One of the troopers ran down into the valley with a command, while those above lay flat on the edge with their carbines in a ring pointed at the throng below.

In a few minutes the bugle sounded again, and the troops were seen marching into the hole.  The war was at an end without a fatal shot having been fired.

As Captain Hendry marched away with his prisoners, he thanked Ted for the great service which he had done the government by holding the Indians and renegades until the arrival of the troops.

“Well, that’s over,” said Ted, as the last of them faded out of sight at the end of the valley.  “But our work is just begun.  We’ve got to find those five hundred head of stolen Circle S cattle.”

“I suggest that we take a look behind that shelter of Shan Rhue’s, and see if there is a passage leading from it,” said Stella.

“Good idea,” said Ted, and they climbed down into the valley and entered the Hole in the Wall, where the other boys were waiting for them.

Ted went at once to the shelter, which was only a piece of canvas which had been at one time a wagon cover, and tore it away.

There was revealed a hole in the rock wall, and beside it a small mound of earth.

Evidently the hole had been known to the white desperadoes who had used the hole as a hiding place for many years, and that it had been their habit to conceal it by means of a stopper of earth.  This Shan and Sol had removed, and had made their escape while the Indians and renegades were preparing for their raid on the settlements.

Ted at once showed it to the other boys, and it was decided to follow the passage and find out what was at the other end.

The hole was so small that Ted was compelled to enter it on his hands and knees.  Bud followed him, and then came Stella.  Ben remained with Carl to guard the entrance in case any of the white renegades should return.

A short distance in, the passage, or tunnel, became larger, and soon opened out into a natural cave, so that they were able to assume an upright position.

Ted lighted his pocket electric searchlight and led the way.  They walked for some distance when they saw a gleam of light ahead, and a few minutes later walked out of the cave into another valley, larger than that which they had just left.

“Great Scott!  Look at that,” said Ted, pointing to where a large herd of cattle was grazing.

“What?” asked Stella, who could see nothing unusual in a bunch of cattle grazing in the valley.

“I believe they’re ours.”

Ted strode toward the cattle, which seemed to become uneasy at seeing a man on foot, which range cattle will not tolerate.

“Don’t go any closer, Ted,” said Stella.  “Wait until Bud goes back after the horses.”

“I just want to get a glimpse of the brand.  By Jove, here’s our lost Circle S brand, I believe.  But look at it.  It has been altered.”