Part 34 (2/2)
”Where is this place?” asked the Professor.
”At Jessup's ranch. It is about ten miles to the southeast of here, just outside the foothills of the range.”
”I am afraid they would never find the way there and back,” objected Professor Zepplin, shaking his head doubtfully.
”That is easily taken care of. I will have some one go with them.
Why not go yourself?”
”I? No, thank you, not without a guide. I have had quite enough experience in trying to find my way about in these mountains,” laughed the Professor.
”Then I'll have Tom Phipps go with you. I understand the boys are fond of anything in the horse line, and they usually have a great time over at Jessup's. He is a cattle man and, besides his own men, cowboys from neighboring ranches for twenty miles around ride in to take part.”
”But, we have no ponies.”
”I think we can arrange that all right. Here, Tom, I want you.”
Mr. Phipps approached the little group, the superintendent, informing him in a few words of the plan he had in mind.
”Of course I'll go with them,” smiled Phipps. ”I'll be glad of the chance to get out in the open once more. We had better get started pretty soon if we are going.”
”How about it, Professor?” queried Mr. Munson.
”I do not object if Mr. Phipps accompanies them.”
”Hooray!” shouted the boys.
”Wish we had our own ponies,” added Ned.
”So do I,” chorused the others.
”You will come along, won't you, Professor?” urged Walter.
”No, I think not. I've had quite enough for a time. Think I will remain and study the geological formations of the strata hereabouts.”
”There's plenty of it to occupy you for some time,” laughed Tom. ”The most important zinc mines in the world are strung along this range.
And besides, there's lead enough hereabouts to supply the armies of the world if they were all engaged in active warfare.”
Arrangements were quickly made for the trip to Jessup's, and the boys, full of antic.i.p.ations for a pleasant day in the saddle, donned their chaps and spurs, and began practising with their ropes, while the ponies were being saddled and made ready for the journey.
”Do we take our rifles, Professor?” asked Stacy.
”You do not,” answered the Professor, with emphasis. ”What do you think you will need with guns at a horse race?”
”I--I don't know but that we might meet some wild animals,” stammered Stacy.
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