With a swirl of their hats the boys leaped their broncos forward. The hunt was on.
They made for the clump of woods where Decker had been found.
“That’ll be a starting point, anyhow,” Mr. Ball asserted. “We may strike something there that’ll help us. Otherwise, it’ll be like lookin’ for a needle in a haystack.”
“Sure will,” Teddy agreed. “Baby, I’d like to come across those waddies!”
“I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy ejaculated. “Knocking off an old man after robbing him, then taking his bronc!”
There was little more said until they reached the woods. Roy showed just where they had picked Decker up, and even the marks where his body had lain, his head supported by Roy’s leg.
“We saw ’em come riding out of there,” Teddy declared, pointing to the edge of the trees. “See—where it makes sort of a triangle?”
“Uh-huh,” Mr. Ball responded. “Which direction did they take?”
“Swung to the right. Teddy yelled at me then, and I turned back. Oh, they’re well on their way by now.”
“Afraid so.” Mr. Ball had dismounted, and was examining the ground intently. “Suppose you fellers get off an’ take a look around. May spot something.”