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 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Brief Contents

CHAPTER 1 Project Management Concepts 2

PART 1 Initiating a Project 34

CHAPTER 2 Identifying and Selecting Projects 36
CHAPTER 3 Developing Project Proposals 64

PART 2 Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project 100

CHAPTER 4 Defining Scope, Quality, Responsibility, and Activity Sequence 102
CHAPTER 5 Developing the Schedule 146
CHAPTER 6 Resource Utilization 214
CHAPTER 7 Determining Costs, Budget, and Earned Value 242
CHAPTER 8 Managing Risk 284
CHAPTER 9 Closing the Project 298

PART 3 People: The Key to Project Success 318

CHAPTER 10 The Project Manager 320
CHAPTER 11 The Project Team 354
CHAPTER 12 Project Communication and Documentation 398
CHAPTER 13 Project Management Organizational Structures 434

Appendix A Project Management Information Systems 461

Appendix B Project Management Websites 473
Appendix C Project Management Associations around the Globe 475
Appendix D Acronyms 479
Reinforce Your Learning Answers 481
Glossary 497
Index 505

vii
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 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
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 Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
About the Authors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxix

CHAPTER 1
Project Management Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Project Attributes 4
Balancing Project Constraints 6
Project Life Cycle 9
Initiating 10
Planning 11
Performing 12
Closing 14
Project Management Process 14
Stakeholder Engagement 21
Global Project Management 23
Project Management Associations 24
Benefits of Project Management 25
Summary 27
Questions 28
Internet Exercises 29
Case Study 1: A Not-for-Profit Organization 30
Case Study 2: E-Commerce for a Small Supermarket 31
References 32

P A R T 1 Initiating a Project
CHAPTER 2
Identifying and Selecting Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Project Identification 38
Project Selection 39
Project Charter 42
Preparing a Request for Proposal 47
Soliciting Proposals 53
Summary 55
Questions 57
Internet Exercises 57
Case Study 1: A Midsize Pharmaceutical Company 58
Case Study 2: Transportation Improvements 59
References 62

ix
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x Contents

CHAPTER 3
Developing Project Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Building Relationships with Customers and Partners 66
Pre-RFP/Proposal Marketing 69
Decision to Develop a Proposal 70
Creating a Winning Proposal 71
Proposal Preparation 73
Proposal Contents 74
Technical Section 75
Management Section 76
Cost Section 77
Pricing Considerations 80
Simplified Project Proposal 81
Proposal Submission and Follow-Up 83
Customer Evaluation of Proposals 84
Contracts 86
Fixed-Price Contracts 87
Cost-Reimbursement Contracts 87
Contract Terms and Conditions 87
Measuring Proposal Success 89
Summary 91
Questions 93
Internet Exercises 94
Case Study 1: Medical Information Systems 94
Case Study 2: New Manufacturing Facility in China 96
References 98

P A R T 2 Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project

CHAPTER 4
Defining Scope, Quality, Responsibility, and Activity Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Establish Project Objective 104
Define Project Scope 106
Plan for Quality 110
Create Work Breakdown Structure 111
Assign Responsibility 115
Define Activities 117
Sequence Activities 118
Network Principles 118
Create Network Diagram 120
Planning for Information Systems Development 124
An Information System Example: Internet Applications Development
for ABC Office Designs 125
Project Management Information Systems 129
Summary 132
Questions 133
Internet Exercises 134
Case Study 1: A Not-for-Profit Medical Research Center 134
Case Study 2: The Wedding 136
References 138
Appendix: Microsoft Project 139
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 Contents xi

CHAPTER 5
Developing the Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Estimate Activity Resources 149
Estimate Activity Durations 150
Establish Project Start and Completion Times 151
Develop Project Schedule 152
Earliest Start and Finish Times 152
Latest Start and Finish Times 156
Total Slack 158
Critical Path 160
Free Slack 163
Bar Chart Format 165
Project Control Process 166
Effects of Actual Schedule Performance 168
Incorporate Changes into Schedule 169
Update Project Schedule 170
Control Schedule 171
Scheduling for Information Systems Development 176
An Information System Example: Internet Applications Development
for ABC Office Designs (Continued) 178
Project Management Information Systems 180
Agile Project Management 183
Summary 189
Questions 192
Internet Exercises 194
Case Study 1: A Not-for-Profit Medical Research Center 194
Case Study 2: The Wedding 194
References 195
Appendix 1: Probabilistic Activity Durations 196
Appendix 2: Microsoft Project 206

CHAPTER 6
Resource Utilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Resource-Constrained Planning 216
Resource Requirements Plan 217
Resource Leveling 220
Resource-Limited Scheduling 222
Resource Requirements for Information Systems Development 227
An Information System Example: Internet Applications Development
for ABC Office Designs (Continued) 227
Project Management Information Systems 228
Summary 231
Questions 232
Internet Exercises 233
Case Study 1: A Not-for-Profit Medical Research Center 233
Case Study 2: The Wedding 233
References 234
Appendix: Microsoft Project 235

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xii Contents

CHAPTER 7
Determining Costs, Budget, and Earned Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Estimate Activity Costs 245
Determine Project Budget 247
Aggregate Total Budgeted Cost 247
Develop Cumulative Budgeted Cost 248
Determine Actual Cost 251
Actual Cost 251
Committed Costs 251
Compare Actual Cost to Budgeted Cost 252
Determine Value of Work Performed 253
Analyze Cost Performance 255
Cost Performance Index 257
Cost Variance 257
Estimate Cost at Completion 258
Control Costs 259
Manage Cash Flow 261
Cost Estimating for Information Systems Development 263
An Information System Example: Internet Applications Development for ABC Office Designs
(Continued) 263
Project Management Information Systems 264
Summary 266
Questions 268
Internet Exercises 270
Case Study 1: A Not-for-Profit Medical Research Center 270
Case Study 2: The Wedding 270
References 271
Appendix 1: Time–Cost Trade-Off 272
Appendix 2: Microsoft Project 275

CHAPTER 8
Managing Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Identify Risks 286
Assess Risks 288
Plan Risk Responses 289
Control Risks 290
Managing Risks for Information Systems Development 291
An Information System Example: Internet Applications Development
for ABC Office Designs (Continued) 292
Summary 293
Questions 294
Internet Exercises 294
Case Study 1: A Not-for-Profit Medical Research Center 294
Case Study 2: The Wedding 295
Case Study 3: Student Fund-Raising Project 295
References 296

