The Boy Ranchers; Or, Solving the Mystery at Diamond X
er, which fact was not altogether pleasing to him. It made it too easy for cattle thieves to operate, and more than once Diamond X had suffered from depre
luable to be disposed of easily, even though their proximity to Mexico, the
letter X in the centre, a mark easily recognized, even at a distance. Other marks were used on other and adjoining ranches, Mr. Merkel owning two others, one of which went by the name Square M
oprietor, while to the west was the Circle T ranch, its cattle being marked with a large ci
e Bud. "Must be a million of 'em," added the city youth as, from a rise, he caught a glimpse of many herds, some restrained
hey're cattle, or steers. Mother keeps a cow or two for the sake of the milk, and of course our men a
"I'm going to be a ranchman some
" commented
t is the clearness of the atmosphere in the West that renders objects so plain at a distance, that brings out the beauty of the stars and which al
to think of themselves in that class. The cousins rode together, with Babe in the
or?" asked Nort, as they turned aside from a large
ver to the railroad, t
raises cattle for-sh
tened up on a range we
sell now, prices are hi
y as w
ier they are the more money we get for 'em. I guess they won't go much farther to-night, though," he added, with a lo
t, half rising in his stirrups and breathing de
ed his brother. "I wouldn't h
ike it," mu
y as a sort of whine broke the silence of the night, punc
et Babe hear you say that. It's hi
foreman let his voice soar from a whine in
me not of the
cowboys are l
, an' some roo
bring me back
a whisper, as the cowboy began on the second
corkers, some of 'em. They sing 'cause it's lonesome ridin' line, and then, too, it seems to sort of soothe t
rt. "Oh, but this is the
own in there; isn't it?" he asked his cousin, pointing ahead toward where,
ud. "We got here sooner than I expected. Talk
in a low voice of his cousin. It was evident he referred t
that was worth prospecting after. There hasn't even any gold been found, as far as I know, though there were rumors that once a pros
commented Dick. "We're going
it!" dec
midst of the camp of the scientists, and a moment later Professor Blair
he asked as he recogn
d of you, to ta
nded over the bottles of medicine. "Tell th' boss to us
said the other, so translating th
e. "Tell the boss t
The men who were shot seem to be doing well, howe
anner pleasant. But it was evide
ght and the gleam of the fire, save the usua
liver the medicine, and no incident had marked their trip, un
romised Babe, as he and the boys turne
remarked Professor Blair. "We may m
rcastic of the other's cultured accent and w
iven ample evidence,
m for a while," murmur
s, learning to their delight that there would be chances to go hunting and fishing after the big round-up, and Babe was beginning on about the fort
the silence of the night, and the strangeness of
," said Bud. "Yes, I do!" he w
owboy was begging to be "toted back to the chuck h
ant foreman said. "It's about time they tr
of excitement leaping through his
ride 'em down!" He clapped spurs to his horse, an example followed by Nort and Dick, but, quick as they were, Babe h