"I heard it," Teddy said. "It didn't war-whoop like an Indian."

"If he's sick he couldn't," explained Janet.

"And if he's sick he can't hurt us," went on Teddy. "I'm going to
holler at him and see what he wants."

"You'd better come back and tell daddy or Uncle Frank," suggested
Janet.

Teddy rather thought so himself, but he did not like to give up once
he had started anything. He felt it would be a fine thing if he, all
alone, could find one of the Indians.

"And maybe it is one of those who took Uncle Frank's ponies,"
thought Teddy to himself.

Again the groan sounded, this time not quite so loud, and after it
had died away Teddy called:

"Who's in there? What's the matter with you?"

No answer came to this. Then Ted added:

"If you don't come out I'm going to tell my uncle on you. He owns
this ranch. Come on out! Who are you?"

This time there came a different sound. It was one that the
Curlytops knew well, having heard it before.