f the others are here too, or if they have ridden off to the
fort. If they have gone to the fort----"

"Hist!" came in warning from Potts. "You're talking too much. I've heard
that this Leeson sleeps with his ears wide open."

"He does," grumbled Fetter; and then the three desperadoes relapsed into
silence.

They were advancing upon the cabin from the rear, and each held a ready
pistol in his hand, while his rifle was slung over his back. They had
seen the boys and Benson head for the trapper's home while it was still
light and they were on a high cliff; but darkness had closed in on the
scene, and they had come up to the spot in ignorance of what had
followed.

Tiptoeing their way they reached the lean-to where the horses had been
stabled, and with caution Gilroy went inside. By feeling the animals he
soon learned that three had been in use but a few hours before, while
the fourth was cool and comfortable.

"Their horses are here," he announced. "And a fourth is here, too."

"That's Leeson's," answered Fetter. "But I thought he had two or three."

"Might as well take them while we have the chance," murmured Potts.
"Four nags will bring some money over at Highwater. We can get Gingo to
sell 'em."

"Let them out," answered Gilroy. "Without horses they'll have their
hands full trying to follow us."

It was no easy task to untie the horses in a place that was pitch-dark,
and it took some time to get even the horses belonging to our friends
released.

As Fetter and Potts took the animals out, Gilroy worked to untie the
sturdy mare belonging to Hank Leeson. This was a pet animal, and not
used to strangers. As Gilroy caught hold of the halter she gave a neigh
of suspicion.

"Hush!" murmured the desperado, and ran his hand down the mare's nose.
But this made her skittish, and she stamped sharply half a dozen times.

"What's up thar?" came in Hank Leeson's voice, and the trapper was wide
awake on the instant. "Whoa, Nancy, whoa!"

"Hang the luck!" muttered Gilroy, and ran outside after Fetter and
Potts. "He must have been on the watch."

"We must get out!" responded Fetter. "He's a sure-shot, remember.
Nothing but the darkness can save us."

"I'm going!" came from Potts, and he leaped on the back of one of the
horses--that which Joe had been riding.

"I'm with you," said Fetter, and mounted old Benson's steed. "Come,
Matt, and be quick about it."

By this time Hank Leeson was running around the corner of t