Cranny restrained his desire to give a rousing yell with difficulty, for he saw that the tugging captive was almost dragging itself free from the limbs, branches and masses of foliage that encompassed the car. Its great, long hull was considerably misshapen, but, apparently, had suffered no serious damage, and now swayed gently from a position almost vertically above the car.
Suddenly the tree tops were agitated, as if by a gale of wind; the dark object above Cranny’s head seemed magically lifted away; the guide rope reared itself from amidst the timber, and the “Border City” was free.
The boys dashed and leaped through the pine woods as if a pack of howling coyotes was after them. At the first clearing they stopped, and, although almost breathless, managed to give another shout when they saw the “Border City” high in the air, with the cable dipping down in a long curve.
“Well, they’re going some now,” remarked Cranny.
“And I’m real glad ter see it,” said Jed.
“Me, too—fur the first time,” added Pete Sanderson, with a sort of grunt, “though it don’t look no naturaler than it ever did.”
Bronchos were quickly saddled, and the descent begun.
After several hours of, at times, difficult and dangerous traveling, they finally came within sight of the “Ogden II” and Dave and Tom’s camp close beside it.
Of course the latter were delighted to see them, and, as they found a great deal to talk about, it was not until late in the afternoon that a start was made for Lone Pine.
The “Ogden II” carried Bob and his passenger high over the mountains, and, cutting swiftly through the air, reached the grim old ranch-house almost before the riders, following the lead of Pete and Jed, had left the last difficult pass behind them.