He was interrupted by a shout from Dick.
"Look!" cried the stout lad. "There's a fire! The grass is on fire, Bud!"
The western lad gave a quick look in the direction Dick indicated. It was off to the right from the trail they had been following.
"It is a fire—regular prairie fire," Bud murmured.
"Could any of the reservation Indians be on the rampage and have set it?" asked Nort.
"I don't know! We've got to find out about it!" shouted Bud.
"Come on, fellows!" And, wheeling his horse, he abandoned the
trail of the rustlers, and galloped toward the fire, followed by
Nort and Dick.
CHAPTER X
SERIOUS QUESTIONS
Some time before the boy ranchers reached the scene of the grass fire toward which they were riding, they caught the smell of the burning fodder. That it was only grass which was aflame they had known before this, for that was all there was to ignite in that section of the valley. There were no buildings as yet, tents taking their place. Though Bud and his father planned to erect substantial structures if this year was successful.
"A lot of good fodder going up in smoke, Bud!" yelled Nort, as he rode beside his cousin.