Both boys ran to the lean-to and presently returned with Henry's neat McClellan saddle. It had been stripped of its pouches and small straps, but was otherwise unharmed.
"What shall I pay you for this?" asked the boy.
"Oh, nothing! It cost us nothing, and I make no charge for storage. If it's any use to you, take it."
"I wonder why Jumping Jack took off all the trimmings, sir?" said Henry to me.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," said Mrs. Sage, "that the saddle the Greaser bought had nothing on it, so he shifted everything off of this to that."
"Well, I'll shift everything back if we catch him, and when I come back I'll call and report. Thank you for the saddle."
"You are entirely welcome to your property, I'm sure. Shall be glad to see you enjoying your pony when you return."
The saddle was placed in the ambulance, and after buying some eggs and vegetables we started, the boys expressing their satisfaction at the result of our call, and feeling sanguine that we were on the trail of the thieves. We left the valley by a steep ascent into a mountainous range, and had proceeded but a short distance through a narrow and rugged roadway when we were overtaken by the military expressman whom we had left at Fort Whipple. He had come from Prescott to Skull Valley by a short cut.
"I have a letter for you, Lieutenant," said he, approaching the ambulance.
Unfastening the mail-pouch, he turned its contents upon the back seat. A heap of loose letters and three well-worn books strewed themselves over the cushion. Frank picked up the books and examined their titles.