JIMMY'S UNWILLING RIDE.
There was reason for alarm, Ned thought, when he made this discovery.
The last he could remember seeing Jimmy was just at the time the second
detachment of the cattle rustlers came bursting out from the coulie,
with shouts and all the wild clamor cow punchers indulge in when
driving stock.
At that time Jimmy seemed to have tamed down his calico pony enough to
once more think of using his Marlin on the enemy; but strive as he
might Ned could not remember having heard its suggestive "cough" to
tell that Jimmy had actually pulled the trigger.
It must have been at that exciting moment, when everything was
confused, and Ned had his attention fastened on the movements of the
cattle poachers, that the thing happened.
He knew Jimmy too well to even suspect that the other would run away
voluntarily, for Jimmy dearly loved a "scrap," though trying to conform
to scout rules, and avoid seeking trouble. This would of course mean
that the frantic calico pony with the white eyes and furious temper had
taken the bit between his teeth, and actually run away with the scout.
How could they tell which way the animal had gone in making his
headlong flight? Would he be apt to head for home, or else try and join
the horses of the fleeing rustlers?
Ned determined to speak to Chunky about it. The puncher might be able
to offer good advice in the matter, seeing that he had spent all his
life on the plains, and knew the habits of these tricky bronchos from
the ground up.
Chunky, however, was a difficult man to approach just then, for he
certainly had his hands full in getting the big herd turned toward the
ranch house, and at the same time trying to keep the suspect under his
eyes.
If Ned had only had his little electric torch with him he would have
gotten down and examined the soil, endeavoring to get some pointers by
learning in which direction the calico pony had fled.
All he could really do was to help drive the cattle home, and make up
his mind that if poor Jimmy failed to show up during the remainder of
the night, he would return again in the morning and do his best to
follow the trail of the runaway.
He pictured the scene, with Jimmy, who was not in the class of champion
riders at all, clinging to the neck of his mount, and trying to soothe
the frantic beast by soft words, which must, however, have fallen on
deaf ears.
When before leaving the spot Ned discovered some object shining amidst
the bunches of buffalo grass, and jumping down found that it was indeed
Jimmy's prized repeating rifle, he knew that his guess must be close to
the truth.
Unless he wanted to be left behind he must be moving, for already had
the energetic Chunky and his mates managed to turn the cattle in the
right direction and the whole mass was swinging toward home. The herd,
however, went unwillingly, doubtless disliking to quit their pasturage,
and suspecting it was to be followed by some sort of irksome
confinement, remembered only too well from times past.
Ned would not soon forget that long and tiresome drive.
Not only did the punchers have their work cut out for them in keeping
the herd compact, and constantly moving toward the region where the
building would finally heave in sight, but they had another duty at the
same time.
There was no telling what the discomfited rustlers might not attempt.
If after their temporary panic they managed to get together and compare
notes, doubtless they would realize that they outnumbered the punchers
who had taken the prize herd away from them so neatly and expeditiously.
In their anger they might even follow, and start hostile operations on
a more savage and determined scale, with the intention of recovering
their lost plunder. These cattle thieves had been getting bolder than
ever of late, and there could be no telling what they might not attempt.
Consequently Chunky had given orders to his men to keep their guns "on
tap," and to make quick use of the same, given any opportunity. They
were thus compelled to keep on guard all the while they shouted, and
chased after such steers or cows as manifested a desire to break away
from the main herd.
Once he caught the spirit of the thing Ned was in his element, and the
puncher afterwards admitted that the boy acted as though he had been
accustomed to driving herd all his life.
Of course, with so few hands, and such a wide field to cover, it now
became practically impossible for Chunky to keep close to Ally Sloper.
He saw that the other appeared to be engaging in the diversion with all
his accustomed vim, and it had to go at that. If the man failed to turn
up when they reached the stockade, why they would be well rid of a
faithless employee, that was all. It was too late now for any traitor
to spoil their work by hunting up his allies and telling what he knew.
Apparently Sloper must have been figuring things out, and concluded to
risk it further by sticking to the Double Cross outfit. He did not know
just how far suspicion may have gone; but if he disappeared now his
guilt would be taken for granted, and his usefulness as a spy gone.
