“Get Pete and all the other fellers you can skin in a hurry and light out for the ranch. There’s trouble, and I’ve felt it somehow all day!”
While Bindloss was giving his orders another cowpuncher rode in on a pony that was dripping lather. He, too, was from somewhere up the Coso Valley and he was excited.
“They’ve attacked the ranch, Boss!” he fairly flung at Bindloss.
“Who’s attacked it?” roared the rancher.
“Don’t know nothin’ ’bout thet, but I seen an’ heard the firin’ and thar’s the old Harry to pay up thar.”
Idaho had already ridden away to gather a bunch of his fellows for the ride back to the ranch, and while this was being done Bindloss eagerly questioned the two men who had brought him evil tidings. Perhaps Bindloss had an idea as to who the men from the mountain were, but if so he did not inform the disturbed Overlanders. They were thinking of Hippy up there alone in the ranch-house, himself suffering from wounds and perhaps helpless in the hands of a band of mountain ruffians.
“We must go!” cried Nora.
“Yes, we will go,” answered Grace. “I wish I could find Tom.”
“They’ll get him,” answered Bindloss. “You’ll have to ride some if you keep up with the cowpunchers, and this ain’t no pleasure trip neither. Here they come!”
Pete was leading the party of rough-riders that came racing towards him, and with them was Tom Gray. His companions of the Overland party hardly recognized him, for his clothes were covered with dust and his face was streaked where the perspiration had trickled through the grime.