sily.

"How do you reckon he got here?" asked Bud, when hurried preparations
were under way for breakfast.

"Give it up," answered Snake, who had sent some men to collect the guns
and horses of the Del Pinzo gang.

"He may have bribed his way out of jail, or have broken out, and we'll
have to let that go until later. He may really be trying to drive back
the Yaquis, for fear they'll steal things that he has an eye to
himself. Or he may be lying--I think most likely the last. Anyhow he
happened to strike this place the same time as we did, and either
knowing who we were, or not knowing, and that part has me guessing, he
tried to pick us off. However we'll give him the slip this time."

"I don't see how, if you leave him his horses and guns," put in Yellin'
Kid.

"Well, he and his men can't do much riding on horses without saddles
and bridles," said Snake, "and as for the guns--well, I'll leave them
for him at the first ranch I come to."

"You mean you're going to take his guns with you?" asked Bud.

"Surest thing you ever said, son. Think I'd trust him with any
shooting irons behind me. And we'll just strip his horses, too. We
can pack along his saddles and bridles. If they want to ride bare back
that's up to them."

And this was the plan followed. There were several pack animals in the
outfit from the Diamond X, and on these the saddles and bridles from
the outlaws' horses were packed. Then the guns were collected from the
ambush, and taken along when the start was made after breakfast.

"Hit the trail!" cried Snake, when preparations were complete.

Off in the distance, hungrily waiting for the signal that would let
them return, stood Del Pinzo and his gang. Their food was not
disturbed. They had the means for making breakfast.

Off rode Snake and his followers. At a distance of little more than
half a mile from the scene of the fighting, on a rising hill, the
cowboy stopped.

"Here's where we let 'em go back and eat," he said grimly.

He raised his gun and fired a shot. Instantly the gang, with Del Pinzo
in the lead, rushed for the place where their property had been left.

"We spiked their guns, I think," chuckled Bud, as he rode beside his
cousins.

"I guess yes!" laughed Nort.

Forward they rode once more--on the trail of the Yaquis. As they
dipped down into a little valley there came to their ears faint yells
of rage.

"They've found their saddles gone!" said Nort.

Again cam