"Look out that you don't get into trouble, son. Anybody who would do this would do worse." Dave had seen a heavy stick lying beside the road, and arming himself with this, he walked to the bushes and around them. In the soft soil he made out a number of hoof-prints, and he called Todd's attention to these. "On hossback, both of 'em," said the cowboy, after an examination. "Dave, you was right," he announced, a little later. "It must have been Merwell and Snogger, fer see, they have taken the old trail along the river. That leads to another trail that runs to the Merwell ranch." "Well, they are gone, that's certain," answered the youth, after another look around. "We may as well be on our way. But we ought to mend the bridge." "We'll do that,--an' post a warning, too," said the cowboy. Not without difficulty, they managed to fasten the planks into place once more. Then, at either end of the rickety structure, they set up a stick in the road. "That's the usual warning in this country," explained Todd. "It means 'Go slow and look out.'" When the pair arrived at Star Ranch they found the boys and girls waiting for them. "You must have walked back," said Belle. "We have been waiting for you ever since we heard the locomotive whistle." "Oh, we had to stop to fix the bridge," answered Dave, and then handed around the letters, which instantly claimed attention, so no more questions were asked. Then the Crumville youth had supper, and by that time it was late enough to go to bed. "You've got a cut on your cheek, Dave," said Phil, when the three boys were undressing. "Did you scratch yourself?" "Thereby hangs a tale, Phil," quoted Dave, and then, in a low voice, told of the encounter at the railroad station, and gave the true particulars of the trouble at the river. "It's the same old Link!" murmured Roger. "We'll have to watch out for him!" "I really think the girls ought to be warned," said Phil. "There is no telling what mean thing Link might do--if he met them alone." "Well, we don't want to frighten them," answered Dave. "Better frighten them than give Link the chance to annoy them," answered the senator's son. "Say, I wish I had seen you polish off Link!" cried Phil. "It would have done my heart good. I'll wager he was as mad as he could be!" "Oh, he was mad enough," replied Dave, with a grim smile. "But say, when you get the chance, I want you to look at that Hank Snogger. He looks like somebody I've met somewhere, but for the life of me I can't place him." "Is he handsome?" quizzed the shipowner's son. "No, he looks melancholy--as if he had something on his mind. It's a peculiar face, and for the life of me I can't get it out of my mind." Several days passed and nothing of importance happened. The boys and girls enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and the Endicotts did all in their power to make the visitors feel at home. At first, Jessie was inclined to be a little shy, but soon this wore away and she felt as happy as anybody.