CHAPTER XVIA MEETING ON THE TRAIL
Arriving at the bridge, Sid Todd told Dave to halt, and the pair dismounted. As they did so they heard a sound in the bushes beside the stream. They looked in the direction, but saw nobody.
The cowboy had drawn his pistol, and with this in hand he walked closer to the bridge. His eyes were on the planking, and presently he uttered an exclamation:
"The rascals!"
He pointed to two of the planks, and Dave saw that they were loose and so placed that the slightest jar would send them down into the stream.
"Do you think those men I just saw did this?" questioned Dave.
"Certainly they did! They ought to be hung for it, too!" answered the cowboy, wrathfully.
"But what for—to cripple our horses?"
"Either that, or to cripple us. Dave, we've got to be on our guard. If those hoss-thieves are watching us——"
"I don't think they were horse-thieves, Todd."
"You don't? Then——" The cowboy broke off into a low whistle. "Do you mean to say Link Merwell would play such a dirty trick?"
"Yes, I do. You haven't any idea how that fellow hates me."
"Hum!" mused Sid Todd. "Well, maybe, but I thought it must be the hoss-thieves."
"Why would horse-thieves want to hurt our horses?"
"They wouldn't want to do that, but they might be thinking our horses would fall and throw us. But I see that reasoning is weak. Maybe it was young Merwell—and Hank Snogger. If it was, they ought to be punished good an' proper, hear me!" went on the cowboy, with emphasis.
"I am going to look around the bushes," went on Dave, determinedly.
"Look out that you don't get into trouble, son. Anybody who would do this would do worse."
Dave had seen a heavy stick lying beside the road, and arming himself with this, he walked to the bushes and around them. In the soft soil he made out a number of hoof-prints, and he called Todd's attention to these.
"On hossback, both of 'em," said the cowboy, after an examination. "Dave, you was right," he announced, a little later. "It must have been Merwell and Snogger, fer see, they have taken theold trail along the river. That leads to another trail that runs to the Merwell ranch."
"Well, they are gone, that's certain," answered the youth, after another look around. "We may as well be on our way. But we ought to mend the bridge."
"We'll do that,—an' post a warning, too," said the cowboy.
Not without difficulty, they managed to fasten the planks into place once more. Then, at either end of the rickety structure, they set up a stick in the road.
"That's the usual warning in this country," explained Todd. "It means 'Go slow and look out.'"
When the pair arrived at Star Ranch they found the boys and girls waiting for them.
"You must have walked back," said Belle. "We have been waiting for you ever since we heard the locomotive whistle."
"Oh, we had to stop to fix the bridge," answered Dave, and then handed around the letters, which instantly claimed attention, so no more questions were asked. Then the Crumville youth had supper, and by that time it was late enough to go to bed.
"You've got a cut on your cheek, Dave," said Phil, when the three boys were undressing. "Did you scratch yourself?"
"Thereby hangs a tale, Phil," quoted Dave, and then, in a low voice, told of the encounter at the railroad station, and gave the true particulars of the trouble at the river.
"It's the same old Link!" murmured Roger. "We'll have to watch out for him!"
"I really think the girls ought to be warned," said Phil. "There is no telling what mean thing Link might do—if he met them alone."
"Well, we don't want to frighten them," answered Dave.
"Better frighten them than give Link the chance to annoy them," answered the senator's son.
"Say, I wish I had seen you polish off Link!" cried Phil. "It would have done my heart good. I'll wager he was as mad as he could be!"
"Oh, he was mad enough," replied Dave, with a grim smile. "But say, when you get the chance, I want you to look at that Hank Snogger. He looks like somebody I've met somewhere, but for the life of me I can't place him."
"Is he handsome?" quizzed the shipowner's son.
"No, he looks melancholy—as if he had something on his mind. It's a peculiar face, and for the life of me I can't get it out of my mind."
Several days passed and nothing of importance happened. The boys and girls enjoyed themselvesthoroughly, and the Endicotts did all in their power to make the visitors feel at home. At first, Jessie was inclined to be a little shy, but soon this wore away and she felt as happy as anybody.
"It certainly is a splendid spot," said she to Dave. "I don't wonder Laura was anxious to get back, and to have you see it."
"It suits me—I wouldn't ask for a better vacation, especially"—Dave dropped his voice a little—"with you along, Jessie."
"Oh, Dave!" she cried, and blushed.
"It wouldn't be half so much fun if you hadn't come along, Jessie," he went on. "I am very, very glad that we are here—together."
"Well, so—so am I," answered the girl, and then, still blushing, she ran off to join Belle and Laura. But the look she gave Dave warmed his heart as it had never been warmed before.
