So the boys soon learned many interesting things about the hardships and dangers which often confront the police. As Dave said, it was very delightful to sit in the comfortable barracks and listen to tales which often thrilled. Each member of the group, however, would have felt a great deal more lighthearted but for their disappointment at not meeting Jed Warren and the added feeling of apprehension which his strange absence caused.
CHAPTER III
TEDDY BANES
After their many hours in the saddle the lads spent a comfortable night in the men’s quarters. True, Dave Brandon and Larry Burnham were the only ones fortunate enough to have bunks; but the other “seasoned veterans of mountains and plains,” as Larry facetiously dubbed them, rolled themselves up in blankets and slept as soundly as though in their own bedrooms at home.
On the following morning all were astir soon after the beams of light from the rising sun began to trace their cheerful course over the somber walls. They met two other troopers besides Stanford, Farr and Cole, and each declared himself heartily pleased to see the visitors.
“I hope to thunder you’re going to hang around here for a while, boys,” said Stanford, as they all sat at a long table in the mess room eating breakfast.
“Can’t,” answered Tom Clifton, laconically.
“Why not?”
“Well, you see, we’ve got to hunt for Jed Warren.”
“Tom is bound to give some pointers to the Mounted Police,” remarked Larry, with his usual drawl.
“Don’t try to be funny,” snapped Tom.