The Indian Horse Mystery. Mary Adrian

Finally they turned away with heavy hearts, for a pair of turkey vultures were flying low, waiting to eat the remains of the calf.

      “I guess our detective work is over,” said Hap. “Rustlers didn’t take our calf after all.” Then, remembering he was famished, he gave a long mournful groan.

      “Don’t you feel well?” Jim asked him.

      “Sure. I’m tops, but I’m starved. Come on, White Sock. Head for home before I drop dead from hunger.”

      Jim laughed. “What would you do if you were a spaceman on the moon and your food ran out and you couldn’t get back to earth?”

      Hap shrugged. “You’ve got me. All I know now is that Mom has lunch ready and is wondering where we are. So let’s step on it.”

      It was not too long before the boys rode into the ranch yard. After dismounting their horses in a corral, they ran pell-mell into the house. Hap was right. His mother was dishing out lunch. The boys washed their hands and joined Mr. Miller, Tom, and Bill at the table. Grandpa Hawk was there too. Jim took his place next to the old man. It was always a thrill for his grandpa and him to eat at Hanging Rock Ranch, because Mrs. Miller treated them like guests. And she always cooked such good meals. Right now Jim’s mouth watered as he looked at the hot biscuits she brought to the table. Then he forgot about being hungry as he listened to Mr. Miller talking to Bill. “Are you sure two more calves are missing?” he asked him.

      “I’m positive, Mr. Miller,” replied the cowboy. “I’ve searched the range and they are nowhere in sight.”

      Jim glanced at Hap wide-eyed, but before he could speak, his friend did it for him. Hap told about the dead calf they had found; he mentioned the new cowhand at Elkhorn Ranch, but he did not say that he and Jim suspected him. They wanted to check on the man first to make sure. Hap’s voice rose with excitement, though, when he told about the tire tracks.

      Mr. Miller appeared very much concerned. “What in thunderation would a strange truck be doing on the ranch?”

      “Maybe the driver took the wrong road,” suggested Tom.

      “That could be,” answered Mr. Miller. “Anyway, I’m glad to see that the boys have been doing detective work. Keep it up.”

      “We will,” Hap assured him. “We rode bog, too, Dad. We pulled two critters out of the mud.”

      “Glad to hear it.” Mr. Miller winked at Tom. “Do you think they’re ready for a promotion?”

      Tom winked back. “After rescuing two critters, I’d say they’ve had enough experience to round up cattle one of these days.”

      Hap grinned at Jim. The Indian boy grinned back, but deep down inside of him he was bursting with joy. To round up cattle was something he had been longing to do.

      Then he felt his grandpa pat him on the back. “I’m proud of you,” said the old man.

      Jim wanted to shout out his happiness, but remembering his manners, he sat there and listened to Mr. Miller talk some more to Tom and Bill. “So we’re missing three calves in two days. I don’t like it. No, sir, I don’t. We haven’t had rustlers on the reservation for several years now, but I guess they’re about due again.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Of course, the boys found the carcass of one of the calves, so maybe we’ve got a cougar on our hands too.”

      Tom shrugged. “I haven’t come across cougar tracks on the range, Mr. Miller.”

      “Neither have I,” added Bill.

      “What do you think, Sam Hawk?” asked Mr. Miller, turning to the old Indian.

      “I haven’t seen a mountain lion in two years, Mr. Miller. Those big cats are becoming animals of the past in this part of the country.”

      For a few minutes there was silence. Then Mrs. Miller said in a disturbed voice, “Everyone please eat. Lunch is getting cold.”

      The boys needed no further urging. They ate all the food on their plates, had second portions, and thanked Mrs. Miller for the delicious meal. With heads together they went outside.

      “You know something?” said Hap. “Maybe a cougar killed the calf we found, but I still think rustlers took the other two calves.”

      “I do, too,” agreed Jim.