But dawn broke without an alarm, and the boys were astir, making ready for the abandonment of the house and the return to the Bubbly Well Ranch.
Ted was feeling so much better after a good night's rest that he was able to climb into his saddle and go into the town.
His object was to get a wagon and a span of mules in which to transport the remains of Helen Mowbray and the valuables she had left behind to her brother's house.
At a livery stable he met the proprietor, a garrulous old man, whom, when he had explained his mission, looked at him strangely before speaking.
"What's doin' at the Mowbray house?" he asked. "We all uptown was some curious last evenin' when we heard so much shootin'."
"Nothing much," said Ted. "Just a little pistol practice."
The old man grinned.
"Yuh musta kep' ther targets warm some from ther way ther poppin' sounded up yere," he said dryly.
"Yes, it was rather warm for a while. Well, can I have the wagon, and a driver to bring it back?"
"I don't know whether I can spare one or not. Yuh see, it's some dangerous ter take sides in this town."