The X Bar X Boys in Thunder Canyon

The X Bar X Boys in Thunder Canyon

Roy and Teddy Manley, sons of Bardwell Manley of the X Bar X Ranch, narrowly escape a landslide on Mica Mountain while returning from inspecting possible grazing land. Separated by the slide, each fears the other has been killed, but Nick Looker helps reunite them. Roy notices a mysterious rider who slouches to the left in his saddle, a detail that later becomes important. That night the same kind of rider throws a threatening note into the X Bar X bunk-house. Signed “Reltsur,” it warns Bardwell Manley to stop pressing charges against the rustlers previously captured for stealing his cattle and horses. Mr. Manley refuses to be intimidated and rides to Hawley, only to learn that all the jailed rustlers except Gilly Froud have escaped through a diversion arranged by gunmen. The Manleys and their ranch hands become watchful, suspecting that the escaped gang is preparing some new revenge. Amid the tension, the boys continue ranch work, including Teddy’s successful breaking of a dangerous new bronco. They visit the 8 X 8 Ranch, where Nell Willis and Ethel Carew are staying with Belle Ada Manley. Roy grows increasingly worried about the threats, the slouched rider, and unexplained signs that someone is watching the X Bar X. After Belle remains at the 8 X 8, Roy and Teddy return to fetch her. They discover instead that a man calling himself Jack Richmond arrived with a forged note supposedly from Mrs. Manley and took Belle, Nell, and Ethel away two days earlier. Roy recognizes the handwriting as the same as that on Reltsur’s warning. The girls have been kidnapped by the escaped rustlers as leverage against Mr. Manley. Peter Ball, the owner of the 8 X 8, joins the Manleys. A new hand, Ike Natick, reports seeing an automobile carrying three girls, a driver, and an old woman heading toward Thunder Canyon. Mr. Manley organizes a mounted rescue party including Roy, Teddy, Nick, Gus Tripp, Pop Burns, Bug Eye, and men from both ranches. They ride toward Thunder Canyon, where Pop recalls that the Sholo Caves can serve as a stronghold for outlaws. Meanwhile, Belle, Nell, and Ethel learn that Richmond has deceived them. He and his companions transfer the girls from the automobile to horses and place them under the armed guard of Clovita, an old woman. Richmond says they will be held until Mr. Manley gives the rustlers what they want. Clovita takes them through Thunder Canyon to the Sholo Caves, where they are confined in a rough cavern. Though frightened, Belle encourages the others. Ethel briefly disarms Clovita, but the girls cannot escape because their horses have been removed and armed guards wait outside. On their search, Roy, Teddy, Nick, Gus, and Bug Eye encounter another armed old woman in a cabin, later revealed to be Clovita’s twin sister. Her suspicious conduct convinces them that the canyon is connected with the kidnappers, though Bug Eye’s singing signal draws no response from any captive girls. Near Gravestone Falls, the rescuers intercept the slouching rider. Teddy shoots him in the arm after he tries to flee, and the man admits that the girls are in Sholo Caves. The five riders proceed without waiting for the rest of the party. Near the caves they overhear two guards discussing Reltsur, his wound near the left ear, his slouched riding, the kidnapping, and his trip to deliver another note to Mr. Manley. Roy and Teddy lead a surprise attack, overpower the guards and leaving Nick to watch them. They rush into the caves and find Belle, Nell, and Ethel unharmed. Clovita reveals that the hostile woman in the cabin is her twin sister. The rescuers meet Mr. Manley’s party by a shortcut out of the canyon. They recover the wounded Reltsur and take the prisoners back to the X Bar X, where the girls are joyfully welcomed. Teddy finally realizes that “Reltsur,” spelled backward, is “Rustler.” With Belle and her friends safe and the kidnappers captured, the ranch returns to celebration, and Roy, Teddy, Belle, Nell, and Ethel ride out together across the prairie.

By James Cody Ferris · First published 1933 · Genre: Western, Children's Adventure Fiction, Boys' Adventure · 25 chapters · 55,937 words

First lines

Raising his head in a gesture of disdain that was almost human, the horse walked stiff-legged around a porcupine that lay in the center of the trail.

"Steering clear of needles, Flash? " said his rider, laughing cheerfully. "Say, Roy," he called to his companion, who sat astride a chestnut mustang, "is it true that porcupines can shoot their quills?"

Similar titles

Genres

Tags

Western adventure · juvenile fiction · ranch life · American West · early 20th century · Colorado ranch country · cowboys · teenage brothers · Roy and Teddy Manley · horseback riding · mustangs · cattle rustlers

What this Textopian page supports

The X Bar X Boys in Thunder Canyon is listed on Textopian as a novel by James Cody Ferris, dated 1933 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Good citation fit

Contents

More by James Cody Ferris