sure and that's betther. Kape yer ind a little more up-strame,
sargint. We'll steer by the avening star."

In a few minutes the _balsa_ lodged against the shore in the still
water of a little cove. The boys and soldier were aware that they were
landing some miles below their starting-point, for the current was
strong and swift, while the horse-thieves had forded the river almost
in a direct line. They climbed the bank, and ordering Vic to keep
close by them, began to move as fast as possible up the shore.

They had made their way for nearly an hour over a rough and miry
river-bottom when the setter showed sudden excitement and began
sniffing to the right and left.

"She must have struck their path from the river to their
camping-place, Tom," said Frank. "Look sharp, Vicky, look sharp!"

"But she seems to be working up-stream," said Henry. "I should think
they would have gone straight inland."

"There's an excillint rayson for that, sargint laddie," returned
Clary. "One of the routes t' th' coast begins exactly opposite th'
town, and they must go up-strame to foind it; El Rincon the
landing-place is called."

"The Corner?"

"Yis, Th' Corner. Th' shore binds out there a wee bit."

Man and boys continued to struggle along, until across a level,
grassless plot they saw, near a clump of cottonwoods, a fire, where
Texas Dick and Jumping Jack were plainly visible, cooking their
supper. On the side of the fire opposite the river were two saddles,
upon which rested their rifles and revolvers. Still farther west the
two ponies were picketed and grazing.

Clary told Henry to go to the ponies and stay there with Vic, while he
and Frank crept upon the thieves. Screening themselves behind tufts
and swells, and lastly behind the saddles, they worked across the
level, the sound of their moving being covered by the booming and
rushing of the mighty river. When within twenty yards of the fire and
five from the saddles, Private Tom Clary sprang to his feet, aimed his
double-barrelled shot-gun at the thieves, and shouted:

"Throw up your arrums!"

At the same instant Frank made a flying leap for the saddles, and
seized the rifles and revolvers. Henry ran forward and assisted his
brother in keeping Dick and Juan under the muzzles of their own
rifles, while Clary securely bound them. This accomplished, the boys
went back for a moment to renew their acquaintance with their horses.
Yes, the chase was over, and their favorites wer