“Jerry Chowden!” gasped Jack.
“Jack—Jack Ranger!” exclaimed the bully, no less surprised than were the two lads on horses.
“Do you know him?” asked one of the men quickly of Jerry.
“Yes—er—that is——”
“Come on, you! Move away from here if you don’t want to get into trouble!” fairly shouted one of the men. He advanced toward Jack and Nat, who, deeming discretion the better part of valor, clapped spurs to their horses, and raced along the trail to rejoin their companions. As they galloped on Jack gave one glance over his shoulder. He saw Jerry Chowden in earnest conversation with the three men, and that our hero and Nat was the subject of the talk was evident from the manner in which the bully was pointing toward them.
CHAPTER XXVIII
WILL SAVES JACK’S LIFE
“What do you think of that, Jack?” asked Nat. “Bullyragging bean-poles! but who would have expected to meet Jerry Chowden out here? What do you make of it?”
“I don’t know,” Jack replied. “I’m as much surprised as you are. Not only at seeing him, but at meeting those men, and at being ordered back.”