Sunday passed, with a little home service, in which all those in the house and also a few of the cowboys joined. The boys and girls sang some of the familiar church songs, and this the cowboys greatly enjoyed.
"We don't git much in the way of entertainment here," explained Sid Todd, "and that singin' sounds mighty good to us. It touches a fellow here, too," he added, with his finger over his heart.
"If Mr. Endicott will permit it, we'll give youboys an entertainment before we go home," answered Dave. "We give them at Oak Hall, you know,—and the girls can help."
"Say, that sure would be fine!" answered the cowboy, enthusiastically.
The boys had found out from Mr. Endicott where good fishing could be had, and early of the second week at Star Ranch they went out, taking the girls with them. All were on horseback, and carried lunch along, for they were to remain out all day.
"Now keep out of trouble," said Mrs. Endicott, as they rode away. "And be sure to come back before dark."
"We'll be back by six, mamma," answered Belle. "And you needn't worry about us, for we'll be perfectly safe."
They were bound for a spot among the foothills, about six miles away. Here was located a mountain torrent, said to be filled with the gamiest kind of specimens of the finny tribe. Sid Todd had told them of a particularly good bend in the stream, where fishing was bound to be excellent, and Belle said she knew the trail, having gone to the locality several times with her father. She was a true young sportswoman, and could fish almost as well as her parent. She carried the same kind of an outfit as did the boys. Jessie and Laura did not expect to fish, but said they would watch the others, andpick wild flowers, and also prepare the lunch when it came time to eat.
All were in the best of health and spirits when they departed. It promised to be an ideal day, with the sun shining clearly, and a gentle breeze blowing from the northwest. They passed along at a smart gait, for the boys and Belle were anxious to try their luck with their lines and poles.
"If we catch enough, right from the start, we can fry some fish for lunch," said Dave. "I love fish just from the water."
"Oh, so do I!" cried Belle. "They seem so much sweeter."
"In the city one gets them all packed in ice, and then half the flavor is gone," added Laura.
They started in a bunch, but gradually drifted into pairs, Dave riding beside Jessie, Roger escorting Laura, and Phil taking the lead with Belle. The senator's son and Dave's sister had become very "chummy," and it can be said that Phil and Belle were fully as attentive to one another as the occasion warranted. All told stories and sang, and the boys whistled.
Half an hour of riding brought them to the edge of a woods, and here they had to proceed in single file, or "Indian fashion," as Belle expressed it.
"By the way, are there any Indians around here?" asked Jessie, timidly.
"A few, and they are very peaceable," answered the ranch owner's daughter. "Our only enemies are the cattle- and horse-thieves."
They were passing through some dense underbrush when Belle suddenly called a halt. The trail was very narrow, and on either side grew dense clumps of trees.
"Somebody is coming," announced the girl.
"On this trail?" asked Laura.
"Yes."
"We'll have some fun passing each other, especially if it's a fat man," remarked Roger, dryly, and this caused a laugh.
They waited, and presently saw a boy approaching on horseback, followed by a lean-looking man who wore a tattered cowboy dress and a much-battered sombrero.
"It's Link Merwell!" exclaimed Phil.
He was right, and the bully did not stop until his horse stood directly in front of that ridden by Belle. Then he came to a halt, and his companion halted directly behind him.
"I want to pass," growled Link, without so much as raising his hat or bidding the time of day.
"All right, pass," answered Phil, stiffly. "We are not keeping you."
"You are blocking the trail."
"Can't you pass around the ladies?" questioned Roger.
"I've got as much right on this trail as you," returned the bully, shooting a dark look at the others. "You needn't think you own everything!"
"Oh, let us ride to one side and let him pass!" whispered Jessie. "He may want to fight if we don't!"
"He won't fight with so many against him," answered Dave.
"You are very considerate of the ladies, I must say," said Roger. "We'll give you half the trail and no more," and he urged his horse a little to one side and Dave and Phil did the same. The girls moved still further over, so that Link Merwell might not touch them as he passed.
"Where are you going?" demanded the bully, as he moved slowly forward.
"That is our affair, not yours," answered Dave, sharply.
"You keep off my father's land!"
"We don't intend to go near your land," said Belle, coldly.
"Oh, I didn't mean you, Belle, I meant Dave Porter and his cronies."
"Mr. Porter and his friends are my guests, Mr. Merwell. When you insult them, you insult me." And Belle held her head high in the air.
"All right; have your own way, if you want to. I haven't got anything against you and your folks.But I don't intend these outsiders shall ride over me," growled Link. He faced Dave. "I'm not done with you yet, remember that!" he added, bitterly. Then he rode on, and the lean-looking man behind him followed. Belle looked at the man curiously, but the fellow kept his face averted as he slipped by. Soon boy and man had disappeared from view.
