STAMPEDING THE PRIZE BUNCH.
"Steady, Ally, and don't try it!" Chunky was saying in a low but tense
voice. He seemed to have suspected that the treacherous puncher would
be greatly excited over the fact that his friends were at work above,
and might take considerable chances in order to let them know the men
from the Double Cross had arrived on the scene of action unannounced.
They gathered in a little clump. The other two punchers must have
guessed why Chunky was acting in this way toward Sloper, for they eyed
the latter suspiciously, and Ned could see that Arizona Tom had his
heavy gun in his hand, as though ready to use it promptly should the
other try to dash away without authority.
"Seems like we didn't get here any to soon, hey, Ned?" ventured Jimmy,
with one of his hoarse whispers.
"Same old luck keeps after us," was the reply of the scout master; "as
long as that holds good I should worry more for the other fellow than
on our account."
"It's them pesky rustlers that have hit up a hot pace, and got on the
ground ahead o' us," Chunky was growling; and then, as though his humor
changed, he went on to add: "but say, mebbe we won't give 'em the
surprise o' their lives."
"Then you'll tackle the bunch, even if they number more than we do?"
asked Ned, seeking information while they waited for a move on the part
if those who were so busily engaged up the coulie.
"Shucks! it wouldn't stop us if they was three to our one," Chunky
answered, with the freedom from concern that usually marks the true
cowman. "If we can surprise the critters the advantage'll lie with us.
And let me say right now that it won't be safe for any feller to get
gay, and give a yip, or let his gun go off by accident, 'cause another
is apt to drop into the habit, which is a bad one."
That last was undoubtedly meant for Ally Sloper. He could be heard
gnashing his strong white teeth in sullen anger, but he did not venture
to let out a warning whoop so as to tell his friends they were up
against it.
Ned could not blame him, for he fancied that it might have been the
last shout Ally would ever make, because this was a serious business,
betraying the interests of his employer, and should he be shot no blame
would ever be attached to the one carrying out the punishment.
"Move over this way a leetle," said Chunky, presently, as though he
knew just how the cattle and their drivers must issue forth from the
mouth of the coulie when the time came, and meant to set the trap so as
to take the rustlers off their guard.
"Whew! tell me about this, will you?" Jimmy was breathing in the ear of
his companion scout, as they tried to keep their ponies quiet, sitting
in the shadow of the trees, and listening to all the clamor that arose
further up the slope of the hill.
"If you think this is exciting, Jimmy," remarked Ned, "wait till the
climax comes along, and then see what happens. To think of our getting
in a lively affair like this the very first night we're at the ranch.
And somebody said all the fun was in the past. Looks like we find it
wherever we go."
"Well, you never spoke truer words, Ned," admitted Jimmy; "and honest
now, I'm tremblin' all over right at this minute, not because I'm
scared a whiff, for you know I ain't, but just on account of the
strain. Oh! I hope they don't take a notion to slip away up the coulie
'stead of droppin' down and takin' their medicine like men."
"Listen! they're coming, I do believe, Jimmy!"
"Sounds like it, Ned. I never had the pleasure of handin' it out to a
cattle rustler, but I've heard they are pretty tough citizens; and in
case I do have to puncture a few with disabling wounds it needn't keep
me awake nights. Them longhorns has got to be saved, and we're here to
do it."
"Stow your gab, Jimmy, and be ready to do what you're told. Chunky
gives the orders for the entertainment, remember, and be quick to act.
Yes, the cattle have been headed this way. They're running down the
coulie right now!"
With the increasing noise the excitement grew apace. Both scouts shut
their teeth hard together, and awaited the breaking of the crisis. The
oncoming herd was drawing closer with every second that passed.
Undoubtedly those who were driving them out of the feeding ground knew
that this was the only way by means of which the herd could be started,
because further up the coulie merged into a blind canyon that must have
proven a trap.
