enry!" was the greeting. "Hello, Sis!"

"Got any pie, Nell?" added Bud.

"For Nort and Dick--yes," the girl answered. "But you won't want pie
when you hear--"

"Say, what's all this mysterious news?" broke out Bud. "First Slim
starts to tell us and then--"

"Rosemary and Floyd are coming!" merrily cried Nell.

"Rosemary and Floyd?" questioned Bud.

"Your cousins, or, to be more exact, your second cousins," explained
Mrs. Merkel. "We had a letter last week saying they might come on from
California, and now your father has just had a special delivery letter,
saying they're on their way. They'll be here any time."

"Company's coming! Company's coming!" joyously sang Nell, for she was
delighted with the news.

"Rosemary and Floyd," repeated Bud, "I don't seem--"

"You haven't seen them in some years," his mother said. "But I'm sure
you'll like them."

"Especially Rosemary," laughed Nort, and Nell stuck out her tongue at
him.

"Well, I'm glad they didn't come until after the spring round-up,"
spoke Mr. Merkel, looking at a letter he held. "We'll have more time,
now, to be with 'em and show 'em around. I wonder--"

But, as in the case of Slim, he did not finish what he started to say,
for there came an interruption, in its way almost as sinister as the
whirring of the rattle-snake's tail.

Toward the ranch buildings came the sound of rapidly galloping hoofs,
and as they all looked in the direction of the sound they saw, riding
in toward them, one of the cowboys.

"It's Old Billee Dobb!" exclaimed Yellin' Kid in a voice that was, as
usual, unnecessarily loud. "Looks like rustlers were after him!"

But none rode in pursuit of the veteran cowpuncher, though he was
spurring his steed to its utmost.

"They've broke out!" he yelled as soon as he was within hearing
distance. "They've broke out! Scatter my watermelon seeds, but
they've broke out!"

"What has?" demanded Mr. Merkel. "Our steers?"

"No! The Yaquis!"

"Indians!" snapped out Bud.

"That's them, son! They've broke out--left the reservation, and
they're headed this way! Oh, rattle-snakes! Get your guns ready! The
Yaquis have broke out!"

The boy ranchers looked at each other and it can not be denied that
there was a joyous light in their eyes. Nell shrank closer to her
father, and Mr. Merkel reached over and placed his hand in reassuring
fashion on his wife's ample shoulder.

"Indians!" murmured Dick. "I wonder--"

"Sure w