohio down
to the present time; since sound travels much bet-
ter along the earth than through the air—at least,
in so far as the human ear, unaided by wireless
telegraph apparatus, is concerned.
“A bunch of horses coming out of the North-
west!" announced the prairie boy, almost imme-
diately; " and we can't get our nags muzzled any
too soon, Bob."
Apparently the other lad had been coached as
to what this meant. He sprang to his feet,
snatching up his blanket as he did so. Together
they were off on the jump toward the spot where
their animals had been staked out at the end of the
lariats.
Arriving at the pins which had been driven into
the ground each boy sought to clutch the rope that
held his restlessly moving horse; and hand over


68
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
hand, they moved up on the animals, the blankets
thrown over their shoulders meanwhile.
A few low-spoken words served to partly soothe
Buckskin and his black mate; then the blankets
were arranged about their heads, and secured in
such fashion that no unlucky snort or whinny
might betray their presence to those who passed
by.


CHAPTER VII
THE RUSTLERS
At a word from his master the well trained
Buckskin doubled up, and lay down on the ground.
Most cowboy ponies are taught to do this trick
by their masters, and it is in common use; so that
the punchers believe it is a poor animal that has
not learned to roll over and play dead on occa-
sion.
Bob, too, managed to induce his mount to do
the same thing; but to make it absolutely certain
that no unwise founder on the part of Domino
might betray them, he sat upon the horse's head,
soothing him by little pats on his glossy hide.
“I hear 'em coming,” announced Frank, pres-
ently.
The sounds reached him against the wind, so
that it was quite natural to believe the approach-
ing horses must by now be very close. There
was a confused pounding that could only spring
from a large body of animals. The trained ear
of Frank caught a significance in the clash of hoofs
that told him much more than Bob was able to
make out.
69


THE RUSTLERS
71
con-
sound of retreating hoofs began to die away;
“what d'ye think of that, eh, Frank? ”
“ Indians ? ” queried the Kentucky boy, eagerly.
“Well," replied his chum, “not so's you
could
notice. Say, now, you didn't see any feathers on
their heads, did you? And I sure heard the fel-
low nearest us say something that only a white
man would remark, when his horse stepped into a
hole, and almost threw him over its head."
“Cow punchers; or perhaps rustlers ? "
tinued Bob, anxious to know.
“What would cowmen be doing away off here,
tell me that, Bob? And lugging along a bunch of
extra mounts, too, in the bargain? No, I rather
think, Bob, that those fellows must have some
of Mendoza's cattle rustlers. And they've been
making a dandy raid on some ranch's saddle herd;
or I miss my guess.
Perhaps the Circle outfit had gotten care-
less," suggested Bob.
“I sure hope not, for the boys have had plenty
of warning; and I reckon Bart Heminway is some
too good an overseer to permit such a raid. I'd
rather believe it was the X-bar-X outfit that
has
gone
and
got nipped this time. But stop and
think Bob; what d'ye expect takes these cattle-
rustlers over this way right now, headed straight
for the canyons of Thunder Mountain?”
“Oh, I see what you mean!” exclaimed the


THE RUSTLERS
73
“Correct!" echoed Frank, as though his mind
was made up.
“Do we need to hold the horses down any
longer ?” asked Bob, who could feel that Domino
was becoming very restless under his enforced si-
lence.
“I reckon not," replied the other, at the same
time taking the blanket from Buckskin's head;
whereupon the animal, recognizing this as a sign
to rise, quickly gained his feet and shook himself.
"It's back to the blankets again for another
nap," remarked Bob, when he, too, had seen his
animal regain an upright position. “Wonder
what's next on the programme for us. Twice,
now, we've been waked up; and I don't know
whether it's really worth while trying to get any
more sleep to-night. It isn't a great ways from
dawn, is it, Frank ? "
The other cast a quick look up at the stars.
Accustomed to reading these heavenly sign posts
of the night, he was able, from their positions, to
give a pretty fair guess as to the hour; just as the
sun served him in place of a watch during the
day.
* Three hours yet to dawn, Bob; no use stay-
ing up all that time,” he said, presently. “We
expect to be on the move again at peep of day; be-
cause, after what's happened, it'll be wise for us
to get off the level here before broad daylight
comes along. There might be curious eyes on the


74
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
watch up yonder, on Thunder Mountain; and that,
you see, would just spell trouble for our crowd."
“Whew! things are thickening, for a fact!”
exclaimed Bob.
"I was only thinking," Frank continued,
whether we ought to try and get word back to
the ranch about our discovery. If they knew
Mendoza and his rustlers were hiding somewhere
about this place they'd comb the whole mountain
range so they could run him to earth. He's been
the pest of the border too long now, and some-
thing's just got to be done to chase him back where
he belongs, south of the Rio Grande."
“But you don't want to go back just yet, do
you, Frank?” asked Bob, uneasily.
“I'm ready to do what you say, though I'd like
to stay,” came the prompt answer.
“Then I say, let's stick it out," declared Bob,
with animation. It might turn out to be a false
alarm, after all; and we'd feel pretty cheap to
bring all the boys along, and then not be able to
show 'em any game. No, I say it'll be time
enough to go after 'em, when we make dead
sure!"
That settles it, then,” remarked Frank, with
a little laugh, as though pleased to learn that his
saddle chum looked at the matter in such a sen-
sible light.
This time, after they had lain down in their
99


78
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
'feeding out of sight just now. Doesn't he look
sleepy and tuckered out though? See him nod-
ding in his saddle, poor little runt! Oh! what's
that moving there among those rocks just
ahead?”
Perhaps it
may be one of the rustlers coming
down to interview him," said Bob.
“ Hist!" Frank uttered almost in his chum's
ear as he craned his own neck in order to see
better.
The small boy on the tired broncho, and lead-
ing the patient burro, kept on steadily advancing,
apparently allowing his animal to follow its nose,
as though it knew the way fairly well from having
passed along it before.
“Look! look!" ejaculated Frank suddenly,
jumping to his feet. “Great guns! Bob, would
you see what is coming out from among those
loose rocks there ? A great big grizzly bear; and
making straight for the pack mule, sniffing the air
as if he smelled grub! There, the horse has
scented him. See him rear up, will you? Oh!
he's gone and done it, as sure as you live-thrown
the boy over his head! And the poor burro is
caught fast, with his leading rope held in a crotch
of the rocks. The boy will be killed if ever he
meets up with that monster! Quick! We must
do something to save him, Bob, but whatever
shall it be?” and Frank leaped to his feet.


CHAPTER VIII
A STARTLING DISCOVERY
THE Mexican boy had apparently escaped
serious injury at the time the frightened cayuse
made a sudden bolt upon sighting the bear, and
threw him over his head onto the rocks.
The lad was already sitting up, and rubbing
his knee in a dazed way, as if not fully under-
standing what had happened. The pony rushed
wildly away, heading up the wide gully, as though
with a full knowledge of where it was going.
And the poor little burro would doubtless have
been only too glad of a chance to follow, if only
it could break loose from the detaining rope.
Meantime the ugly monster, that had been the
cause of all this commotion, was shuffling closer
with each passing second, eager to strike down
the burro with one savage blow from his mighty
paw with its long claws, after which he could pro-
ceed to help himself to what those various pack-
ages contained.
All this Frank Haywood saw in that one glance
he shot toward the scene of action. The boy was
apparently directly in the path of the hungry bear.
79


80
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
And when his pony had fled in such a panic he
must have also carried off the rifle, if the boy,
possessed so valuable a weapon.
Thus the little fellow was at the mercy of the
most feared wild beast to be found in all the ter-
ritory between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
A wild inclination to hurl himself between that
brute and his prospective victim surged over
Frank. With but a knife, or even a revolver to
back him up, such a rash act would have been little
short of madness. Fortunately it was not needed.
“Let me try for him, Frank!” said a trembling
voice at his side.
And then, all at once, Frank Haywood discov-
ered his chum was crouching close by, and
that he was clutching a rifle in his shaking hands.
How he had managed to get hold of the weapon
Frank could not even guess, because his own was
a dozen feet away just then.
Now Bob Archer had certainly never before set
eyes on a ferocious bear outside of the circus or
museum.
And doubtless that brownish-colored
beast looked as big as a house to him, for he was
very much excited. But he had true Kentucky
pluck, and even that circumstance did not make
him quail. If the monster had seemed to equal
two houses, still would Bob have tried to do his
duty. And just then it was to save that poor little
Mexican boy.


A STARTLING DISCOVERY
81
The grizzly had advanced so rapidly that he
was already almost upon the crouching boy, who
stared at him as if in dire dismay, as well he
might. It was not too late, even then, for the
boy to have escaped, could he have understood the
real situation, and that it was the food in the packs
the bear craved, rather than his life; but he did
not seem to realize the fact.
They had seen him fumbling about his sash, and
now he drew something forth that glistened in the
early morning sun. Why, the little chap had
actually drawn his knife, as though that trilling
bit of steel could avail anything more than the
prick of a pin against that shaggy monster.
The boy was shivering as with terror, but all
the same he showed himself game. Frank was
amazed by the sight, and not apt to forget it in
a hurry.
But by now Bob had stepped forward, uttering
a sharp “hello” as he did so. His object, of
course, was to attract the attention of the bear to-
ward himself. This might cause the grizzly to
change his course, and allow of a few more sec-
onds' delay. It would also divert the attack from
the helpless boy to one who was at least better
armed, even though not professing to be a bear-
hunter.
Frank aroused himself. He remembered that
he, too, had a repeating rifle, leaning against


82
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
the trunk of a tree not far off. He sprang to
secure the firearm, in the belief that possibly his
assistance would be needed in order to finish the
dreaded animal.
However good Bob's intentions were, when he
sought to draw the attention of the grizzly to-
ward himself, they did not succeed as he had
hoped. Bruin seemed to know that a feast
awaited him as soon as he could clear a way to
that frantic little burro with the big load. And
he declined to be turned aside on any account.
Seeing this, the Kentucky boy dropped on one
knee. He felt that he must find some sort of rest
for his gun, since his shaking hands could hardly
be expected to hold the weapon steady when it
came time to pull the trigger.
Even as Frank swept up his gun he heard the
weapon of his chum speak sharply. The report
was instantly drowned in a tremendous roar.
Looking, even as he drew back the hammer of his
rifle, Frank saw that the bear had finally turned
away from temptation in the way of meat and
supplies. He had started to rush Bob, whom he
evidently recognized as the cause of that sudden
pain which had shot through his bulky body.
Bob was pumping another cartridge into the fir-
ing chamber of his repeater.
He seemed cool,
although perhaps only he himself knew how his
heart was pounding away like mad against his ribs.