"Talk about a lemon!" cried Phil. "Say, isn't Link the sourest ever!"
"He certainly is," answered Roger.
"Let's forget him," said Dave. "We are out for fun to-day, not for trouble." And then they moved forward as before. Little did any of them dream of what that unexpected meeting in the woods was to bring forth.
CHAPTER XVIIIN WHICH SOME HORSES ARE STOLEN
A half hour more of riding brought the little party to the bank of the stream at a point where Belle said they would be sure to find good fishing. Here there was something of a pool, the river tumbling from some rocks above. The pool was lined with rocks and brushwood, and behind these was a glade, backed up by the woods.
"What a lovely spot!" cried Jessie, enthusiastically, as Dave assisted her to dismount, and took charge of her horse. "Just look at the wild flowers among the rocks! One would not believe that they could grow in such a place!"
"I am glad I brought my camera with me," said Laura. "I am sure I shall get some fine pictures."
Belle showed the boys where the animals might be tethered, and they took particular care to fasten the steeds properly, as Sid Todd had instructed them. Then they got out their fishing-rods, and also that of Belle, and baited up with the artificial flies they had brought along.
"We'll fish for an hour," announced Dave. "And then I'll knock off and start up a campfire."
"When you do that be careful and not set fire to the woods," said Belle. "Papa is very much afraid of fire."
"I don't blame him," put in Roger. "A fire out here would do a terrible amount of damage."
The boys and Belle were soon busy fishing, in the pool and along the lower part of the river. The stream was about thirty feet in width and from a foot to four foot deep, with great rocks sticking up here and there. Trout and some other fish were plentiful, and all had but little difficulty in getting bites, and it was great sport to play their catches and land them.
"This is the best fishing I ever saw!" cried Phil, as he succeeded in landing an extra fine mountain trout. "I don't wonder that fishermen come many miles to gratify their taste for such sport."
"Here's another!" exclaimed Belle, merrily, and brought in a fish that was a beauty. Roger and Dave both leaped to help her, and soon the catch was dropped into a side pool with the others.
While the boys and Belle were fishing, Laura and Jessie wandered up and down the rocks and the grassy glade beyond, gathering wild flowers and also some blackberries that grew in that vicinity. Dave's sister also succeeded in getting severalphotographs, including two of the others with their fishing outfits.
"Now, I want you all to stand in a group, with your fish on strings," said Laura, a little later, when the fishing seemed to slow up a little. And then she arranged them to suit herself and took two snapshots.
"Now, let me take a snapshot of you and Jessie, with your bunches of wild flowers," said Dave, and this was soon added to the other films.
They had great fun building a campfire and preparing lunch. The boys cut the wood and started the blaze, and even made coffee, while the girls spread a tablecloth that had been brought along, and put out tin plates and tin cups, and the various good things to eat. Then some of the fish were cleaned by the boys and fried by the girls, and all sat down to enjoy what every one declared was better than a feast at a hotel. In the meantime the horses were tethered in a new place, so that they could crop the luxurious grass.
"I can tell you one thing, life in the open air gives one a great appetite," remarked the senator's son, as he smacked his lips over a particularly dainty portion of trout.
"As if there was ever anything the matter with Roger's appetite," cried Phil.
"How about yourself, Phil?" questioned Dave, with a grin.
"Oh, I reckon I can get away with my share," answered the shipowner's son calmly, as he reached for another portion of the fish.
As there was no hurry, the boys and girls took their time over the meal, and many were the stories told and the jokes cracked while the food was disappearing.
"If only some of the Oak Hall boys could see us now!" cried Dave. "Wouldn't they envy us!"
"They certainly would," answered Roger.
"And what of the girls at home?" asked Jessie. "I rather think they'd like to be in our place."
"Crumville seems a long way off, doesn't it?" said Laura.
Besides the fish, they had chicken sandwiches, cake, pie, and half a dozen other things to eat, and coffee, and water from a sparkling spring to drink. When they had finished, they took it easy for a while, and then fished some more, and went strolling.
"I think we had better be thinking of returning," said Belle, at length. "It is a long ride back, remember, and unless I am mistaken there is a storm coming up."
"A storm!" cried Jessie. "Oh, I hope not!"
"We don't want to get wet," added Laura.
"I don't think the storm will come right away. But I don't like the looks of the clouds yonder."
"They certainly do look bad," remarked Dave,casting his eyes in the direction to which Belle pointed. "It didn't look like rain this morning."
"It may be more wind than rain, Dave. Sometimes we have great windstorms around Star Ranch."
They were quite a distance up the river shore when Belle called attention to the clouds. They had gone up to get a view of a small but picturesque waterfall, and Laura had taken several snapshots, with the boys and girls in the foreground, seated on a fallen tree trunk. Now all started back in the direction of the temporary camp.
