I'll pack the ponies while
you are striking the tents. I--"
Tad turned, gazing at them curiously. They were strangely silent.
The lad felt instinctively that something had gone wrong, for Tad
Butler was quick to catch a suggestion.
"Well, what is it all about? You are as solemn as a lot of owls at
sunrise. Anything happened?"
Walter nodded.
"It's about the ponies, Master Tad," the Professor informed him.
"The ponies? Which ponies? Are they hurt?" exclaimed the lad
sharply.
"We don't know," answered Professor Zepplin.
"Then what is the matter? Don't keep me in suspense."
"Gone," growled Ned dismally.
"Where?"
"I'm sure I don't know. The redskin says they have been stolen--your
pony and Chunky's. The trail has been masked so we cannot follow
them."
Without a word, Tad Butler hastened to the spot where the animals had
been tethered when he went over the cliff. Silently he made a careful
inspection of the place.
"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Ned.
"I think I'll walk," answered Tad, thrusting both hands in his
trousers pockets. "But I'm going to get my pony back before ever I
leave these mountains," he announced quietly.
CHAPTER IX
HORSE THIEVES PAY A SECOND VISIT
Tad was unusually silent while they were packing ready to break camp,
but as they got out on the trail he became more talkative.
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