They sat in silence for a few moments, straining their ears to catch any sounds of the pursuit.
"The timbermen have the map, an' they'll keep it forever an' two days," grumbled Dick. "Hello! Here come the boys!"
The five, after an interval which seemed very long, cantered up, their ponies breathing hard and flecked with foam.
"The scamps made a clean get-away," growled Jack.
"Bet the whole jig is up," wailed Tom.
"Oh, I rather guess not," snorted Tim Lovell. "There'll be some lively doin's before this crowd gives up."
This sentiment met with general approval.
As the bronchos had been pushed pretty hard, the boys decided to camp at the first suitable place.
"This is a great valley, full o' coyotes, playful panthers, an' desperate timbermen," remarked Jack, disgustedly. "Wonder what's comin' next."
"Plenty!" grunted Tim.