"Say, Roger, you help the girls pack up," said Dave. "Phil and I can get the horses ready. Be sure to see that the fire is out, too," he called back.
"All right," answered the senator's son. "The fire is out—I saw to that before," he added.
The horses had been tethered at some distance from the camping-out spot, behind some heavy brushwood, where the grass was extra thick and nutritious. Dave hurried in that direction, with Phil at his heels.
When the two youths reached the spot, both stared around in perplexity.
"Why, Dave——" stammered the shipowner's son. "I thought——"
"We left the horses here!" cried Dave. "I'm sure of it."
"Then where are they now?"
"Maybe they broke loose and wandered away."
"Or else they have been stolen!"
"Stolen!"
"Yes,—it couldn't be otherwise. They wandered away or they have been stolen."
"We'll take a look around."
Both boys hurried, first in one direction, and then another. They could see hoof-prints in the grass, leading towards the rocks back of the bushes, but that was all. The horses had been tethered to some saplings.
"The halters didn't break, that's certain," said Phil, soberly. "For if they did, we'd find the broken ends."
"I can't understand it," returned Dave, and his face grew thoughtful.
"Hello!" came in Roger's voice. "Why don't you bring those horses? We are all ready to go."
"Come here!" called back Dave. "Something is wrong!"
The senator's son answered the summons on a run, and the three girls trailed behind him. The newcomers to Star Ranch did not know what to say, but Belle uttered a cry of dismay:
"Horse-thieves!"
"Oh, Belle, do you really think somebody has stolen the horses?" queried Laura, while Jessie turned very pale.
"Yes, I do," was the blunt response. "That is, if they were tied properly."
"Yes, they were well tied—I saw to that myself," said Dave.
"I know mine was tied fast, and so was Laura's," added the senator's son.
"And I put a double knot in the rope to Belle's and mine," came from Phil.
"One thing is sure," said Laura. "They couldn't very well all break away at once."
"I am sure it is the work of horse-thieves," responded Belle. "Papa has been afraid they might come back."
"But how did they know about our horses being here?" asked Phil.
"They must have watched us and seen us ride away from the ranch, and then they followed, and took the horses while we were up the river."
"If only we could follow them, and get the horses back!" said the senator's son, with a sigh.
"They must be worth a lot of money," murmured Jessie. "Oh, supposing they had shot us!" she added, tremblingly.
"Horse-thieves are usually cowards," answered Belle. "They won't shoot unless they are cornered. I'd like to follow them myself, but we can't do it on foot."
"What are we to do?" asked Laura, and looked at her brother.
"I don't know," answered Dave. "One or two of us boys might walk back to the ranch and tell the folks of what has happened."
"But it is such a distance, Dave!" cried Jessie. "And see how black the sky is getting!" she added.
"It is quite a number of miles to the ranch house," said Belle. "You would not be able to reach there until long after nightfall."
"I shouldn't mind that," answered Dave. "But what will the rest of you do in the meantime? You can't stay out here in the open very well, with that storm coming on."
"Dave, you're not going to the house alone," cried Laura. "I'll not allow it. Supposing those horse-thieves should be watching you? They might attack you, and rob you!"
"Yes, please don't think of going alone," pleaded Jessie, and her eyes began to fill with tears.
"Dave is not going alone. I am going with him," declared Roger.
"No, I'll go," volunteered Phil. "You can stay with the girls."
"Well, both of you can't go," answered Dave, with a grim smile. "Somebody has got to stay here,—in fact, I think it would be better that both of you stay with the girls—in case I don't get back with help by morning."
"Of course, if it wasn't for the loss of the horses we could all stay here," said Belle. "Papa will be sure to send somebody out to look us up when it gets late and we are not back. But I think he ought to know about the horses just as soon as possible."
"Is there any sort of a shelter around here?" questioned Roger.
"Yes, there is a shack about a quarter of a mile up the river," answered the ranch owner's daughter. "Papa stayed there several nights, once upon a time. It isn't much of a place, but it will shelter us from the storm."
"Are you sure you can find it?"
"Oh, yes, I've been there twice."
"Then you and the others had best put up there for the night, and I'll start at once for the ranch house," went on Dave. "I am not afraid, and I'll keep my eyes wide open for those horse-thieves," he continued.
But to this plan the girls would not listen, and at last it was arranged that Roger should remain with the girls, while Dave and Phil walked to the house for aid. The crowd left behind were to hurry to the shack up the river, and there make themselves as comfortable as possible until help arrived.
"Do be careful now, Dave!" said his sister, as he was on the point of departing.
"Yes! yes!" added Jessie. "I shall worry every minute until you get back!"
