The Pony Rider Boys in Texas

OR

The Veiled Riddle of the Plains

By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

Author of The Pony Rider Boys in The Rockies, Etc.

Illustrated

PHILADELPHIA
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
Copyright, 1910 by Howard E. Altemus

Drop That Gun!

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. In the Land of the Cowboy
CHAPTER II. The Pony Riders Join the Outfit
CHAPTER III. Putting the Cows to Bed
CHAPTER IV. The First Night in Camp
CHAPTER V. Cutting Out the Herd
CHAPTER VI. Tad Takes a Desperate Chance
CHAPTER VII. The Herd Fords the River
CHAPTER VIII. The Approach of the Storm
CHAPTER IX. Chased by a Stampeding Herd
CHAPTER X. A Miraculous Escape
CHAPTER XI. The Vigil on the Plains
CHAPTER XII. Under a Strange Influence
CHAPTER XIII. Chunky Ropes a Cowboy
CHAPTER XIV. On a Wild Night Ride
CHAPTER XV. Fording a Swollen River
CHAPTER XVI. A Brave Rescue
CHAPTER XVII. Making New Friends
CHAPTER XVIII. Breaking in the Bronchos
CHAPTER XIX. Grit Wins the Battle
CHAPTER XX. Dinner at the Ox Bow
CHAPTER XXI. A Call for Help
CHAPTER XXII. Lost in the Adobe Church
CHAPTER XXIII. Solving the Mystery
CHAPTER XXIV. Conclusion

List of Illustrations

Drop That Gun!

Good for You, Kid!

As the Wagon Lurched Pong Plunged Overboard.

Tad Gave the Rope a Quick, Rolling Motion.

The Pony Rider Boys in Texas

CHAPTER I

IN THE LAND OF THE COWBOY

"What's that?"

"Guns, I reckon."

"Sounds to me as if the town were being attacked. Just like war time, isn't it?"

"Never having been to war, I can't say. But it's a noise all right."

The freckle-faced boy, sitting on his pony with easy confidence, answered his companion's questions absently. After a careless glance up the street, he turned to resume his study of the noisy crowds that were surging back and forth along the main street of San Diego, Texas.

"Yes, it's a noise. But what is it all about?"

"Fourth of July, Ned. Don't you hear?"

"Hear it, Tad? I should say I do hear it. Yet I must confess that it is a different sort of racket from any I've ever heard up North on the Fourth. Is this the way they celebrate it down here?"

"I'm sure I don't know."

"Why, a fellow might imagine that a band of wild Indians were tearing down on him. Here they come! Look out! Me for a side street!"

The little Texas town was dressed in its finest, in honor of the great national holiday, and the inhabitants for many miles around had ridden in at the