at we have him."

"Well, we better take him to town, anyway. He'd get lost if we turned
him loose out here. Let his friends take care of him, when he gets
there."

"All right; let's move on."

Not much was said as they made their way back to town. Old man Norris
did not open his mouth, but looked dejected and sad, as if he was
brooding over what would happen to him when he arrived at his
destination. He was plainly uneasy, and probably wished they would turn
him loose.

When they were within a mile of the town they saw a cloud of dust
approaching them rapidly, and watched it curiously. It was a horseman,
fogging along at a rapid pace.

Finally out of the dust emerged Bud Morgan, and as he came abreast of
them he pulled his horse down on its haunches.

"Howdy?" he said.

"How?" answered the others.

"So yer got ther ole pelican, eh?" said Bud, with a grin.

"Kit did," said Ted.

"Bully for you, Kit," said Bud heartily. "I was in town, an' a feller
from over to Running Water told me you and Stella had come out this way,
an' I follered. What's the matter with your arm, Kit?"

"Got a shot through it."

"Sho! Did that old pirate give it to you?"

"No, the jockey, and then he flew."

"I've got a good mind to go after him, an' bring him in."

"Wouldn't do any good. At the rate he was going when I sent a message
after him, he's clear into the suburbs of Chicago by this time."

They were soon on the outskirts of the town, and as they entered the
main street they saw a crowd of men coming toward them.

"Here comes a reception committee," said Ted. "Wonder who they are, and
what they want."

"By Jove, there's that big fellow Shan Rhue," exclaimed Kit. "I wonder
what he's after."

"I thought he had enough o' our kind o' medicine not to want ter tackle
us so soon again," said Bud.

"I don't like the looks of that gang," said Ted.

"Neither do I," said Stella. "I've a hunch that they mean mischief."

"In what way?" asked Ted.

"Well, I can't exactly define the feeling I have, but somehow I think
they don't want _us_."

"Eh? Whom do they want?"

For reply Stella made a motion toward Norris. Ted looked at her
thoughtfully for a moment, then comprehended.

"I see," he said seriously. "Well, they won't get him."

"Bud, where are the other boys?" asked Stella.

"Uptown som'er's. Why?" said Bud.

"They ought to be here," said the girl seriously. "I think we'll be
needing them soon."

"I tumble, an'