The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim

by Frank Gee Patchin

  CHAPTER XXIV

  CONCLUSION

  The faces of the three boys were pale, though a half smile playedabout the lips of Tad Butler. "Lie down!" he said.

  Tad was watching the enemy from behind a rock, nervously fingering thearrow that lay across his bow.

  At last the men had approached to within three or four rods ofthem. Tad rose, not a muscle of his body appearing to quiver when theysent a few shots at him.

  Deliberately drawing back his bowstring, the boy drove one of theheavy missiles that Walter had cut for him full into the evil face ofAb Durkin. They could hear the impact as the heavy stick landed.

  Ab toppled over backwards with a yell of rage.

  "That's our last shot." Tad threw down his bow, standing with foldedarms calmly facing the enemy. "Hands up!" rang the stern command. Atfirst, Tad thought the order was directed at himself. Then a puzzlingexpression settled over his face as he saw the mountaineers suddenlywheel, then throw their hands above their heads.

  Lige Thomas, on his way to the Pass, had not gone far before he cameup with the sheriff, to whom he explained what he had heard about thedoings of Ab Durkin and his gang. While they were conversing, thesound of the shooting was borne faintly to them on the clear mountainair.

  Suspecting something of the truth, Lige had wheeled his horse andridden back with all speed, followed by the sheriff and his littleposse. They had arrived at the moment when they were, perhaps, neededmost.

  Creeping down into an advantageous position, they had put a quick andsudden end to the onslaught of the mountaineers, who were in no moodfor trifling with their young opponents now.

  In a few moments the sheriff had each of the five men in handcuffs,and without having had to fire a shot. Tad, who had rushed out,followed by his companions, explained to the posse that the Professorand Jose were missing. He believed now that they were prisoners in thecave.

  And there they found them--Professor Zepplin, Ben Tackers and Jose, bound hand and foot.

  All of them bad been taken captive by the mountaineers when theyvisited the cave the night before.

  Ab Durkin was fuming with rage.

  "These cayuses was stealin' my claim," he snarled. "Understand me,they was stealin' the gold, and, when I tried to drive them off, theysailed into us----"

  "Yes, I observed that you were shooting at three boys," retorted thesheriff, sarcastically.

  "See, thar's my mark over that hole in the ground," continued Abpointing to the sign that was flapping idly in the breeze. "That's myclaim and no man ain't goin' ter take it away from me, neither."

  "My friend," retorted Professor Zepplin, stepping forwardfrowning. "If I did what you deserve, I should send a bullet into yourmiserable carcass. Instead I'm going to tell you about a little paperI have here."

  All eyes instantly were centered on the Professor.

  "This little document, gentlemen, is a certificate from the register'soffice at Denver, stating that the Lost Claim, which lies just withinthis cave here, is the property of Herman von Zepplin. Had youexamined this neighborhood more closely you would have found my claimstakes driven, as required by law. With the certificate is a report onthe assay of the samples of ore I sent them, showing that, while themine is a valuable property, it does not contain such untold wealth asgenerally has been believed. However, it may give these boys a fewthousands apiece."

  "The Lost Claim! Is it possible?" breathed the boys.

  "Yes, Ben Tackers will tell you I am not mistaken. He has known thisall along. I had the mine registered in my own name as this was thequickest way to secure it. However, Tad Butler is the rightfulowner. Immediately upon our arrival at Denver, I shall take legalmeasures to transfer the property to him," announced theProfessor. Tad slowly shook his head. "It's not mine alone," heanswered, gazing at his companions, all of whom, now, were flushedwith suppressed excitement. "The Lost Claim belongs to the Pony RiderBoys Club, of which Professor Zepplin is now a member and thereforeentitled to share equally with us. Are you willing, fellows?"

  "Yes!" they shouted, following it with three cheers and a tiger forProfessor Herman von Zepplin.

  "As for my share in the claim, Professor, I would prefer that you madeit over to my mother," said Tad, with a glad smile. "That is, if noone in the club objects," he added.

  "Well, I guess not," replied Ned, with strong emphasis.

  Later in the day, the sheriff and his party set out for Eagle Passwith the prisoners. Each member of the gang was sentenced to a term inprison because of the attack on the Pony Rider Boys.

  That same day the boys began their preparations for leaving themountains. At Denver, where they arrived within a week, they effecteda sale of the Lost Claim, with the permission of their parents, mostof whom came on to fulfill the necessary legal requirements, and whenthe transfer of the mine had been made, the Pony Rider Boys weretwenty-five thousand dollars richer, giving them exactly five thousanddollars apiece. Tad's share was promptly turned over to hismother. Though he did not know it, the money was deposited to hiscredit in Mr. Perkins's bank.

  The exciting experiences of the Pony Rider Boys were not yet at anend. The boys will be heard from again in another volume under thetitle: "THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of thePlains." In this forthcoming volume the narrative of how the boyslearned to become young plainsmen, and the stirring account of theirexperiences in the great cattle drive, will be found full offascination and in every detail true to the strenuous out-door lifedescribed.

  THE END.