Valley, though they
had had to fight to secure that, as related in the book named "The Boy
Ranchers in Camp."

"Well, if there's to be a fight, the sooner the better," commented Bud
as he and his cousins washed up at home after their night in the open.
They told of their experiences, which really amounted to nothing as far
as getting a trace of the fugitives was concerned, and then. Mr.
Merkel sent word to Sheriff Fowler of the theft.

"And now we'll build a fort at Spur Creek," said the ranchman.

"A _fort_!" cried Bud.

"Well, it will be a sort of fort," his father went on. "There is one
place there just right for defensive operations and we'll put up a
shack there and mount guard until the danger is over. Once the sheep
men see that we mean business they may throw up their hands and go back
where they belong--in Mexico."

There were soon busy times at Diamond X. The flivver was called into
requisition, and on it and on wagons was transported to Spur Creek
lumber to make a rough shack as a shelter for those who would be kept
on guard against the advance of the sheep herders.

"And we're going to form part of that guard!" declared Bud. "Our ranch
can run itself for a while. We've got to stick by Dad!"

"That's right!" agreed Nort and Dick. Secretly they rejoiced at the
chance of a coming conflict, even though they had so recently had a
hard time campaigning against the Yaqui Indians.

It did not take long to throw up a rough shelter at Spur Creek. This
could be improved upon as time passed, but it was necessary to make a
stand there at once. So, two nights after the alarm and robbery at
Diamond X, behold the boy ranchers, with some of their cowboy friends,
on guard at the edge of the stream which marked one of the boundaries
of the land Mr. Merkel claimed--but land to which he could not now show
a legal title because of the theft of his papers.

"Well, all serene so far," observed Bud, as night settled down on them
in their new environment.

"Yes, I don't reckon we'll be disturbed," observed Billee, who was
there with them.

"It'll give me a chance to pick up, an' get back in th' saddle again,"
observed Yellin' Kid in his usual loud voice. He had been allowed to
form part of the "fort" guard, as it was thought the duties there would
not be strenuous for a while, at least, and he could make a better
recovery than at Diamond X.

"Well, it's a good place for a fight, if one comes," said Nort, as