CHAPTER IX

A LANK MULE AS A DECOY


Judd Bradley, the young man who had brought the boy into the
mountains, stood for a moment watching the mule curiously. Then he
stepped nearer to Ned, who was trying to quiet the fractious animal.

"Be careful," Ned warned, as Bradley approached. "Uncle Ike doesn't
take to strangers. He may kick if you come within reach."

"Hell kick you whether you come within reach or not!" grumbled Buck,
who had been brought from the cabin by the clatter of the mule's
hoofs. "He reached over forty acres of rock to hand me one on the
laig!" he added, rubbing his left thigh.

Mrs. Brady came to the doorway of the cabin and stood there, outlined
against the red firelight within, with the boy in her arms. The child
reached forth his arms impatiently, then began beating the old woman
with his small fists.

"Go an' get me the horse!" he commanded. "Mike wants a ride!"

"That's the prince, all right!" whispered Frank to Ned. "That's the
prince of some slum alley in Washington. What he needs is a club,