A Night Prowler
"Who was that fellow?" Cecil asked in a frightened whisper. "Why did he
run when you called?"
"I don't know," the girl answered. "We'll find out."
She urged Silvertail down the steep trail.
"Wait," protested Cecil in alarm. "We're unarmed, and there's no telling
who that man may be. Maybe we ought to call off this trip."
"You and Helena ride back to the ranch," Connie urged. "I'm going over
there."
"Then we'll stay with you," declared Helena with surprising courage.
"After all, this was our idea."
The horses picked their way slowly and cautiously down the steep path.
Soon they reached the bottom of the canyon and began the ascent. Connie
kept her eyes on the trail above them which circled the cliff. She had
seen no sign of anyone moving about.
"Let your horse have his head," she warned as the way became more
treacherous.
Presently Connie called a halt. They tied their steeds to a pine tree
and continued afoot. The trail became dangerously narrow, so that a
slight misstep would mean a plunge over the sheer precipice.
"Let's not go any farther," Helena gasped. "I'm afraid."
"You and Cecil wait for me here," Connie commanded.
Leaving the pair huddling with their backs to the cliff, she hurried on
down the trail. Connie knew every inch of it and had no fear of falling.
But she glanced sharply at the overhanging bushes. Everything was still.
Yet the girl had a feeling that her movements were being observed.
Using the crude steps which had been cut in the cliff by the ancient
dwellers, Connie descended between two faulted rocks. As she picked up
the trail again at the bottom, she saw something bright and shiny lying
on the ground. It was a tiny silver knife.
With a murmur of astonishment she reached down for it.
"Why, that looks like Jim Barrows' knife," she thought as she examined
it.
Connie remembered that the man had worn an ornamental silver knife
fastened to his watch chain. Her reflection was a brief one for as she
fingered the article, Helena gave a piercing scream.
Fearing that harm had befallen the girl, Connie thrust the knife into
her pocket and scrambled up the cliff by means of toe holds cut there by
the ancient dwellers. She ran along the trail until she caught sight of
Cecil and Helena standing where she had left them.
"Oh, you're all right, thank goodness," she gasped. "When I heard that
scream I was frightened nearly out of my wits."
"I saw someone moving in the bushes!" Helena reported.
"Where?"
Helena pointed to a group of shrubs some distance above them. Connie
knew that it would be impossible to reach the spot without a dangerous
climb. Unarmed, she had no desire to investigate.
"Let's get away from here," Cecil urged. "You can't hope to learn the
identity of that prowler."
Connie did not mention that already she had gained an important clue.
She felt certain the knife belonged to Jim Barrows. But why would he be
investigating the cliff dwellings? Was it possible that he was living in
one of the kivas, hiding there in fear that the law would overtake him?
She hesitated, wondering if she ought not to go back and make a thorough
search. Helena read her thought and grasped her by the hand.
"Do let's go away from here," she pleaded. "Cecil and I were wrong about
wishing to come in the first place. Please don't go back into that dark
hole under the cliff. Something dreadful might happen."
"All right, we'll return to the ranch," Connie said. "I doubt that we
could learn anything to-night anyway."
"Who do you think was hiding in those bushes?" Cecil asked nervously as
they mounted their horses.
"Oh, perhaps a cowboy from Slocer's Ranch," Connie replied carelessly.
"One of the boys might have come over here just to see the cliff
dwellings by moonlight. Nearly every cowboy has a sentimental streak,
you know."
"I hadn't observed it," Helena responded dryly. "It doesn't seem to me
the man would have run away unless he were afraid of being recognized."
Connie did not trust herself to offer any comment as they began the
descent into the valley. The discovery that Jim Barrows was lurking in
the vicinity disturbed her more than she cared to have Cecil and Helena
know.
For the most part the three rode in silence. The incident of the night
had served to sober Helena and her brother and they had lost their
superior airs.
Ascending the trail on the far side of the canyon, they turned their
horses toward Rainbow Ranch. Connie was dead tired but a great many
things remained to be done before she could feel free to turn in.
