COWBOY DAVE

OR

THE ROUND-UP AT ROLLING RIVER

BY FRANK V. WEBSTER

AUTHOR OF "ONLY A FARM BOY, " "BOB THE CASTAWAY, " "COMRADES OF THE SADDLE, ""AIRSHIP ANDY, " "TOM TAYLOR AT WEST POINT, " ETC. 

ILLUSTRATED

BOOKS FOR BOYSBy FRANK V. WEBSTER

ONLY A FARM BOYTOM, THE TELEPHONE BOYTHE BOY FROM THE RANCHTHE YOUNG TREASURER HUNTERBOB, THE CASTAWAYTHE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLETHE NEWSBOY PARTNERSTHE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKESTHE TWO BOY GOLD MINERSJACK, THE RUNAWAYCOMRADES OF THE SADDLETHE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOLTHE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALSBOB CHESTER'S GRITAIRSHIP ANDYDARRY, THE LIFE SAVERDICK, THE BANK BOYBEN HARDY'S FLYING MACHINETHE BOYS OF THE WIRELESSHARRY WATSON'S HIGH SCHOOL DAYSTHE BOY SCOUTS OF LENOXTOM TAYLOR AT WEST POINTCOWBOY DAVETHE BOYS OF THE BATTLESHIPJACK OF THE PONY EXPRESS

COWBOY DAVE

CONTENTS

 I. AFTER STRAY CATTLE II. THE TAUNT III. A CONFESSION IV. A SMALL STAMPEDE V. TREACHERY VI. A CRY FOR HELP VII. THE RESCUE VIII. MR. BELLMORE IX. DAVE MEETS LEN X. DAVE WONDERS XI. HAZARDOUS WORK XII. THE FIGHT XIII. SOME NEWS XIV. A WARNING XV. RETALIATION XVI. UNAVAILING EFFORTS XVII. THE ROUND-UP XVIII. A MIDNIGHT BLAZE XIX. FIGHTING FIRE XX. THE CHASE XXI. THE ESCAPE XXII. TANGLES XXIII. THE CLUE XXIV. BROTHERS XXV. THE NEW RANCH

[Illustration: HE WHEELED AND RODE STRAIGHT AT THE ONCOMING STEERS]

CHAPTER I

AFTER STRAY CATTLE

"Hi! Yi! Yip!"

"Woo-o-o-o! Wah! Zut!"

"Here we come!"

What was coming seemed to be a thunderous cloud of dust, from the midst ofwhich came strange, shrill sounds, punctuated with sharp cries, that didnot appear to be altogether human. 

The dust-cloud grew thicker, the thunder sounded louder, and the yellswere shriller. 

From one of a group of dull, red buildings a sun-bronzed man steppedforth. 

He shaded his eyes with a brown, powerful hand, gazed for an instanttoward the approaching cloud of animated and vociferous dust and, turningto a smiling Chinese who stood near, with a pot in his hand, remarked in aslow, musical drawl:

"Well Hop Loy, here they are, rip-roarin' an' snortin' from th' round-up!"

"Alle samee hungly, too, " observed the Celestial with unctious blandness. 

"You can sure make a point of that Hop Loy, " went on the other. "Hungry istheir middle name just now, and you'd better begin t' rustle th' grub, orI wouldn't give an empty forty-five for your pig-tail. "

"Oi la!" fairly screamed the Chinese, as, with a quick gesture toward hislong queue, he scuttled toward the cook house, which stood in the midst ofthe other low ranch buildings. "Glub leady alle samee light now!" Hop Loycried over his shoulder. 

"It better be!" ominously observed Pocus Pete, foreman of the Bar U ranch, one of the best-outfitted in the Rolling River section. "It better be!Those boys mean business, or I miss my guess, " the foreman went on. "Hardwork a-plenty, I reckon. Wonder how they made out?" he went on musingly ashe started back toward the bunk house, whence he had come with a saddlestrap to which he was attaching a new buckle. "If things don't take a turnfor th' better soon, there won't any of us make out, " and, with a gloomyshake of his head, Pocus Pete, to give him the name he commonly went by, tossed the strap inside the bunk house, and went on toward the mainbuilding, where, by virtue of his position as head of the cowboys, he hadhis own cot. 

Meanwhile the crowd of yelling, hard-riding sand dust-stirring punchers, came on faster than ever. 

"Hi! Yi! Yip!"

"Here we come!"

"Keep th' pot a-bilin'! We've got our appetites With us!"

"That's what!"

Some one fired his big revolver in the air, and in another moment therewas an echo of many shots, the sharp crack of the forty-fives minglingwith the thunder of hoofs, the yells, and the clatter of stirrup leathers. 

"The boys coming back, Pete?" asked an elderly man, who came to the doorof the main living room of the principal ranch house. 

"Yes, Mr. Carson, they're comin' back, an' it don't need a movin' pictureoperator an' telegraphic despatch t' tell it, either. "

"No, Pete. They seem to be in good spirits, too. "

"Yes, they generally are when they get back from round-up. I want to hearhow they made out, though, an' what th' prospects are. "

"So do I, Pete, " and there was an anxious note in the voice of Mr. Randolph Carson, owner of the Bar U ranch. Matters had not been going wellwith him, of late. 

With final yells, and an increase in the quantity of dust tossed up as thecowboys pulled their horses back on their haunches, the range-ridingoutfit of the ranch came to rest, not far away from the stable. Thehorses, with heaving sides and distended nostrils that showed a deep red, hung their heads from weariness. They had been ridden hard, but notunmercifully, and they would soon recover. The cowboys themselves tippedback their big hats from their foreheads, which showed curiously white incontrast to their bronzed faces, and beat the dust from their trousers. Afew of them wore sheepskin chaps. 

One after another the punchers slung their legs across the saddle horns, tossed the reins over the heads of their steeds, as an intimation that thehorses were not to stray, and then slid to the ground, walking with thatpeculiarly awkward gait that always marks one who has spent much of hislife in the saddle. 

"Grub ready, Hop Loy?" demanded one lanky specimen, as he used his blueneck kerchief to remove some of the dust and sweat from his brown face. 

"It better be!" added another, significantly; while still another said, quietly:

"My gal has been askin' me for a long, long time to get her a Chinaman'spig-tail, an' I'm shore goin' t'get one now if I don't have my grub rightplenty, an' soon!"

"Now you're talkin'!" cried a fourth, with emphasis. 

There was no need of saying anything further. The Celestial had stuck hishead out of the cook house to hear these ominous words of warning, andnow, with a howl of anguish, he drew it inside again, wrapping his queuearound his neck. Then followed a frantic rattling of pots and pans. 

"You shore did get him goin', Tubby!" exclaimed a tall, lanky cowboy, to ashort and squatty member of the tribe. 

"Well, I aimed to Skinny, " was the calm reply. "I am some hungry. "

The last of the cowboys to alight was a manly youth, who might have beenin the neighborhood of eighteen or nineteen years of age. He was tall andslight, with a frank and pleasing countenance, and his blue eyes looked atyou fearlessly from under dark brows, setting off in contrast hissunburned face. Had any one observed him as he rode up with the othercowboys, it would have been noticed that, though he was the youngest, hewas one of the best riders. 

He advanced from among the others, pausing to pet his horse which stuckout a wet muzzle for what was evidently an expected caress. Then the youngman walked forward, with more of an air of grace than characterized hiscompanions. Evidently, though used to a horse, he was not so saddle-boundas were his mates. 

As he walked up to the ranch house he was met by Mr. Carson and PocusPete, both of whom looked at him rather eagerly and anxiously. 

"Well, son, " began the ranch owner, "how did you make out?"

"Pretty fair, Dad, " was the answer. "There were more cattle than you ledus to expect, and there were more strays than we calculated on. In fact wedidn't get near all of them. "

"Is that so, Dave?" asked Pocus Pete, quickly. "Whereabouts do you reckonthem strays is hidin'?"

"The indications are they're up Forked Branch way. That's where we gotsome, and we saw more away up the valley, but we didn't have time to gofor them, as we had a little trouble; and Tubby and the others thoughtwe'd better come on, and go back for the strays to-morrow. "

"Trouble, Dave?" asked Mr. Carson, looking up suddenly. 

"Well, not much, though it might have been. We saw some men we took to berustlers heading for our bunch of cattle, but they rode off when westarted for them. Some of the boys wanted to follow but it looked asthough it might storm, and Tubby said we'd better move the bunch while wecould, and look after the rustlers and strays later. "

"Yes, I guess that was best, " the ranch owner agreed. "But where werethese rustlers from, Dave?"

"Hard to say, Dad. Looked to be Mexicans. "

"I reckon that'd be about right, " came from Pocus Pete. "We'll have to beon th' watch, Mr. Carson. "

"I expect so, Pete. Things aren't going so well that I can afford to loseany cattle. But about these strays, Dave. Do you think we'd better getright after them?"

"I should say so, Dad. "

"Think there are many of them?"

"Not more than two of us could drive in. I'll go to-morrow with one of themen. I know just about where to look for them. "

"All right, Dave. If you're not too much done out I'd like to have youtake a hand. "

"Done out, Dad! Don't you think I'm making a pretty good cowpuncher?"

"That's what he is, Mr. Carson, for a fact!" broke in Pete, withadmiration. "I'd stake Cowboy Dave ag'in' any man you've got ridin' rangeto-day. That's what I would!"

"Thanks, Pete, " said the youth, with a warm smile. 

"Well, that's the truth, Dave. You took to this business like a duck takesto water, though the land knows there ain't any too much water in theseparts for ducks. "

"Yes, we could use more, especially at this season, " Mr. Carson admitted. "Rolling River must be getting pretty dry; isn't it, Dave?"

"I've seen it wetter, Dad. And there's hardly any water in Forked Branch. I don't see how the stray cattle get enough to drink. "

"It is queer they'd be off up that way, " observed Pete. "But that mightaccount for it, " he went on, as though communing with himself. 

"Account for what?" asked Dave, as he sat down in a chair on the porch. 

"Th' rustlers. If they were up Forked Branch way they'd stand between th'strays and th' cattle comin' down where they could get plenty of water inRolling River. That's worth lookin' into. I'll ride up that way with youto-morrow, Dave, an' help drive in them cattle. "

"Will you, Pete? That will be fine!" the young cowboy exclaimed. Evidentlythere was a strong feeling of affection between the two. Dave looked toMr. Carson for confirmation. 

"Very well, " the ranch owner said, "you and Pete may go, Dave. But don'ttake any chances with the rustlers if you encounter them. "

"We're not likely to, " said Pocus Pete, significantly. 

From the distant cook house came the appetizing odor of food and Davesniffed the air eagerly. 

"Hungry?" asked Mr. Carson. 

"That's what I am, Dad!"

"Well, eat heartily, get a good rest, and tomorrow you can try your handat driving strays. "

Evening settled down over the Bar U ranch; a calm, quiet evening, in spiteof the earlier signs of a storm. In the far west a faint intermittentlight showed where the elements were raging, but it was so far off thatnot even the faintest rumble of thunder came over Rolling River, a streamabout a mile distant, on the banks of which were now quartered the cattlewhich the cowboys had recently rounded up for shipment. 

The only sounds that came with distinctness were the occasional barkingand baying of a dog, as he saw the rising moon, and the dull shuffle ofthe shifting cattle, which were being guarded by several cowboys who werenight-riding. 

Very early the next morning Dave Carson and Pocus Pete, astride theirfavorite horses, and carrying with them a substantial lunch, set off afterthe strays which had been dimly observed the day before up Forked Branchway. 

This was one of the tributaries of Rolling River, the valley of which wasat one time one of the most fertile sections of the largest of our Westerncattle states. The tributary divided into two parts, or branches, shortlyabove its junction with Rolling River. Hence its name. Forked Branch camedown from amid a series of low foot-hills, forming the northern boundaryof Mr. Randolph Carson's ranch. 

"We sure have one fine day for ridin', " observed Pocus Pete, as he urgedhis pony up alongside Dave's. 

"That's right, " agreed the youth. 

For several miles they rode on, speaking but seldom, for a cowboy soonlearns the trick of silence--it is so often forced on him. 

As they turned aside to take a trail that led to Forked Branch, Dave, whowas riding a little ahead, drew rein. Instinctively Pocus Pete did thesame, and then Dave, pointing to the front, asked:

"Is that a man or a cow?"

CHAPTER II

THE TAUNT

Pocus Pete shaded his eyes with his hand and gazed long and earnestly inthe direction indicated by Dave Carson. The two cow-ponies, evidently gladof the little rest, nosed about the sun-baked earth for some choice morselof grass. 

"It might be either--or both, " Pete finally said. 

"Either or both?" repeated Dave. "How can that be?"

"Don't you see two specks there, Dave? Look ag'in. "

Dave looked. His eyes were younger and perhaps, therefore, sharper thanwere those of the foreman of Bar U ranch, but Dave lacked the trainingthat long years on the range had given the other. 

"Yes, I do see two, " the youth finally said, "But I can't tell which iswhich. "

"I'm not altogether sure myself, " Pete said, quietly and modestly. "We'llride a little nearer, " he suggested, "an' then we can tell for sure. Iguess we're on th' track of some strays all right. "

"Some strays, Pete? You mean our strays; don't you?" questioned Dave. 

"Well, some of 'em 'll be, probably, " was the quiet answer. "But you'vegot t' remember, Dave, that there's a point of land belongin' t' Centre Oranch that comes up there along the Forked Branch trail. It may be some ofMolick's strays. "

"That's so. I didn't think of that, Pete. There's more to this businessthan appears at first sight. "

"Yes, Dave; but you're comin' on first-rate. I was a leetle opposed to th'Old Man sendin' you East to study, for fear it would knock out yournatural instincts. But when you picked up that man as soon as you did, "and he waved his hand toward the distant specks, "when you did that, Iknow you've not been spoiled, an' that there's hope for you. "

"That's good, Pete!" and Dave laughed. 

"Yes, I didn't agree with th' Old Man at first, " the foreman went on, "butI see he didn't make any mistake. "

Mr. Carson was the "Old Man" referred to, but it was not at all a term ofdisrespect as applied to the ranch owner. It was perfectly natural to Peteto use that term, and Dave did not resent it. 

"Yes, I'm glad dad did send me East, " the young man went on, as theycontinued on their way up the trail. "I was mighty lonesome at first, andI felt--well, cramped, Pete. That's the only way to express it. "

"I know how you felt, Dave. There wasn't room to breathe in th' city. "

"That's the way I felt. Out here it--it's different. "

He straightened up in the saddle, and drew in deep breaths of the pure airof the plains; an air so pure and thin, so free from mists, that the verydistances were deceiving, and one would have been positive that thedistant foot-hills were but half an hour's ride away, whereas the betterpart of a day must be spent in reaching them. 

"Yes, this is livin'--that's what it is, " agreed Pocus Pete. " You can makethem out a little better now, Dave, " and he nodded his head in thedirection of the two distant specks. They were much larger now. 

