"Aw, Billee!" objected one. "We don't want t' stay here!"
"Have a heart, old man, an' let us come with you!" pleaded the other. "They won't be nothin' doin' here! Them sheep herders have just seen that we're on guard an' they've gone back home t' report. They won't arrive an' be able t' git any sheep here 'fore we can mosey back if we have to."
"That's right!" joined in the first newcomer who had spoken. "Take us along, Billee!"
"Wa'al," said Billee slowly, as if in doubt, "I don't know how much help they'll need back at Diamond X——"
"Better not take any chances," said Snake Purdee.
"I don't believe the sheep men will come back here again very soon," was Yellin' Kid's usual loud-voiced opinion.
"All right—come along then," conceded Billee, and the two cowboys who were on the verge of being left behind rode with the others. It was fast riding, too, for when word comes in that cattle stealers are in the neighborhood of any ranch, it behooves those charged with the safety of men and animals to be on the "jump." There is always more or less theft going on among the western cattle ranches but most of it is on such a small scale that drastic action is not often taken. No ranchman missed an occasional animal, which may be "lifted" because of dire hunger, perhaps, on the part of some needy person.
But when a "bunch" of valuable steers is driven off and when there are indications that an organized attempt is being made to steal more, this shows the presence of cattle rustlers, and concerted action must be taken against them.
It was this thought that was in the minds of all who thus rode "sweatin' leather" from Spur Creek toward Diamond X ranch, and from the glances that each member of the party cast, now and then, at the weapons swinging at their sides in the big holsters, it was evident that if shooting was to be a part of the game, they would be ready for it.
"Things are livening up a bit, aren't they?" remarked Nort to Bud as the boys rode side by side.