Part 18 (1/2)

”No, you'll get no help at Dottery's.”

”He is our friend, and he will not stand up for your doings, even if you do own the ranch over the river.”

”Well, why don't you go an' see Dottery,” snapped Captain Grady.

”We will--and some other people, too,” cried Chet.

”And in the meantime, if any of our stuff is lost, you'll pay for it,”

added Paul.

”I won't be responsible for anything. Now clear out an' leave me alone.”

The two brothers looked at each other. Neither knew exactly what to do.

Paul finally made a sign to withdraw, and they turned and rode down the river trail to the belt of cottonwoods.

Captain Grady remained at the gateway, his baneful eyes on them until the trees hid them from view. Then he shut the heavy gate and walked slowly toward the house, rubbing his grizzled chin reflectively.

”They won't come back to-night, I'm pretty certain of that,” he said to himself. ”An' by to-morrow I'll be better fixed to hold my own.”

CHAPTER XV.

At Dottery's Ranch

”It's a shame, Paul!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Chet, almost crying with rage. ”We ought to have shot him where he stood.”

”I suppose many a man would have done it,” returned Paul, somewhat moodily. ”But we must get him out.”

”He won't go out without a fight.”

”I think he will--when we get enough of a crowd against him. I more than half believe he is totally alone, although the furniture and other stuff look as if he had had somebody to help him.”

”He's been hanging around watching his chance,” went on Chet. ”Who knows but what he has been spying on us ever since his last visit.”

”Oh, I trust not, Chet!” Paul looked much disturbed. ”He may have overheard some of our talk about Uncle Barnaby's mine, you know.”

”That's so! What if he did! He is rascal enough to try to locate it and set up a claim, eh?”

”Undoubtedly. Come on; the best we can do is to ride to Dottery's and try to obtain help. It's a long journey by night, but there's nothing else to do.”

”I won't mind it--if only Dottery will turn in and help us. He ought to, but he always was a peculiar fellow. He may not want to make an enemy of Captain Grady, seeing as the ranches adjoin. But come on, while daylight lasts.”

And off the two brothers struck, along the river trail, and then down the road Allen and Noel Urner had pursued on their way to the far-away railroad station. They realized that in another hour darkness would be upon them.

The boys knew the way well, having traveled it a dozen times in search of stray cattle. They rode on, side by side, urging on the tired horses and discussing the situation in all its various phases.

Slowly the sun faded from view behind the distant mountains, casting long shadows over the foothills and the level stretches beyond. The night birds sang their parting song, and then came the almost utter silence of the night.