ld enable them to
take at least temporary possession of the land in dispute.

And, as Bud had truthfully remarked, only a short occupancy of pasture
by the odorous sheep would spoil the grazing and water for sensitive
cattle and horses.

For several days after the fight nothing happened. Dick and the
wounded cowboys received medical treatment, and all except one were
soon on the road to recovery. Poor Lanky had received a grievous wound
which eventually caused his death, and he was sincerely mourned.

Meanwhile Mr. Merkel kept on with his ranch work, and the boys,
visiting Happy Valley, found matters there going well. They were far
enough away not to need to worry about sheep for a time. Then, too,
their papers were safe and in case dispute arose as to ownership the
matter could easily be settled.

During this comparatively quiet spell, part of which time was utilized
by Mr. Merkel in a vain attempt to discover the missing deeds and other
documents, the boy ranchers paid several visits to the camp of
Professor Wright. That eager scientist was delving away after fossil
bones as enthusiastically as if he had never discovered any.

"What are you on the track of now?" asked Nort.

"A Brontotherium," answered the professor.

"What did he say--a bronco?" asked Bud. "We've got some over at our
place you can have for nothing," he added with a laugh. "They're not
dead yet, though some of the boys who tried to ride 'em wish they were."

"A Brontotherium," explained Professor Wright, "is an extinct animal,
something like the rhinoceros, but much larger--more than the size of
an elephant, I hope to prove. There are indications that I may find
the bones here."

"I hope you do," remarked Dick.

The boys wandered around the camp, and were about to leave the scene of
the digging and excavating when Nort uttered an exclamation.

"What's the matter?" asked his brother.

"Look! There's Del Pinzo!" exclaimed Nort, and, surely enough, the
figure of the wily Greaser or half-breed was seen moving among the men
engaged by the professor to help him and his assistant in digging up
fossil bones.

"You have that rascal again, I see, Professor," said Bud rather coldly.

"Well, he certainly is a great help," was the answer. "He has great
influence over the Mexican laborers."

"Too much," grimly remarked Bud. They went away, paying no further
attention to Del Pinzo though he smiled at them in what he doubtless
intended f