The Rover Boys on the Plains; Or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch

g a nap, and they were much interested when

aft did not run us down," said

us run aground," was

eir best to get ot

ot out of sight in a hurry when h

t have shot him, woul

f they had really run us down, I d

irely out of their sight. Gradually the talk changed, and

le," said Captain Starr. "But

particular in the shap

i

k so. You mig

vers, and had been with the boys on many of their outings. His full name

ed out Dick, going t

r, and in an instant Aleck's smiling e

h provisions on ha

s,

have to go asho

umfing very special," and

a pretty good supper, Alec

n peas, sweet potatoes, an

ate, Aleck," sa

on toast?

, s

teaks, or s

e ob dem t'ings

tterflies' wi

what'

in onion fat?" wen

alive, sah! I

ove fire-fly fritters, especially when t

ain't you a-foo

orld, when a fellow is trying to do his best." And he walked off, leaving the faithful

dat is," he murmured. "Dat boy couldn't li

re was lined with a beautiful forest, and, as the sun began to se

ncountered, this would be an ideal trip,

d gave her hand a little squeeze. "I am so glad you are with

cried the girl, and blushed. Bu

ided to tie up for the night. An early supper was had, and then about half of the party went ashore-Dick

le bit spooky," said Fre

well. "Why, it's grand-fairly breathing th

depths of a

a hoary tre

little ba

c to each

I love a wa

keep your eyes open, Songbird, or the rattlers will

Songbird. "That's enough to drive th

e are any rattlers

," put in Hans. "I vos know a fine vay to k

way, Hans?

ot some poiso

es

voots till you come

ght, pr

s mouth und put der boison on der insides. In an hour

s caught you, Tom!" exclai

tch you, Tom," and now the Germ

" said Tom. "My move next," h

ll gave a jump, Hans as lively as the rest. But it was only a

and sat around this, telling stories a

dually drifted around to ghosts, and Fred told

e in ghosts, Hans

ered the German youth. "D

un if you saw a ghos

ep," said Ha

and on the way back to the hous

got an

" questioned

at Hans said

sure

got an idea

for yo

fix up

that'

s particular kind

is it

ll of p

ppe

ans hammers it-why,

ll in with his brother's ideas. Reaching the houseboat, the pair

he galley and obtaine

inkled over the sh

said Tom, and this was done without the Germ

he plot, and just before retiri

ve you a tip," he w

t f

ng to scare you. They have f

dot

o bed, don't b

, Tom. Maype I vos h

along and lock your door. Then

roared the German youth. "May

d the others separated for the night,

no lights had been lit, nor

d a heavy switch. He intended to "lather" the ghost good befor

ng white and ghost-like standing near the head of

on the white object with all his might. Blow after blow was delivered in rapid succession,

pad ghost!" he crie

Something had entered his nose-s

hew! Oh, my! Ker-chew! I vos schneeze mine head-ker-chew! Stop d

ade for the door. Throwing it wide open, he ran out to get som

ker-chew!" he roared. "C

ht of Tom, who sto

k!" he went on. "C

y, my dear boy," said the joke

the peppered bolster and sheet, he threw them into Tom's room, where the f