The Curlytops at Uncle Frank's Ranch; Or, Little Folks on Ponyback

im, too. The foreman stood twirling his big hat around in his hand. Teddy looked a

to hear that. I hope none of the boys is sick. No

ews about some of your ponies-a lot of them you had out on grass over t

ed Uncle Frank. "Well, now, I'm sor

t a lot of 'em have been taken away-

s chair. "That is bad news! When did it happen? Why don't you get

ear until a little while ago, when one of the cowboys I sent to see if the ponies were

exclaimed Uncle Frank. "Who's the co

got in a little while a

he think too

" and at these words from the foreman Ted and Jan

hy, I didn't think any of them

"They didn't have any ponies of their own, I g

e'll have to get our boys together and chase after these Indians," h

t was going on, but enough to know that his uncle was goin

n, giving Teddy the name almost everyone called him at first

s must stay at home,

ng after Indians?"

Curlytops, "the Indians are kept on what is called a 'reservation' That is, the government gives them certain land for their own and t

n and some of them will get together and run off. Sometimes they ride away on their own horses,

u catch them?" a

went and then we'll follow after them un

d-go-seek, isn't it, Un

like that But

to hunt the India

!" exclaimed his mother.

ld like to g

new how to ride a

rrow I'll have one of the cowboys start in to teach you and Janet to ride. Now I guess I

hem back," said T

"And I hope those Ind

tame Indians!"

wild when they steal

rly that day. They fell asleep almost at once, even though their bed was not

ies?" asked Teddy the next mo

the cowboys have gone over to the field where the poni

ride a pony to-

ed and Trouble play around the house now as much as you like. When U

his sister after breakfas

ouble. "I wants a wide!

our goat here, wouldn't it?

I'm going to be a cowboy, and you

t so high up as a pony, Ted, and if you fall off

to fall off,"

There was only one person in there, and he was an old man to be called a "boy," thought Janet. But all men

at him. He was mending a broken strap to his saddle. "Where'd you get that

what to make of th

It's fast to our heads and

curly this wa

with a laugh. "Mine was curly only when I was a baby, and t

all summer," Janet sa

as much as

Indians are that took Uncle F

go after 'em myself and get the ponies back. I guess

hide?" as

they stole from your uncle. But don't worry your curly heads about Indians. Have

t a lasso?"

se I got one-every cowb

," went on Teddy, who had onc

you," said the cowboy, with a good-nature

and down and, while doing this, the cowboy swung his coiled rope, or lasso, about his head, and sent it in curling rings towar

dy with glistening eyes. "I'm

he cowboy offered. "You can't le

ittle ride on your pon

uld," cried the co

wonder. Then holding Ted to his seat by putting an arm around him, while he walked beside

to Janet "I'm lear

ed Daddy Martin, coming out j

dy said. "Co

aid the cowboy. "But I didn't know whether the lee

mitted Janet. "But

ed her to the saddle. Then he led the pony around

ide, too!" c

he cowboy, and he held Baby William in the sad

dy Martin. "You children have had fun enoug

boy said, and, leaping into the sad

he ranch buildings. Daddy Martin, seeing that the

" said Troubl

u s'pose that funny Chinaman

t know how to

ng just as good. Let's go around to the co

of good smells, and, as they neared it, the Curlytops saw

oy hungly?" asked Hop

okies?" inq

glot him clake," th

ay?" asked Jane

g did mean. He brought out some nice cake on a plate and Trouble and the

when nothing but the crumbs w

ood cake," then whispered

nd good!" exclaimed

ome mo'!" laughed Hop Sing,

and a barrel, and played some of the games they had learned on Cherry Farm or while camping with

be hungry?"

things with them," said Aunt Millie. "They

could do that

t to be a cowboy,"

to have a nap, and Teddy and Janet wandered off by the

and was rolling-here hills and there hollows-they were soon out of sight of the ranch buildings, but they were not afraid, as they knew by going to a high part of the p

of rocks piled up in a sort of shelter. Indeed one place looked as though it might be a cave. And

d and stood perfectl

" asked Jan, claspi

id," he

like some one groa

at it had sounded that way to hi

ting to run. "Maybe it's an