"It's a chap on a horse, and he's going in the same direction we are, "Dave said, after a moment's observation. 

"That's right. And it ain't every cowpuncher on Bar U who could have toldthat. "

"I can see two--three--why, there are half a dozen cattle up there Pete. "

"Yes, an' probably more. I reckon some of th' Centre O outfit has strayed, same as ours. That's probably one of Molick's men after his brand, " Petewent on. 

The Bar U ranch (so called because the cattle from it were branded with alarge U with a straight mark across the middle) adjoined, on the north, the ranch of Jason Molick, whose cattle were marked with a large O in thecentre of which was a single dot, and his brand consequently, was known asCentre O. 

"Maybe that's Len, " suggested Dave, naming the son of the adjoining ranchowner. 

"It may be. I'd just as soon it wouldn't be, though. Len doesn't alwaysknow how to keep a civil tongue in his head. "

"That's right, Pete. I haven't much use for Len myself. "

"You an' he had some little fracas; didn't you?"

"Oh, yes, more than once. "

"An' you tanned him good and proper, too; didn't you Dave?" asked theforeman with a low chuckle. 

"Yes, I did. " Dave did not seem at all proud of his achievement. " But thatwas some time ago, " he added. " I haven't seen Len lately. "

"Well, you haven't missed an awful lot, " said Pete, dryly. 

The two rode on in silence again, gradually coming nearer and nearer tothe specks which had so enlarged themselves, by reason of the closing upof the intervening distance, until they could be easily distinguished as anumber of cattle and one lone rider. The latter seemed to be making hisway toward the animals. 

"Is he driving them ahead of him?" asked Dave, after a long and silentobservation. 

"That's the way it looks, " said Pocus Pete. "It's Len Molick all right, "he added, after another shading of his eyes with his hand. 

"Are you sure?" Dave asked. 

"Positive. No one around here rides a horse in that sloppy way but him. "

"Then he must have found some of his father's strays, and is taking themto the ranch. "

"I'm not so sure of that, " Pete said. 

"Not so sure of what?"

"That the cattle are all his strays. I wouldn't be a bit surprised butwhat some of ours had got mixed up with 'em. Things like that have beenknown to happen you know. "

"Do you' think---" began Dave. 

"I'm not goin' to take any chances thinkin', " Pete said significantly. "I'm going to make sure. "

"Look here, Dave, " he went on, spurring his pony up alongside of the youngcowboy's. "My horse is good an fresh an' Len's doesn't seem to be in suchgood condition. Probably he's been abusin' it as he's done before. Now Ican take this side trail, slip around through the bottom lands, an' getahead of him. "

"But it's a hard climb up around the mesa, Pete. "

"I know it. But I can manage it. Then you come on up behind Len, casuallike. If he has any of our cattle--by mistake, " said Pete, significantly, "we'll be in a position to correct his error. Nothin' like correctin'errors right off the reel, Dave. Well have him between two fires, so tospeak. "

"All right, Pete. I'll ride up behind him, as I'm doing now, and you'llhead him off; is that it?"

"That's it. You guessed it first crack out of th' box. If nothin's wrong, why we're all right; we're up this way to look after our strays. And ifsomethin' is wrong, why we'll be in a position to correct it--that's all. "

"I see. " There was a smile on Dave's face as his cowboy partner, with awave of his hand, turned his horse into a different trail, speeding thehardy little pony up so as to get ahead of Len Molick. 

Dave rode slowly on, busy with many thoughts, some of which had to do withthe youth before him. Len Molick was about Dave's own age, that isapparently, for, strange as it may seem, Dave was not certain of the exactnumber of years that had passed over his head. 

It was evident that he was about eighteen or nineteen. He had recentlyfelt a growing need of a razor, and the hair on his face was becomingwiry. But once, when he asked Randolph Carson, about a birthday, the ranchowner had returned an evasive answer. 

"I don't know exactly when your birthday does come, Dave, " he had said. "Your mother, before she--before she died, kept track of that. In fact Isomtimes forget when my own is. I think yours is in May or June, but forthe life of me I can't say just which month. It doesn't make a lot ofdifference, anyhow. "

"No, Dad, not especially. But just how old am I?"

"Well, Dave, there you've got me again. I think it's around eighteen. Butyour mother kept track of that, too. I never had the time. Put it down ateighteen, going on nineteen, and let it go at that. Now say, about thatlast bunch of cattle we shipped--"

Thus the ranchman would turn the subject. Not that Dave gave the mattermuch thought, only now, somehow or other, the question seemed to recurwith increased force. 

"Funny I don't know just when my birthday is, " he mused. "But then lots ofthe cowboys forget theirs. "

The trail was smooth at this point, and Dave soon found himself close toLen, who was driving ahead of him a number of cattle. With a start ofsurprise Dave saw two which bore the Bar U brand. 

"Hello, Len, " he called. 

Len Molick turned with a start. Either he had not heard Dave approach, orhe had pretended ignorance. 

"Well, what do yon want?" demanded the surly bully. 

"Oh, out after strays, as you are, " said Dave, coolly. "Guess your cattleand ours have struck up an acquaintance, " he added, with assumedcheerfulness. 

"What do you mean?"

"I mean they're traveling along together just as if they belonged to thesame outfit. "

"Huh! I can't help it, can I, if your cows tag along with our strays?"demanded Len with a sneer. 

"That's what I'm here for--to help prevent it, " Dave went on, and hisvoice was a trifle sharp. "The Bar U ranch can't afford to lose any straysthese days, " he resumed. "The Carson outfit needs all it can get, and, asrepresentative of the Carson interests I'll just cut out those strays ofours, Len, and head them the other way. "

"Huh! What right have you got to do it?"

"What right? Why my father sent me to gather up our strays. I saw some ofthem up here yesterday. "

"Your father?" The sneer in Len's voice was unmistakable. 

"Yes, of course, " said Dave, wondering what was the matter with Len. "Myfather, Randolph Carson. "

"He isn't your father!" burst out Len in angry tones. "And you aren't hisson! You're a nameless picked-up nobody, that's what you are! A nobody!You haven't even a name!"

And with this taunt on his lips Len spurred his horse away from Dave's. 

CHAPTER III

A CONFESSION

Something seemed to strike Dave Carson a blow in the face. It was asthough he had suddenly plunged into cold water, and, for the moment, hecould not get his breath. The sneering words of Len Molick rang in hisears:

"You're a nameless, picked-up nobody!"

Having uttered those cruel words, Len was riding on, driving before himsome of his father's stray cattle, as well as some belonging to the Bar Uranch. The last act angered Dave, and anger, at that moment, was just whatwas needed to arouse him from the lethargy in which he found himself. Italso served, in a measure, to clear away some of the unpleasant feelingcaused by the taunt. 

"Hold on there a minute, Len Molick!" called Dave, sharply. 

Len never turned his head, and gave no sign of hearing. 

A dull red spot glowed in each of Dave's tanned cheeks. With a quickintaking of his breath he lightly touched the spurs to his horse--lightly, for that was all the intelligent beast needed. Dave passed his tauntingenemy on the rush, and planting himself directly in front of him on thetrail, drew rein so sharply that his steed reared. The cows, scattered bythe sudden rush, ambled awkwardly on a little distance, and then stoppedto graze. 

"What do you mean by getting in my way?" growled Len. 

"I mean to have you stop and answer a few questions, " was the calm retort. 

"If it's about these cattle I tell you I'm not trying to drive off any ofyours, " said Len, in whining tones. He knew the severe penalty attached tothis in a cow country, and Dave was sufficiently formidable, as he sateasily on his horse facing the bully, to make Len a little morerespectful. 

"I'm not going to ask you about these cattle--at least not right away, "Dave went on. "This is about another matter. You said something just nowthat needs explaining. "

"I say a good many things, " Len admitted, and again there sounded in hisvoice a sneer. "I don't have to explain to you everything I say; do I?"

"You do when it concerns me, " and Dave put his horse directly across thetrail, which, at this point narrowed and ran between two low ranges ofhills. "You said something about me just now--you called me a nameless, picked-up nobody!"

Dave could not help wincing as he repeated the slur. 

"Well, what if I did?" demanded the bully. 

"I want to know what you mean. You insinuated that Mr. Carson was not myfather. "

"He isn't!"

"Why do you say that, and how do you know?" Dave asked. In spite of hisdislike of Len, and the knowledge that the bully was not noted for truth-telling, Dave could not repress a cold chill of fear that seemed to clutchhis heart. 

"I say that because it's so, and how I know it is none of your affair, "retorted Len. 

"Oh yes, it is my affair, too!" Dave exclaimed. He was fast regainingcontrol of himself. "It is very much my affair. I demand an explanation. How do you know Mr. Carson isn't my father?"

"Well, I know all right. He picked you up somewhere. He doesn't know whatyour name is himself. He just let you use his, and he called you Dave. You're a nobody I tell you!"

Dave spurred his horse until it was close beside that of Len's. Thenleaning over in the saddle, until his face was very near to that of thebully's, and with blazing eyes looking directly into the shrinking ones ofthe other rancher's son, Dave said slowly, but with great emphasis:

"Who--told--you?"

There was menace in his tone and attitude, and Len shrank back. 

"Oh, don't be afraid!" Dave laughed mirthlessly. "I'm not going to strikeyou--not now. "

"You--you'd better not, " Len muttered. 

"I want you first to answer my questions, " Dave went on. "After that I'llsee what happens. It's according to how much truth there is in what youhave said. "

"Oh, it's true all right, " sneered the bully. 

"Then I demand to know who told you!"

Dave's hand shot out and grasped the bridle of the other's horse, andLen's plan of flight was frustrated. 

"Let me go!" he whiningly demanded. 

"Not until you tell me who said I am a nobody--that Mr. Carson is not myfather, " Dave said, firmly. 

"I--I----" began the shrinking Len, when the sound of another horsemanapproaching caused both lads to turn slightly in their saddles. Dave halfexpected to see Pocus Pete, but he beheld the not very edifyingcountenance of Whitey Wasson, a tow-headed cowpuncher belonging to theCentre O outfit. Whitey and Len were reported to be cronies, andcompanions in more than one not altogether pleasant incident. 

"Oh, here you are; eh; Len?" began Whitey. "And I see you've got thestrays. "

"Yes, I've got 'em, " said Len, shortly. 

"Any trouble?" went on Whitey, with a quick glance at Dave. The positionof the two lads--Dave with his hand grasping Len's bridle--was toosignificant to be overlooked. 

"Trouble?" began Len. "Well, he--he--"

"He made a certain statement concerning me, " Dave said, quietly, lookingfrom Len to Whitey, "and I asked him the source of his information. Thatis all. "

"What did he say?"

"He said I was a nameless, picked-up nobody, and that Mr. Carson was notmy father. I asked him how he knew, and he said some one told him that. "

"So he did!" exclaimed Len. 

"Then I demand to know who it was!" cried Dave. 

For a moment there was silence, and then Whitey Wasson, with a chucklesaid:

"I told Len myself!"

"You did?" cried Dave. 

"Yes, he did! Now maybe you won't be so smart!" sneered Len. "Let go myhorse!" he cried, roughly, as he swung the animal to one side. But noforce was needed; as Dave's nerveless hand fell away from the bridle. Heseemed shocked--stunned again. 

"You--you--how do you know?" he demanded fiercely, raising his sinkinghead, and looking straight at Whitey. 

"Oh, I know well enough. Lots of the cowboys do. It isn't so much of asecret as you think. If you don't believe me ask your father--no, he ain'tyour father--but ask the Old Man himself. Just ask him what your name is, and where you came from, and see what he says. "

Whitey was sneering now, and he chuckled as he looked at Len. Dave's facepaled beneath his tan, and he did not answer. 

A nameless, picked-up nobody! How the words stung! And he had consideredhimself, proudly considered himself, the son of one of the best-liked, best-known and most upright cattle raisers of the Rolling River country. Now who was he?

"Come on, Len, " said Whitey. "If you've got the strays we'll drive themback. Been out long enough as 'tis. "

He wheeled his horse, Len doing the same, and they started after thestraying cattle. 

"Hold on there, if you please, " came in a drawling voice. "Jest cut outthem Bar U steers before you mosey off any farther, Whitey, " and ridingaround a little hillock came Pocus Pete. 

"Um!" grunted Whitey. 

"Guess you'll be needin' a pair of specks, won't you, Whitey?" went on theBar U foreman, without a glance at Len or Dave. "A Centre O brand an' aBar U looks mighty alike to a feller with poor eyes I reckon, " and hesmiled meaningly. 

"Oh, we can't help it, if some of the Randolph cattle get mixed up withour strays, " said Len. 

"Who's talkin' to you?" demanded Pocus Pete, with such fierceness that thebully shrank back. 

"Now you cut out what strays belong to you, an' let ours alone, Mr. Wasson, " went on Pocus Pete with exaggerated politeness. "Dave an' I cantake care of our own I reckon. An' move quick, too!" he added menacingly. 

Whitey did not answer, but he and Len busied themselves in gettingtogether their own strays. Pocus Pete and Dave, with a little effort, managed to collect their own bunch, and soon the two parties were movingoff in opposite directions. Dave sat silent on his horse. Pete glanced athim from time to time, but said nothing. Finally, however, as theydismounted to eat their lunch, Pete could not help asking:

"Have any trouble with them, Dave?"

"Trouble? Oh no. "

Dave relapsed into silence, and Pete shook his head in puzzled fashion. Something had happened, but what, he could not guess. 

In unwonted silence Dave and Pete rode back to the Bar U ranch, reachingit at dusk with the bunch of strays. They were turned in with the othercattle and then Dave, turning his horse into the corral, walked heavily tothe ranch house. All the life seemed to have gone from him. 

"Well, son, did you get the bunch?" asked Mr. Carson as he greeted theyouth. 

"Yes--I did, " was the low answer. Mr. Carson glanced keenly at the lad, and something he saw in his face caused the ranch owner to start. 

"Was there any trouble?" he asked. It was the same question Pocus Pete hadpropounded. 

"Well, Len Molick and Whitey Wasson had some of our cattle in withtheirs. "

"They did?"

"Yes, but Pete and I easily cut 'em out. But--Oh, Dad!" The words burstfrom Dave's lips before he thought. "Am I your son?" he blurted out. "Lenand Whitey said I was a picked-up nobody! Am I? Am I not your son?"

He held out his hands appealingly. 

A great and sudden change came over Mr. Carson. He seemed to grow olderand more sorrowful. A sigh came from him. 

Gently he placed one arm over the youth's drooping shoulders. 

"Dave, " he said gently. "I hoped this secret would never come out--thatyou would never know. But, since it has, I must tell you the truth. I loveyou as if you were my own son, but you are not a relative of mine. "

The words seemed to cut Dave like a knife. 

"Then if I am not your son, who am I?" Dave asked in a husky voice. 

The ticking of the clock on the mantle could be plainly, yes, loudlyheard, as Mr. Carson slowly answered in a low voice:

"Dave, I don't know!"