A STARTLING DISCOVERY
83
Both guns spoke together, it seemed. The
grizzly gave another roar, even more furious than
before. At the same time, however, he stumbled,
and fell over sideways. Then he tried des-
perately to scramble back to his four feet, still
full of fight.
Both the boys again put their
guns
in
a firing
condition. Even if tremendously excited at the
moment, they seemed to remember what was nec-
essary to do in order to accomplish this result.
But the bear was apparently unable to get up
again. One of the bullets must have most luckily,
reached a vital point in the region of his heart.
He was foundering about unevenly, while the
little Mexican boy sat and stared, still gripping
that ridiculously small blade in his hand.
“We got him that time, Frank!” exclaimed
Bob just then, though he could hardly believe his
eyes at seeing the monster growing weaker.
“He's a goner, as sure as shooting! Look at
him wobble! Wowl there he goes over, to make
his last kick! Frank, just think of me having a
hand in the killing of such royal game! A real
grizzly! Oh! I can hardly believe it!”
They now approached the spot where the little
Mexican boy was getting on his feet again. He
was no longer white. The threatening monster
had been placed where he could do no more harm;
but the little chap stared uneasily at the two sad-


84
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
dle boys. Evidently he was possessed of a new,
cause for alarm in the mere fact of their unex-
pected presence.
The burro, meanwhile, had somehow managed
to effect his release from the rope that had be-
come fast in the crevice of the rock. Still in a
panic because of the wild animal odor so close at
hand, the laden animal hurried off after the cayuse
that had fled along the gully, heading for where
Frank had declared the canyon must undoubtedly
lie.
And the boy really looked very much as though
he, too, would like to depart with equally scant
ceremony.
“Hil there goes the burrol” called out Bob.
"Head him off, Frank; or shall I jump on my
horse and try to rope nim?"
To the astonishment of both the saddle chums
the Mexican boy threw out a detaining hand, cry-
ing earnestly:
Senors, all, there is no need to chase them.
They know where to go, believe me, and surely I
must soon overtake them. You have saved my
life, Senors. Lopez, he thanks you both. Be-
fore now have I seen such a bear; but this time I
was caught dreaming. He would surely have
killed me if it had not been for the brave Ameri-
canos."
Frank was struck with the soft tones of the


86
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
say; and Frank was astonished to hear what good
language he used.
'You go across mountains, eh?” asked Bob,
indifferently; truth to tell he was just then more
interested in the size of the great grizzly that
had fallen before the guns of himself and his sad-
dle chum, than the mere fact of this stripling be-
ing entrusted with such a task as bringing supplies
to prospectors, or rustlers, as the case might
prove.
A flash crossed the face of the boy, just as
though he saw a sudden opening whereby his pres-
ence here might be explained without entering into
details.
“Oh! yes, across the range. I get supplies for
prospectors in camp," he replied, with an intake
of his breath, while he watched Bob narrowly, as
if, somehow, he believed he had more to fear from
that source than from the tawny-haired prairie
lad.
That's kind of queer, seems to me,” remarked
Bob, slowly, turning to again survey the boy;" for
them to send so small a chap on so long a trail.
I should think it was more of a man's work, tot-
ing supplies across these mountains, through the
canyons. And with the chances of running foul
of such dangers as bears, not to speak of rust-
lers."
At that Lopez drew his diminutive figure up,


A STARTLING DISCOVERY
87
and tried to assume a bold look. The Spanish
blood was proud, Bob could see.
“This have I done a long while, Senors, be-
lieve me," he said, calmly; "and until to-day
never have I met with trouble. Had I not been
so tired and sleepy, perhaps even I might have
shot the bear, who knows? It would not be the
first I have seen, no, nor yet the second; but the
horse ran away with my gun. But Senors, I must
go on after my animals; they will be waiting for
me farther along.”
“Then you won't wait for us?” asked Frank.
“My friend, he would like to get the claws of
this fellow, to remember him by. It will not take
very long, Lopez."
“Thank you, Senors, but I must not delay.
Perhaps you may overtake me farther along the
trail. There is no more danger; and my pack
burro might scrape off his load if I am not there
to watch. Again I thank you, Senors.”
The boy bowed to each of them in turn, just as
though he might have been an actor in some old-
time play. Frank believed he had never seen
such remarkable grace in any half-grown lad.
Generally, at that age, boys are apt to be about
as clumsy as bear cubs at play. He looked after
Lopez with a frown on his face.
What's the matter, Frank?" demanded Bob,
as he noticed this expression.
you
huffed
66 Are


88
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
just because the independent little rascal wouldn't
let us mother him? Say, look at his strut, will
you? If he was heir to the throne of Alfonso
he couldn't walk finer. Give me a whack between
the shoulders, won't you, Frank? Perhaps I've
been asleep, and dreamed all this."
“Oh, rats! Take a look at the bear, and
that'll show you what's what. There, he's disap-
peared behind that clump of mesquite yonder,"
and Frank turned to look at his saddle mate with
an expression of bewilderment on his face, as
though he might be trying to clutch some idea that
kept eluding him.
Suppose you help me cut these awful claws
off, Frank. You see I don't know the first thing
about how it's done; and I think your idea about
keeping 'em for trophies is just immense.'
“Well, for that matter," replied Frank, “I
don't know as I ever did a job like that, myself;
but I've watched old Hank do it, so I reckon we'll
get along."
For a few minutes they worked away in silence.
Then Bob looked up to remark:
“He said it was prospectors he was taking
those supplies to, didn't he; and that he'd been
doing the same a long while ?"
“ That was about the size of it, Bob,” returned
his chum, thoughtfully.
“ Well,” Bob went on,
“ between you and me,


A STARTLING DISCOVERY
89
Frank, I'd rather believe little Lopez was in
touch with the rustlers. I mentioned that word
just on purpose to see if he would turn red, or
give himself away.”
And did he?" asked the other, quickly.
“Well," replied Bob, “not so you could notice;
but then he seemed such a smart chap, like as not
he knew how to hide his feelings. He looked
frightened when we talked of wanting him to stay
with us.
Mark me, there's a heap of mystery
bound
up
in that little fellow."
“He sure puzzles me, all right,” remarked
Frank. “ Did you notice how he had a silk hand-
kerchief bound around his head, regular Mex
fashion?"
Sure I did," laughed Bob, without glancing
up, as he used his knife industriously after the
fashion set by his chum. “ And I also took notice
that he had a fine, glossy bunch of hair under that
same colored silk bandana."
“Great governor ! ” ejaculated Frank, sud-
denly.
“What's the matter-you didn't cut yourself,
I hope?" demanded nis comrade, uneasily, start-
ing up
“Shucks I no. Something just struck me, that's
all,” replied Frank, with an air of disgust, and a
quick look up the gully where the little Mexican
had last been seen.


90
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“ Oh I is that so?" mocked Bob. “ Must have
hurt right bad then, to make you peep like that.
Now, I reckon it might have been something about
Lopez?" for he had noted that hasty glance, and
the disappointed frown.
That's just what it was, Bob," Frank con-
tinued, in an even tone. Fact is, I just remem-
bered who Lopez put me in mind of. Only per-
haps you'll laugh when I tell you. Remember
that poor little girl Peg Grant was cuffing when
you knocked him down? Well, if you took that
colored handkerchief off Lopez, and let his black
hair fall down, I give you my word he'd be a
ringer for that Mexican child!”
Bob stared as if dazed, and then the light of a
great discovery dawned upon him.
“Say, Frank!” he exclaimed presently.
Honest Indian, now, I believe you've sure struck
pay dirt, and that's what!"


CHAPTER IX
WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG
“Then you think the same as I do, eh, Bob?"
asked the saddle boy, as if pleased.
“Well, now a heap of things seem to point that
way, Frank,” replied the other, slowly. “Only
for the life of me I can't get it through my poor
old head just why a girl like that would want to
carry on in such a queer way.'
“Nor me, either," laughed his chum. " That's
something else for us to lie awake nights puzzling
our wits over. Everything around this Thunder
Mountain just seems to be plastered with mystery
—who little Lopez is; what he, or she may be do-
ing away off here in the canyons of the Rockies;
and more particularly the mystery of the moun-
tain that the reds look on as sacred; where Men-
doza and his band of rustlers have gone with those
stolen horses; and also who the prospectors can
be that this pile of grub was meant for-it's all a
blank, that's what!
"Say, I guess that's pretty near the way it sizes
up,” grumbled Bob. “I don't like to run against
91


92
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
a stone wall like this. If I was alone now, d'ye
know what I'd likely be doing, Frank?”
“Well, say, perhaps I might hit close to the
bull's-eye, since I've come to know you pretty well
these days, Bob,” replied the other. “I wouldn't
be surprised one bit but what you'd go rushing
after Lopez, and demand to know all about it.
But Bob, I look at it in another light. That's
his own private business.”
“I suppose so; and I was brought up to mind
my cwn affairs, too,” said Bob.
“Wouldn't you put up a great howl now," con-
tinued Frank, “if somebody grabbed hold of you,
and insisted on your giving him the whole story
of your life, where you were born, what your dad
did for a living, when you cut your first tooth, how
much it cost your father to let you gallop around
the country in the saddle with me, and all that?
Say, honest now, would you knuckle down like a
meek kid; or give the questioner to understand
that he was poking his nose into affairs that didn't
concern him one whit?"
Thereupon Bob laughed heartily.
“I give up, Frank,” he admitted.
" You go
at
a fellow, and put him in a hole as a lawyer might.
We'll just let little Lopez alone, no matter
whether he's girl or boy; the grub-getter of pros-
pectors; or agent for that sly Mendoza, the cattle.
rustler. And, on the whole, I reckon we've got


94
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
tains, when a heavy cloud breaks against the wall
above. When that comes about, this gully is go-
ing to be bank-full of roaring, rushing water; and
anything caught by the flood is apt to be battered
and bruised and drowned before it's swept out
below."
“Whew!” observed Bob, with a shrug of the
shoulders. “Let's hope then, that the next
cloud-burst will have the kindness to hold off till
we get out of this hole. If it caught us here,
Frank, I reckon we'd just have to let our nags
shift for themselves, and take to climbing the
sides. And wouldn't I hate to lose Domino the
worst way; even if he does give me a raft of
trouble at times?"
Frank patted the satiny flank of Buckskin af-
'fectionately, as he said:
“And it would just about break me up if
any-
thing happened to this fellow, Bob. I've tried
heaps of mounts, seeing that we always have hun-
dreds on the ranch; but I never threw a leg over
one I fancied like my Buckskin. Why, there are
times, Bob, when the
game
little fellow seems next
door to human to me. We understand each
other right well. He knows what I'm saying
now; listen to him whinny, soft-like, at me."
Possibly Bob, knowing considerable about
horses himself, may have had a strong suspicion
that the animal understood the touch of his


WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG
95
young master's hand much more readily than he
did spoken words; but this was a subject which
he never debated with Frank. The latter had a
habit of talking confidentially with his horse, and
seemed satisfied to believe the animal understood.
Slowly they made their way along. Now and
then Frank would dismount to examine the rocks
and scanty earth that formed the trail over which
they were passing.
“Always plenty of signs to teil that horses have
been going along here off'n on, both ways—stacks
of 'em,” he announced, when perhaps an hour had
elapsed since they left the scene of the encounter
with the grizzly.
The ravine, or gully, which he called a barranca,
had gradually changed its character. It was now
more in the nature of a canyon; though there were
still places where the walls, instead of towering
high above their heads, sloped gradually up-
wards.
“Smart horses could easy climb out of here up
that rise," remarked Frank, thoughtfully eyeing
one of these places.
“Are you thinking that perhaps we'd better
get out with our nags, while we have the chance,
and leave them, while we keep up the game on
foot?" asked Bob, suspecting that his chum might
be considering such a move.
Well,” remarked the other, "it stands to rea-


WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG
99
All the while he kept letting out shrill squeals
of real alarm; as though the prospect of a final
plunge into that deep dark pool at the base filled
him with dread.
By some rare chance the rolling man struck the
twisted little cedar that tried to keep its dying
hold on the scanty soil half way up the rise.
Caught by the seat of his stout trousers on one
of the scrubby tree's broken branches, the unfor-
tunate one was suspended in midair, kicking,
floundering and yelling at a tremendous rate.
“Say!” exclaimed Frank, when he was able to
catch his breath again, What d'ye think of that,
now? Our friend Peg is so glad to see us he
couldn't wait to walk down, but tried to skate.
And see what's happened to him! Next thing he
wants is a bath; and I sure reckon he's due for
one when that cedar pulls out its last root.
Wow!"


CHAPTER X
THREATS OF TROUBLE
" SPLASHI”
Hardly had Frank ventured upon his predic-
tion before it came true. The stout cloth of
which Peg's garments were composed might have
sustained his weight indefinitely, and had it de-
pended on his trousers giving way, his friends
above must have been compelled to use their ropes
in order to release him from so unfortunate a
predicament.
But the roots of the little stunted cedar were
soon torn from their hold. And when this came
about, of course the unfortunate Peg continued
his roll down the balance of that steep slope,
clawing at every object which he thought might
stay his progress.
He certainly did drop into the pool with a tre-
mendous splash that sent the water flying in
every direction.
At first he vanished entirely from view. Then
his head emerged, and it could be seen that he
was swimming furiously to keep afloat. Some-
how his awkward movements made Bob Archer
100


102
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“He's just keeping up because he's crazy with
fright. We've got to get him out of there,
Frank."
We sure have; come along,' echoed the west-
ern boy.
Fortunately Frank was possessed of a quick
mind. He never wasted any time in wondering
what methods he should use in order to accom-
plish things.
The pool was of considerable width, and even
though he bent over its border he would not be
able to come within five feet of the struggling
Peg.
Without hesitation he stepped into the water,
holding his gun. Two feet from the bank and
it was to his knees. But he believed he had now
reached a point where he could hold out his rifle
and touch Peg.
Take hold, and I'll pull you out!” he called,
as he extended the gun.
It was laughable to see how eagerly the other
seized upon the chance. And, when Peg had fas-
tened himself to the other end of the rifle Frank
easily drew him shoreward.
The bully came out, dripping wet, and in any-
thing but an angelic temper. It was bad enough,
in his eyes, to have fallen into the pool; but to be
rescued by a fellow he hated, as he did Frank
Haywood, added to the aggravation.


