The Boy Ranchers in Death Valley: or, Diamond X and the Poison Mystery

"If there isn't any harm in it that's the most I expect," came from

Nort. "As for finding the old man – "

"He's an eel, I tell you!" broke in Sam. "I've seen him more thenonce, riding along, that is some time ago, 'fore I was knocked out.But when I tried to come up to him he'd vanish. And to look at it youwouldn't think that cayuse of his was any quicker'n a snail!"

"He must have some hiding place," suggested Snake.

"Maybe," admitted Sam. "But I don't like that hombre and you hearwhat I'm tellin' you!"

Dinner was served, and eaten with hearty appetites in spite of what hadhappened and what might take place later. Then more work was doneabout the place, and as the afternoon waned Nort began to get ratheranxious for the return of those who had gone on the round-up.

It was not a round-up in the real sense of the word – but merely ariding around of the place to size it up – to ascertain the number ofhead of cattle on the ranch, to find out the location of water holes, the best pasture, look to the condition of the fences and such mattersas that.

"And I wish, while they were at it, they'd get a Chink cook," said Nortto whom had fallen the task of washing the dishes. "Any chance ofgetting a yellow man in Los Pompon?" he asked Sam.

"Oh, sure, I should think so. If you can get him to stay."

"Why wouldn't he stay?" Nort wanted to know. And then he rememberedand added: "You mean on account of possible deaths?"

"Sure! That's it. Them Chinks is powerful leery about anything likethat. But maybe we can get one fresh smuggled over from Mexico and hewon't be so particular."

"That's right," agreed Nort as he recalled how desperately eager the

Celestials were to be smuggled into the United States.

It was getting dusk, and the three were a bit anxious as they preparedthe evening meal, for, as yet, the prospectors, as they might becalled, had not returned. Nort was going to suggest that perhaps itmight be well to ride out and see if his brother and the others were insight when the clatter of horses' feet was heard and into the ranchyard came riding the cavalcade.

A quick count showed not one missing, and it was with a relieved heartthat Nort greeted Bud and Dick.

"Anything happen?" asked Snake.

"Nary a thing!" boomed out Yellin' Kid. "It was as peaceful as a

Sunday school picnic. But this is sure some dandy ranch."

"That's right!" chimed in Bud. "We didn't have time to go all overit," he went on to those who had been left behind. "But we saw enoughto convince us that dad made no mistake in buying it – that is if we canclear out the jinx."

"But you didn't see any signs of him – or it?" asked Nort.

"Who?" inquired Dick.

"I mean the jinx."

"No, not a thing. Didn't even see a dead calf, and, as we know, they're common enough on a ranch. Everything was lovely."

"It sure is a good buy," went on Bud. "Of course it's a bit run down, and the fences here and there need mending. But there's plenty ofwater and what cattle there are seem to be in good shape. When we buya few more herds, and hire some more men to help us, we'll be sittingpretty."

"Then we didn't need to do so much worrying?" questioned Nort.

"Seems not."

"And that warning was all tommyrot!" added Dick with a laugh. "Hello, what's this?" and he picked up one of the bottles of Elixer, for bythis time the whole party was in the ranch house, and saw the threeflasks on the table.

"Stuff your brother bought to save lives!" chuckled Snake, and thestory was told.

"An old man, half crazy; eh?" mused Billee as he listened. "Who is heand what about him?"

"Doesn't seem to amount to much, really," stated Nort. "But I thoughtwe'd better have this stuff analyzed."

"Sure!" assented Billee, and, taking the three bottles he locked themin a wall cupboard and put the key in his pocket.

There was much to talk about at Dot and Dash that night. Nort relatedthe coming and going of the vender of Life's Elixer, and on their partBud and Dick told of the scenes about the ranch, and added to theirfirst statements that it was an ideal place to raise cattle.

"And there weren't any signs of sudden deaths?" asked Nort.

"Nary a one. It's a shame to call this Death Valley," declared Bud.

The week that followed was a busy one and there was plenty of work forall hands, including Sam Tarbell who, when he found that there was nosudden passing away of any of his new friends or the remaining cattle, decided to stay and work for Dot and Dash.

A careful examination was made in the vicinity where Sam had "keeledover," as he expressed it, and where his horse had died. Nothingsuspicious was discovered, however, and there was no way to account forthe strange happening. The animal appeared to have died a naturaldeath.

"Of course," Sam said, "my pony might of dropped dead from heartdisease, and when he fell I was throwed off and hit my head on a rock.That's what might have knocked me out."

"It's very possible," agreed Bud.

Arrangements were under way for the purchase of two herds from ranchmenin the adjoining county, and several more cowboys had been engagedwhen, like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky, it happened.

Bud, Nort and Dick were riding over to the south end of the ranch oneday, to inspect the present herd, with a view to shifting it, when Nortpointed to what looked like several dark bowlders on a distant, grassyslope.

"What are those?" he asked. "Big stones?"

"Stones?" queried Bud and, a moment later, he exclaimed, "Those aredead cattle! Boys, I guess the jinx has come back!"

CHAPTER XI

INTO SMUGGLERS' GLEN

"Hop to it, boys!" cried Nort, as he dug his spurs lightly against thesides of his pony. The spurs were blunt ones, for Mr. Merkel insistedthat his men treat their horses kindly, and the spurs were such in nameonly. However, even these gentle ticklers indicated to Nort's animalthe need of haste and it leaped ahead.

"Come on!" echoed Dick, following his brother's example and guiding hisanimal toward those silent forms on the grassy hillside.

Bud, however, held his animal back and shouted to his cousins:

"Hold on a minute! Don't be rash! Hold on!"

Nort pulled his pony back so suddenly that the creature reared high inthe air. Some time ago Nort would have been unseated by such a trick, but now he stuck to the saddle like a burr to a cow's tail.

"What's the matter?" Nort shot back over his shoulder.