To Dave's surprise he saw the cattle, in a small stampede, rushing from
the corral, straight toward him in an overwhelming mass.

Dave hesitated but a moment, and then clapping spurs to his horse he
wheeled and rode straight at the oncoming steers, shouting and waving his
hat in one hand, while with the other he fired shot after shot from his
big revolver.




CHAPTER V

TREACHERY


"Don't fall now, Crow! Don't you dare to stumble!" breathed Dave, leaning
over to speak into the very ear of his coal-black steed. "Don't step in
any holes and throw me. For if you do, it's all up with both of us!"

Yet, knowing that danger as he did, Dave never for an instant faltered. He
was going to stop that stampede and drive back the valuable cattle before
they could stray and get far out on the range or among the wild hills
where they would lose much of their prime condition that would insure a
good price. Dave was going to stop that stampede though he took his life
in his hands to do it.

And for what? he might have reflected. To save the property of a man who
was no relation to him.