own the fence of the little
field they had 'em in, and headed 'em for the gap. There wasn't anybody
around but two women--an old one and a young one--and some kids. They
spluttered a lot, but I went ahead anyway. There's about a dozen Rolling
R horses I turned loose. The brands were blotched, but I knew 'em anyway.

"So I got 'em outa the field, and then we went back to the plane and
circled around and come up on 'em from the south, and flew low enough to
scare 'em good, but not enough to scatter 'em like that bunch up at the
ranch scattered. They high-tailed it this way, and I guess they'll keep
coming, all right, if they aren't turned back again. The boys can pick
'em up.

"If the boys could come down I think they could get a whack at the
rustlers themselves. I got a sight of 'em, with a little bunch of horses,
as I was coming back. Far as I could see, they didn't notice the
plane--we were high, and soon as I saw 'em I had Bland shut off the motor
and glide. They must have camped just across the line till they got a
bunch together, or something. They were taking their time, and if the
boys could get down here right away, I believe we could get 'em. If not,
I'll go back and stampede the horses this way, and see if I can't get me
a greaser or two. We had to come back and fill up the tank again, anyway.
I didn't want to get caught the way those other fellows did. Is Bill at
the ranch, Mr. Selmer?"

It speaks well for Sudden Selmer that he could listen to this amazing
statement without looking dazed. As it was, his first bewildered stare
subsided into mere astonishment. Later other emotions crept in. By the
time Johnny had finished his headlong report, Sudden had recovered his
mental poise and was able to speak coherently.

"Been hunting horses with a flying machine, eh? I must say you're right
up to date, young man. No, Bill isn't at the ranch. If you'd keep your
eyes open here at home, same as you do when you're flying around next the
clouds, you'd see the chuck wagon down there by the creek. I moved 'em
down here to save what horses are left. The boys are out now hunting up
Mary V. She had to go larruping off by herself on Bill's horse Jake, and
she hasn't come back yet. I guess she's all right; but the boys went
after her so as not to take any chances. I'm kinda hoping the kid went
home. I don't like to scare her mother, though, by calling up to see."

Johnny's eyes had widened and grown round, just as they always