Bob told his deductions. “Powder River met some one on horseback. The man got off. Here’s his tracks.”
“Fellow, use yore haid,” admonished his friend. “Likewise yore eyes. You wouldn’t say this track was made by the same man as this one, would you?”
“An’ here’s another, all wore off at the heel. We got three men anyhow. Which means also three horses. Point of fact there are four mounts, one to carry the pack.”
“How do you know there are four?”
“They had four when they camped close to us night ’fore last.”
Dillon felt a sinking at the pit of his stomach. “You think this is Houck’s outfit?”
“That’d be my guess.”
“An’ that they’ve taken Powder River with them?”
“I’m doing better than guessin’ about that. One of the party saw a bronc with an empty saddle an’ tried to rope it. First time he missed, but he made good when he tried again.”