Starting off in single file the men dozed in their saddles, but the Pony Rider Boys did not. The latter were too much excited for sleep. All at once that trilling hiss came again. Two dozing Rangers landed on their backs in the bush. The party was in an uproar, but as suddenly quieted by a stern word from the captain. The latter wondered at their being followed by a rattler. It was peculiar to say the least.
Stacy hissed again. Then the boy shivered, for a heavy hand was laid on his arm, closing over it until the fat boy yelled.
"Ouch! Let go of my arm!" he cried.
"Young man, I think I've got the rattler this time," said the stern voice of Captain Billy McKay, as the fat boy fairly shrank within himself.
CHAPTER XIX
SURROUNDING THE ENEMY
"What's that?" roared Dippy.
"Here's your rattler. I've been suspecting him ever since early in the evening. This young man has been imitating a rattler's hiss and I must say he did it mighty well."
"What's that? 'Bugs' been causing us all this trouble?" demanded Dippy.
"Let me at him! Let me at him!"
"Here, take him, but don't make too much noise about it," grinned the
Ranger captain. "And don't be too rough about it, either."