The Saddle Boys of the Rockies; Or, Lost on Thunder Mountain

you here, Frank Haywo

my horse, Buck

you-your new chum; th

; and he's come out West to see h

greenho

But seems to me, Peg, 'twasn't so very long ago that you yourself dropped in

lad of about sixteen. He had blue eyes, that were usually sparkling with mirth; and

ng mines located among the mountains of the Southwest. Of course he knew more or less concerning such things as cow

t as an Indian, though rather inclined to be slender; but with a suppl

orses; and his cleverness in this line promised to make him a crack horse

te steeds; and indeed, they were becoming known far and near as the "Saddle Boys" bec

hicago suburb, where, for some years, he had played the part of both dude and bull

d the day for him in the past. The cowboys belonging to his father's estate seemed to knuckle under to him from the first. However much they m

eat importance in the community. He assumed airs that ill became on

the saddle boy could not tolerate. More than once they had almost come to blows;

ess for Mr. Haywood, who was associated with Bob's uncle in certain large mining enterprises. And it was while entering t

well that he was making wretched progress along the line of becoming an accomplished rider an

e X-bar-X outfit say I'm full-fledged now, and able to hold my own with nearly any fellow. It'll be some time, I re

him from Kentucky. And he can ride some, you'd better believe me. When he gets on to the ways we hav

e handsome mount of the Kentucky boy enviously. "Because I fancy I'd like to own him more tha

le, and we have been together five years now. Money c

g Grant that irritated him. The manner of the other was so overbearing as to appear almost rude. He had had his own w

way. But see here, Frank, you let your eyebrows travel up when I mentioned the fact that I'd graduated from the tenderfoot class. I

you tell us your great news. Have you entered for the endurance race at the annual c

Thunder Mountain! I understand that for years it's puzzled the whole country to know what makes that roaring sound every now and then. Many cowboys couldn't be hired to

low that you show a lot of nerve in laying out such a big plan; and if you only find out what makes that trembling, r

engineering a tremendously important thing; and had a right to be

done by fellows with real backbone. But then, I don't mind; in fact I'm obliged to you for neglecting your opportunities

e at any price," repli

I send you word about what I've found out!" and with a careless

or was he just bluffing?" said

"but you know him better than I do, and ought to be able to

"And he seems to want to do something everybody else lets alone. You know what I told you about Thunder Mount

I don't ever remember being stirred before. It was like a direct challenge-just like so

long ago, and I can remember often thinking what a great time a few of the right kind of fellows might have if th

obody knows what i

an the Injuns about it, because while the reds say that is the voice of Manitou talking, these fellows just up an

pursued Bob, as if he had begun to suspect what all this

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 ou

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

e knew Bob pretty well by this time, and could no

I proposed something right now?" asked Fr

is own game, and learn what the secret of Thunde

ould be finer than such a game? I saw Billy Dixon in town; and we can send back word to father that we

cut in on that boaster in this thing. If we managed to find out what makes that fearful booming in th

ecause he hinted that we didn't have the nerve to attempt such a big thing as this. Bob, we'll call it a go! Wo

t was one. So just make up your mind we're in for a new experience. It may pan out a heap of fun for us. And it will b

n pick up a few things we might need on a trip like this. After that we can drop out of town, and take our time headi

ywood, 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

in the direction whence the sound of distress seemed to spring, they saw a small Mexican girl struggling with

rd of an inn that fronted on the street. Whether the brute was simply playing the bully, and trying

op for the fellow, and managed to give him a t

you coward!"

ees, to stare up at him, Bob discovered, not a little to his surpris

s Peg