When the boys and their guide went back to the hotel in Fillmore, the return trip having been made in better time than the outgoing, there was a letter from Mr. Kent to Nat. The boy's uncle said he was so busy he had no time to come for them, but, he added, he would send one of his men with three horses which the boys could ride out to the ranch. Their trunks and baggage had been called for by one of the Double B ranchmen while they were on their way to Mr. Tevis's, so the boys had nothing to worry about but themselves. They had arrived at the hotel about noon, and having eaten dinner, sat down to await the arrival of the man who was to escort them. He had been in town for two days, the hotel clerk said, but, at that moment, had gone to see some friends. "I'll send him up to your room when he comes in," said the clerk, and the boys went upstairs to pack a few little articles that had not gone on with their trunks and valises. It was while they were in the midst of that that a knock sounded on their door. "Come in," cried Jack, all three being then in his apartment. A tall, slightly built man, with a little light moustache, blue eyes, dressed in regulation cowboy costume, entered, holding his broad- brimmed hat in his hand. "I'm lookin' for Nat Anderson an' his chums, Jack Ranger an' John Smith," he announced. "Right in here," called out Nat. "I'm Rattlesnake Jim," announced the stranger, "and I come from Double B ranch to show you the way." The boys were only too anxious to get started. They paid their hotel bill, and when they got outside found there were three fine ponies waiting for them. "Mount!" called Rattlesnake Jim. The lads were very glad of the practice they had in riding with Mr. Hardy, for they felt their new guide was watching them closely. If he had any fault to find he did not mention it. It was a pleasant afternoon, and, once they were out in the open country, after ascending a slight rise, the boys let their animals out. They found them plenty speedy enough. "Not so bad for tenderfeet," muttered Rattlesnake Jim, under his breath. The road led along a long level stretch, the big plateau extending for miles ahead of them. "About what time will we get to my uncle's place?" asked Nat "Grub time, I reckon," said Rattlesnake Jim, who, as the boys afterward learned, had gained his name from the hatred he bore to the reptiles. "Very busy now?" went on Nat. "Passably so. Been rustlin' after horse thieves for th' last few nights," replied Jim coolly. Before the boys could get over this rather startling remark, Jack's horse suddenly shied. The lad was nearly thrown off, and, as he recovered his balance, and looked to see what had scared the animal, he saw, in the shadow of a big stone at the side of the road, an old man crawling along. "Hold on thar, stranger!" called Rattlesnake Jim, drawing his revolver and covering the man. CHAPTER XXIV THE OLD MAN