The newcomers to Star Ranch did not know what to
say, but Belle uttered a cry of dismay:
"Horse-thieves!"
"Oh, Belle, do you really think somebody has stolen the horses?" queried
Laura, while Jessie turned very pale.
"Yes, I do," was the blunt response. "That is, if they were tied
properly."
"Yes, they were well tied--I saw to that myself," said Dave.
"I know mine was tied fast, and so was Laura's," added the senator's
son.
"And I put a double knot in the rope to Belle's and mine," came from
Phil.
"One thing is sure," said Laura. "They couldn't very well all break away
at once."
"I am sure it is the work of horse-thieves," responded Belle. "Papa has
been afraid they might come back."
"But how did they know about our horses being here?" asked Phil.
"They must have watched us and seen us ride away from the ranch, and
then they followed, and took the horses while we were up the river."
"If only we could follow them, and get the horses back!" said the
senator's son, with a sigh.
"They must be worth a lot of money," murmured Jessie. "Oh, supposing
they had shot us!" she added, tremblingly.
"Horse-thieves are usually cowards," answered Belle. "They won't shoot
unless they are cornered. I'd like to follow them myself, but we can't
do it on foot.
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