“I don’t believe you need any assistance,” laughed the captain.  “No more disturbance now.  Gentlemen, I am going to divide up our party.  The time has arrived for me to tell you my plans.  I have received information from one of my scouts that some half dozen of the men we want are heading for a point yonder in the mountains.  They are to rendezvous at a place about three miles from here where they are to meet others of their outfit.  It is my intention to surround them.  One of my men is now on their trail, following them as closely as possible.  There may be some shooting.  If any of you wish to stay back you may go into camp right here and we will pick you up later.”

“No, no!  Take us along,” begged the boys.  “We don’t want to be left behind.  How about you, Chunky?” called Tad.

“No, I don’t want to be left.  I—–­I guess I’d be afraid to stay here all alone.”

The captain quickly disposed of his forces, directing Tad Butler to come with him.  Upon. second thought he decided to take Stacy along also, perhaps believing that it would be safer to have the fat boy under his own eyes, as there was no telling what Chunky might otherwise do.

The party broke up, leaving the spot in twos, after having received their orders, but in each case the Pony Rider Boys were accompanied by one or more of the regulars.

In a few minutes all had left the place, except McKay, Tad and Stacy.  These waited for the better part of half an hour.

“Now forward and no loud talking, boys,” the captain directed, touching his pony’s sides with the spurs.  “Be ready to obey orders quickly.  And, Brown, no more imitations on your part.  This is serious business.  A slip and you’re likely to stop a bullet ’most any time.”

The three men started away, with the captain in the lead.  They traveled all of two miles when McKay called a halt.

“Butler, you will go to the right, straight ahead.  Stop after you have gone about a quarter of a mile as nearly as you can judge.  When you hear an owl hoot, move slowly forward.  Don’t use your gun, no matter what happens, unless some one shoots at you.  Even then don’t shoot unless you have to.  But let no one get past you.  We hope to get those fellows in a pocket and hold them up without any shooting.  But we may have to waste some powder.  Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You are not afraid?”

“I am not.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be.”

“Where do I go?” asked Stacy apprehensively.

“You will remain with me.  I’ll take care of you.  All right, Butler.”

Tad without another word rode away.  Finally after having gone what he thought was the proper distance, he halted and sat his pony silently, head bent forward listening for the signal.  It came at last, sounding faint and far away.  The boy smiled, shook out his reins and the pony moved forward almost as silently as the boy could have done himself.  The night was dark, but Tad was able to make out objects with more or less distinctness.  He used his eyes and ears to good purpose.  Once Tad thought he heard a twig snap a short distance ahead of him.  He halted abruptly and sat steadily for fully ten minutes.  There being no further sounds he moved forward again.