Part 29 (1/2)
RESCUE PARTIES ON THE TRAIL
”Who is in charge in his place? There must be some one that I can talk to,” demanded the lad, starting to his feet.
”Might see Tom Phipps, the a.s.sistant superintendent.”
”Where is he? Tell me quickly.”
”See that shack over there?”
”Yes.”
”Well, if he ain't there, he's somewhere else.”
”Thank you,” said Tad, unheeding the fling.
Tad started for the shack at top speed. He burst into the place, which proved to be office and sleeping place as well, without even thinking to knock, so excited was he.
A young man, who sat studying a map, glanced up in surprise.
”Mr. Phipps--Mr. Thomas Phipps, I want,” said Tad.
”I am he.”
”I beg your pardon for my seeming rudeness, sir, but I'm in an awful hurry.”
”So I have observed,” smiled the young man. ”What is it--is there something I can do for you?”
”Indeed there is. I had hoped to find Mr. Munson, as he would know who I am. You do not, but I am going to ask a very great favor of you--”
”Perhaps I may know, if you will tell me,” smiled Phipps.
”I am Tad Butler, one of the Pony Rider Boys, and we're in an awful fix.”
”Shake,” nodded the a.s.sistant superintendent, extending his hand. ”Of course I know about you. d.i.c.k has told me about your trips this summer and he's been expecting you almost any time now. When he left this morning he charged me to be on the lookout for you. Where's the rest of your party?”
”I'm afraid most of them are in trouble.”
”Tell me about it.”
Tad related in detail all that occurred since they left Springfield, not omitting the sudden disappearance of the Indian, nor the loss of the ponies.
”So you've been hit too, eh? You are not the only ones who have lost stock. It's getting to be a common thing in this part of the country.
Nor do they confine their depredations to stealing horses. They help themselves liberally to whatever they happen to want. It's never seen again. They have some secret method of smuggling their plunder from the range that we can't discover,” continued Phipps breezily.
”I am most concerned just now with getting food to my companions and having some one start out for the Professor,” urged Tad.
”Yes, I'm thinking that over. There are not many ponies in camp here.
We had more, but the same thing happened to them that did to yours,”
said the young miner. ”I think Munson is planning to make a round-up of the country with the idea of breaking up the band. You stay here while I go out and see what I can do about it. By the way, have you had anything to eat?” asked Phipps suddenly.