It was some distance to the place where Yellin' Kid and Snake Purdee had seen evidences of the raid, and it was long past noon when the boys reached it. They had stopped for "grub" on the way, having carried with them some food. Water they could get from one of the several concrete troughs that had been installed, the fluid coming through pipes from the reservoir. "Here's where they killed the steer, or yearling," Bud said, pointing to a heap of bones. It was all that remained from the feast of the buzzards. "And here's where they started to drive off the cattle, evidently," added Nort, pointing to where a plain trail, made by the feet of many animals, led away from the ground that was more generally trampled by a large herd. "Let's follow it," urged Dick. "We want to see when it gets to the disappearing point." "That's right!" chimed in Bud. They urged their ponies slowly along the trail left by the rustlers. It seemed to go down the valley to the place where the hills lowered on either side to form a sort of pass. It was in this pass that the two cowboys said the trail was lost. "We've got some distance to go, yet," observed Bud, as they paused to look and make sure they had not lost the trail. "And, after all, maybe we'll only find the same thing Snake and Kid did--nothing!" said Nort. "Well," began Bud, "we've got to get to the bottom of this, and if we don't in one way we will----" He was interrupted by a shout from Dick. "Look!" cried the stout lad. "There's a fire! The grass is on fire, Bud!" The western lad gave a quick look in the direction Dick indicated. It was off to the right from the trail they had been following. "It is a fire--regular prairie fire," Bud murmured. "Could any of the reservation Indians be on the rampage and have set it?" asked Nort. "I don't know! We've got to find out about it!" shouted Bud. "Come on, fellows!" And, wheeling his horse, he abandoned the trail of the rustlers, and galloped toward the fire, followed by Nort and Dick. CHAPTER X SERIOUS QUESTIONS Some time before the boy ranchers reached the scene of the grass fire toward which they were riding, they caught the smell of the burning fodder. That it was only grass which was aflame they had known before this, for that was all there was to ignite in that section of the valley. There were no buildings as yet, tents taking their place. Though Bud and his father planned to erect substantial structures if this year was successful. "A lot of good fodder going up in smoke, Bud!" yelled Nort, as he rode beside his cousin. "If it isn't any worse than that we're lucky," was the answer. "How do you mean?" asked Dick. "I mean if we don't lose any cattle. The grass isn't any good after it dries up on the ground, the way this has. But if the fire starts a stampede of cattle--that will mean a loss." "Do you think that's what the game is?" asked Nort, encouraging his pony, Blaze, by patting the animal's neck.