est sound.

The negro brought forth an old army haversack and from it produced some
crackers, jerked meat, and several other articles. Soon the trio were
eating voraciously.

The horses had been tied to several trees in the vicinity, and while the
men were eating and talking in low tones, Allen conceived the idea of
gaining possession of one of the animals and riding off with it. He knew
it would do no good to confront the thieves unarmed.

"I'll get on Paul's horse," he thought, "and if I can, I'll take Chet's
animal with me. Then I'll have their horses back, even if I won't have
my own."

Watching for a chance, when the backs of the men were turned, Allen
crept from his cover and wormed his way toward Paul's horse. His knife
was in his hand, and noiselessly he cut the halter. Another cut and
Chet's animal was also free.

The horses stamped as they recognized Allen, who always made pets of all
in the stable. Then Jasper let out a loud neigh of welcome.

The sound reached the ears of the leader of the horse thieves. He sprang
to his feet, and a second later, Allen was discovered!

CHAPTER IX.

A Visitor at the Ranch

Let us once more go back to the ranch, where Chet and Paul, as well as
the newcomer, Noel Urner, anxiously awaited Allen's return.

The night had been a long one to the two boys, neither of whom had slept
a whole hour at a time. As Chet expressed it, "they felt it in their
bones" that something was wrong.

At daybreak both rushed up to the roof of the ranch house, and with a
field glass which Mr. Winthrop had left them, scanned eagerly in all
directions.

"Not a man or horse in sight," said Chet in deep disappointment. "The
chase must have been a long one indeed."

"Like as not Allen has gone on to some town," rejoined Paul. "But he
ought to be back by noon; he knows we will be anxious to hear how he
made out."

The two went below to meet Noel, who had just finished dressing. They
set to work and a smoking hot breakfast was soon on the table.

"Well, I see nothing for me to do but to calmly wait for your brother's
return," said the young man from New York. "I don't want to start out
anywhere on foot, especially as I know nothing of the roads."

"Yes, don't go anywhere till Allen gets back," said Paul. "I want you to
tell him yourself all you know concerning Uncle Barnaby."

The morning dragged by slowly, and at the passage of each hour the boys
grew more anxious.

"It's a dan