"Good! I mean I'm glad we've found it!" voiced Bud. "It may be all sorts of bad luck that it's cut. For they may have figured that we'd divide forces to mend the break, and they may take this chance to rush Kid and Snake and get possession of the land." "I don't think so," remarked Dick as he dismounted to approach the pole and look at the severed wire. "Those sheep can't travel as fast as that, and we'll have reinforcements at the fort when they try to cross Spur Creek." "But they may send a bunch of Greasers on ahead of the woollies," objected Bud. To this Dick did not answer. He was busy looking at the end of the dangling wire. "Is it cut or broken?" asked Bud, for there was the possibility of an accident having happened. "Cut," was the answer. "What you going to do?" "Splice it," was the answer. "That's all I can do now. I brought some extra wire along." Not pausing to climb the pole and re-string the cut wire, which plainly showed marks of cutting pliers, Dick simply connected one severed end with the other, using a piece of copper he had brought from the shack for this purpose. "Too bad we haven't one of those portable sets so we could cut in and see if everything was working," observed Bud, when the break was mended. "Yes," agreed Dick. "We'll have to wait until we get back to the fort to make a test and see if we can talk." "It's nearer to go on to our ranch," said Bud. For the break in the wire had been discovered more than half way to Diamond X. "Yes, it's nearer, but we can't take any chances," objected Dick. "We may be needed to help Snake and Kid." "That's so," agreed Bud. "I forgot about that. We'll go back to the fort and see if we can call up the ranch." They made better time on the return trip, for they did not have to ride slowly along looking for a break in the wire. On the way they speculated as to what might have happened during their absence in chasing the cattle rustlers. "All we're sure of is that they cut the telephone wire," said Bud. "But there's no telling what they may have laid plans for," added Dick. "I guess those sheep men are smarter than we gave them credit for." "It does seem so," admitted Bud. "We'll have to match our wits against theirs when it comes to a show-down--seeing who's going to keep this rich grazing land." "One thing in our favor is that we're in possession," said Dick, as he patted his pony's neck. "But one thing against us--or against dad, which is the same thing," said Bud, "is that his papers proving possession are stolen. And these sheep men seem to know that." "Yes," agreed Dick, "they seem to know it all right." They returned to the fort on the bank of Spur Creek just before dark, and, to their delight, found the telephone in working order. For the ranch had called the cabin, Mr. Merkel wanting to know how matters were at Spur Creek.