Taking another long drink from the spring, Teddy began his tour of inspection. The red of the sky had deepened to orange, and the boy knew that at the most, he had but an hour of daylight left. If he were going to make the attempt, now was the time. Tightening his belt, the boy walked over to the rocky wall. Here the vines seemed heaviest, and Teddy experimented by seizing one of the creepers and resting his weight on it. There was a crackling of wood as it pulled away from the side of the cliff, but it held, and Teddy determined to take the chance. He was just about to draw himself up when a noise behind him caused him to hesitate. He did not immediately look around, for he was held in that sort of helpless panic one feels when he realizes there is something behind which one dreads to face. Hands upraised, clutching the vine, Teddy stood motionless. But he must look behind him. He had that queer feeling that he was not alone--that some one or something was standing on the rocky floor, watching him. Suddenly, desperately, he jerked his head around. Then his face blanched. Not ten feet from him, tail lashing angrily, was one of the largest mountain lions he had ever seen! CHAPTER X SEARCHING When Roy Manley turned his horse up the mountain, he determined to find that spring, and find it quick. Haste was imperative, for Mr. Manley and the others had no means of knowing where he and Teddy were. They might conclude the two boys had taken the left trail, but certainly if Roy and Teddy did not join them soon, there would be cause for worry. Chasing rustlers is not a pastime, it is dangerous work. Roy realized the state of mind his father would be in, and just touched the spurs to the pony’s side. Looking at the sun, the boy decided that it must be nearly four o’clock. Roy ran his hand over the pony’s flank. “Not sweating much, are you?” he said. “Guess you need water, all right. Chances are you haven’t had any since early this morning.” He halted the horse and peered closely at the ground. “Seems softer here. Hold still now, bronc, and I’ll look.” He threw the reins over the pony’s neck and dismounted. Leading the horse, he made for a small clump of bushes. “Sure looks like there ought to be a spring around here,” he declared. “I sort of remember this place. I’ll bet this is where Teddy and I stopped last year on our way to Molten to look at those cattle dad was thinking of buying.” Parting the bushes, he gazed within the space they enclosed. “Yay, boy! Water! Go to it, old fellow! Easy now. Don’t bust your boiler.” Removing his hat, he scooped himself up a drink. He then stood watching the pony drink the cool water. When the animal was satisfied, which was not until he had again dipped his nose into the spring, the boy patted him affectionately. “Some good, I’ll tell a maverick!” Roy exclaimed, with a sigh of satisfaction as he wiped his lips on the back of his hand. “Come on now, bronc! We have got to tell Teddy!”