ction
somewhere," suggested Dick. "Let's take a look. I know a little about
telephones."

They tested the battery, to find that it was sufficiently strong to
have transmitted signals provided everything else was in working order.

But this remained to be seen. However, as the boys made test after
test, in their limited way, they came ever nearer to the conclusion
that the wire was, indeed, cut. For no answer came to the repeated
turnings of the crank, though Bud did succeed in making his own bell
ring. The reason for his first failure had been a loose wire
connection, which Dick remedied.

But, even after this, no answer came to the repeated turnings of the
crank.

"Well, we've got to find the break and mend it!" declared Bud,
following several unsuccessful trials to get into communication with
the home ranch.

"'Tisn't cut right around here," said Nort, who went out to take a look
at the thin length of wire, strung on makeshift poles, that formed a
connecting link between the fort at Spur Creek and the homo ranch of
Diamond X. "I can trace the wire as far as I can see it."

"No, 'tisn't likely they'd cut it so near the shack, for we'd spot that
first thing," said Bud. "We'll have to trace it, that's all. I'll get
my horse."

"Are we all going?" Yellin' Kid wanted to know. "What about the
sheep?" and he waved his hand toward the ever-nearing cloud of dust
which floated over the backs of thousands of sharp-hoofed animals.

"Oh, that's so!" exclaimed Bud. "Somebody's got to stay here."

"Reckon Snake and I can handle whatever comes up here," said Yellin'
Kid grimly, as he tapped his gun. "They won't get here for half a day,
anyhow, and by then it'll be night. They can't do anything after dark,
and two men will be plenty here."

This seemed reasonable enough, and after talking over plans this one
was decided on.

Bud and Dick, the latter knowing most about telephones, would ride
along looking for the break, and would try to mend it. Meanwhile Nort
would ride on to Diamond X ranch, since it was important to let Mr.
Merkel know what was about to happen--that the dreaded sheep had come
and might soon overrun the open range he claimed as his own property.
Also help was needed--more cowboys to hold the fort--and it was risky
to depend on the broken telephone for summoning them.

So Nort was intrusted with the work of carrying the unwelcome news and
of bringing up reinforcements.

Meanwhile Bud and