So Ned noticed every little while that the man was working with all his
accustomed zeal, as though to counteract any suspicion that might have
been aroused concerning his loyalty.
Indeed, Ned more than once took pattern from the actions of Sloper, who
had few equals and no superiors at the work. It seemed a shame that so
expert a cowman should ruin his career by playing a double game with
his employers.
It took them several hours to get the herd near home, for as a chain is
only as strong as its weakest link so cattle may be driven only as fast
as the cows and calves can run.
The strain eased up considerably when they drew nearer the ranch
buildings, for the possibility of their being pounced upon became less.
At a distance of ten or twelve miles the dashing rustlers could afford
to take chances; but not so near home. Once that hard-riding bunch of
punchers started in their wake and the cattle thieves knew what was
bound to follow; for saddles would be emptied ruthlessly, and no
quarter shown. To the cattleman they were looked upon as snakes in the
grass, and treated accordingly.
Ned had lots of time to indulge in serious reflections as he rode
along, now urging his pony to the right, and again to the left, as
occasion demanded, in order to keep the main body of advancing cattle
intact.
Besides thoughts of the lost chum, Jimmy, he found himself wondering
whether the man whom the Government officials had asked him to look out
for, Clem Parsons, could have been one of those whom he saw wildly
chasing the stolen cattle; also if the deep-throated voice that had
bellowed out from time to time belonged to the awful Hy Adams,
step-father to Amos, and ferocious mate to the shrinking little woman
he and the other scouts had met and pitied so much.
If this were so he began to speculate as to just how he might get in
touch with the man who was wanted on many back charges by the Secret
Service people. Doubtless these cattle thieves had a secret den
somewhere among the hills, to which they repaired between daring raids.
If Clem Parsons had indeed cast his fortunes in with the gang it began
to look as though of a necessity Ned would have to look up this
hiding-place, risky proceeding though that would seem.
Then his mind would turn again to Jimmy. What if the latter had fallen
in with some of the defeated rustlers, would they treat him decently,
or be apt to vent their spite upon his head because of their recent
bitter disappointment?
Ned found himself wishing again and again it were all over, and that he
knew the worst. The closer they drew to the stockade the more he found
his nerves quivering with suspense. If Jimmy were not there he realized
he was in for a very bad night, and that sleep was not apt to visit his
eyes.
The moon was now high up in the star-dotted sky, showing that some
hours must have elapsed since the encounter with the bold cattle
thieves.
Every chance Ned got he strained his eyes to learn if there were any
hopeful signs ahead. But bright though the moon may seem, so that one
could even read fine print in a newspaper held close to the eyes, it is
always deceptive, and low-lying objects fail to disclose themselves
until they are quite near.
It was a moving light that finally told Ned how close the herd was to
the ranch buildings. Then he caught answering shouts, and eagerly he
listened in the hope of distinguishing the well-known voice of Jimmy
among the whoops; but although once or twice he thought he detected it,
he could not be sure.
The gates of the big enclosure were open and ready to receive the
cattle, with the Chinese cook in attendance. It only required a little
expert work in getting the leading steers to enter, and after that the
job was easy.
Seeing that his services were no longer required, and with an aching
heart, Ned wheeled his pony and started for the long building known as
the bunkhouse, beyond which lay the other structures.
As he did so he discovered a moving figure advancing hastily toward
him. Hope grappled with doubt, and he was held in this mixture of
suspense until suddenly he heard a loud sound that sent a spasm of joy
to his heart.
It was a fair imitation of the long-drawn howl of the wolf; and so many
times had he drilled Jimmy in making this signal of the patrol to which
both of them belonged that he knew his missing chum was safe and sound,
or he would not be advancing toward him so sturdily.
"Jimmy," he shouted in a transport of joy.
"Whoopee! on deck, Ned, and mighty glad it is to see you comin' back
after that hullaballoo of a time!" came the answer; and in another
minute the two scouts were shaking hands with considerable vim.
"I picked up your gun, Jimmy," remarked Ned, the first thing, "and here
it is fastened to my saddle."
