“Oh, he cooks by ear,” scoffed Ned.  “That’s why there’s so many discords in our digestive apparatus.”

The Pony Rider Boys groaned dismally.

CHAPTER XIII

AN INQUISITIVE VISITOR

Breakfast the plans for the day were discussed.  The professor was for remaining in camp, hoping that the Rangers might return later in the day.  Tad did not believe this would be the case.  He reasoned that the men had been summoned some time during the night to go on a hike, and that they might not return at all; therefore the Pony Rider Boys would be losing time, whereas they might be exploring the Guadalupe range, which stretched away for a hundred miles.

“Still, I can’t understand this mysterious departure of our friends, the Rangers,” persisted Professor Zepplin.

“Perhaps it was the bugs,” suggested Stacy wisely.

“The bugs?” questioned the professor.

Chunky nodded.  Tad eyed the fat boy suspiciously.

“Look here, what have you got up your sleeve, Stacy?” he demanded.

“Nothing, I hope.  But some of the fellows did.”

“Did what?” cut in Rector.

“Did have.”

“Did have what?” urged Walter.  “A fellow has to have a map to follow you.”

“Did have something up their sleeves.”

“What was it you think they had up their sleeves?” asked Tad, eyeing the fat boy with growing suspicion.

“Oh, I don’t know.  Maybe it was insects.”

“Stacy!” rebuked the professor sternly.  Tad recalled that he had discovered thousands of insects crawling over the burlap sack when he came out in the morning.  The lad’s mind began to unravel the mystery.  He thought he understood Chunky’s references now, but Tad only smiled.  He made no effort to explain, but instead, changed the subject.

“Do we start, or do we remain here, Professor?” he asked.

“It shall be as you boys wish.  All in favor of going on will say ‘aye.’”

“Aye!” howled the Pony Rider Boys, a shout that caused the browsing ponies to look up in mild surprise.

“Then we move.  I will say, however, that I don’t exactly approve of the situation.”

“What situation, Professor?” questioned Butler.

“There are too many rough men in these parts.  I had no idea we were going to meet with any such condition of affairs in this enlightened state.”

“That’s nothing.  We have had some experience.  Experience is what we are looking for.”

“But the Rangers were not,” asserted Stacy thickly, his mouth full of biscuit.  “They got it, though.”

“I feel sorry for you,” said Tad leaning over to Stacy.

“Sorry for what?”

“For what you’ll catch when they get hold of you again.”

“They’d better not.  I’ve got something up my sleeve, or I will have, I mean.  They’d better keep away from me.”