CHAPTER IV

A SMALL STAMPEDE

Dave Carson--to use the name by which we must continue to call him, atleast for a time--may have hoped for a different answer from the ranchman. Doubtless he did so hope, but now he was doomed to disappointment, for thewords of Mr. Carson seemed final. 

"Dave, I don't know, " he repeated. "I don't know who you are, who yourparents are, or even what your name is. I wish I did!"

Dave sank down in a chair. He seemed crushed. Mr. Carson, too, wassomewhat overcome. 

"There--there must be some explanation, " said the lad at length, slowly. 

"There is, " was the reply. "I'll tell you all I know. I suppose I shouldhave done it before, but I have been putting it off, I hoped there wouldbe no need. 

"I don't know just how Len and Whitey found it out, " went on Mr. Carson. "If they had only kept still a little longer you might never have known, for I intended to go away from here soon. "

"Go away from here, Dad?"

The endearing name slipped out before Dave was aware of it. A surge of redsprang up into his cheeks, under their tan. 

"Don't stop calling me that, Dave, " begged Mr. Carson in a low voice. Ihave been a father to you--at least I've tried to be. "

"And you've succeeded, " Dave said, affectionately. 

"And I want to keep on in the same way, " said the man, softly. "So don'tstop calling me dad, Dave. I--I couldn't bear that, even though I have noright to it. But you asked me a question just now. I'll answer that beforeI go on with the story. 

"I did plan to leave here. I'm not making this ranch go, Dave, as I'd liketo see it. I have been thinking of giving it up. But that was before Iknew that my secret about you was known. "

"Then you're not going now, --Dad?"

Dave hesitated just a moment over the name. 

"No. It would look like desertion--cowardice--as if I went because thismatter became known. It will get out soon enough now, since the Molickoutfit knows it. But that's just the reason I'm going to stick. I won'tfly in the face of the enemy. I won't desert!

"The real reason why I intended to go, though, Dave, is because the ranchisn't making money enough. It is holding its own, but that is not enough. As you know, I was, up to a year or so ago, pretty well off. But thoseunfortunate cattle speculations pulled me down, so now I am really, whatwould be called poor, as ranchmen go. 

"But I'll make good!" declared the cattle owner. "I'm going to stick now, until something happens. It may be for the best, or it may be for theworst. But I'll stick until I'm fairly beaten!

"The ranch needs more water, that's the main trouble. I haven't control ofthe water rights I need. I can't go into the cattle business on a largeenough scale because of the lack of water. Rolling River and ForkedBranch, while well enough in their way, aren't big enough to stand the dryyears. 

"That was the reason I was going to sell out, Dave, but I'm not now. I'mgoing to stick. And now I'll tell you the secret concerning you--that isas much of it as I know. It isn't much, for I know so little myself, soyou will not be much wiser than you are now. "

"Won't I know who I am?" Dave asked in a low voice. 

"No, Dave, for I can't tell you myself. I wish I could. I wish I couldeither really find your parents, or know that I had a good legal claim onyou. But that is impossible. 

"Some years ago, Dave, I was in business in Missouri. I was doing fairlywell, but I always had a hankering to get out West and raise cattle. I hadlived on a ranch when I was a small lad--in fact all my people wereranchers--and I longed for the life of which I had had only a littletaste. 

"So I planned to sell out, raise all the money I could, and buy a ranch. Ihad my plans all made when one spring there came a big flood thatpractically wiped out the town where I was then living, as well as anumber of others along that part of the Missouri River. There was rescuework to be done, and I did my share, I guess. 

"Among the others whom I saved from the wreckage of houses, barns andother debris that rushed down the river was a little baby boy. "

Dave caught his breath sharply. 

"You were that little chap, Dave, " went on the ranchman, after a pause. "As cute a little chap as I ever saw. I fell in love with you right away, and so did a number of women folks who were helping in the rescue work. They all wanted you, but I said if no one who had a legal claim on youcame for you, that I would keep you. 

"And that's what happened. I could not find out where you came from, norwho your folks were, though I made many inquiries. I had been about tostart for the West when the flood came, but I delayed a bit, wanting togive your parents, if they were alive, a fair show. But no one claimedyou, so I brought you out West with me, and here we've been ever since, living just like father and son. "

"And do you think my parents are--are dead?" Dave faltered. 

"I am afraid so, " was the low answer. "There were many grown folk andchildren who perished in the flood. At any rate, Dave, I have kept youever since. 

"How this Whitey Wasson learned the secret I can not say. I did hope itwould never be brought to your knowledge, though I made no effort, at thetime I rescued you, to conceal the fact that I had, in a measure, adoptedyou. I suppose Whitey must have heard the story from some one who was inthe flooded Missouri district at the time and who has since come West. 

"But that is how the matter stands. You are not really my son, though youare as dear to me as though you were. I hope this will make no differenceto you--knowing this secret. I want you to continue living here just asyou always have. In fact it would break my heart if you were to leave meafter all these years. You will stay; won't you?" and he held out hishands appealingly. 

"Why--yes, " said Dave, after a moment. "I have no other place to go. And Icertainly owe you a deep debt of gratitude for your care of a namelessorphan for so many years. "

"Don't say that, Dave! Don't call yourself nameless. You can have my name, and welcome! You know that. I want you to have it. I will legally adoptyou if necessary. And as for owing me--don't name it! You were welcome toall I could do, and more. Why, you have been like a son to me. I wouldn'tknow how to get along without you at the ranch here. You must stay!"

"Oh, yes, I'll stay, " said Dave. And then he added, with, perhaps, theleast tinge of bitterness in his voice: "I have no where else to go. "

"Then stay!" was the eager invitation. "I need you, Dave! And if thoseskunks bother you any more--"

"Oh, I'm not worrying about them, " Dave said, quickly. "I don't mind theirtaunts. After all, it is no disgrace not to know who I am under thecircumstances. Perhaps, some day, I may find out. "

"Perhaps, " said Mr. Carson, softly, but he did not really believe thatsuch an event would happen. 

"Is that all you can tell about me--Dad?" asked Dave. 

"That's right! Don't forget to call me dad!" exclaimed the ranchman, andhis tone showed more delight than at any time since the talk. "For I amjust the same as your father. But, Dave, I'm afraid I can't give you anyclews. You were only a baby at the time, and I don't even remember justnow, much as to how you were dressed. You came down the flood in part of awrecked house. You were in a cradle in the exposed upper story when I gotyou out. I was going around in a boat doing what rescue work I could. Iturned you over to some women, temporarily, and claimed you later. That'sabout all there is to it. I came out West with you and--here we are now. And now, since the secret is out, I'm going to make it known to all whocare to listen. There is no use trying to keep it under cover any more. "

"What do you mean, Dad?"

"I mean I'll tell every one connected with Bar U ranch. We'll take thewind out of the sails of Molick, Wasson and their like. We won't have themsneering at us. I'll tell the men here. "

"I fancy Pocus Pete knows something about it, " Dave said. "He must haveheard what Whitey and Len said to me. "

"Well, we'll tell him the whole story. It's no disgrace. "

And this was done. Soon all the cowboys on Bar U ranch knew the story, andtalk buzzed around concerning it. But no one thought the less of Dave. Infact his friends and those of Mr. Carson were warmer than before. Then thematter was tacitly dropped, and was never mentioned among the cowboys ofBar U ranch. 

For a time the knowledge hurt Dave cruelly. Then he grew more accustomedto it. But though he called Mr. Carson "Dad" there was more or less ofreserve. And Dave found himself many times, wondering who his real parentscould be. 

"Some day I may find out, " he said. 

There was much to do at the ranch, from rounding up cattle, looking afterstrays and branding, to making shipments. Dave found his time fullyoccupied, and he saw little of Len and his crony. But one day Len and Davehad a "run-in. " Dave, who was riding range, came upon Len in the act ofbeating his horse. It seems the animal had stepped into a hole and thrownthe bully, who, in retaliation, mistreated the animal shamefully. 

"Here! You quit that!" ordered Dave, riding up. 

"What for?" sneered Len. 

"Because I say so!"

"He isn't your horse. "

"That may be, but I'm not going to see you abuse him that way. You quit, or I'll give you the worst licking you ever had. "

"You will; eh? Mr. Nobody!" sneered Len. "You will?"

"Yes, I will!" and Dave strode forward with such a fierce look on his facethat Len hastily left off beating his poor steed and fled. 

"Oh5 I'll fix you yet!" Len cried, when, at a safe distance, he paused toturn and shake his fist at Dave. 

"The mean hound!" muttered Dave. 

It was about a week after this that Dave rode over to a small corral wheresome choice cattle were quartered. These had been cut out and herded bythemselves, to get ready for a special shipment. Dave wanted to see if thefence and gate were sufficiently strong. 

He rode around the corral, and was soon satisfied that all was right. Hewas riding away over the plain, glad to be able to report to Mr. Carsonthat the cattle were in fine shape for shipment, when a sudden noisecaused him to turn around. 

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

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

CHAPTER V

TREACHERY

"Don't fall now, Crow! Don't you dare to stumble!" breathed Dave, leaningover to speak into the very ear of his coal-black steed. "Don't step inany 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. Hewas going to stop that stampede and drive back the valuable cattle beforethey could stray and get far out on the range or among the wild hillswhere they would lose much of their prime condition that would insure agood price. Dave was going to stop that stampede though he took his lifein his hands to do it. 

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

Yet never for an instant did Dave ask this question of himself. It neverentered his mind. For the time being he had forgotten that Mr. Carson wasnot his father. 

"I'm going to save those cattle!" Dave murmured over and over again, as heneared the frightened, tumultous mass of steers. "But don't you stumblewith me, Crow!"

For to stumble meant, very likely, the death of horse and rider. Cattle onthe range are used to seeing mounted men--in fact they seldom see themotherwise, and for a mounted cowpuncher it is perfectly safe to ride infront of even a wildly running mass of steers. 

But once let a man be on foot, while the cattle do not actually attackhim, they seem to lose all fear of him, and may trample ruthlessly overhim. Then is when a cowpuncher's life depends on his steed. The cattleseem to regard horse and man as one and as a superior being to whom theymust give place. That is why Dave did not want his horse to stumble andthrow him. For his life, and that of his fine steed, Crow, would not havelasted a minute under the pounding rush of those sharp hoofs. 

While thus riding wildly at the rushing steers Dave had many thoughts inhis mind. 

"How did they get out?" he mused. "The gate and fastenings were all rightfive minutes ago. And I wonder if I can turn them and drive them backalone? I've got to, that's all, for I don't see any help coming. "

Dave rose in his stirrups and gave a quick frightened, tumultuous mass ofsteers. "But don't glance ahead of him and over the backs of the steers. He saw no one in sight, and settling in the saddle again, prepared for thework ahead of him. 

"Got to have some more shots, anyhow, " Dave reasoned. His revolver wasempty. 

Fortunately Dave had trained Crow so that he could ride him without theuse of the reins--merely by the pressure of the knees on either side ofhis neck. Dropping the leather, Dave broke his gun, scattered the emptyshells out on the ground, and filled the chamber with fresh cartridges. 

He depended upon the thundering reports of his forty-five, as much as onhis voice and his fearless riding straight at the oncoming steers, todrive them back. Now again he was ready for his task, and it was hightime, for he was almost at the front line of advancing cattle. 

Shouting, waving his big hat with one hand, and with the other working thetrigger of his gun, Dave sought to drive back the maddened animals. He putinto his action all the energy of which he was capable, rising in hisstirrups as though he would hurl himself over the head of his horse at thebeasts. 

"Steady now, Crow!" he called into the ear of his faithful pony, leaningover far on its neck. The front line of cattle began to divide to let Davethrough, or, rather, to pass around him. But he did not want that. Hewanted to turn the animals back. 

"Oh, if I only had some one to help me!" he cried aloud. 

Once more his gaze swept over the backs of the cattle. Yes, there was afigure on horseback, but it was riding away, straight toward the foot-hills. 

"Here!" cried Dave. "Come back! Give me a hand here, whoever you are! Comeback!"

But the figure did not turn, and then Dave, with anger and disgust showingin his face, thought he recognized in the peculiar style of the ridersomething familiar. 

"Len Molick!" he exclaimed, as he wheeled his horse to ride out of thepress of cattle and once more to get ahead of them. 

"If that wasn't Len Molick I'll eat my hat!" he soliloquized. "But what ishe doing here, and why is he riding away instead of helping me out? I'dhelp him out if he was in this pickle!"

It was queer to see Len riding away at top speed, providing that it wasLen, and Dave felt pretty sure it was. Scarcely a cowpuncher but wouldrender even his enemy help in an emergency of this kind. He might be onjust as unfriendly terms as before, after the work was done, but he wouldgive help. 

"But that isn't Len's way, evidently, " mused Dave, bitterly. 

However he had his own work marked out for him, and no time for idlespeculation. Somehow or other he must get ahead of the freed cattle anddrive them back. 

Whooping, yelling, waving his hat and shooting, Dave took after theescaping steers. 

"Oh for one man to help, " he cried aloud, and it seemed as if his cry wasanswered. For, riding toward him, and toward the bunch of stampededcattle, he descried a figure that made his heart leap with joy. 

"Pocus Pete!" he cried. "Now we'll get you beasts back!"

And indeed it was the efficient foreman of Bar U ranch who rode up at topspeed, his hat off, his revolver spitting fire, and his horse lendingitself to the game with all its energies. 

"Off to the left, Dave! Bear off to the left!" yelled Pete, indicatingthat his friend was to head in that direction. Pete himself took theright, and a moment later the two were riding along the front of thesteers who were not running so fast now, being somewhat exhausted. 

The object of Pete, seconded by Dave, was to turn the stream of cattle--toswing around the front ranks, and so bring those in the rear to a halt. 

Often in a cattle stampede the front rank becomes exhausted, and theanimals in it would willingly give up and cease running, but there is anirresistible pressure from those in the rear. And if those in front stopthey know they will be trampled under foot. So they must keep on or bekilled. 

This bunch, however, was comparatively small, and easy to handle. Soon, with the help of Pete, Dave had brought the animals down to a walk, andthen it was an easy matter to turn them and drive them back toward thecorral. 

"Whew!" cried Dave, when he had a chance to get his breath. "That was somejob, Pete!"

"Yes, all alone, I reckon it was. "

"How'd you happen to know about it?"

"I didn't. I just come over here on an errand. Your dad--"

He stopped in some confusion. 

"That's all right, Pete, " Dave said. "I'm going to call Mr. Carson daduntil I find my real one--if I ever do. No matter what happens, even if Ido find my real folks, I can't forget that he has been as good as a fatherto me. "

"That's what he has, Dave, " said the foreman, solemnly. "An' I hope youdon't ever forget that. There's not many folks--not even a fellow's realones--who can beat th' Old Man. He's th' real stuff an' twenty-four caratsfine every time. "

Together they urged the now quieted cattle toward the corral. 

