"There goes one of them!" cried Tad.

A pony had broken the rope and with a snort, had bounded away. Tad,
leaped on the bare back of his own pony, first having caught up his
lariat, and set out after the fleeing animal.

Luckily the runaway broncho had headed for the open and Tad was able
to overhaul him before they had gone far from the camp.

Riding up beside the little animal it was an easy matter to drop the
loop over his head and bring him down.

"There, that will teach you to run away," growled the boy, cinching
the rope and dragging the unruly pony back to camp.

In the meantime the others, after considerable effort, had succeeded
in securing the other plunging bronchos, more rope having been
brought for the purpose, while Tad, breathing hard, staked down the
frightened animal he had roped.

"Now we'll see how Mr. Bear is getting along," announced the
Professor, as they turned back toward the camp, where the bear was
still fighting desperately with the smouldering tent.

As they reached the scene they observed Professor Zepplin hurrying
to his tent. He was back again almost at once.

"Just happened to think of my revolver," he explained.

"Think you can kill him with that?" asked Tad.