Part 38 (1/2)

”Speaking of the claim, there is somebody else to see you,” began Allen, when the talk was interrupted by the clattering of horses' hoofs on the rocks outside.

”Saul Mangle and Darry Nodley!” exclaimed Allen, as he glanced down the stony trail. ”They are coming here, too!”

”They belong to the gang,” said Barnaby Winthrop.

”Reckon ez how we can receive 'em all right,” put in Ike Watson, dryly.

As quickly as possible Barnaby Winthrop was provided with firearms.

”My gracious!”

It was Allen who let out the cry, loud enough for those who were approaching to hear.

”What's up?” asked his uncle.

”Look back of them.”

All did so, and then a shout went up. There only a few hundred yards to the rear, were Chet and Paul, trying their best to run down the horse thieves, whom they had discovered but a short five minutes before.

”We've got 'em corralled!” said Watson, grimly.

”Look, there is Jack Blowfen, too!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Allen, as the cowboy also came into view.

”Halt!”

Ike Watson uttered the command.

He ran into the open, followed by the others.

A shout went up from Saul Mangle and Darry Nodley, and then another from those in the rear.

”There is Allen!”

”There is Uncle Barnaby!”

”Capture the horse thieves!”

The two rascals were bewildered and paused, not knowing which way to turn.