"As I was sayin', " resumed Focus Pete, "I come over here on a littleerrand for th' Old Man, an' I thought I'd take a run out here an' seeabout the prize bunch. It's good I did. "

"I should say so!" Dave exclaimed, fervently. 

"Wasn't there any one to help you?" asked Pocus Pete. 

"Not a soul. I did see Len Molick riding off--sneaking away. I called tohim, but he didn't answer. "

"How did they break out?" Pete asked next. 

"That's what's puzzling me, " replied the younger cowboy. 

"Say! Look there!" suddenly called Pete, pointing. "That's how they gotout. A section of th' corral fence is down. "

"The gate didn't come open at all, " said Dave. "The steers pushed down thefence. "

"Drive 'em through the opening, " directed Pete, and this was done. As thelast of the cattle passed in, Pete and Dave stood on guard astride theirponies to prevent the animals stampeding out again, and Dave looked at thebroken fence. What he saw caused him to cry out:

"Look here, Pete! Some of those posts have been sawed almost through!"

"By the great side saddle!" exclaimed the foreman. "You're right, Dave!There's been treachery here!"

CHAPTER VI

A CRY FOR HELP

Together, Dave and Pocus Pete examined the posts of the corral fence. There was no doubt but that some of them had been partly sawed through, inorder to weaken them so that only a moderate pressure was required tobreak them off short, close to the ground. 

"So that was his game; eh?" exclaimed Dave in a justifiably angry voice. 

"Whose game?" asked Pocus Pete. 

"Len's! That's why he wouldn't stop to help me. He had been here sawingthrough the posts so our best bunch of cattle would get out and bespoiled. The hound! Wait until I get hold of him!"

"Better go a bit slow, " advised Pocus Pete, in his drawling tones. 

"Slow! What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean it isn't a good thing t' go around makin' accusations likethat, without somethin' t' back 'em up. In this country you've got t' backup what you say, Dave. "

"I know that, but--"

"An' what evidence have you got that Len did this mean trick? For meantrick it is, as shore as guns is guns. What evidence have you?"

"Why, didn't I see him riding away as fast as his horse could gallop justa little while ago?"

"Well, s'posin' you did. That's no evidence in a court of law. You didn'tsee him saw the posts; did you?"

"No, of course not. But look! Here's some fresh sawdust on the ground! Theposts have been sawed within a few hours--perhaps even inside an hour. Maybe just before I came. " Dave pointed to the moist earth under some ofthe splintered posts and boards. There was the fine sawdust where it hadbeen preserved from the trampling hoofs of the steers. 

"Yes, th' job's been done recent, " admitted Pocus Pete, "but that doesn'tprove anythin'. Now if we could find a saw with Len's name on it, thatmight be some law-evidence. But I don't see any; do you?"

There was no saw in sight. The cattle had retreated to the far side of thecorral, leaving the part next the broken fence free for examination. Butas Pete had said, there was no saw lying about. 

"He could easily have carried it away with him when he rode off, " Davesaid, following up his suspicion. 

"Yes, he could, an' he'd be foolish if he didn't--provided it was him asdid this, " agreed Pete. 

"Well, I'm sure he did, " Dave insisted. "And I'll take it out of him fortrying to spoil dad's best bunch of cattle. "

The word slipped from Dave almost before he knew it. But he did not care. As he had told Pocus Pete he was going to regard Mr. Carson as his father--he had thought of him so many years in that relationship that it wasdifficult to think otherwise. 

"Well, you be careful of what you do, Dave; that's my advice t' you, " saidPete. 

"Why so? I'm not afraid of Len Molick, " was Dave's quick response. 

"No, maybe not. Yet Len trails in with a middlin' mean crowd, an' thoughyou are pretty good, you're no match for Whitey Wasson an' his bunch ofcowpunchers. "

"But my quarrel is with Len, for I'm sure he did this. "

"That's all right. I have a sneakin' suspicion that way myself, but Len isa coward, as well as a bully, an' he'd howl for help if you went at him. An' Whitey is just th' kind t' pitch in on you if he saw you givin' Len adrubbin'. So you take my advice, an' go a bit slow. "

"I will. I won't have it out with Len until I can get him alone somewhere, and then I'll put it up to him. "

"Well, maybe that's a good way, though I don't approve of fightin' as arule. "

"Oh, no! You don't!" laughed Dave, for it was a well known fact that PocusPete was considered the best man with his fists in that section of thecountry. 

"Oh, of course I'll fight when I have to. But I'm not goin' out of my wayt' look for trouble. "

This was strictly true, and Dave knew it. Pocus Pete would neverneedlessly quarrel with any one, but once he had started on what heregarded as a right course, nothing would turn him aside until he hadeither vanquished or been beaten. And the latter was seldom the outcome. 

"Well, that's my case, " said Dave. "I'm not going to put this on Len untilI give him a chance to defend himself. But now, Pete, what are we going todo? We can't leave these choice cattle here in a broken corral. They'llstray all over the range. "

"That's right. We've got to fix that fence, and we'll need help. Some newposts will have to be set, and it's got to be done before dark. Tell youwhat to do. You ride back to the ranch, and get some of the boys. "

"What will you do?"

"I'll stay here and guard the cattle. It won't take long, and your horseis faster than mine. "

"All right, I'll go. But first let's make what repairs we can. That willmake it easier for you to hold in the cattle. "

There was some wire at the corral, and with this, and by using some of thebroken posts and boards, the gap in the fence was made smaller so thecattle would not be so likely to try to rush through it. 

This done, Pete prepared to mount guard while Dave leaped to the back ofCrow and started for the ranch on the gallop, to bring help and to tellthe story of the broken corral. 

"I wonder if I'd better mention Len?" thought Dave, as he rode on. "I'mpretty sure he did the trick, but I don't want to accuse any one unjustly, even him. "

After thinking it over Dave decided that it would be better not to sayanything about Len just yet. He would let matters take their own course. 

"But I'll be on the watch for him, " he made up his mind. 

Dave's mind was busy with many thoughts, and his body was weary with theexertions through which he had just passed. But there was a certain senseof exhilaration after all. He had done a good piece of work, and herealized it. Of course Pocus Pete had helped, but Dave was in a fair wayto stop the stampede when the old foreman came along. 

"I'll get to be a regular cowboy after a while, " thought Dave, not withouta little smile of gratification. 

To get to the ranch more quickly the young cowpuncher took a trail thatled through a patch of rocky woodland. It was a curious formation in themidst of the flat cattle country, being a patch several miles square, consisting of some rocky hills, well wooded, with a number of deep gulliesin them. More than once cattle had wandered in among them and been lost. And it was said that at one time a noted band of cattle rustlers, orthieves, had made their headquarters in this wood, and had held out a longtime against the attacks of the cattlemen. 

Dave rode through this not very cheerful place. He had been keeping hiseyes open for a sight of Len Molick, but had caught no further glimpse ofthe bully whom he suspected. 

"Hit it up, Crow! Hit it up!" Dave called to his black horse, who wasgoing along a not very safe trail amid the rocks and stones. 

Dave was about half way through the place when the silence, undisturbedsave by the rattle of Crow's hoofs, was suddenly broken by a cry. 

"Help! Help!" Dave heard uttered in somewhat weak accents. "Help!"

The young cowboy was startled for a moment. He reined in his horsesharply, and looked about. He could see nothing, and the silence seemedmore pronounced after the echo of the appeal for aid had died away. 

"Hello!" Dave called. "Who are you, and what do you want? Where are you?"he asked, for he could see no one. 

"Over here. To your right. I can see you, but you can't see me. I'm downbehind a rock. I'm caught, and hanging over a gully. Wait, I'll toss up myhandkerchief. Watch for it!"

Dave looked as nearly as he could tell in the direction of the voice. Aninstant later something white flashed up in the air, and fell down softly. Crow started violently. 

CHAPTER VII

THE RESCUE

"Whoa there, old boy! Steady!" Dave spoke to his horse, and the animal, that had been frightened by the sudden throwing into the air of thehandkerchief, stood still. 

"I see where you are!" Dave called to the unknown and unseen one--a man, evidently, by the tones of his voice. "I'll be with you in a minute!"

"Be careful of yourself, " was the caution. "I had a bad fall in here, andI don't want to see any one else get into trouble. Go a bit slow. "

"Thanks, I will, " Dave said "But I know this ground pretty well. Standstill now, old fellow, " he went on to his horse. "I don't want youfalling, and breaking your leg or neck. "

Crow whinnied as though he understood, and Dave, slipping the reins overthe neck of the intelligent animal as a further intimation that he was tostay where he was without wandering, climbed from the saddle, a bitwearily it must be confessed, and started for the rock, behind which laythe injured man, and from which point the young cattleman had observed thewhite handkerchief. 

 "Careful now. " cautioned the voice again. 

"All right, don't worry about me, " said Dave, easily. 

A moment later he had turned around the intervening rock, and saw, stretched out on the ground, hanging half way over a deep and rock-filledgully, a man about twenty-seven years of age. Dave guessed this muchthough he could see only a part of the man's body, for his head andshoulders were hanging down over the ledge, "What are you doing there?" was Dave's first question. "Why don't you getup?"

For it was exactly as if the man were lying face downward on top of acliff, looking down. 

"I can't get up, " the man answered, his voice being a bit muffled becausehis head was hanging over the cliff. "My foot is caught in a cleft in therocks, and I'm afraid to move for fear it will pull loose. If it does I'lllose my balance and topple, for I'm hanging more than half-way over thiscliff now. And it doesn't look like a good place into which to fall. "

This was true enough, as Dave knew, for the bottom of the gully wascovered with jagged rocks. More than one straying steer had fallen overthere and had been dashed to pieces. 

"Steady!" called Dave. "I see how it is. I'll soon have you out of that. I'm going back for my rope. "

"Are you a puncher?" asked the man. 

"Yes, " answered Dave, briefly. "But don't talk. Save your strength. I'llhave you out in a jiffy. "

He hurried back to where he had left his horse, and took from the horn ofthe saddle the rope which no cowboy is ever without. With this Dave took aturn about the man's waist, passing the rope under him. He then carried anend back to a stout tree and tied it there, working, the while, deftly andswiftly. 

"That will hold you in case you slip when I loosen the rocks and free yourfoot, " Dave explained. "You are pretty well overbalanced. But I'll get youup, all right. "

The man was in a peculiar and perilous position, but Dave thought that hecould cope with the situation. His life on the plains, and amid the perilsof the range had made him resourceful, and quick to take advantage of allthe chances for safety. 

Dave looked at the man's foot. It was firmly wedged in between two rocksthat came together in the form of a large V. Considerable pressure musthave forced the man's foot there, for Dave could see that the stoutleather of his riding boot was cut and scraped. The foot was twisted, andDave remarked, in a low voice:

"If you haven't a badly sprained ankle I'll miss my guess!"

"Watch yourself now, " David cautioned the man. "You can't fall, even ifyou slip over, for the rope's strong enough to hold you; but you may get abad jerk when you bring up suddenly if you fall after I release yourfoot. "

"I'm ready, " said the man. 

Dave looked at the two stones between which the man's foot was wedged. Then with a heavy tree branch, inserted in such a way as not to bring anycrushing force on the stranger's leg, Dave used the branch as a lever andpressed down with all his might. 

"It's giving!" the man cried. "I can feel it giving!"

"Look out for yourself!" Dave shouted. 

Once more he pressed down hard on the tree lever. 

The rocks were pried apart. The man's foot slipped free. Dave, seeingthis, dropped the branch, made a grab for the leg, for the man's body wasgoing over the cliff. Of course he could not fall _far_, as the rope wouldhold him, but Dave wanted to save him this jerk if possible. 

The young cowboy caught the stranger's boot. Dave was aware of a cry ofpain from the man, and realized that the ankle must be severely injured. 

"I can't help it, " thought Dave, grimly. "I've got to hurt him some tosave him more, " and he held on desperately. 

Dave was strong, and the man, now that his foot was free, was able to usehis hands to push himself back, up over the edge of the cliff. After a fewseconds of rather strenuous struggle Dave, with the help of the manhimself, was able to get him to a sitting position on the edge of thecliff that overhung the gully. 

The man was pale, and his face was scratched and bleeding. His clothingwas disheveled, and he showed many signs of the struggle through which hehad gone. 

"Thank--thanks, " he gasped, weakly. 

"Now don't try to talk until you get your breath, " Dave advised him. "Here, drink some of this. It's warm, but it's wet. "

Dave carried with him a water canteen, and this he now put to the lips ofthe man. The latter drank greedily. 

"That's good, " he whispered. He lay back weakly, Dave supporting him inhis arms. The man's eyes closed, and Dave feared he was about to faint. Quickly the young cowboy whipped off his coat, and folding it in pillowshape, put it on the rocks, and laid the man's head down on it. 

The stranger opened his eyes. 

"Don't be alarmed, " he said. "I'm not going to die. I'm just getting mybreath back. I was hanging there a good while I guess. "

He closed his eyes again, and moved his foot--the one that had been caughtbetween the rocks. 

A groan came through his clenched teeth and tightly pressed lips, and, accompanied by a sudden wave of whiteness that made his face paler thanbefore, a shudder passed over him. 

"He's fainted this time, for keeps, " decided Dave, grimly. 

CHAPTER VIII

MR. BELLMORE

Dave Carson had some knowledge of rough and ready first-aid work. Therewas often occasion for it on the ranch, and though fainting men were notcommon sights, still, now and again, such a contingency would arise. Cowboys often get severely hurt, and it is not always within the nervepower of a man to hold back when a deathly faintness overcomes him. 

"I've got to get help to tote you back to the ranch, " Dave said, as hesprinkled some water from his canteen in the face of the stranger. 

"You've got to be looked after. Maybe the ankle's broken. "

He glanced at the injured foot, but did not offer to touch it, for he knewhow sensitive it must be, when even a slight movement sent the man off ina faint. 

The water had the desired effect, or perhaps the faint was only a slightone, for presently the man opened his eyes, looked about him in somewonder, and murmured:

"Oh, I remember now. Was it last year I tried to fall over the cliff?" Hesmiled wanly. 

"No, it was only a little while ago-or at least it was only a little whileago that I pulled you back, " Dave said. "I don't know how long you hadbeen hanging there, though. "

"It seemed ten years, " was the answer given with another wan smile. "Well, what's the next move? I hope it isn't mine, for I don't know how I canmanage it. My ankle is either broken, or badly sprained. "

"I'm afraid so, " Dave answered. "Now I don't know where you came from, orwhere you're going, but our ranch--Bar U--is the nearest place you can gethelp. I can put you on my horse--I guess I can manage that--and walk withyou, but it will take a long time. Crow won't carry double, I'm afraid. Certainly not with the way I'd have to put you on. "

"I had a horse, " said the stranger. "He can't have gone very far. I lefthim beside the trail while I came in here to look about. He must havewandered off a way. "

"A horse!" cried Dave, eagerly. "That's good, if I can find him. We'll nothave any trouble getting you to the ranch in that case, Mr. --er--"

Dave paused significantly, adding, after a moment's thought:

"My names is Dave--Dave Carson. " He had hesitated, and then quicklyreflected that this was no time to enter into explanations about his lackof parentage. "My father, Randolph Carson, owns Bar U ranch. "

"Yes, I have heard of him, " the man said. "In fact I was going to call onhim within a few days in regard to a certain matter. I am afraid I can'treach my card case, but my name is Bellmore--Benjamin Bellmore. I'm fromChicago, but I'm out here representing the Rolling Valley Water Company. "

"Never heard of them, " Dave said. "They don't deal in cattle; do they?"

