ed
a hasty repast, washing it down with a drink from the brook. Then
Tom climbed the tree again, followed this time by his big brother.

"I see a ranch--out that way!" cried the fun-loving Rover after a
look around. "Dick, can't you see it?"

"Yes, Tom, and it must be the one we are seeking, for, see, there is
a series of rocks behind it, and they are red."

Dick was right--the rocks were certainly there, and there could not
be the slightest doubt regarding their color.

The ranch was a long, low-lying place and so far off they could see
it but imperfectly.

"We may as well draw closer," said Dick, and began to climb to the
ground, followed by his brother.

There was no path through the woods, and the tree branches were so
low-hanging that they were willing enough to walk their horses. Soon
the tangle grew so thick they were forced to dismount and proceed on
foot.

"I trust we don't get into a pocket," said Sam. "It would be a job
to get back the way we came."

"I see a clearing ahead," announced Songbird a little later, and
presently they reached an opening, in the midst of which grew a tall
pine tree.

"I'm going to shin that tree," announced Sam, and went up, and so
did all of the others, reaching the topmost branches only after a
difficult climb lasting ten minutes.

They were well rewarded for their efforts, for from the top of the
tree they could see a long distance in all directions. But they had
eyes only for the ranch, which now stood out strongly in the bright
sunlight.

"I see two men walking about the place," said Sam. "But I can't make
out their faces."

"There is a big wagon approaching from a road yonder," announced
Dick. "It seems to be filled with hay."

They watched the approach of the wagon, which lumbered along slowly,
although drawn by a pair of powerful looking horses. At last, the
wagon reached a side entrance to the ranch and came to a halt, and
the driver dismounted.

Five minutes passed, and then four or five men came up to the wagon.
The hay, which was on top, was cast aside, revealing some machinery
resting on the bottom of the wagon.

"Some farming machinery," said Fred. "But why did they have it covered
with hay?"

The men tugged at one of the pieces of machinery and at last lifted
it from the wagon. But, instead of setting it on the ground, they
disappeared with it into the ranch.

"Hullo!" ejaculated Dick. "If that is farming machinery, why are they
taking it int