he first shipment of cattle had been safely gotten off from Flume
Valley, and brought a good price. This money did not all come to the
boy ranchers, however, as Mr. Merkel had insisted on a strict business
deal; and he was to be paid for his share of the stock he supplied Bud
from the first money coming in. Later the boys would get their
profits--if there were any.

But the first lot of steers had been sent away, bringing a higher price
than usual because of their prime condition, attributed, so Bud said,
to the finer quality of grass, and it looked as if the boy ranchers
might make a success of their first venture.

"Even discounting the black rabbit and the warnings out of the air,"
said Bud.

It was, then, with somewhat of an ominous feeling that, one morning, as
the boys and their cowboy friends were at breakfast, they saw a rider
hastening toward them along the trail that led from Diamond X.

"It's Snake Purdee!" exclaimed Yellin' Kid, when the rider had
approached near enough to be recognized.

"An' he's ridin' like he had suthin' on his mind!" added Old Billee.
"I hope that black rabbit----" he murmured, and then his voice trailed
off into a whisper as Yellin' Kid surreptitiously kicked him under the
packing-box table.

"Don't scare th' boys!" whispered Yellin' Kid in explanation, as Snake
Purdee galloped nearer.

The rider flung himself from his pony, which came to a sliding stop
near the camp tents, and, looking first at the boy ranchers, and then
at the big, peaceful valley stretching out before him, remarked:

"Yes, there's plenty of room here!"

"For what?" asked Bud.

"More cattle!" answered Snake Purdee. "There's been trouble over at
Square M, fellows!"

"Trouble?" exclaimed the boy ranchers in chorus. "What kind?"

"Bad trouble," was the reply. "Call your father up on th' 'phone,
Bud," he added. "He wants t' talk t' you. Yes," he went on, musingly,
as Bud hastened in to the telephone, "there's bad trouble at Square M!"

CHAPTER VII

DOUBLING UP

Nort and Dick looked at each other as Bud slipped into the tent where
the telephone had been installed. Snake Purdee strode over to the
water pail, and took a long drink.

"That's good stuff!" he remarked with a sigh of satisfaction, and then
he led his pony to the trough, into which the thirsty animal dipped his
muzzle deeply. "Mighty good water!"

"An' I hope nothing happens to it," voiced Old Billee.

"Happens! What d'yo'