"Now we've got 'em!" cried Bud. "Make 'em mill! Make 'em mill!"
And this is what the cattle did. Around and around they ran, in a big, dusty circle, while the other Diamond X cowboys rode up.
"That was touch and go," said one of the older riders, when the herd was comparatively quiet. "What started 'em off, Bud?"
"Didn't you see that bunch of Greasers?" asked the rancher's son.
The cowboys had not, it developed, and now, when the three boys tried to point out the rascals the quartette was not in sight. However, something else took the attention of Bud and the older cowboys. This something was a small bunch of steers, galloping off by themselves, but not being hazed by any riders.
"We can't lose them!" shouted Bud. "They belong to dad! Got to get 'em back!"
"We'll go after 'em," offered Nort and Dick. "We can bring 'em back."
"Yes, I reckon you can, while we ride herd on these," said Bud. "I don't want to take any more chances with 'em. Haze the outlaws back this way, fellows!"
Eager to have this responsibility, and to do something "on their own," Dick and his brother spurred away. And before they realized it, Nort and Dick found themselves down in a depression, whence they could catch sight neither of the small knot of cattle they had started out to haze back, nor the main herd.
"Say, where are we?" asked Dick, slowing up his pony, and looking about him. He and Nort were down in a green valley, with hills all around, but no sign of life—animal or human. "Where are we?"