The Pony Rider Boys laughed uproariously at this.  Once more they sat down with a captain, but the same thought was in the mind of each—–­who was the first man who had passed as Captain McKay?  McKay himself did not appear to be over curious as to this.  However, after the meal was finished he turned to the professor.

“Now tell me about my double,” he said.

“I don’t know what to tell you except that he was about your age and build, dark hair and dark eyes, a very pleasant gentleman, I should say.”

“Did behave a scar on his left ear lobe?”

“I must say that I did not notice.”

“Yes, he had,” spoke up Tad.  “It looked as if he had been shot there.”

“Exactly, young man.  You are very keen.  I put a bullet through that ear myself, more than a year ago.  I suppose you do not know who the gentleman is whom you entertained?”

“No, sir,” chorused the boys.

“That, my friends, was the infamous Willie Jones, one of the most desperate characters on the Texas border.”

CHAPTER XVI

JOINING OUT WITH THE RANGERS

Exclamations of amazement greeted the announcement of the Ranger captain.

“Willie Jones!” gasped the professor.

“That is the man.  You see what a sharp fellow he is.  I suppose he pumped you gentlemen pretty thoroughly?”

“I guess he learned all he wanted to know,” replied Tad, flushing.  “I don’t recall much of anything that he missed.”

Professor Zepplin wiped the perspiration from his forehead.

“This is most disturbing, sir.  I see now that Tad was right.  He counseled caution.  I gave no heed to his words of warning.”

“Master Tad is a very shrewd young man, Professor.  I guess I shall have to take him in with us.”

“Impossible!  Impossible!”

“Why impossible?”

“I could not permit it.”

“Let me tell you something.  Willie Jones now knows all about the part you and your young men have played in capturing Dunk Tucker.  He knows that it was your party that drove off his men when they were trying to get Lieutenant Withem.  Do you think Willie will overlook that?  Not Willie!  Willie will be on your trail from now on.  He will watch his opportunity and when he thinks he is safe from the Rangers he will strike—–­he or his men.  Then you young men will need to be resourceful, indeed, if you get off with whole skins.”

“Oh, wow!” groaned Stacy.  “I’ll get it!  I’ll stop some more bullets.  I’m the mark for all the lead that’s flying around in these parts, I am!”

“I am of the opinion that we had better leave the border then,” declared the professor.

“Oh, don’t do that, don’t do that,” begged the boys.  “We never ran away yet.  Let’s not do it now.  We have taken care of ourselves before this and we can do so again.”