No second warning did the cowboys need, and dropping flat on their stomachs, they watched the raiders draw nearer and nearer.
Because of the cattle, their approach was slow, and it was fully an hour after the chums had sighted them before they reached the valley.
"That's Vasquez and Gus in the lead," announced the man who had forsaken his life of wrong-doing. And as the other raiders rode into sheltered grazing ground he mentioned them by name.
"There are only nineteen of them. I thought Nails said there were twenty," exclaimed Bill.
"So there were till Lawrence joined us," rejoined his father. "Thank goodness, my short-horn Durhams are all right. Now be quiet. It would be too bad to spoil everything when things are going so well for us."
Instantly the men obeyed, sitting with eyes and ears alert for any sight or sound that should proclaim the approach of a guard.
But twilight fell and none came, as Lawrence had predicted.
Sounds of revelry, broken now and then by the lowing of the cattle, were constant. In due time the moon rose and with its coming the cowboys grew impatient.
The ranchmen, however, refused to move till no sound from the raiders could be heard.
"It's midnight," announced Mr. Wilder, looking at his watch. "They must be asleep, by this time. We'll chance it, anyhow. Careful, every one. Come, Lawrence."