"Fine!" cried Bess. "I'll go."

"Not while that Mexican is around there," objected Grace.

"Why, he was much more afraid of Rhoda's gun than we were of him,"
Bess told her.

"I don't know how badly he was scared; but I know very well how
much I was frightened. Nothing would lead me back there--not even a
certainty of riches--unless we have a big crowd with us."

"I don't know that any harm is to be feared from that fellow,"
Rhoda said. "But until daddy returns and I talk with him, I won't
agree to any search. We want to know what these fellows are after,
it is true. But daddy will want a finger in the pie," and she
smiled.

So they had to possess their souls with patience while they awaited
the return of the ranchman. When Mr. Hammond came back on the
following day he confessed that the Mexican thieves had got away
and over the Border with the band of horses from the Long Bow
outfit.

"That big wind comin' up, and the rain followin', spoiled the trail
for us," the ranchman said. "Guess you believe now, children, what
I told you about our tornadoes, eh?"

"Including the poor pigs' tails being twisted the wrong way--yes,
sir," said Bess with gravity. "Oh, it's all true."