Part 3 (1/2)
See here--if hefast--and in this direction Let's get on our way”
”Better go back, do you think?” Nort asked as he looked up toward the sun ”We've been gone at least an hour, and Billee said to return within that time”
”Yes,” dick responded, a little sadly, for he and Yellin' Kid were close friends ”I sure hope the Kid's all right Perhaps some of the others picked him up”
”Perhaps Let's hope so At any rate, we haven't had much success--and I doubt even that the torn brush as done by the Kid”
”Can't tell, he h there and then taken a sudden turn to the right or left Or back again, for that et started”
As the two arrived at the agreedplace there was no need to ask the others if they had had any luck The Kid was nowhere in sight
”We saw a trail through soht have been made by the Kid, Billee,” said Nort to the old rancher
”Yes, and it s, too,”
Billee declared, in a despondent tone ”Not that I aht_ have been--but that doesn't help us o right on lookin'--and hopin' he's OK”
It was alain The Kid was still , and anxiety ritten on the faces of all as they prepared to caht Each man carried a blanket with him, and also a small snack of food and a canteen of water As darkness settled down a fire was started, and huddled in their blankets the boy ranchers prepared toclose over the four blanketed figures
The firelight threeird shadows about the A light breeze rustled softly through the mesquite bushes Now and then a coyote yowled in the distance
Suddenly Bud jerked upright He nudged dick, as lying beside him
”dick!” he whispered, so as not to disturb the others, ”do you hear anything?”
”Eh? What? What's that? You speak to me?” dick muttered sleepily
”Listen! Can't you hear a noise like a horse walking?”
dick sat up, noide awake
”Say, I believe I do! Wait a minute--” and he tossed some wood on the fire--”let's have a look!”
”Kid?” Bud called hopefully
The approaching pony gave a sudden leap forward
”Yea boy!” yelled its rider ”Holy
”Nort! Billee! The Kid's back!”
In a moment Yellin' Kid was surrounded by the four who shot questions at him as fast as they could talk
”Where in the nale have you been?”
”What happened?”