"Don't forget that the roundup starts tomorrow at daybreak," she called
to Cecil and Helena as the couple dismounted and walked toward the
house.
"We'll be up," Helena promised.
During Connie's absence Cookie had nearly finished loading the chuck
wagon. The girl helped him complete the task and then went to talk with
Lefty regarding details of the next day's work.
"Has Blakeman returned yet?" she questioned.
"No, he hasn't," Lefty admitted. "This is a fine night for him to streak
off somewhere. Leavin' all the work. Connie, I reckon you know your own
business, but if you ask me, Blakeman ain't never had your best
interests to heart."
"I know he's opposed to this roundup."
"He sure is, Connie. That's why he's layin' down on the job."
"I owe Blakeman money," Connie said slowly. "If it weren't for that I'd
let him go now, but as it is my hands are tied."
"Sure, I can see how it is," Lefty admitted.
Connie started to turn away, and then abruptly halted.
"Oh, Lefty," she said, "I wish you'd be particularly alert during the
roundup. I happen to know that Jim Barrows is keeping close to the
ranch, and I'm afraid he may try to make trouble."
"Jim Barrows?" the cowboy asked in surprise.
"I saw him tonight, or at least I think I did," Connie replied, and went
on to tell how she had picked up the silver knife on the trail near the
cliff dwellings.
Lefty examined the knife carefully.
"That's his all right," he said. "Wonder what Jim was doing around
there?"
"I mean to find out as soon as we get this roundup off our hands, Lefty.
But remember, keep a sharp watch tomorrow. We can't afford to have
anything go wrong."
"I'll be on my guard," the cowboy promised. "And I'll tip Alkali off
too."
Despite her great weariness, Connie awoke the next morning feeling
completely refreshed. At the first sign of dawn she was down at the
corrals helping rope horses. Besides those required for the guests, each
rider would need two extras.
At four-thirty the cowboys from the Slocer Ranch galloped into the
courtyard, announcing themselves ready for the big drive. The foreman
assigned them to their duties and with Lefty and Alkali they rode off
again.
By five o'clock the chuck wagon was on its way. Mr. Grimes, Mr. Postil
and the little girl went with Cookie. Helena and Cecil chose to follow
on horseback.
Connie knew that the dudes would prove more of a handicap than an aid in
the roundup, but she was pleased to see how much interest everyone was
taking. Most amazing to her was the change of attitude shown by Helena
and Cecil. The pair actually seemed eager to win her approval.
With the chuck wagon established in a temporary camp, Connie rode away
to cover the eastern portion of the range. For several hours she kept to
the saddle, rounding up every stray steer. Far to the southward she
could see a great cloud of dust which meant that Alkali and Lefty, who
covered that section, had their herd on the move. The Slocer boys would
be slower for they were searching the canyons.
Irrespective of brand Connie rounded up every steer she could find.
Nearly all bore the mark of the Rainbow outfit, but there were a few
strays belonging to the Slocers and Pop Bradshaw.
It was nearly sundown before Connie could drive her steers to the knoll
where the other cattle grazed. Alkali and the Slocer boys were riding
through the herd cutting out those which did not bear the Rainbow brand.
Connie went to the chuck wagon for a cup of hot coffee and a dish of
steaming stew. It was the first food she had tasted since morning.
"You look all done in," observed Lefty who had thrown himself on the
ground for a few minutes' rest.
"Oh, I'm all right," Connie declared. "It's been a wonderful drive! I
had no idea I owned so many steers. If I get anything like a fair price,
I'll be able to pay my debts and have a tidy sum left."
"You ought to go back to the ranch and get some sleep tonight," Lefty
advised. "We can hold the herd without you."
"Perhaps I will after supper," Connie agreed. "Are the dudes having a
good time?"
"Old man Grimes said he enjoyed every minute of it," Lefty reported,
pouring himself another cup of coffee. "He and Mr. Postil took the kid
and went back to the ranch a few minutes ago."
