before the shock of the icy water tingled through him, he was planning
his escape. The opposite bank rose ten feet above the stream. He kept
under the water until he came close to this, then swam swiftly along
it with only his head showing, so as to keep him out of sight as much
as possible.

Half a stone's throw farther the bank fell again to the water's edge,
the river having broadened and grown shallow, as mountain creeks do.
The ranger ran, stooping, along the bank, till it afforded him no more
protection, then dashed across the stony-bottomed stream to the
shelter of the thick aspens beyond.

Just as he expected, a shot rang from far up the mountainside. In
another instant he was safe in the foliage of the young aspens.

In the sheer exhilaration of his escape he laughed aloud.

"Last show to score gone, Mr. Struve. I figured it just right. He
waited too long for his first shot. Then the bank hid me. He wasn't
expecting to see me away down the stream, so he hadn't time to sight
his second one."

Steve wound his way in and out among the aspens, working toward the
tail of them, which ran up the hill a little way and dropped down
almost to the back door of the cabin. Upon this he was presently
pounding.

Howard let him in. He had a revolver in his hand, the first weapon he
could snatch up.