The Sky Phantom by Carolyn G. Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

a shortcut from here to the spot where we found the craft. Whenever the person piloting it arrives, he may walk over here and use Major for some kind of work—perhaps to carry heavy packages.”
    “What in the world could he be bringing out here?” Bess asked. “And why would he go to so much trouble to make deliveries?”
    “He would if it’s contraband,” Nancy replied.
    Range said, “Maybe the man is taking something important away from here.”
    “Like what?” George asked.
    Range grinned. “Gold!”
    Chuck laughed. “If there’s any of that around, I’m going to start digging myself!”
    Nancy reminded the others that they had come out to this area for three reasons: to find Major, to catch the horse thief, and to locate Roger Paine.
    “I have a suggestion,” she said. “Pop, would you please let me ride Major?”
    “Sure. Why?”
    “I’ll give him his head and see if he’ll lead me to the horse thief.”
    The rancher nodded his assent. They found the pony’s bridle hanging on another spike. After removing the halter, they slipped the bridle over his head. The saddle and saddle blanket lay on a protruding stone. When everything was adjusted, Nancy jumped astride the pony’s back and urged him out of the rocky stable.
    “Go find the thief!” she told the palomino. “Good boy! Then go find Roger Paine!”
    Major lifted his ears and looked wise, as if he understood every word. The pony, finding that he was not being directed, turned at once in the direction of the Hamilton Ranch. Everyone laughed as Nancy guided Major back to the group.
    She patted his neck. “We’ll go home in a little while,” she said. “Right now we have a job to do. Find the man who took you away from the ranch.”
    Once more the pony’s ears stood straight up. Hopefully, Nancy waited. Once more Major veered around and headed for the ranch.
    “I guess it’s no use,” the girl admitted and slid off the animal’s back.
    “This hill may have other hiding places,” she told Pop Hamilton. Then she asked in a persuasive tone, “Shall we scout for some?”
    This time Pop shook his head and said firmly, “The boys and I are needed at the ranch. It will be an overnight trip from here. That is all the time we can spare.”
    Pop rode his beloved Major, leading his other mount. They traveled until dark, then set up camp. Range rustled up a quick but substantial supper. As soon as they finished, everyone in the group crawled into his sleeping bag.
    Sometime in the middle of the night all were awakened by shrill whinnies from the ponies. Somebody or something had spooked them!
    As the travelers unzipped their sleeping bags and stood up, they suddenly froze. A shot had rung out!

CHAPTER VIII
    Good-by, Speed Boy!
    THE CAMPERS quickly stepped out of their sleeping bags and grabbed flashlights. They beamed them directly on the ponies.
    The animals were rearing, snorting, and trying to break away from the tethers. Their upper lips were lifted angrily, and now and then one of them would whinny pathetically.
    One pony lay on the ground. Had it been wounded? Killed? The girls did not dare go near it to find out since the animals were so agitated.
    Pop and the boys, however, were trying their best to reassure the ponies with their presence. They talked to them and held the frightened animals tightly by their halters.
    The three girls could do nothing but aim their flashlights around, hoping to get a glimpse of the person who had disturbed the ponies and fired the shot. For a fraction of a second Nancy caught sight of a man on the far side of the maddened ponies. He wore a kerchief up to his eyes and had a sombrero pulled low. There was no chance of identifying him.
    Nancy screamed to Pop and his cowboys, nevertheless, “Over there!” She pointed to the place where she had seen the stranger.
    She ran around the ring of animals and was just in time to see the intruder yank one of the ponies from the group and start to run off with