"I believe a fellow could be stung to death by such pests," ventured Fred.
"Yes, and a horrible death it would be," answered Dick. The encounter with the hornets had delayed them greatly, and it was getting toward nightfall before they went on their way again.
"We may as well take our time," said Tom. "We can't reach Red Rock ranch until tomorrow."
After crossing a level stretch of prairie, they came to the edge of a woods. Not far off was a shack similar to those to be seen all over this section of our country.
"Hullo, here is a house," cried Dick. "I wonder if anybody lives here?"
He dismounted and, walking forward, looked into the shack. On a bed of boughs a heavy-set man was sleeping.
"Hullo, there!" called out the eldest of the Rovers. The man sat up in alarm and made a movement as if to draw a pistol.
"What do you want of me?" he asked roughly.
