“Saddle up,” commanded the captain sharply, but in a low tone.

The camp, so silent a few moments before, was now a scene of orderly activity.  Every man in it was packing his pony and in less than ten minutes after the alarm had been given the men were in their saddles.  The Pony Rider Boys were full of anticipation.  It looked to them as if something were going to develop that was worth while.

Starting off in single file the men dozed in their saddles, but the Pony Rider Boys did not.  The latter were too much excited for sleep.  All at once that trilling hiss came again.  Two dozing Rangers landed on their backs in the bush.  The party was in an uproar, but as suddenly quieted by a stern word from the captain.  The latter wondered at their being followed by a rattler.  It was peculiar to say the least.

Stacy hissed again.  Then the boy shivered, for a heavy hand was laid on his arm, closing over it until the fat boy yelled.

“Ouch!  Let go of my arm!” he cried.

“Young man, I think I’ve got the rattler this time,” said the stern voice of Captain Billy McKay, as the fat boy fairly shrank within himself.

CHAPTER XIX

SURROUNDING THE ENEMY

“What’s that?” roared Dippy.

“Here’s your rattler.  I’ve been suspecting him ever since early in the evening.  This young man has been imitating a rattler’s hiss and I must say he did it mighty well.”

“What’s that?  ‘Bugs’ been causing us all this trouble?” demanded Dippy.  “Let me at him!  Let me at him!”

“Here, take him, but don’t make too much noise about it,” grinned the Ranger captain.  “And don’t be too rough about it, either.”

Dippy had Stacy by the collar.  With a powerful hand he jerked the fat boy across his saddle and such a spanking as Stacy Brown got that night he had not had since he was considerably younger.  The other Rangers clamored for a chance at him, but after Dippy had finished the captain decided that the fat boy had had enough.  There was stern business on hand.  Still McKay thought a lesson might not come amiss at that time, so he had permitted the little diversion.

Growling and threatening, Stacy was dropped back into his saddle.

“Remember, we haven’t had our turn yet,” warned Cad Morgan.  “Remember, you’ve spoiled a few hours of sleep for us fellows.”

“Yes and re—–­re—–­remember you made me stand in the mesquite bush for three hours waiting for the ’possum to jump into the bag,” reminded Stacy.  “I guess we are about even now.  But, if you want some more trouble, I’ll think some up for you.  If I can’t think it out alone Tad will help me.”