Tad lay awake a long time that night thinking over the occurrences of the evening, pondering and seeking for a solution of what he considered was a great mystery.  On the following morning the greater part of the band were off at an early hour, before the boys had risen, on a day’s scout, to try to pick up the trail of the bandits.  It was to be a day of excitement for some of the party and hard work for others, for many miles would be covered by the Rangers before their grilling ride came to an end.

CHAPTER XX

LEARNING SOME FANCY SHOTS

After breakfast Captain McKay took an hour’s ride alone over the surrounding country.  In the meantime the boys pitched a more permanent camp as it was more than likely that they would remain there for another night, since McKay did not seem to want to leave the place just yet.  What he had in mind the boys did not know.

Returning from his ride the captain appeared to be in much better spirits.  His was a strange make-up.  None wholly understood Captain Billy.  Perhaps that was one of the reasons for his success in his perilous calling.

“Well, I promised to give you boys some lessons in revolver shooting,” he said, tossing the reins to Tad who had come forward to take the pony.  “Who can put a hole through my sombrero?” cried the Ranger sending his broad-brimmed Mexican hat spinning up into the air.

A flash and a bang followed almost on the instant.  The Pony Rider Boys howled.  The shot had been fired by Professor Zepplin and he had drilled a hole right through the Ranger’s sombrero.

“Well, now, what do you think of that?” gasped Chunky, his eyes growing large.  “I didn’t think you could hit the side of a barn unless you were inside the barn.”

The professor smiled grimly.

“I used to be counted the best revolver shot in my regiment when I was in the army.  But I’m a little slow these days.”

“Humph!  I see you are,” grunted Billy.  “Lucky for me that you aren’t quick or I wouldn’t have had any hat left by this time.  Anybody else want to try to put a hole through my hat?” he asked looking about.

“I was going to suggest that we throw up the professor’s hat and let you take a shot at it,” suggested Tad, coming up at this juncture.

“Here it goes,” cried the professor sending the hat spinning away from them, with the edge of the brim almost toward them.  The hat was spinning low and a very difficult mark to hit.

Tad thought the Ranger was going to take a shot at it, but instead of doing so, McKay nodded to Tad, with a merry twinkle in his eye.

Tad whipped out his revolver with a quickness that amazed the Ranger, and let go.  His bullet snipped a piece from the edge of the rim.  The force of the bullet turned the hat crown toward the shooter.

Bang, bang, bang!  Tad bored three holes through the crown to the captain’s amazement.