After a ride in the sun it was cool and pleasing in the forest, and they took their time riding under the great trees, some of which must have been fifty to a hundred years old. They saw a number of birds flitting about, but did not attempt to bring any down. "If we want any big game we must keep quiet," said Dave, and after that they moved along without speaking, and with their eyes and ears on the alert for the first sign of something worth shooting. Presently Dave held up his hand and all came to a halt. Not far away could be heard a curious drumming sound. "What's that?" whispered Phil. "Sounds like grouse," answered Dave. "They drum like that sometimes. They must be over in the trees yonder. Let us dismount and see." The others were willing, and leaving their horses tied to the trees, the three boys crept forward to the spot from which the drumming proceeded. They came up abreast, and soon all caught sight of a number of grouse of the sharp-tailed variety, huddled in a little opening among the bushes. "Get ready and fire when I give the word," whispered Dave, and a few seconds later all three of the chums blazed away simultaneously. There was a fluttering and more drumming, and several grouse thrashed the ground. "Hurrah! we've got four!" cried Roger, rushing forward. "And this one makes five!" said Phil, and dispatched one that was fluttering around. Then Dave killed a sixth, and by that time the rest of the game was out of sight. CHAPTER XXI A WILDCAT AMONG THE HORSES The bringing down of the grouse filled the boys with satisfaction, and they inspected the game with much interest. "They'll make fine eating," declared Roger. "Let us see if we can't get some more," pleaded Phil. The "fever" of hunting had taken possession of him. "We'll not find much in this neighborhood," said Dave. "But I am willing to go a little further," he added, seeing how disappointed the shipowner's son looked. Placing the game over their shoulders, they reloaded their weapons and continued on through the forest, taking a trail that seemed to have been made by wild animals. Twice they had to cross a winding brook, and at the second fording-place Dave, who was in the rear, called a halt. "What do you want?" questioned Roger, as he and Phil turned back. "I want you to look at these hoofmarks," answered Dave, and he pointed up the stream a short distance. All passed to the locality indicated, and each youth looked at the hoofmarks with interest. They were made by a number of horses, probably six or eight, and though the marks were washed a little, as if by rain, they could still be plainly seen. "Do you think they were made by the horses that were stolen, Dave?" questioned Phil. "I don't know what to think." "The horse-thieves might easily have come this way," said the senator's son. "They would be more apt to go away from the ranch than towards it." "Maybe they stopped here during the big blow," said Phil.