Two remained on their horses while the third pounded on the door and shook it by the knob and finally raised the landlord from his sleep.

There was a conference which Bud witnessed with much interest.

A lamp had been lighted in the bare office, and against the yellow glow Bud distinctly saw the landlord nod his head twice--which plainly betokened some sort of understanding.
He was glad that he had not stopped at the hotel.

He felt much more comfortable on the court-house porch.

"Mother's guardian angels must be riding 'point' to-night," he mused.
The horsemen rode back to a livery stable which Bud had observed but had not entered.