The boy thought swiftly. Would it be better to refuse to tell him? If Flash and Star wandered into camp riderless, Mr. Manley would know something was up and send out a searching party. But if they did get a chance to escape, they would be helpless without horses. Best to have the ponies brought along. “Near a bush, over that way,” Roy replied. Peterson nodded. “Round ’em up, Jerry, and bring ’em in. Ginger, don’t forget what I told you. You’re responsible for these boys.” His orders were obeyed promptly and without question, except by Jamisson, who declared he would not “play no val-let for no fool of an Easterner.” But he was wise enough to confine his objections to talk. Mounted once more on Flash and Star, with their hands bound firmly behind them, Teddy and Roy rode into the darkness, guarded by horsemen riding on each side of them and in the rear. Their way led through underbrush and into a forest, so deep that the light of the moon scarcely penetrated. For about half an hour they rode, then Bill Lefton, who was leading, called a halt. “This is it. Couldn’t find a better place. O.K.?” The boys saw that they had come to a small clearing in the bottom of a gully. Roy thought bitterly that Lefton’s words were true--that no one would find them here in ten years. “This’ll do,” Peterson said, with satisfaction. “Help ’em off, someone. I’ll mosey around and find a good place to tie ’em.” He selected a tree with a thick trunk, and the boys were forced to sit, one on either side of it, while ropes were bound around them, encircling the tree. The tree was thick enough to prevent either from reaching back and untying the other. “There, that’s over,” Peterson muttered, and straightened. “About time we started. Ginger, remember what I told you!” “We’re goin’ now--without no sleep?” Jamisson asked, his face expressing disgust. “We are. You’ll get plenty of sleep later. Look, Ginger--here’s water and food. Feed ’em when they’re hungry and give ’em water when they need it. And stay right here all the time! Get me? Don’t move till you hear from us, which will probably be to-morrow some time. Get me?” “Sure thing. An’ they won’t get away. I got somethin’ here that’s a great little pacifier.” He patted his gun significantly. “So long. Good luck.” Peterson nodded in answer, and remounted. “Let’s go, boys. We’ve got plenty to do. Ginger, watch your step. See you later.” Teddy and Roy heard the horses crash their way through the brush. One by one the riders filed into the woods. For many minutes the boys could hear the sounds of their departure. Then, silence. CHAPTER XXIII TOO LATE Ginger walked over and looked down upon the captive boys. He grinned good-naturedly. “Well,” he said slowly, “I reckon it’s our day. Hope you boys are comfortable. If you want anything, sing out. Um. It’s fine weather to-night. Yep, it sure is fine weather.”