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 Contents xiii

CHAPTER 9
Closing the Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Project Closing Actions 301
Final Payments 301
Staff Recognition and Evaluation 302
Postproject Evaluation 302
Lessons Learned 305
Archive Project Documents 305
Customer Feedback 306
Early Project Termination 307
Summary 311
Questions 311
Internet Exercises 312
Case Study 1: Factory Expansion Project 312
Case Study 2: Market Research Report Project 314
References 316

P A R T 3 People: The Key to Project Success

CHAPTER 10
The Project Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Project Manager Responsibilities 322
Planning 323
Organizing 323
Controlling 323
Project Manager Skills 324
Leadership Ability 324
Ability to Develop People 328
Communication Skills 329
Interpersonal Skills 330
Ability to Handle Stress 331
Problem-Solving Skills 332
Negotiating Skills 333
Time Management Skills 334
Developing Project Manager Competence 334
Delegation 336
Managing Changes 339
Summary 345
Questions 346
Internet Exercises 347
Case Study 1: Codeword 347
Case Study 2: ICS, Inc. 349
References 352

CHAPTER 11
The Project Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Acquiring the Project Team 356
Project Team Development 358
Forming 358

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xiv Contents

Storming 359
Norming 360
Performing 360
Project Kickoff Meeting 361
Effective Project Teams 364
Characteristics of Effective Teams 364
Barriers to Team Effectiveness 365
Effective Team Members 368
Team Building 369
Valuing Team Diversity 371
Ethical Behavior 375
Conflict on Projects 377
Sources of Conflict 378
Handling Conflict 380
Problem Solving 381
A Nine-Step Approach to Problem Solving 381
Brainstorming 384
Time Management 385
Summary 388
Questions 391
Internet Exercises 391
Case Study 1: Team Effectiveness? 392
Case Study 2: New Team Member 394
References 396

CHAPTER 12
Project Communication and Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Personal Communication 400
Verbal Communication 401
Written Communication 402
Effective Listening 403
Meetings 404
Types of Project Meetings 404
Effective Meetings 408
Presentations 411
Prepare the Presentation 413
Deliver the Presentation 414
Reports 415
Types of Project Reports 415
Useful Reports 417
Control Document Changes 418
Project Communication Plan 419
Stakeholder Communication 421
Collaborative Communication Tools 421
Summary 425
Questions 427
Internet Exercises 428
Case Study 1: Office Communications 428

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 Contents xv

Case Study 2: International Communications 430

References 432

CHAPTER 13
Project Management Organizational Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Functional Organizational Structure 436
Autonomous Project Organizational Structure 439
Matrix Organizational Structure 441
Advantages and Disadvantages of Organizational Structures 445
Functional Organizational Structure 445
Autonomous Project Organizational Structure 446
Matrix Organizational Structure 447
Summary 449
Questions 451
Internet Exercises 451
Case Study 1: Multi Projects 452
Case Study 2: Organize for Product Development 454
References 457

Appendix A Project Management Information Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461

Appendix B Project Management Websites ............................................ 473
Appendix C Project Management Associations around the Globe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
Appendix D Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Reinforce Your Learning Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505

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 Preface

There are those who make things happen,

those who let things happen, and
those who wonder what happened.

We hope that Successful Project Management will help you have an enjoyable,
exciting, and successful experience as you grow through future project endeavors,
and that it will be the catalyst for enabling you to make things happen!
Best wishes for enjoyment, satisfaction, and success in all that you do.
Jack Gido
James P. Clements

Our Approach
Project management is more than merely parceling out work assignments to indivi-
duals and hoping that they will somehow accomplish a desired result. In fact, pro-
jects that could have been successful often fail because of such take-it-for-granted
approaches. Individuals need hard information and real skills to work successfully
in a project environment and to accomplish project objectives. Successful Project
Management is written to equip its users with both—by explaining concepts and
techniques and by using numerous examples to show how they can be skillfully
applied.
Although the focus of the book is squarely on the practical things readers
absolutely need to know to thrive in project environments, the book does not
forsake objective learning; it simply challenges readers to think critically about
project management principles and to apply them within the context of the real
world. We capture lessons learned from years of managing projects, teaching
project management, and writing extensively about it.
Successful Project Management is intended for students as well as for working
professionals and volunteers. The book is designed to present the essential skills
readers need to make effective contributions and to have an immediate impact
on the accomplishment of projects in which they are involved. It prepares stu-
dents with marketable and transferable skills and sends them into the workforce
ready to apply project management knowledge and skills. The book also supports
employer talent development and lifelong learning programs to develop and
train employees to work effectively in multifunctional teams and apply project
management tools and techniques to successfully accomplish project objectives.
Successful Project Management is written for everyone involved in projects, not
just project managers. Projects with good or even great project managers still may
not succeed, as the best efforts of all involved are essential. All the people on the

xvii
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xviii Preface

project team must have the knowledge and skills to work effectively together in a
project environment. People do not become project managers by reading books;
they become project managers by first being effective project team members.
This book provides the foundation individuals need to be effective members of
project teams and thereby boosts everyone’s potential to rise to the challenge of
managing teams and projects.
The book is written in an easy-to-understand, straightforward style with a min-
imum of technical terms. Readers acquire project management terminology gradu-
ally as they read the text. The mathematics is purposely kept simple. The text does
not use complex mathematical theories or algorithms to describe scheduling tech-
niques, nor does it include highly technical projects as examples. An overtly tech-
nical approach can create a barrier to learning for individuals who lack deep
understanding of advanced mathematics or technical backgrounds. Separate
appendixes are provided for those readers who want more in-depth coverage of
probability considerations and time-cost trade-offs. Our book includes a broad
range of easily understood examples based on projects encountered in everyday
situations. For example, real-world applications include conducting a market sur-
vey, building an information system, and organizing a community festival.

