ible only to the tough western ponies.

Fortunately they had an ample supply of provisions and the water supply
was adequate, which was a vital necessity. The only hardship in the
way of grub was on the horses, the herbage being scanty at times, so
that as much speed as was desired could not be made, detours being
necessary in order to come upon fodder for the steeds.

This caused them to spend more time on the route than they desired and
each hour of delay made the boy ranchers more and more apprehensive for
the safety of their captured cousins. However it could not be helped.
Certain precautions must be observed if the band of rescuers was to
arrive efficient enough to cope with the Yaquis. Though not a quarter
of the original body was now in charge of Rosemary and Floyd, they were
picked fighters, so Buck Tooth had learned. And they probably would
make a stand in some natural fastness which vantage point would be hard
to attack and turn.

Through two long, hot weary days the march of the rescuers was kept up,
and they were all glad when night came that they might camp and be at
rest.

"But we've struck the branching trail," Bud said to his cousins. "All
we have to do now is to keep on until we corner the beggars, and get
Rosemary and Floyd away from them."

Bud had sized up the situation correctly, though it remains to be
stated that it was easier said than done. By carefully noting the
"sign" along the way, the cowboys and soldiers had reached the place
where the selected band had ridden away with their captives. And this
was the trail now being followed.

There was more than hard work--hard work followed hard work--and there
was danger. It had been hard from the very start--from the time the
boy ranchers had left after the first wild alarm over the kidnapping of
Rosemary and Floyd. They had been keyed up to high tension all the
while, and this, in itself, if you have ever experienced it, is
wearing. There had been absolutely no time for light enjoyment--none
of the humor of the cowboys had a chance to manifest itself.

Aside from an occasional burst into song the way had been grim and
weary. There was nothing to lighten it, for over all hung the
apprehension that something dreadful would befall Rosemary and her
brother.

And that dread was still present.

Even at the very end of the trail it might be found that all their
efforts had been in vain, and that the Yaquis, driven into a panic of
fe