ng, for it was a warning. They found out who he
was through that Baxter and made him a prisoner. Then I had to sneak
away, for I knew they were after me, too."

"Found out you wasn't me, eh?" put in Bill Cashaw. "Thought they
might. That crowd is a clever one. Where's my wagon and horses?"

"I had to leave them behind. Here are your hat and coat. I'll thank
you to give me my own," went on the government official, and the
exchange was quickly made.

The boys asked James Monday many questions, which he answered as best
he could. But he was in a hurry, and told them so.

"I want to watch that ranch," he said. "But I'd like one of you to
ride to town as hard as you can and take a message for me."

"I'll take the message, if there is anything in it," came quickly
from Bill Cashaw.

"No, I want one of the boys to take it. You can go along, if you
wish," went on James Monday. He was not quite willing to trust the
old man.

The matter was discussed hurriedly, and it was decided that Fred
should carry the message, and it was written on a slip of paper which
the boy tucked away in an inside pocket. Then off he and the old man
started for town, both on horseback.

"The gang at the ranch is a desperate one," said the government
official when the pair were gone. "The most I can hope to do is to
watch them until help arrives."

"Then you sent for help?" asked Songbird.

"Yes, and if the message is properly delivered, the help will not be
long in arriving."

The detective wanted to move closer to the ranch, and Hans and Songbird
did as requested, taking the horses with them. They were as anxious
to make a move as was the detective, but just then there seemed
nothing to do but to wait.

Suddenly Songbird uttered a cry.

"I smell smoke! Can the forest be on fire?"

"Of it vos, ve had besser git owit kvick!" ejaculated Hans. "I ton't
vont to burn up, nohow!"

"I see a light," returned James Monday. He ran to where there was a
cleared space. "I believe the ranch is on fire!" he gasped.

"It is so!" exclaimed Songbird. "I can see the flames plainly. Now,
how did that happen?"

"I don't know. Let us draw closer. I want to see what Sack Todd and
his crowd will do."

The government official hurried forward and the two boys followed
him, bringing along the horses as before. Soon they were at a spot
where they could see the conflagration plainly. To their astonishment,
not a soul appeared around the ranch or the outbuil