"Don't be alarmed," answered Dave. "We'll get through all right, and have help here before you know it."
"Are you sure of the trail?" asked Belle.
"Oh, yes, that's easy," answered Phil.
Without another word the two chums started off in the direction of the ranch house, so many miles distant. The others, watched them out of sight, and then turned and walked up the river bank toward the shack Belle had mentioned.
CHAPTER XVIIIOUT IN THE WIND AND RAIN
"Dave, what do you suppose those six horses were worth?" questioned Phil, as the two youths hurried along the back trail on a dog-trot,—the same dog-trot they used when on a cross-country run at Oak Hall.
"At least two thousand dollars, Phil," was the reply. "The horse I used was a dandy, and so was that Belle had—and yours was a good one, too."
"What do you suppose those horse-thieves will do with them?"
"Drive them a long distance, hide them for a while, and then, when they get the chance, sell them. Of course they don't expect to get full value for them, but they'll get a neat sum."
"You don't suppose this can be a trick of Link Merwell's?"
"I thought of that, but I don't think so. Taking a horse in this section of the country is a serious business. Why, they used to hang horse-thieves, and even now a ranchman wouldn't hesitate toshoot at a fellow who had his horse and was making off with it. No, I don't think Link would quite dare to play such a trick. But of course we can investigate,—after we have reported to Mr. Endicott."
"You are not going to try to keep up this dog-trot all the way to the house, are you?" questioned the shipowner's son, after about a mile had been covered, and when they were passing over a rather rough portion of the trail.
"Winded?"
"Not exactly, but I shall be if I keep this up," panted Phil. "Besides, I don't want to tumble over these tree roots."
"I wanted to get as far as possible on the way before that storm broke," went on Dave, glancing anxiously upward, between the branches of the trees. "When it comes, I rather think it will be a corker. I hope the others reach that shack before it rains."
"Oh, they ought to be there by this time."
The boys kept on, sometimes running and sometimes dropping into a walk. As they advanced, the sky kept growing steadily darker, both on account of the storm and because the day was drawing to a close.
"Here's the spot where we passed Link and that man with him," said Dave, presently. "Wonder who that fellow was?"
"Oh, some hand from the Merwell ranch, I suppose. He didn't seem to be very sociable. He kept his head turned away all the time Link was talking to us."
"If he's from the Merwell place, they can't have very nice fellows up there."
"Well, who would want to work for a man like Mr. Merwell? He and Link are just alike, dictatorial and mean."
The two boys kept on for a short distance further. Then Phil caught his foot in a tree root and went sprawling.
"Wow!" he spluttered, as he arose. "Hi, Dave, wait for me!" he added, for his chum had continued on the run.
"What's wrong?"
"I tripped and fell—just as I was afraid I'd do. Better go slow—unless you want to break an ankle or skin your nose."
"The storm is coming," said Dave, as he came to a stop. "Much hurt?"
"Not very,—scratched my hand, that's all. Phew! listen to the wind!"
The sky overhead was black with clouds, but to the north and the south were great patches of light. The wind was increasing steadily.
"Maybe it will be more wind than rain," said Dave. "I hope so, too, for I have no fancy for getting drenched to the skin."
"I don't like a wind storm—when I am in a big woods like this," answered the shipowner's son. "I am always afraid a tree will come down on me."
"Well, we have got to look out for that—if we can," answered Dave, gravely. "I don't like it myself, but it can't be helped."
They continued on their way. The wind increased rapidly, and soon it grew so dark they could see little or nothing under the thickest of the trees. They came to an open space, and there the wind struck them with great force, almost hurling them flat.
"Say, I think—we had—had better wait a—a bit!" panted Phil, as he clutched Dave by the arm.
"Let us get over to yonder rocks," answered Dave. "We'll be a little safer there than between the trees."
Hand in hand the chums crossed the glade and made for a series of rocks looming between the trees beyond. The wind was now blowing with almost tornado force, and with it came a few scattering drops of rain. Just as they gained the rocks something whizzed past their heads.
"What was that?" gasped Phil, ducking after the object had passed.
"It was a small tree limb," answered Dave. "We've got to watch out. Hark!"
They listened, and above the whistling of the wind heard a great crash.
"It's a tree being blown down!" cried Phil. "Come on, let us get between the rocks, before something hits us on the head!"
Much alarmed, both boys leaped for the shelter of the rocks, and in the darkness felt their way until they reached a split that was seven or eight feet deep and a foot wide at the bottom and twice that at the top.
"I guess this is as good a place as any, Phil," remarked Dave, when he had regained his breath sufficiently to speak.
"It won't be much protection if it rains hard," grumbled the shipowner's son.
"Well, I don't see that we can do better."
"Neither do I."
