He stood staring regretfully after them when
they started erratically down the slope; erratically, because Solano
preferred going backward or sidewise, or straight up and down, to going
forward. They were not two hundred yards away from the stable when
Valencia overtook them, having saddled in haste that he might ride with
them for a way.

"That caballo, he needs two to show him the way, Senors," grinned
Valencia, to explain his coming. "Me, I shall help to get him started,
and we will say adios farther up the valley, unless the senors desire to
ride to Senor Seem'son's cabin."

"That's where we're headed for, believe it or not!" laughed Jack, who at
that moment was going round and round in a circle. "When he gets so
dizzy he can't tell up from down, maybe he'll do as I say about going
straight ahead."

Eventually Solano did decide to move forward; and he did so at such a
pace that speedily they reached Jerry's claim and galloped furiously up
the slope to the cabin.

"Must be asleep," Dade remarked carelessly, when they faced a quiet,
straight-hanging bullock hide.

But when a loud hallo brought no sign, even from Tige, he jumped off and
went to investigate the silence.

"There ain't a single soul here," he announced, "and that's funny, too.
They always leave Tige to watch the place, you know--or they did before
I went on rodeo."

"They do yet," said Jack. "Only Mrs. Jerry never goes anywhere. She
stays at home to watch their garden. That's it, over there; her 'truck
patch,' she calls it."

"Things are all upset here. Get off, Jack, and let's see what's up. I
don't like the looks of things, myself." Dade's face was growing sober.

Valencia, on the ground, was helping Jack with Solano. But he turned
suddenly and cast an uneasy glance towards the quiet log hut.

"Senors, for these two who live here I am afraid! It is as I told you;
that Manuel was speaking threats against the big senor, last night; and
he had drunk much wine, so that he walked not steady. And with Carlos
and perhaps one or two others--of that I am not sure--he rode away soon
after dark. Dolt, that I did not tell thee at the time! But I was
dancing much," he confessed, "and the fiesta dance makes drunken the
feet, that they must dance--"

"Well, tie up that mustang and never mind." Dade was walking aimlessly
about, looking for something--what, he did not know. "There's tracks all
around, and--" he disappeared behind the cabin.

In a minute