“Oh, of course we got to do that,” assented Chot, trying to be cheerful over it.
The sheriff’s men and Uncle Tod proceeded with all due caution until they reached the opening of the second tunnel, through which the water should have flowed.
“There’s the dam,” announced Uncle Tod in a low voice to Mr. Mason, the two being in the lead.
“I see it, and the gates, too. Pretty slick piece of work. But I don’t see any of the gang.”
They remained quiet, taking observations. From the camp came not a sound, nor was there any sight of the Lawson crowd.
“They may have heard we were coming and be hiding,” said Mason.
“We’d better be careful. They’re desperate men.”
But Mason and his deputies were cunning men, as well as brave, and by scouting around, and by tricks designed to draw the fire of any hidden foe, should there prove to be one, they soon established that the camp was deserted.
“They’ve vamoosed!” exclaimed Sam. “They’ve quit and we can turn the river back.”
“It does look so,” agreed Mason. “But don’t be in too much of a rush. Go slow!”
It was good advice, and was followed. But after another wait and a further cautious scouting around, it was definitely established that not a man was left in camp, though their possessions, scattered about, showed they had not long been away, and also indicated that they had departed in a hurry.
“They heard we were coming and scooted,” said Sam exultantly.
“Looks so,” agreed Uncle Tod. “Well, now let’s turn back our river where it belongs.”
The mechanism of the water gates was easy to understand, and no trouble was experienced in working it. To Uncle Tod fell the honor of closing the first gate that shut off the water from the Lawson flume.
The stream began to back up behind the dam as other gates were closed.
“Better open the second gates now,” suggested Sam.
The levers were depressed and the gates, made of heavy planks, slowly came up. Under them rushed the water, hissing and foaming.
“Hurray!” cried Uncle Tod, as the stream shot into the tunnel whence it had been diverted. “Lost River is back again!”
“Good work!” commented Mason. He and his men helped in raising the other gates that had been closed for several weeks.
And as Lost River was turned back, there came a sudden hail from across the little gully into which the stream had been diverted. A hail full of meaning it was, for a voice said: