down the pass, slapping the legs of the ponies, causing the little animals to rear and plunge and snort, and to make frantic efforts to get out of the way. This made it the more difficult for the boys to manage them, to keep them close to the bank where they would be safer than farther out in the stream.

"There goes my lantern!" yelled Ned. "I'm in the dark."

"You're lucky if you don't find yourself in a darker place in a few minutes," muttered Tad Butler apprehensively. Just then a piece of wood hurled against his own lantern shattered the globe, at the same time tearing the lantern from his hand, leaving only the wire handle in his possession.

Impenetrable darkness instantly settled over the roaring scene, and above the roar was heard the voice of Stacy Brown.

"Yassir. Nassir!" mocked Chunky.

"Stick tight to the left. Quit your fooling!" shouted Tad.

CHAPTER III

LOST IN A MOUNTAIN TORRENT

"Hang together if you can. Crowd close in behind me!"

Had all obeyed the orders of young Butler they might have escaped with no serious consequences, but in the excitement of the moment and swallowed up in the darkness of the night in Smoky Pass, the boys were quickly separated. One had pulled this way in fighting with his pony, another that. Even Professor Zepplin had been carried into a cove far on the other side, for at this point the stream had broadened out considerably.

All at once Tad felt his pony lifted from its feet. The animal began to swim. To lighten the burden the boy slipped off, taking a hitch of his rope about his waist, securing the rope to the pommel of the saddle. It was now a case of every man for himself and trust to luck.

"Are you there?" he called to his companions.

"Ya—yassir," answered Billy Veal.

"Are you there?" again demanded Tad at the top of his voice.