"I don't wonder no one can surprise Megget with such a lookout. Why, it's practically impossible to approach without being seen by a man on guard." "The only time is at night," returned Lawrence. "And, thanks to the loneliness of the place and the stories of ghosts, no one has ever tried to pass through or even come in at night while I've been with the gang." "Don't start talking about ghosts or you'll get us all nervous," said Mr. Wilder, fearing the effect on his men. "Now that we've seen where the mine is, suppose you take us where you think we had better wait till we make the round-up." "That's right here," rejoined Lawrence. "We can see Megget and the others when they arrive by being here." "True enough, but how about the guard they send up?" "There won't be any to-night, don't worry about that. They'll be too busy celebrating your supposed loss in the fire last night." This grim reminder of their escape caused all of the ranchers to smile, and without further objection the men made themselves comfortable while they waited the arrival of the raiders. Huddled together, the boys sat where they could watch the trail. Of a sudden Tom grabbed his brother by the arm and pointed to where several specks were moving. In silence they watched as more and more came into view, and then Larry cried out: "Here they come!" Eager with excitement, the others crowded forward to catch a glimpse of the men who had caused them so much trouble. "Keep down!" snapped Lawrence. "Vasquez has an eye like a hawk." No second warning did the cowboys need, and dropping flat on their stomachs, they watched the raiders draw nearer and nearer. Because of the cattle, their approach was slow, and it was fully an hour after the chums had sighted them before they reached the valley. "That's Vasquez and Gus in the lead," announced the man who had forsaken his life of wrong-doing. And as the other raiders rode into sheltered grazing ground he mentioned them by name. "There are only nineteen of them. I thought Nails said there were twenty," exclaimed Bill. "So there were till Lawrence joined us," rejoined his father. "Thank goodness, my short-horn Durhams are all right. Now be quiet. It would be too bad to spoil everything when things are going so well for us." Instantly the men obeyed, sitting with eyes and ears alert for any sight or sound that should proclaim the approach of a guard. But twilight fell and none came, as Lawrence had predicted. Sounds of revelry, broken now and then by the lowing of the cattle, were constant. In due time the moon rose and with its coming the cowboys grew impatient. The ranchmen, however, refused to move till no sound from the raiders could be heard. "It's midnight," announced Mr. Wilder, looking at his watch. "They must be asleep, by this time. We'll chance it, anyhow. Careful, every one. Come, Lawrence."