"And, the more I think of it, the more I think I have seen that fellow before," remarked Nort, with a puzzled air.
"Seen him before—what do you mean?" asked Dick.
"Well, his face seemed familiar at first, and then when he lit his cigaret and threw it away, he reminded me of some one."
"Some one in the movies, maybe," said Bud.
"Well, that's what I thought at first," admitted Nort, "though the more I think of it the more I'm certain that I've seen him out here—some time ago. I wish I could recall it."
"I can't place him," said Dick. "Stop thinking of it, Nort. It may come to you all of a sudden."
"It may not amount to anything, anyhow," Nort admitted. "But I have a feeling that I had a run in with that man before."
There was little to do at Spur Creek except await developments, and this waiting was really harder work than actual fighting would have been. It was also more nervous, keeping them all on a strain.
The approach of the enemy and by "enemy" I mean sheep men who might try to pasture their flocks on Mr. Merkel's land, or men who might try to take possession of it—these enemies would appear on the southern side of Spur Creek first, as it was well known there were the largest sheep ranches—just across the Mexican border. And pretty well cropped off were the vast fields, too. That is why there was such an eagerness to get into new and fertile ranges.
In consequence of this, watch was kept on that side of the stream where the lone horseman had appeared. To the north, east and west little danger was apprehended.