"They went into that creek bottom, over yonder."
"Well, then, what in the devil are you all doing up here?"
Somebody answered:
"You must think we're dam' fools to go in there after those fellows. Of course we didn't go in there, and don't intend to."
"Well," said Captain Bill, "I'm going, and if any of you fellows want to go, come ahead, but I don't want any man that don't go willingly."
Ranger McCauley had ridden up.
"You can't get away from me, Uncle Bill," he said.
The two loped off in the direction of the thicket, but presently found their way barred by a wire fence. Leaving their horses they made a circuit around the enclosure and soon struck what seemed to be a road, leading into the bottom. Hurrying along they came upon Ranger McClure, who had been in charge of the posse when the shooting had occurred, and had set out alone to locate the robbers.
"Hello, Bob, where are they?" asked Captain Bill, as he and McCauley came up.