Overjoyed that the time for action had arrived, the boys followed their guide, halting at the edge of the valley. Ordering the others to wait, the owner of the Half-Moon and the former raider glided noiselessly toward the mine. All about were signs of the celebration in which the thieves had indulged, and their loud snores told how sound asleep they were. Confident the time was ripe for action, the two scouts returned to their impatient fellows. "Pete, Sandy, Nails, Skinny, Lawrence, you take the ropes and do the hog-tying. The rest of you have your rifles ready for use. But don't shoot till I give the word," commanded Mr. Wilder. Opening the ropes so they could use them rapidly, the men selected for the binding of the raiders moved forward, closely followed by the others, guns ready for action. Signing to Sandy and Skinny to tie the men lying outside, Lawrence led the others into the mine. More like a cavern did it seem to them than anything else as they cast a hurried glance about the rock-walled room which two flickering torches lighted. Sprawled upon the floor lay the raiders, and to them Pete and Nails turned their attention, while Lawrence glided among them, peering into their faces. Watching for the slightest move, stood a dozen of the cowboys, with Mr. Wilder and the four lads. Of a sudden Lawrence stooped down, worked his hand rapidly, then rose, a smile on his face, and continued his search till he found another form, when he repeated the operation. Gliding to the owner of the Half-Moon, he whispered: "I've bound Megget and Vasquez. If they wake up now it doesn't matter." CHAPTER XXV HOMEWARD Having made fast the leaders, for he knew that with them rendered powerless no effective opposition would be made by the others should they be aroused, Lawrence returned to the task of "hog-tying," and in a few minutes every cattle thief in the cave had been securely bound. "Well, it has been easier to round up Megget and his gang than I ever imagined it could be, thanks to you, Lawrence," exclaimed Mr. Wilder as they left the mine to join the others. "It was no fun at all," protested Horace, and his opinion voiced the sentiments of the cowboys. "Can't we wake them up or do something to let them know they've been captured?" "You'd have some trouble in rousing them, son," replied his father. "They've been drinking too heavily." "That's what," agreed the former raider. "You could ride over them and they would not budge." "It's the only time I ever knew the drinking of too much liquor to do good," chuckled Mr. Wilder. "That is, good to us. I don't suppose our prisoners will share our opinion, though, when they awake."