"Any of the rest of you kiddies been wounded in the fracas?" demanded
Folly.
"No, but you've overlooked two of us," announced Ned stepping out. "We haven't had our baths yet and I reckon we need them."
Without a word, two of the Rangers got up and threw the two remaining boys into the pool. Ned went in with a mighty splash, Walter Perkins landing on top of him, nearly taking away the breath of Rector. They had a rough and tumble scrimmage in the cold water, coming out choking, dripping and laughing.
All this made a favorable impression on the Rangers. Boys who could take rough handling such as this, without losing their tempers or even offering any objection, surely must be worth while. Then, too, there was the story about Tad and Ned having captured the desperado, Dunk Tucker, who was now well on his way to the calaboose in El Paso.
"I reckon you kin go back and dry off now," drawled Dippy. "Anything else you cayuses reckon you want?"
"Yes, you might fetch me a piece of soap," answered Butler laughingly.
"I reckon you'll use sand, young man," answered Orell witheringly.
The Pony Rider Boys made their way back to the camp, wet but happy, the only dissatisfied one in the crowd being Stacy Brown. But their troubles for the night were not wholly over yet. Their initiation was not yet complete. The Rangers had still other plans for their visitors.