nd then, in turn, the
other three had a look through the telescope, which brought the details
of the oncoming herd of "woollies" startlingly near.

"Well, what we goin' to do about it?" asked Yellin' Kid, after they had
made sure the sheep were headed toward the east bank of Spur Creek.

"We're going to stop 'em from coming over here," declared Bud
determinedly.

"Maybe they don't intend to come," suggested Nort.

"What are they heading this way for, then?" demanded his cousin.

"To get better pasture."

"Well, what pasture there is on that side of Spur Creek won't last the
sheep very long!" exclaimed Snake Purdee. "They'll be over here in a
couple of days at the most. Reckon they think they have a right to
this range."

"Which they haven't," said Bud, "though how dad is going to prove his
claim, with the papers gone, I don't see."

"We'll prove it with force--that's what we'll do!" shouted Yellin' Kid.
"That's what we're here for. That's what we got our guns for!" and
significantly he tapped the one on his hip.

"Yes, I reckon we'll have to fight," conceded Bud with a half sigh. He
was not afraid, but he knew in a fight some would be hurt and perhaps
more than one killed. And this was not as it ought to be. Still with
each side standing on what it considered its rights, what else could be
expected?

"How many Greasers they got?" asked Yellin' Kid, after a pause, during
which Bud took another observation through the glass.

The boy rancher looked, seemed to be counting and then, as he lowered
the glass from his eye, he answered:

"There's a dozen of 'em!"

Significantly Nort silently, but obviously, counted those of his own
party. There were but five, for some of the cowboys had been left at
Diamond X after the defeat of the rustlers.

"We'd better let your dad know--what say?" asked Kid of Bud.

"I think so--yes. And he'd better send out a few more men. We don't
want to take any chances."

This was considered a wise move. But before going in to telephone to
his father--for that was the most rapid method of letting him know the
situation so he could send help--before going to the instrument Bud
asked:

"Say, I'm wondering how, if those fellows intend to take this open
range pasture--how are they going to get their sheep over?"

"You mean over the river?" asked Nort.

"Yes. How they going to get the animals across so they can feed on
this side?"

For a moment no one answered, then Ye