"I"m asking you!"
"His name is Zepplin, Professor Zepplin."
"One of them scientific shooters, eh?"
"I don"t know about his being a shooter. He is scientific, all right.
But what"s that got to do with you and me?"
"Did this---this perfesser get his orders from Bill McKay?"
"I should say not," answered Ned with a mirthless laugh.
"Who was it you was to look up?"
"I don"t know what you mean."
"Yes you do. Don"t try to make a monkey of me. You"ll be willing to answer right smart after I"ve fanned you with a forty-four. Who is it you and your bunch are after?"
"We are after no one. Can"t you understand English?" replied Rector with some heat, "I have told you that we are here on a trip for pleasure and nothing else."
"You said you was here for your health, a little time ago," grinned the mountaineer.
"Well, what if we are?" snorted Ned.
"Nothing only that I"m going to drill you full of holes. The two minutes is about up. You"ve lied to me pretty near every word you"ve said. You said you didn"t know Bill McKay when I know you do. You"ve said he hadn"t given you any orders. You"ve---"
"You"re crazy," scoffed Rector.
"I reckon if I am that you"re more so if you think I am going to gulp down all them fairy stories. You"re young. Mebby you don"t know the kind of a game you"ve stacked up against, but---"
"I ought to have some idea about it by this time," returned Ned.
"Everything you have said is a lie and you know it. I don"t know you, nor do I want to, being somewhat particular about the people I know.
And now once more, are you going to let me go?"
A sudden note of triumph had leaped into the tone of Ned Rector. Ned had seen something that sent the blood coursing through his veins madly. That something was a figure that for a few seconds had been outlined in the faint light of the fire.
The mountaineer caught the change of tone on the instant. His suspicions were aroused. His eyes narrowed. He slowly straightened up until he had risen to his full height. Now the rifle came up to position, ready for work. It was at his chest again. The mountaineer had no need to bring the weapon to a level with his eyes. He could shoot equally well from almost any position.
Rector shot a quick glance over the mountaineer"s shoulder. He could not resist one more look in Tad"s direction. But that look was fatal.
With a roar the fellow wheeled like a flash.
Bang, bang!
The shots were fired with such suddenness that Ned did not realize the fellow had turned until after the rifle had spit two charges of fire and lead. Ned"s head dropped. Everything grew black about him again. The lad was in a fainting condition. It was all up with him now.
Ned had tried to cry out, but the words would not come. He could not utter a sound if his very life depended upon so doing.
Ned found his voice at last. It rose in a mighty yell for help, a yell that carried far beyond the spot where those exciting scenes were being enacted.
CHAPTER V
WHEN THE TABLES WERE TURNED
At the instant when Ned had shot his quick glance at the wondering Tad, the latter with quick instinct, realizing that Ned had made a serious mistake, threw himself flat on the ground.
That move undoubtedly saved Tad Butler"s life. At least, two bullets went ripping through the foliage over his head. The move served the further purpose of hiding him from the man who was shooting at him.
The mountaineer had not even caught a sight of Butler, quick as had been his turn about. The fellow swung to the right letting go two more shots, evidently believing that he had not fired in the right direction.
In Tad Butler"s right hand was gripped a piece of rock that he had grabbed when he threw himself to the ground. The boy came to his feet as if propelled by a spring. At that second the eyes of the mountaineer were fixed on a point several yards to the left of Tad.
Without a sound Tad let go the rock. But the movement caught the eyes of the ruffian. He swung toward Butler at the same instant pulling the trigger of his rifle.
Once more the rifle roared its savage protest. But that was its last roar for the time being. Almost at the instant when he pulled the trigger the mountaineer received Tad"s rock in the pit of his stomach.
With such force had the missile been hurled that the fellow staggered back, the rifle falling from his hands, both of which were suddenly clasped over the part of his anatomy that had been struck.
The fellow uttered a howl of pain. He swayed and staggered then fell over a dead limb, landing flat on his back with a crash.
Tad, without an instant"s hesitation, sprang forward. The eyes of the plucky Pony Rider Boy were flashing. Tad had not even thought to draw his revolver. But his anger was kindled. He was dangerous in his present mood. He did not pause to think what a terrible chance he was taking in thus rushing forward. Fortunately for Tad, however, the mountaineer was suffering such agonies that he either gave no thought to the revolver that was hanging at his side, or else he was too weak to draw it. He staggered to his feet, swaying, groaning, shoulders hunched forward, chin on his breast.
Young Butler was upon him like a whirlwind.
Whack!
Tad"s fist caught the mountaineer squarely on the point of the jaw as the man raised his head half defiantly, one hand groping awkwardly for his pistol.
The fellow went down in a heap.
"Whoop!" howled Ned Rector. "That"s the blow that put the finishing touches to father. Cut me loose! Cut me loose! Quick, Tad! He"ll be up in a minute!"
Butler had no need to be told this. He knew the first thing to be done was to secure the prisoner. Ned could wait. The danger lay with the man stretched out there on the ground. Tad worked rapidly.
His rope was jerked free from his belt. Three swift turns were made about the body of the prostrate man, binding the fellow"s arms firmly to his sides.
Next Tad jerked the mountaineer"s revolver from its holster and cast it into the bushes. Then he tied the man"s ankles together, after which he straightened up and wiped the sweat from his face and forehead.
"Whew! Warm, isn"t it, Ned?"
"Rather," drawled Rector. "Warmer for some folks than others. It came near being pretty warm for you. Are you going to cut me loose, or am I to stay tied to this tree for the rest of the night?"
"I guess we will let you up now. We shall have to wait until our friend there comes to his senses before going farther. Tell me how you got into this mess."
"The same way Chunky gets into trouble. I blundered into it." Ned then went on to relate briefly how he had been jumped on by the mountaineer and made prisoner.
"What was he trying to get you to tell him?"
"He accused me of being a Texas Ranger, a member of some fellow"s band, a fellow named McKay."