"I don't know. Do you suppose he thought of that?" Bob asked turning to Jeb.
"I doubt if he did. But it's more'n likely that Hains will have a man on the watch for him. In fact I imagine he knows that he's coming before this."
"Then he'd see us if we start before dark," Jack suggested.
"Another chance we'll have to take, but, man, we've got to do something."
"Surest thing you know. I wasn't hinting at not going," Jack assured him.
"I know that," Bob said quickly. "But how soon do you think we'd better start?" he asked turning to Jeb.
"I'd say pretty soon," Jeb replied rising from his chair. "You boys go and tell the others about it and send one of them after the boys who are on shift and tell them to leave two on guard and the rest follow us. I'll get my boots on and be ready by the time you get them rounded up."
The night shift had been inside the shack eating dinner and so had seen nothing of Royce as he left nor had they seen the boys return. Great was the excitement when Bob burst in and told them what had happened.
"The miserable skunks! Just wait till I get my hands on 'em," Grumpy shouted as he jumped up and strapped his gun belt about his waist.
"Thar won't be enough left of that Hains guy ter sling a cat at when I get through with him," Slats declared as he followed suit.