"Go look for it. When you find water return here and lead us to it."
"I would a heap sight rather be led to a lemonade stream," declared Stacy.
"You will be wanting hot and cold water on tap next," laughed Ned.
"I have them already," answered Stacy.
"You have?"
"Of course I have. I'm in hot water all the time, and there's plenty of cold water in the stream. Say, I've got a bone to pick with you fellows, but—I've forgotten what it's about."
Billy Veal had ridden away in search of water while the two boys were talking. At the same time the Professor and Tad were observing the prisoner, who had been tied to a tree, and were conversing in low tones.
"I think we had better let him go in the morning, Professor. We shall have to take our chances of more trouble from him. If he were wanted by the authorities, I shouldn't be in favor of this move. As it is, we can't bother with him."
"Yes, I agree with you. But why wait until morning?" urged the Professor.
"Because he might hang around after dark and get into mischief. If we send him away in the morning we shall have an opportunity to get a good distance away from the fellow before night."