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"That's right," said New time, Billy?"
Billy turned in the saddle to face theot half the county scratching the desert with a fine-tooth comb I don't see hoe three can help very ood up here Now I'll ht we ain't struck any trace of her, you folks can quit"
"And ill you do?" asked Jack
"Me?" Billy shrugged his shoulders "Why, I'll keep on this trail till uide his pony up a little branch trail at the top of which stood a tent with the telltale windlass and forge close by
Before the tent they drew rein In response to Billy's call a rough-bearded fellow lifted the tent flap and stood suppressing a yawn, as if visitors to his lonely claim were of daily occurrence
"Say, friend," said Billy, "do you knoman's ranch?"
"Sure," returned the prospector
"Well, this is Mr New hiht before last We suspicion that Cartwell, that educated Injun, has stole her We're trying to find his trail Can you give us a hunch?"
The sleepy look left the prospector's eyes He crossed the rocks to put a hand on Billy's poodly!" he exclaiht before last I heard a screaot out here I couldn't hear a thing It was faint and far away and I decided it was a wildcat Do you suppose it was her?"
DeWitt ground his teeth together and his hands shook but he made no sound Jack breathed heavily
"You think it was a woly
"If I'd been shore, I'd a gone on a hunt But it was all kind of in my sleep It was from way back in the mountain there"
"Thanks," said Billy, "we'll be on our way"
"It's four o'clock Better stop and have sorub with me, then I'll join in and help you"
"No!" cried DeWitt, breaking his silence "No!"
"That's the young lady's financier," said Billy, nodding toward John
"Sho!" said the prospector syetting along, I guess Just as "
They moved on in the direction whither the prospector had pointed They rode in silence Dawn cae after range against the rosy sky There was no trail They followed the possible way The patient little cow ponies clale as cleverly as oats At ten o'clock, they stopped for breakfast and a three hours' sleep It was some time before DeWitt could be persuaded to lie down but at last, perceiving that he was keeping the others froe and lay down