"If we had thought it of such importance, we should certainly have kept him a prisoner," replied Songbird.
"I was watching my chance to get into the ranch house unobserved," continued the government official. "That shot rather floored me. But I am going to get in, some way," he added with determination.
"Listen, I think I hear somebody coming!" cried Songbird.
"Let us get to the side of the road," said James Monday.
They did as advised, the boys mounting their horses and the government official donning his wig and false beard and taking Sam's steed. Soon they were stationed behind a pile of rocks.
"It's a wagon that is coming!" said Tom a minute later. "I can hear the wheels scraping on the rocks."
"I think I'll investigate on foot," said James Monday, and slipped to the ground once more. Soon the wagon came in sight. It was pulled by a team of strong looking horses and was piled high with boxes. On the seat sat an old man.
"Hullo, there!" called out the government official, stepping along the trail in the direction of the turnout.
The old man was evidently startled, and he pulled up with a jerk. As he did so, the boys rode a little closer.
"Hullo, stranger! What do you want?"