even if they don't have
our style."
"I'm not sure," remarked Russ, as he put away the camera which he had
had no chance to use after filming the start of the cowboys, "I'm not
sure, but I think I recognized one of the fellows as the chap who was at
Rocky Ranch when we arrived there."
"Then he has others with him," said Mr. Pertell.
"Evidently."
"And they will probably try to do us some more mischief," went on the
manager. "We still have several important films to make, and if they try
to steal our ideas and get the pictures we go to so much trouble to make
we may as well give up."
"Don't you do it!" cried Baldy Johnson. "Don't you do it! We'll get
after these fellows the first thing in the morning, and round 'em up
good and proper."
"That's what we will!" cried his companion. "Whoop-ee for the round-up!"
"We'll pay 'em for startin' that fire," went on Baldy.
"Yes, and for stampedin' those cattle, too," added Buster Jones.
"Do you think they did that?" Mr. Pertell asked, quickly.
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised," declared Buster. "If they was mean
enough to start a fire to spoil the picture they wouldn't stop at a
little thing like stampedin' a bunch of cattle. I'm sure they done it."
"Then all the more reason for runnin' 'em out of the country!" decided
Baldy. "We'll get on the trail early in the mornin', boys."
"We're with you!" cried the others.
The camp, which had been made on the side of the creek where refuge had
been taken from the fire, was soon in order. The cook wagon and supplies
had been sent far away from the scene of the blaze when it was started,
and it had come up by a different trail. Soon with tents erected, and
with the sleeping wagon for the ladies in readiness, quiet settled down
over the scene.
Believing that it was more necessary to capture or drive out of that
section the rivals who were endeavoring to get ahead of him, Mr. Pertell
decided not to make any more films until after the chase. Preparations
for this were soon under way, next morning, and, save for a small guard
of cowboys left in camp, all the men riders went after the suspected
ones. Mr. DeVere remained with his daughters. Of course Russ went along
to make the pictures.
It was some time before the searchers got on the proper trail. They
followed one or two false ones at first, but finally were set right, and
then they rode furiously.
"There they are!" cried Baldy, who had taken the lead. This was aft
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