If there had been the slightest doubt in any one's mind before now
concerning the truth, it would have been dissipated when the loud
voices of men came floating down, with the crash of many cloven hoofs
and the protestations from the unwilling cattle, doubtless preparing to
settle down for the night when this drive was started.
Chunky must have been aware of the fact that it would be next to
impossible to keep watch over Ally Sloper when the crisis dawned.
Perhaps he really did not care so much, whether the other escaped or
not, since he could no longer upset the plans they had laid, by giving
warning.
And on his part Sloper may have figured that he could not afford to
openly prove himself a traitor by fleeing. He could not know that they
had any positive proof of his double dealing, and just suspicion he
could live down. So he might even act as though he were an honest man
and carry out his part in the work of saving the threatened herd. His
life counted for more than the success of his allies in the raid. He
could make new connections with other schemers; but once he had been
strung up to a telegraph pole by furious punchers he could not get a
new life.
The noise grew more distinct, and at any minute now Ned expected to see
a mass of moving animals come out of the dark mouth of the coulie.
He took it for granted that the cattle raiders were to be treated
harshly, for he knew what a contempt honest punchers felt toward those
who would carry off four-footed property belonging to others, and
changing the brand, sell it as if it were their own.
That meant more or less gunfire; it might be that wounds would be
received as well as given, for these rustlers were a dare-devil lot,
and no doubt ready to fight desperately before giving up their
ill-gotten gains.
This did not cause Ned to quail. He had received his baptism of fire
long ago, and for one of his age had been through so much of excitement
that he might almost be called a veteran. Nevertheless he was thrilled
with the thought of surprising the thieves, and his heart beat much
more rapidly than usual as he sat in his saddle, keeping a firm grip on
his pony, and holding his rifle ready for quick action.
Yes, they are coming very fast now. The clatter of cloven hoofs, and
all those other accompanying sounds, told this plainly. Ned wondered
how many of the raiders there might turn out to be. He tried to count
the different kinds of shouts and whoops, but found this next to
impossible.
"What does it matter," he told himself, finally; "just as Chunky said,
if we take them by surprise the advantage is all with us? Five or ten,
we'll send them flying over the plain, thinking they've run foul of the
whole Double Cross outfit. Jimmy, when the time comes to cut loose
yelpt like a Fiji Islander, or anything else that makes a big noise;
get that?"
"You wait," was all Jimmy replied, but there was a world of meaning
back of the words, and Ned knew he would do his duty.
"There they come!" said one of the cow punchers just then.
Out from the shadows of the coulie burst a string of cattle on the run.
They had been started with difficulty, but once the excitement began to
work there would be no restraining them until weariness caused them to
stop their flight.
Chunky was eagerly watching to see how they turned. He doubtless
anticipated that one or more of the rustlers would be seeking to head
off, and then would be the time to open fire, so as to create a
small-sized panic among the cattle raiding crowd.
"Gee whiz! but I'm awonderin' what this beast'll do when I let go with
the gun right over his head!" Jimmy remarked just about that time,
which seemed to indicate that he believed he had cause for worry.
"Keep a tight hold of your bridle; that's all you can do," the scout
master advised, without removing his eyes from the picture that was
enlarging with each passing second, as more cattle came running out of
the coulie, and followed the leaders.
From the midst of the lowing herd there suddenly burst two horsemen.
They were swinging their hats, waving their arms, and evidently
shouting at the top of their shrill voices, with the object of turning
the running herd in the direction they wished it to go.
Many miles lay between Washout Coulie and the ranch buildings, and
there was little danger that this racket might be carried there on the
wings of the wind; even though it were faintly heard, chances were that
the punchers would conclude not to bother, under the impression that it
must be a round-up on some neighboring stock farm.
"Now! give'em Hail Columbia!"
Ned could hear Chunky shouting these words, or something that sounded
very similar. He was paying little attention to anything that was said,
however, for his whole mind seemed to be taken up with following the
rapid drama that was being unfolded before his eyes.
