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192
THE BOY LAND BOOMER

"Jack!" cried the youth, and rushed up to Rasco. "What does this mean?"

"It means I'm a prisoner," answered Rasco, sadly. "Have you seen anything of Nellie?"

In a moment Dick had told his story, to which the soldiers as well as Rasco listened closely. At once several of the guard were sent off to hunt up the red skin, if it were possible to do so. Rasco wanted to go along, but his request was refused.

"You'll slip us if you get the chance," said the officer in charge. "You'll go to the fort. And I fancy the boy will go, too, since he seems to belong to the boomers."

And against his earnest protestations Dick was made to accompany the soldiers, being bound hand to hand with the man of the plains.

An hour later the soldiers camp was reached, and Rasco and Dick were placed in a temporary guard house. They had been there but a short while when a visitor entered. It was—Louis Vorlange!

"So they have you safe, I see," began Vorlange, when Rasco sprang at him and knocked him down.

"Will you make my niece a prisoner," he cried, wrathfully, for Dick had told him the story. "You dirty spy!"

"Hold up," gasped Vorlange, his face growing