outside the hidden valley that held a secret of which they
did not even dream.

CHAPTER XX

BACK TO RING ROSY

"I hope the Curlytops won't ride too far," said Mrs. Martin, coming out
into the kitchen to help with the work.

She had just got Trouble to sleep after Teddy and Janet had brought him
in from the haymow before riding off on their ponies.

"Oh, I guess they won't," Aunt Millie answered.

But, could Mrs. Martin and Aunt Millie have seen them, they would have
been much surprised to know where the Curlytops then were.

As you know, they were riding along the trail after the Indians.

The hours went on until it was late afternoon. And then, when the
children did not come back, Mrs. Martin began to be alarmed. She went to
the top of a low hill not far away from the ranch house and looked
across the prairie.

"I can't see them," she said, when she came back.

"Oh, don't worry," returned Aunt Millie. "They'll be along pretty soon.
And, anyhow, there is no danger."

"But--the Indians?" questioned Mrs. Martin.

"Oh, they are far enough off by this time," said the ranch owner's wife.
"They won't bother the Curlytops."

But Mother Martin did worry, and when supper time came near and Janet
and Teddy were not yet back, Aunt Millie, too, began to think it
strange.

"What do you suppose could happen?" asked Mrs. Martin. "I wish Dick were
here."

"Oh, lots of little things might happen," said Aunt Millie. "The
children may have ridden farther than they meant to. It's such a nice
day for riding you couldn't blame them for going. Or one of their ponies
may have gone lame and have to walk slowly. That would make them get
here late."

"Suppose they should be hurt?" asked Mother Martin, anxiously.

"Oh, I don't suppose anything of the sort!" and Aunt Millie laughed. But
Mother Martin did not feel like laughing.

At last, however, when it began to get dark and the children had not
come, even the cowboys left at the ranch--those who had not ridden on
the trail after the Indians--said it was time something was done.

"We'll go out and find 'em," said Baldy. "The little tykes have got
lost; that's about all. We'll find 'em and bring 'em home!"

"Oh, I hope you can!" exclaimed Mrs. Martin.

"Sure we will!" cried Baldy. "Won't we, boys?"

"That's what we will!" cried the cowboys.

The men started out over the prairie right after supper, carrying
lanterns, not so much that they needed the lights as th