Tad was mystified. The Ranger company had disappeared utterly. They had slipped away silently and mysteriously. Even the chuck wagon had disappeared.
"Why, what can it mean?" marveled Tad Butter.
"You may search me. I don't know."
"Hey, Ned!"
"Well, what is it?" growled Rector appearing at the tent opening again.
"They've gone and left us and without even saying good-bye," called Tad.
"Shake out the others."
The professor and Walter, having been awakened by the talking, now appeared. They were quickly informed that the Rangers had left, at which they wondered not a little.
"I guess they got tired of our company. I'm going to start breakfast," declared Butler.
"This is most remarkable," bristled the professor. "I should have thought they would have left some word."
"How about that 'possum, Chunky?" jeered Rector.