THREATS OF TROUBLE
103
After spluttering for a minute or two, so that
he could get rid of the balance of the water he
had swallowed, Peg faced the two chums.
Strange to say he did not seem to consider that
Frank had placed him under any obligations in
the least when he dragged him out of the water.
“See what you did,” Peg exclaimed, now splut-
tering with burning anger.
“What d'ye mean
pointing your
old
gun up at me, and making as
if you meant to shoot ?"
“Oh!” remarked Bob, elevating his eyebrows;
was that what forced you to take that header
down the slope? Well, now, we had an idea you
were so glad to see us that you just couldn't wait
to walk down, but wanted to fly! But, if I
was to blame at all for your trouble, I'm sure I'm
sorry. But you see, we didn't know whether we
were going to be held up by rustlers or Indians.
That's what comes from hiding, Peg."
“Bah! guess I'll do just whatever I want,"
spluttered the other, wiping his dripping face on
his sleeve without doing either much good, how-
“And do you know what I think?"
“Well, no, I must say I don't happen to be a
mind reader, Peg. Suppose you tell me," replied
the unruffled Bob, who had taken the measure of
the other, and knew he might be set down as a
great boaster, but one not particularly dangerous
when it came to a show-down.
ever.


104
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“ I believe
you
just did that on purpose,
that's
what,” Peg went on, hotly. “You've got it in
for me ever since that time we had our little af-
fair, when I laid a hand on the Mexican girl who
sassed me. You just knew I'd jump up in a hurry
if you made out you was going to shoot; and I
bet you even remembered this lake at the bottom
of the slope. Oh! it worked all right; but don't
you forget; my time will come.
I'm going to pay
you back in full !
I've got friends who'll stick
by me, all right. Bah! what're you two fellers
doing here on Thunder Mountain, anyhow ? "
A new suspicion had apparently seized upon
Peg. He viewed their presence as a personal in-
sult; just as though they might have plotted to
forestall him in the glorious adventure he had
planned to carry out.
“Well, if the old mountain belongs to you,”
spoke up Frank, thinking it time he took a hand
in the talk,“ we'll ask you to excuse us, and back
out. But I don't think you have any claim on it;
so we'll hang around as long as we see fit. And
remember this, Peg, we're going to mind our own
business; but we don't stand for any bother from
you, or those with you. Understand that?”
Peg looked at him long and steadily. The eyes
of Frank never wavered in the slightest degree.
“ All right,” said Peg, finally, as his own eyes
dropped. “You wait and see; that's what?
This thing's been hanging fire a long time now;


THREATS OF TROUBLE
105
17
and some day we're bound to have it out, Frank
Haywood. My dad's after yours with a sharp
stick; and perhaps the trouble is going to come
down to the next generation. You'll get yours
good and plenty when the right time comes ! ”
He turned away, and, limping to where the
slope could be reached by skirting the edge of the
pool, laboriously commenced to climb, following
the tracks of the three horses.
“There's one of his guides up yonder, Frank,"
remarked Bob; "sitting on the top of the bank.
Looks to me like he was grinning to beat the
band."
“Yes, that's Nick Jennings,” replied Frank.
Used to work on the Circle Ranch, but he got his
walking papers because he was caught stealing
from the other men. He's got a grudge against
me because I'm a Haywood. But Nick likes a
joke as well as any cowboy; and who could keep
a straight face after seeing what happened here?
Look a little farther on, and you'll just glimpse
the colored handkerchief Spanish Joe wears on
his head.”
“I see him peeping at us from behind the
bushes," returned Bob. “And say, he's handling
that gun of his just like he'd be glad to use it if
anybody gave him the dare. I reckon Spanish
Joe is some ugly customer, Frank."
'That's just what he is; but let's be moving
If Peg takes another flop and splashes in
on.


106
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
this puddle again, he'll have to swim for it, or
else depend on his own guides to yank him out.
No more for me. I'm wet to the knees; and did
you hear him thank me for it? He's sure the
limit."
So the two boys went on.
They were not interfered with, which pleased
Frank not a little. Knowing the nature of Span-
ish Joe, and the revengeful character of Nick Jen-
nings, he would not have been much surprised had
they attacked him and Bob, and carried things
with a high hand.
Presently a turn in the canyon shut out the
scene of their late adventure. The last glimpse
they had of Peg Grant, he had nearly arrived at
the top of the slope, and it seemed possible that
he would not make a slip that might cause him to
repeat his recent circus act.
Why do you think they left the trail, and
made their horses climb up?" asked Bob, pres-
ently.
Well, they might have talked it over just as
we did, and chosen to leave the horses so they
could look around on foot," Frank replied.
“But you suspect they might have another rea-
son, too?” Bob insisted.
“That's a fact,” replied his chum, seriously.
“For all we know they may have run across some
sign of the rustlers, and thought it best to get


THREATS OF TROUBLE
107
Then you
out of the beaten rut here before they got caught.'
don't believe that little Lopez had
anything to do with it, Frank? ”
“What, that Mex boy? Oh! he's out of the
business long ago," replied the other.
“In what way? Didn't he come along this
trail ahead of us?” asked Bob.
Sure thing," Frank went on.
“ But you see
I've missed the marks of that burro's little hoofs
for nearly twenty minutes. I made up my mind
Lopez had some slick way of climbing out of the
barranca a ways back, without leaving much of
any trail. I told
you
he was a sly one, and I
say
the same now, no matter whether he's a brother
to the girl you defended against Peg, or the girl
herself.”
“All right, Frank. Get us out of this as soon
as you can," Bob remarked, looking ahead, as
though he did not much fancy the appearance of
things there.
Ten minutes later Frank drew rein sharply.
“What's doing?” asked Bob, nervously, as he
half raised his rifle, which he had insisted on
holding in his hand all the time since that meet-
ing with Peg. “ Think you see signs of trouble
from Peg and his bunch; or is it something else?”
Something else this time,” remarked Frank.
“Fact is, our chance has come to get up out of
here with the nags!”


THE BLACK NIGHT
109
“You sit down here, and wait till I come back,"
Frank remarked.
“What are you going to do?” the Kentucky
lad inquired; “something that I might lend a
hand at?”
“No, I reckon you're a little shy on knowing
how to hide a trail, Bob. Old Hank showed me,
and I've practiced it often. This promises to be
a chance to see whether I learned my lesson half-
way
decent."
“Oh! all right, Frank. But some day I expect
you to show me all about that sort of thing. You
know I want to be in the swim, and learn how to
do everything there is. I'll wait here by the
water," and Bob dropped down to rest.
"I won't be gone long," Frank observed.
Pretty much all the slope was made up of stone;
and what a great time the horses did have, trying
to hang on. Once I thought your nag was going
to take a nasty plunge, because he isn't as used to
the work as a Western pony would be. But he
recovered, thanks to the help you gave him, and
made the top all right. So-long, Bob.”
“I notice you're taking your gun along," re-
marked the one who was to stay.
“Well, when you're in the mountains it's just
as well to be prepared all the time. You never
can tell when you'll run slap into something. It
might be a big grizzly like the one we met; then


THE BLACK NIGHT
111
“I've fixed up some grub, just as you told me,"
he remarked. “It isn't much, but ought to serve
in a pinch."
“And as it's nearly noon now," observed
Frank. “Why not take a snack before we leave
our base of supplies ? Let's get the stuff out of
the cache again, and have a round of bites."
“I don't see the use of hurrying away from
here right now, anyhow,' Bob remarked, while
they were eating.
“You mean," said Frank, “ that we only came
here to see what we could find out about the
secret of old Thunder Mountain, and why it kicks
up such a rumpus every little while?”
“Yes, and seems to me that since we're right
on the ground now, we might just as well start
business here," Bob asserted.
“That is, hang around until night, and wait to
see if the grinding begins again, as it did when we
were in camp below?"
“We'd be in a position to guess what it was,
better than before,” Bob went on.
“That's a fact,” laughed Frank. “And if, as
lots of people think, this old mountain is a played-
out volcano, perhaps we might even smell the
sulphur cooking, by sticking our noses down into
some of these crevices in the rocks."
“Now you're joshing me, Frank!” declared
the Kentucky lad, reprovingly.
"I am not,” replied the other, immediately.


112
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“Suppose there was any truth in that fairy story
about the fires away down in the earth here; don't
you think a fellow might get a whiff of the
brimstone if he was Johnny on the spot? Why,
honest now, Bob, it was on my mind to find some
sort of cave up here, and go in just as far as we
could. Don't you see the point?'
“Oh! I reckon I do, Frank. You take little
stock in that yarn; but, all the same, you think we
ought to look into it, now we're on the ground ? "
“That's it, Bob. Why, even my dad kind of
favors that idea, and I want to either prove it a
fake, or learn that there's something to it."
So they lay there, lazily enough, instead of
climbing farther up the side of the mountain. It
was very pleasant to keep in the cool shade of the
trees, with that trickling little stream so near, for,
as the afternoon advanced, it seemed as though
the air became very oppressive.
Frank was looking up at the sky many times,
and finally his companion asked him what was on
his mind.
“I don't pretend to be a weather sharp,”
Frank replied; "but, all the same, there are signs
up there that've got me guessing."
“Well, it is clouding up some,” replied Bob, as
he swept a look around at what they could see of
the arch overhead. Perhaps the long drought
is going to be broken at last, Frank. Your father


THE BLACK NIGHT
113
will be tickled, if it turns out that way. He's
been complaining of late about the stock having to
hunt twice as far away from the ranch for forage.
A rain would make things green again.
“Sure it would," replied Frank; "but, as I
said to you before, a rain storm up in the
Rockies is sometimes no joke. We may have to
do some tall climbing if it gets a whack at us when
we're in the canyon.”
The day was passing. They had seen nothing
more of Peg Grant and his two guides, but could
easily believe the others were not a great way off.
Perhaps they, too, were only waiting for night to
come in order to start their investigation.
“I don't think either Spanish Joe, or Nick,
could be depended on, if the thing began to look
too spooky," Frank had said more than once,
showing that his thoughts must be running in the
direction of the rival party.
“Oh! this is easy," chuckled Bob. " If all
we've got to do is to squat here and take notes
when the menagerie begins to wake up, it's going
to be a snap.
Frank did not want to make his chum neryous
by confessing that he had another reason for
agreeing to remain there idle the balance of the
day, besides the fact of there being no hurry, and
that they could take notes just as easy there as
farther
up
the mountain.


THE BLACK NIGHT
117
where nobody could ever glimpse the blaze."
• Did you say coffee?” remarked Bob. "All
right, I'll go you, old fellow. I feel a little that
way myself, and that's no yarn.
So Frank got things started, and it was not a
great while before the coffee pot was bubbling as
merrily as ever, with that appetizing odor wafting
from it.
The darkness kept on increasing while they ate.
An hour later it was very black all around them,
and Bob viewed the possibility of their venturing
into the unknown perils around them with any.
thing but a comfortable feeling.
It was just when he was wondering whether
Frank would not conclude to remain in the safe
position they occupied that he heard his comrade
give a sharp cry.
“What have you discovered, Frank?” asked
Bob, starting to get up.
“A light up the side of the mountain yonder,"
replied the other, “and, Bob, perhaps if we could
only manage to climb up there, we'd learn some-
thing worth while. The question is, have we the
nerve to try it?"


