After considerable loss of time Ike finally discovered the place where he had left the trail, and they managed to reach the eminence, which was about half a mile from the ranch. They crouched in the brush and watched the ranch, but at that distance they were unable to distinguish individuals.
“Must be at least twenty horses in that corral,” observed Sleepy. “If there’s a man for every horse, we’ve got some gang to bust into.”
“And a very bad place to attack,” declared Big Medicine.
“Shore is,” agreed Musical. “Looks like our best bet was to make our big move after dark.”
Sleepy had been studying the place for several minutes, while the others discussed a possible point of attack.
“It’s a risky business to butt right into that place,” declared Sleepy. “We don’t know a danged thing about who is there, nor what we’re goin’ up against. See that butte back of the house? That’s where I’m goin’. I’ll circle back and manage to work my way over that butte, sabe?
“That’ll let me down pretty darned close. Mebbe I can get on their roof. Anyway, I’ll scheme some way to find out what’s inside that place. They won’t look for anybody to come in on ’em from that side. You stay here, where yuh can see me work my way down the bluff. If nothin’ happens I’ll go back the same way.”
“Suppose somethin’ happens?” questioned Musical.
“Then it happens,” grinned Sleepy. “If I don’t come back, you can come ahead, but don’t do it in daylight.”
“All right, Stevens.” Big Medicine held out his hand. “Good luck to you. If we hear any shooting, we won’t wait for darkness.”