Part 46 (1/2)

Although a westerner, Bill Badger knew no more about following a trail than did our hero, consequently they proceeded on their hunt with difficulty.

”Reckon we've missed 'em,” said Bill Badger, a while later. ”Don't see hide nor hair of 'em anywhere.”

”It's too bad if they got away,” answered Joe. ”Perhaps--What was that?”

The cracking of a tree limb had reached their ears, followed by a cry of alarm. A limb upon which Pat Malone was standing had broken, causing the fellow to slip to another branch below.

”Hus.h.!.+ don't make so much noise!” said Caven, in alarm.

”Gos.h.!.+ I thought I was going to tumble, out of the tree to the ground,”

gasped Malone, when he could catch his breath.

”They are coming--I can see them,” whispered Gaff Caven. ”Be as quiet as a mouse.”

In a moment more Joe and Bill Badger stood directly under the tree.

”I think the noise came from near here,” said Joe.

”I agree,” answered the westerner.

At that moment our hero looked up and saw a man's arm circling a tree limb far over his head.

”They are up there!” he shouted.

”Sure?”

”Yes, I just saw one of them.”

”Then we've got 'em treed,” came with a broad grin from Bill Badger.

”What's the next turn of the game?”

”We have got to make them both prisoners.”

”All right. Have you got a shooting iron?”

”No, but I can get a club.”

”Then do it, and I'll use this, if it's necessary,” and the young westerner pulled a pistol from his hip pocket.

”I wish we had some ropes, with which to tie them,” continued Joe.

”Here's a good big handkerchief.”

”That's an idea. My handkerchief is also good and strong.”

”You do the pow-wowing and I'll do the shooting, if it's necessary,”

said Bill Badger.