CHAPTER XII
LOSING THEIR BEARINGS
BOB chose to consider this a direct challenge.
“I expect that it would be queer if we didn't
make some sort of effort to find out what the
light means. Where is it, Frank?” he remarked,
with perfect coolness.
Well, it must have gone out while you were
speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other rer
plied. “But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
Huh! there she comes again, just like it was be-
fore. Step over here; the spur of the rock is in
your way there. Now look straight up. Get it?"
Easy, Frank. A fellow might think it was a
star, if he didn't know the mountain was there.
Now it's getting bigger right along.'
“That's so, Bob. And yet it doesn't seem to be
a fire, does it ? "
“More like a lantern to me," declared the
Kentucky boy. “Say, what d'ye reckon anybody
could want a lantern up
there for? Can you see
any swinging motion to the light Frank?"
“It does seem to move, now and then, for a
118


LOSING THEIR BEARINGS
119
fact,” admitted the other, after watching the
gleam for a short time.
“ About like a brakeman might swing his
lantern if he was on a freight train in a black
night, eh?” continued Bob.
“Hello! I see now what you're aiming at, Bob;
you've just got a notion in your head that the
lantern is being used for signalling purposes."
Well, does that strike you as silly?” de-
manded Bob Archer.
“Silly? Hum! well, perhaps not, because it
may be the right explanation of the thing. But
whatever would anybody up there be signalling
for, and who to, Bob?"
There you've got me," laughed the other.
" I'm not so far along as that yet. P'raps it
might be one of the rustlers, telling something to
another of the same stripe, who is located in
camp out yonder on the plain. Then, again, how
do we know but what it might be that Peg Grant
lot? And Lopez. Don't forget little Lopez,
Frank. Prospectors could have a lantern; in fact,
I understand they often do carry such a thing
along with 'em when they go into the mountains
to pan for dust in the creek beds."
So,” said Frank, who evidently was doing con-
siderable thinking.
They stood there for some little time, looking
up at the light. Bob was merely indulging in


LOSING THEIR BEARINGS
121
to save themselves from some tumble into holes,
the actual depth of which they had no means of
even guessing in the darkness.
The light was gone. Of course that might not
mean it had vanished entirely; but at least it could
no longer be seen by the boys who were climbing
upward.
Bob was hoping his comrade would propose that
they call it off, and proceed to spend the balance
of the night in the first comfortable nook they
ran across. But Frank himself was loath to give
the first sign af a backdown. Consequently they
continued the laborious task which was likely to
bring no reward in its train, only the satisfaction
of knowing they had accomplished the duty which
they had in mind at the time of the start.
An hour must surely have gone since they first
left the little green glade where the horses were
staked out, and their supplies cached.
Bob found himself blown, and trembling all
over with fatigue, because of the unusual exertion.
The heat, too, was troublesome. But not for
worlds would he be the first to complain. Frank
was setting the pace, and he must be the one to
call a halt
" Phew! this is rough sledding,” remarked
Frank, finally, as he stopped to wipe his stream-
ing face.
Of course Bob also came to a halt.


122
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“Well, it is for a fact,” he admitted with a
littlė dry chuckle; for he felt really pleased to
think that he had held out so long, and forced
Frank to "show his hand."
“Seems to me we ought to have struck some-
thing," suggested Frank.
“Do you really mean you think we've come
far enough for that?" questioned Bob.
"I reckon we have, though it's so dark I can't
be dead sure. You don't happen to glimpse any-
thing queer around here, do you, Bob?” and
while speaking Frank, perhaps unconsciously,
lowered his voice more or less.
“Nary a thing,” replied the other, breathing
fast, as if to make up for lost time.
“And I don't get any whiff of smoke, do you?
continued Frank.
'Oh! you're thinking about that volcano busi-
ness again, eh?” chuckled Bob. “Nothing do-
ing, Frank. Geel we must be up pretty high
here!"
“Feels like it,” returned the prairie boy, ac-
customed to the heavier air of the lower levels at
all times. “Makes me breathe faster, you know.
But that was a hot old climb, Bob.”
“All black up yonder in the sky, with never
a star showing,“ observed the boy from Kentucky.
“Oh! we're going to get it, sooner or later,”
declared Frank, cheerfully.
“ Can't escape a


124
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
rookeries just to stamp out the disease. But this
wasn't any sulphur odor I caught, Frank."
“Then you could recognize it; eh?" asked his
chum.
It was burning wood, I give you my word for
that,” replied Bob, firmly.
Hum. That sounds more like it. We'll let
the volcano matter sizzle for a little while, and
look around for something smaller. Burning
wood must mean a fire, Bob!"
That's what they say, always; where there's
smoke there must be fire. But it seems to me
we ought to see such a thing on this black night,
Frank."
Unless it's hidden, as we make our cooking
fire; or else the blaze is at the last gasp. Then,
after all, we may have been a little off about that
light we saw," Frank continued.
“The one we said was a lantern? Then you
think, now, it might have been a fire?" ques-
tioned the Kentucky lad.
Well, I just don't know what to think. But
let's look around a bit, and see if we can locate
this fire,” Frank suggested.
After moving around for a short time as well
as the darkness allowed the two boys came to-
gether again.
" No luck, eh?" questioned Frank.
Didn't find a thing; but I stumbled over a


126
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“What? do you mean you smelled smoke three
separate times since you left me?" demanded the
saddle boy.
I'm sure it must have been three, because it
was between the first and second times that I
tripped. Yes, and always in just the same place
too, which was queer enough.
“That sounds kind of encouraging, Bob," de-
clared Frank.
“Do you think so ?” asked the other, puzzled
to account for Frank's newly awakened interest.
Tell me why, won't you, please, Frank ? "
“Sure, after you have answered me a ques-
tion," Frank promptly remarked.
" All right, let's have it, then," his chum re-
turned.
“Do you think you could find that exact spot
again?" asked Frank.
“Meaning where I sniffed that smoke each
time? Why, I guess I can, because I went back
there twice, all right. Couldn't be quite satisfied
that there wasn't something around there I ought
to discover. But it turned out a fizzle, Frank.”
"Perhaps it wouldn't be so unkind to me,
though,” the Western boy declared. “Take me
to that place, Bob, and right away. It strikes me
I'd just like to get another little whiff of that same
wood smell, myself. It wouldn't be the first time
I'd followed up a smoke trail."


LOSING THEIR BEARINGS
127
“Gracious ! that sounds interesting, and I hope
you can do it, Frank!” breathed Bob, his ad-
miration for his chum awakening once more.
“ First of all, get me to that place. Lead off,
and I'll be close at your heels. And, Bob, don't
forget that spot where you came near having your
tumble. Keep your level head about you.'
“I'll sure try to, Frank. Come on then."
Bob led the way through the darkness. Al-
though he had been out West for so short a time
Bob Archer was rapidly learning the ways prac-
ticed by those who live close to Nature. He be-
gan to observe always all that he saw, and in such
a way that he could describe it again, in every
detail.
And so it chanced that, having marked his
course when coming back after his unsuccessful
search for the fire, he was able, not only to lead
his comrade thither, but to warn him every time
they approached a dangerous slide, where a trip
might hurl one some hundreds of feet down the
face of Thunder Mountain.
Here is the place, Frank,” Bob suddenly
said, in a cautious whisper.


CHAPTER XIII
THE SMOKE TRAIL
“ARE you sure of it?" asked Frank, in the
same low voice.
"Why, try for yourself, and see if you can't
get a whiff of smoke right now,” Bob replied.
“You're right, because I caught it just then;
but I reckon the wind must be changing some, for
it's gone again,” Frank remarked.
“You never spoke truer words, Frank, be-
cause I can hear the breeze beginning to shake the
leaves in the trees up yonder, and it wasn't doing
that before."
Bob pointed upwards as he said this cautiously.
And Frank, always watchful, noticed a certain
fact. The trees were so situated that they could
be said to lie almost in a direct Southeast line from
where he and Bob stood! This might appear to
be a very small matter, and hardly worthy of
notice; but according to Frank's view it was apt
to prove of considerable moment, in view of what
was likely to follow.
"Well, as the smoke's gone again, let's see if we
128


THE SMOKE TRAIL
129
can locate it by moving a little this way," and
Frank led off as he spoke, with Bob following.
Both lads were very cautious now. Even Bob,
greenhorn as he was, so far as Western ways
were concerned, understood the need of care when
approaching a camp that might be occupied by
enemies. And as for Frank, he had not been in
the company of an old ranger like Hank Coombs
many times without learning considerable.
They had not been moving in the new direction
more than five minutes when Bob reached out his
hand and clutched the sleeve of his chum's jacket.
“What is it?" asked the leader, stopping short,
and crouching there.
"I got it again, Frank," whispered the Ken-
tucky boy, eagerly.
“Sure,” replied his comrade, immediately.
“Why, I've been smelling smoke for more'n a
whole minute now. And I'm following it up, foot
by foot."
“Oh!” murmured Bob, taken aback by this in-
telligence.
“Don't say a word above your breath, Bob.
Whoever it is can't be far away now. We may
run in on 'em any minute, you know," and as if
to emphasize the need of caution Frank drew his
chum close while he whispered these words direct-
ly in his ear.
Bob did not make
any
verbal reply; but he gave


THE SMOKE TRAIL
131
ing his lips to the ear of Bob he went on: "What's
the matter with Peg and his crowd? They might
have got up here ahead of us. Quiet now!
Bob did not attempt to say another word. He
had new food for thought. Yes, to be sure, Peg
and his two cowboy guides had had plenty of time
to climb that far up the side of Thunder Moun-
tain. If they had taken daylight for the task of
course they avoided the danger of getting lost,
such as had overtaken the saddle boys. And if
the nerve of Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings con-
tinued to hold out, when strange things began to
happen, the boastful tenderfoot from the East
stood a chance of making a discovery.
As the two crept closer, on hands and knees,
they could hear the murmur of voices grow
louder, even though the speakers were evidently
talking in low tones. While the experience was
altogether new to Bob, he enjoyed it immensely.
Why, after all, it was not so very hard to place
his hands and knees in such fashion that he felt
able to move along almost as silently as a snake
might have done.
Now he was even able to locate the spot from
which the murmur of voices came. Yes, and when
he looked closer he saw a tiny spark that glowed
regularly, just as a firefly might sparkle every
ten seconds or so.
Bob solved that little mystery easily. Of course


THE SMOKE TRAIL
133
" But he's been gone nearly an hour now,”
complained Peg.
“ What of that? It ain't the easiest thing get-
tin' around on this rocky ole mounting in the pitch
dark, let me tell ye, Peg," Nick remarked; and by
the way he seemed to puff between each few
words, Bob understood that it must be Nick who
was using the cigarette, and not Spanish Joe.
“Say, that's so," admitted Peg, as it a new idea
had come to him. “Perhaps he's slipped, and
fallen down into one of those holes you showed
me when we were coming up!"
This also amused the cowboy, for he chuckled
again.
"Too easy an end for Spanish Joe," he said,
carelessly. “Born fur the rope, and he can't
cheat his fate. Same thing's been said 'bout me.
Don't bother me none, though, and sometimes it's
a real comfort; 'specially when a landslide carries
ye down the side of a mounting like a railroad
train, like I had happen to me.
Nawthin' ain't
agoin' to hurt ye if so be yer end's got to come by
the rope."
A landslide! Do they often have that sort
of thing out here?” asked Peg, showing some
anxiety, as though he had read about such terrible
happenings, and did not care to make a close ac-
quaintance with one.
Sure we does, every little while,” remarked


134
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
Nick, cheerfully. “Why, jest last year the hull
side of a peak 'bout forty mile north of here
broke away, and a Injun village was wiped out.
Never did hear anything from a single critter af-
ter that slip bore down on 'em.'
It might happen here on Thunder Mountain,
too, couldn't it, Nick?” pursued Peg, as if the
subject, with all it pictured to his active mind,
held his interest gripped in such a fashion that he
could not shake himself free.
“Easiest thing goin', Peg. And let me tell ye,
if it ever do happen here, thar's agoin' to be a
slide to beat the band!” Nick asserted, positively.
“But what makes you say that, Nick?” de-
manded the boy.
“Oh! lots of people says the same thing," re-
plied the other, as if carelessly.
“That a landslide is going to start things going
on Thunder Mountain any time—is that what you
mean?” Peg insisted on repeating.
Any day, er night. Things have been lookin'
that way for some time now.
for some time now. I reckon she's due
with the next big cloud-burst that sails this way.
It was evident that, for some reason, Nick was
trying to frighten his young employer. Perhaps
he himself really wished to get away from the
mountain with the bad name; and took this means
of accomplishing his end without showing his
hand. If that were true, then he was gaining his


