Part 29 (1/2)

”Towards Rainbow Ridge It wa'n't ht came to him

”I wonder if this could be a clew to the robber?” he asked hi his horse up to Ford's cabin Why should he do that unless he was afraid the horse would be recognized Why should he--Great Scott!” suddenly exclaier, and didn't dare let Ford see him! That's it! I believe I'ent letters!”

CHAPTER XXV

JACK'S TRICK--CONCLUSION

Jack called to his horse, which really was a speedy mount

”Coer, but he's had a hard ti the mountains, and I don't believe he's up to the h ordinarily my pony would run away from you, Dobbin”

Jack didn't care much what he called this horse But he really liked the animal, as he did all horseflesh, and the beast responded readily to him

On they swept down the erly as he made turn after turn at top speed; but for sons of any rider ahead of hi off on a side trail for the next half mile,”

reflected Jack, as he rode on ”If I can come up to him in that distance I'll have him”

He felt to see if his revolver was in readiness He did not know just what he would do, but it was a desperate situation, or it would be if he should overtake the fellow

And luck ith Jack--luck and good judgment As he made the last turn in that part of the trail from which there was no escape by a side road, he saw, just ahead of him, a rider on a horse which Jack knew in a er!” he cried ”I've found him!”

Of course Jack could not be sure that the man on his pony was the same one who had robbed the safe But Jack knew his own steed, and when, out West, a ainst hiht Of course he may have innocently acquired the stolen animal; but he has to prove this to be the case

”That's ht Jack ”And I'et that man, too! Come on, boy!”

For one of the few times in his life Jack used the whip But he was humane

His horse responded with a burst of speed But now the er And Sunger still could run

Though Jack saith regret, that his pony had suffered, still the wonderful speed of the aniet away fro ”And that's the an to think quickly He had trained Sunger to halt instantly when he called ”Whoa!” to hi at top speed, and Jack yelled that word, Sunger would brace up with his fore feet, slide with his hind ones, and bring up standing, like a train of cars when the engineer throws on the eency air brakes

Of course Jack was never in the saddle when he worked this trick with Sunger Had he been heso that in going down dangerous slopes Sunger would kno to bring himself suddenly to a halt

”I wonder if I can ht Jack ”If I can, and if he'll stop, there'll be so in a minute”

Jack saw that he could not hope to overtake the man ahead of him by an ordinary chase The horse the pony rider bestrode was not fast enough And a short distance ahead was a place on the trail where the suspect could escape by a side path