He replaced his hat, mounted, and again started down the mountain toward the place he had agreed to meet his brother. Arriving there, he cupped his hands to his mouth and let out a yell. “Yay-y-y-y, Teddy! Yay-y-y!” He paused for an answer, but none came. Again he called. “Yo-o-o-o, Ted! Come here! I found it!” He strained his ears for a reply, but the echo of his cry was the only answer. “That’s funny,” he said, straightening in the saddle. A perplexed frown came to his face. “Teddy oughtn’t to be out of earshot. He said ten minutes, and it’s easily that, and more!” Rising in his stirrups, Roy peered through the trees. “I’m going to ride after him,” he declared after a further period of waiting. “I don’t like this a little bit! When Teddy says ten minutes, he means just that, and no longer. It’s a cinch he wouldn’t delay when he knows we’ve got to get back to dad in a hurry.” He was just about to guide his horse down the mountain when the sound of men’s voices caused him to turn swiftly in his saddle. An idea came to him that these might be the rustlers, so he jumped his horse off the trail and into the bushes at the side. The next moment he gave a yell and swung the pony back on the path. Riding toward him were his father, Nick Looker, Pop Burns, and Gus Tripp. “Roy!” Mr. Manley called. He spurred his bronco forward. “Where’ve you been, son? We’ve been worried about you!” “It’s a long story,” Roy answered, forcing his mount toward his father, adding: “Say, have you seen Teddy?” “Teddy? Why, no! I thought he was with you.” “He was, up to half an hour ago. Then we separated, trying to find a spring. He hasn’t come back yet.” A look of alarm shadowed Mr. Manley’s face. He turned to the others. “You didn’t see Teddy, did you, anybody?” he asked. “Not me, boss,” Nick Looker answered. “We’ve been with you all the time except when Pop and I fell behind, a ways back.” “I ain’t seen him,” Gus declared. “Pop, ain’t neither, I know. Have you, Pop?” “Nope! Snakes! You don’t mean to tell me he’s lost? I can’t believe that. Teddy wouldn’t get lost in these hills. He knows ’em like a book.” “I don’t think he’s lost, either,” Roy said in a troubled tone. “I don’t know what to think. He and I caught sight of the rustlers on our broncs, Dad, and--” “You saw the galoots?” Pop burst out excitedly. “Where, Roy? How long ago? Let’s go after ’em! Snakes!” “Go easy,” Gus drawled. “Let Roy tell it. Go ahead, Roy.” Roy “went ahead” and told his story, ending with the words: “I haven’t seen Teddy since. That’s all!” “That’s a-plenty,” Mr. Manley declared. “Where do you suppose Teddy went, Roy? Oughtn’t he to be back by now?” “He should,” Roy replied. “As I told you, he said ten minutes. Golly, I don’t know where he is, Dad! I’m worried. Something must have happened to him.” “You don’t _know_ that,” Nick Looker broke in. “Don’t cross no bridges till you come to ’em. Teddy’s all right!”