Further conversation was cut off by the wind and the rain. The former shrieked and whistled through the woods, sending down branch after branch with tremendous crashes that awed the boys completely. The rain was light, but the drops were large and hit them with stinging force.
For fully half an hour the blow continued, and then it appeared to let up and the rain stopped entirely.
"Shall we go on?" questioned Phil, standing up and trying to pierce the darkness around them.
"Better hold up a while, Phil," answered Dave."This is as safe a spot as any, with the wind blowing down the trees all around us."
They waited, and it was well that they did so, for presently the wind started to whistle once more, growing louder and louder. A small tree branch came down on them, and then came a crash that made them both jump.
"It's coming this way!" yelled Phil. "The tree behind the rocks!"
"Get down!" cried Dave, and threw himself flat.
Both boys crouched as low as possible. They heard the tree bend and crack. Then came a tremendous crash, and they felt one of the rocks moving.
"Maybe we'll be crushed to a jelly!" groaned the shipowner's son.
There was no time to say more, for an instant later the tree came down, directly over the top of the opening. Several small branches thrust themselves down upon the lads, pinning them to the bottom of the crevice. The rocks trembled, and for the moment the boys were afraid they would be crushed to death, as Phil had intimated.
"Safe, Phil?" asked Dave, as the rocking of the stones and the big tree ceased and the wind seemed to die down once more.
"I—I guess so! A tree limb is on my back, though."
"I've got one across my legs."
With caution both boys crawled from beneath the branches and out of the split in the rocks. They could see where the big tree had been uprooted, leaving a hole in the soil fifteen feet in diameter. The top of the tree was all of a hundred feet away from this hole.
"We were lucky to be between the rocks, Phil," said Dave, with a grave shake of his head. "Otherwise, if that tree had come down on us——"
"We wouldn't be here to tell the tale," finished the shipowner's son. "Ugh! it makes me shiver to look at it."
"Now it is down, we may as well get between the rocks until we are sure this blow is over," went on Dave, after standing several minutes in the rain.
This appeared the best thing to do, and they crawled back into the crevice and partly under the tree. Here the thick branches protected the lads, so that but little rain reached them.
A dismal hour went by, and then the storm came to an end. The wind died down into a gentle breeze and the rain was reduced to a few scattering drops, to which they paid no attention.
"If only that wind didn't blow the shack down on the other folks' heads," said Dave. He wasthinking of how frightened the girls, and especially Jessie, must have been.
"I'll wager the trail is now a mass of mud and water," said Phil, and he was right, and as they progressed, they frequently got into the mud up to their ankles.
It was eleven o'clock when they gained the edge of the woods and came out on the plains. The sky was still overcast, only a few stars being faintly visible.
"Are you sure of the right direction, Dave?" asked the shipowner's son, as both paused to look around.
"I think this is the trail, Phil, don't you?" and Dave pointed with his finger to a deep rut in the soil.
"Yes. But that doesn't make it right," and Phil gazed around in some perplexity.
"What do you mean? This is the only trail around here."
"So I see. But, somehow, this edge of the woods doesn't look familiar to me. I thought we entered at a point where I saw a clump of four trees on the left."
"Hum! I rather think I saw those trees myself," mused Dave. "But I don't see them now."
"Neither do I, and that makes me think that perhaps we came out of the woods at the wrong spot."
Much perplexed, the two lads walked around the edge of the woods for a considerable distance. But they saw nothing of any other trail and so came back to the point from which they had started.
"This must be right, after all," was Phil's comment. "Anyway, it's the only trail here, so we may as well follow it."
They hurried on, the halt under the rocks having rested them a good deal. Out on the prairie the trail grew a bit drier, for which they were thankful. They got into their dog-trot once more, and thus covered all of two miles in a short space of time. Then, of a sudden, both came to a halt in dismay.
"Which one?" asked Phil, laconically.
"Don't know," was Dave's equally laconic answer.
Before them the trail branched out in three different directions, like three spokes within the right angle of a wheel.
"This is a regular Chinese puzzle," said Dave, after an inspection of the trails. "The one to the right looks to be the most traveled."
The two boys made every possible effort to pierce the darkness ahead of them, and presently Phil fancied he saw a light in the distance. Dave was not sure if it was a light or a star just showing above the clearing horizon.
"Well, we may as well go ahead," said theshipowner's son. "No use in staying here trying to figure it out."
They went on, taking the center one of the three trails. They had covered less than quarter of a mile when Phil gave a shout.
"It is a light, I am sure of it—the light of a lamp or lantern! Hurrah! we must be on the right trail after all!"
"Go slow, Phil," cried Dave, a sudden thought striking him. "That may not be a ranch light."
"Yes, but——"
"It may be something much worse—for us."
"What do you mean?"
