re well rid of him,
I think. Don't like them Greasers nohow, and this one was no prize
beauty. Didn't Bud say he was one of Delton's men?"

"Said he might be. He's not so bad, Kid. He may be dumb, but I don't
think he'd pull anything really raw."

"You seem right interested in him, Nort."

"No, it isn't that, but I just don't like to see you get him wrong.
Well, never mind. Let it ride. How about starting back, Mr. Hawkins?"

"Right. Blow out that lamp, Kid, and let's be on our way."

The three made their way toward the door, moving by sense of touch. As
they reached their ponies, tied up near the house, the moon was a pale
disc hanging on the edge of the horizon. The chill wind of dawn
stirred restlessly, and the men shivered slightly. Though their wet
clothes had nearly dried, they were still a bit damp, and not conducive
to comfort on the open prairie.

"Just about make it if we step along," Nort said, looking up at the
dimming stars.

"Takes a long while to get light out here," Yellin' Kid asserted.
"We'll get there before dawn. But let's go. I'm frozen."

The three threw their mounts into a gallop and set out once more for
Delton's ranch.

"I had an idea that Billee Dobb wanted to stay with Bud," Nort said as
they sped along. "The old boy hates to miss any action."

"Well, I thought as long as he really wanted to go back, he might as
well go," Hawkins declared. "He might be of some help, after all.
Never can tell what will happen when you're trailing a gang like
Delton's."

"You mean pretty rough, hey?"

"Sure! They have to be, to get along in their business. It's no
child's play, smuggling Chinese. And it's no picnic capturing them,
either."

Over the darkened range the three rode, like avenging angels. No time
now for hesitating, and seeking a sure footing for the horses. They
must take their chance. And if one spilled--well--it was all in the
game. They must reach Bud and Dick before dawn. To Nort, sticking
tight to his galloping pony, it seemed to have been a waste of time to
ride all the way back to the Shooting Star. But on second thought he
realized that it was necessary for them to have food, for they might be
gone some time. A man can neither fight nor ride well on an empty
stomach.

"Nearly there!" commented the Kid. No one was wasting words now.
Breath was too precious. The only sounds heard were the even beats of
the ponies' feet on the earth, and the creakin