"But—the Indians?" questioned Mrs. Martin.
"Oh, they are far enough off by this time," said the ranch owner's wife. "They won't bother the Curly tops."
But Mother Martin did worry, and when supper time came near and Janet and Teddy were not yet back, Aunt Millie, too, began to think it strange.
"What do you suppose could happen?" asked Mrs. Martin. "I wish Dick were here."
"Oh, lots of little things might happen," said Aunt Millie. "The children may have ridden farther than they meant to. It's such a nice day for riding you couldn't blame them for going. Or one of their ponies may have gone lame and have to walk slowly. That would make them get here late."
"Suppose they should be hurt?" asked Mother Martin, anxiously.
"Oh, I don't suppose anything of the sort!" and Aunt Millie laughed. But Mother Martin did not feel like laughing.
At last, however, when it began to get dark and the children had not come, even the cowboys left at the ranch—those who had not ridden on the trail after the Indians—said it was time something was done.
"We'll go out and find 'em," said Baldy. "The little tykes have got lost; that's about all. We'll find 'em and bring 'em home!"
"Oh, I hope you can!" exclaimed Mrs. Martin.