"Hunters, perhaps," suggested the other.
"Don't you think it's a little odd, Dave? Hello! Gee!"
An indistinct form—unmistakably a man—had suddenly come into the field of view, a tiny speck between him and the light. Eagerly he kept his eyes fixed upon it, and gave a sigh when it dropped from sight.
The field-glass passed from hand to hand, while the boys speculated and watched the moonlight slowly changing the face of nature with its radiance. The silence of the night was oppressive. Occasionally a sound came from the corral, but that was all; even the breeze seemed stilled.
"Well, I guess it's no use to stay up here any longer." Dave's voice, almost stifled by yawns, came in a low tone. "Had enough, Bob?"
"Sure thing, Dave. I'd give a lot to know who those chaps are and what they're doing out here."
"So would I," grinned Dave, "but not the rest of our night's sleep. Hope that prize rat of yours doesn't get too familiar."
In another moment the two had descended the ladder and were steering a careful course through the dimly-lighted room toward their blankets.