eld.

Hardly had they advanced a dozen steps when three men came out of the
barn, leading four horses. They made for an opening in the fence not a
rod from where the boys flung themselves flat on the grass.

From the description they had received, the lads made up their minds
that the men were Saul Mangle, Darry Nodley, and Jeff Jones.

CHAPTER XVI.

An Encounter in the Dark

Chet and Paul could hardly suppress their excitement as they saw the
horse thieves move toward the opening in the fence. Chet drew up his gun
and pointed it at the leader.

"Don't fire! Wait!" cautioned Paul. "There are three of them, remember."

"I wonder where Dottery is?" questioned the younger boy, with his hand
still on the trigger.

"Asleep, most likely."

"We ought to arouse him. Run, Paul, while I keep watch."

"I will, but don't do anything rash during my absence," replied Paul
Winthrop.

He sneaked along in the tall grass until the outbuildings were left a
hundred feet and sped like a deer toward the ranch home, showing dimly
in the grim shadows ahead.

Less than sixty seconds passed, and he was pounding vigorously on the
front door of the heavy log building. Not content with using his fist
he banged away with the toe of his cowhide boot.

"Who's thar?" came from within presently.

"Mr. Dottery!"

"That's me, stranger."

"Come out. It's Paul Winthrop. There are horse thieves at your barn."

"What!" roared Dottery. He was a heavy-built man, with a voice like a
giant. "The same chaps ez robbed you?"

He unbarred the door and came out on a run, gun in hand and a long
pistol in his belt. He was an old settler, and rarely took the trouble
to undress when he went to rest for the night.

"Yes, the same, unless I am very much mistaken. My brother Chet is down
there now on the watch."

"I'll fix 'em. Go back and call Jack, my man."

Paul hesitated and then did as directed. It took some time to arouse the
cowboy, Jack Blowfen, but once aroused, the man quickly took in the
situation, and arming himself, joined the boy in a rush after Dottery.

"The pesky rascals!" he muttered. "Yer brother told us about 'em when he
stopped here on his way to the railroad station. It's a pity Ike Watson
didn't plug every one of 'em when he had the chance. Next thing yer know
they'll be runnin' off with a bunch o' cattle."

"Be careful when you shoot; my brother Chet is there," continued Paul,
not wishing Chet to be mistaken for a