"No, they hope to deal in water; that is later on. But I'll go intodetails after a bit. "

"Pardon me, Mr. Bellmore!" burst out Dave. "Here I am keeping you talking, when I ought to be looking for your animal, and helping you to our ranch. I don't know what's got into me. But I just had some trouble with a bunchof our cattle, and I guess I'm thinking of that yet. 

"I was on my way to the ranch to get help, when I took this short cut andheard you call. I'll go and see if I can find your horse. If I can't we'lluse mine, and I can walk. It won't be the first time, though wecowpunchers are more used to a saddle than we are to our own legs. "

He gave Mr. Bellmore another drink from the canteen, and then seeing thatthe man was as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, went backto the trail to look for the missing horse. Dave saw his own steedcontentedly munching some of the scanty herbage, &and, speaking to him, passed on. 

Reaching a point where he could look down into the valley below, Davepeered long and earnestly for a sight of a riderless horse. To his delighthe saw the animal almost at once. 

"Well, you didn't run far, " he murmured, "and if you don't get a tantrum, and gallop off when I come up, I'll soon have you. "

Going back to where he had left Mr. Bellmore, Dave reported:

"Your horse is down in the valley. I'll jump on mine and try to catch himfor you. If I can, we'll not have any trouble, and I'll soon have you atour ranch. "

"Thanks, " murmured the representative of the water company. "His name isKurd, " he added. "My horse's, I mean, " he explained, with a smile. "Hegenerally comes when I call him, but here are some lumps of sugar I givehim. He'll be sure to come if you hold these out to him. "

Dave took the sweets, which Mr. Bellmore extracted from his pocket, andhurried back to where he had left Crow. A moment later Dave was moving offdown the trail toward the valley. 

"Careful, old boy, " he cautioned his steed, for the going was anything butgood. "It won't do for you to slip and stumble now. "

But Crow had no intention of doing anything of the sort, and a littlelater Dave was galloping rapidly--across the grassy plain toward the lonehorse. 

"I hope he doesn't bolt and give me a chase, " reflected the young cowboy. "I haven't much time, " and he looked at the declining sun, and thought ofPocus Pete on guard at the corral, waiting for help to mend the brokenfence. 

"It's all Len's fault, too--the mean skunk!" said Dave. "If it hadn't beenfor him the cattle wouldn't have gotten loose. Though I suppose if theyhadn't I wouldn't have ridden home this way, and I wouldn't havediscovered that man. Maybe it'll be a good thing, in the end. "

Just how "good" this chance was to prove to Dave, the young cowboy littledreamed. 

"Here Kurd! Kurd!" he called, as he approached the horse. Dave wonderedhow Mr. Bellmore had hit on that odd name. "Here, Kurd!" the youth called. 

The horse, a beautiful and intelligent beast, raised his head, and lookedat Dave approaching on Crow. 

"Here you are, old boy. Kurd!" called the young ranchman again. 

The other pony, who had been cropping the grass, moved off a shortdistance. 

"That won't do!" Dave murmured. "If he once starts he'll keep going. Looksas if he had speed, too, but I think you can beat him, Crow, old boy, " andhe patted the neck of his faithful beast. 

Kurd continued to amble slowly away. Then Dave thought of the sugar. Hetook the lumps out of his pocket and held them in the palm of his hand, atthe same time bringing Crow to a stop. 

Kurd raised his head, whinnied once or twice, stretched out his velvetmuzzle, as though to smell what Dave held out, and then came slowly towardthe youth. 

"That's more like it, " Dave murmured. "Now if you don't take a suddennotion, and bolt off just as I reach for your reins, I'll be all right. Steady boy! Come on Kurd!"

The strange horse seemed to have cast his suspicions to the wind, and camefearlessly. A moment later he and Crow were sniffing at each other, andthen Kurd took the sugar from Dave's palm. Then the lad grasped the reins, and, turning about, riding his own horse and leading Kurd, made for theplace where he had left Mr. Bellmore. 

 "Good luck!" Dave called as he came in sight of the prostrate man. "I'vegot your horse, and now we'll soon be at the ranch. "

"Fine! Now I'm going to ask you to do something else for me. This foot ofmine is paining worse every minute, but I think if I could get my bootoff, to allow room for that swelling to expand, it would ease me. "

"I'll try, " Dave said. 

However, it was found impossible to pull off the footgear without soyanking on the injured foot that Mr. Bellmore nearly fainted again. 

"Guess I'll have to cut it, " Dave said, dubiously. 

 "Do then. "

"It's a pity to spoil a good boot. "

"Well, the chances are I won't be able to wear one again for a few weeks, and I simply can't stand this pain. "

"Here goes, " Dave said. With his keen knife he slit the leather. A sigh ofrelief came from the man. 

"That's better-a whole lot better, " he murmured. 

 It was no easy matter to get him astride his horse, but Dave finallymanaged it, and wrapped the swollen ankle in his own coat to prevent itsstriking against the side of Kurd as they rode off. 

"How did you come to fall?" asked Dave, as he got into his own saddle, ready for the trip to the ranch. 

"I'll explain later. I can't talk very well now. But I was prospectingaround, looking at the rock formation, when I slipped. I thought it wasall up with me, but my foot caught, and I was held suspended over thegully. "

"I see, " Dave replied. "Well, we'll doctor you up. "

Carefully they made their way out of the rocky woodland, and startedacross the plain, toward Bar U ranch. As Dave took the lead, making asmuch speed as was possible under the circumstances, he saw, some distancein advance, a solitary horseman. 

Again something in the peculiar saddle position of the rider attracted hisattention. 

"There's Len Molick again!" he exclaimed aloud. "I suppose he's hangingaround to see how his trick worked!"

"Len Molick!" exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. "Why I want to see him. I have beenlooking for him!"

CHAPTER IX

DAVE MEETS LEN

Dave looked curiously at the man he had rescued. From him he glancedtoward the figure of the young bullying cowboy whom he suspected of havingbeen instrumental in causing the stampede. 

"Do you know Len Molick?" asked Dave slowly, as he guided his horse alongthe trail. 

"No, but I want to know him, " was the answer. "I have a letter to him, andI understand that he is one of the influential cattle raisers in thisvicinity. "

Dave breathed easier. It was evident a mistake had been made. 

"I guess it's Len's father, Mr. Jason Molick you want to meet, " Dave said. 

"That's right. Jason is the name!" admitted Mr. Bellmore. "I heard youmention the name Molick and I didn't pay much attention to the first part. So there are two of them?"

"Yes, Len and his father, "

"Do you know them?"

"Oh, yes, every one around here knows them. "

"You don't speak very enthusiastically, " said Mr. Bellmore, with a strangelook at the boy. "Is it possible that some error has been made on the partof those who gave me letters of introduction? Is not Mr. Molickinfluential in these parts?"

"Oh, yes, that's all right, " assented Dave, and still his voice had noring to it. "Mr. Molick is influential all right--too much so, at times. "

"You don't seem to like him, " said Mr. Bellmore. "I wish you would befrank with me. I am a stranger in these parts, and I have to depend onresidents here for my information, and, in a large part, for my success. Iknow nothing about the Molicks. "

"Well, since you asked me to be frank, " went on Dave, "I will be, and I'llsay you haven't missed much by not knowing the Molicks--especially Len. I'm after him now, for I suspect him of having tried to do us a seriousinjury. "

"Is that so! That's too bad. If I had known that--"

"Oh, don't let me prejudice you against them, " Dave went on. " Mr. Molickmay be able to do business with you in the way you want. I am not speakingfrom the business end of it. Personally I don't like the Molicks, " andDave mentioned the cattle stampede. 

"Well, if he did that I should say he wasn't a person to be trusted, " saidthe Chicago man. "But still--"

"Of course. I'm not certain of it, " Dave continued. "I'm going to find outabout the sawed posts, though. But see Mr. Molick yourself, and make upyour own mind about him"

"I will, but I shall be on my guard on account of what you have said. Itis well to know the character of the man one is dealing with. I'm afraidthough, " he added as a spasm of pain crossed his face, " that I sha'n't beable to do any active business for a while, " and he glanced down at hisinjured foot. 

"We'll soon be at the ranch, " Dave remarked. "The rest of the trail iseasy. "

Dave was thinking of many things as his pony ambled on, followed by Mr. Bellmore's horse. It was strange, the manner in which he had come to helpthe injured man, and it was stranger still that the latter should beseeking to do business with the Molicks of whom the members of the Bar Uranch had no very high opinion. 

"I was on my way to Mr. Molick's place, when I got off the trail to lookafter that rock formation resumed Mr. Bellmore after a pause. " Rocksalways interest me, for I am always looking to see what the possibilitiesare for striking a supply of water. "

"Why water?" asked Dave. 

"Because I am an irrigation engineer, " was the reply. "That is mybusiness. I have been sent out here by a concern, recently formed, calledthe Rolling Valley Water Company. Our concern has acquired rights in thevalley of the Rolling River, and I have been sent out to see what thechances are for getting the ranchmen and other land-owners interested. "

"I thought irrigation schemes had only to do with farming, " said Dave. 

"No, irrigation takes in much more than that. Of course farmers needwater, and we hope to develop some big farms out here. But ranchmen alsoneed water for their cattle. "

"Yes, that's true, " said Dave. "; My--my father was saying only the otherday, that he could do a lot more if we had a better water supply. "

"Then he's one of the men I need to see!" exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. "Perhapshe already has some rights in the water supply of this valley that wecould negotiate for. 

"You see our idea is, " he continued, "to get the whole water supply underone head in a big company, of course giving those who sell us theirrights, a certain control. Then we intend to build a big dam to conservethe water supply. As it is here now I imagine, from what I know of otherplaces, at one time you have too much water, and at another you don't haveenough. "

"That's just it, " Dave admitted. "It isn't even. "

"Well, that's what we irrigation engineers are aiming to do--make thewater supply even the year around. I certainly must talk with your father. Maybe, after all, it's a good thing I sprained my ankle, though itcertainly does hurt!" he exclaimed, with a sharp indrawing of his breath. 

"Well, of course I'll be glad to have you see Mr. Carson--my father, " andagain Dave rather hesitated and stumbled over the word. "But, as a matterof fact, some of the rights he has in Rolling River are subject to someagreement with Mr. Molick. I know my father doesn't like it, for it makeshim too dependent on this man, but he could do nothing else. He had tohave water for his stock. "

"Of course, " agreed Mr. Bellmore. "Well, perhaps we can get together andform a company so he can have more water and will not have to worry aboutit. "

"I hope so, " Dave said. 

A little later they came within sight of the ranch buildings, which wereglowing in the rays of the setting sun. 

"What a fine place!" exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. 

"Yes, I like it, " Dave made answer. Then a pang seemed to shoot throughhim. What if he had to leave the place? He could not count on alwaysstaying there, as he might have done had he been Mr. Carson's son. Eventhough the ranchman might love Dave as one of his own blood, when Mr. Carson died there would be other heirs very likely, who would step in andclaim the place. Dave was not legally adopted. He might inherit nothing. 

He had always counted on taking up as his life work, the cattle business. But now, since the disclosure had been made, this was, perhaps, impossible. And He sighed again as he looked at the group of buildings setdown in a little valley, with Rolling River in the distance glistening inthe slanting rays of the setting sun. On all sides stretched the vastprairies on which grazed the hundreds of cattle--not only from the Bar Uranch, but from the Centre O, and others. 

"Yes, that's our place, " said Dave. For the present, at least, this manneed not know his secret, though he might find it out soon enough. "And Iguess you'll be glad of a chance to lie down; won't you?"

"Indeed I will, " was the answer. 

A moment later the two rode up toward the main ranch buildings. Thecowboys had come in from their day's labors, and were washing themselvesat their bunk houses, in readiness for supper. From the quarters of HopLoy, the Chinese cook, came a grateful odor. 

"That certainly smells good!" exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. 

The cowpunchers looked curiously at the drooping figure on the horse thatfollowed Dave. It needed but a glance from their sharp eyes to tell thatthe man was hurt. Mr. Carson came out. 

"Well, Dave, " he began, "I was just wondering where you were. Are thecattle all right?"

"They are now, Dad, but they weren't for a time. They got out of thecorral, but Pocus Pete and I got them back again. I'll tell you about thatlater. 

"Here's a gentleman who needs help. He's a Mr. Bellmore from Chicagointerested in irrigation. He was in the rock-grove, caught by the foot. Igot him out. You look after him, Dad. I've got to get some of the boys, with fence material, and go back to relieve Pete. He's on guard there. "

"Say! It takes you to tell it!" exclaimed Mr. Carson with a smile. "Welcome to Bar U, Mr. Bellmore. I don't exactly understand all that boyof mine has gotten off, but it's all right. We will look after you. Sprained ankle; eh? Well, I know something about them. Come boys, one ofyou help Mr. Bellmore down, and make him comfortable. 

"You'll stop and get something to eat, Dave, won't you, before you goback?"

"Yes, just a bite, Dad. We haven't much time. "

A little later Mr. Bellmore was comfortably installed in the ranch house, while Dave and two other cowboys, after a hasty meal, were on their wayback to relieve Pocus Pete, and repair the broken fence. 

This work was soon under way. While Pocus Pete had been on guard acattleman, passing, had given him an important message for Mr. Carson. 

"So you'd better ride back and tell him, Dave, " Pete said, as he and theother punchers began to work on the fence, a snack having been brought forPete's supper. 

"But I want to stay and help you, " objected Dave. 

"You'll do better work by getting back with that message, " the foremansaid, and once more Dave turned his horse's head toward Bar U ranch. 

It was getting dusk now, but it was not so dark but that Dave could makeout, after he had ridden some distance, the figure of a horseman justahead of him. 

"Len again!" he murmured. "I'm going to see what he has to say, and whyhe's hanging around here. We may have to guard those cattle all night. "

At a word Crow leaped forward in a gallop, and in another moment, thoughLen made an effort to spur on ahead, Dave had ridden alongside of him. 

"Trying to see how your trick worked?" asked Dave, with a sharp look athis enemy. "

"Are you speaking to me?" demanded Len. 

"I certainly am. "

"Well, I don't want to talk to a nobody!" was the retort. 

CHAPTER X

DAVE WONDERS

Giving utterance to this sneering remark Len Molick began to urge hishorse forward, but, though his face flushed, and a sense of anger chokedhim, Dave remained cool as he put out a hand and caught the bridle of theother's steed. 

"Not so fast, Len Molick!" Dave exclaimed. 