THE SMOKE TRAIL
135
19
end, for Peg certainly gave evidence of increas-
ing uneasiness.
“But why didn't you tell me all this before ?"
he demanded, indignantly.
" What was the use, boss? Ye was sot on
comin' here, and ye made Joe and me a rattlin'
good offer. 'Sides, it didn't matter much to me.
I had my life insured. A rope might have
skeered me; but say, I don't keer that for land-
slips," and Nick snapped his fingers contemptu-
ously.
But Frank, who knew the sly cow puncher so
well, believed that more or less of his indifference
was assumed.
'Well, I do!” declared Peg, with emphasis;
and if I'd only known about that sort of thing
before, blessed if I'd a come. I've heard what
happens when the side of a mountain tears away,
and how everything in the path goes along. They
showed me the bare wall where one broke loose
up
in Colorado. Say, it was the worst sight ever.
You'll have to excuse me from nosing around
here another day, if that sort of thing is hanging
over this place. Me for the ranch on the jump.
Get that, Nick?"
“Oh! now, what's the use botherin'? Chances
are three to one they ain't agoin' to be any sech
upsets as that yet awhile,” the cowboy said.
Only three to one! burst out Peg. “All


THE SMOKE TRAIL
137
And, Nick added, with emphasis, “I reckons as
how it'll be jest a screamer when she comes.
“A storm, you mean?”
A howler. Allers does when the wind backs
up that way into the sou’east. 'Sides, if so be ye
air still sot on findin' out what makes that thunder
up this ways, p'raps ye'll have the chanct to look
into the same afore long, Peg."
“Oh! was that what I felt just now?” cried
the boy, scrambling to his knees. “It seemed to
me the old mountain was trembling just like I
did once, when I had the ague. And Nick, I be-
lieve you're more'n half right, because I sure
heard a low grumble just then, like far-away
thunder. I wish I hadn't been such a fool as to
come up here. Never get me doing such a silly
thing again as long as I live. Listen! It's com-
ing again, Nick, and louder than before. Don't
you feel how the ground shivers? Perhaps there's
going to be a terrible landslip right now. Do you
think so, Nick?"
Frank and Bob, crouching close by, had also
felt that quiver under them. It gave the saddle
boys a queer feeling. When the solid earth moves
it always affects human kind and animals in a
way to induce fear; because of the confidence
they put in the stability of the ground.
And then there arose gradually but with in-
creasing force a deep terrible rumble.
Thunder Mountain was speaking!
99


140
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
than any
“Oh stop joking, Nick, and talk sense,” com-
plained Peg. “We've just got to do something.
Why, the old mountain might take a notion to
slide, and carry us along with it."
“I sure hopes not, at least right now," replied
Nick, uneasily. “But I do reckons as how we're
agoin' to git that storm afore mornin'."
“But see here, Nick," Peg went on, anxiously;
“ didn't you notice anything when you were lead-
ing me up here like a lamb to the slaughter? I
mean, you ought to have seen whether this side
of the old mountain was more likely to drop off
other."
“Ye never kin tell nawthin' about such things,"
returned the cowboy. “Reckons all we kin do is
to root around, an' see if we might find some
sorter cave, where we'd be safe from the rain,
if so be she comes arter a while."
“A cave!" echoed the other, as though
startled. “What under the sun do we want to
get inside the mountain for? Don't you under-
stand that all that noise is coming out of this old
thing? I tell you, I believe it is a volcano, just
as they told me, and perhaps she's going to break
loose this very night!”
"Hey! what ye a sayin' that for?” demanded
Nick. Supposin' she is what ye tell, that ain't
any reason the explosion's got to come this
particular night, is it? She's kept on a growling


SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE
147
“It's going to tumble on me the next shake!
Hurry, Nick, or I'm a goner!” they heard him
pleading
“Whatever can have happened to him?"
asked Bob, awed by the exciting incidents by
which they seemed to be surrounded.
“I reckon he's caught in some sort of trap,
judging from his talk,” Frank sent back over his
shoulder; for both of them were climbing upward
as rapidly as the conditions allowed.
It was no wonderful feat for Frank to make
straight for the spot where the loud voice came
from. He had located it; and even when Joe
ceased calling for a minute or two, Frank was able
to continue right on.
Apparently the cowman had heard some sound
that told him of their coming. That accounted
for his silence, since he was listening eagerly.
And of course he fully expected that it must be
Nick Jennings hastening to his assistance, per-
haps with Peg at his heels. At least his words
would indicate as much, when he cried again.
Hurry, boys! There ain't any too much time.
This way, right straight ahead! Oh! I'm in a
hole, I tell ye. Ye ain't stopping, are ye? Come
onl come on!
They were now close to where the speaker
must be located. Frank was already straining his
eyes to make out his figure, so as to get some


148
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
idea as to the nature of the new task that con-
fronted them.
He presently could make out some object that
squirmed and tugged between groans.
Then he knew that his first guess was probably
correct. Spanish Joe, in making his way along
over the rocks, had in some way managed to catch
his foot in a crack, and was unable to get it out
again. Perhaps the more he struggled the firmer
it became fastened. And, considering the sur-
roundings, his fright could hardly be wondered
at.
So Frank crept up alongside the prisoner of
the rock.
“ It's my leg, Nick," cried the man, eagerly.
“I can't get it loose and I've twisted and pulled
till it's near jerked out of the socket. See if ye
can't do somethin'. Every time she shakes, that
rock up there just starts to drop down on me!
If it comes I'll be smashed."
Frank knew Spanish Joe. The man from
across the Rio Grande had worked on the Circle
Ranch for many months, until he was discharged
after being caught in the suspicious business of
conveying information to the cattle rustlers.
“Wait 'till I strike a match, so I can see what
things look like," Frank said.
And as the match suddenly flared up the dark-
faced Spanish-American stared with astonish-


SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE
149
ment into the countenance of the one who had
come in answer to his frantic calls for assistance.
“You, Senor Frank?” he exclaimed.
Sure," replied the rancher's son, as he bent
over to examine the way in which the prisoner's
foot bad become caught.
Although the match only shone for a few sec-
onds, Frank's quick eyes
had sized
up
the situa-
tion.
“How is it, Senor Frank; can you get me out,
camerado?" asked Joe, with a quiver in his voice.
Something of a desperado the man might be un-
der ordinary conditions; but just then, when fac-
ing death, he proved very tame indeed.
“I reckon I can, Joe, if that tottering rock
there only holds off long enough. Let's hope
it will. Now, do just what I tell you; and when
I say pull, again, get busy for all you're
worth I"
While Frank was talking he had been mani-
pulating the foot of the Mexican, who had worked
so long on American ranches that he had lost
much of his national ways, though retaining a
few of the characteristics of dress that always dis-
tinguish his kind.
Frank himself was not wasting time. He did
not like the looks of that over-hanging rock any
too well. It seemed to be about ready to crash
down, and when it did come the result would be
up


150
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
disastrous to anything human caught under-
neath; for it surely weighed many tons.
“Now, draw easily at first, and then increase
gradually," Frank said. “I'll hold onto the
foot, and keep it in this position. I think that's
the way it first slipped into the crack!"
Spanish Joe eagerly obeyed. He groaned sev-
eral times as he felt his leg hurt, but desperation
lent him new determination; for if this attempt
failed, as others had done, he believed that he
was doomed.
Suddenly the foot came free. Joe fell over on
the ground, but his last groan turned into a cry
of delight. It was almost comical to see how
quickly he rolled over several times, so as to get
away from the danger zone.
Frank, turning, clutched his companion, and
also drew him back. It was none too soon, it
seemed. As if the release of Spanish Joe might
have been the signal for the groaning mountain
to once again take up its strange action, they felt
the quiver with which all the performances
seemed to begin. Then the grumble commenced,
rapidly advancing into a fearful stage, until Bob
could feel himself trembling violently because
the rocks under him were moving.
“There she comes !" cried Frank.
His words were drowned in a deafening crash
close by. Had Peg Grant been there he must


SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE
151
have believed that the top of the mountain had
blown off, and that fire and boiling lava would
immediately begin to pour down the sides. But
Bob had not forgotten about that swaying rock.
And he understood that it had fallen with a crash
just at the spot where the three of them stood a
minute before.
"What a narrow escape!” exclaimed Frank,
after the clamor had in some measure died away,
again.
Oh! I should
say it was," echoed Bob, feel.
ing quite weak as he realized what must have
happened to them had they not gotten away in
time.
“How about your leg, Joe; can you walk?"
asked Frank, turning to the cowman, who was
scrambling to his feet close by.
“Seems like I can, Senor Frank. But it was
a close call for Spanish Joe. Only for you com-
ing, where would I be right now? Let us get away
from here!” exclaimed the man, limping around
as he tried his crippled limb.
“ You are free to go, if you want, Joe," re-
marked Frank; "but Bob and myself mean to
stick it out. We came here to learn the cause of
all this racket, and we'll do it, or know the rea-
son why."
"Excuse me, companero, I know when I have
had enough. This mountain is surely bewitched.


152
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
There must be an evil spirit living inside. Do I.
not know it? And even the door is guarded by
demons that spring at a man and tear him. My
clothes, once so handsome, Senors, are torn into
tatters, just because Joe, he was fool enough to
step into that black opening above!”
Frank started as he heard the Mexican say this.
It seemed to him that possibly here was a clue
worth following up.
“Tell us what you mean, Joe,” he asked,
quickly. “What black opening did you try to
enter; and what happened to you, amigo? We
have done you a service, saved your life, perhaps.
In return, tell us this."
“ It is little enough, Senor Frank. Up above,
not more than seventy feet from here, lies a hole
in the ground. I was looking for shelter from
the storm, because Senor Peg wished it. I en-
tered. Hardly had I taken ten steps than some-
thing flew at me. I think it was a demon, for
it had sharp claws, and I thought I could smell
brimstone and sulphur. Just then the mountain
yawned, and what with the terrible noise, and
having to fight off that unseen enemy, I climbed
out of there fast, but with all my fine clothes
ruined. That was why I came down the side of
the mountain in such haste that I caught my foot.
I thought that fury was chasing me. Nothing in
this wide world could tempt Spanish Joe to go


SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE 153
back there. The storm, it is a joke besides that
terror of the darkness!"
If he expected to alarm Frank, the Mexican
cowman mistook the character of the boy. Frank
believed that the fellow's fears had made him
imagine more than half of what he declared had
happened to him.
Well, we leave you here, then, Joe,” the boy
remarked, sturdily; " because we're going to find
that cave, and see what lies inside it. If you
want to come along, all right; if not adios!"
He turned and started to climb, Bob tagging at
his heels. But Spanish Joe could not bring him-
self to accept the invitation. He looked after
the disappearing figures of the two saddle boys,
and shook his head.
“No, not for Joe,” he muttered. “He knows
when he has had enough. Money could not drive
him to enter there again, and meet that unseen
thing. Out here the danger can be understood,
but Joe he takes off his hat to the young
Senors; for grit they surely possess. Adios,
Senor Frank; but I doubt much whether we ever
meet again."
But staunch of heart, Frank was leading the
way upward, determined to accept of the chal-
lenge which the cowboy's clue seemed to throw at
his feet.


