He could hear much trampling, low bellowing, the mooing of cows fearful lest they be separated from their calves, and a confusion of other sounds of which, being more or less of a greenhorn on the range, he could make nothing. But it was different with Chunky and the other punchers. Their trained ears, accustomed to detecting even uneasiness in feeding stock, and guessing the cause, instantly picked up several things that told them the startling truth. When Ned himself plainly heard the neigh of an excited horse, and then what appeared to be a half suppressed shout, he jumped to a sudden conclusion that very nearly took his breath away. Something not down on the hills was certainly going on up there, where the prize herd fed. There were men there and they were stirring up the cattle, for the snap of whips could be heard together with various other sounds such as Ned fancied might accompany the start of a drive. He could give a pretty good guess what it all meant, and did not have to wait for Chunky to pass the information along. Some other persons besides themselves had taken a notion to start a round-up that was not ordered, and right then were busily engaged in getting things moving. Apparently the punchers had not arrived any too soon, for the rustlers were undoubtedly abroad; and had the range riders been delayed another half hour they must have arrived at Washout Coulie to find the feeding grounds bare, and discover that the herd had mysteriously vanished! CHAPTER XIV. STAMPEDING THE PRIZE BUNCH. "Steady, Ally, and don't try it!" Chunky was saying in a low but tense voice. He seemed to have suspected that the treacherous puncher would be greatly excited over the fact that his friends were at work above, and might take considerable chances in order to let them know the men from the Double Cross had arrived on the scene of action unannounced. They gathered in a little clump. The other two punchers must have guessed why Chunky was acting in this way toward Sloper, for they eyed the latter suspiciously, and Ned could see that Arizona Tom had his heavy gun in his hand, as though ready to use it promptly should the other try to dash away without authority. "Seems like we didn't get here any to soon, hey, Ned?" ventured Jimmy, with one of his hoarse whispers. "Same old luck keeps after us," was the reply of the scout master; "as long as that holds good I should worry more for the other fellow than on our account." "It's them pesky rustlers that have hit up a hot pace, and got on the ground ahead o' us," Chunky was growling; and then, as though his humor changed, he went on to add: "but say, mebbe we won't give 'em the surprise o' their lives." "Then you'll tackle the bunch, even if they number more than we do?" asked Ned, seeking information while they waited for a move on the part if those who were so busily engaged up the coulie.