Instantly all were astir in the shack that had been erected as a fort on the bank of Spur Creek, and a rush was made for saddles and the usual trappings of a cowboy. Nor were guns forgotten, for if these would not be needed in fighting off the rustlers, they would be of service in driving back a herd of frightened animals determined to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the source of their alarm. Billee was overwhelmed with questions. "Who were they?" "What did they do?" "Who was on the wire?" To all of these the veteran raised a hand for silence. "I'll tell you all I know," he said. "Maybe you'd better tell us on the run," suggested Yellin' Kid. "If we're goin' t' help we'd better be moseying along, and _pronto_ at that." "Good idea," chuckled Old Billee. "Well," he resumed as they hurried toward the corral where their horses were kept, "it was the boss himself speaking on the wire. He didn't say much except to let it out that we'd better get back as soon as we could. He didn't say who it was that caused the ruction, so you know about as much of it as I do. Then he hung up. But I could hear there was some excitement in your place, lads," he went on to the boy ranchers, "for I could hear some of the boys standing around your dad murmurin' an' talkin', an' I heard somebody ask if they got th' bullet out yet." "Then there must have been shooting!" cried Dick. "I reckon!" assented Old Billee. "Cracky!" cried Nort. "This is like old times!" "You said it!" voiced Bud. They were all in the saddles now, pulling their ponies sharply around to head for the trail that led back to Diamond X. Then Old Billee bethought him of something. "I say!" he sung out. "This won't do!" "What won't?" asked Nort. "All of us going off this way. We've got to leave some one here to hold the fort, boys. Them onery sheep herders may steal in on us while we're away, and take possession. An' you know," went on Billee with a momentous shake of his head, "possession is nine points of th' law. Somebody's got t' stay here," he decided. "You two fellers'd better do it," and he pointed to two cowboys who had recently come from Diamond X to augment the guard at Spur Creek. "Aw, Billee!" objected one. "We don't want t' stay here!" "Have a heart, old man, an' let us come with you!" pleaded the other. "They won't be nothin' doin' here! Them sheep herders have just seen that we're on guard an' they've gone back home t' report. They won't arrive an' be able t' git any sheep here 'fore we can mosey back if we have to." "That's right!" joined in the first newcomer who had spoken. "Take us along, Billee!" "Wa'al," said Billee slowly, as if in doubt, "I don't know how much help they'll need back at Diamond X----" "Better not take any chances," said Snake Purdee. "I don't believe the sheep men will come back here again very soon," was Yellin' Kid's usual loud-voiced opinion.