"Well, I reckon we'd better be getting the stuff together," said Cad getting up wearily. "Though I'm afraid the roly-poly will plumb scare every 'possum out of the community."
"If they don't run at sight of you, they'll stand for anything short of a ghost," retorted Stacy sarcastically.
Cad did not reply to this fling. He merely grinned. Tad saw more in that grin than did his companions, but he held his peace. He wanted to see the fun, even if it were still further at his own expense.
Preparations for the 'possum hunt were at once begun. Two burlap sacks were procured from somewhere in the camp. These, with several candles and some stout sticks, made up the outfit for the 'possum hunt.
"Where are you fellows going?" called Withem as he saw the outfit starting away.
"Hunting 'possums," answered Dippy.
Lieutenant Withem smiled.
"I hope you bring back some for breakfast," called the professor. "I am fond of 'possum."
"You won't be of the 'possum they catch," warned the lieutenant, in a low tone.
With pistol holsters slapping against their thighs, Rangers and Pony Rider Boys strode from the camp, circling to the left after leaving the rocky pass where they had their resting place. They followed around the base of the mountains for a half mile. The ground was thickly wooded with second growth and mesquite bush.