“Yay-y-y-y, Teddy! Yay-y-y!�
He paused for an answer, but none came.
Again he called.
“Yo-o-o-o, Ted! Come here! I found it!�
He strained his ears for a reply, but the echo of his cry was the only answer.
“That’s funny,� he said, straightening in the saddle. A perplexed frown came to his face. “Teddy oughtn’t to be out of earshot. He said ten minutes, and it’s easily that, and more!�
Rising in his stirrups, Roy peered through the trees.
“I’m going to ride after him,� he declared after a further period of waiting. “I don’t like this a little bit! When Teddy says ten minutes, he means just that, and no longer. It’s a cinch he wouldn’t delay when he knows we’ve got to get back to dad in a hurry.�
He was just about to guide his horse down the mountain when the sound of men’s voices caused him to turn swiftly in his saddle. An idea came to him that these might be the rustlers, so he jumped his horse off the trail and into the bushes at the side. The next moment he gave a yell and swung the pony back on the path. Riding toward him were his father, Nick Looker, Pop Burns, and Gus Tripp.
“Roy!� Mr. Manley called. He spurred his bronco forward. “Where’ve you been, son? We’ve been worried about you!