"Don't believe so," remarked Bud. "I think it's some of the sheep men getting ready to rush in here. That rocket is a notice to some of their friends around here that they're going to start." "Well, if they come we'll stop 'em!" declared Bud, and the others murmured their agreement with this sentiment. They waited a little longer after the sparks of the second rocket had died away, but the signal--and it seemed positively to be that--was not repeated. "No use standing here," murmured Old Billee. "It will soon be morning, and if anything happens we'll be ready for it. Let's get our rest out. Is your trick up, Bud?" "Not quite, Billee." "Well, Dick and I go on next," remarked Yellin' Kid, "and we might as well jump in now as long as we're up. Turn in, Bud and Nort." Our young heroes were glad enough to do this, though they never would have asked to be relieved before their time. Accordingly, after a few moments of looking in vain toward where they had seen the rocket, for a repetition of the signals, Bud and Nort went inside the cabin, and stretched out for a little rest before day should fully break. The remainder of the night--really a short period--was without alarm or any sign that hostile forces were on their way to take possession of land claimed by the owner of Diamond X. "Grub's ready!" was the musical call of the cook, and soon those who were holding the line at Spur Creek were gathered about the table. "Well, nothing happened, I see, or, rather, I don't see," remarked Bud to Dick and the Yellin' Kid who had come in off guard duty. "Nary a thing," answered he of the loud voice. "Didn't hear a peep out of anybody and they wasn't no more fireworks." "But we'd better keep pretty closely on the watch to-day," suggested Dick. "Those rockets meant something." "You're right," said Billee Dobb. "We'll stick right close to our little old fort to-day, and, boys, be sure your guns are in quick working order. There may be no shootin' and then, ag'in, there may be," he drawled. I suppose I need not tell you that the boy ranchers in their secret hearts rather hoped there would be shooting. They had been under fire before, and while they were not foolhardy nor inclined to take risks, they felt that if there was to be a fight on the part of the sheep men to get unlawful possession of Diamond X land, the sooner such a fight took place the better. Suspense was worse than actual conflict.