CHAPTER XVII. THE LUCK OF DICK FERRAL.

BILL, THE BOUND BOY. A WINTER STORY OF COLORADO.

CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY.

=Matt King=, concerning whom there has always been a mystery--a lad of splendid athletic abilities, and never-failing nerve, who has won for himself, among the boys of the Western town, the popular name of "Mile-a-minute Matt."

=Carl Pretzel=, a cheerful and rollicking German lad, who is led by a fortunate accident to hook up with Motor Matt in double harness.

=Uncle Jack=, a wealthy Englishman, with ways and means of his own for accomplishing things, who leads a hermit's life in the wilds of New Mexico.

=Dick Ferral=, a Canadian boy and a favorite of Uncle Jack; has served his time in the King's navy, and bobs up in New Mexico where he falls into plots and counter-plots, and comes near losing his life.

=Ralph Sercomb=, a cousin of Dick Ferral, and whose sly, treacherous nature is responsible for Dick's troubles.

=Joe Mings=, } three unscrupulous friends of Sercomb, all =Harry Packard=,} motor-drivers, and who come from Denver to help =Balt Finn=, } Sercomb in his nefarious plans.