Enhancements to the Sixth Edition

Based on the excellent and supportive comments we received from our reviewers,
we are pleased to incorporate the following enhancements in the sixth edition of
Successful Project Management:
• Revised the chapter concepts and contents to support the Project Manage-
ment Knowledge Areas of the Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Fifth Edition as
shown in the table on the following page.
®
• Added the following new sections:
• Stakeholder Engagement (in Chapter 1)
• Agile Project Management (in Chapter 5)
• Stakeholder Communication (in Chapter 12)
• Replaced all Real World Project Management vignettes (two in each chapter)
with more up-to-date vignettes that discuss a variety of applications and
industry sectors, both North American and International.
• Enhanced and updated the Microsoft Project Appendixes in Chapters 4
®
through 7 based on Microsoft Project 2013, including all new figures of
screen captures
• Updated tutorial videos for using Microsoft Project 2013 in the book’s ®
companion website
• Made minor edits in the chapters to support the Project Management
Knowledge Areas of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
®
(PMBOK Guide) Fifth Edition and to provide consistency of concepts and
terminology among the chapters
• Updated Appendix B, Project Management Websites

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Preface xix

PMBOK
® Project Management Knowledge Areas
Human
Chapter Integration Scope Time Cost Quality Resource Communications Risk Procurement Stakeholder

1. Project Management
3 3
Concepts

2. Identifying and
3 3
Selecting Projects

3. Developing Project
3
Proposals

4. Defining Scope, Quality,

Responsibility, and 3 3 3 3
Activity Sequence

5. Developing the
3 3
Schedule

6. Resource Utilization 3 3

7. Determining Costs,
Budget, and Earned 3 3
Value

8. Managing Risk 3

9. Closing the Project 3

10. The Project Manager 3 3 3

11. The Project Team 3

12. Project
Communication 3 3 3 3
and Documentation

13. Project Management

3 3
Organizational Structures

• Updated and reformatted Appendix C, Project Management Associations

around the Globe, to list the associations alphabetically by country
• Integrated definitions of additional terms in the glossary into the appropriate
chapter text

Distinctive Features
Successful Project Management has many distinctive features to enhance learning
and build skills.

®
Supports PMBOK Guide—Concepts in the chapters support the project man-
agement knowledge areas of the Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). ®

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xx Preface

Learning Outcomes—The beginning of each chapter identifies specific outcomes

the learner should be able to accomplish after studying the material.
Real-World Vignettes—Each chapter contains two real-world vignettes that
illustrate the topics in the chapter. These vignettes not only reinforce chapter
concepts but also draw readers into the discussion and pique their interest in
applications of project management.
Examples and Applications—Specific relevant real-world examples and applica-
tions are incorporated throughout this text to reinforce the concepts presented.
Reinforce Your Learning Questions—Brief questions appear alongside the text
to ensure that learners retain key concepts and that the fundamentals are not
ignored. These in-the-margin questions “pop up” throughout the text to provide
positive reinforcement and to help learners to gauge their comprehension of the
material.
Critical Success Factors—Each chapter contains a concise list of the important
factors that project managers and team members need to know to help make
their projects successful.
Chapter Outlines—Each chapter opens with an outline of the key topics that
will be covered. These outlines clarify expectations and allow readers to see the
flow of information at a glance.
Graphics and Templates—Numerous exhibits and templates appear in the text to
illustrate the application of important concepts and project management tools.
Chapter Summaries—At the end of each chapter is a concise summary of the
material presented in the chapter—a final distillation of core concepts.
Review Questions and Problems—Each chapter has a set of questions and
problems that test and apply chapter concepts, support the learning outcomes,
and reinforce understanding and retention.
Internet Exercises—Each chapter has a set of exercises to invite learners to
research and review information about real-world applications of various project
management topics and summarize their findings.
Case Studies—End-of-chapter case studies provide critical-thinking scenarios for
either individual or group analysis. Variety in case format ensures that all lear-
ners can relate to the scenarios presented. The cases are fun and are intended to
spark interesting debates. By fostering discussion of various viewpoints, the cases
provide opportunities for participants to expand their thinking about how to
operate successfully when differing views arise in the work environment. Thus
students gain valuable insight into what teamwork is all about.
®
Microsoft Project 2013—Examples of how to use and apply Microsoft Project
2013 are included in appendixes in Chapters 4–7. Detailed instructions and a
®
number of sample screen displays are included.
Tutorial Videos—The book’s companion website includes a series of brief videos
that illustrate how to use Microsoft Project 2013. The videos align with the ®
®
material in the Microsoft Project 2013 appendixes in Chapters 4–7 of the book.
Project Management Information Systems—A comprehensive appendix dis-
cusses the use of project management information systems as a tool to plan,
track, and manage projects. Common features of project management informa-
tion systems are discussed, along with selection criteria.

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 Preface xxi

Project Management Websites—An appendix of project management websites

is provided as a good resource for additional information, applications, tools,
and research about project management. The book’s companion website includes
links to each of the project management websites listed.
Project Management Associations—A list of project management associations
around the globe is provided in an appendix for individuals who want to contact
these organizations about professional development, access to periodicals and
other publications, or career opportunities. The book’s companion website
includes links to each of the project management associations listed.

Organization and Content

Successful Project Management comprises 13 chapters plus appendixes with an
opening foundation chapter on project management concepts and the remaining
12 chapters divided into three parts:
• Part 1, Initiating a Project, discusses identifying and selecting projects, and
developing project proposals.
• Part 2, Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project, covers defining
scope, quality, responsibility, and activity sequence; developing the schedule;
resource utilization; determining costs, budget, and earned value; managing
risk; and closing the project.
• Part 3, People: The Key to Project Success, discusses the project manager;
the project team; project communication and documentation; and project
management organizational structures.
Chapter 1, Project Management Concepts, is a foundation chapter that dis-
cusses the definition of a project and its attributes; managing a project within
the constraints of scope, quality, schedule, budget, resources, risks, and customer
satisfaction; the project life cycle of initiating, planning, performing, and closing
a project, as well as monitoring and controlling the project and managing
changes; the definition of project management and the steps of the project man-
agement process; stakeholder engagement; implications of global project manage-
ment; project management associations; and the benefits of project management.
The concepts in this chapter support two PMBOK Guide project management
knowledge areas: project integration and stakeholder management.
®
Part 1, Initiating a Project, discusses identifying and selecting projects, and
developing project proposals. It includes two chapters:
• Chapter 2, Identifying and Selecting Projects, covers how projects are iden-
tified, selected, authorized, and outsourced. The project charter is also dis-
cussed. The concepts in this chapter support two PMBOK Guide project
management knowledge areas: project integration and procurement
®
management.
• Chapter 3, Developing Project Proposals, deals with building effective rela-
tionships with customers and partners; proposal marketing strategies; deci-
sion making to go forward with a proposal; creating winning proposals;
proposal preparation and contents, including simplified project proposals;

Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
xxii Preface

pricing considerations; customer evaluation of proposals; types of contracts;

and measuring success of proposal efforts. The concepts in this chapter
®
support the PMBOK Guide project management knowledge area of project
procurement management.
Part 2, Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project, covers project man-
agement techniques and tools. It includes six chapters:
• Chapter 4, Defining Scope, Quality, Responsibility, and Activity Sequence,
discusses clearly defining the project objective; preparing a project scope
document; the importance of planning for quality; creating a work break-
down structure; assigning responsibilities for work elements; and defining
specific activities and creating a network diagram. The concepts in this
®
chapter support four PMBOK Guide project management knowledge areas:
project integration, scope, quality, and time management.
• Chapter 5, Developing the Schedule, deals with estimating the resources and
durations for activities; developing a schedule that indicates the earliest and
latest start and finish times for each activity; and determining slack and
identifying the critical path of activities. It also explains the project control
process, including monitoring and controlling progress; the effects of actual
performance; updating the schedule; approaches to controlling the schedule;
and agile project management. This chapter also includes an appendix on
using probabilistic activity durations. The concepts in this chapter support
®
two PMBOK Guide project management knowledge areas: project integra-
tion and time management.
• Chapter 6, Resource Utilization, addresses taking resource constraints into
account when developing a network plan and project schedule; preparing a
resource requirements plan; leveling the use of resources within the required
time frame for a project; and determining the shortest project schedule when
the number of available resources is limited. The concepts in this chapter
®
support two PMBOK Guide project management knowledge areas: project
time and human resource management.
• Chapter 7, Determining Costs, Budget, and Earned Value, covers estimating
the costs of activities; creating a time-phased budget; cumulating actual costs;
determining the earned value of work actually performed; analyzing cost
performance; estimating project cost at completion; approaches to control-
ling costs; and managing cash flow. This chapter also includes an appendix
on time–cost trade-off. The concepts in this chapter support two PMBOK
Guide project management knowledge areas: project integration and cost
®
management.
• Chapter 8, Managing Risk, includes identifying and categorizing risks and
their potential impact; assessing the likelihood of occurrence and degree of
impact; prioritizing risks; preparing risk response plans; creating a risk
assessment matrix; and controlling and monitoring risks. The concepts in
this chapter support the PMBOK Guide project management knowledge
area of project risk management.
®
• Chapters 4–8 include several continuing multi-chapter integrated examples
and case studies that apply the concepts and tools discussed in the chapters.

Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Preface xxiii

The examples and case studies are introduced in Chapter 4 and continue and
build through Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8. Chapters 4 through 7 also include
appendixes on Microsoft Project that illustrate how to use and apply
Microsoft Project to one of the multi-chapter integrated examples.
• The last chapter in Part 2 is Chapter 9, Closing the Project. It discusses what
actions should be taken when closing a project; conducting a postproject
evaluation; the importance of documenting and communicating lessons
learned; organizing and archiving project documents; obtaining feedback
from customers; and early termination of projects. The concepts in this
®
chapter support the PMBOK Guide project management knowledge area of
project integration management.
Part 3, People: The Key to Project Success, focuses on the importance of the
people involved in a project. It includes four chapters:
• Chapter 10, The Project Manager, discusses the responsibilities of the project
manager; the skills needed to manage projects successfully; ways to develop
project manager competence; approaches to effective delegation; and how the
project manager can manage and control changes to the project. The con-
cepts in this chapter support three PMBOK Guide project management
knowledge areas: project integration, human resource, and stakeholder
®
management.
• Chapter 11, The Project Team, covers the development and growth of teams;
the project kickoff meeting; effective teams including characteristics of effec-
tive project teams, barriers to team effectiveness, effective team members,
team building, and valuing team diversity; ethical behavior; sources of con-
flict during the project and approaches to handling conflict; problem solving,
including brainstorming; and effective time management. The concepts in
this chapter support the PMBOK Guide project management knowledge
area of project human resource management.
®
• Chapter 12, Project Communication and Documentation, addresses the
importance of effective verbal and written communication, including sug-
gestions for enhancing personal communication; effective listening; types of
project meetings and suggestions for productive meetings; project presenta-
tions and suggestions for effective presentations; project reports and sugges-
tions for preparing useful reports; controlling changes to project documents;
creating a project communication plan; and collaborative communication
tools. The concepts in this chapter support four PMBOK Guide project
management knowledge areas: project communications, integration, human
®
resource, and stakeholder management.
• Chapter 13, Project Management Organizational Structures, explains the
characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of the functional, autonomous
project and matrix organizational structures and discusses the role of the
project management office. The concepts in this chapter support two
®
PMBOK Guide project management knowledge areas: project integration
and human resource management.
Appendix A, Project Management Information Systems, discusses the com-
mon features of project management information systems; criteria for selecting

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Other documents randomly have
different content
 CHAPTER XVI.

A BORDER BOY ERRANT.