CHAPTER XVI
THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
The way grew rougher with every yard they
traversed. How Spanish Joe had come dashing
down over this ground at headlong speed without
breaking his neck was a puzzle.
Frank was feeling his way along carefully when
he heard Bob call his name. The rattle of fall-
ing shale at the same time gave him a pretty
strong suspicion as to what had happened.
“Hello! what's the matter Bob?" he cried.
"I slipped, and fell over the edge of some sort
of place here," came back the answer. Luckily
I've managed to get hold of a rock and stopped
my tumble. But don't waste any time lending me
a hand, Frank, because it seems to me I feel the
thing move. If another quake comes it'll let me
drop; and perhaps the ground may be a full dozen
feet below."
By this time Frank had reached the edge of the
drop. He remembered skirting it in climbing up-
ward just a minute before; but had been more
successful about doing so than Bob, who was less
accustomed to this kind of work.
154


THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
155
Frank again had recourse to his handy match-
safe. Leaning over he struck a match on the face
of the rock. Immediately he drew a quick breath.
It was not because he could see the face of his
chum only a couple of feet away, as the latter
clung to a spur of rocks; it was something else that
thrilled him.
As far down as his
eyes
could see there was
only a black voidl Instead of the simple dozen
feet mentioned by Bob, the yawning precipice
extended perhaps a full hundred feet down-
ward!
But there was no need of telling Bob that. It
might alarm the boy and cause him to weaken, so
that his grip would give way.
Frank was quick to understand what must be
done. He could just touch the hand of his chum
by bending far down; but that was not enough.
Instantly he wrapped one leg about a sturdy, if
dwarfed, little cedar that chanced to grow at that
very spot, as if designed for the very purpose to
which he was putting it. Then he was able to
thrust himself still further down the face of the
wall.
“ Take hold, and grip like iron, Bob,” he
managed to say.
He felt the other obeying him, and thus they
caught hold of hands.
“Now, try and dig your toes into the face of


156
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
the wall if you can," Frank went on, calmly, so
far as Bob could know. “It'll help me get you
up. Climb over me. I've got a leg around a
cedar, and nothing can break away.
Now!"
"Say, perhaps you'd better let me drop down.'
said Bob, thinking his comrade was going to un-
necessary trouble in order to save him from a
little jolt.
Climb, I tell you!" snapped Frank.
Oh! all right, Frank, if you say so," and
Bob started to obey.
Fortunately he was an agile lad, and a very fair
climber, for the task which he had set himself
was no ordinary one. But, by wriggling more
or less, Bob managed to finally get a grip on the
cedar. After that it was easy work; and having
succeeded in reaching solid ground himself, he
aided the almost exhausted Frank to draw back.
“Whew! that was some work, now, and all be-
cause I was so silly as to slip over the edge of that
little hole!” remarked Bob, as though disgusted
with himself.
“Look here," said his chum; “lean over care-
fully, while I drop this match down."
As he struck the match, and then cast it from
him it went downward twenty, thirty, forty feet
before it was extinguished.
Ugh!" shuddered Bob, "why, it must be all
of a thousand feet down to the bottom, Frank!


THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
157
It scares me just to think of the narrow escape
I had."
Well, I reckon it's all of one hundred feet,"
replied Frank; "and that's enough to settle a fel-
low. But let's lie back here, and get our breath
a bit before going on up.
The cave can't be far
off now, if what Joe said is so."
Both of the boys were panting after their un-
usual exertion, and Bob was glad of a chance to
rest for even a brief time. Besides, another burst
of thunder was starting in, and he fancied that it
was louder than any that had gone before; just
as if they might be drawing closer to the place
from whence all this clamor came.
The cave that Spanish Joe had found and en-
tered—could it have anything to do with the mys-
tery of the mountain ? Frank seemed to think so,
and was bent upon ascertaining the facts.
“ Listen to that, Frank?” shouted the Ken-
tucky lad in the ear of his mate, while the racket
was at its height. “I can hear rocks dropping
all around, just like the one did where Joe was
grabbed by the leg. Do you think this always
happens when the old mountain breaks loose; or
is this an extra big celebration ? "
“I was trying to get that myself, Bob,” ad-
mitted Frank; “but we can only guess at it, be-
cause you see,
nobody's ever been
up
here
when the thunder was rocking the whole range,


THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
159
" When
lence of the unseen force that was making Thun-
der Mountain shake, before Frank stopped to let
his chum reach his side, so that he might exchange
a few sentences.
“Looks like that might be the hole ahead," he
ventured.
"I can see something that seems blacker than
the night itself; is that what you mean, Frank? ”
asked Bob.
“ Yes," his chum continued.
Joe
pointed up
this
way I took note of just the line,
and followed it closely. That was why we came
so near the precipice. And if that is the opening
to the cave, we want to lie here and listen."
“Why, do you really believe the racket comes
out of that hole?" demanded Bob, astonished at
the very idea of such a thing.
“Wait and see," replied the other, confidently.
“In the meantime, here's our opportunity to pick
up a few candies that will come in handy."
They had come to a halt directly under a tree;
and Bob had already discovered that the ground
was thickly strewn with broken branches. Some
of these were apt to be fat with the inflammable
gum that exudes from certain species of cedar,
and would, as Frank said, make splendid torches.
Frank was already on his hands and knees
searching for suitable ones; and as Bob grasped
the idea he, too, set to work.


160
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
"I have four already; how do you stand?"
asked Frank, presently.
Just as many—no, here's the fifth one, and
the best of the lot," came the reply from the Ken-
tucky lad, who went into everything with ardor
and enthusiasm.
“That ought to do for us," Frank went on.
“And now, listen for all you're worth, because the
war is on again!"
Lying there, Bob heard what seemed to be the
first signal. It was as though some giant hand
had tapped the solid rock with his club. Then
faster came the blows, and more and more did the
din increase, until it was fairly deafening. Only
for his intense eagerness to hear every sound
Bob might have been tempted to thrust his fingers
into his ears in order to shut out the awful clamor.
To him it seemed as though a thousand anvils
were being beaten in chorus, with a few other
minor chords thrown in for good measure.
And what interested Bob most of all, as he
crouched there listening, was the fact that all this
dreadful noise seemed to be coming directly from
the spot where his comrade had pointed out as the
opening of a cave.
There was not the faintest trace of lightning
accompanying the manifestation; and this proved,
beyond all question of dispute, that the mystery
connected with Thunder Mountain had nothing


THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
161
to do with an electrical storm. Possibly the ob-
serving Indians had many years ago discovered
this same thing; and it had strengthened their be-
lief that the great Manitou spoke to his red chil-
dren through the voice of the wonderful moun-
tain.
It took longer, this time, for the noise to die
away; just as though, whatever its cause, there
was increasing reluctance to subside again.
“That was a screamer, sure enough!” said
Frank, when he could make himself heard above
the declining roar.
“And Bob, you noticed, didn't you, that it
seemed to come right out of that hole? All
right, it begins to look now as if we were Johnny
on the spot, if we've got the nerve to push things.
Somewhere in there, Bob, lies the explanation of
the mystery. Do we take the dare; or stay out
here and wait till the fuss is over before enter-
ing?"
Bob possibly swallowed hard before replying.
It was no easy thing for him to say the words that
would thrust them up against so terrible a thing
as this unknown peril awaiting them in the gloom
of that crack of the great mountain. But his hesi-
tation was brief. In fact, he only wanted to catch
his breath, shut his teeth hard together, and sum-
mon his Kentucky blood.
“It's a go, Frank!” he said, with determina-


162
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
tion in his voice; "the chance may never come to
us again. Let's go in, and discover for ourselves
the secrets of the Indian god they say is guarding
Thunder Mountain. I'm ready, so lead on!"


CHAPTER XVII
FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK
“No hurry," said Frank, who realized that his
comrade was worked
up to a high pitch of excite-
ment, and thought it the part of wisdom to do
something in order to quiet Bob's nerves.
But if we've got to try it, Frank, what's the
use of waiting?” demanded the impetuous one.
Well, for one thing, we don't want to be
carrying these candles without making use of one,
you see,” replied Frank, who was again getting
out his handy matchsafe.
What a silly I am, to be sure,” laughed Bob;
why of course we want a light, if we're going
to invade that den of the demon Joe told us about.
What do you think about that yarn, Frank; did
he meet up with anything; or was he just scared
out of his seven senses? Perhaps there's a strong
current of air in that place, along with the noise,
and that took hold of Joe.”
“Well, I wouldn't like to say," replied the
other, cautiously. “This I do know, and I saw it
with my own eyes. Joe's fancy Mexican jacket
was torn nearly into ribbons; and I could see
marks of blood, too."
163


FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK 165
66
just behind me, and Bob, perhaps you'd better
keep your gun handy."
“Oh! you're thinking now of that demon Joe
told about, eh, Frank?"
Perhaps. If it jumps out at us give a center
shot, if you can,” the saddle boy advised, as he
led the
way forward toward the black spot which
they had guessed must be the cave entrance spoken
of by Spanish Joe.
They were quickly at the wall, and had no diffi-
culty in learning that, just as they had guessed,
the yawning hole was there. Frank, without the
slightest hesitation, stepped through the opening.
Bob did likewise, holding his gun in readiness for
immediate use.
The light of the blazing torch lighted up the
interior. They could see that, so far, there was
nothing remarkable about the cave, save that it
seemed to stretch away into dim distance, with
various twists and curves.
“What are you sniffing about, Frank?” de-
manded Bob, who, in the silence, heard what his
comrade was doing.
“I think I scent something, that's all,” replied
the other.
“Not brimstone and sulphur, I hope?" cried
Bob.
"Well, hardly,” chuckled the other.
it seemed to me that it was only such an odor as
" In fact,


168
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
as though to repeat its jump. Only a yard lay be-
tween the fierce beast and the boy who held the
gun. Perhaps a veteran hunter would have pro-
ceeded to reverse the weapon, and discharge it
without taking the trouble to throw the stock to
his shoulder. But Bob did not dream that he
would be given enough time for all this.
He saw the beast there close to him, and his
first thought was to poke the butt of the rifle di-
rectly at its head, striking with all his force.
The blow landed heavily, but as the beast gave
way, Bob lost his balance, and fell directly toward
the panther.
It looked as though the boy might be in for a
terrible clawing, and so it must have turned out
had he been alone. But he had a comrade close
at hand who did not hesitate an instant about
taking part in the affair.
Frank could not get at his gun, which was slung
across his back; but he knew he had a better
weapon than that in hand. Wild animals dread
fire above all things;
lad brought up on
the prairie knows this fact.
Suddenly Frank brought down his torch upon
the beast with all the force he was capable of us-
ing. There was a snarl and the animal jumped
aside, evidently not fancying the closeness of the
stick that burned. The lad again raised his torch,
but evidently the panther had already endured
and every


FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK 169
quite enough of the conflict. It was bad enough
fighting two human beings at a time; but when one
of them persisted in belaboring him with such a
hot weapon
he drew the line.
And so with a parting snarl, that was full of
defiance and venom, the panther sprang back out
of sight, departing just as silently as he had
come.
“That's just like the luck," grumbled Bob.
“What's the matter now?” asked Frank, look-
ing sharply to make sure that the treacherous beast
did not sneak back in order to attack them from
another quarter.
“Why, I'd just got my gun slewed around, and
was ready to fire when he skipped out. I'd liked
to have bagged him, I reckon. A grizzly and a
panther, all on one trip, would be worth talking
about."
“Oh! I don't know that you'd have been so
very proud over it," observed Frank.
Bob looked at him as he said this.
“Now, you've got some reason for making
such a remark as that," he observed.
Perhaps I have," answered his chum, nodding
wisely.
“Then out with it, Frank, and don't keep me
wondering. Besides, I reckon that we'll have an-
other bellow from the old mountain at any time
now."


170
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“I guess you didn't notice something queer
about that animal, then, Bob?"
" About the panther, you mean?" came the re-
ply. “Well, to tell the honest truth I was
knocked all in a heap when I missed hitting him,
and didn't have time to bother looking at him close
enough to see anything. But what was so funny
about him, Frank? Did he have only one eye;
or was he three-legged ? "
“Oh! nothing of that sort,” declared the other;
so far as I know he is in possession of all his
members. It was about his neck.'
“What about it? Did he have a rubber neck,
you mean?" demanded Bob, trying to be a little
humorous so as to conceal the fact of his excite-
ment.
"The beast had a collar on!" Frank remarked,
positively; "and that means he must be the pet
of somebody who has a hiding place in this cave!"


