from the saddle.
But there were no evidences of foul play, and no signs of a struggle.
No marks showed on the pony, either.

"Well, this sure is a mystery!" exclaimed Nort when the casual
examination, was over. "What has become of Bud?"

"That's what I'd like to know," echoed Dick. "What's the next move?"

"Better go back and tell some of the boys. We'll have to organize a
search."

"Guess that's the only thing to do," admitted Dick. "Gosh! The jinx
was only on a vacation. Now it's back in full force."

"Oh, I wouldn't go thinking the worst--not yet a while," urged Nort as
they started back for the ranch, leading Bud's mount by a rope around
his neck. "Something might have given Bud a fall and his pony might
have run away. Then Bud may have met some cowboys who loaned him a
mount to get back on. He may be back at the ranch when we get there."

But Dick shook his head over this theory.

"If Bud had ridden back on a borrowed horse we'd have seen him, sure!"
he declared. "We came the same trail he'd have used."

Truth to tell Nort did not think much of his own reasoning, but he put
it forward as the best under the circumstances. There was clearly only
one thing to do, and that was to acquaint the cowboys with the mystery
of Bud's disappearance as soon as possible, and get a search under way.

There was plenty of excitement at Dot and Dash when, in the shadows of
the coming night, Nort and Dick galloped into the yard and shouted the
news. They knew, without asking, that Bud had not returned in their
absence, so Yellin' Kid did not have to shout:

"He isn't here!"

"Then we've got to find him!" was Billee's conclusion after hearing the
brothers' story. "Come on, boys! We've got to search for Bud!"

CHAPTER XVI

BUD'S STRANGE TALE

Darkness, which shrouded Death Valley shortly after the search started,
was a severe handicap. Even the most skillful followers of a trail,
and there were several such among the cow punchers, could do little in
the night. Still they rode out in various directions from the Dot and
Dash ranch house--big, stern-faced men, with lariat and gun ready and
determined looks in their eyes.

Though some of the cowboys had only been associated with Bud Merkel
during the short time of their hire, they had come to admire the boy
rancher who treated them as his father would have done, with fairness
and kindness.

"If any doggoned rustlers have been playing tricks with Bu