re; but there's a round dozen, anyway," Red
replied. "You see, the three that chased me were out scouting ahead of
the main bunch; an' I didn't have no time to take no blasted census."

"Then we've got to hit the home trail, an' hit it hard. Wind up that
four-laigged excuse of yourn, an' take my dust," Hopalong responded,
leading the way. "If we can get home there'll be a lot of disgusted
braves hitting the high spots on the back trail trying to find a way
out. Buck an' the rest of the boys will be a whole lot pleased, too. We
can muster thirty men in two hours if we gets to Buckskin, an' that's
twenty more than we'll need."

"Tell you one thing, Hoppy; we can get as far as Powers' old ranch
house, an' that's shore," replied Red, thoughtfully.

"Yes!" exploded his companion in scorn and pity. "That old sieve of a
shack ain't good enough for _me_ to die in, no matter what you think
about it. Why, it's as full of holes as a stiff hat in a melee. Yo're on
the wrong trail; think again."

Mr. Cassidy objected not because he believed that Powers' old ranch
house was unworthy of serious consideration as a place of refuge and
defence, but for the reason that he wished to reach Buckskin so his
friends might all get in on the treat. Times were very dull on the
ranch, and this was an occasion far too precious to let slip by.
Besides, he then would have the pleasure of leading his friends against
the enemy and battling on even terms. If he sought shelter he and
Red would have to fight on the defensive, which was a game he hated
cordially because it put him in a relatively subordinate position and
thereby hurt his pride.

"Let me tell you that it's a whole lot better than thin air with a
hard-working circle around us--an' you know what that means," retorted
Mr. Connors. "But if you don't want to take a chance in the shack, why
mebby we can make Wallace's, or the Cross-O-Cross. That is, if we don't
get turned out of our way."

"We don't head for no Cross-O-Cross or Wallace's," rejoined his friend
with emphasis, "an' we won't waste no time in Powers' shack, neither;
we'll push right through as hard as we can go for Buckskin. Let them
fellers find their own hunting--our outfit comes first. An' besides
that'll mean a detour in a country fine for ambushes. We'd never get
through."

"Well, have it yore own way, then!" snapped Red. "You allus was a
hard-headed old mule, anyhow." In his heart Red knew that Hopalong was
right about