Part 15 (2/2)

”Yes, there's their tracks,” agreed the Professor. ”Now follow them, but look out that you do not get lost.”

Instead, a few moments afterward, they lost the trail. It disappeared from before them as utterly as if the ponies had walked on air from that point on. No amount of searching brought it to view again, and after more than an hour of persistent effort, the Professor called the hunt off, and the crestfallen party returned to camp.

”What are we going to do?” asked Stacy dolefully.

”I know what you are going to do,” returned Ned.

”What?”

”You're going to ride a mule from this point on.”

CHAPTER VIII

THE INDIAN MAKES A DISCOVERY

It was not a cheerful breakfast to which the lads sat down. It seemed as if nothing but trouble had overtaken them ever since they had been in the Ozark Mountains.

They had just finished when the Indian rode in on Ned's mount, which he had chosen for his journey.

This was something at least to detract their attention from their troubles.

”Hey, you haven't got back, have you?” taunted Ned, noting the flecks of foam on his pony with disapproving eyes.

”Me back,” grinned the Indian.

”I see you are,” replied the Professor dryly. ”Where's the rope?”

”Yes; we don't care so much about seeing you, but we want that rope,”

added Ned emphatically.

”No got um.”

”Do you mean to say you have been gone nearly twenty-four hours and have not found a rope?” demanded Professor Zepplin.

”No rope,” persisted the guide sullenly.

”Why not?” demanded Ned, steadying himself, for he was more wrought up than he wished to admit, even to himself.

The Shawnee shrugged his shoulders.

”Where's that rope?” snapped Chunky, with sudden new-found courage, facing the guide at close quarters.

”No get um! No get um!” insisted the Indian, gesticulating extravagantly.

”Yes, but why not, why not?” urged the Professor.

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