He was invisible for perhaps ten minutes, when he was seen coming over the ridge toward his own door, but without his Winchester or revolvers.  A moment later he was admitted.  He kissed his mother and sister and grasped the hands of his friends, who crowded around to congratulate him and hear what he had to say.

“They told me everything,” he replied, looking into the glowing faces, and smiling at the anxiety depicted on several.  “I have made a woeful mistake, boys.”

“How’s that?” asked several in the same breath.

“Hankinson and Weber have moved several miles further into the mountains, so nothing will be seen of them for several days, and perhaps not for a week.  The trouble with the rustlers makes it necessary that we should keep closer watch than usual upon the stock, and it is understood that they are not to leave the cattle until they get word from me.  So, as I said, they are out of the question.”

“Is that the mistake you refer to?” asked Sterry.

“I wish it was; but a couple of hours ago, Hankinson, who had ridden a considerable distance beyond the grazing grounds, came in with the report that a large body of men were camped in a valley a mile or so further on.  There must be fifty at least.”

Capt.  Asbury emitted a low whistle.

“Rustlers again!  By and by we’ll have all there are in Wyoming swarming about this house.”

“No; Budd visited them, and found they were cattlemen on the hunt for rustlers.  Had he known of Inman’s party out here he would have given them a pointer, but of course he doesn’t dream of anything of the kind.  Now, the mistake I made is this:  When I saw the horsemen gathered about the buildings and ridge, I ought to have wheeled and ridden as hard as I could to the stockmen.  They would have been here before night and wound up this business in a jiffy.  But I kept on and rode right into the trap set for me, and can do nothing.”

No one could question the justice of Whitney’s self-condemnation, but there was no help for it.

“How is it you were allowed to join us?” asked Capt.  Asbury.

“I am here under parole; you see they took my horse, rifle and pistols from me.  I would not have been allowed to come to you except upon my pledge to return within fifteen minutes.”

“And what will they do with you, my boy?” asked his mother, alarmed by the information.

“Nothing, so long as I remain a model prisoner; but how are you fixed for defence?”

He was quickly made acquainted with the situation of affairs.

“Ah,” he added, with a sigh, “if there was some way of getting word to the stockmen; but I see none.”

“They will not be likely to give you a chance?”

Fred shook his head.

“I’m afraid I overdid the thing.  I asked them to be allowed to go back to my cattlemen, but they would not listen to it.  They acted as if they were suspicious, and told me I must stay with them until the trouble ended, which they assured me would be soon.”