There began to sound the discharge of firearms. Arizona Tom, Dutch and
Chunky each took a shot, and Jimmy not to be outdone, managed to get
his gun half-way to his shoulder before he pulled the trigger. Then his
calico pony began to act in such an extraordinary manner that it took
all Jimmy's attention, and for the time being he did not care a
particle whether the two rustlers ran away, or were made to bite the
dust, for it was a case of winding his arms around the neck of that
bucking broncho or else measuring his length on the ground, after
flying for a dozen or two feet through the atmosphere.
The rustlers might never have known they were being fired upon if it
depended on the noise alone; but then there was the flash of the
several discharges; and the whistle of flying lead past their ears to
warn them of the fact that they were in the danger zone.
They looked that way and must have made a discovery that was far from
pleasant. Still they were not ready to give up so easily, when it had
seemed that everything was coming their way.
"They mean to make a fight for the prize!" Ned told himself, when the
saw a sudden flash from the spot where the two rustlers had been mixing
with the herd, and which must mean that one of them was using his gun.
At that he raised his rifle. Others of the lawless tribe would be
pushing into view shortly, and it was policy to scatter them in the
start, so as to cut down the advantage they would have from greater
numbers.
Ned had never learned how to shoot from the back of a prancing pony;
but he was able to use good judgment, and pull the trigger when there
was a temporary lull in operations.
He must have managed to strike the mount of one of the rustlers, much
to his regret, for immediately it started madly off, despite all
efforts of the rider to hold the beast in. The other man finding that
he alone faced the fire of the enemy made haste to tum and flee.
This, however, was only the beginning. There were others near by, and
loud yells attested that they were about to burst into view, when the
whole operation must be repeated.
Meanwhile the cattle continued to pour in a living stream out of the
coulie. No wonder these reckless rustlers had taken great chances in
order to secure this bunch, which consisted of the pick of the Double
Cross herds. They had undoubtedly been kept in close touch with all
that was going on by the spies who were employed on the ranch, and
doubtless knew the number and value of each separate herd.
Then came whooping riders, this time some half dozen, scattered about
so as to cover considerable ground. In the bright moonlight the picture
was a thrilling one, and Ned believed he must often recall it in future
days. The surging longhorns, the active cow ponies and their riders
keeping up a continual racket, which seemed to be an essential part of
the performance--all these impressed Ned greatly.
Then he heard a loud explosion close to his head.
"Give it to the night riders! Let 'em have hot lead! Show 'em how the
boys of Double Cross Ranch can stand up for Kunnel Job!"
With each short sentence Chunky was discharging his gun; and as the
others kept pace with his activity there was a warm session around that
quarter. Even Ally Sloper added to the din by shooting several times,
and yelling, though Ned saw if none of the others did, that he aimed
high, apparently not caring to take the chances of hitting one of his
friends.
The utmost consternation attacked the surprised rustlers. They must
have fancied that the whole force of the ranch was upon them, if noise
counted for anything.
One man was seen to sway in his saddle, so that another had to help
hold him in his seat. Ned himself felt sure that with one of his shots
he had wounded another rustler in the arm, for he changed the bridle
grip to the other hand, and dashed off at full swing, plainly
demoralized.
There was no holding them, because they knew they were in the wrong,
and that if their identity chanced to be discovered, in spite of the
bandanas with which the lower part of their faces were concealed, the
law would step in and deal with them harshly.
And so it came about that the raid on the Double Cross herd turned out
to be a fizzle; though only for the prompt way in which the defenders
of the prize herd started out to meet the situation there must have
been a different story to tell.
"Get the cattle headed for home!" was the slogan that went the rounds;
and with Chunky still keeping close to the suspect this difficult job
was undertaken. Being experts at the rounding-up process they soon had
the herd headed off, and started on a new tack, now making in the
direction of the ranch home.
Ned had meant to lend a hand at this work, but something that came up
kept him from taking any great interest in the driving of the steers
and cows. This was the strange disappearance of his chum, Jimmy McGraw!