They got little scraps of information here and there about the party ahead of them, and from the general direction taken by Noddy and the others, toward evening Tinny came to a definite conclusion.
“They’re heading back, and circling around to get to Blue Rock,” he said.
“Do you think so?” asked Bob.
“I’m sure of it. Why else would they want to make Red River Canyon? That leads directly to the trail of Blue Rock.”
“Then they hope to force Bill to show them the exact spot where the stage went over,” said Ned.
“I guess that’s it,” Jerry agreed.
“But we’ll have to try to head them off!” exclaimed Bob.
“Can’t go much farther to-night,” observed Tinny, with a glance toward the setting sun. “We’d better look for a place to camp.”
One was found near a spring of water, and the fire was started. Bob was overseeing the preparation of the coffee and bacon when the quiet of the mountain region was suddenly shattered by a low but ominous rumble and roar.
“What’s that?” cried Jerry.