They could make nothing of them, and the anxiety they caused was presently lost in another discovery: They had reached the end of the line of ore! Try as hard as they could, not another piece of wire-gold ore could they find.

The thief, it appeared, must have discovered the hole in the bag, at that point, and have repaired it.
Still searching, and hoping against hope, the boys presently came close to the edge of the chaparral.

Then, with stunning abruptness, a voice shouted from among the bushes.
"Now, then, pards, make a surround!" It was a familiar voice.

Merry as not so startled that he failed to realize that.
The chaparral shook and rustled with the movements of horsemen.

In a moment four riders plunged into view and drew rein on each side and in front and rear of Merriwell and Clancy.