A lot of different events take place in this book. In the beginning, the boys ride to Eagles to pick up their long-awaited short-wave radio set, and are mightily put out when it is stolen within moments of their taking possession of it. While in Eagles they meet Barton Webster, who turns out to be a government secret ranger in search of a desperado named Blackjack Merton. From a man named Mr. Hardwick, Bardwell Manley and Peter Ball jointly purchase a ridge of land which they call Christmas Ridge, since they plan to sell its beautiful pines to a company which will distribute them as Christmas trees. When Roy and Teddy provide assistance to Barton Webster in tracking down Blackjack Merton, they learn that these apparently disconnected events come together.

Writing: 6
Characterization: 6
Plot: 5
Overall score: 5.66