But when he reached the place, a few minutes later, there was no horse to welcome him.
"He's either broken away or someone has stolen him," he thought as he examined the place where he had tied him.
The ground was considerably tramped up and the tree, to which he had been tied had been gnawed, but there was nothing to indicate which of his guesses was correct.
When he got back to where he had left the others he found that Sue, Jack and three of the boys had joined them.
"Didn't I tell you that you'd get caught?" Sue demanded as soon as he came in sight.
"Indeed, you did, and if I hadn't been a fool I'd have followed your advice. But never again," and he held up his hand as if taking an oath.
Royce's presence had been already explained and, after again firing the signal, they started for the ranch, two of the horses carrying double.
"I wouldn't care so much if I had accomplished anything," Bob confided to Jack behind whom he was riding.
"I should say you had accomplished a whole lot," Jack retorted.
"What do you mean? We know no more now than before."