The boys rode up to it. As they approached
slowly the moon finally came out fully, and before them they, saw the
wreck of an automobile.

CHAPTER XX

DOWN AND OUT

"It's a car!" Dick cried. "Must be the smugglers' machine, and they
wrecked it and got away! Now we know they're at that ranch!"

"Wonder what happened to the Chinks?" the Kid said as he examined the
wreck more closely. The mass of twisted metal lay still in the
moonlight like some once-living thing that had met its sudden doom.

"Probably dragged them along too," Hawkins suggested. "Yep, I think
this is the smugglers' car, all right. Looks like the one we had a
short glimpse of, just before it turned off. And, if that's the case,
our plan may succeed. Having a harbor close at hand, it's natural for
them to make for it. Now it's up to us to see that they stay there
until we capture them."

"That's our job, and we'll do it too," Bud said in a determined tone of
voice. "Might as well get going. The longer we stay here, the more
time we give Delton."

"True enough," commented Dick. "I wonder if anyone was hurt when this
car crashed?"

"Doubt it," Hawkins said. "Those boys are too lucky! If they weren't
they never would have gotten away with the stunt they pulled to-night.
Imagine riding right into our hands and getting away from us! Every
time I think of it I feel like kicking myself around the block."

"It wasn't any more your fault than the fault of the rest of us," Nort
declared. "They were too many, and too clever. Let's forget it and go
after them again, and this time we'll win. What do you say, boys?"

"Sure will!"

"No more foolin' around for us!"

"Well, on our way," Bud called. He took one more look at the auto
lying on its side in a small depression, and spurred his horse onward.
The rest followed quickly. The night was well spent, now, and but
little time remained to reach the ranch and post the guard. However,
it was not far now, and by dint of hard riding, following directions
from Bud, they reached the vicinity of the ranch house in half an hour.
They halted well away from the house itself.

"Take it easy now," Hawkins cautioned. "We don't want to make too much
noise. Bud, have you and Dick decided what you're to do?"

"Practically--he is going to take one side, and I'm to take the other,
and if we see anyone come out we'll fire over their heads. That'll
keep 'em in all right, for they can't see us i