er operations
he may have dreamed it all--after that gas attack, you know."

"Yea, I guess so. It's queer all around. Fancy rustlers being so up
to date as to use the tactics of chemical warfare."

"There's been a lot of strange things since the Big War," stated Nort.
"Maybe some of these rustlers were in the chemical division of the
A.E.F. and learned tricks there of how to make and send out of
cylinders gas that would knock a man out but not kill him."

"That's possible. But what about the horses, cattle and men who were
killed here in Death Valley? I mean years ago, the way Billee tells
it. Did these fellows have anything to do with that?"

"Hard to say, but I don't believe so."

"Then what did?"

"That's what we've got to find out after we get through with this gang."

The avengers urged their ponies ahead at a fast clip and the sun was
still far from the meridian when they came in sight of the entrance to
the defile. Dark and sinister it loomed in contrast to the brightness
of the day. What secrets did it hold?

"I wonder if Old Tosh is up there, helping the rustlers?" mused Dick as
Billee got ready to call a halt and deploy his forces.

"Don't believe that old yarb doctor does any more harm than giving
Chinks the stomach-ache," chuckled Nort. "But he may have rented that
cave to those fellows."

"Nervy of him, considering that the cave is on Dot and Dash land," said
Dick.

It did not take long to get ready for the attack. Billee named the men
he wanted to remain as a rear guard in charge of the horses, and they
accepted the detail in as cheerful spirits as possible. To the relief
of Yellin' Kid and Snake Purdee, they were not compelled to remain thus
inactive.

"Though you fellows may have a fight on your hands," Billee said to the
horse guard as he posted them, "these fellows may dash out after we
rouse 'em, and it'll be up to you to deal with 'em."

"We'll do that all right, boss," chuckled a big, lanky puncher, one of
the new hands hired.

With Nort and Dick at his side, Billee Dobb led the way up into the
dark defile. Every man had his gun out and was eager-eyed for what
might happen next.

"Don't make any more noise than you can help," cautioned Billee to the
men back of him. "We want to surprise these _hombres_ if we can."

On and on they went, over big and little bowlders, up into the glen
where the frowning, towering walls looked down on them. The passage
became narrower.