Excitedly they speculated as to whose it could be.

“If it’s raiders, we want to know it.  Perhaps we can round up some of them,” declared Horace.

And urging their ponies into a gallop, the boys rode forward.

When they were near enough to distinguish the flames they dismounted, hobbled their horses in the underbrush and approached on foot.

No sign of man or beast could they see, and their curiosity was further aroused.

“Stoop down so your heads are In the grass,” admonished Horace.  “It may be they have seen us and are hiding among the trees.  Don’t make any noise and stick close together.”

Crouching low, the trio advanced stealthily.  Nearer and nearer they drew, yet no sound could they hear.  Consumed with curiosity, Horace suddenly stood up, determined to learn if any one were sleeping beside the fire.

Yet no sooner had he risen than a command rang out: 

“Throw up your hands!”

The two brothers, ignorant of their companion’s action, gasped at the words.  But Horace let out a whoop of joy.

“Hooray!  It’s father and the boys,” he cried so loud that instantly a dozen figures bounded from about the fire.

“Well, if it ain’t them kids!” ejaculated Pete, who had been on guard.  “It’s lucky you recognized my voice, Horace.”

By this time Tom and Larry had straightened up and all three were hastening toward the camp fire, thinking only of their good fortune in finding their friends.

“Horace, what does this mean?” demanded his father sternly.  “I told you to stay at home, and yet we haven’t been gone but twenty-four hours and you come tagging along.”

But the severity of his father did not dismay the young rancher.  Looking straight at him, the boy hastily told of the ride to the pool and the discovery that more cattle had been driven away.

The information excited the cowboys greatly, and emphatic were their opinions of the daring of the thieves in making another raid and within a few hours after the men pursuing them had set out.

“They probably were watching us all the time,” asserted the owner of the Three Stars.

“Probably,” agreed Mr. Wilder.  “But what have you boys been doing since you learned of the raid?  You could almost walk your ponies from the pool to here in all this time.”

Before any of them could reply, however, a long, low wail rang out.  Surprised, the men glanced at one another,

“That sounds like a coyote, but it ain’t,” asserted Pete.

Again the cry broke on the air and was repeated twice.

“Why, it’s the very same sound we heard in the mountains!” exclaimed Larry.  And his companions confirmed him.

“The same cry you heard in the mountains?” repeated Mr. Wilder.

“Yes, sir,” and in a few words the elder of the brothers related their adventures.

“Then it’s a signal,” declared Pete.  “You boys have been followed.  It’s a mighty good thing we were camping here.”