“But he was there a few minutes ago!” gasped several of the cowpunchers.
“So was Hen’s house,” grunted Deadshot.
“Watch out for the fences!” cried Sandy. “His going is probably the signal for the dash from the corral!”
With spur and quirt, the cowboys raced around the enclosure which, fortunately for them, was still illumined by the flares from the ruins of the ranch house, while Bowser and Hawks waited near the gate in silence.
“Nothing wrong with the wires on the East;” reported Sandy, the first of the cowpunchers to complete his tour of inspection.
Comment by the ranchmen was prevented by the quick succession in which the rest of their boys rode in, announcing that on the other sides of the big yard the fences were intact.
“Tricked!” grunted Ki Yi. “That Midnight Raider is sure one nervy crittur!”
“That’s the ticket—but he hasn’t got anything on me!” retorted Deadshot. “Sam, I suppose you don’t mind if I hit his trail now, do you?”
“Go as far as you like—only get the devil!” returned his master.
“Then come on, Ki Yi! We’ve no time to lose!” shouted the man from the Double Cross.