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"I'm hungry," called Stacy. "Yes; so am I," added Tad. "But I think we had better not wait to eat. We can take a bite in the saddle while we are moving." Stacy protested loudly at this, but Tad's judgment prevailed with the Professor, after the boys had related their experience in detail.
"I jist want t' ask ye if that tarnal varmit, Williams, has been botherin' yew fellers any sence he started work on that new claim o' hisn. If they ever was a sneakin' whelp, he's it. He couldn't get possession o' Tad's tunnel; he darsent touch it, so he's gone an' started a tunnel on the other side o' that dyke.
I'm sorry for my mistakes. I have wronged Tad and you the most, for I have wanted your father's mine. I was jealous of your father's favor. Now I know I did not deserve it. I got your mother's reply to Tad's letter long ago. It was sent in my care, and I read it. It decided me, for it all looked so easy. There's money in the mine, son, and Tad is here somewhere. He will tell you all.
This time the word was uttered in a more commanding voice. "You come with me!" The guide, oblivious to all beyond the terrible fascination of the game he was playing, gave no heed to Tad Butler's stern command. Three times did Tad call to him, but without result. One of the red men cast an angry glance in the Tad's direction, and then returned to his play.
To Tad's surprise, there was inside the coat an old vest. They were no doubt the clothes Mr. Thornton had worn the day of the accident. In one vest pocket was Bill's gold watch, in another a musty pocketbook and a badly worn note-book that had mildewed in the moisture. There were three letters in the outside coat pocket.
Stacy settled down slowly so as not to attract attention. One horseman shot directly across Tad's course, striking the lad's pony full in the face as he did so, and causing the animal to brace himself so suddenly as to nearly unseat both boys. Tad's rope was in the air in a twinkling. A warning shout from the second Indian, who was just to the rear of them, came too late.
He was given some of Uncle Tad's old clothes, that seemed to fit him very well, so he could no longer be called the "ragged boy," and he went in swimming so often, often taking Bunny and Sue along, that all three were as "clean as whistles," Mrs. Brown said. No word had been heard from Mr. Bixby about his missing helper, but Mr. Brown had not given up making inquiries about the "needles."
Anvik long since had wound himself up in his blanket and gone to sleep. Just as the dawn was graying, Tad got up, and shouldering his rifle slipped from the camp unobserved by anyone except the Indian. Anvik opened one eye, regarded the boy inquiringly, then closing the eye, dozed off. He was by this time too well used to Tad's morning excursions to ask any questions.
"Surround the base of the tree. They're in the cave," cried Tad. "Wait, wait!" commanded the Ranger. In the cave the outlaws were beginning to think. Tad's shots had been laid to the carelessness of one of the men. Each one denied that he had fired them. "That was a signal. Somebody here is a traitor!" cried the leader.
"Be sure that you tie him so he doesn't kick our ponies, Anvik. We can't have anything of that sort. If he persists in kicking I'll see if I can't break him of it." "You horse shaman?" asked Anvik. "Yes, he's ashamed of his horse, that's it," chuckled Stacy. Tad's face wore a puzzled look, which a few seconds later gave place to a smile of understanding. "Oh! you mean, am I a horse doctor?
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