As soon as Ted had restored the stolen cattle, he and Bud started back
into the valley in search of Shan Rhue and Sol Flatbush, but, although
they searched everywhere, the renegades could not be found.
In the cave through which they had come from the Hole in the Wall they
found a running branding iron, and fastened to the wall the following
notice:
"To TED STRONG AND OTHERS: You win this time, but there will be
others, and I am a lucky man in the end. You can't beat me.
"S. R."
Later they discovered that Shan Rhue had recently registered in Colorado
the Circle Dollar brand, and evidently it was his purpose to steal
nearly all of the Circle S herd.
But although he escaped with his lieutenant, Sol Flatbush, the men of
his band, who had been captured by the soldiers, were convicted and sent
to prison for long terms, after they had confessed that Shan Rhue's
organization had made a business of rustling cattle all through the
Southwest for many years.
Ted received several letters from the authorities in Washington
commending his services in averting an uprising of the Indians, and the
capture of the white renegades, but while this was gratifying, he felt
disappointed that Shan Rhue and Sol Flatbush were not in prison, also.
Pages:
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455