"How did it end?" asked Kit, who always wanted results.
"I simply told them that they couldn't have the cattle now, and walked away."
"That must have been a facer."
"Seemed to be, for the colonel called after me to know if I was aware that if the beef issue didn't come off there would probably be an Indian uprising, and I told him it was up to him."
"Well, I suppose it's hike," said Bud, pulling on his boots.
"Yes, get the dogies up, and we'll trail them back until we are out of the reservation. It's not far."
The boys mounted, and rode among the cattle, getting them to their feet.
Soon the herd was moving slowly along the back trail, with Ted and Bud pointing them out.
Suddenly, from the woods to the right rode a band of horsemen in the dark, for the sun had long since gone down.
"What's this? A holdup?" asked Bud.