e will! What do you say, boys? Do we go out? How about it,
Dick and Nort? What do you say, Bud? Billee here is just achin' for
the experience!" And the Kid laughed, for Billee Dobb's tendency to
pretend displeasure at every change of conditions was well known.

"Yes I am--not! Like as not we'll all get shot full of holes. But if
you fellers want to go--guess I'll have to trail along to take care of
you-all!"

"Listen to him--Just try to hold him back if there's any shootin' goin'
on!"

"Then I take it you'll go?" Mr. Merkel asked.

"Yes, Dad--I'm sure we'll all be glad to take charge out there for
you," answered Bud. "I don't suppose you could tell us any more about
this government business now?"

"I'm afraid not, son--I want to be sure of my ground before I make any
statements. Well, I guess that's settled. You'll leave to-morrow."

Since this was the last night the Kid and Old Billee were to spend on
the Diamond X, it seemed fitting to the rest of the boys that there
should be some sort of an entertainment. An entertainment to a cowboy
means principally music--so after supper the boys gathered around a
roaring log fire and sang themselves hoarse. After Slim Degnan, the
foreman, and Fat Milton, his chubby assistant, had rendered their duet,
and Snake Purdee had given his famous imitation of a prima donna
singing "Bury Me Not," Bud, with Nort and Dick, decided to take a
stroll about the place to see if anything had changed. Their own
particular ranch was several miles removed from Diamond X, owned by Mr.
Merkel.

"See your Dad got a new building up," observed Dick, as they came to a
newly-painted shack, clearly visible in the bright moonlight.

"So he has. Looks like a new bunk house. Perhaps he----"

"Listen! There's somebody inside! No one is supposed to be in there
at night. It isn't open yet." This from Nort, in a low tone.

"Let's find out who it is," Bud whispered.

Silently three boys crept toward the door. Two voices could be plainly
heard, and as they came closer they could distinguish words. One voice
was that of a foreigner--evidently a Mexican. The other spoke with a
typical cowboy accent.

"You have got the money ready--yes?" the boys heard the Mexican say.

"Sure--as soon as you deliver the Chinks you get the money. But no
double-crossin'--remember that!" and the speaker emphasized his
statement by clicking his revolver ominously.

"Don' you worry--you get the Chink