"We'll be after 'em at sun-up," said Tom Dillon. "An' now all o' yer had better turn in an' get what rest you can." This was sensible advice, and the three youths lost no time in following it. They turned in around the fire, which was kept burning, so as to keep away any possible prowling beasts. Tom Dillon was the last to retire, he looking to it that all of the horses were tethered. It was just growing daylight when Dave awoke with a start. Something had aroused him--what he could not tell. He sat bolt upright, and at the same moment the old miner, who was beside him, did the same. "What's up?" asked Tom Dillon, instinctively feeling for the pistol he carried. "Our horses!" cried Dave. "They are running back on the trail!" "Somebody is stealin' 'em!" roared Tom Dillon, and was on his feet on the instant. By this time the noise had awakened Phil and Roger, and all three boys followed the old miner in arising. In the gray light of the morning they could see that their four horses were moving along the back trail on a gallop. A single man seemed to be in charge of them, on a steed of his own. "Halt!" yelled Tom Dillon. "Halt, or I'll fire on you!" And he raised his pistol. At this sharp command the man with the horses turned slightly to look back. He crouched low, and wore a sombrero pulled down well over his face. On the instant he rode to the front of the galloping steeds, thus getting out of range of the old miner's weapon. "Come on, we must get our hosses!" sang out Tom Dillon, and started forward on the run. Then he let out a shrill whistle, one he knew was used for calling the animal he had been riding. The effect of the whistle was all that could have been desired. The horse dropped to a walk and then turned back. And as Tom Dillon continued to whistle, the intelligent steed came closer and closer, until the old miner was able to grasp it by the halter. But all this had taken valuable time, and meanwhile the other horses continued to gallop on, led by the man in front, who was now riding like the wind. Who he was they could not make out, but they strongly suspected Sol Blugg or one of his cronies. "I'd shoot if them hosses wasn't in the way!" cried Tom Dillon, wrathfully. "Can't you go after them?" asked Dave and Roger, in a breath. "I can and I will!" answered the old miner. "Stay right here till I get back!" And with those words he saddled his horse with all speed, and in less than a minute later was flying down the back trail after the stolen steeds and the rascal who was making off with them. CHAPTER XIX THE NEWSPAPER CLEW "Do you think he'll catch that fellow?" It was Phil who asked the question, as he and Dave and Roger watched the old miner disappear around a bend of the back trail. "I don't know about that," returned Dave. "But if he gets the horses back it will be something."