But the bullets which had been meant to terminate Jack’s career
had not found their “billet.” Instead, his sudden fall to one side of
the saddle was a quick acting out of an old cowboy trick. The instant
that the first bullet had whistled by his ear Jack had flung himself
down thus, and as a consequence, the shots had missed their mark.
The relief of Walt and Ralph, as they came elbowing through the
crowd to find that their chum was unhurt, may be imagined.
The incident, too, had quite changed the temper of the crowd, as
such things often will. An unpopular monarch has often been turned
into his people’s idol by an attempted assassination, and something
of the same thing occurred now. Cheers for the American boy rang
through the air. In the midst of the excitement Don Alverado came
riding up, pressing his big chestnut horse through the throng.
“Thank the saints you are not injured, my gallant boy,” he cried in
his impulsive way. “Not for my entire estates would I have had you
even scratched. But what is this?”
The Don broke off in his congratulations abruptly, as a sudden
commotion occurred on the outskirts of the crowd. Rising in his
stirrups Jack could see that the center of the turmoil was Coyote
Pete, and that he was dragging something at the end of his lariat,
one end of which was wound around his saddle horn.
 Suddenly the crowd rushed in on this object, whatever it was,
but the next instant the wave of humanity surged back again, as
Coyote drew two pistols and aimed them right and left into the
throng.
“The first one that touches the varmint gits a taste of these!” he
was shouting, and although few in the crowd could understand the
words, they all caught the significance of his tones and fell back.
Thus, left with a free path, Coyote spurred his horse on and rode up
to where the Don and the Border Boys were assembled. The
professor had, by this time, joined the group and brought word that
Senorita Alverado wished to be informed at once of Jack’s condition,
and if he had been seriously injured. Word was at once despatched
to her that he was unharmed.
What Coyote Pete had at the end of his lariat was now at once
apparent. It was a human being who struggled to his feet as the
cow-puncher drew rein. Covered with dust as the man was, and
bleeding from his not over gentle treatment by the first of the crowd
who had rushed in on him, Jack yet had no difficulty in recognizing
the man as the tall Mexican who had been defeated, and who had
declared his intention of shutting out the American boy by fair
means or foul.
“What is this?” demanded the Don, as the abject object stood
cringing and whining before him.
“This is the pesky critter that fired them shots at Jack Merrill,
your Donship!” announced Coyote. “Stand up thar, you dirty dog,
and let ’em git a good look at you. Yer see,” he went on, “arter that
hat was thrown at Jack, I was on the lookout fer dirty work, so I jest
took up my stand near the tilting post, fer I judged thet if thar was
truble it ’ud come thar. Wall, I seen this fellow miss and ther look on
his face when he realized it. ‘Ole hoss,’ thinks I, ‘I’ll jes’ watch you
close.’ Wall, I did, but afore I could stop him he fired them shots.
Arter that he sneaked off in the crowd, but I got arter him with my
lariat, and I reckon I got him good an’ tight and hog-tied for
branding.”
The Don’s face grew black.
 “I know this fellow,” he said, “he is a former employee of mine
whom I discharged for quarreling and gambling. But this outrage will
terminate his career. As a magistrate of this district, I convene court
here and sentence him to——”
But with a piercing scream the abject being whom Coyote had
lassoed cast himself on the ground. He writhed, he dug at the dirt
with his nails, he grovelled and begged in an agony of terror. But the
Don was unmoved. It was different with Jack, however. While the
fellow’s cowardice disgusted him, at the same time he felt a faint
sentiment of pity. At any rate, he did not wish human life taken on
his account.
Just then a woman rushed through the crowd holding a child by
each hand. Word flew around that it was the would-be assassin’s
wife and children. This decided Jack. Pressing his pony forward, he
rode to Don Alverado’s side.
“Don’t you think, sir, that leniency might be observed in this
case?” he said. “The man’s wife and children, the excitement, the
chagrin of losing the contest, and——”
“Say no more; say no more,” was the abrupt reply. In fact, at the
sight of the man’s terrified wife and bewildered children, the Don
himself had experienced a feeling of compunction, “Jose, your life is
saved——”
The abject creature sprang up, pouring out a fulsome stream of
thanks and blessings. But the Don abruptly checked him.
“Had it not been for your wife and children, and for the noble
intercession of this young man whom you attempted foully to
assassinate, I should have hanged you without loss of time. But their
pleadings have had weight with me——”
“Oh, the blessings of the saints on the caballero’s head,——”
began the Mexican, but once more he was cut short.
“But I only remit your sentence on one condition,” went on the
Don, “and that is that you leave this part of the country forever. My
overseer will supply you with the money. If within twelve hours you
are in the neighborhood of Santa Anita, your life shall pay the
penalty. Now go!”
The Mexican reeled to his feet, and, shunned by the crowd,
tottered off. Only his wife and children clung to him.
“Strange that often the worst of men will have the most faithful
wives and devoted children,” mused the Don. “But come,” he said,
putting aside his momentary gravity, “do not let us mar the day by
this incident. Senor Merrill, you will now proceed to the stand where
your prize awaits you.”
At this the crowd set up a great cheer, and surrounded by his
friends, Jack rode to the grandstand where the senorita, still pale,
but radiant, presented him with the prize. Jack, crimson to the roots
of his hair, stammered out something in reply, he never knew what;
and then bending low he presented the lance tip on which the ring
still reposed to the senorita. With a blush and a smile she took the
ring and snatching a red rose from her hair affixed it to the point of
his lance. What a shout went up then! And in the midst of it our
party rode off, for the roping contest had been called.
“Say, where did you learn that trick, all that bowing and doo-
dadds, and all that?” grinned Walt, as the chums rode side by side.
“Yes, old chap, you acted like a regular knight errant. Polite as a
floor walker,” chortled Ralph; “there’s only one thing you’ve forgotten
to do.”
“What’s that?” asked Jack innocently.
“Why, press the rose to your lips, you chump. I never read of any
regular blown-in-panel knight who didn’t do that.”
“Well, I’m not one of that brand, I guess,” laughed Jack. But just
the same, it may be set down here that he took particular care of
that rose for many a long day.
To his chagrin, Coyote Pete only came off second best in the
roping contest, but, as the boys remarked, “It wouldn’t do for these
people to think we are hogs and want all the prizes.”
“That’s right,” agreed Pete, good humoredly, “an’, as somebody
said, some place ‘thar’s glory enough fer all.’”
 Early the next day after participating in the festivities of the
evening, the lads and their elders once more took to the trail. In the
meantime, the professor had attended to the renewing of their
supplies and “scientific paraphernalia,” and they had decided to
confide their adventures and the object of their quest to Don
Alverado.
“You are on an adventurous mission,” he commented, “and I wish
you all success.”
Before they set out the generous Don confided to Jack’s care a
document in Spanish.
“If you fall in with any government officials,” he said, “that will
act as your safeguard and passport. Adios, señors.”
“Adios!” shouted the boys, as they rode off. Jack, looking back in
the early dawn, thought he saw a handkerchief fluttering from an
upper window of the hacienda. At any rate, he waved his sombrero
gallantly and bowed low.
“Guess it’s a good thing we got Jack away from the hacienda,”
chortled Walt, in an audible tone.
“Guess it’ll be a good thing for you to maintain a discreet
silence,” growled Jack, in what was for him such a savage tone that
Walt looked rather alarmed. But before they had gone many miles
Jack, who had been silent and thoughtful, began to become his old
self once more under the influence of the trail and looked-for
adventure.
They traveled that day without any incident worth chronicling,
and nightfall found them camped on a fertile plain, deep in waving
grasses and plentifully watered. The level expanse was almost at the
foot of the gloomy Chinipal Range, in which was located the
mysterious mountain in search of which they had journeyed so far.
That night all lay down to rest with the feeling that the morrow
would see the beginning of their real hard work.
 CHAPTER XVII.

THE TRAIL OF THE TREMBLING MOUNTAIN.

