we
know this may be his hang-out."

"I'll be on guard, don't fear," answered the senator's son, and
brought forth his pistol.

"Don't use that gun unless you have to," warned Dave, who did not
favor any shooting, even in an extreme case like this.

"I'll not give a rascal like Porton the chance to shoot me first,"
retorted Roger. "That fellow ought to be in jail, and you know it."

To this our hero did not answer. He felt in his pocket to make sure
that his own weapon was ready for use.

Not a sound from the other buildings had reached them, nor did any one
appear to be in sight.

"Looks to me as if we were in sole possession, now that those
guerrillas have gone," announced Roger. "Wow! I hope they don't come
back,--at least not until we are safe on our side of the Rio Grande,"
he added grimly.

"Come on, we'll take a look through the buildings," answered Dave.
"Don't make any noise if you can possibly help it."

Leaving the building which they had first entered--an abandoned
stable--they moved through a broken-down cow-shed to a long, low
structure which had evidently been used by the helpers on the ranch.
This building was also deserted, and all that remained in it was some
filthy bedding alive with vermin.

"Come on, let us get out of here," remarked Roger, as he looked with
disfavor at the squalor presented. "How can human beings live like
this, Dave?"

"I don't know, Roger. This place ought to be burned down--it's the
only way to get it clean," Dave added, shaking his head in disgust
over the sight.

Less than fifty feet away was the corner of the main building of the
ranch. Peering out cautiously, to make sure that no one was watching
them, the two chums hurried across the open space and crouched down
beneath a wide-open window. Then Dave, pistol in hand, looked in
through the opening.

The room beyond was deserted, and a glance around showed him that it
contained little besides some heavy pieces of furniture which the
looters had evidently been unable to remove. On a table rested several
empty liquor bottles, and also a number of cigar and cigarette stubs.
On the floor were scattered newspapers and some playing cards.

"The fellows who were here evidently got out in a hurry," remarked
Dave.

"Are you going to go in?" questioned Roger.

"I guess so. What do you think about it?"

"I'm with you, Dave. Now we have gone so far, we might as well finish
the job."

It was an easy matter for the t