“Well, they couldn’t do that at the pool, because there aren’t any cliffs near there,” replied Tom.

Larry was not satisfied, however, and said: 

“I wonder what cowboys do to stop a stampede?  I wish we’d thought to ask Mr. Wilder.”

“Don’t always be looking for trouble, Larry,” protested his brother.

“Still, we ought to know.  He said he’d hold us responsible for the cattle.”

“We can ask Ned when he gets back, if you really want to know.  But don’t, for goodness sake let Horace hear you.  His imagination is so lively that he would think it was a stampede every time the cattle moved.  I think it was because Horace is so excitable that Mr. Wilder had us stay home.  He probably thought we were older and could steady him down.  Now don’t try to think up any more things that might happen.  I’m tired and want to go to sleep.”  And turning his back to his brother, Tom refused to talk any more.

Out on the prairie the body of horsemen were riding silently and steadily.

“I hope we shall not be obliged to wait long for Pete,” said Bill, giving voice to his thoughts.

“He’ll be on hand, barring accidents,” returned his father.

This confidence of the owner of the Half-Moon in his foreman was justified, when, at the end of another hour, the men caught the flare of a camp fire in the direction of the pool.

“Must have hurried some,” asserted Snider.

But this comment elicited no other response than a quickening of the pace.

When they were within a mile of the fire Mr. Wilder drew rein.

“You boys wait here,” he commanded.  “I haven’t any doubt but that it’s Pete’s fire.  Still, it won’t pay to take any chances.  Snider and I will ride ahead to reconnoiter.  If we are not back within half an hour, you’ll know it’s all right and can follow.”

Little relishing the enforced halt, the cowboys, however, obeyed, some of them dismounting and stretching out in the grass.

Riding a rod or so from the others, Bill, Nails and Sandy eagerly peered through the darkness, listening intently for any sound that should indicate danger.

The two ranch owners, being experienced in the art of scouting, rode to the left into a roll of the plains, one crest of which shut them off from the light.  For they were aware that should they ride in its glare they would be seen by whoever was about the fire, and they wished to make sure it was Pete and his men at the pool before disclosing themselves.

But their caution was unnecessary.  When they had covered only a little more than half the distance the lowing of cattle broke on their ears.

“That’s the Half-Moon outfit, sure enough,” declared Snider.  And putting spurs to their ponies, the ranch owners galloped straight for the fire.

“Queer we can’t see any of the boys,” muttered Mr. Wilder in a low voice.  “I know they are tired.  But, all things considered, one of them at least ought to be on watch if for nothing else than to keep the cattle from breaking away.  That they are restless, you can tell from their lowing.