“That idea ain’t nothin’ to whoop ’em up about,” complained Alkali. “That mountain medder is in plain sight of Pop’s house. It’s surrounded by hills and there’s just one way out. That’s down the trail past Pop’s buildings.”
“We can do it real quiet-like so he won’t ketch us,” insisted Lefty.
“Don’t you reckon Catapult’s tracks on the trail will show?” Alkali asked jeeringly.
“Trust Papa,” replied Lefty with a mysterious grin.
The two cowboys separated, after pledging Connie to secrecy regarding their proposed adventure. Lefty immediately rode to Red Gulch to hold a confidential consultation with Jack Crawford who was in charge of the barns at the rodeo.
In an hour Forest Blakeman returned to the ranch without explaining where he had been. But all that day he was aware of curious stares which followed him. He could feel that something was in the air. Now and then coming unexpectedly upon a group of cowboys he would hear his name being mentioned. In anger he vented his spite upon Jim Barrows.
The day passed slowly. Connie went to her room early but she did not go to bed. Instead she read until nearly midnight. Then she snapped out her light and sat by the window.
In a short time she saw Lefty and Alkali emerge from the bunkhouse carrying several gunnysacks. At their shrill whistle, she quickly joined them.
Alkali led Silvertail and two broncos down to the main road where they all mounted.
“What are you planning to do with the gunnysacks?” Connie asked curiously as they rode toward the Bradshaw Ranch.