Larry was following the edge of grass as they drew near the place
where the fire had been started. As his eyes roved over the
billowy plains, they suddenly were attracted by a peculiar furrow
that seemed to run through the grass like a channel.
For the moment he was tempted to call the attention of the others
to it, and then, fearing their ridicule, decided to find out what
it was first.
Accordingly he reined his pony to one side and was approaching the
furrow when he was startled to hear a cry of delight:
"I've got it! I've got it!"
Hastily unslinging his rifle, the elder of the chums pointed it in
the direction whence the unexpected voice had come and shouted:
"You there, in the grass! Stand up before I count five or I'll----"
But Larry had no occasion to complete his command.
Unconscious that there was another soul within miles of him, the
person addressed raised his head cautiously to see who had accosted
him.
"Stand up straight, I said!" ordered the boy.
As the fellow obeyed, Mr. Wilder, Pete and the others, who had been
almost as surprised at hearing Larry's words as the prisoner
himself, dashed up, quickly followed by the cowboys.
Intuitively each man felt they had captured one of the raiders, and
without waiting for instructions, closed in on him in a circle,
completely cutting off any chance for escape.
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