The fact that neither of their horses appeared when summoned convinced Budd that they had been stolen.

True, even in that case they would have obeyed the signal, had they been near enough, and had the circumstances allowed them to identify it; but, although not far off, the noise immediately around them shut out the call of Grizzly from their ears, until he repeated it, as has been told.
Hankinson anticipated his friend in this act.

In his case, the thief in the saddle of Dick gave it up at once.

He leaped off, and whisked out of sight.

It was then Budd called to Grizzly that the thieves had their horses; but the other did not catch his words, and, therefore, gave them no further heed.
The instant Budd's feet were in the stirrups he set his horse bounding along the side of the herd, with the purpose of checking the stampede by changing its course.