It puzzled Chet at first why the men had not struck out immediately for the Grub Stake trail. But after riding for about five miles, and finding that the trail was very plain, he suddenly discovered the meaning of it. The thieves had ridden down the sloping bank of a wide but easily forded stream, in the shallows of which the trace disappeared. “They’ve taken to the water, but we don’t know which way they’ve gone,” cried Dig, in disgust. “It’s a fact that we don’t know for sure,” Chet returned thoughtfully. “But I think it’s a trick.” “Of course it’s a trick—and one meant to throw us off the track. We’ll have a nice time searching along these banks to find the place where they came out of the water.” “That’s right—if we searched,” answered Chet, as Hero drank his fill. “What do you mean? You going to give up?” “Not much!” exclaimed the other young trail hunter. “What you going to do, then?” demanded the puzzled Dig. “I’m going to fool them. I don’t know where they left the stream, and I don’t care. There is one thing I am sure of.” “Huh?” “They’re going to Grub Stake. I bet they want to get there before we do. That man—whoever he is—is planning to make some use of those deeds he stole from me. So, take it from me, boy, they are not going far out of the straight way to Grub Stake.” “Whew! that’s reasonable, old man.” “Then we’ll cross here and keep right on. We’ll bear off gradually toward the regular trail to Grub Stake. I bet we pick up the trace of these two rascals before long.” “Long head! Long head!” declared Dig admiringly. “Come on! these horses will drink so much water they’ll be water-logged and can’t travel. Hike out o’ there, Poke, you villain!” The boys cantered through the shoals and out upon the other bank. When they reached the upper edge of the river bank Chet rose in his stirrups and swept the plain all about for some sign of moving objects. The thieves had not taken his field-glasses, for they had been in the pocket of his saddle. A little to the northwest, but far, far away, the boy saw two black specks. They did not look bigger than buzzards, but Chet Havens thought they were the mounted men. He passed the glasses to Dig. “Look at them, old man,” he said. “We don’t want to chase way over there for nothing.” “Whew!” quoth Dig. “We couldn’t go for nothing, Chet. Either they are the men we are after, or it’s game that we need. Don’t overlook the fact that we’ve got to eat. Chewing dry coffee, nor yet drinking condensed milk, doesn’t appeal to me.” “I don’t know but you’re right,” agreed Chet. “Much as I want to overtake those miserable thieves, we must not overlook the fact that we have to eat to live.” “That sounds good,” grinned Dig. “Mother says I just live to eat. There is a difference.” The boys rode on, but the two objects they had seen disappeared in a coulie. Later they saw them and identified them as two grazing animals. “Of course, not the buffaloes,” said Chet doubtfully.