174
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
ence of an angry animal near by, and the general
air of mystery that hung over the scene.
“ Nothing. Just wait till the storm blows by;
and then we'll light up again," was what Frank
shouted back at him.
Already it was diminishing. Like the receding
waves of the great ocean the uproar died down,
growing fainter with each pulsation.
And finally there came again the silence that in
one way was almost as dreadful as the clamor;
during which Frank proceeded to light the torch
again, though not without some difficulty.
“Frank, you felt that wet sensation, like fine
spray, didn't you?" demanded Bob, as soon as he
could speak with comfort. “Why, touch your
face right now; and you'll find it moist. What-
ever can it mean?”
“I think I know," Frank said, slowly. “I
suspected it before, and this seems to make it
look more than ever that way.”
Do
you mean that you've guessed what makes
all that frightful noise?" asked Bob, astonished.
“I believe I have," came the reply.
"And it has to do with this misty feeling in the
air; has it?" continued the Kentucky boy.
“If my idea proves the right one, and I'm
bound to find out before I go away from this
place, it's got everything to do with it, Bob."
“Where there's smoke you'll find fire; and


GUESS THAT HIT THE BULLSEYE
175
where there's mist I reckon water can be looked
for," remarked Bob, quickly.
Just so. Now Bob, have
you ever
been
up
in
the Yellowstone Park region?
"I can't say that I have, Frank."
“Then you see I've got the advantage over
you; and that's what gave me a point in the game.
Because I've stood and watched Old Faithful
and the other great geysers play every half hour
or so," Frank went on, as they slowly advanced
into the passage which seemed possibly to act as
one of many funnels through which the tremen-
dous roaring sound was carried to the outside
world.
Geysers !" cried Bob. "Oh! now I get onto
what you mean. You think, then, that in the
heart of Thunder Mountain a giant geyser spouts
every once in a while; and that as the water is
dashed against the rocky walls it makes the ground
shake. Is that it, Frank?”
“Yes," replied the other, "and the noise is so
like thunder that when it is forced out through
several queer, funnel-shaped openings like this
one, it has puzzled the Indians for hundreds of
years. Bob, more than that, I believe that every
once in so many years, when an extra convulsion
shakes things up here, the water bursts out through
some passage, and rushes down that barranca in
a wave perhaps twenty feet high.'


178
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
out, just to get away from his kind," Bob re-
marked.
At that Frank laughed.
“But what if he had a big object in it, Bob ??
What if some daring prospector, taking his life in
his hands, had plunged into one of these caves of
the winds, this one right here, for instance, and
struck it rich. Gold will make men do nearly
anything. I've seen 'em go crazy over finding a
nugget, or yellow sand in their pan. Don't you
see what I mean, Bob? Have you forgotten little
Lopez, and how frightened he looked when we
spoke about keeping him company ? "
Bob uttered a cry that might stand for either
astonishment or delight, perhaps both.
Frank, it just takes you to see through the
mill stone, even if it hasn't got any hole in it," he
declared. “I understand what you mean now.
Little Lopez has been coming here for a year or
more, always bringing supplies. Perhaps he car-
ries away the gold dust the miner has gathered
in that time, and no one the wiser. It has all
been a dead secret. And the terror of the In-
dians for this haunted mountain, as well as the way
the cowboys leave it alone, has helped this bold
miner. Frank, your shot hit the bull's eye, and
who knows but what we may be on the way to find
out the truth right now?”


184
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
can.
pector who spent his time in hunting new strikes,
and who lived year in and year out in the wild hope
of sometime or other hitting it rich. Frank sud-
denly remembered that Smith had had one
daughter, who, he believed, had married a Mexi-
And that would make the little girl his
grand-daughter.
“ They're packing up,” remarked Frank, whose
quick eye had noticed the fact.
Perhaps he's done his work here, and means
to vamoose the ranch,” Bob suggested. “Then
again,'
" he added, as another thought raced
through his brain, “maybe he doesn't altogether
like the looks of things, and wants to get out of
this rat-hole before it all goes to smash. He
must have been here a long time, and ought to
know something about that geyser, Frank."
“There, they have discovered us!” the other
exclaimed, as he waved his torch in what he meant
to be a friendly way, and kept on advancing.
“Whew! I just hope he doesn't try to fire on
us," muttered Bob, who was nervously fingering
his rifle, and wondering how dreaful it would feel
to be compelled, even in self-defense, to shoot at
a fellow human being.
But the old miner held
up
both hands. It was
the Indian peace sign, understood by every savage
tribe on the face of the globe.
Quickly the two boys hurried forward, for the


WORKING OF THE GOLD LODE
185
first symptoms of another burst of thunder and
furious wind began to make themselves felt.
This time Frank did not take off any of his
outer clothing in order to protect the torch. He
had noted that the old miner had two lanterns,
and he expected to borrow one, if necessary.
Of course his torch was snuffed out while the
furious blast swept by. Bob noted that each suc-
cessive outbreak tried to beat the record, and he
was wondering just when the limit of endurance
might be reached.
The old miner, after the roar had subsided,
offered the two boys his hand.
“How are ye, young Haywood?” he asked,
recognizing Frank. “I heard about what you
done for my little gal here, Inez Lopez, whose
father was once a cowboy on the Circle ranch,
and lost his life in a fight with some of his coun-
trymen when they quarreled.
I'm glad to see
you. Found a nice little pocket here a year or so
back. Kept it on the quiet; and the gal, playing
the part of a boy, has been fetchin' me supplies
once in two months, an' takin' away the dust I
winnowed. Pocket's played out now, but I
reckons as how I've got plenty. 'Sides, I just
don't like the way things is agoin' here. That
spoutin' geyser that rises up inside the old moun-
tain every once in a while acts like it meant to
break loose. Never saw it carry on that bad


186
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
before; and we're just ready to cut and run, leav-
in' most of the truck behind.
What brings ye
here, Frank?"
So Frank had to explain in a few words, while
the old miner looked admiringly at the boys, and
grinned.
“I admire your nerve, young fellers,” he de-
clared, at the conclusion of the explanation.
And, Frank, ye guessed the true facts, blessed
if ye didn't! I got onto the same by accident.
Fell in through a hole, and just had to creep along
this passage to the end. Then havin' guessed
what made the roar, I wondered if so be I could
find any stuff in here. So I took a lot of wood
along, and made my discovery.”
“And you say you're bound out now?" asked
Frank.
“That's what we are, little Lopez and me; and
we can't get to the open any too soon, either, to
please both of us," Smith replied, shouldering his
pack.
“Oh! say, Mr. Smith,” cried Bob," have you
lost a pet that wears a collar?”
“Meanin' my pet painter, Nero, I take it,” re-
plied the miner. “I raised him
“I raised him up from a cub,
and he's as fond of me as my dog. But he's
gone somewhar. We ain't seen him for hours,
and like as not the critter knowed it was gettin'
'dangerous in here. Trust animal sense for that.


WORKING OF THE GOLD LODE
187
But wait till this next whoop gets by, and then
we'll make for the door. Here's hopin' we'll all
be smart enough to get to the open. Bend your
backs to the wind, boys; ye wont feel it so much
then," and all of them carried out his instructions
as, with a rapidly rising roar, the spouting geyser
that played in the heart of Thunder Moutain
again started to break loose.


CHAPTER XX
TRAPPED IN A CANYON
Once the little party started toward the open-
ing, they made rapid progress. The turmoil was
at their backs, for one thing. Then, again, each
time the noise broke forth it seemed so much
worse than before, that every one felt anxious
to get beyond the portal of the cave before the
climax came.
And when finally this opened before them, Bob
drew a long sigh of relief.
Glory!” he burst out. Maybe I'm not glad
we've arrived! But I reckon your pet, Nero, has
skipped, Mr. Smith, or he would have come out
when you and the little Lopez passed. Sorry for
you; but perhaps it's just as well for the rest of us;
because you see the fellow might have had it in for
us.'
So they passed into the outer air.
Seems pretty much the same as when we left,"
remarked Bob, as he stared up at the dark sky
against which they could see the rocky crown
of Thunder Mountain dimly outlined.
Why, what did you expect?" asked Frank.
“I didn't know but what some of that thunder
188


TRAPPED IN A CANYON
189
might be the genuine article, and we'd find the rain
coming down to beat the band. Glad it isn't,
because we want to get down from this to where
our horses are.”
“ Little Lopez has our burro and bronco quar-
tered in a small ravine where they can't escape,
remarked the old miner, as he handed Frank the
lantern he had been carrying, the girl taking the
other.
“But would they be in danger in case of a
storm-burst?" asked Bob.
“We counted on that when we arranged the
exit by piling up stones," came the ready reply.
“There is little danger, for the ravine has high
banks, where they are able to go in case of hard
luck. But now we have a tough job ahead, boys.
Mind your steps all the time. A slip might cost
you dear.”
“Reckon I know that, Mr. Smith,” remarked
Bob. “I've had experience, you see.
And only
for the helping hand of my trusty chum here, I'm
afraid I wouldn't be alive right now. Oh! I'll
be careful, I give you my word.”
And he was, seldom putting a foot forward
without first making certain how the land lay be-
low, and that the stone he expected to step upon
was firmly planted.
They were making fair progress when the old
miner called out:


190
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“We've reached the parting of the ways, boys.
Little Lopez and me have to turn to the left here,
so as to hit the place whar our animals are cached.
You keep right on. Wish you the best of luck,
Frank. Hope to see you some time at my shack.
And I tell ye, son, thar's agoin' to be a ranch
soon, with hosses for the gal, an' an ottermobile
for the old couple. I struck it rich in this here
lode and pocket. So-long, boys!'
He shook hands with each of them, as did also
the girl, whose astonishing nerve, when facing
that terrible grizzly, Bob would never forget.
Then they separated. And a minute afterward
there came another of those fearful shocks that
seemed to make the very rocks of the mountain
quiver, as the pent-up force of that great geyser
beat against its prison walls.
“We must be getting down somewhere near the
canyon, aren't we, Frank?” asked Bob, after
they had been a long while descending the side
of the rough mountain.
“That's right, we are," replied his chum.
“And I've been wondering whether we ought to
take the chances of going along that barranca just
now.'
" It's the shortest way to where we left our
horses, I reckon,” remarked Bob.
“And the only way we happen to know of,"
Frank went on; "but if that flood just happened
to break loose while we were between those high


TRAPPED IN A CANYON
191
walls we'd have an experience that would be
fierce, let me tell you!"
But then, it may not come for hours yet?”
remonstrated the Kentucky boy, who was anxious
to be once again in the saddle, and leaving the
haunted mountain well in the rear.
*Oh! for that matter, it may not come at all,”
Frank went on. “Although Smith did say he
really believed that this was going to finish the old
geyser, which he believed empties into one of
those queer underground rivers we know are to be
found all through the Southwest. And Smith
ought to know something about it, for he's been
watching this business a whole year now, from
close quarters."
" I'm willing to take the chances, if you are,"
declared Bob.
Frank was not at all surprised when he heard
his chum say this. He knew that the Kentucky
boy was apt to be rash; and that meant more cau-
tion on his part, in order to counteract this spirit,
that might border on recklessness.
A quick decision had to be made, for delay
could do them no good. He cast one last look
up at the dark heavens, as though questioning
how long they might remain mute.
"All right, we'll risk it, Bob,” he declared, sud-
denly; for even if the worst came Frank believed
he knew how to avoid a calamity.
“Good for you, Frankl " exclaimed the other;


192
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
but Bob understood the nature of the risk they
were taking, and he was not quite so buoyant as
usual.
The canyon was just below them now, and
fortunately there seemed a narrow bit of slope
down which they might make their way. This
they did with considerable difficulty. Indeed, Bob
was secretly sorry, after they had started, that
he had urged his companion to take this step; but
there could be no going back now.
Finally, after several slips, and more or less
excitement, they managed to gain the bottom of
the canyon.
“Say, I don't remember this place any, Frank!"
declared Bob, as he stared about him as well as he
could by the flickering light of the lantern
which his companion still carried, and which had
served them well through all their descent.
“For a mighty good reason," replied Frank.
“ We were never here before."
“But this is the same old turtle crawl, isn't
it; the barranca we followed up to the time we
climbed the slope with our horses?” Bob asked.
“It sure is, only a lot farther along, Bob.
Notice how the walls tower upon each side. I
knew something about this, and that was why I
held back when you wanted to come down here.
But let's hurry. We've got to make that slope as
soon as we can."


