"I am not afraid, and I'll keep my eyes wide open for those horse-thieves," he continued.
But to this plan the girls would not listen, and at last it was arranged that Roger should remain with the girls, while Dave and Phil walked to the house for aid.

The crowd left behind were to hurry to the shack up the river, and there make themselves as comfortable as possible until help arrived.
"Do be careful now, Dave!" said his sister, as he was on the point of departing.
"Yes! yes!" added Jessie.

"I shall worry every minute until you get back!" "Don't be alarmed," answered Dave.

"We'll get through all right, and have help here before you know it." "Are you sure of the trail ?" asked Belle.
"Oh, yes, that's easy," answered Phil.
Without another word the two chums started off in the direction of the ranch house, so many miles distant.

The others, watched them out of sight, and then turned and walked up the river bank toward the shack Belle had mentioned..