“If it weren’t for all that good food cooked by Hop Joy back with the horses and the fact that I’m hungry, I’d be in favor of staying right where we are till morning,” announced Tom.

“I reckon that is the best thing we can do, anyhow,” declared his brother.

“Not with my appetite,” retorted Tom.

“This is no time to be funny,” reprimanded Larry.  “If we keep on moving, we may never get out, while if we stay here we can climb into one of these trees and be safe till daylight shows us——­”

“By jove!  That’s the very thing!” exclaimed the younger of the chums, and there was such a tone of genuine enthusiasm in his voice that the others asked excitedly: 

“What?”

“Why, the trees.  We won’t need to sleep in them.  By climbing a tall one, we can get the lay of the land as soon as moonlight comes, which will show us at least how to get out onto the plains again.”

“Hooray!” cried Larry and Horace together.

Each realized the plan was feasible, provided the night was not cloudy, and once on the prairie it would not be difficult for the young rancher to lead the way to the horses.  And, although they knew that the moon would not rise for two hours at least, they were so eager to try the plan that they began to discuss who should be the one to do the climbing.

The two brothers claimed preference because they were both stronger and taller than their companion, but Horace silenced them by declaring that not only could he go higher because he was lighter, but that he would be able to recognize their whereabouts from his knowledge of the mountains.

Restraining their impatience as best they could, the boys sat down.

“When we do get out, which way shall we go to join Mr. Wilder and the others?” asked Larry.

This question started further discussion.  One suggestion after another was made only to be rejected because of some obstacle, and finally they decided the safest thing to do would be to ride till they found the trail over which the cattle had been driven from the bottoms and follow that.

Soon Horace climbed a convenient tree.

“We sure are dubs!” he cried.

“Why?  Is the moon up?” asked the two chums eagerly..

“No, the moon isn’t up.  I don’t need it.  The stars are bright enough.  We’ve been sitting here fretting all this while within a hundred yards of the prairie!”

CHAPTER XVIII

A MYSTERIOUS CALL

Horace and Larry having picked up their rifles, the three boys resumed their way, Larry leading slowly, taking care to make his steps of as nearly equal length as possible, and in due time they came onto the prairie.

“My, but this stretch of level does look good,” declared Tom, and his companions expressed their hearty agreement as they hastened toward the spot where they left their ponies.