The Black Panther of the Navaho

"'Fraid I can't," returned his chum. "Gorry, but I'd love to, though!" he added, wistfully.

"But you shall, my boy!" came back the Colonel, positively. "Your mother and I have talked it over. She has enough to live on with you away, and it will be a practical opening in mining for you. I know some big people down there in Prescott, and I know what I am talking about!" he insisted.

Scotty leaped at Sid with glad enthusiasm. "Whee--yow!" he yelled. "Am I really going?--Thanks, Colonel, ever so much!" he gasped out, wringing his hand. "What do we take for outfit, sir?"

"The little five-by-six-foot paraffined muslin wall tent for you two. Just a light tarp and my Army bedroll for me"--grinned the Colonel. "Otherwise your Montana outfits will do, just as they stand --"

"What--in that hot country, Dad?" inquired Sid, incredulously.

"She's cold enough, at night, son," laughed the Colonel. "Those stag shirts and the canva