than I could fly."

"Dot is vot's der madder mit me," put in Hans. "I could schleep
standing ub, ain't it!"

"Well, I'll go for help, then," said Dick. "But I must have one of
the horses."

"Take the best of them, Dick."

The eldest Rover inspected the animals, and finally chose one that
looked fairly fresh.

"Now, mind, don't get into more trouble while I am gone," he said.
"If they move on, simply keep them in sight."

A few minutes later, Dick took his departure, moving straight for
the town they had seen earlier in the night. He knew nothing of the
trails, but trusted to luck not to go astray.

"I've got to make that town," he told himself. "And do it without
wasting time, too."

Soon he found himself utterly alone on the plains, and, urging his
horse forward at the steed's best rate of speed--a gallop that was
anything but easy to the worn-out youth. But Dick was not thinking
of himself. His mind was on Sam, and how his youngest brother might
be rescued.

"Whoa, there!"

The command was a most unexpected one, coming from out of the darkness,
and at the word Dick's horse came to a standstill. For the instant
the youth could see nobody, but then two horsemen hove into sight,
each heavily armed.

At first, Dick could not make out who they were, but as they drew
nearer his heart sank within him. One of the newcomers was a man he
had seen working around Red Rock ranch and the other was the negro
called Watermelon Pete, the fellow who had given the Rovers trouble
while on the houseboat.

CHAPTER XXX

A ROUND-UP-CONCLUSION

The man from Red Rock ranch was very much startled to see Dick, and
stared at the youth for several seconds without speaking.

The eldest Rover thought for an instant of putting his horse to
flight, but then realized with a pang that the animal would not be
equal to the task.

"Where under the sun did you come from?" growled the man at last.

"It's dat same fellah!" cried Watermelon Pete. "I dun see him on de
ribber an' at de ranch, too!"

"Yes, the fellow who was left in a cell at Red Rock," returned the
white man. "How did you escape?" he went on, to Dick.

"Smashed the door and came out in a hurry," answered Dick. He saw no
harm in telling the truth.

"Where is your brother?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"Don't get funny with me," growled the man.

"Are you alone?" he continued, peering around in the darkness.

"You had better find out."

"Why don't yo