"They would be more apt to go away from the ranch than towards it." "Maybe they stopped here during the big blow," said Phil.
"I think you are right, for here are marks where the animals were tied to trees," went on Dave.

"I wonder--well, I declare!" Dave stopped short and picked up a bit of a leather halter lying on the ground.

It was of curious Mexican design, having a light leather thong entwined in a dark one.
"I don't know that I have ever seen a halter like that before," mused Roger, as he took the bit of halter from Dave, and then passed it to Phil.
"I have," answered Dave.
"So have I!" cried the shipowner's son.

"Link Merwell's horse had one on, the day we met on the trail!" "Just what I was going to say," added Dave.

"I noticed it particularly." "Then this must belong to Link," came from the senator's son.
"Perhaps not," answered Dave, slowly.