slow them up still more. So the punchers had a fairly good
chance of overtaking them. Delton would probably be acting as convoy
to the car, and if they were able to take that, they would capture him
also. With these thoughts in mind the ranchers beat along through the
rain, which was not now so heavy.

"What happened?" asked Billee Dobb.

"Just this," Bud answered. "Mr. Hawkins and I were waiting for the car
to reach us. We couldn't hear what was happening on the other side of
the house, and Mr. Hawkins and I were all set to grab the gang in it,
when four men came riding by like mad and reached the car before we
did. They yelled something, and in a second the car was off the road
and away, the horsemen after it. But one of the riders fell, and
didn't wait to get on his horse again--just hopped on the running board
of the car."

"What were those cracks we heard?"

"I took a couple of pot-shots at the tires, but I don't think I hit
anything. Too dark. And it was raining cats and dogs, you know."

"Don't I know it! Nort an' me sure had our hands full. Five men to
stop! We figured if we could hold them until you had the fellows in
the car covered, we could capture them too. Say, see any Chinks in the
car?"

"Didn't see anything! The car turned off before we could get close
enough to see in it."

"Too bad we couldn't work it, boys," Hawkins ruefully said. "We've
still got a chance to nab them, though. They can't get far over this
ground with a car."

"They can lead us a merry chase," Dick asserted. "Wonder what time it
is?"

"One o'clock," Bud suggested. "Not much more, anyway. Think they came
over this way, Mr. Hawkins?"

"Yes--I do. Know where we are?"

"Comin' to the water hole, I think," answered Yellin' Kid.

"Say, maybe they're going to try and make for the place where they held
me!" Bud exclaimed. "That's over this way somewhere."

"Can you find it again?" the agent asked, an anxious note in his voice.

"Think so."

"Then if we don't make out to-night we can have a try at that in the
morning."

"How far do you want to go?" Bud asked Hawkins.

"Let's see now. I have an idea, and I want to see what you fellows
think about it. First, though, are you sure that you can find that
ranch where they held you, Bud?"

"Can in daylight. Maybe not at night."

"If you started from the water hole do you think you could spot it at
night?"

"Might. I could try it, anyway."

"Hold