ugh he had suddenly plunged into cold water, and, for the moment, he cou

meless, pick

ging to the Bar U ranch. The last act angered Dave, and anger, at that moment, was just what was needed to arouse him from the l

nute, Len Molick!"

is head, and gave

that was all the intelligent beast needed. Dave passed his taunting enemy on the rush, and planting himself directly in front of him on the trail,

by getting in my

and answer a few questi

ning tones. He knew the severe penalty attached to this in a cow country, and Dave was sufficientl

ot right away," Dave went on. "This is about another ma

ain there sounded in his voice a sneer. "I don't

l, which, at this point narrowed and ran between two low ranges of hills. "Yo

lp wincing as he

I did?" deman

an. You insinuated that Mr.

is

ike of Len, and the knowledge that the bully was not noted for truth-telling

and how I know it is none o

gaining control of himself. "It is very much my affair. I dema

oesn't know what your name is himself. He just let you us

e, until his face was very near to that of the bully's, and with blazing eyes looking directly

told-

is tone and attitude,

aughed mirthlessly. "I'm not

etter not,"

on. "After that I'll see what happens. It's accordi

all right," sne

nd to know w

d grasped the bridle of

f flight was

" he whinin

am a nobody-that Mr. Carson is n

ve half expected to see Pocus Pete, but he beheld the not very edifying countenance of Whitey Wasson, a tow-headed cowpuncher belongin

n?" began Whitey. "And I

t 'em," said

ave. The position of the two lads-Dave with his hand gr

egan Len. "W

aid, quietly, looking from Len to Whitey, "and I as

did he

that Mr. Carson was not my father. I asked him

d!" excla

to know who it

lence, and then Whitey Wa

d Len

d?" cri

e cried, roughly, as he swung the animal to one side. But no force was needed; as

ded fiercely, raising his sinking h

nk. If you don't believe me ask your father-no, he ain't your father-but ask the Old Man

d as he looked at Len. Dave's face pale

elf, proudly considered himself, the son of one of the best-liked, best-known

've got the strays we'll drive them

ing the same, and they start

st cut out them Bar U steers before you mosey off any farther

runted

a pair of specks, won't

a glance at Len or Dave

e to a feller with poor

d mea

of the Randolph cattle get mixe

d Pocus Pete, with such fiercen

son," went on Pocus Pete with exaggerated politeness. "Dave an' I can t

managed to collect their own bunch, and soon the two parties were moving off in opposite directions. Dave sat silent on his horse. Pete

rouble with

ble?

nce, and Pete shook his

pened, but what,

bunch of strays. They were turned in with the other cattle and then Dave, turning his horse i

he bunch?" asked Mr. Cars

lanced keenly at the lad, and something he sa

asked. It was the same quest

tey Wasson had some of ou

ey

from Dave's lips before he thought. "Am I your son?" he blurted out.

his hands

r. Carson. He seemed to grow older an

arm over the youth'

you would never know. But, since it has, I must tell you the truth. I l

ed to cut Dave

son, who am I?" Dave

ould be plainly, yes, loudly heard, as M

I don't