"Yes, I reckon we'll have to fight," conceded Bud with a half sigh. He was not afraid, but he knew in a fight some would be hurt and perhaps more than one killed. And this was not as it ought to be. Still with each side standing on what it considered its rights, what else could be expected?
"How many Greasers they got?" asked Yellin' Kid, after a pause, during which Bud took another observation through the glass.
The boy rancher looked, seemed to be counting and then, as he lowered the glass from his eye, he answered:
"There's a dozen of 'em!"
Significantly Nort silently, but obviously, counted those of his own party. There were but five, for some of the cowboys had been left at Diamond X after the defeat of the rustlers.
"We'd better let your dad know—what say?" asked Kid of Bud.
"I think so—yes. And he'd better send out a few more men. We don't want to take any chances."
This was considered a wise move. But before going in to telephone to his father—for that was the most rapid method of letting him know the situation so he could send help—before going to the instrument Bud asked:
"Say, I'm wondering how, if those fellows intend to take this open range pasture—how are they going to get their sheep over?"
"You mean over the river?" asked Nort.