first water.

Then, having wrought them up to the desired pitch of anger, Buck Tooth
laughed and played a trump card, so to speak. In his own way he told a
group of the captives that not only had they been caught, to be sent
back to Mexico there to suffer long imprisonment, but the object for
which they had risked so much had been snatched from them.

"We have the boy and girl!" boasted Buck Tooth.

This was vehemently denied and then, in a burst of anger, as Buck Tooth
insisted this was so, the Yaqui blurted out the truth that Paz was
endeavoring to conceal. Rosemary and Floyd had been taken away from
the main body by a squad under the leadership of the Indian whom
Rosemary had dubbed "Mike."

"Ugh!" grunted Buck Tooth. He had found out what he wanted to know.
The trick was discovered.

CHAPTER XXII

ANXIOUS HOURS

Paz grunted, with characteristic Indian indifference when the work of
the third degree ceased, as Buck Tooth, accompanied by the boy
ranchers, waddled up and made known what he had found out.

"So that's what the beggar did!" exclaimed Captain Marshall, when he
understood. "He split his forces, and sent the young man and girl
farther on up into the mountains. Well, it means another chase!"

"And one not so easy to make," added Snake.

"Why?" asked Bud.

"Well, the trail will be worse, for one thing, and we won't have as
many men to help. Got to send a guard back with these," and he waved
his hand to indicate the Yaquis who had been made prisoners.

"I'll spare as many of my men as possible," said the captain, "and as
soon as I get these imps where they'll be safe for the next few years,
I'll have the escort return. They'll want to see this thing through.
I'm coming with you."

"Oh, that's good!" exclaimed Nort. It was not that he did not depend
on the cowboys from Diamond X, but there was something about the
troopers that inspired confidence. The cowboys, too, were glad that
they would have some regulars with them.

"And now let's get this story in proper shape," suggested the captain.
"Lieutenant Snow, you'll get ready to take as many men as you'll need
and herd the rascals back over the border, or at least to La Nogalique.
It may be that the United States Marshal there will want to deal with
them himself. In case he does that relieves you all the sooner. Get
in touch with the fort when you have delivered your prisoners, and
there may be orders for you."

"Yes, sir," a