"Wasn't there any one to help you?" asked Pocus Pete.

"Not a soul. I did see Len Molick riding off--sneaking away. I called to
him, but he didn't answer."

"How did they break out?" Pete asked next.

"That's what's puzzling me," replied the younger cowboy.

"Say! Look there!" suddenly called Pete, pointing. "That's how they got
out. A section of th' corral fence is down."

"The gate didn't come open at all," said Dave. "The steers pushed down the
fence."

"Drive 'em through the opening," directed Pete, and this was done. As the
last of the cattle passed in, Pete and Dave stood on guard astride their
ponies to prevent the animals stampeding out again, and Dave looked at the
broken fence. What he saw caused him to cry out:

"Look here, Pete! Some of those posts have been sawed almost through!"

"By the great side saddle!" exclaimed the foreman. "You're right, Dave!
There's been treachery here!"




CHAPTER VI