"Put some salt on his tail," suggested Ned Rector.
"Y-y-y-you do it," gasped Chunky, which brought a roar of laughter from the whole party.
"Yes, why don't you?" teased Tad. "It's the only way you can make good."
"Salting down horse is not my business," laughed Ned.
All at once the pony whirled, heading down the mountain side with a disconcerting rush that nearly brought disaster upon its rider.
With a shout the rest of the boys urged their mounts into a jog-trot and followed on down the trail as fast as they dared, for the descent was steep and dangerous.
"He'll break his neck!" cried the Professor.
"After that bucking I'm sure Chunky's neck is too well fastened to come off," laughed Tad.
Stacy was out of sight. They could hear him yelling at his broncho, so they knew he was still in the saddle and right side up. The other ponies, apparently having forgotten their fear, were following the leader willingly now.
All at once they saw lad and mount burst into view on the plain below.