Part 20 (1/2)

”All we're sure of is that they cut the telephone wire,” said Bud.

”But there's no telling what they may have laid plans for,” added d.i.c.k.

”I guess those sheep men are smarter than we gave them credit for.”

”It does seem so,” admitted Bud. ”We'll have to match our wits against theirs when it comes to a show-down--seeing who's going to keep this rich grazing land.”

”One thing in our favor is that we're in possession,” said d.i.c.k, as he patted his pony's neck.

”But one thing against us--or against dad, which is the same thing,”

said Bud, ”is that his papers proving possession are stolen. And these sheep men seem to know that.”

”Yes,” agreed d.i.c.k, ”they seem to know it all right.”

They returned to the fort on the bank of Spur Creek just before dark, and, to their delight, found the telephone in working order. For the ranch had called the cabin, Mr. Merkel wanting to know how matters were at Spur Creek.

He complained of having tried several times to get into communication with the fort, and he had guessed there was a broken wire but he had not suspected it was cut. Then, when he tried again, he found communication restored. This, of course, was after d.i.c.k and Bud had found and mended the break.

Nort had not yet reached the ranch at the time his father finally found the telephone working. But the need of help was told of over the restored wire, and several cowboys were at once dispatched, not waiting for the arrival of Nort.

”I'll send Nort back to you as soon as he gets here,” promised Mr.

Merkel.

These matters having been disposed of, Bud and d.i.c.k had a chance to ask what had transpired at the fort since they left.

”Jest nothin'--that's all,” answered Snake.

”But I think there's goin' t' be somethin' doin' right shortly,”

observed Yellin' Kid.

”What makes you think so?” asked Bud.

In answer the cowboy pointed across the river. The cloud of dust had settled, revealing more plainly now thousands of sheep. And as the defenders of the fort watched they saw, separating from the sheep, a number of men who approached the Mexican bank of the stream.

What were they going to do?

CHAPTER XVI

STRANGE ACTIONS

Until there was what in law is termed an ”overt act,” the boy ranchers and their friends could do nothing against the sheep herders who were there in plain sight, with their woolly charges on the far side of Spur Creek. ”Overt act” is a law term, and practically means an open act as distinguished from one that is done in secret and under cover.

Thus if the sheep herders should openly attempt to cross the creek, and drive their animals up on Mr. Merkel's land--or land which he claimed--then Bud and his a.s.sociates could proceed against them, driving them off--”repelling boarders,” as d.i.c.k expressed it, having in mind some of his favorite pirate tales.

But until the sheep men had done something--had committed an overt act--they could not be molested as long as they remained where they were.

”It's like this,” explained Bud, for his father had made matters plain to him over the mended telephone line. ”We got to wait until they set foot on our land--or until some of their onery sheep begin to nibble--and then we can start something.”