The next day dawned clear and cool, and the boys arose with the sun. On their way down to breakfast they met the Yellin' Kid. He was evidently the bearer of startling tidings, as his face was more flushed than usual, and his eyes were shining with excitement.
"Heard the news?" he burst out. Then, without waiting for an answer, he went on:
"The marshal at Roaring River has been shot by a gang of Chink smugglers! They captured one, but the rest got away with an auto load of Chinks! Roaring River, boys—that's where we're going!"
Chink smugglers! That conversation in the new bunk house last night—in a flash it all came back to the boys.
"Say, Dick, I'll bet that's what we heard the Mex talking about!" cried Bud.
CHAPTER II
A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE
Yellin' Kid looked at Bud in surprise.
"You heard someone talkin' about this here shootin', Bud?" he asked.