“Enough to make a whole lot of tough characters fight mighty shy of us,” spoke up Alvin. “The act of the legislature covering our case speaks of a ‘rangers force for the protection of the frontier against marauding and thieving parties and for the suppression of lawlessness and crime throughout the state.’”
“We aid the regular civil authorities,” explained Raulings. “When an arrest is made the Rangers must convey the prisoner to the county in whose jurisdiction he was at the time of the commission of the crime.”
“Then sometimes you get a bully chance to see the country,” said Don.
“Yes. I’ve even ridden in real trains while in the discharge of my duties,” laughed Oscar Chaney.
“What weapons do you carry?” asked Cranny.
“A Winchester rifle and a pistol,” answered Alvin. “They are supplied to us at cost.”
“But we’ve got to furnish our own horses an’ clothing,” said Raulings.
“Suppose somebody should draw a bead on your nag, and the next minute he keeled over; what then?” inquired Cranny.
“When a horse is killed in action the state gives another free of charge.”
“There’s a detachment from this company temporarily located many miles from here, an’ this bunch is detailed to take a ride over there to-morrow,” put in Stovall. “We’ll be ridin’ within sight o’ your old ranch-house early in the morning. Want to come along?”