"Be there in about three hours, Bud. It isn't so far from the water hole. Why? You anxious to begin sheep herdin'?" "Not exactly," Bud laughed. "But I do want to see what the place looks like. Hope we don't have to do much repairing." "No, the Shooting Star is in pretty fair shape," Joe Hawkins said. "Your father got a good buy--if you can get hold of it all right." "What do you mean, get hold of it all right?" asked Bud curiously. "Well, the feller that's got it now isn't exactly a pleasant customer. There's something queer about him--we've been watchin' the Shooting Star for over a month now. I couldn't say for sure that there's anything wrong--but it looks suspicious. That's the reason I wanted to have the government official find out who the new owner was going to be. I'm right glad I met up with you boys. You may be able to help me out some time." "And collect that reward," Billee Dobb put in. His mind seemed set on the two thousand dollars the deputy had spoken of. "You might," admitted Hawkins. "It's waiting for the person who brings in the head of the smuggling system." "Well, we'll do our best," the Kid said, with a side glance at Bud. "Say, Kid, we're not down here to capture smugglers!" cried Bud. "We've got to take charge of the Shooting Star. Of course, if we _do_ happen to run across----" "I knew that would get a rise out of you!" laughed the Kid. "Catch Bud duckin' any excitement! Why, even Billee here wants to trail the smugglers--don't you, Billee?" "Never you mind!" came back the old rancher. "Want another race?" "'At-ta-boy, Billee!" Nort yelled. "Guess that'll hold him! You didn't know Billee Dobb was a champion racer, did you?" Nort said to Hawkins. "I didn't, no," responded the deputy with a smile. "But I believe it. Takes old birds like us to show these youngsters up, eh, Billee?" "Sure does!" "Well, here we are," declared the Kid, as they came in sight of the water hole. "Right down there is where I saw the Chink on his hands and knees. Hey, take it easy there!" This to his pony, who strained toward the water. "I know you're thirsty, but so are the others. Easy--easy!" The Kid dismounted and led the panting horse toward the water. Leaning over he filled his hat, and held it to the mouth of his pony. "Start in on that. Slow! Or you don't get any. 'At-ta-boy. Here's another hatful for you. Feel as though you can control yourself now? All right--go to it!" By this time the intelligent animal got the idea, and drank in small mouthfuls. The other ponies, restrained by their masters from drinking too fast, did the same. "So it was here that you saw the Chink, eh!" asked Joe Hawkins. "Yep--right in this spot. He was leanin' over here by this little bush, lookin' for--" the Kid stopped suddenly and picked up something from the ground. It was a folded paper. The Kid looked it over swiftly. "Lookin' for--_this_!" he exclaimed, holding it out. "What is it?"