"An' no fire.

Hamlin said ten o'clock, didn't he?
It's past eleven." "It's off, I reckon," said Shorty.

"Let's fan it to Hamlin's shack an' say somethin' to him." Instantly the outfit was on the move.

With Shorty leading they swept out of the gully to the level and rode northward rapidly.
When they came in sight of the Hamlin cabin there was no light within, and the men sat for a time on their horses, waiting and listening.

Then, when it seemed certain there was no one stirring, Shorty glanced at the horse corral.
Instantly he whispered to the other men: "Somethin's wrong, boys.