dy for 'em," muttered Tucker. "I know my meat," he added,
significantly, to Vorlange, meaning that he had not forgotten the reward
offered if, in a battle he should lay Pawnee Brown and Dick low. At the
words Vorlange nodded.

"When will the reinforcements be up this way?" asked Ross.

"I have already sent word to headquarters," answered Vorlange. "The
lieutenant is sure to respond without delay."

"Do you reckon the boomers know we are on hand to stop them?" questioned
Skimmy.

"They know nothing," answered Vorlange. "If Pawnee Brown leads his men
in this direction they will fall directly into a trap--if the lieutenant
does as I have advised, and I think he will."

"I hope the boomers start to fight and give us a chance to wipe 'em
out," muttered Ross.

"There will be a fight started, don't you fear," answered Vorlange.

The spy meant what he said. Too cowardly to meet Pawnee Brown face to
face, he wanted to make sure that the great scout should be killed.

This would happen if a battle came off, for he felt sure Tucker would do
exactly as he promised.

Vorlange had determined to be on hand. Secreted in a tree or elsewhere
he could fire a dozen shots or so into the air, and this would arouse
both cavalrymen and boomers to think that actual hostilities had already
started, and then neither side would longer hold off.

"When will the boomers move?" was one of the cavalryman's questions.

"They are waiting for Pawnee Brown," said the spy.

"Where is he?"

"Somewhere about the country."

"Can he be up here?"

Vorlange started.

"I--I think not.

"He's a slick one, Vorlange; remember that."

"I know it, but some men are slicker. Wait until this boom is busted and
you'll never hear of Pawnee Brown again."

So the talk ran on. Rasco listened with much interest, forgetting the
fact that he had promised to follow Pawnee Brown as soon as the
stray-away horse was secured.

What he had heard surprised him greatly.

Many of the plans of the boomers, made in such secrecy, were known to
the government authorities. The plan to move westward to Honnewell was
known, and a passage through to Oklahoma from that direction was,
consequently, out of the question.

"The boys must know of this," thought Rasco. "I must tell Clemmer and
Gilbert before I try to hunt up Pawnee again, or go after Nellie. If
there was a fight as Vorlange seems to think, there might be a hundred
or more killed."

Having overheard all th