Perhaps the strangest experiences, as most of our readers will agree, were those described in “The Pony Rider Boys In The Ozarks.”  In this wild part of the country the Pony Rider Boys had a medley of adventures—–­they met with robbers, were lost in the great mountain forests, and unexpectedly became involved in an accident in a great mine.  The final discovery of the strange secret of the mountains was the climax of that wonderful saddle journey.

From the wooded Ozarks to the stifling alkali deserts of Nevada was a long jump, but the lads made it.  All of our readers remember the rousing description of adventures that were set forth in “The Pony Rider Boys In The Alkali.”  This trip through the grim desert with its scanty vegetation and scarcity of water proved to be a journey that fully demonstrated the enduring qualities of these sturdy young men.  The life, far away from all connection with civilization, was one of constant privation and well-nigh innumerable perils.  The meeting with the crazed hermit of this wild waste formed one of the most thrilling incidents.  The whole vast alkali plain presented a maze the solving of which taxed to the utmost the ingenuity of the young men.  However, they bore themselves with credit, and came out with a greater reputation than ever for judgment, courage and endurance.

Our next meeting with these lads, who were fast becoming veterans of the saddle, was in the sixth volume, “The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico.”  Here, again, the lads ran upon Indian “signs” and experiences, not the least of which was their chance to be present at the weird fire dance of the Apaches.  The race with the prairie fire, the wonderful discoveries made in the former homes of the cave-dwellers, and the defence of the lost treasure in the home of the ancient Pueblo Indians are all matters well remembered by our readers.

Now another journey, to the scene of one of Nature’s greatest wonders, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, was absorbing the thought of Tad Butler and his young friends.

“The question is, what’ll we take with us?” asked Ned Rector.

“Yes, that’s one of the things about which we wanted to talk with you,” spoke up Walter Perkins.  “You always think of things that none of the rest of us remembers.”

“Oh, I don’t know.  You’re all pretty good planners.  In the first place, you know you want to travel light.”

“We aren’t likely to travel any other way,” scoffed Chunky.  “Whatever we do, though, let’s not travel light on food.  I can stand almost anything but food---I mean without food---I mean-----”

“I don’t believe you know what you do mean,” jeered Ned.  “Well, what about it, Tad?”

“As I was saying, we should travel light.  Of course, we must take our own equipment—–­saddles, quirts, spurs, chaps, lasso, guns, canteen, slicker and all that sort of thing.  I suppose the guide will arrange for the pack train equipment.”