But the Trembling Mountain still lay far from them. Following that
bivouac at the foot of the somber chain of mountains, they made
their way for some days through the most magnificent scenery they
had ever seen. Even Grizzly Pass could show nothing to compare
with it. It was an enchanted land of soaring peaks, deep and narrow
canyons in whose depths lay perpetual twilight, mighty cliffs and
crags and leaping waterfalls.
Sometimes on topping an eminence they could see far off to the
southwest a circle of snowy peaks vaunting it above their timber
clothed brethren. From some of these peaks issued columns of blue
smoke. Somewhere among those smoldering volcanoes, the
professor told them, lay the object of their quest. At noon every day
careful observations were taken, but they still pressed onward, the
mystery and charm of their quest increasing all the time.
Often, seated about the campfire, they discussed the possibility
of the Ramon gang having trailed them; but the consensus of
opinion was that they had succeeded in throwing the rascals off their
tracks.
“But the scoundrels are keen on the scent where gold or treasure
is concerned,” said Ralph one evening, “and I’ll bet that if they are
not now on our trail they are trying to get upon it. I’ve got a private
presentiment that we are not destined to land that treasure without
a struggle.”
“If only we could encounter those Mexican Rangers of Colonel
Alverado’s, our task would be easier,” said Jack. “I’ve a good mind to
look about at daylight to-morrow before we get under way, and see
if I can discover some trace of them.”
“Not a bad idea,” assented the professor, “the Don said that his
men were off in this section somewhere, as it was suspected that
the rascally gang of which Ramon is the head would make in this
direction to seek shelter in the wild fastnesses.”
The next day, dawn had hardly made things visible before Jack
was stirring, and saddling the big horse which they had taken from
the Mexican outlaws at the lone rancho, set forth on his quest. They
had wished to leave this horse as a present to Don Alverado for his
kindness, but the Don would not hear of it. He argued that they
might need an extra horse, and his words had proven true. The
extra animal had come in handy once or twice when one or another
of their own mounts was crippled temporarily by the rough mountain
roads.
Jack did not set out without an objective point. This was the
summit of a cliff at some distance which he felt sure he could reach
by a sort of natural trail he had observed from below. It was going
to be risky, though. To begin with, the trail was too narrow for him
to turn back if he found it ended abruptly, but it was the only way of
reaching the cliff top, and Jack felt that only from there could he
obtain a good view of the surrounding country.
To his relieved surprise, however, the trail, though narrow
enough in places to give a timid rider heart failure, was yet wide
enough toward the summit to afford a foothold to a sure-footed
horse like the one he bestrode. After about half an hour of breath-
catching riding, the Border Boy at length reached the top. As he had
anticipated, the view from there was as extended as it was
magnificent. Peak after peak in serried ranks stretched away on
every side. Deep canyons lay between them, with here and there a
solitary eagle soaring above the dark depths. The sky above was a
blinding blue, and the newly risen sun shone brightly, but yet, at that
great altitude, Jack felt chilled.
But if he had expected to see the smoke of campfires, or spy a
distant line of moving dots on this vast panorama, he was mistaken.
No human note marred the impressive solemnity of the scene. Jack
Merrill, poised with his horse on the cliff top, might have been the
only being in the world for any evidence to the contrary.
“Well, I suppose I’d better be getting back again,” he thought to
himself. “What a magnificent country! It is like those cloud palaces
you see among the thunder heads on a still summer’s day in New
England.”
With half a sigh at leaving such a spectacle behind him, the boy
turned his horse, and as he did so gave vent to a shout of surprise.
Kneeling on one knee behind a rock, and pointing a rifle full at
him, was the figure of a man who must have crept quietly up while
Jack had been admiring the view. This figure made a gesture
cautioning Jack not to move, and then gave a shrill whistle. Instantly
the woods all about galvanized into life. A score of wild-looking
horsemen sprang out. They were all armed, and Jack, utterly at a
loss to know what this could portend, stopped short.
“Well, senors, what is it?” he asked politely.
“Get off that horse, Miguel de Acosta,” ordered one of the men
sternly. “It is useless to resist, and——”
“But my name doesn’t happen to be Miguel de Acosta,” protested
Jack.
“In that case, what are you doing with his horse?”
“Whose horse?”
“Why, De Acosta’s. If you are not De Acosta and have his horse
you are a horse thief, which is as bad under our laws as any of the
crimes of which De Acosta is accused.”
“Will somebody please tell me what all this means?” cried Jack,
looking about him bewilderedly.
“Please let me examine the brand of that horse,” said the first
speaker, who seemed to be a kind of leader; “ah, just as I thought.
A bar and a flying U. That’s De Acosta’s horse and you are the man
we’re after. Get off now.”
“But—but——,” began Jack, beginning to think that this
adventure might turn out seriously after all.
“No explanations now. You may make those to the commandante
later. Come, senor,” as Jack still hesitated, “are you going to
dismount?”
“Nothing for it I suppose but to obey,” said Jack, clambering out
of the saddle.
The man who was conducting this inquiry while the rest looked
grimly on, was excessively polite, but there was something alarming
in his very suavity. As Jack’s feet touched the ground a sharp order
was given in Spanish, and two of the horsemen who had so
suddenly appeared stepped to his side. As they did so they tapped
their rifles significantly. But suddenly Jack noted something, and that
was that on the butt of each of the rifles was stamped Republica de
Mexico, No. 2, Sonora.
A great light broke upon him.
“Why, you are Mexican Rangers,—Rurales,—are you not?” he
demanded of the seeming leader.
“Si, senor. None should know that better than you.” was the
grave reply. “We are the second division of Sonora, with
headquarters at Santa Anita.”
“Hooray, then it’s all right after all,” cried the boy, and plunging
his hand into his breast pocket he drew forth the paper which Don
Alverado had given him before they departed from his hospitable
roof. The officer scanned it with raised eyebrows.
“Why, senor. A thousand pardons. I see that a mistake has been
made. But pardon me, how do you come to be riding the horse of
the notorious outlaw, De Acosta, who is one of Black Ramon de
Barros’s chief lieutenants?”
“Oh, I see it all now,” cried Jack, “you were in search of Black
Ramon, and when you saw a horse answering the description of De
Acosta’s, you at once jumped to the conclusion that I must be he.
Say, that’s quite a joke.”
“It wouldn’t have been much of a joke for you, if you had not
proved your identity, senor,” was the grave reply of the officer,—for
such Jack now knew he must be, “do you know what we would have
done with the real Acosta had we found him? Hanged him to the
nearest tree and left his body for the gallinazos and the buzzards.”
The day was warm, but Jack shuddered as the leader of the
Mexican Rangers spoke.
“But, senor,” went on the young officer, “you hinted just now at
having a story to tell about how you came by the horse. Will you
breakfast with me at our camp yonder, and you can relate your story
as we eat? It may be of great value to the State if it throws any light
on the ways of Black Ramon.”
Jack assented to this proposition. For one thing, he was hungry.
For another, he saw that the Mexican Rangers might prove valuable
allies in case of a brush with the Ramon outfit. All the rurales,
among whom a very democratic spirit prevailed, were much
interested in his tale. They hung closely about the officer’s quarters,
a blanket stretched on the ground, while Jack related his story of the
happenings at the lonely rancho. It made an odd scene, this
conclave under the great mountain pines. There was the clean-cut
American lad sitting tailor fashion opposite the young officer who
listened eagerly, while all about hovered the forms of the rangers,
clad in bright sashes and brilliant-hued serapes, with immense cone-
topped hats lavishly decorated with gold and silver braid. Jack
learned later that some of these men oftentimes pay as high as two
hundred dollars for their headgear, and that a good sombrero will
pass down from father to son and grandson without deteriorating.
At the conclusion of Jack’s narrative, the officer expressed a wish
to visit the camp of the Border Boys, more especially as it was in a
part of the mountains unfamiliar to him. No time, therefore, was lost
in mounting and getting under way. The Rangers used bugle calls
like regular troops, the trumpeter riding at the leader’s side.
 In single line they defiled down the steep trail by which Jack had
ascended, and were soon at the foot of the mighty cliff.
“And where is your camp, senor?” inquired the officer, after they
had ridden for some time in the direction in which Jack knew it lay.
“That’s what’s puzzling me, senor,” rejoined the boy anxiously, “it
should be here, but——”
He broke off abruptly. Undoubtedly from the litter and the still
smoking embers upon which they had just that minute stumbled
they must be at the site of the camp. But where were the lad’s
companions?
Had the earth swallowed them they could not have vanished
more completely, nor did a painstaking search by the Rangers reveal
any clue as to their whereabouts or the manner of their departure.
 CHAPTER XVIII.