"You may not want to talk to a nobody--that's your business--but you'regoing to talk to a somebody right now, and that somebody is I!"

"Huh! you don't even know your name!" Len sneered, but he did not try tobreak away. 

"Names don't matter, " said Dave, trying to retain his calmness. "You cancall me Injun Jack if you like, but I want to ask you a few questions. "

"Well, I'm not going to answer them, " snapped Len, "and I want you to letme go! If you don't--"

He raised a riding quire he carried, and seemed about to lash it intoDave's face. 

"Look here!" Dave cried. "If you try to strike me with that I'll pull youoff your pony and give you the best drubbing you ever had. " He snatchedthe quirt from Len's wrist, breaking the thong, and flung the little whipfar out on the prairie. 

"Oh!" mumbled Len, and he shrunk away in fear. 

"I won't touch you--at least not now--if you don't try any more of yourunderhand work, " promised Dave. "But I'm going to converse with you righthere and now. Why did you cut the posts of our special corral? Answer methat!"

"I didn't cut any posts!" was the sullen answer. 

"You didn't; eh? Well, I think you did, and I'll prove it too, sooner orlater. What are you hanging around here for now?"

"Isn't this a free range? Haven't I a right to ride it if I want to?"

"Yes, you have, but you must have some object in it, and I believe youwant to see our cattle stampede. But I fooled you that time, Len Molick, and I'll fool you again. Now I want to know something else. Is WhiteyWasson the only one who told you I--that I wasn't Mr. Carson's son?"

For the life of him Dave could not help the falter that crept into hisvoice. 

"Yes; he's the only one who told me, " was Len's sullen answer. 

"How did he find out about it?"

"Huh! How should I know? Ask him!"

"I intend to after I get through with you. "

Len winced again. 

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to thrash you--at least not now" saidDave, grimly. He was willing that Len should get what satisfaction hecould out of that promise. 

"Well, if you're through with me, you let me go!" the bully demanded. "Youhaven't any right to hold me up this way. "

"I've just as much right as you have to take a saw and cut through ourfence posts, so that the least pressure by the cattle would crack 'em offshort, " retorted Dave. 

"I didn't saw any of your posts, I tell you!" insisted Len. 

Dave was working his horse around to get closer to Len. Before the bullysuspected it Dave had suddenly slipped his hand in under Len's coat, andhad pulled out a short saw. 

For a moment Len was too surprised to utter a word. Then he cried:

"Here! Give me that!"

"No, I don't think I will, " Dave said, coolly. "I may need it as evidence. I thought you said you didn't saw any posts. "

"I--I didn't!"

"Then Whitey Wasson, or some of your crowd, did. I suppose they passed thesaw to you to get rid of, which you would have done if you were wise. "

"I--I found that saw on the plains, " stammered Len. 

"Probably where Whitey dropped it, " Dave retorted. "Now look here LenMolick, " he went on. "You say you didn't saw those posts, but I think youdid, and I'm going to try to prove it. This saw is part of the proof. Iguess I'll just keep it. 

"And one thing more. If I catch you hanging around our special corral, even if you are on free range land, I'll tackle you. Don't forget that!"

"If you dare to touch me!" fairly screamed Len, for he was very angry now, "if you dare to touch me I'll have you arrested! My father knows thesheriff--"

"You can't scare me by any talk like that, " Dave said, coolly. "You knowI'm a nobody, and I can't be disgraced like any one who bears the name ofMolick!" and he laughed mockingly, though there was a sore spot in hisheart. 

After all it is small satisfaction to be a "nobody. "

Dave released his hold on the bridle of Len's horse, and urged his ownsteed back toward Bar U ranch. 

"You just wait! I'll fix you for this" Len threatened. 

"I'm a good waiter, " Dave told him. Then, speaking to Crow, he gallopedoff through the gathering darkness. 

On reaching the ranch Dave found that Mr. Bellmore was very comfortable. Mr. Carson had applied rough and ready, but effective treatment to theinjured ankle, and the two men were deep in a talk of irrigation matterswhen Dave entered the room. 

"Back again, son?" remarked Mr. Carson, and there was no hesitancy in hisendearing tone. For of course he had known, all along, that Dave was nothis son, though, as he had said, he so loved and so regarded him. 

"Yes--Dad, back. Perkins sent word about that bunch he was speaking of, "and he delivered the message left with Pocus Pete. 

"Well, Dave, you have done a good day's work since morning, " commented Mr. Carson. 

"You saved that valuable bunch of special cattle, and you bring me as aguest a man, who, I think, can do me a lot of good. "

"I'm glad to hear it, Dad!"

"Yes, your father and I have been talking irrigation, Dave, " said Mr. Bellmore, who had taken a sudden liking to the young cowboy. And tohimself Dave could not but admit that the more he saw of Mr. Bellmore thebetter he liked him. "We think we can get together on this irrigationproject, " the Chicago man went on. 

"Of course that is if we can deal with Molick, " suggested the ranchman. 

"Oh, yes, it depends a great deal on Molick, " Mr. Bellmore admitted. 

"I wish it didn't, " Dave said. 

"Why, son?" asked Mr. Carson. 

Then Dave told his story, which was received with rather ominous shakes ofthe head on the part of Mr. Carson. 

"Well, " said the owner of Bar U ranch, when Dave had finished, "there's notwo ways about it! I wish it hadn't happened, and I think as you do, Dave, that Molick, or some of his friends, had a hand in it. However, that isn'tproof, and we can't move until we get better evidence than just a saw. 

"Another thing I'm sorry for--this may make more bad feeling between Mr. Molick and myself. There's not much love lost between us as it is, " hewent on, "and this will only add to his feeling. "

"I'm sorry, Dad, " Dave began. 

"Oh, it isn't your fault, " said Mr. Carson, quickly. "You acted as youthought best, and I haven't a word of fault to find. It just had to be so, I reckon. But I'll know how to act--that's one thing sure. I'll be on myguard from now on. "

"It will be best so, " said Mr. Bellmore. 

A little later Pocus Pete and one of the cowboys returned, to report thatthe fence had been repaired. 

"Where's Gimp?" asked Dave, referring to the other cowpuncher who hadridden with him. 

"Oh, he stayed there on guard. Thought it best t' leave him there--to-night anyhow, " the foreman said to Mr. Carson. 

"I understand, " was the answer. "We can't afford to lose any of thosesteers. "

They were all up late at Bar U ranch that night, for the day had been amomentous one. Then, too, the visit of Mr. Bellmore had created a littlediversion. He and Mr. Carson sat up for some time after the others hadretired, talking irrigation matters, "I wonder if I'll ever have a part in them?" reflected Dave, as he went tohis room. "How long can I stay here, now that I know I am not Dave Carson--but somebody else? And who am I?"

Dave's wonderings were not of the most cheerful sort as he fell into anuneasy slumber. 

CHAPTER XI

HAZARDOUS WORK

Cowboys rushing here and there. Dust arising in clouds, settling into ahazy mist, only to be shattered again, as some rushing rider roderecklessly through it. Yells, shouts, the snapping of whips, the barkingof heavy calibred revolvers, now and then the shrill neigh of a cow-pony. 

Above all a deep resonant note--a sort of distant thunder--a pounding ofthe earth as thousands of hoofs smote it at once. 

That was the scene on which Dave Carson gazed, as he rose in his saddle, his breath coming in quicker measures, while a fierce light shone in hiseyes, for he was having a part in it all. 

It was one of the many round-ups on the Bar U range, and there was workfor all, more than enough. 

"Hi there, Gimp! Watch where yo-all are a-ridin'!"

"Swing him over there! I'll handle that critter!"

"What's the matter with your fire? Can't git no kind of an impression withirons as cold as a chunk of ice!"

"Look out for that cayuse! He's shore a bad 'un!"

"Over this way now!"

"That's talkin'!"

This was only some of the talk, part of the shouts, a few of the yellsthat were bandied back and forth, as the cowboys rounded up the herd, cutout the designated steers or cows, branded the new ones that had never yetfelt the touch of the hot iron, and generally did the work that falls toevery ranch at certain times of the year. 

Dave had been among the busiest, now roping some refractory steer, nowhelping a cowboy heat the big irons, with their mark "Bar U. ", nowscudding out of the way on the back of his fleet pony, Crow. Now finding amoment of respite, he galloped up to where Mr. Bellmore was sitting in theshade of the chuck wagon, as the cooking outfit is known. 

"Well, what do you think of it?" asked the young cowboy, as he pulled hishorse back sharply, so that Crow reared. But he was used to that, and Davewas exceptionally gentle with him. 

"It's just great!" exclaimed the man who had been a semi-invalid sincecoming to Bar U ranch. "I never imagined there was so much work attachedto a round-up. "

"Oh, there's work all right, " said Dave, removing his big hat and wipingthe sweat from his brow with a big handkerchief. "It isn't much likelocating a water trail, I expect?"

"Not much, " assented the visitor, who had now been at the ranch about aweek, and who was progressing favorably. His ankle would not yet permithim to step on it, but he managed to get about with the help of his horse. To-day he had ridden out in the chuck wagon to witness the round-up. 

"Locating a good place to plant an irrigation scheme is child's playcompared to this cattle business" went on Mr. Bellmore. "Still I supposeyou get more or less used to it. "

"In a way, yes, " said Pocus Pete, who rode up just then. "But there arealways some things you never can count on. Gimp's horse just broke hisleg, " he added, more to Dave than to the visitor. 

"You don't say!" exclaimed the lad. "That will make Gimp feel bad. "

"Well, it's all in the game, " added the foreman with a shrug of hisshoulders. "That's the end of him, " he went on as a shot rang out. Therehad been little firing of late, for the work of branding the strays andother cattle was almost over. 

"Did he shoot him?" asked Mr. Bellmore. 

"Th' horse? yes!" said Pete sententiously. 

"That's all we can do for a horse when he breaks a leg. He ain't no goodto anybody. That's the law of th' range. Yo've got t' make good or quit!"

"Poor Star, " murmured Dave. "He was a good horse. "

"While he lasted, " added Pete. "But Gimp pulled him around too suddenlike, I'm thinkin', t' get out of the way of an onery steer. Well, that'sth' way it goes!"

And Dave, as he thought of his own new and peculiar position, wondered ifthat was to be his way. He was really no one now. Would he be thrustaside, and not counted as one of the family?

And yet, as he reflected on the fact that Mr. Carson had always known oftheir relation--or, rather their lack of relation--he would not be likelyto change. 

"I wonder if I'll ever find out who my parents are? "thought Dave. "I musthave some folks, somewhere. "

But as he recalled what had been told him--how he had been swept down theriver in a great flood--the chances that he had any kin living seemed moreand more remote. 

But the boy was awakened out of his momentary brown study. 

"Hi there!"

"Look out for that critter!"

"He's a bad one!"

"Rope him!"

Such were the wild cries that greeted Dave as he spurred away from thechuck wagon toward what seemed more than the usual commotion. A steer thathad been roped and thrown that a new brand might be put over the almostobliterated one, had broken away and regained its feet and was wildlyrushing here and there. 

A lasso had been thrown over his head, and this now trailed in the dustSeveral of the cowboys, clapping spurs to their ponies, set off either tothrow more ropes about the escaping beast, or else to grasp the trailinglariat. 

"Take him, Dave!" cried Pocus Pete, who wanted the lad to get as muchpractical experience as possible, "I'll get him" was the instant call in response. 

"Look at him go!" murmured Mr. Bellmore, who half rose from a pile ofblankets to watch the antics of the steer. 

"Yes, that boy of mine can ride!" said Mr. Carson, who was looking on. Atender look came into his eyes. 

No one looking at him would have suspected that, only a comparativelyshort time before, he had confessed to this same lad that there was noreal relationship between them. That they were actually, strangers, savethat there was a love between them that could only come of longassociation. 

"Yes. He surely can ride, " murmured the ranch owner. "If he lives I hopehe'll succeed me as operator here. And if I can put through yourirrigation scheme it will make Bar U one of the best ranches in this partof the country. "

"Oh, we'll put it through all right, " said the Chicago man. "Don't worryabout that. We'll put it through"

"If Molick doesn't kick up a row, " observed Mr. Carson. 

"Yes, of course we've got to look out for him. But I think--"

Mr. Bellmore never finished his sentence. 

"Look out, Dave!" he yelled, as if he could warn the lad who was ridingtoward the rushing steer. 

"Oh! Oh!" gasped Mr. Carson. 

The next instant they both saw the trailing rope on the steer's headtangle around the legs of Dave's pony. The plucky Crow made a brave effortto keep his feet. But a moment later he went down heavily in a cloud ofdust with his rider, while the maddened steer, brought up short, rearedand seemed to fall backward on pony and cowboy. 

CHAPTER XII

THE FIGHT

With one bound, it seemed, Mr. Carson leaped away from the side of hisinvalid guest, and was in the saddle of his favorite pony, that had beenstanding near the chuck wagon. 

"He's killed!" was the thought that came instantly into the mind of Mr. Bellmore. "No rider could suffer such a fall, and live!"

Such an idea, too, it seemed, was in the thought of the ranch owner, forhe was slightly pale underneath his coat of tan as he spurred his steedforward. 

A number of other cowboys had seen the happening, and those who couldleave the work in which they were engaged, started for the scene of theaccident. But there were some, holding down a refractory steer, or engagedin putting on the hot branding irons, who only looked over, shrugged theirshoulders, and kept on with their tasks. 

For that, too, was the law of the range. If a man had a fall, he waseither killed or he was not killed. If he was killed there was no usedropping important work to go to his aid. If he was not killed he musteither help himself, or take such help as could be sent to him at thetime. 

Cruel, perhaps you will say, but it was eminently practical, and, afterall, that is life. 

If Dave was really dead no power the cowboys could exert would save him. The accident had happened--it was over with--and that was all there was toit. 

Of course some did go to his aid--Mr. Carson and several of the less busypunchers. And, to do justice to the others, not a man but, would haverushed to help Dave had he been in a position to do so. But the work ofthe ranch must go on--and it did. 

Long before Mr. Carson reached the scene, or, for that matter, before anyof the others were in a position to help Dave, a movement was observed inthe tangle of pony, rider and steer. Just who, or which, was doing themoving it was hard to determine, as the haze of dust still overhungeverything. 

"Can a person live after that mix-up?" asked Mr. Bellmore, speaking aloud, unconsciously. 

"Oh, him plenty mluch alive!" glibly replied the Chinese cook. "Dave heplenty mluch hab fall, an' he come up smilin'. "

"Oh, he does; eh?" asked the Chicago man. 

"Sure!" was the answer, given with a bland grin. "He clum' up smilin'. "

"Well, I hope he does, " was the comment. 

By this time it could be seen that Dave was at least alive. Out of thehaze of dust he limped, But the steer lay prone. 

Mr. Carson jumped from his horse, and an instant later had the youngcowboy in his arms. 

"Dave! Dave!" he cried. "My boy! My boy! Tell me you're not hurt!"

