essed, that they did not pass a break in the telephone line. The
thin copper conductor was intact as they could see.

"They must have gone about half way back--between the creek and our
ranch, and snipped the wire there," said Bud, after a period of silence.

"I reckon so," agreed Dick. "That would be what we'd do if we had it
to do; wouldn't we?"

"Why?"

"Because we'd want the break to come as far away as possible from
either end, to make it take longer to find and mend it."

"That's right, Dick. I never thought of that. Then there isn't really
much use looking along here. We might as well ride fast to a point
about half way. We'll find the break there."

"No, we don't want to do that, Bud. We'll just ride along as we have
been going, and we'll look at every foot of wire."

"But I thought you said----"

"I said if we had to cut an enemy's telephone line, we'd probably do it
about half way between the two main points. But we can't take any
chances. These fellows may have reasoned that we'd think they cut it
half way, and, just to fool us, they may have gone only a quarter way."

"Oh, shucks! If you think onery sheep herders have brains to do any of
that sort of reasoning, you're 'way off, Dick!"

"Well, maybe I am, but we won't take any chances. We'll inspect every
foot until we come to the break."

And this plan was followed.

It was not until after they had ridden several miles that they saw,
dangling between two poles, the severed ends of the wire.

"There it is!" cried Dick.

"Good! I mean I'm glad we've found it!" voiced Bud. "It may be all
sorts of bad luck that it's cut. For they may have figured that we'd
divide forces to mend the break, and they may take this chance to rush
Kid and Snake and get possession of the land."

"I don't think so," remarked Dick as he dismounted to approach the pole
and look at the severed wire. "Those sheep can't travel as fast as
that, and we'll have reinforcements at the fort when they try to cross
Spur Creek."

"But they may send a bunch of Greasers on ahead of the woollies,"
objected Bud.

To this Dick did not answer. He was busy looking at the end of the
dangling wire.

"Is it cut or broken?" asked Bud, for there was the possibility of an
accident having happened.

"Cut," was the answer.

"What you going to do?"

"Splice it," was the answer. "That's all I can do now. I brought some
extra wire along."

Not pausing to climb the pole