reds and hundreds of cows and bulls and oxen took that important matter into their own hoofs. They had not been so sensitive as the horses, and

hear, and one very thin, respectable old cow set off at once. In another moment there were tossing horns and anxious bellowing in all directions, while some half-grown calves threw up their heels and followed the cow. A wiry,

w bellow and run lik

f a regiment of infantry had been in the way it would have been scattered all the same, and what were a dozen or so of mere pony-riders? Sam was saf

them between me and the redski

a bound, a swift dash of nearly two minutes into the open plain, and

ing its barrier between Cal and the nearest Apache warrior? Follow him? What would ponies

e's no other such h

llow, for Sam Herrick's last advice had been, "Rid

nly token of excitement was a glitter in his black eyes, until he exclaimed, "Colorado! Cal's safe! T

g the trees, Sam rode out into an open place on the bank of Slater's Branch. It was bare of trees, but it was thron

ll their hoofs are in the mud. The redskins may follow 'e

, when the cattle began to show in the open space. Bushes and trees had checked the stampede somewhat, but there were bellows of pleasure

go slow through timber with a rifle in it. If the whole band came I'd be of no manner of use. They can't catch Dick now he's got a clear start.

either could any timid horseman have compelled the gray to give up the disposition he had for dancing horse-waltzes

remarked, exultingly. "Nothing could catch him, unless it might

me alone are very apt to get such a habit, but men who live among crowds never do. Away he went

hey'll either try to strike Saint Lucy, or else th

peaceable traders, but there was only one thought in the mind of Cal Evans. I

them for friendly Indians until it would be too late. He isn't

he had no need for urging Dick. The red mustang's racing-blood was up, as if he knew that he were riding a great match against danger and death. He responded to his master with a short, excited wh

with him for going slowly. That, too, with the warm wind whistling past him, and his own best horsemanship called for to keep the saddle. He guided Dick a little with r

them if I do see an

ate determination and awful anxiety. He was riding for the safety of his home-of his father,

prang up the slope, and at the cres

right yet, and not an Indian

a fleck of perspiration upon his glossy coat, and he drew only two or three long breaths, not so much be

horses. The house itself, of one story, built of large blocks of sunburned "adobe," made three sides of a square, the main entrance being through a gateway in the palisades and covered veranda that guarded the fourth side. Each face was over fi

se in a manner which attracted attention. The sound of a piano ceased at once, and a dignifie

latter, "has anything

ng much has hap

What is it?" said the old lady

lower drove, every horse. They came for the uppe

rt?" asked

yet-" and Cal went on to give

She grew calm and steady-eyed as she listened, but Victoria's pretty face paled

father were h

he gone?"

ome in at the first sign of danger. Everybody knew that the Indian

r, and they may try and st

ecidedly, "but you must ca

ou and Vic h

n bar the stockade and the house, but no Indians will come. If there is really any

s as if I'd rather die t

adily. It's a long push for any horse,

said Cal, "bu

ded. "You'll not need it,

and while Dick was drinking she packed a small havers

ready t

t to stay and figh

e said, and it seemed to co

Dick sprang through the gate. It seemed almost as if he had seen them for the last time, and then he thought, agai