"It may be the light from the camp of the horse-thieves."
CHAPTER XIXA FRUITLESS SEARCH
Phil stared at Dave in consternation.
"Do you really think that?" he cried.
"I don't say I think so, I only say it may be," returned the youth from Crumville.
"If they are the horse-thieves, and we watch our chances, we may get the animals back!"
"Not unless it is a single thief, Phil. We don't want to run the risk of getting shot in the dark."
"That's true."
With great caution the two lads advanced along the muddy trail. As they got closer to the light they saw that it came from a log house, low and rambling. Not far away were several other buildings, and also a corral.
"We are on the right trail after all!" sang out the shipowner's son, joyfully, and commenced to run at the best speed he could command.
"Hold on!" called Dave, but Phil was so eager to get to the house first that he paid no attention to the words. Not until he had reached the very piazza of the building did he pause to stare around him.
"Why, it's not Mr. Endicott's place at all!" he exclaimed.
He had made considerable noise ascending the piazza, and now a door was flung open, letting a stream of light flood his face, momentarily blinding him.
"Hello! what do you want?" demanded a man Phil had never seen before.
"Why—er—what place is this?" stammered the youth, and as he asked the question Dave came up behind him.
"This is the Triple X Ranch," was the man's answer.
"What! Mr. Merwell's place?" stammered Phil.
"That's it. Want to see him? Why, say, you're all out of wind,—anything wrong?"
"I—I didn't know this was the Merwell place," murmured Phil. He knew not what else to say, he was so taken back.
"Who is that, Jerry?" asked another voice, and a moment later Felix Merwell stepped into view. As he saw Dave he scowled slightly.
"Why, Mr. Merwell, we—er——" commenced Phil, and then he looked at Dave.
"We were out and we lost our way in the darkness and got on the wrong trail," said Dave, quickly. "Will you be kind enough to direct us to the trail to Mr. Endicott's ranch?"
"Endicott's ranch is a good bit from here," growled Felix Merwell.
"But, Dave——" interrupted Phil, when a meaning look from his chum silenced him.
"Haven't you got no hosses?" asked the man who had first come to the door.
"No, but we don't mind that," said Dave. "We can walk."
"Jerry, show them the trail," said Mr. Merwell, shortly, and turned his back on the boys.
The ranch hand came out without waiting to get his hat or coat, and walked to a point back of the corral.
"It's a long, lonely way," he said, kindly. "You ought to have horses."
"How many miles?" asked Dave.
"About one and a half."
"Oh, that is not so far."
"Got caught in the storm, eh?"
"Yes."
"Link is out too and the old man is kind of worried about him. He sent Hank Snogger out to look for him."
"Then Link didn't come back this afternoon?" said Dave, quickly.
"No, he's been out since early morning. You met him, eh?"
"Yes, but that was about the middle of the forenoon. He was over in the woods."
"It was such a blow the old man is worried, thinking Link might have got caught under a tree in the woods, or something like that. There's your trail. Keep to that and it will take you right to the Endicott corral."
"Thank you," said both boys, and a moment later they and the man had separated. The ranch hand watched them out of sight, then returned to the house.
"Dave, why didn't you tell them about the horse-thieves?" asked Phil, as soon as he deemed it safe to ask the question.
"I didn't want to ask any favors of Mr. Merwell, that's why," was the reply. "I don't believe he'd want to go after them, and I didn't want to borrow any horses from him."
"Well, I don't blame you for looking at it that way. But we may be losing valuable time."
"We ought to be able to reach Mr. Endicott's place inside of twenty minutes. Come on," and Dave increased his speed.
"Did you note the fact that Link has not yet returned?" said the shipowner's son.
"Yes, but that doesn't prove anything. He may have crept into some place for shelter from the storm, just as we did."
The two youths kept on steadily and before long saw another light in the distance. Then theyheard hoofbeats, and soon several forms on horseback loomed out of the darkness.
"Hello!" sang out the voice of Sid Todd. "Who are you?"
"Todd!" called Dave, and a moment later the cowboy rode up, followed by another ranch hand and Mr. Endicott.
"What is wrong?" demanded the railroad president, quickly. "Where are the others?" and his face showed his extreme anxiety.
"The others are safe, so far as we know," answered Dave. "But we have had quite an adventure." And then he and Phil told of how the horses had been stolen, and of how they themselves had been caught in the woods during the great blow.
"The horse-thieves again!" exclaimed Mr. Endicott, wrathfully. "We must get after them this time and run them down! Todd, tell the other men at once! We must lose no time in getting after them! And send word around to the other ranches!"
The railroad president smiled grimly when the boys told him of the brief stop at the Merwell place.