"Glory be, but that's good news," declared the other, exultantly; "d'ye
know I've been feelin' mighty sorry about that same gun, for fear I'd
lost it; and you know what I think of the shootin'-stick. It was either
drop everything, and get me arms tight around the neck of that blasted
broncho, or else find myself standin' on me head. Gee whiz! but it was
a mad race the little villain gave me before he fetched up here at the
ranch house."
"I'm sorry you didn't have some of the fun of driving the herd home,"
remarked the scout master; "but glad it was no worse than a runaway.
When I saw the white in the eyes of that pretty calico pony I knew he
had a nasty temper. I suppose you'll want another horse after this?"
"What, me?" ejaculated Jimmy, bristling up instantly; "is that the
opinion you've got of your old chum, Ned Nestor? Did you ever know me
to give anything up first pop? Well, I'll break that spotted little
fiend in, or else he'll break my coco for me. And say, he's goin' to
pay up for the run he took this night. I'll keep him goin' till he's
ready to drop, and will eat out of me hand. That's Jimmy McGraw's way
of doin' things. The McGraws never say die as long as there's anything
to eat in the house."
"Well, let's get back to the house, after I've turned my pony loose in
the corral where they keep the saddle band. None of the others shown up
yet?" Ned continued.
"Not yet, though I think one of the herds must be close by now, for I
caught a whoop or two a while back, and it didn't come from your
quarter either," Jimmy replied, walking beside his chum, who had jumped
to the ground, glad of the chance to stretch his cramped legs after
such a tedious ride, to which he was not accustomed.
"You must have made record time getting here, then, Jimmy?" the scout
master observed, and if he smiled at picturing the sight of his
companion hanging desperately to the neck of the frantic runaway, Jimmy
was not aware of the fact.
"'Tis meself that beat the score that time," he remarked, proudly.
"When I look back, all I seem to remember is a rush, me arms fast
around the neck of the flying steed, and then him entering the corral
like a whirlwind. It was whist, bang, and there I was miles away from
the fight with me heart near broke because I'd been cheated out of the
best part of the game."
When Ned remembered the arduous drive that followed, with his voice
husky from shouting, and how his arms ached from waving his hat, and
managing his lively mount, he secretly thought Jimmy had been a lucky
chap, though he did not say so.
"And you couldn't find a mount to come back on, I suppose?" he asked.
"That I couldn't," replied Jimmy. "The saddle horse corral was plumb
empty; and there wasn't a puncher around to lend me his broncho. I even
thought to walk out and meet ye on the way, but was afraid I'd get lost
and give heaps of trouble. But glory be, you won the day, and saved the
prize herd, which ought to please the Colonel when he hears about the
same."
Having disposed of his mount Ned, together with Jimmy, started for the
house, intending to settle down in an easy chair and not move until he
went to bed.
There could be no doubt but what one of the other herds was coming in,
for the clamor of the drive was in full swing. It had been thought that
Chunky and his party might be the last to arrive, as they had further
to go; but unexpected difficulties must have delayed the others, or
else they found themselves unable to push their herds as rapidly as
Ned's party had done.
Jimmy was laughing softly to himself as they sat there, waiting the
turn of events.
"What strikes you as so funny, Jimmy?" asked Ned.
"Well," replied the other scout, "I was only thinkin' how little we can
see further than our noses. Now, only a bit ago some of us began to
complain that the excitement was all in the past. But say, look what
we've run up against before we've been in this country of the cattle
rustlers a single day. Can you beat it?"
And Ned, as he looked back at the strange events marking the last
twenty-four hours, was compelled to admit that Jimmy was right; for
they had certainly never met with a more thrilling series of happenings
than those which had come their way. And it also seemed as though the
end was not yet; for there still remained to be carried out his
business affair in connection with the man who was wanted so badly by
the Secret Service people at Washington.
As they sat there and exchanged remarks, the noise grew in volume, and
presently from three quarters at once moving objects began to loom up,
that soon developed into the expected droves. From which it would seem
that success had accompanied the Double Cross punchers in every
round-up, and that the herds were all safe.