Andy, however, insisted that they have breakfast first.
“But the fiends may get away with so long a start,” protested Sallie.
“It is hardly necessary to try to track them,” returned the land agent. “I’ve an idea who the three are.”
When breakfast had been eaten, however, the young homesteaders insisted upon taking the trail.
In vain Andy and Chester sought to dissuade them, then, finding they could not, left Jasper to guard the womenfolk, and all four rode forth.
Going to the head gate, they picked up the trail and followed it toward E 2 for a mile. At the highway the miscreants separated, and their pursuers did likewise, Andy and Chester taking two of the tracks and the young homesteaders the other.
“We’ll ride till ten o’clock,” said the land agent. “If we don’t find our men by then, we’ll go back to the cabin. If we see them, the one so doing will fire three times in rapid succession.”
But no sight of their quarry did any get, and at ten the boys turned homeward.
Their course had taken them beneath a cliff on the Jay farm. As they repassed it, Phil drew rein.
“Look at that dark streak in the rock, Ted. It looks like blood,” he exclaimed.