The car doors swung open From the driver's seat stepped a tall good looking man As he ran toward the burro two children got out the other side and stood by the road The man gave Domingo a shove Get along with you he shouted and the burro obediently crossed the road As the Hollisters slid to the ground Pam noticed another car driving slowly past From the corner of her eye she recognized a Colorado license plate but her at tention was quickly drawn to the man who had saved them Now for the first time she realized he was dressed in Western togs as were the two children Oh thank you Pam said You saved our lives Burros are unpredictable the man replied smiling By the way I'm Ken Blair and these are my children Bunky and Gina The boy was twelve slender and wiry with black hair and a sunburned face Gina Pam guessed was about eleven Like her brother she wore blue jeans a colorful shirt and wide brimmed cowboy hat Gina had brown bobbed hair and smiling blue eyes Pam and Ricky introduced themselves We live here in Shoreham Pam added pointing to the direc tion of their house which was located on the edge of Pine Lake We're from Nevada Gina said We live on the Tumbling K Ranch near Elkton Mr Blair added that they had been to New York and were on their way home I'm glad my car has good brakes he said with a chuckle then pointed to the right
rear tire which was flat I must have hit a sharp stone on a shoulder of the road We heard the blowout Ricky said I'm sorry about that too Mr Blair But I'll help you change the tire While the rancher Ricky and Bunky started to jack up the car and remove the wheel Gina stroked Domingo's neck and chatted with Pam We had an adventure in the Southwest once Pam said but we've never been to Nevada Oh you'd like it Gina replied Our ranch is at the foot of the Ruby Mountains We love our home here too Pam said Would you like to see it Gina The girl turned to her father Daddy may I go to Pam's house while you change the tire All right dear if it's not too far It isn't Pam assured him and the two girls climbed onto Domingo's back As they jogged across a field to ward the lake front Pam asked Gina Were you sight seeing in New York Not exactly We went to New York because of a mystery Oh we love mysteries Pam exclaimed Is your mystery a big secret I think I can tell you Gina replied But before she had a chance to say more two boys ran across the field toward them Are they friends of yours the Nevada girl asked Not exactly Pam said She told Gina that the taller boy was Joey Brill He was twelve and large for age his
and Gina could already see that he wore a scowl on his face The other boy was Will Wilson who usually joined Joey in playing mean tricks Pam wait for us Joey called out as he and will raced up to them What do you want Joey Pam asked A ride on Domingo Not now I'm taking Gina to our house Ha ha Will laughed Where did you find that phony cowgirl She doesn't live around here Don't be so rude Pam said Gina lives on a ranch in Nevada That means she's used to walking Joey said Without a word of warning he grabbed Pam's arm and pulled her off the burro's back At the same time will pushed Gina off the other side As the girls protested the two bullies hopped on the donkey Will sat facing forward Joey facing backward Will yelled Giddap Domingo Frightened Domingo trotted off with Pam and Gina running along behind him Stop Give back my burro Pam cried out Her excited voice carried to the highway Ricky looked up and realized what had happened Excuse me he said quickly I've got to take care of those bullies Two against one isn't fair said Bunky Let me help you Sure come on No fisticuffs Bunky Mr Blair ordered Okay Dad 10
Before setting off with Ricky Bunky reached into the back seat of the car and pulled out a long rope A lasso Ricky exclaimed I always keep one handy Bunky said as the two boys ran toward the burro Fortunately at this moment Domingo had another one of his balky spells which gave Ricky and Bunky a chance to catch up with him Make them get off Domingo Pam called out as the two boys approached Think you're big enough Joey Brill scowled Bunky did not reply but made a loop in his lariat As he swung it over his head the loop became larger and larger Out West we call this a Mother Hubbard loop said Bunky An extra big one Seeing what was coming Joey and will kicked Domingo and the donkey started off again Bunky tossed the lasso It sailed through the air landing neatly over the two boys Then Bunky pulled the rope tight binding the riders together like Siamese twins Let go Joey cried furiously As Domingo plodded on Joey and Will were pulled off the burro's back Joey hit the ground first and will landed on top of him Oof Joey cried Ow My nose Will moaned The bullies struggled free of the loop and scrambled angrily to their feet But the fight had been knocked out them of
