ting to Jarley Bangs' ranch. They
would explain matters to Brassy's uncle, and then set out for Songbird
Powell's place.

The campfire was speedily stamped out, and leaping into the saddle, the
seven boys set out for the Bangs' place, Brassy leading the way, with
Spouter beside him. It was a wet and dismal ride through the woods, and
it is safe to say that Brassy felt every bit as dismal as his
surroundings.

"Gee, but I certainly am sorry for him!" whispered Andy to his twin. "He
isn't a fellow that I would cotton to, but he certainly has got himself
into a pickle."

Presently the woods were left behind and they came out on the open
prairie. Here the sun shone brightly, and the trail was drying rapidly.
They urged their steeds into a gallop, and in a short while came in sight
of the Jarley Bangs' outfit.

As they rode up they saw Jarley Bangs come from the ranch house and move
swiftly toward one of the stables where the horses were kept. He was
evidently in a hurry and much excited.

"Hello! where have you been?" he demanded of his nephew. "Where did you
pick up these chaps?"

"I met 'em during the storm over at Twin Caves," answered Brassy.

"It's a wonder you wouldn't stay around the house once in a while,"
grumbled Jarley Bangs. "If you would, maybe I wouldn't be losing
things."

"Losing things! What do you mean, Uncle Jarley?" questioned the nephew
quickly.

"What do I mean?" stormed the ranch owner. "Do you know what has happened
since you went away?"

"No."

"Well, then, I'll tell you! Two of our best horses have been stolen!
Right out of the stable, too!" exclaimed Jarley Bangs wrathfully. "Duster
and old Whitehead!"

"Stolen!" came from all of the boys simultaneously.

"Yes, stolen! Nobody saw 'em taken, but they're gone, and not a man on
the ranch was near 'em!"

"I'll wager that's more of Bud Haddon's work," declared Jack quickly.

"But he wasn't here--he was over at the caves," returned Fred.

"Well, if he didn't do it, then some members of his gang did," put in
Randy.

"I'm going to have the law on somebody for this!" stormed Jarley Bangs.
"Too many horses in this neighborhood have been stolen. I'm going to
visit some of the other ranchmen and notify the sheriff, and see if we
can't raise a posse to run down the rascals."

"That's the way to talk, Mr. Bangs!" cried Spouter. "And we know just
what gang to go after."

CHAPTER XXX

THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION

Less than an ho