ch over the river."

"Well, why don't you go an' see Dottery," snapped Captain Grady.

"We will--and some other people, too," cried Chet.

"And in the meantime, if any of our stuff is lost, you'll pay for it,"
added Paul.

"I won't be responsible for anything. Now clear out an' leave me
alone."

The two brothers looked at each other. Neither knew exactly what to do.
Paul finally made a sign to withdraw, and they turned and rode down the
river trail to the belt of cottonwoods.

Captain Grady remained at the gateway, his baneful eyes on them until
the trees hid them from view. Then he shut the heavy gate and walked
slowly toward the house, rubbing his grizzled chin reflectively.

"They won't come back to-night, I'm pretty certain of that," he said to
himself. "An' by to-morrow I'll be better fixed to hold my own."

CHAPTER XV.

At Dottery's Ranch

"It's a shame, Paul!" ejaculated Chet, almost crying with rage. "We
ought to have shot him where he stood."

"I suppose many a man would have done it," returned Paul, somewhat
moodily. "But we must get him out."

"He won't go out without a fight."

"I think he will--when we get enough of a crowd against him. I more than
half believe he is totally alone, although the furniture and other stuff
look as if he had had somebody to help him."

"He's been hanging around watching his chance," went on Chet. "Who knows
but what he has been spying on us ever since his last visit."

"Oh, I trust not, Chet!" Paul looked much disturbed. "He may have
overheard some of our talk about Uncle Barnaby's mine, you know."

"That's so! What if he did! He is rascal enough to try to locate it and
set up a claim, eh?"

"Undoubtedly. Come on; the best we can do is to ride to Dottery's and
try to obtain help. It's a long journey by night, but there's nothing
else to do."

"I won't mind it--if only Dottery will turn in and help us. He ought to,
but he always was a peculiar fellow. He may not want to make an enemy of
Captain Grady, seeing as the ranches adjoin. But come on, while daylight
lasts."

And off the two brothers struck, along the river trail, and then down
the road Allen and Noel Urner had pursued on their way to the far-away
railroad station. They realized that in another hour darkness would be
upon them.

The boys knew the way well, having traveled it a dozen times in search
of stray cattle. They rode on, side by side, urging on the tired horses
and discussing th