“Pipe down and I’ll tell you. Here’s the dope.” He lowered his voice, and the boys crept closer, listening eagerly. Chance had given them this opportunity to foil the rustlers, and they were going to make the most of it. Roy, seizing his brother’s arm in a firm grip, leaned forward. “This herd we want is about three miles from here, in a little valley,” Peterson went on. “It’s the only herd they left out of the round-up, for which we’re duly grateful.” And he chuckled meaningly. “We’ve got to work fast, because old man Manley will start for that herd first thing in the morning. Of course it won’t be where he expects to find it, but it won’t take him long to locate it, unless we follow the plan I’ve outlined.” “Well, tell us about it. Mike an’ Ginger haven’t heard it yet.” Jerry Lefton nodded toward the two strangers. “Here it is. From this valley to the Jarmey place is only a short distance. I found that out, and I’m not even a Westerner. We shoot those cattle through there soon as it gets daylight.” “That means no sleep to-night,” the man called Ginger growled. “Well, what of it? You’re not in this business for your health, you know. Now listen. We drive the cows to the Jarmey place. And right here I want to make sure of one thing. Jerry, how about those cars?” “They’re O.K. Bill and I sent ’em down yesterday. We found a whole train of empties on the siding above Eagles, and simply rode ’em down grade to Jarmey’s. Nothin’ to it. Give you credit for thinkin’ of that idea, Pete.” “How many cars?” “Thirty-three. Enough?” “Plenty. We can get ’em all in. Well, we load ’em as soon as we get there. From then on it’s a cinch. We simply run the cars as far as they’ll go--to the end of the line, that’ll be, and then unload ’em, eight miles from Jarmey’s.” “There’s that eight-mile business!” Roy whispered. “Down grade from Jarmey’s, too! Snakes, we--” Teddy cautioned him to silence by nudging him. Peterson was talking again. “We’ll hide ’em there for a while, then drive ’em further on. We can alter the brands anytime. That Manley gang won’t have a chance of catching us, even when they do find out their cows have left them without saying when they’d be back. You see, they’d have to go all the way around Shock Mountain. We go straight through, following the railroad. Get it?” “Sure do! That’s a sweet little scheme.” Bill Lefton waxed enthusiastic. “Haven’t got much to say against that, hey, Mob?” “Sounds all right,” Mob answered grudgingly. “Wait till we see what happens. I don’t never count my chickens before they’re hatched.” “You’ll get no hen to set by that plan,” Peterson laughed, pleased at Lefton’s compliment. “Well, I guess that’s all. Now we might as well try to get an hour’s sleep. No more--we can’t afford to be late. Throw a few sticks on that fire, will you, Bill?” “Sure thing.” Bill arose suddenly, and plunged into the brush. “Teddy! Lie low! We’re--” “Mob! Pete! Come here, quick! Hi, Jerry! Here’s--”