The Adventure Girls at K Bar O

ale and Valerie stepped out onto the porch into the cool darkness. Walking a short distance from the house they were enveloped in silence, i

the best, and it was hoped that this month they were to spend here in Arizona would do her good. She liked fun and excitement as well as any of them, bu

it?" Valerie

ed. "It would be a re

nfully and the girls shivered. Arm i

let us take that camping trip,"

e mountains, or down across the desert to Mexico. The girls, Virginia included, and Tom were decidedly in favor of it, but Mr. Wilson had demurred. It was dangerous, he said, f

uch for you?" Gale asked anxiously

wered. "I think it would be good for

ped in the darkness. Around the corner from them two men were

erfect cover for Jim and me

n the girls into danger

ing glances. Their curiosity was caught and witho

as guides for the girls and at the same time perha

ous, Tom," Mr. Wi

rs have been stealing your cattle and a lot of

es

isn't put to this robbin

ed heavily, "But I can't permit you or J

ed. "No one would ever suspect us. Even the gir

u are doing--you would have no protecti

see, Dad? It is the best way to attempt to find the

he cowboys' bunkhouse. The girls stood perfectly still until the

"it appears we are to

toward the house. "So it's cattle thieves. No wonder Virginia's mother and father look constantly

the others," Valerie said

let us go on the trip, we are not to let on we

es and ears open,

had agreed to the proposed camping trip. The news was received with whoop

nued. "Jim, the rider who is going with us, and

from the breakfast table. A rider was flinging himself from hi

sked, striding from the ranch h

not one word. From the man's appearance and the appe

lean away!" the rider said, mopping his face with a handkerchief. "I been out for hours

ey did, Bert, we didn't see 'em.

gratefully. "A fella gets al

Tom asked when the man had joined them and th

tways, they were seen apart. Hank Cordy saw one tryin' to swim the creek. He chased him but the

r O none of us saw him

e rest followed him into the ranch living room, "that was shore the mos

see anything of the robb

ere the largest of the K Bar O's herds was grazing. Valerie was not looking so well this morning and the other girls had coaxed her

was to accompany the girls on their trip, was waiting to give her her first lesson with the use of her

much to it," she declared

ou long to learn

and it was tiring work climbing through the grass and tangled undergrowth, so when she came to a tree which offered a large patch of shade from the sun she san

lazing down into her face. It must be hours she thought instantly since she had sat down here to rest for a

r dreams, and now as she looked down at her foot horror overcame her. Its scaly body wound about her boot, the flat head swaying from side to side, was a

nake were coming closer. It would not be long before it struck, or had it done so already? It could scarcely send its poisonous fangs through her heavy boot, she reminded herself desperately. But what was she to do? Nothing, she told

mpotence sprang to her eyes. If only there were something she could do--some way she could---- Was it

!" the man, for it was

her to do anything else. She couldn't move

urry!" sh

e looked down at her boot she shivered. The sig

he lifted Gale's boot clear o

ll over she felt as if she must scream. It was the natural reaction and as she stoo

belt. It was the first time Gale had noticed that he

more practice with yore rope,"

life," Gale sa

deep red. "How did the snake ever

et the sight of that snake when I awoke. It

msy kindness. "Do you reckon you

the slope, sternly keeping her eyes away from that sl

n, Jim?" she asked. "I n

ong to the old, bad West. But here lately we been havin' troub

cattle thieves," Gale said

e? What

ely. "There's always somebody willin' to stea

as they reached the bottom of the hill and

on the window," he answered. "

discovered eith

s, but these fellas are probably experienced in hidi

going to travel to

uld be the prettiest

wboys' bunkhouse. The girls were on the porch, Janet and Carol perched at perilous angle

you been?" J

ong?" Vale

er recent experience with the deadly rattlesnake had

u had seen somebody's

Gale answered, squeezing b

adge asked. "Did you

and the girls were all speechless with amazement. When she had finished they

his part of the country for weeks," Virginia

o off by yourself," Ja

w. One experience is enough. You can be