Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/217

Rh close to the ground, moved along in front of the horse. It was well that he did so, for hardly had he advanced a hundred feet than he uttered a cry and came to a halt.

"What's up now?" questioned Andy, peering forward through the gloom.

"He turned off here and went into the brush on the left. Don't you see the tracks?"

"But there is no road through the brush. He would lose his way and get caught among the rocks further back."

"I have an idea that he drove away in here to hide the wagon," suddenly cried Matt. "He could very well do that, you know, and then ride off on horseback to some place and put up for the night."

"By the boots, I believe you are right!" returned Andy. "Why, of course that is just what he has done! How stupid of us not to think of that before."

"I hope the wagon is still O. K.," went on Matt. "It would be hard work to get a spring fixed in this out-of-the-way place."

"Well, we must find the wagon first. Supposing we tie up and go ahead on foot."

"I'm willing."

They were soon side by side, making their way