"It's not much use trailing them much farther. What I think they did, is to make for that ranch house where Bud was, and stay there. Now here's the point. Even if we did come upon them now, we'd have a hard job taking them. I think this is a better plan. Listen, now."
The boys drew closer around Hawkins.
"This idea I have calls for two men to stay up all night. Who'll do it?"
"Me!"
"Let me in on that!"
"What is it—keeping guard?"
"Yes, Nort, that's exactly what it is—keeping guard. Now here's the dope. We followed that bunch pretty far. There's no doubt but that they headed for that house, and intend to unload their Chinks there. Now if we can only keep them in that house until morning, we can get the whole gang—including the Chinks—like rats in a trap. Now do you see what I mean?"
"You mean you want some of us to watch the place and do a little shootin' so that they won't come out?"
"That's it exactly, Kid! If two men can get close to the house, and keep firing at intervals, they'll think that we've got them cold, and will stay there long enough to allow us to get them by morning."
"What's the matter with all of us going up there now?"