LITMIR.BIZ

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to stir up some game."

      As it was a clear day, the others agreed, and soon they were riding slowly along a trail which wound in and out among the rocks bordering the stream. They passed the shack which Roger and the girls had used as a shelter from the storm, and then reached an open spot. Beyond was a high hill, covered with a primeval forest.

      "There ought to be some game in that woods," said Dave, as they continued to move forward.

      "If the cowboys haven't shot everything worth shooting," answered the senator's son. "There used to be good hunting in Maine and in Upper New York State, but you have got to tramp a good many miles these days before you catch sight of anything worth while."

      After a ride in the sun it was cool and pleasing in the forest, and they took their time riding under the great trees, some of which must have been fifty to a hundred years old. They saw a number of birds flitting about, but did not attempt to bring any down.

      "If we want any big game we must keep quiet," said Dave, and after that they moved along without speaking, and with their eyes and ears on the alert for the first sign of something worth shooting.

      Presently Dave held up his hand and all came to a halt. Not far away could be heard a curious drumming sound.

      "What's that?" whispered Phil.

      "Sounds like grouse," answered Dave. "They drum like that sometimes. They must be over in the trees yonder. Let us dismount and see."

      The others were willing, and leaving their horses tied to the trees, the three boys crept forward to the spot from which the drumming proceeded. They came up abreast, and soon all caught sight of a number of grouse of the sharp-tailed variety, huddled in a little opening among the bushes.

      "Get ready and fire when I give the word," whispered Dave, and a few seconds later all three of the chums blazed away simultaneously. There was a fluttering and more drumming, and several grouse thrashed the ground.

      "Hurrah! we've got four!" cried Roger, rushing forward.

      "And this one makes five!" said Phil, and dispatched one that was fluttering around. Then Dave killed a sixth, and by that time the rest of the game was out of sight.

      CHAPTER XXI

      A WILDCAT AMONG THE HORSES

      The bringing down of the grouse filled the boys with satisfaction, and they inspected the game with much interest.

      "They'll make fine eating," declared Roger.

      "Let us see if we can't get some more," pleaded Phil. The "fever" of hunting had taken possession of him.

      "We'll not find much in this neighborhood," said Dave. "But I am willing to go a little further," he added, seeing how disappointed the shipowner's son looked.

      Placing the game over their shoulders, they reloaded their weapons and continued on through the forest, taking a trail that seemed to have been made by wild animals. Twice they had to cross a winding brook, and at the second fording-place Dave, who was in the rear, called a halt.

      "What do you want?" questioned Roger, as he and Phil turned back.

      "I want you to look at these hoofmarks," answered Dave, and he pointed up the stream a short distance.

      All passed to the locality indicated, and each youth looked at the hoofmarks with interest. They were made by a number of horses, probably six or eight, and though the marks were washed a little, as if by rain, they could still be plainly seen.

      "Do you think they were made by the horses that were stolen, Dave?" questioned Phil.

      "I don't know what to think."

      "The horse-thieves might easily have come this way," said the senator's son. "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. "There may be other such halters around. We'll have to give Link the benefit of the doubt, you know."

      "See here!" burst out Phil. "You may think as you please, but I have always thought that Link had something to do with the taking of our horses."

      "Do you think he would deliberately steal six horses, Phil?"

      "Well, maybe not deliberately steal them, but--but--I think he took them, anyhow."

      "He may have taken them intending to drive them to our ranch, and perhaps the horses got away from him in the storm," suggested Roger.

      "That may be true--it would be just like one of Link's mean tricks," answered Dave.

      "I think we ought to tax him with it," said Phil.

      "He'd deny it point-blank if you did," returned the senator's son. "This bit of halter is no proof against him. No, you'd only get into hot water if you accused him without proofs."

      "What Roger says is true," declared Dave. "We'll not say a word against Link, or accuse him, until we have some good proof that he is guilty."

      Taking the bit of halter with them, the three chums continued on their way along the trail. They covered another quarter of a mile, but saw no game excepting some birds on which they did not care to waste powder and shot.

      "We'll have to go back, I suppose," said Phil, with a sigh. "Gracious, I wish we'd see a bear, or something!"

      "How would an elephant and a few lions do?" quizzed Roger, with a grin.

      "Or a couple of man-eating tigers," suggested Dave.

      "I don't care! You can make fun if you want to, but I came out to this ranch to have some hunting," said Phil, stubbornly. "I'm going to the mountains and get something worth while some day."

      "So are we all going, Phil," answered Dave, quickly. "I want to bring down some big game just as much as you do."

      "Sid Todd said he'd take us," said Roger. "We'll make him keep his word."

      They took a look around the locality where they were standing, and then turned back to where they had left their horses. They were still some distance from the animals when they heard one of the steeds give a sudden snort of alarm. Looking through the trees, they saw Phil's horse leap and plunge, and then the others did likewise, as if trying to break from their halters.

      "Something is wrong!" cried Dave. "Come on, before the horses break away!"

      "Something has scared them," put in Roger. "Keep your guns ready for a shot. It may be a bear!"

      "No such luck!" declared Phil. Nevertheless, he swung his shotgun into position for firing, and his chums did likewise.

      As the boys entered the opening where the horses were tied, Dave caught sight of what was causing the disturbance.

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