When the raiders had been bound the owner of the Three Stars had sent his men to bring down all the ponies, that the animals might be relieved of their saddles and enjoy the tender grass in the valley. And no sooner had Blackhawk reached the open than he gave an ear-splitting whinny which was answered by several of the raiders' horses. At the racket two or three of the thieves awoke and tried to get up. For a moment the men blinked at the sight of the cowboys. Then, their senses returning, they discovered they were tied hand and foot, and in a trice they were yelling like a band of Indians. "Go it! Go it!" howled the cowboys. The shouts roused the prisoners in the cave, and their yells of rage added to the pandemonium. "Come on in to see Megget," exclaimed Lawrence. "I say, Mr. Wilder, can't Larry and Tom go in first alone? You promised, you know." Willing that his men should have their fun, the owner of the Half-Moon laughingly consented. And with the others following close, the brothers went into the cave. Entering thoroughly into the spirit of the occasion, Larry approached the struggling chief. "Why, how do you do again, Mr. Megget?" he exclaimed, bowing in mock deference. "What's the trouble? You seem to be down and out. Quite a difference from when you were teasing me at that station in Oklahoma, eh?" As Megget recognized the brothers his face grew terrible to see, and, summoning all his strength, he leaped to his feet. But Lawrence had tied his ankles so tight he could not keep his balance, and the raider pitched forward while Mr. Wilder and the others rushed in to make sure he did not harm the boys. At the sight of the men he thought burned, the leader of the raiders lay trembling like a leaf. "You see you can't raid the Half-Moon herd with impunity," exclaimed Mr. Wilder sternly. "Come on, boys, let's go outside. These men are not pleasant companions." And turning on his heel, he led the way from the mine. Appointing Pete, Sandy and two others to stand guard to make sure none of the prisoners broke their bonds, Mr. Wilder ordered the others to turn in. Some time it took them to get to sleep, but when they did they slept soundly, and it was broad daylight when they awoke. After a hearty breakfast, they were discussing the best way to get their prisoners to Tolopah when a body of horsemen galloped into the valley. For the moment the ranchmen and cowboys thought they were partners of the raiders and quickly they sprang for their guns. But the next minute their alarm vanished. "It's Shorty Jenks and the sheriff of Tolopah!" yelled Skinny. And such, indeed, it proved to be, together with a score of deputies. Hearty were the greetings exchanged by the sheriffs and the ranch owners, and the former were elated when they learned of the successful round-up of the cattle thieves.