n irregular circle. As the boys dropped it over the sides of the car the lariat stru

ight!" exclaimed Ned. "I gu

e vicinity of the hair rope. They glided off by scores, and soon there was a clear sp

ted Bob, "and maybe it wi

ing a few now they are at a

," lamented the professor, "but I suppos

gled in sinuous folds toward the reptiles they made haste to get out of the way. Then Bo

said Jerry. "Who'll crank up th

sore," spoke Ned,

, Chunky," aske

ne in my foot," said

and say you're afraid there's a stray rattler or tw

heepishly, and both ma

ide door of the tonneau. "I'm used to snakes. I don't believe there are

iously under the body, while

st, in discouraged tones

the fly wheel over. Jerry turned on the gasolene and threw in the spark, and, the next instant the familiar

nditions of the thoroughfares it would be several days before they could cross the big river and ge

called Ned. "We don't want to pass any

ld go better,

" remarked Jerry with a laugh. "But there seems to be something ahead. It's a

could see no signs of life about in the half-darkness, illuminated as it was by the powerful

and the other boys jumped out. The professor, who, as usual was arranging so

any one home? Show a light

sk for a bed too

Chunky, rubbing his stom

y approached nearer to the hut. Then they saw that the door was

e, I guess,

sn't been for som

where we can cook a good meal," put i

in good condition, and furnished as well as the aver

professor," he called. "We'll stay here all night. No use tra

auto, as well as a lantern, to illuminate the place. As they did so they

of fuel," said Bob, as he looked at th

let you get the meal," said Jerry, and it was

eds on the frame work of cane that formed the slee

Seems to have been left suddenly. They didn't even stop to take the dishes, and here is the rem

lived here were frighten

ng short of a regiment of soldiers in ac

s to be washed, for they ate off wooden plates, of which they had a quantity and which they threw away after each meal. Then, after a good fire had b

or several hours when he suddenly

called involunta

s his eyes became used to the blackness he managed to make out, b

under the rolled up blanket that served for a

egin to creep toward him. Though he was not a coward the boy felt his hea

sked Ned, who was awak

ry. "There is some one in the hut besi

hall I shoot

en crash, followe

murdering me!" shouted Bob's voi

ent Ned

at the ceiling, or some

nquired the professor,

s!" yel

s!" excl

in the cabin!

t, and as the blaze flared up it revealed a big monkey tangled up amid the folds of Bob's blanket, while Chunky was burie

ommanded Jerry. "You

Bob, releasing his hold on the beast, which,

est evidence on that score," said J

ed to choke me,

professor. "It was probably attracted in here by the light and warmth.

ing over," said Jerry. "I was awaken

had tried to eat the remains of t

and start over toward me I was afraid it was some of those Mexican brigands that

t died down sufficiently to allow the travelers to go to sleep aga

reed to get the morning meal. "As chief cook and bottle was

le, and, as he reached the d

tter?" called

an out here,

ite you," said Je

n, who bore evidences of having passed through a hard fight. His face was c

matter?" c

ould reply he had fal

water! Quick

quor here!" exclaimed the professor, k