aged to find some sticks and
stones which suited their purpose. Then they moved forward once again.

At that moment came a cry from a distance, followed by a pistol shot.
The men around the broken-down wagon were instantly on their guard,
with pistols and a shotgun.

"Shoot the first man who tries to corner us!" shouted Andy Jimson.
"Don't take any chances."

"Wait!" cried Dick to Tom, who was on the point of exposing himself.
"Don't show yourself now. Help may be at hand. Besides, those men
will shoot as soon as they see us, now."

"What did that shot mean?"

"I don't know. Maybe it was a signal."

"If we could only let Sam know that we are at hand."

Further words were cut short by another shot, and a moment later four
men came riding up at top speed along the wagon trail.

"Hullo, what's up here?" came in the voice of Sack Todd.

"Had a break-down," growled Andy Jimson. "What are you shooting for?"

"Just got word that somebody has gone to town for assistance to round
us up. We must change our plans. You'll have to let the wagon stay
where it is and take to the horses. Luckily, we have some extra ones
along. Be quick."

"What of the prisoner?"

"We'd better let him go."

"Don't you do it!" cried Dan Baxter. "I tell you, you can make money
by holding him."

"I'd like to wring Baxter's neck for that!" muttered Tom.

"All right, then, take him along--at least, for the present," said
Sack Todd. "But don't waste time. Here are the horses."

The transfer from the wagon to the horses was quickly accomplished.
Sam was made to mount a steed, and Andy Jimson rode on one side of
him and Dan Baxter on the other. The rest of the men rode in front
and in the rear, and soon the spot where the break-down had occurred
was left behind.

"Now, what's to do?" asked Tom ruefully. He realized, as well as the
others, that it would have been useless to have attacked such a large
crowd.

"There is but one thing to do, Tom: follow them. As soon as they
locate, we can go back for help. They can't travel more than twenty-four
hours without stopping, and I believe they'll go into hiding as soon
as it is daylight."

With care, they advanced on the trail of those ahead. This was a
rather difficult task, for the lantern had been put out, and it was
pitch-dark tinder the trees. More than once their steeds went into
a hollow with a jounce that threatened to throw one or another to
the ground.

"If only James Monday would a