TRAPPED IN A CANYON
193
Supposing the thing broke loose before we
could find any place to climb out?” suggested
Bob, looking up again with awe, as he stumbled
along after his chum, who was already hurrying
down the canyon.
'We might try to outrun it first," Frank re-
plied, over his shoulder.
And if that didn't work, what then?” the
other continued.
"Nothing left but to climb the walls, Bob."
“Whew! then perhaps I'd better be keeping an
eye out as we go along, and see how the land
lies ? " suggested the boy from Kentucky.
“A good idea, Bob. Just notice where the
chances look half-way decent for a climb. And
remember, at the same time, that the wave may be
all of thirty feet deep when it sweeps through
here."
“You don't say? That would mean some
hustling then to get up out of reach, Frank.”
“I reckon it would. Look out for that nasty
rock; it nearly tripped me, Bob.”
“What was that flash, Frank? Don't tell me
it was lightning, real lightning, and that the long
delayed storm is going to break right now, when
it's got us cooped up in this hole?"
" It was lightning, all right. There, that
proves it!"
Frank's words were drowned in a crash of


194
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
genuine thunder that made the foundations of
the mountain shake just as much as the mad efforts
of the imprisoned geyser had ever done.
“No mistake about that sort of thing," cried
Bob, as he stumbled along after his chum.
“There it comes again, Frank. I guess I'd better
be picking out a good way up the wall somewhere,
for it looks like we'd have to climb !"
Frank was doubtless sizing up the situation in
his mind. He was also listening for some sound
which he expected to hear, but which was going
to prove a very unwelcome one.
“No use goirg any further, Bob, if so be you've
seen anything that looks promising here," he de-
clared, when the reverberations of the thunder
had ceased to echo through the canyon.
“Then you think we're going to get caught
here, Frank?” questioned the other.
"I'm afraid to take the chances of keeping on
any further. It may be a long run to the next
broken wall, that offers us a chance to climb.
Some places the sides go up as smooth as glass.
Have you see an opening here, Bob?"
“ Yes, yes, right on the left, Frank!" exclaimed
Bob, eagerly. “I couldn't see so very far up,
but it looks good to me."
Frank turned his gaze up to where his comrade
pointed.
“I think it's rough as far as that ledge,” he


CHAPTER XXI
A CLOSE CALL
"It's sure coming down on us, Frank!" cried
Bob, shortly, as he caught a strange mixture of
terrifying sounds.
“ Climb!" shouted back the other; for he knew
they would have about all they could do to reach
the shelf of rock before the mighty wave swept
through that narrow channel between the high
walls of the canyon, with a force utterly irre-
sistible.
Bob was doing his best. He realized that the
ledge was just above his head now, and also how
necessary it was that they reach it before the rush-
ing flood arrived to fill the gap.
Now his eager fingers clutched the edge, and he
strove to pull himself up higher. But his breath
was exhausted from his violent efforts, and the
excitement attending the occasion.
Bob realized that the torrent was very close at
hand. Its roar dinned in his ears so that he
could hear nothing else. The rocks seemed to
be quivering under the impact of the released
forces. He felt a cold shiver pass over him as
196


A CLOSE CALL
197
he was seized with a dreadful fear that the rock
to which he clung was giving way.
Then something seized him by the back of the
neck, and Bob found himself being helped up to
a firm foundation. Frank had succeeded in gain-
ing the ledge ahead of his chum; and naturally,
enough his first thought was to assist Bob.
Panting, and completely exhausted, Bob lay
there on the shelf of rock. He could look down,
and when the lightning played, see the oncoming
of that foam-crested bank of mad waters that
rushed pell mell down the canyon.
Now it was speeding past them, rising higher
and higher with each second, until a new fear be-
gan to grip at Bob's anxious heart. He dreaded
lest the wave might attain such a height that he
and his chum would be swept from their perch,
to be carried away, helpless victims on the crest
of the flood.
It was raining now, in sheets. The boys were
quickly soaked to the skin; but neither of them
paid the least attention to this fact, which, after
all, was of minor importance.
“Frank, do you think it's going to reach up
here?” called Bob, as he watched the rising line
of water come within three feet of the ledge.
“I hope not," came the reply, and then Bob
saw that his chum was moving along the ledge
looking carefully above as though in hopes of


198
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
finding it possible to climb higher, in case of neces-
sity.
Any chance of getting up the rocks, Frank?"
he asked again, a minute later.
Mighty little, Bob," replied the other, drop-
ping beside him; “how's the water coming
along?"
“Less'n two feet from us now, and still rising,"
reported Bob, disconsolately.
But it comes slowly, you notice," Frank de-
clared, with hope in his voice.
“ I could just touch it the last time the lightning
played; now I can put my hand clear in it!” Bob
called, uneasily.
Another minute passed. The lightning was of
considerable assistance to the trapped saddle boys,
for it enabled them to see. Frank had lost his
lantern during the climb, as it was torn from his
belt by a rock he struck; so that only for this
heavenly illumination they must have been in utter
darkness. And when peril threatens it is some
satisfaction at least to see the worst.
“Now it's only one foot down, Frank!” cried
Bob.
“That's so," replied the other, instantly; " but
I reckon it's about reached its limit. You see, the
higher it rises the broader the channel becomes,
and that takes a heap of the water. Bob, cheer
up, I'm nearly sure it won't reach the ledge!"


200
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
“The
so very long coming, perhaps, Bob. You notice,
don't you, that the thunder now is about all nat-
ural?”
“Well, that's a fact,” declared Bob.
geyser has stopped beating against the inside of
the mountain, hasn't it? Got tired of the job,
and quit for another rest, perhaps.”
“ I've got my idea about that," Frank said
“ You can see how the water is still rushing along
down there. It must be nearly ten feet deep,
and for some time, now, I don't believe it's varied.
Don't you understand what that means, Bob?"
“Good graciousl do you mean that the old gey-
ser has turned into a river, and will keep on run-
ning like this right along?” cried the other.
Looks that
way
to me,' " Frank replied.
is a great big syphon, and once started, the water
that has for centuries been wasting in some un-
derground stream is now flowing down this can-
yon. Perhaps long ago it did this same thing, till
some upheaval—an earthquake it might have
been—-turned things around.”
“But I say, Frank!” Bob exclaimed; “if what
you
tell me turns out to be true, it looks as if we
were bottled up in a nice hole, doesn't it? We
can't get up any farther; and if we go down
we'll just have to swim in a torrent that'll knock
us silly. This is what I call tough!
'Oh! don't look a gift horse in the mouth,
66 It


A CLOSE CALL
201
comes.
Bob. This is a pretty good sort of a shelf after
all; and we'll be glad to stick to it till morning
Time enough then to plan what we're go-
ing to do to get away."
“That's right, and I'm ashamed of complain-
ing," the taller lad burst out.
It is a grand old shelf; and if I wasn't afraid
of rolling off I believe I could even snatch a few
winks of sleep, wet clothes or not.”
“Oh! I'll prop you up with some loose rocks if
you want to try it," declared Frank; “but the
chances are you'll get to shivering. Better sit
up, and whack your arms around as I'm doing
every little while. It makes the blood cir-
culate, you see, and keeps you from going to
pieces."
Bob saw the wisdom of this advice. He was
beginning to shudder every minute or so. They
were up the side of the mountain a considerable
distance; and after the electrical storm the air
had changed from hot to cold.
Time passed very slowly. Every now and then
the boys would go through that motion of slap-
ping their arms across their chests; and it
never failed to start the chilled blood into new
life.
“ Was there ever such a long night?"
groaned Bob, as he stretched his neck for the
thirtieth time to look up at the narrow strip of


A CLOSE CALL
203
had not filled the bed of the canyon for perhaps
centuries back.
When another hour had elapsed Bob began to
grow impatient, and suggested various wild
schemes for getting out of the difficulty. To all
of these Frank shook his head. He himself was
considering something, when he suddenly lifted his
head as though listening.
Some one shouting up yonder!” exclaimed
Bob, pointing upward to the top of the canyon
wall; whereupon Frank seized
upon
his
gun,
and
fired several shots in rapid succession.
Then came answering shouts, upon which
Frank repeated his signal for help.
“They hear you; they're coming closer! Oh!
Frank, I believe that's Old Hank Coombs hol-
lering!” exclaimed the excited Bob.
Hello! down there, air ye all safe?” came
a hail; and looking up the two boys on the shelf
saw the grizzled head of the old cowman thrust
into view.


CHAPTER XXII
ONCE MORE AT CIRCLE RANCH-CONCLUSION
AFTER all, it was not a very great task, getting
the two saddle boys up from the friendly shelf.
Old Hank lowered his lariat; and after Bob had
slipped the loop under his arms, he was pulled to
safety. Then Frank followed.
They found that Hank had half a dozen cow-
boys with him, some of the most daring con-
nected with Circle Ranch. Overtaken by the
storm while at the base of the mountain, they had
waited for daylight, and then started afoot to
make the ascent. The presence of the new river
in the bed of the long empty barranca astonished
these cowmen exceedingly. And when they heard
all that the boys had to tell they were almost of
the opinion that they must have been dreaming.
But there was the evidence before their very
eyes, and nobody could deny that the old-time
river, that had been bottled up underground for
so long, had finally found a way to break forth
once more, aided by the geyser that for a cen-
204


CONCLUSION
205
tury had beaten that tremendous tattoo every
little while against the inner walls of the rocky
mountain.
Then there won't be no more racket, will
there?” old Hank asked, as he lay there, look-
ing down at the rushing current of the new stream
that would no doubt readily follow its long
abandoned course, until it reached the distant
Colorado, somewhere along the Grand Canyon.
“The chances are against it,” replied Frank.
“But let's try and find our horses,” Bob sug-
gested, after he had finished eating what food
the newcomers had taken the pains to prepare
for the lost ones.
'Yes, I'm anxious myself to find out how
Buckskin's weathered the gale," Frank put in.
The two horses were found in good shape, but
glad to once more see their masters, if the whin-
nies that greeted the coming of Frank and Bob
might be looked upon as evidence of this.
And then another difficult task awaited them.
To get the animals down to the level plain, now
that the canyon was out of commission, taxed
the ingenuity of even so expert a plainsman as
Hank Coombs; but it was finally accomplished.
Then the horses of the cowboys were found,
and the entire party started for the distant ranch,
expecting to complete their jaunt before sundown.
Old Hank was deeply interested in what the


206
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
boys had to tell about the band of rustlers pas-
sing, with all the led horses.
“Didn't git 'em from our ranch," he de-
clared; "an' I reckons the X-bar-X must 'a
suffered; or it might be the Arrowhead, over
on the creek, was the one. But if so be Pedro
Mendoza has been usin' that canyon to cross
over the range with his stolen cattle an' horses,
he'll hev to go further away now to do the same,
'cause his road's a rushin' river."
We sure have had a great time of it," de-
clared Bob, as they came in sight of the buildings
of the ranch, and heard the loud calls of the cow-
boys who were driving some of the stock in from
the range, to get it ready for shipment later.
"Yes, and think what we found out," Frank
pursued. "First of all the mystery of Thunder
Mountain is known, and from this time on those
roaring sounds will never again be heard."
“And the Indians will be wondering why the
Great Spirit is angry with his red children, so
that he refuses to speak to them,” Bob continued.
“And then there is that little affair about
Lopez," Frank remarked, smiling at the recol-
lection. “We have learned who Lopez is, and
what his grandfather, Lemuel Smith, was doing
in that cave. Think of Peg and his two guides
getting out of the region without finding out a
thing!”


208
SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
believed that if the opportunity ever came the
bully would not hesitate to do anything that he
thought would annoy the chums.
Frank had also found that the prospector,
Smith, and his little Mexican granddaughter, had
reached home in safety. The successful lode
hunter purchased a ranch; and when Frank met
him some time later he was riding around the coun-
try in a fine automobile, buying stock. Inez was
with him, and never again would the brave little
girl have to dress as a boy in order to carry sup-
plies up into the canyons of the mountains.
Thunder Mountain never again uttered a sound
of warning. The Indians marveled much, and
consulted their greatest medicine men as to why
the voice of Manitou called no more. But the
whites knew; and a load was thereby taken from
the mind of many a superstitious cowboy, who,
when watching his charges through the vigils of
the night, could look toward the rocky height with-
out that feeling of uneasiness that had always
been present when he believed the mountain to be
haunted.
THE END


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