As the other cowboys rode up one of them gave a look at the prostratesteer. 

"He's done for, " he commented. 

It needed but a look at the curiously and grotesquely twisted neck of theanimal to tell that it was broken. 

"Dave, are you hurt?" gasped the ranchman. 

"Well, I've felt better, " Dave answered, slowly, making a wry face as helimped to one, side. He leaned heavily on the arm of Mr. Carson. 

Then, as if remembering something he had forgotten, Dave looked toward hispony. To his great relief he saw Crow rise to his feet, shake himself andrun off a little way, seemingly little the worse for his adventure. 

"Thank goodness!" murmured Dave, and there was a prayer of gratitude inhis heart. "I thought he was a goner. "

"And we thought you were, " put in Tubby Larkin, as he strode up. "That wassome fall--believe me!"

"Must have got tangled up in the rope, " commented Pocus Pete, who hadfinished a task he was at, and who now spurred forward. 

"That's what happened, " Dave explained, as he rubbed the back of his headand threw out one leg as if to test whether or not it had been knocked outof joint. "I didn't see the trailing lasso, and it got around Crow'sfeet. "

"Yes, that's how it happened, " said Mr. Carson. "But I certainly thoughtboth steer and pony fell on you. "

"I managed to roll out of the way, " said Dave, grimly. 

"Lucky for you, " commented Pocus Pete. "That's one of the biggest andworst steers on the ranch, and he weighs something, too. "

"His own weight broke his neck, " said Tubby, reflectively. "Well, we wasneedin' some beef an' now we've got it. "

"I'm sorry he had to go, " remarked Dave, as he walked off toward his pony, having made sure that none of his bones was broken. 

"Better him than you, " murmured Mr. Carson. "Are you sure you're allright, Dave, my boy?" he asked anxiously. 

"Oh, yes I'm a bit shaken up, but I'll be all right. I can go on with theround-up. "

"You can--but you'll not!" was the ranch owner's decision. "I want you totake a little rest. The worst of the job's over, anyhow. "

Dave was nothing loath to have a little respite, and as he came up to thechuck wagon, where Mr. Bellmore was eagerly waiting for him, the Chicagoman said:

"Well, I never expected to see you come up this way, Dave, " and he heldout a welcoming hand. 

"Oh, we get used to little things like that"

"Little things!" exclaimed the irrigation engineer. "Well, I thought I hada hard time when I was hanging over that gully. But that wasn't acircumstance to yours. "

"It's all in the day's work, " said Dave with a shrug of his shoulders, ashe sank down on a pile of sacks. 

"He's grit clear through, " thought the visitor. "I like him more every dayI see him. "

As for Dave, in addition to the thankfulness in his heart that he was nothurt, and that his favorite pony had escaped, was a deep sense ofgratitude for the manner manifested toward him by Mr. Carson. No fathercould have showed more love toward his own son than the ranch owner didtoward his ward, his nameless ward. 

The excitement caused by Dave's fall soon passed, for, after all, suchthings are comparatively common on the ranch, and he had really been morethan usually fortunate. 

And so the work of the round-up went on, day after day. Hard, hot, sweatyand dusty work it was, too, with little of the romance that attaches tothe book stories of life on a cattle range. But no one complained, leastof all Dave Carson. 

It was about a week after this that Dave was sent out again to look upsome stray cattle. He was not riding his own pony Crow, who had, afterall, developed a lame shoulder from his fall. So he was left in the stablefor a day or two. 

As the animal Dave had was rather strange he took the precaution ofstaking him out as he halted for a bite to eat at noon. Dave was takinghis nooning, resting lazily on the silent plain, when he heard a noisethat caused him to rouse up suddenly. 

What he saw brought an exclamation of anger to his lips, for in the act ofcutting the rope that held the somewhat restive pony was Len Molick. Davehad caught him in the nick of time. 

Len had looked around, to make sure he was unobserved, but his back wastoward our hero, who was down in a little hollow. 

"The sneak!" murmured Dave. 

Then, silently, he began stalking the bully, who was preparing to go backto his own horse, that was standing with reins over its head. 

Len's object was plain. He wanted to let Dave's pony run back to theranch, so our hero would have a long walk. But his plan failed. 

Just as Len was about to sever the lariat Dave sprang up, and with a yellthat startled both horses, fairly threw himself on the back of the bully. 

"At last I've got you just where I want you, Len Molick!" Dave cried. "Maybe I can't prove you sawed the fence posts, but I don't need any moreevidence than I've just had of what you were going to do. I've got you!"

"You--you let me alone!" whimpered Len, who was a coward, as most bulliesare. 

"I will, when I've finished, " said Dave, laying aside his coat. 

"What are you going to do?" asked Len, who had straightened up, afterhaving been rolled on the ground by Dave. 

"What am I going to do? I'm going to give you the best drubbing you everhad. Stand up and fight now, you big coward!"

CHAPTER XIII

SOME NEWS

Perhaps if Len had done the manly thing--if he had owned to some of hismisdeeds, and had promised not to repeat them, Dave might have forgivenhim. For Dave was not a fighter by nature. 

Physically the two were well matched, with the advantage, if any, in favorof Len, who was larger than Dave. And if Len had acknowledged that he wasafraid to fight, Dave would not have pressed it. 

But the bully and coward made the mistake of his life. As he sprang to hisfeet he caught up a stone and suddenly hurled it at Dave. The latterducked just in time to save his head. And then his anger welled up. 

"So that's your game; is it?" he cried. 

Even then Len might have gotten out of it, only he did not. He aimed awild blow at Dave, and then the fight was on. 

Len was no match for Dave in skill. The young cowboy easily dodged theblows aimed at him, and for a moment, he refrained from hitting Len hard. Then, as he saw Len again look about for a stone, Dave struck him so hardthat the bully toppled over. 

"It's no more than you deserve!" Dave exclaimed. 

Len got up, and with a cry rushed at his opponent. Again, Dave sent himdown. 

But I am not going to give you all the details of that fight which wassoon over. Len, bruised and sore, cried out that he had had enough. 

"That'll teach you to behave after this, I guess, " said Dave, as he movedover toward his horse. 

Len did not answer for a moment. He, too, approached his steed. And whenhe was mounted he cast a look full of anger and hate at Dave, and said:

"You wait! I'll get even with you yet!"

It was the usual retort of a sneak and coward. 

"You had your chance, " said Dave, grimly. "If you couldn't take advantageof it that's not my fault. "

Then he rode off, collected the strays he was looking for, and made hisway back to the ranch. 

"What's the matter, Dave?" asked Pocus Pete, as he saw the lad leap fromhis pony. "Did you have a fall?"

"No, it was the other fellow, " was the grim answer. 

"Len?"

"Yes. "

"Does he look anything like you?"

"Worse!"

Dave's face was scratched and one eye bruised. 

"Well, I s'pose it had to be, " chuckled Pocus Pete. "What'd he do, try torope you?"

"No. He wouldn't have much chance at that, even if I was not on Crow. "Then Dave told the story of the encounter. 

"Well, " said Peter reflectively, "I reckon, just as some one said aboutdogs, that a certain amount of fleas was good for 'em, a little fightin'is good for some fellows. Are you sure Len got enough?" he askedanxiously. 

"He said so, " replied Dave, sententiously. 

"Well, he ought to know, " was Pete's dry comment. 

Life at Bar U ranch went on in much the same way for many days. There wasa great deal of work to be done, and Dave did his share. But, all thewhile, he could not shake from his mind the memory of the revealed secretregarding himself. 

"I wonder who I am?" he asked himself again and again. But he could notanswer. He made up his mind that some day he would have a long talk withMr. Carson, and see if there was not some way in which clews to his lostparents could be obtained. 

"There must be some" reflected Dave. 

Mr. Bellmore had almost recovered now. He could ride his horse about, andoften accompanied Dave on the latter's trips. The Chicago man could limpabout fairly well, but in the West, at least on the cattle ranges, littlewalking is done. If a person has only to go across the street it is themost natural thing in the world to leap to the saddle to cover thedistance. 

"Well, I think I must get busy on that water business now, " said Mr. Bellmore one day, when he and Dave had come in from a little round-up. "Itwon't do to wait any longer. My people will be wondering why I am takingsuch a long vacation. "

"They know you were hurt; don't they?" asked Dave. 

"Oh, yes, but I'm practically well again. "

"What are your plans?"

"I must see if I can get some concerted action in forming an irrigationcompany. I think I shall talk to Mr. Molick, even if his son and you arenot on friendly terms. "

"Oh, don't let that stand in the way of business, " Dave said, heartily. 

"I hope you won't misunderstand my motives, " said the water agent. 

"Not at all. "

It was a few days after this that Pocus Pete, coming in from a distantpart of the range, said to Dave and Mr. Carson. 

"I see they're putting up some new fences along the river on the Centre Oranch. "

"Is that so?" asked Mr. Carson. "That's news to me, I wonder what thatmeans?"

"Perhaps I can tell you, " said Mr. Bellmore. "I have made somearrangements with Mr. Molick about water rights. He is going into theirrigation scheme with me. I really need him, as he owns certain patentsin the water course. I meant to mention it to you, but it slipped mymind. "

"So you are going in with Molick?" asked Mr. Carson, in a curious tone ofvoice. 

"Yes. Is there any objection?"

"Well, I don't know but what there is, " was the reply of the ranch owner. "Sit down, and I'll tell you a few things you ought to know, Mr. Bellmore. "

CHAPTER XIV

A WARNING

Dave, who had heard what was said between Mr. Bellmore and the ranch ownerlistened with interest and expectation to what would come next. There wasan odd manner about the proprietor of Bar U--a sort of constraint, andDave fancied there was a little feeling, almost of hostility toward theman he had rescued from such a perilous position. 

Up to now Mr. Bellmore had enjoyed to the utmost the hospitality of Bar Uranch. Mr. Bellmore had been made very welcome, and he had had every careand attention while unable to use his injured foot. Now it seemed that aspirit of hostility had cropped out. 

"Before I go on to say what I intend to-to give you a warning in otherwords, " said Mr. Carson, "let me ask you, Mr. Bellmore if you know whyMolick is putting up new fences along the water course? I'd like to knowthe reason for that before I give you my warning. "

"A warning!" exclaimed the irrigation man, and there was evident surprisemanifested in his tone. 

"Yes, a warning, " repeated the ranch owner. "But please do not mistake mymeaning. I'm not warning you of any threatened danger, but only of beingcareful what business dealings you have with Jason Molick, or any of hismen. "

"Oh, I thought you meant you were going to warn me to move on, " and Davefancied his friend laughed with an air of relief. 

"Nothing like that yet, " said Mr. Carson, smiling. "But about the fences, concerning which Pocus Pete spoke to me?"

"Well, I suggested to Mr. Molick that he'd better put them up, " said Mr. Bellmore. 

"You did!" There was great surprise manifested in the exclamation of Mr. Carson. 

"Why, yes, I did"

"What for?" asked Mr. Carson. 

"Of course you know that if land is allowed to go unfenced for twentyyears--or for a longer or shorter period according to different states--that the land becomes public property, or at least the public has a right-of-way over it and it can not be closed off. I did not want, in case ourirrigation company took up Mr. Molick's land, to have a public right-of-way over it, especially so near the water. It might spoil our legal title. So I told him to fence it in before we did any business. "

"Then you haven't done any business yet?"

"Not actually closed it, no. I am about to, and then I hope to do somebusiness with you. "

Mr. Bellmore smiled frankly, but Mr. Carson's face was grave as heanswered:

"Well, I don't know. I'm afraid you can't do business with both of us, Mr. Bellmore. "

"Why not?" asked the Chicago man, somewhat surprised. 

 "Because Mr. Molick and I--to be frank about it--don't pull together anytoo well. I'm not saying whose fault it is, but he and I have been on theouts for some time, and his men are continually seeking to pick quarrelswith my men. He has taken more than his share of the water that issupposed to be for our joint use, and when I objected he was very uglyabout it. "

I feel it my duty to warn you that if you have any business dealings withhim to look well to your own interests. He will take every legaladvantage, and some that, in my opinion, are not legal. "

"You surprise me!" exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. "I did not know that he wasthat kind of man. "

"Well, he is, " put in Dave. "You mustn't think we cowpunchers are in thehabit of giving our neighbors black eyes, Mr. Bellmore, " went on the youngcowboy, "but it is for your own interests that my father is speaking. "

Dave did not hesitate at the word of relationship now. Mr. Bellmore didnot know the secret. 

"Oh, I think I understand, " the water-man said. "I'm sorry I begannegotiations with Molick, but I don't very well see how I can get out ofthem. I need his water rights. "

"Perhaps he hasn't as many rights as you think he has, " suggested Mr. Carson. 

"What do you mean?"

"I mean there's a dispute about the river boundary lines. I claim morewater than I'm getting, but I'm not in a position to enforce my claimsjust at present. That is why I wanted to know about the fences. It may bethat Molick is encroaching. "

"I'd be sorry to hear that, " Mr. Bellmore said. "When I told him to goahead and fence in certain open tracts, so we would know just where thewater boundaries extended, I had no idea I would cause you trouble, Mr. Carson. "

"You haven't--yet, " was the dry answer. 

"And I don't intend to!" went on the Chicago man. 

"Oh, if there's any trouble, I'll not lay it at your door, " went on theranch owner, smiling grimly. "It will be Molick who causes it, if anybodydoes. But I want, for your own good, to warn you against this man. He hasdone a lot of mean things in this section, and he is capable of doingmore. He's as mean as they make 'em, and I truly hate to say that about aneighbor. "

"Oh, I accept it in confidence, " replied Mr. Bellmore. 

"I know you do, and that's why I didn't hesitate. I thought it my duty, "resumed the owner of Bar U ranch. "I've come to like you a heap since Davebrought you here. Seems almost as though you were kin to us. That's whyI'd hate to see you wronged. And you surely will be outwitted if you don'twatch Molick. He'd take the eye teeth out of a stuffed alligator if hewasn't watched, and sell 'em for watch charms. Dave knows him!"

"Oh, yes. He's made a lot of trouble for us, " Dave assented. 

"Well, I don't know exactly what to do, " said Mr. Bellmore, slowly. "Ihave asked Molick to go ahead, and have practically promised to dobusiness with him. I can hardly back out now. If I did he might begin suitagainst my company, claiming a breach of contract. "

"He'd do that if he had half a chance, " answered Mr. Carson. "But perhapsmatters are not so bad as they seem. He's just begun to build the fences, so Pocus Pete says. It may not be too late to stop him. We'll take a runout that way to-morrow and see what's going on. Meanwhile, consideryourself warned against Jason Molick, Mr. Bellmore. "

"I shall, and I thank you for telling me. I hope to do business with you, also, in this water matter. "

"Well, if Molick has his way I won't have any water to negotiate about, "said the ranch owner grimly. "However, we'll go and take a look at thefences to-morrow. "

CHAPTER XV

RETALIATION

Benjamin Bellmore's injured foot was now so nearly healed that he had nodifficulty in getting about on horseback. True, he had to favor theinjured member somewhat, but that did not greatly hinder him; accordingly, early on the morning following the conversation of warning, the irrigationman, Dave, Mr. Carson and Pocus Pete set out across Bar U ranch to seewhat the Molicks were doing. 

