the service of Bud, to come out to where the trooper scouts
and cowboys were having a consultation.

"Buck Tooth can tell 'em what's what," declared Bud. "He claims to be
a Yaqui, though since these imps have pulled off this stunt I think
I'll get Buck Tooth to change his tribe. But he can read Indian sign
all right."

This was evidently so for, a little later, exultant shouts on the part
of the trooper scouts and the cowboys announced that something new had
been found. And it was Buck Tooth's discovery as the boy ranchers
learned soon.

The old Indian had carefully studied the trail, and then, going off to
one side, had hunted about until he found what he was in evident search
of--another trail, leading in the opposite direction from that our
friends had been following.

"Yaquis come 'long here--go up to mountain, then come back 'gin, same
way like, then go like so," and Buck Tooth held out his arm stiffly,
extending two fingers of his hand wide apart like a fork.

"I see what he means!" exclaimed Snake Purdee. "They doubled on their
track for part of the way back, and then branched off from the trail,
thinking to fool us. But they didn't."

"It looks that way," agreed Lieutenant Snow. "This trail Buck Tooth
discovered is much the fresher. We ought to follow that."

And this they did, after a hasty meal.

Once more they were after the Yaquis, and late that night one of the
scouts in the lead car riding back at full speed with the news:

"They're right ahead of us!"

"Wow!" yelled Bud.

"Hurray!" shouted Dick.

"Get ready for the fight!" cried Nort.

"Wait a minute now, boys!" advised Snake. "You may have a proper part
in the fracas, but remember we're with the United States troops, and
under the leadership of Captain Marshall. We must do as he says."

"Oh, I guess the Captain will give the boys a chance," said Lieutenant
Snow with a smile, as he gave an order to the buglar.

The stragglers rode in, the troops were quickly formed for immediate
action, and other scouts were sent out to report on the location and
disposition of the Yaquis, which were about three miles in advance, the
first scout said.

"Did you see anything of Rosemary or Floyd?" asked Bud anxiously.

"No. I wasn't close enough for that. But the beggars are legging it
for all they're worth!"

"Then let's get after them!" cried the Captain. "We don't want them to
get away!"

The pace had not been fast, so the horses we