CHAPTER III

IN A BAD MAN'S POWER


Having secreted their ponies in a dense growth of scrub oak, Tad laid
out his plan as follows:

"You, Ned, will go straight in from here until you've got about a
quarter of a mile directly inland. When you have done so turn due west.
I don't think you can lose your way for you can see out every little
while and thus get your bearings."

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the point where we first decided to make camp. I shall have
easier going than you will, but I shall be in more risk."

"What's the rest?" asked Ned with a short laugh.

"It is my idea to close in on the right fork of the stream there in the
foothills. I'll come up from the west and you from the east. In that
way we shall close in, you see, covering roughly the greater part of
the territory."

"Then you think we shall find our man there?"

"I am sure he will get there eventually, provided he has not seen our