"I don't blame you for not wanting aid from Mr. Merwell," said he. "I want to leave him alone myself. I am only sorry I have him for a neighbor. I'd help him to sell out, if he wished to do so."
The boys went to the house and were speedily given something to eat,—for they had had nothing since noon. They also donned some dry clothing.
"It won't do any good for you to go out again," said Mr. Endicott. "I'll go out, and so will most of the hands. You can remain here with Mrs. Endicott, who is very nervous because of the storm and the absence of Belle."
"As you think best, sir," answered Dave; and so it was arranged. Truth to tell, both Dave and Phil were glad to rest, for the long walk and the experience in the woods during the storm had tired them greatly. Each threw himself on a couch, and almost before he knew it was sound asleep.
When the two boys awoke it was morning. They found that Mrs. Endicott had covered them up with light blankets. A sound outside had aroused them.
It was the other young people returning, on horses Sid Todd had taken to them. Dave and Phil sprang up to meet them.
"Oh, I am so glad to get back!" cried Belle, as she ran to embrace her mother. "Such a time as we have had!"
"Oh, yes, we were safe enough, after we got to the shack," said Laura, in answer to a question from her brother. "But, oh, how it did blow!"
"We were afraid the shack would be carriedright up into the air," said Jessie. "And we were so worried about you—thinking a tree in the woods would come down on you."
"Well, one did, pretty nearly," answered Dave, and gave the particulars.
"The men have all gone off after the horse-thieves," said Roger. "But Todd hasn't much hope of tracing them, for the rain washed out all the hoofmarks."
The newcomers were tremendously hungry, and a hearty meal was gotten ready with all the speed of which the Chinese cook was capable. As they ate, the boys and girls told the details of their experience at the shack up the river.
"Did you see anything more of Link or that man with him?" asked Dave.
"No," answered the senator's son. "We've been wondering if they had anything to do with the disappearance of the horses."
"We have been wondering the same thing," said Phil.
"I spoke to papa about it, and he says he will interview Mr. Merwell—if they get no trace of the thieves," said the ranch owner's daughter.
Those who had been at the shack all night were so tired that they went to bed directly after eating, and Dave and Phil were glad enough to rest some more; so that the balance of the day passed quietly. It was not until after sundown that Mr. Endicottshowed himself, followed by about half of the ranch hands.
"We thought we found the trail, but we lost it again," said the ranch owner. "Todd and some of the others are still at it, but I am afraid the thieves are out of our reach. I have sent word to the sheriff, and I suppose he'll put some men on the trail to-morrow."
"Did you stop at the Merwell ranch?" asked Belle.
"Yes, I stopped there less than an hour ago. Mr. Merwell had just come in from a hunt for Link."
"What! then Link isn't back yet?" cried Dave.
"No, and his father was a good deal worried about his absence. When I told about the loss of the horses, Mr. Merwell was worried more yet. He said we needn't think that his son touched them."
"It is queer where Link is keeping himself," mused Roger.
"That's true—unless he was hurt by the storm," answered Phil.
"Have you any idea who these horse-thieves are?" asked Dave.
"We have a general idea, yes," answered Mr. Endicott. "The gang who took the other animals was led by a bold cowboy named Andy Andrews. Andrews is a thoroughly bad egg, and there hadbeen a reward offered for his capture for several years. More than likely this raid was made by him or under his directions."
"Then I sincerely hope they round up this Andy Andrews," remarked Dave.
"So do I—and that we get our horses back."
The night and the next day passed quietly. When it grew dark Sid Todd came in, followed by several of the ranch hands. The look on the foreman's face showed that he had had no success in his hunt.
"We got the trail once, but lost it ag'in," said the cowboy. "The sheriff has got a posse of six men working on the trail now,—but I don't think they'll make anything out of it." And then he told the story of how the woods had been scoured, and of a hunt along the river and over the plains. The men had ridden many miles and were all but exhausted.
"Did you see anybody from the Merwell ranch?" asked Dave.
"Saw Link and his father just as we were coming home," answered Sid Todd. "Merwell said he had seen nothing of the thieves."
"Did Link say anything?"
"No. He was dead tired and he looked scared."
"Scared?" queried Roger.
"Yes. When he saw me I thought he wasgoing to run away. I asked him if he had seen anything, and when he answered me his face went almost white. I reckon he was scared—thinking of the way he treated you folks on the trail. Maybe he thought I was goin' to pitch into him for it."
"Maybe," said Dave, slowly. "He hadn't seen anything of the thieves?"
"No. He said he didn't know the hosses was gone until his father told him. He said he got lost in the woods, and stayed in a certain spot till the blow was over."
"Humph!" murmured Dave, and there the talk came to an end. But Dave was not satisfied. He still wondered if Link Merwell knew anything about the taking of the horses.