Arriving unexpectedly at the Jennings ranch that evening, he had been persuaded to take part in the raid. Knowing little about riding, the former bully of Hampton Academy had boastfully declared he would outride any of the raiders. He had been accommodated with a pony and had taken part in the onslaught which had had such an unexpected conclusion. Tubby, carried away by excitement, had chased the huddled figure, little knowing whom the blanket shrouded. Suddenly Jack Curtiss's pony stumbled, throwing the bully headlong. Tubby had immediately pressed his rifle to the fallen figure's head with the curt command: "Shut up!" As soon as his astonished eyes had recognized Jack Curtiss, he saw a fine chance to redeem himself as a hero in the eyes of the Boy Scouts. Tricing Jack up with his lariat, he had led him back in triumph to the rest. "Hooray, Tubby, I didn't think you had it in you!" cried Merritt, clapping the fat boy on the back. "Hum! I don't show all my good qualities at once," remarked Tubby, grandiloquently strutting about. "I wonder what you'd have done if it had been a real Indian?" laughed Harry Harkness. "Just the same--just the same," rejoined Tubby. A roar of laughter greeted the stout youth's complacent remark, but it was suddenly checked as a horseman came dashing up to the party. "Hullo, what's up now?" exclaimed Mr. Harkness amazedly, as the rider drew rein almost at his feet. "It's an Indian!" exclaimed Merritt. "Another fake," declared Tubby sagely. But this time it was a real Indian, and he drew Mr. Harkness aside and spoke some rapid words. The rancher's face showed traces of great excitement, although his voice was calm enough as he turned to the interested group, after some moments of conversation with the red man. "Ray and Sumner, you join Joyce back there and take these prisoners to the ranch, and see that they are kept under strong guard," he ordered. "What! Aren't we going back?" inquired Rob. "No, my boy. I have grave news. The Moquis have rebelled against Black Cloud's authority, and Mr. Mayberry is a prisoner in their camp." "Is he in danger?" "He is in the gravest peril. Only prompt action can save his life. Such is the message Black Cloud gave this Indian to bring to me." A few moments later Rob, mounted on a pony previously ridden by old man Jennings, a tough, wiry little cayuse, was riding beside Mr. Harkness, listening eagerly to the details of his kind-hearted friend's predicament. Behind them spurred the Boy Scouts and the few cow-punchers remaining after a guard had been detailed. Minutes counted, as they well knew, and no rider in the party spared his pony as they pressed rapidly forward, under the Indian's guidance, for the valley of the snake dance. CHAPTER XXIII. WORSHIPPERS OF THE SNAKE.