While the horse was eating Ned stood by with his hands in his pockets admiring him, and it was with the greatest reluctance that he left him long enough to go into the house to get his own supper. He said nothing to his father regarding the events of the afternoon, for he had made up his mind that, for the present at least, he had better keep his own counsel. It was customary for Ned and his father to start out every evening, as soon as it began to grow dark, for a short walk up and down the trail in front of the house, and on this particular evening they continued their agreeable exercise until a later hour than usual. As they were about to retrace their steps they heard the clatter of hoofs on the trail, and presently two horsemen dashed up to them and came to a full stop. They were rough-looking fellows and carried revolvers in their belts. Ned, believing that they were raiders, could hardly refrain from screaming at the sight of them, and even Uncle John acted as though he didn’t know whether to stand still or run away. The latter’s fears, however, if he had any, were speedily set at rest, while Ned’s were increased a thousand fold. “Good-evening, gentlemen,” exclaimed one of the horsemen. “Do you live about here?” “My rancho is about a quarter of a mile farther down the trail,” answered Uncle John. “Have you lived here long enough to know all the people in the neighborhood?” “I have lived here a little more than a year.” “Have you seen a stranger pass through the settlement to-day, either of you?” “I have seen no one; have you, Ned?” Ned, who was trembling in every limb, controlled himself as well as he could and replied that he had not. “There has been one along here,” continued the horseman, “for we have traced him, and we know that we are not very far behind him. He is making for the river. He is a stylish-looking fellow, well dressed, wears a good deal of jewelry, and rides a chestnut-colored horse, with white mane and tail, four white feet and a star in his forehead.” “I haven’t seen any such man or horse,” said Uncle John. “I haven’t either,” said Ned, faintly. It was well for him that it was so dark. CHAPTER IX. A VISIT FROM THE RAIDERS. “What has this man done?” continued Uncle John. “O, he got into a little trouble down there in our settlement, and had to dig out; so he stole the best horse in the state to help him along. That will be the means of getting him into _big_ trouble, if we put our eyes on him; but we don’t much expect to catch him, for the horse he stole can travel for a week at his best pace, and our nags, which were fresh this morning, are pretty nearly whipped.” “I am sorry that I can give you no information concerning him,” said Uncle John; “but I will tell you what I can do—I can give you some supper, and you can take your pick out of twenty fresh horses in my corral.”