human
Horse-thieves!
gpt
Oh, Belle, do you really think somebody has stolen the horses?
human
Yes, I do, was the blunt response.
gpt
That is, if they were tied properly.
human
Yes, they were well tied--I saw to that myself,
gpt
I know mine was tied fast, and so was Laura's,
human
And I put a double knot in the rope to Belle's and mine,
gpt
One thing is sure, said Laura.
human
They couldn't very well all break away at once.
gpt
I am sure it is the work of horse-thieves, responded Belle.
human
Papa has been afraid they might come back.
gpt
But how did they know about our horses being here?
human
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.
gpt
If only we could follow them, and get the horses back!
human
They must be worth a lot of money, murmured Jessie.
gpt
Oh, supposing they had shot us!
human
Horse-thieves are usually cowards, answered Belle.
gpt
They won't shoot unless they are cornered. I'd like to follow them myself, but we can't do it on foot.
human
What are we to do?
gpt
I don't know, answered Dave.
human
One or two of us boys might walk back to the ranch and tell the folks of what has happened.
gpt
But it is such a distance, Dave! cried Jessie.
human
And see how black the sky is getting!
gpt
It is quite a number of miles to the ranch house, said Belle.
human
You would not be able to reach there until long after nightfall.
gpt
I shouldn't mind that, answered Dave.
human
But what will the rest of you do in the meantime? You can't stay out here in the open very well, with that storm coming on.
gpt
Dave, you're not going to the house alone, cried Laura.
human
I'll not allow it. Supposing those horse-thieves should be watching you? They might attack you, and rob you!
gpt
Yes, please don't think of going alone,
human
Dave is not going alone. I am going with him,
gpt
No, I'll go, volunteered Phil.
human
You can stay with the girls.
gpt
Well, both of you can't go, answered Dave, with a grim smile.
human
Somebody has got to stay here,--in fact, I think it would be better that both of you stay with the girls--in case I don't get back with help by morning.
gpt
Of course, if it wasn't for the loss of the horses we could all stay here, said Belle.
human
Papa will be sure to send somebody out to look us up when it gets late and we are not back. But I think he ought to know about the horses just as soon as possible.
gpt
Is there any sort of a shelter around here?
human
Yes, there is a shack about a quarter of a mile up the river, answered the ranch owner's daughter.
gpt
Papa stayed there several nights, once upon a time. It isn't much of a place, but it will shelter us from the storm.
human
Are you sure you can find it?
gpt
Oh, yes, I've been there twice.
human
Then you and the others had best put up there for the night, and I'll start at once for the ranch house, went on Dave.
gpt
I am not afraid, and I'll keep my eyes wide open for those horse-thieves,