The Pony Rider Boys in the Alkali; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze

by Frank Gee Patchin

Bud Stevens landed on his head in the pool of yellow water, his feet beating the air wildly.

Bud Stevens Landed on His Head in the Pool of Yellow Water

"Grab hold of a foot, Chunky!" commanded Tad. "Quick! He'll drown in a minute in there."

"Oh, let 'im drown," drawled Stacy, blinking to get the sand out of his eyes.

"Get hold, I tell you! I'll thrash you, Stacy Brown, if you don't!"

Stacy reluctantly complied, Tad in the meantime having grasped the cowboy's foot and began pulling.

"Not that way, Chunky. Do you want to pull him apart?"

The fat boy was trying to get Bud's right leg out from the opposite side of the water hole.