way. Then we waste the boss's time and wear ourselves out hunting
Lobarto's cache. Course, we won't never find it; but it is loads of
fun."

"I declare!" cried Rhoda, tossing her head, "you are just as
encouraging, Tom Collins, as daddy is. I never heard the like!"




CHAPTER XXV

THE STAMPEDE


The enthusiasm of the girls and Walter Mason did not falter,
however, no matter how much the older people scoffed at the idea of
the treasure hidden by the Mexican bandit being found near Rose
Ranch. They went forth from the ranch house with some little
expectation of returning with the plunder.

Hesitation Kane, of course, did not try to discourage them. Even a
buried treasure could not excite the horse wrangler, in the least.

"I guess an Apache raid would not ruffle Hesitation's soul," Rhoda
observed. "He is quite the calmest person I ever saw."

Since the tornado the cattle of the main herd of Rose Ranch had
been broken into small bunches and were feeding in the higher
pastures. The swales and rich arroyos, in which the grass had been