“Well, come on, let’s be systematic about this,” suggested Jerry. “There are three of us, and we can divide this gulch into three parts.”
The tall lad indicated some natural landmarks on the rocky walls of the ravine. He would take from the entrance on the left to a third of the way down the side. From there, extending part way up the other side, and, of course, including the angle of the V, would be Bob’s portion. The remainder would be inspected by Ned.
“But Bob and I have done it all before,” objected Ned. “We didn’t find a thing.”
“And maybe we sha’n’t now,” admitted Jerry. “But it won’t be for lack of trying. Come on now, start.”
“And you can both meet me at the end of the gulch,” suggested Bob.
“Why meet you there?” Jerry asked.
“So you can eat,” was the ready response. “I’ve got the grub, you know.”
“Trust you for that,” laughed Ned. “But it’s a good idea all the same.”
The search began. The boys were sure the cattle had been driven up to the entrance of the defile. In this they were supported by the cowboys who agreed to the same thing. But there was a division of opinion as to whether the steers had been driven into the gulch and held there for a time.
There were objections to this theory on the ground that in some cases pursuit had been made so soon after the raid that had the cattle been held in the gulch they would have been seen.