Comrades of the Saddle; Or, The Young Rough Riders of the Plains

appening to look out the window, caught sight of the mig

ig river," he exclaimed

grossed by their first glimpse of the "Father of Waters" t

to the long line of river steamers that were tied up

res like them in my geography," replied Larry. "They have the pad

hums and Hans were vouchsafed a glimp

d at a crossing, as

of a hot-box on

fore the trouble could be repaired, the boys had left th

celebration and, as it was unusual for a train to stop for any le

putting their ponies through all sorts of "stunts

Hans walked toward the cowboys and st

cause they had been drinking bad "fire-water,"

of the cow-punchers, a big fellow

made no

l teach you some manne

his pony and rode for

, the three lads stood their ground, ne

the pony was within two leaps of the German

and the pony was almost upon him. In

warning and anger, changing

hands right in the face of the pony, causing the animal to rear so sudden

ust before the broncho's forelegs struck the ground again, al

e with his so-called fun,

are Gus Megget's pony

of the bullying cowboy who had announced himself as Gus Megget

ut every line of his b

ced his

ly the elder of the brothers exclaimed in a voice loud enough

ill get off your horse so that you have no advanta

of a boy who had announced his willingness to fight him,

u, you whelp

age blow at La

r alone!" cried Tom,

ed up a handful of dust. This he hu

ted Tom and

y to sneeze, and some bys

f you, Megget," obse

egget and rushed at Larr

eached the boy

ur horse, G

boys looked to see who was taking a hand in the affair. They beheld a q

determined stranger. "But if I ever get my hand on you in Texas it'll go hard with you! Now vamo

unty!" gasped one of the band or cow-punchers. "Come on, Gus;

he bully and his compani

k toward the train, while the excited passenge

s fist at the crowd in general and then at Tom and Larry in particula

d to the cars and five minutes la

and for several minutes the boys were at the mercy of their w

," he commanded. "The boy

ave no sign of h

ontinued, and seizing the person nearest him, the sheriff tur

too gently away, the others began to leave of their own a

re likely to have a lively summer," remarke

xclaimed Hans. And his tone was so plaintiv

close to your friends here," declared the sheriff, who ha

back to Germany

to this part of the

re you

lop

world," chuckled the man of the law, "but I do

nto silence, while Tom and Larry plied the sheriff with quest

along at the rate of forty miles an hour, it seemed to them to be scarcely moving. They had already passed two nights and two days on the

f the conductor, after the

d of Sam Jenks, sheri

d Tom, as though apologi

If you lived between

ldn't ask su

n I know. There isn't a cattle thief or a bad man in this part of

any three other sheriffs in the country. There never was anything he's afraid of, and he's just as tender-hearted as a kitten. Why, I know one time, after he'd sent a train robber

ng, and it was not until the brothers were in their berths that they broa

plains made them sorry for him, and they discussed various plan

will probably show up all right. Let's wait and see." A

was to see the end of their

breakfas' befoh yo' gits to Tolopah," interrupt

on they were back in their seats, looking to see that they

Tom. But their high spirits found no response in him, and as they neared thei

Larry as he caught sight

ed by the porter, who cam

t for T

gage, the boys haste

brothers eagerly as they caught sight

he Wilder boys hur

the meeting Tom and

ly here in Tolopah. We must get to the ranch before it gets too hot

t the suit-cases to their sa

eins to the two boys. "They're a couple of the best ponies in New Mexico, and while yo

erful. Blackhawk, as the name suggests, was jet black, h

ies, and the two brothers were just swing

! La

e tears streaming down his cheeks, rushing to

ask if he had found a

all too plainly

s that?" asked Hora

explained Tom. "Do you know any one i

rospecting for gold, three mo

rlin to visit him," returned Tom. And hurriedl

do to leave him in Tolopah. Luckily one of our men is in tow

Hans, the poor fellow was delighted an

id Horace. But the others refused, d

valises trying to keep up with them, many

d in a few minutes the German yout

a brisk canter, the four l

in answering, and in relating all the events of consequence that had transpired since the family had left B