Meanwhile something was going on back at the Three Star Ranch house. Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker, who had been out riding on the plains, came galloping back.
"Where are Russ and Laddie?" asked their father of his wife.
"They went for a ride down by the creek," she answered. "They said they'd go only as far as the bridge. But they've been gone a long while, and I wish you'd ride after them and bring them back."
"I will," said Mr. Bunker. "Want to come for a ride, Rose?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Well, I'll get your pony out of the corral, and saddle him for you. Then we'll ride and get Russ and Laddie."
A little later Rose and her father started out on their ride. As they passed near the queer spring, which, for the last day or so had not emptied itself of water, Daddy Bunker saw quite a hole in the ground.
"What's that?" he asked Rose.
"Oh, it's where Russ and Laddie started to make a well," she answered. "But I guess they didn't find any water."
Daddy Bunker got off his horse to take a look. He bent over the well the boys had dug, and stooped close down to it. As he did so a queer look came over his face.