g of the saddles.
Hawkins was riding well, the Kid saw, even though he did come from the
east. To the cowboy all places not west are "east," and so it was that
the Kid looked upon Washington.

"Make it?" Nort called to the Kid.

"Sure! Coming to the water hole now."

The Kid's thoughts were racing along, keeping pace with the horses'
flying feet. As is the case when one is engaged in work of a
monotonous nature, such as riding, one's thoughts seem to whirl about
in a circle, the same subjects recurring with regularity. The Kid was
thinking about his lost bronco. Then Delton. Then the reward. Then
back to the bronco again. And all the while the miles were
disappearing behind him.

Suddenly the Kid pulled his mount to a stop.

"Wait!" he cautioned. "Isn't that where we left Bud, just ahead?"

A group of trees rose in front. They had a familiar aspect.

"Sure looks like it!" Hawkins agreed.

"Let's take it easy. Kid, you lead, and go slow."

The three walked their horses toward the trees. As they came nearer,
they made certain that they had reached their destination. And just in
time. The sky was graying rapidly.

"You two wait here, and hold my new bronc," Yellin' Kid directed
softly, "an' I'll go around on foot. See how the land lays. All
right, Mr. Hawkins?"

"All right, Kid. Go ahead. Then come back and tell us."

The Kid dismounted and handed his bridle rein to Nort. Then he walked
carefully into the trees, and disappeared from view.

"See some action soon," Hawkins declared. He and Nort were waiting on
their horses about three hundred yards from where the Kid had
disappeared into the trees. "The old ranch house is right back there.
And this time I want to make sure of getting the whole gang."

"Don't you think they figured we followed them, and are all set for us?"

"Maybe. Can't help that. But I'm not so sure, Nort--you know they had
to get those Chinks to a place of safety. Couldn't let them wander
around loose. And this was the only place they could go to. They had
no choice. And whether they figured we'd follow or not, they had to
dig in here."

"They sure got away neat before," Nort said, as he thought of the
escape. "And if they hadn't wrecked their auto we'd probably never
have seen them again. Now we've got a chance."

"Yes, and a little more than a chance. Wonder what's keeping the Kid.
Told him to come right back."

"And here he comes--runnin'!" exclaimed