Part 14 (2/2)

During the second of silence which followed, a clatter of stones caulch from the rocky summit above, and all eyes were instantly turned in that direction As they looked the sheriff and his round and threw their hands into the air

”That's right!” came a hoarse voice from above ”Thron your weapons and drop your belts at your feet Now line up there in a row, you baby snatchers! Never mind that funny business, there, you man with the red whiskers You'll drop in your tracks if you make another move! You are the cowboy sheriff of the county, I understand, but you ought to be training puppies for a dogshow That's about your size”

In aSeth, was unarmed As they stood meekly in a row the boys were ordered to take their oeapons froe

”Can you see who they are?” asked Will, as the boys

”I can see only the outlines of their heads and the gleae answered ”Say,” the boy went on, ”didn't the cowboys drop their weapons quick when they saw those shi+ning muzzles?”

”They knew the other fellows had the drop on them, and I don't blame them,” Tommy cut in

”Do you really think they are the train robbers?” asked Sandy, as being assisted up the slope by Will and George

”They're the train robbers, all right!” insisted Tommy ”I can't see their faces any more than you can, but I reht he was at our ca to eat? Well, I heard quite a lot of his conversation that night Some of it I liked and some of it I didn't, but I'ht is the same man who ordered the cowboy officers to thron their weapons”

”But why should they do a thing like that?” dee, ”unless it is because train robbers have a continual and perpetual grouch against officers of any kind”

”That lad they got us away!” said Tommy, as the five boys reached the summit and looked down into the little valley, ”but they sure put us in bad with the cowboys froood cause, were accusing us of standing in with the train robbers, and now the train robbers have proven the point by butting in for our protection”

”It's too bad,” Will answered, ”but I don't see how it can be helped It is particularly unfortunate at this ti us on't dare search the mountains for Chester's father”

”We'll find a way!” insisted Tommy ”We'll be sure to find a way”

When the boys turned down the slope which led to their ca in the sky They could see the figures of theaway to the south

Shouts and exclae, and the boys understood very well that in a short tier uns,” Will said as they walked along, ”and we've got to fight That's all there is to it”

When the boys ca caers sitting calreat tin of roast beef, and also sharing a huge loaf of bread The light was still dim in the tent, and so Will turned his electric on the rather do in there?” he de!” was the cal a hair-cut,” grinned Toe, as the boys all gathered in front of the flap

”Look here, kids,” one of the hts, and we're hungry and sleepy Just let us fill up on this chuck and we'll tell you all about it”

”We really ought to go to sleep!” the other intruder suggested ”But, as you see your provisions, I'll relieve yourthat we met John Johnson half way to Green River and he sent us in to tell you that he would arrange for reinforcements for you as soon as he reached Green River He said he mentioned the fact to you when he was here, but you didn't see more about it to you”

”He sent you in here just to tell us that?” dehed the other