BLACK RAMON’S TRICKERY.

“This looks like some of that rascal Ramon’s work!”

Jack paused in the fruitless search and wiped the perspiration
from his forehead.
The officer of the Rangers, whose name was Antonio Del Rio,
carefully rolled a brown paper cigarette and lighted it before he
glanced up at the troubled young countenance before him.
“I think you are right, senor. During your absence he and his
band must have surprised the camp and carried your amigos off as
prisoners, that is, unless they themselves have taken to the trail.”
“And leave me behind! Not likely. No, senor, they have met with
some foul play.”
“I proffer you my services and those of my Rangers,” was the
prompt rejoinder, “we will set out at once.”
“But the question is, in which direction shall we go?” asked Jack,
frankly bewildered.
“Wait. I will call Juan Andreas. He is the most expert tracker in
the Rurales, and if there is a chance of picking up their trail, he will
do it.”
Andreas proved to be a small, shrivelled Mexican on a “paint” or
spotted pony. Jack saw that his eyes flashed like those of an old
hunting dog, as, in obedience to his superior’s command, he slipped
from his pony and began running about in the surrounding woods,
crouching low, with his nose almost on the ground.
Suddenly he stopped, straightened up, and with a gesture almost
regal, he raised a hand and pointed to the west.
“They go that way,” he said in Mexican.
The young officer nodded. The notes of the bugle rang out, and
an instant later the camp site was once more deserted as the
cavalcade dashed off through the dense woods in hot pursuit of the
missing men and boys.
It is now time that we inquire for ourselves just what was
happening and had happened to Ralph, Walt, Coyote Pete and the
professor. After Jack had left the camp then, the professor with his
geological hammer had started out to get specimens, of which he
already had several pounds, much to Coyote Pete’s disgust.
He wandered down the canyon and had perhaps gone further
than he intended, when suddenly he was seized from behind, his
arms pinioned and the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed to the back of
his neck.
“Now march,” came a crisp order, and the man of science, being
also a man of discernment, “marched.” He did not dare to turn his
head, but from the trampling of hoofs behind him he judged that
several men must be following in his wake. Before long he found
that they were undoubtedly headed for the Border Boys’ camp. But
he dared make no outcry, for the old man had guessed already that
his captors must be Black Ramon’s men, and he knew that they held
human life no dearer than so much dust.
Arrived near to the camp, the old man was tied to a tree and
gagged, and then his captors, whom he now recognized as Ramon’s
band, scattered among the trees in such a manner that they
completely encircled the camp. All at once one of them began to
make a peculiar sound,—a perfect imitation of the “gur-gur-gur-
gobble” of the wild turkey.
 How the professor longed to warn the boys of the crafty trap that
was being set for them! But he was powerless to do anything. As the
wily band of marauders had guessed, the “skirling” of the supposed
turkey was enough to set the camp agog. Snatching up shotguns,
Walt and Ralph plunged off into the underbrush. They had not gone
twenty paces before the brigands, noiselessly as panthers, seized
and bound them, old coats being held over their heads to prevent
their making any outcry. This done, they were bound to the same
tree as the professor.
The capture of Coyote Pete alone, now remained to be
accomplished. For, as we know, though the marauders were not
aware of the fact, Jack was far from the camp at the time. But in
Coyote the Mexicans caught a Tartar. The old plainsman was frying
some bacon, stooping low over the coals, when the sharp crack of a
twig behind him caught his attentive ear. Like a flash he bounded
erect, but not before the muzzles of a dozen rifles were aimed at
him from the underbrush.
Black Ramon was taking no chances with Coyote Pete, whom he
knew both by reputation and experience.
For one instant, as he took in the situation, Coyote was still as a
figure carved from marble. Only the heaving of his chest under his
blue shirt showed that he was, for him, considerably startled.
Suddenly, and without the slightest warning, the old plainsman
crouched low, and then dashing straight at the nearest Mexican,
seized him by the legs, and before the others had recovered their
senses, he had hurled the fellow backward by an expert wrestling
trick. The astonished Mexican alighted in the midst of the campfire,
overturning the spider, from which he was plentifully sprinkled with
scalding bacon fat.
In this way Coyote, cut off from reaching his own weapons,
managed to possess himself of a rifle.
“Now,” he shouted, “the first varmint that fires at me gets some
of this lead. I may only have one shot, but I’ll make that one tell.”
 A storm of bullets was the result, but Coyote with that quick
foresight which was his characteristic, threw himself flat behind a
large rock, with the result that the leaden hail spattered against the
solid stone.
Suddenly a figure on a black horse rode into the little clearing. It
was Ramon himself. Without the slightest hesitation Coyote threw up
his rifle to his shoulder, and, disregarding his own danger, fired point
blank at the outlaw leader.
But for once Coyote Pete’s aim was at fault. Ramon was not even
scratched by the missile.
“Gosh!” exclaimed Pete, “I begin ter think thar is suthin’ in that
story that he bears a charmed life arter all. I had a plum bead on
him and——”
In his astonishment at his missing such an easy shot, the cow-
puncher had not noticed several forms creeping through the dark
woods behind him. Before he had a chance to defend himself, he
was dealt a mighty blow on the back of the head by a “clubbed” rifle
in the hands of one of the outlaws whose head was encircled by a
big bandage.
“Take that for the blow you struck me at the rancho,” grunted the
fellow, as Pete, spreading his arms, fell forward like a stunned ox.
The man who had dealt the blow was the same whom Pete had
knocked off the ladder on that memorable night at the lonely
rancho.
“Pick him up and place him with the others,” ordered Ramon,
without the slightest trace of any emotion whatever showing on his
copper-colored face.
This order was swiftly carried out, and the consternation of the
others may be imagined when they saw the cow-puncher’s lanky
form being carried by two of the raiders. They had heard the shots
and at first they feared that Pete was dead, but to their relief, the
next minute, they overheard Ramon remark:
“Throw him upon his horse when you bring it up. He’ll be all right
in a short time.”
 Presently the boys, with eyes that flamed with indignation, saw
the Mexicans leading up their stock, not forgetting the pack burros,
whose burdens had been hastily hitched on.
“Caramba, but I would like to lay my hands on that other one,
that Merrill boy, more than all the rest,” snarled Ramon through his
yellow teeth. “Take the gag out of that boy’s mouth yonder, and ask
him where Jack Merrill is,” commanded Ramon of one of his men,
none other in fact than the Acosta for whom Jack had been
mistaken.
Ralph was the prisoner designated by Ramon, and not a little
relieved was he to have the not-over clean bit of cloth, with which
his mouth had been stopped, removed from his teeth.
“Now then,” blustered Ramon, “where is Jack Merrill?”
“Far from here and on a mission to Santa Anita,” retorted Ralph
boldly. He was an honest lad, but in such a case deceit was the only
course possible. If he had told the truth, the bandits were quite
capable of hiding and waiting for the boy, thus enmeshing the whole
party.
“What has he gone there for? Be careful, boy, and speak the
truth.”
“To get the Mexican Rangers to run down all such rascals as
you,” was the bold reply, and one which an instant later Ralph
wished he had bitten out his tongue before he made.
“Well, that being the case, forewarned is forearmed, as you say
in your country,” rejoined Ramon. Then in Spanish he gave orders to
mount immediately. First, however, he presented Jack’s pony
Firewater to Acosta, as a recompense, presumably, for the loss of
the latter’s own animal.
The boys and the professor were hustled into saddles and their
legs tied together under the ponies’ bellies. Ramon stood by looking
on sardonically while this was being done.
“You are not at the lone rancho now,” he chuckled, “but in the
heart of the most lonesome range of mountains in Mexico. That was
a clever trick of yours to escape with the senorita, but now you are
going to pay for it. Ah, yes, I shall have a revenge, and such a
revenge it will be, too!” He showed his long yellow fangs as he
spoke, and chuckled hideously. In spite of their determination to be
calm, the lads shuddered a bit. But the professor stared stonily at
the ruffian.
“Am I to understand that it is your intention to abduct us?” he
demanded.
“It is,” was the rejoinder, “I mean to make you useful to me in
many ways. As my slaves in Trembling Mountain I’ll make you wish
every hour of the day that you had never tried to thwart Black
Ramon. Forward!”
At the command the band dashed off. Coyote Pete, still
unconscious, tied to the saddle of his horse. The boys’ gags had
been removed, as had the professor’s of course, and as the rush of
hoofs drowned other sounds, Walt found an opportunity to say to
Ralph:
“Thank goodness, old Jack’s still at large. Depend upon it, he’ll
find some way to get the Mexican Rangers and help us out of this.”
But Ralph shook his head.
“We’re at the last ditch now, Walt,” he replied. “I don’t see a
chance for us.”
 CHAPTER XIX.

