Dick called
softly to the snorting horse; and, hurriedly getting into clothes
and boots, he went out with a gun in each hand. Sol was quivering
in every muscle. Like a dog he followed Dick around the house.
Hearing shouts in the direction of the corrals, Gale bent swift
steps that way.
He caught up with Jim Lash, who was also leading a white horse.
"Hello, Jim! Guess it's all over but the fireworks," said Dick.
"I cain't say just what has come off," replied Lash. "I've got the
Bull. Found him runnin' in the yard."
They reached the corral to find Belding shaking, roaring like a
madman. The gate was open, the corral was empty. Ladd stooped
over the ground, evidently trying to find tracks.
"I reckon we might jest as well cool off an' wait for daylight,"
suggested Jim.
"Shore. They've flown the coop, you can gamble on that. Tom,
where's the Papago?" said Ladd.
"He's gone, Laddy--gone!"
"Double-crossed us, eh? I see here's a crowbar lyin' by the
gatepost. That Indian fetched it from the forge. It was used to
pry out the bolts an' steeples. Tom, I reckon there wasn't much
time lost forcin' that gate."
Belding, in shirt sleeves and barefooted, roared with rage.
He said he had heard the horses running as he leaped out of bed.
"What woke you?" asked Laddy.
"Sol. He came whistling for Dick. Didn't you hear him before I
called you?"
"Hear him! He came thunderin' right under my window. I jumped
up in bed, an' when he let out that blast Jim lit square in the
middle of the floor, an' I was scared stiff.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173