The two boys took it for granted that the permission included them and followed Sue's flying feet to the corral. They were mounted and back with the others almost in no time.
"You keep well in the rear," Jeb cried as he gave the order to start, and he swept out of the gate closely followed by the rest.
In all, not more than ten minutes has passed since Bob heard the first shot and during that time several more shots had been heard. The night was dark, the new moon having set several hours before, and they could barely see each other as they rode. The shots were coming more frequently now and the pace set by Jeb was a fast one. But Bob was obliged to hold Satan in in order to keep behind the men, as he seemed imbued with the excitement.
"Fire into the air, boys, an' let 'em know we're coming," Jeb shouted a few minutes after they had started and the next moment the air was rent with shots as the order was obeyed.
On through the night they swept the hoofs of the horses hardly seeming to touch the ground so swiftly were they running. A few minutes and they could hear the bellowing of the cattle as they milled this way and that not frightened enough to stampede but very restless.
In another minute Jeb called a halt and ordered the men to stay where they were while he went on to find out the condition of things.
"If I fire two shots close together and then two more after about ten seconds you come a-running, all except you, Sue, and the boys. You three stay where you are and if I shoot twice more quick-like, you beat it for the house. You can tell my gun from the rest."
As he spoke he melted into the darkness and they waited. Minute after minute passed and they were all getting impatient when the signal came.
"Come on, boys, whoop her up," one of the men shouted, and the three were alone.
"Gee, but I wish he hadn't told us not to go any farther," Jack declared.