e, as they had ridden hard.

"We'll camp here for the night," decided Billee. "Too bad there isn't
a telephone here that we could use to send word back to your dad, Bud.
But we can't have everything."

"No," agreed Yellin' Kid with a chuckle. "I'd like a room an' a bath
with plenty of hot water, but I don't see any growin' on no trees
around here!"

However, the cowboys were used to this sort of life and they counted it
no unusual hardship. A fire was made, those who had been scarred by
bullets were looked after and then the ever-welcome "grub" was served.

The next day, after the hasty burial of the dead rustler, on whom
little sympathy was wasted, and concerning whose identity no one cared
much, the march back to Diamond X was begun, the cattle being slowly
driven toward their former pasture. As not all the cowboys were needed
for this, a sufficient number were told off by Billee, and the
remainder, including the boy ranchers, made better speed back to
headquarters.

There the news of the successful chase after the rustlers was received
with satisfaction, and Mr. Merkel said he hoped it would be a lesson to
other thieves.

"I wish we could give the same sort of lesson to any sheep herders that
might be around here," remarked Bud.

"That's so," said his father. "And perhaps you'd better be getting
back to Spur Creek. No telling what might have happened while you've
been away. We didn't leave anyone on guard."

"I don't know as it was necessary," said Bud. "But, all the same, we'd
better get back."

They made the start early the next morning--the boy ranchers, with
Yellin' Kid and Snake, and there was the promise of more cowboys to
help them hold the "fort" should it be considered necessary.

"Well, everything seems to be all right," remarked Bud as he and his
party rode up to the shack on the edge of the stream. "No signs of the
sheep yet."

"And no smell, either," chuckled Yellin' Kid, as he sniffed the air.

"It takes the perfesser for that!" said Snake with a laugh.

"I wonder what Professor Wright is doing?" said Nort.

"Oh, digging up a lot of old bones, I reckon," Bud answered. "But
let's get grub and rest. I'm tired."

The events of the past few days had been strenuous enough to make them
all welcome a period of rest. And they had it, for a few hours. And
then something occurred to start a series of happenings that lasted and
created excitement for some time.

It was toward the