the ranch house as he could get. Nort followed him, also hugging
the wall. In that way they were protected from the bullets of Delton's
men.

"See what happened?" the agent exclaimed. "The place is on fire! Now
they've got to get out, and they'll run right into our hands. How I
hope the Kid has sense enough to stay away and nab them when they come
out!"

The smoke was billowing out in huge clouds, now. It was a frame house,
and a firetrap if there ever was one. Now the flames licked through,
and the boards started to burn as though they had been soaked with
gasoline.

"Can you sneak around the corner and signal to Bud?" suggested Hawkins.
"Tell him to stay back. Wonder how in thunder this fire ever got
going?"

Nort walked his mount toward the front, still keeping as close to the
side of the house as possible. All gun-fire from within the burning
place had now ceased, but the boy was taking no chances. There were
but two windows on that side of the house, and their rooms were not
occupied, so that as long as the ranchers kept hugging the wall they
could not be shot at. The firing as they approached had evidently been
done from an angle.

Hawkins's horse was prancing wildly about. His eyes were focused upon
the tongues of flame that spurted out of the rear of the building.

"They can't stay in there much longer!" Hawkins yelled. "How about
their ponies? Know where they keep them?"

"Easy to find out. Let's do it--quick. We ought to get around to
where the Kid and Bud are and join forces. Ready?"

Hawkins nodded, and once more the two flashed across the open ground,
this time away from the danger zone. But there was no need for such
haste, for not a shot followed them.

"The horses!" Nort yelled as he rode up. "Get them, Bud, and Delton
won't have a dog's chance!"

"Got 'em!" Bud answered. "Soon as we saw the fire I went to where they
had them tethered and led 'em over here. There they are, by that tree.
Say, I wonder who started this thing?"

"What makes you think someone started it?" Hawkins asked, looking at
him closely.

"Well, I figure it couldn't set itself--and it's not likely an accident
would happen."

"Can't tell--like as not a lamp turned over. Wow, look at that roof
go! Where can those birds be keeping themselves? What chance have
they got now?"

"Probably trying to put it out from inside. Foolish thing to do, but
they know as soon as they come out they're finished.