Part 24 (2/2)
”No,” he said as he returned; ”evidently he has not been there since we went out at midnight.”
”Ask Old Hicks if he has seen him come in,” directed Mr. Simms.
The cook said he had not set eyes on the fat boy, adding that he didn't care a rap if he never came back.
The boys looked at each other with mute, questioning eyes.
”We must go in search of him at once,” decided the Professor.
”Yes, don't worry, Professor,” calmed the rancher. ”He has probably strayed off by himself and is unable to find his way back. Luke will round him up in short order. Finish your breakfast, everybody, then we will see that the young man is brought back. Funny he should have gotten away without any one's having noticed it.”
”He's always getting himself into trouble,” declared Ned.
”I thought I was the only one that did that,” retorted Tad, with an attempt at gayety.
”That's different. I know what I'm talking about. Something is sure to happen to that boy before we are ready to go back home.”
”Begins to look as if something had already happened,” said Walter.
A wild yell startled the sheepmen at the table. It seemed to come from some distance away.
Everybody started up, some reaching for their guns.
”We are attacked!” cried one.
”No, but we're going to be!” shouted another. ”There comes one of the boys on a pony giving the alarm.”
”Get ready, everybody!”
The camp was in instant confusion. In their haste to prepare for action, the table was upset and its contents piled in a confused heap. Old Hicks was roaring out his displeasure, the foreman was shouting out his orders, while Professor Zepplin was seeking to make himself heard in an effort to give directions to his charges.
Suddenly the voice of the foreman was heard above the uproar.
”Hold on!” he shouted. ”It's one of our own--it's------Oh, bah!”
”What is it? What is it!” cried Mr. Simms, unlimbering his weapon.
”It's Chunky,” snorted Ned Rector disgustedly. ”The fat boy has been falling in again or I'll eat mutton all the rest of my natural life.”
”It sure enough is he,” answered Tad, gazing off at the horseman who was riding at top speed and trying to urge his pony on still faster. ”I wonder what he has been getting into this time. Hope it's nothing serious.”
”Not to him, anyway, judging by the way he is riding,” replied Walter.
”Something has given him a mighty good start, anyhow,” shrewdly decided the foreman.
”I know what it is--I know what he's in such a hurry about,” said Ned.
”What?” asked Walter.
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