"
Before any of them could reply, however, a long, low wail rang out.
Surprised, the men glanced at one another,
"That sounds like a coyote, but it ain't," asserted Pete.
Again the cry broke on the air and was repeated twice.
"Why, it's the very same sound we heard in the mountains!"
exclaimed Larry. And his companions confirmed him.
"The same cry you heard in the mountains?" repeated Mr. Wilder.
"Yes, sir," and in a few words the elder of the brothers related
their adventures.
"Then it's a signal," declared Pete. "You boys have been followed.
It's a mighty good thing we were camping here."
"Those cries came from the plains. Mebbe it's the thieves going
for more cattle," declared Sandy.
"We'll find out what it is. Everybody to horse!" commanded Mr.
Wilder. "Pete, three or four of you go with Horace and the Aldens
to get their ponies. We'll ride up and join you."
CHAPTER XIX
A TERRIBLE PLOT
Quickly the men ran to the woods where they had concealed their
ponies, unhobbled, saddled and mounted them, riding along till they
came to where Pete and the boys were.
"Which way shall we go?" inquired Sandy when all were In their
saddles. "That cry came from straight ahead of us on the plains,
according to my judgment."
Pete and the other cowboys agreed with him, and, trusting to their
sense of direction, the owner of the Half-Moon said:
"Then we'll ride due east.
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