CHAPTER XIX.
A FRUITLESS SEARCH Phil stared at Dave in consternation.
"Do you really think that ?" he cried.
"I don't say I think so, I only say it may be," returned the youth from Crumville.
"If they are the horse-thieves, and we watch our chances, we may get the animals back!" "Not unless it is a single thief, Phil.

We don't want to run the risk of getting shot in the dark." "That's true." With great caution the two lads advanced along the muddy trail.

As they got closer to the light they saw that it came from a log house, low and rambling.

Not far away were several other buildings, and also a corral.
"We are on the right trail after all!" sang out the shipowner's son, joyfully, and commenced to run at the best speed he could command.
"Hold on!" called Dave, but Phil was so eager to get to the house first that he paid no attention to the words.

Not until he had reached the very piazza of the building did he pause to stare around him.
"Why, it's not Mr.Endicott's place at all!" he exclaimed.
He had made considerable noise ascending the piazza, and now a door was flung open, letting a stream of light flood his face, momentarily blinding him.
"Hello! what do you want ?" demanded a man Phil had never seen before.
"Why--er--what place is this ?" stammered the youth, and as he asked the question Dave came up behind him.
"This is the Triple X Ranch," was the man's answer.
"What! Mr.Merwell's place ?" stammered Phil.
"That's it.