Mr. Manley looked over at Teddy. The boy was staring intently at the door through which the puncher had disappeared. “We have got to get busy,” the cattle owner said in a loud voice. Of a sudden his face darkened. Deliberately he tapped the tobacco out from his pipe by knocking the bowl against the palm of his hand. Then he placed the pipe in his pocket. “We have got to get busy,” he repeated in a quieter tone, “an’ quick. General has been stolen. Flash an’ Star along with him. We’re goin’ after the man that took ’em an’ get our hosses back.” He turned and walked swiftly to the other side of the street, where the two girls had been silently watching the scene. “I’m thinking that whoever stole your dad’s hoss made a poor bargain,” Foley said to Roy. “I know Bardwell. I saw him look like that before, when back in ninety-eight Slag Wallace shot a dog your dad owned. Slag ain’t around now. Yep, the waddy who picked up General is going to be mighty sorry.” Roy and Teddy followed their father without a word, leaving Foley standing in the street, rubbing his bald spot with a puzzled air. Nell Willis and Ethel Carew were waiting, eyes full of questions. Nell started the attack. “Did that cowman want to fight?” she asked, gazing full at Roy. “He seemed awfully mean. Maybe he didn’t like to have us standing here watching. But I simply couldn’t leave; could you, Ethel? It was so thrilling! Did he have a gun? I didn’t see one. Why didn’t he answer your questions about the horses?” “He had his reasons, I guess,” Roy answered a trifle shortly. Star was gone, and here he stood listening to a lot of chatter. Still, Nell was pretty! Maybe she had got scared when that puncher started to act up. Roy’s eyes softened, and he looked at the girl with a new interest. Probably she didn’t know much about the West. Why, her face wasn’t even a little bit tanned! She seemed pale, even! Maybe she _was_ scared! “I just hated that man when he threw that cigarette at you!” Ethel burst out impetuously to Teddy. “That was an awfully mean thing to do!” “I know it,” Teddy answered in a low voice. He turned to his father, who was staring up the road. “Dad, we’ve got to get back and get some more broncs. How are you figuring on going?” “Can’t you come with us?” Ethel asked. “Uncle Peter said he would send a car. It must have been delayed, but I’m sure it will come.” “Yes, if Bug Eye brings a car for you, we can all pile in. Bug Eye usually drives for old man--pardon me, I mean Mr. Ball.” “That’ll be fine!” Nell said enthusiastically. “Here comes something now,” Mr. Manley stated, peering up the road. “Lots of dust, anyhow. Sounds like a flivver. Yes, that’s Bug Eye. Tell the way he drives. All over the place.” With an elaborate jamming on of brakes and swinging of front wheels, a car pulled up alongside of the waiting group. Following closely was a cloud of dust, which enveloped the auto the moment it stopped. From within the cloud came a voice: