A blinding flash came just as they reached the cabin, and a tree not a hundred yards away fell to the ground with a startling crash. Teddy’s pony threw back his head and whinnied in terror.
“Close!� Roy yelled. “Watch that bronc of yours, Teddy! He’s a sidewinder!�
The warning was unnecessary, for Teddy at the same moment seized the horse’s mane with a firm hand. This had a quieting effect, and the bronco lowered his head once more.
Now they were at the door of the dwelling, and both boys leaped from their mounts. The cabin was a ramshackle affair, simply four walls and a roof, with no porch. There was one window in the front and one on the side, neither of which had an unbroken pane. But at least the place afforded shelter, and tying their ponies to a pole which stood at the rear, partly under the eaves, Teddy and Roy ran to the front door.
Seizing the knob, Teddy pushed. The plank door flew open, and the boys entered. The windows allowed some light to penetrate the interior, but, even so, it was dark and dreary within. The boys saw that four chairs were grouped about a rough table. On one side was a couch that had long passed its days of usefulness. A stone fireplace was built in one of the walls, and Roy noticed with relief that there were several pieces of wood piled on the andirons. A door opened into another room, evidently a bed chamber. Above were the bare rafters, opening up to a peaked roof.
Teddy removed his sodden hat and whacked it on the table.
“Wow!� he gasped. “Some rain! Golly, I’m wet through!�
“So am I, I’ll tell a maverick!� Roy exclaimed. He looked about him curiously. “We’re pretty lucky to stumble on this. Wonder who in thunder ever lived here?�
“Some sheep-herder, most likely,� his brother declared. Walking to the door he pushed it more firmly shut. “Thank goodness the roof doesn’t leak! Say, look at the wood in the grate! Seems as if some one had been here not so long ago and intended to come back.�
“Well, if he comes back now, he’ll find his wood being used,� Roy said, with a chuckle. “Got a dry match, Teddy?