Teddy and Roy looked at each other. Had the figure they had seen at Harver’s Gully anything to do with this new outrage? CHAPTER XXII THE STORM “Going to start now, Dad?” Teddy asked. “Yes--right away! Can’t afford to lose any more time. The bunch from 8 X 8 is due any minute now, an’ we’re goin’ to start from here. We’ll work in shifts--one gang take the trail tonight, and another in the mornin’. In that way we’ll ride the rustlers down before they have a chance to cache the cattle. We want to prevent those thieves from driving the Durhams to a hiding place. If we keep on the jump, we may be able to get ’em before they make their way to a retreat.” Mr. Manley hurried toward the corral. The two boys dismounted and led their horses to the hitching rail, thinking they might need them soon. “A hundred head of Durhams!” Roy mused. “Those fellows sure work fast! Mighty funny they didn’t start something with the X Bar X herd.” “Guess they thought that the 8 X 8 outfit would be easier to raid. It looks like it was, too. What kind of men has Pete Ball got riding his cattle to let rustlers raid their herd twice in a month?” “Well, as I said before, that gang is pretty clever. They’re no amateurs at the game, and I’ll bet they’ve got half the men in Eagles in league with them, especially those who hang around Rimor’s. Say, do you suppose dad wants us to come with him?” “Wait here while I ask him.” Teddy walked rapidly toward his father. It was in his mind to tell his parent of the occurrence at Harver’s Gully, but when he thought it over he realized that it would be but a slender clue and might lead the pursuers astray. Looking back, he could not be absolutely sure that that man was Gilly Froud, however much he appeared to be. “No, son, I want you an’ Roy to stay around here,” Mr. Manley replied in answer to Teddy’s question. “Mother is a bit worried, and she’ll feel a lot safer if you two are here. You an’ Roy can go out with the morning bunch--that is, if we don’t spot the rustlers before that. Belle Ada has to get to the 8 X 8 in the morning, too, as she promised Nell and Ethel she’d come over. Myself, I’d rather she’d wait a few days, but she wants to go, so I’ll let her. You and Roy can take her over, can’t you? You can join in the chase later.” “Sure, Dad, if you say so. We’ll do whatever seems best to you.” Having communicated to Roy his father’s advice, Teddy put the two ponies away for the night. He really wanted to ride with the rest, but he knew it would be better for him to stay at home until his father returned. Six men from Peter Ball’s place arrived just before supper, and after a hurried meal, the chase for the horse thieves started.