Tad laid a restraining hand on the fat boy’s arm.

“We won’t do that just yet.  This may have been an accident.  Those stones may have slipped off.  I am inclined to think that is what has happened.  If so, we don’t want to leave any clues—–­”

“I’d rather leave clues than to leave my dead body in here,” wailed Chunky.

“Buck up!  Don’t show a yellow streak, Chunky!” commanded Tad sharply.

“I’m not yellow.  But I know enough to know when I’ve got enough.  I know I’ve got enough of this bandit-chasing business.  I ought to have known better than to go out with you.  They think I can’t keep out of trouble.  I can keep out of trouble all right if other folks don’t lead me into it.  Now see what a fix you’ve got me into, Tad Butler!”

“It strikes me that I am in the same fix.  But we’re going to get out of it, Stacy—–­”

“Yes, but how?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll find a way.”

“Why, we’ll starve to death in here.  They’ll find our bones here a few years from now and they’ll wonder—–­I wish I had something to eat.”

“Tighten your belt.  Remember, whatever occurs, you are to leave your revolver in its holster.  Don’t you dare to draw it unless I tell you to.  One little slip might be the death of us.  For once in your life be prudent.”

“I’ll be prudent, but I wish I had a sandwich.  Have you looked to see if there’s anything to eat in this hole?”

“No, I have something of more importance than food to think about at present.”

Tad struck a match, taking a long, careful look about the outer chamber of the cave.  He saw nothing to encourage him.  Rocks everywhere, with here and there a discolored spot where tiny streams had trickled through, perhaps during a heavy rainstorm.

Tad was thinking with all his might, trying to devise some plan by which they might protect themselves in case they were surprised by the return of the bandits, which he did not think would occur before night, even if then.  He reasoned that the bandits were far away else the Rangers would not have gone on a long journey in search of them.  That meant that the bandits would not be likely to return until matters had quieted down and the Rangers had left the locality.

“I am afraid we are in here for a long stay, old chap,” Butler said finally.

“Another case of being buried alive, eh?” questioned Stacy.  “I told you so.  I always am right.  But I wasn’t when I trusted myself to you.  You can get into more trouble, and faster than—–­”

“At least I don’t try to shave the professor with my revolver,” retorted Tad sharply.  “Hark!  What was that?”

“I—–­I didn’t hear anything.”

“Sh-h-h!” Tad gripped the arm of his companion.  Stacy repressed an “ouch” with some difficulty.  The two lads stood listening.

Particles of dirt were rattling from the roots of the fallen tree, sounding like hailstones as they fell to the rocks in the cave.  Then a faint ray of light appeared under the bottom of the mass of roots.