ur later found the whole party, including Jarley Bangs, on
the way to Big Horn Ranch.

Brassy's uncle had listened with keen interest to the story his nephew
and the other lads had to relate. He had interrupted a number of times to
ask questions, and at the finish of the recital had held up both hands in
disgust.

"You're a bigger fool than I ever thought you were, Lester," he had told
his nephew. "Why in thunder didn't you tell your folks and me all about
this just as soon as it happened? We could have set a trap for those
rascals and caught 'em easy."

"But, Uncle Jarley, remember how I was tied up in that Colby Hall
affair!" Brassy had pleaded.

"I don't believe Colonel Colby would hold you responsible for that--not
after he'd made a thorough investigation. But that ain't here nor there.
What we want to do now is to grab those fellows before they've a chance
to make a get-away. I'd just like to ketch 'em with Duster and Whitehead
in their possession! I think I could find enough old-timers around here
to hand all of 'em a rope," and Jarley Bangs' eyes had flashed with a
fire that was anything but agreeable.

The Rover boys and their chums had thought to take the regular trail
leading back to Big Horn Ranch, but Jarley Bangs told them he knew of a
shorter way.

"We can cut off over a mile," said he. "And I reckon the quicker we get a
posse out the better."

"Don't you suppose we can round them up around Bimbel's ranch almost any
time?" queried Spouter.

"Maybe, and maybe not. We'd probably be able to get the others, but
Haddon, Dusenbury and Jillson come and go. Sometimes they're here, and
sometimes in Omaha and Chicago."

"Perhaps that's where they disposed of their stolen horses," suggested
Jack.

"More'n likely."

Jarley Bangs had armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun, and he
rode in advance with Spouter at his side and the others close behind.

The way lay across a stretch of prairie and then into the edge of the
woods bordering the river. The party had just gained the water's edge and
were looking for a good fording place when Brassy suddenly uttered an
exclamation.

"Look up the river, will you? There are those men now! And see! they are
leading a couple of horses!"

"Get back out of sight, quick!" ordered Jarley Bangs. And in a few
seconds all were behind the bushes which at that point lined the river.

"Why, they're heading almost straight for Big Horn Ranch!" exclaimed
Spouter excit