ch of cattle were grazing.

"I don't like this disappearance on Bud's part," said Nort, as they
rode along.

"Is it a disappearance?" asked Dick, pointedly.

"What else is it? He hasn't come back."

To this Dick returned no answer, but there were anxious looks on the
faces of the boy ranchers as they urged their ponies forward.

CHAPTER XV

THE SEARCH

Pleasant enough it was, riding over the sunlit, undulating broad
stretches of the range, and Dick and Nort would have thoroughly enjoyed
it had it not been for the nature of their errand. Had Bud been with
them they would probably have "whooped it up" with joyous, care-free
exuberance. But now they were rather solemn, not to say glum.

Dick, noticing that his brother rode along with his eyes bent on the
ground just ahead of the pony, inquired:

"What are you looking for--lost something?"

"No. But I was thinking about the possibility of poison weed and I
thought maybe I could spot it before anything happened."

"I don't take much stock in that poison weed theory," said Dick.

"No? What do you think caused the deaths?"

"Hanged if I know! I'm more concerned, right now, with finding out
what's keeping Bud away."

"Well, that's why I was sort of looking for this weed--if there is such
a thing."

"You thought maybe he'd been overcome by it?"

"Somewhat--like Sam Tarbell was overcome, you know."

"There's a possibility of that," admitted Dick, with an anxious air.
"But we ought to meet him soon."

However they rode on for several miles, and though they strained their
eyes for a sight of their returning cousin, they did not glimpse him.
It was getting dusk when they came within view of the original herd
which had been purchased with the ranch. The cattle were quietly
feeding, chewing cuds or roaming about as suited each individual taste.
But there was no sight of Bud.

"Something must have happened to him!" said Nort, voicing not only his
own fear but that of his brother. "He doesn't seem to be around here.
Something sure has happened!"

"I'm beginning to fear so," admitted Dick. "He might have had a
tumble, or his pony might, and gotten a broken leg from it--I mean Bud
might."

"He could manage to sit on his horse with a broken leg--that is some
kinds of broken legs," Nort pointed out.

"He couldn't get back up in the saddle if he fell off and broke his
leg," objected Dick. "Gosh! I wish we'd find him."

They topped a little rise