Regardless of the sensation which might be caused in sleepy Wild Oak, the five responded with tremendous effect.
An answer almost instantly followed the echoes of their lusty yells, and joyously the crowd walked toward Cattle King Irwin's hotel, the rendezvous agreed upon.
It was not long before a couple of shadowy figures appeared in view, passing before the dim light thrown by a far-off lamp.
With a whoop, Tim darted forward, the others following close at his heels.
They arrived panting, to find the envoys seated calmly on a door-step, with a head gazing wonderingly down upon them from a second story window.
"Well, well," cried Tim, breathlessly, "did you see Uncle Stanley?"
"We did not," answered Tom, wearily, "and for a very good reason, too; eh, Bob?"
"Why—why—"
The chorus of questions was stilled by Bob Somers.
"It's this way," he said; "one of the steamers bound east stopped at Rawdon this afternoon. We hunted up the agent, and he was sure, from our description, that Mr. Lovell got aboard. So the whole—"