WHAT COYOTE DID.

Coyote Pete, as Ramon had prophesied, came out of his swoon

before long. His return to consciousness was enlivened by some of
the most picturesque language the Mexicans had ever heard. But as
Coyote had been tied to the saddle he could not relieve his mind
otherwise than by using all the opprobrious names he could select
from a copious vocabulary. Now it was a peculiarity of Pete’s that he
never swore,—that is, actually used bad language,—but he had
invented a language all his own to express his feelings when angry.
Set down on paper it would look tame, but as Coyote Pete used it, it
was tremendous,—exterminating almost.
But after his first outbreak, Coyote remained unusually calm. He
was thinking with all his might, but all his thinking did not bring him
any nearer to a solution of their difficulties. They were in the hands
of the most bloodthirsty band of rascals in Mexico. Even if they
escaped, they would be bound to perish miserably in those rugged
wilds without food or the weapons to procure any. The nearest
settlement, Pete knew, must be at least two hundred miles away,
and probably more.
Truly, it was not a cheerful predicament. In fact, as Ralph had
said, it looked very much like the last ditch. But Coyote was not of
the kind of human that gives in and throws up its hands just
because on the surface of things it seems time to abandon hope. Far
otherwise, as the readers of other volumes of this series know.
There probably was not a cooler head nor a better one along the
border than Coyote Pete, but even he had to own that, for the
present anyhow, he was “stumped.”
At noon a halt was made for a few minutes, and frijoles, corn
bread and muddy black coffee (cold) was given the prisoners. The
professor could not eat, he was in such a state of mind. But the
others fell to heartily enough; the boys, because they were boys,
with appetites that nothing could upset, and Coyote Pete, with the
idea of “firing up” with nourishment in case he might find some way
out of it for all of them.
All the afternoon they traveled, reaching higher and higher
altitudes. Every now and again Ramon would consult earnestly with
the red-haired outlaw of unmistakably American origin, who had, as
Jack felt certain, left the warning notes on two occasions,—once at
the camp in the canyon, and again at Don Alverado’s fete. But on
the latter occasion, unless it was one of the band that hurled the
sombrero at Firewater’s head, the outlaw’s plans did not seem to
have materialized.
But if this man was friendly to the boys he did not give any sign
of it. Instead he glared at them as malevolently as did any of the
others.
“You’re the kind of American that looks best decorating a tree,”
thought Pete, who was now allowed to sit erect on his pony,
although, like the boys and the professor, his feet were tied
underneath.
On and on they traveled throughout the afternoon, Ramon urging
his followers up to a terrific pace considering, that is, the nature of
the country they were traversing. Now they would plunge down into
dark and gloomy defiles where perpetual purple twilight reigned, and
again on mounting some crest they would see, spread out before
them, a panorama of much the same sort as had so delighted Jack
on the cliff summit before he fell in with the Mexican Rangers.