Connie could see Helena and Cecil riding with Forest Blakeman, evidently
under the impression that they were helping him keep the herd under
control. While she was eating they came up to the chuck wagon, flushed
and excited.
"Oh, it's been wonderful!" declared Helena excitedly. "I'd not have
missed it for anything in the world. Cecil and I are staying tonight to
help hold the herd."
"That's fine," replied Connie--"we need riders."
She avoided looking at Lefty who had a pained expression on his face.
Presently the cowboy arose, and saddling a fresh pony, rode out to
relieve Alkali.
Cookie soon had a hearty supper ready and both Cecil and Helena did
justice to it, making no complaint at the rough fare. They did not
notice that both Connie and Alkali kept glancing at the slowly darkening
sky.
"Looks like a storm blowin' up," the cowboy presently remarked.
"Yes," agreed Connie. "And the cattle seem to be growing more restless.
We may need more riders before morning. I'm staying, of course."
"Is there any danger of a stampede?" Cecil asked eagerly.
"Reckon it would give you a real thrill to see one," Alkali commented
dryly. "Well, maybe you'll get your chance."
After supper while Helena and Cecil sat around the campfire, Connie rode
slowly around the herd. The cattle seemed fairly quiet. A few animals
were on their feet but most of them were lying down. Lefty's discordant
voice could be heard singing an old cowboy song.
Connie rode over to talk with him.
"How does the weather look to you, Lefty?"
"Not so good," he admitted, squinting up at the moving clouds overhead.
"We'll have rain before morning. I wish we had a few extra men."
"The cattle seem to be quiet."
"Sure, they are now, but there's something in the air, Connie. You can
feel it. When the storm breaks, I'll be plumb surprised if they don't
start rattlin' their hocks."
Connie went back to the campfire knowing that it was wise to get as much
rest as possible. She warned Cecil and his sister that a storm was
coming, but both elected to remain. They spread out their bed tarps near
the chuck wagon.
Connie fell asleep almost at once, but in a short while she was awake
again. The air had grown cold. It was pitch dark.
Connie arose and tossed a log on the fire. She could not see the herd to
the southward but she heard the rumble of hoofs. The steers were on the
move again.
"I ought to be getting out there," Connie thought. "There's going to be
trouble a-plenty."
Cookie had left the coffee pot on the bed of coals. She poured herself a
cup of the strong brew, trying to get the sleep out of her eyes.
As she sipped the coffee she heard a horse pounding across the hard
ground. Enid Bradshaw rode into the firelight, springing from the
saddle.
"Connie," she said breathlessly, "there's going to be a bad storm, and
your cows are sure to run. I came over to help if you need me."
"Thank you," replied Connie coldly, after a moment of silence. "We don't
need any help."
"I know how you feel toward me," Enid said earnestly. "You think Pop and
I have plotted to ruin you."
"You did take two of my guests away," Connie returned. "But in business
and love they say all is fair."
"Connie, you must believe me--I didn't have anything to do with it. I
never wanted my father to start the dude ranch in competition with you."
"I believe you, Enid," Connie said slowly. "I'm sure you wouldn't lie to
me. After all, why should I be offended? Your father has a perfect right
to go into the dude business if he likes."
"He never wanted to do it either," Enid went on desperately. "But we've
been so hard pressed for money. The part I can't forgive is that he
betrayed you."
"What do you mean, Enid?"
"Oh, Pop isn't running the ranch at all now--another party has gained
control--a man who means to ruin you."
"The bank?"
"No, Connie--someone you've trusted. Pop will never forgive me for
telling, but I must! I can't stand by and see you cheated out of
everything you own."
"Who is it?" Connie demanded.
But Enid did not answer for just at that moment the very heavens seemed
to open. A vivid streak of lightning zigzagged across the inky sky, and
a torrent of rain descended. Then the earth trembled, and the sound
struck fear to Connie's heart. The herd had stampeded!