hawss-thief is gathering his wolves for a hike back to the tall
timber. Feed me a cigareet, Mac. I plumb want to celebrate."

It was as the cow-puncher had said. Down the road a cloud of dust
was sweeping toward them, in the centre of which they made out
three hardriding cowboys from the ranch. Farther back, in the
distance, was another dust whirl. The outlaw chief's hard,
vigilant gaze swept over the reinforcements! and decided
instantly that the game had gone against him for the present. He
whistled shrilly twice, and began a slow retreat toward the
hills. The miscreants flung a few defiant shots at the advancing
cowmen, and disappeared, swallowed up in the earth swells.

The homeward march was a slow one, for Bannister had begun to
show signs of consciousness and it was necessary to carry him
with extreme care. While they were still a mile from the ranch
house the pinto and its rider could be seen loping toward them.

"Ride forward, Denver, and tell Miss Helen we're coming. Better
have her get everything fixed to doctor him soon as we get there.
Give him the best show in the world, and he'll still be sailing
awful close to the divide. I'll bet a hundred plunks he'll cash
in, anyway."

"DONE!"

The voice came faintly from the improvised litter. Mac turned
with a start, for he had not known that Bannister was awake to
his surroundings. The man appeared the picture of helplessness,
all the lusty power and vigor stricken out of him; but his