"Well, they're at it, I see, " remarked Dave, as the little party topped arise and saw, down in the river valley below them, a number of menerecting fence posts and stringing barbed wire. 

"Yes, he doesn't lose any time, that's one thing I'll say for JasonMolick, " answered the ranch owner. 

Indeed Molick's forces were very active. They seemed to be in a hurry toget a certain length of fence up before night, and as Dave looked at thecowboys and others employed, he realized that the owner of Centre O ranchhad called in from the distant parts of his holdings most of his employeesand set them to work on the fence. 

Nor was this all. Farther off another gang of men, with picks and shovels, seemed to be erecting a small dam, partially across a narrow part ofRolling River. 

"Hello!" exclaimed Mr. Carson in surprise, as he saw their activities. "What does that mean?"

"It's some irrigation work, " explained Mr. Bellmore. "Molick didn'tbelieve me when I said that even a small dam would impound enough water tosupply not only a good herd of cattle but would also water the dry land. So I told him to try it himself, and see how it worked. I thought if hehad a practical demonstration he would be willing to go into the schemewith me. But that was before I had your warning, " he added with a look atthe ranchman. 

"Hum, yes, " said Mr. Carson, musingly. "Well, Molick has a right to do ashe pleases on his own land, of course--at least I reckon so. But I don'tlike that business of putting a dam across part of the river. "

"Why not?" asked Dave. 

"He might shut off too much water, " was the answer. 

"That's so!" put in Pocus Pete. "Quite a bunch of our cattle depend for adrink on what they get from Rolling River, and we've got a lot of cattlebelow there now, " and he pointed to a section south of that part of thevalley in which the work was going on. 

"Oh, well, we'll not cross a bridge until we come to it, " said Mr. Carson. "I'll not assume that Molick is going to do anything wrong. But when hedoes, " he added reflectively, "then he'd better look out. "

"I hope I sha'n't have started a quarrel, " put in Mr. Bellmore. 

"Don't worry, " laughed Dave. "It doesn't take much to start a quarrel withthe Molicks. Maybe it'll not amount to anything, anyhow. Say, but he isputting up some fence all right!"

Indeed the operations were on a large scale, and seemed to indicate thatthe Molick outfit had made good preparations. 

Mr. Bellmore seemed very thoughtful. He sat on his horse, looking at thework, for the starting of which he was, in a measure, responsible. Then heremarked:

"I think I'll get out of this while I can. I'm sorry I made any tentativeproposition to Molick but there's time enough yet to withdraw. I'll tellhim our irrigation company can't go into that water deal with him. Can Idepend on you to make some arrangements with me, regarding your waterrights?" he asked of Mr. Carson. 

"Well, if you give me all the particulars, and I find them to be as yousay, I wouldn't have any objections to going in, " replied the ranchmanslowly. "I surely do need more water for my cattle and land, and ifirrigation, conservation, or whatever you call it, is going to bring itabout, I'll be only too glad to go into it with you. Isn't that what yousay, Dave?"

The youth hesitated a moment. He felt a warm glow in his heart that theman he had so long regarded as his father reposed this much faith andconfidence in him, when the secret had been disclosed. 

"Yes, Dad, " said Dave, slowly, "I should think it would be a good thing togo in with Mr. Bellmore's company. "

"I thought you'd say so. And now let's hear from Pocus Pete. I always liketo let my foreman have a word to say, " he added to the Chicago man. 

"And I think you do right, " was the comment. 

"What's your idea, Pete?" asked Mr. Carson. 

"Why, I say go into it! That is, if we can get away from Molick. I neverdid like the idea of him controllin' so much of Rollin' River. Now if wecan have all the water of our own we want, so much the better. Go into it, I says!"

"Then it's decided, " announced Mr. Carson. "We'll go in with you, providedyou are not so tied up with Molick that you can't unfetter yourself"

"I think there's no danger of that, " said Mr. Bellmore. "I only made atentative arrangement with him. " I'll go over at once and tell him I'vereconsidered my plans. "

"There he is now, " said Dave, pointing to two figures on horses, ridingdown toward the Centre O workers. 

"Yes, and that bully, Len, is with him, " added Pocus Pete. "Do you want toturn back, Dave?" he asked with a mischievous glance. 

"Indeed I don't!" was the quick reply, and the eyes of the young cowboyflashed. 

Mr. Carson's land, at this point, extended down to the edge of RollingRiver, where the stream made a sharp turn. On the opposite shore were theMolick workmen. And as Dave, the ranchman and the others rode forward, Jason Molick and his son also approached the stream from their side of it. 

Len glanced up and looked at Dave, but gave no other sign. Probably he hadnot told of the drubbing he had received. 

"Can I ride across here?" asked Mr. Bellmore of Mr. Carson, after a fewminutes conversation, during which Jason Molick was inspecting theprogress of his workmen. 

"Yes, the river, is very shallow here. Go ahead! We'll wait for you. Idon't want to go on his land. "

The irrigation man left his friends and, crossing the stream on hishorse's back, was soon approaching Mr. Molick. 

"Well, how do you think we're coming on?" asked Len's father. "I took youradvice, you see--I'm going in with you on this deal. I think it's a goodone, I'm ready to sign the papers whenever you say so. "

"Well--er--I don't want to disappoint you, after what has taken place, Mr. Molick, " began the Chicago man in rather an embarrassed fashion, "but thetruth of the matter is that I guess there won't be any papers to sign. "

"No papers to sign! What do you mean?"

"I mean that the deal is off!"

"The deal off? You mean the irrigation scheme you agreed to go into withme?" and Mr. Molick's voice rose. 

"Yes, that deal is off, " went on the engineer. "You remember I onlybroached it to you. I did not clinch it. I pointed out its advantages toyou, and you were eager to go in. I said I would talk to you later aboutit. "

"And now you come and say you don't want to go into it with me?" askedMolick in sneering tones. 

"Yes, that is a right I reserved, you remember. "

"Huh! I know what has made him back out!" exclaimed Len. 

"What?" asked his father. 

"He's been talking to them!" and Len pointed to Dave and the others fromBar U ranch across the stream. 

"Ha! So that's the game!" exclaimed Mr. Molick. "Well, I'll show you thattwo can play at it, Mr. Bellmore!" he sneered. "If you don't want to gointo this scheme with me, after promising--"

"I never promised!" interrupted the other. 

"Well, it was the same thing. But if you don't want to go in I can getalong without you. I guess you'll find you're not the only one around herewho knows about dams and irrigation ditches. I and my son have somebrains. We'll show you a thing or two!"

"That's what we will!" boasted Len. 

"I'm sure I don't wish to curtail your activities in any way, " replied theChicago man. "I hope you have all sorts of success. But I do not feel likegoing on with the scheme I outlined. "

"Because, I suppose, you're going in with the Bar U folks?" suggested Len. 

"I haven't said so, " was the quiet retort. 

"No, but I can read signs. Well, there's one thing I want to tell you!"Len went on in threatening tones. "I warn you off our land--you and theCarson bunch. And as for that Dave, if I catch him I'll give him the worstlicking he ever had. "

"Seems to me it was the other way around, " retorted Mr. Bellmore, with agrim smile. "At least it was the last time you met. "

"Huh!" snorted Len. "Well, tell him to look out, that's all!"

"I don't think there is any need of that, " said Mr. Bellmore. "I thinkDave can look after himself. But now I'll bid you good day. "

"And don't you trespass on Centre O ranch again!" was Mr. Molick'swarning. "I've seen enough of you. "

Mr. Bellmore felt the same way about it, but did not think it necessary tosay so. 

He rode slowly back across the stream and rejoined his friends. 

"Well?" asked Dave. 

"It's all off, " the Chicago man said. "I've ended negotiations with them, and I'm sorry I ever tried to do business. But it will be all right. Theycan do business in their own way, and we'll do ours as we please. I'lllook into the irrigation possibilities on your property now, Mr. Carson. We'll not hear anything more from the Molick outfit. "

But Mr. Bellmore failed to reckon on the mean characters of the Molickfather and son. It was only a few days after this that one of the cowboyscame riding post-haste to the ranch house. He dismounted in a cloud ofdust, and seeing Dave and Mr. Carson standing together hurried towardthem, calling out:

"Th' bottom must have dropped out of Rolling River. It's almost dry downbelow there, where I've got that bunch of fine cattle, and they can't getanything to drink. What are we going to do? Something must have happenedto th' river. "

"What can it be?" cried Dave. "Has an earthquake occurred, or has theriver unexpectedly taken an underground course?"

"Neither one, I imagine, " said Mr. Carson, slowly. "This is retaliation, Ifancy. I'll go back with you Skinny, and see what has happened. But I'msure it's retaliation. "

CHAPTER XVI

UNAVAILING EFFORTS

Dave, who had heard this talk, leaped on the back of Crow, and followedMr. Carson and the cowboy who rejoiced in the euphonious title of"Skinny. "

"What do you mean by retaliation, Dad?" he asked. "Has it anything to dowith the Molicks?"

"A whole lot to do with them, Dave, I'm afraid, " was the reply. 

"You mean they have diverted some of your water?"

"Some of it! Better say all of it!" exclaimed the disgusted Skinny. "Thereain't enough comin' down Rollin' River, over where I come from, t' make acup of coffee. "

"As bad as that?" asked Mr. Carson in alarm. 

"Well, almost. I got skeered and made up my mind I'd come and tell youabout it. "

"You did just right, Skinny. We may be able to get ahead of these chapsafter all. "

"I hope we can, " murmured Dave. 

Though Dave had seldom, for any length of time, lost sight of the factthat he was a "nobody, " still he could not help feeling an interest in theranch, which had been the only home he had known for a long time. In factit was really the only home he knew, for he did not, of course, recall hisdays of babyhood. And now, though Dave knew that he was not Mr. Carson'sson, though he realized that he might never inherit the broad acres overwhich roamed thousands of cattle, still he retained the feeling of loyaltyand fealty that caused him to hope for the best. 

"I wonder if I'll ever find my real folks, " mused Dave, as he rode on withMr. Carson and Skinny. "It's hardly possible, after all these years. "

Over the rolling plains they rode, now and then catching sight of distantherds of cattle under the guard of cowboys, again gaining a view of thedistant Centre O ranch. But they saw no sign of Molick or Len, nor couldthey catch, in the direction they were going, a glimpse of the place wherethe fence work and dam building had been going on. 

A little later they topped another rise, and began to descend into asheltered and fertile valley where Mr. Carson usually sent his choicecattle to fatten before shipping them to the dealers in Chicago andelsewhere. 

As the three came within sight of this valley they saw a strange sightInstead of the cattle quietly grazing, with perhaps small bunches of themwandering now and then to the banks of the stream to get a drink, thewhole herd seemed scattered along the water course. And instead of quietlydrinking the cattle seemed fighting among themselves. Pushing, struggling, rearing with heads up against one another, bellowing and stampeding. 

On the outside vainly rode two or three cowboys who were doing their bestto keep the rearmost cattle from rushing over those in the front rank, whowere nearest the water. 

"What does it mean?" demanded Mr. Carson of Skinny, as he urged his horseforward. "What does it mean?"

"It's a stampede!" cried Dave. "Maybe Len is trying some of his meantricks again. "

"It's a trick, but it isn't any like that, " said Skinny. "None of thatMolick crowd is around here now. "

"But what's the matter?" demanded the ranchman. 

"Water--or, rather lack of water, " said the cowboy briefly. "The cattleare half mad with thirst I expect. And I guess maybe it isn't so much of areal thirst as it is the fear that there won't be any water left after anhour or two. Cattle know more that way than we give 'em credit for. "

"This is serious!" exclaimed Mr. Carson. 

"I thought you'd think so. That's why I come for you, " Skinny explained. 

The three rode down the slope, the confusion among the cattle increasingevery moment. 

"What can you do?" asked Dave. 

"Have to drive 'em over to the other range, there's water there, I shouldthink, " Mr. Carson answered. "That is, if Molick and his bunch haven'ttried any of their tricks there. "

"No, they can't stop the supply there, " said Skinny. "It's only here, where the river takes a sharp turn above us, that they could cut off thesupply. "

"Then you think there's no question but that they did it?" as had Dave ofMr. Carson. 

"Hardly any doubt, " was the reply. "But of course I'll look into it. Watchout now, Dave. Those cattle are fairly wild, and I don't want you to behurt. "

The ranchman looked affectionately at the youth, and Dave felt a warm spotin his heart for the man who had done so much for him. 

"I don't believe we can drive 'em back until they've licked up every lastdrop, " said Skinny. "Then they'll know there's no use in stayin' and wemay be able to do somethin' with 'em. "

"Is it drying up as badly as that?" asked Mr. Carson. 

"You'll soon see, " was the answer. 

Only skillful cowpunchers could have made their way through that maddened, seething, wild herd of cattle. But Dave, Mr. Carson and Skinny were moreat home in the saddle than afoot. Their intelligent ponies pushed theirway through the heaving mass of steers until the three of them stood onthe brink of what had been a fair-sized branch of the Rolling River but afew hours before. 

Now all that showed was a small, narrow ribbon of muddy water, in theclay-like expanse of what had been the bed of the original stream. 

"Whew!" whistled Mr. Carson. "This sure is bad!"

"I should say so!" exclaimed Dave. 

A sharp bend in the course of the stream above them cut off all but a verylimited view. But, as far as they could see, the same conditionsprevailed. There was only a small trickle of water. It was in the verymiddle, the lowest point of the stream, and up to the very edge of thisthe thirst-tortured cattle pressed, sinking down deep in the soft mud. 

"We've got to get 'em out of that, " declared the ranchman. "A lot of 'emwill be mired if we don't. "

"There are some mired now, " said Skinny, pointing. "Ed and Foster aretrying to yank 'em out. "

He indicated two cowboys who, with ropes around the mired steers, weretrying to drag them to solid ground. Other animals, though, were pressingin to make their way to the water. 

It was a hot day, and bore a promise of being hotter. It needed but aglance to show that the water would soon fail entirely. And it was evidentwhat had caused it. At some point, higher up, the supply had been cut offor diverted. 

"Well, " said Mr. Carson quickly, like a general on the field meeting areverse, and deciding on the best way to save the day, "well, the onlything we can do is to get the cattle off this range. Take 'em over to thespring, Skinny-you and the rest of the boys. Fight 'em hard-it's the onlyway. I'll ride on up and see what's happened to our water supply. Dave, you ride back and get Mr. Bellmore. Maybe he can tell us a way out of thistrouble. He's a water engineer. "

Thus were the orders issued, and the cowboys and Dave prepared to carrythem out. Hardly had Mr. Carson ceased speaking than Skinny rode off witha whoop to aid his fellows. 

Dave watched for a moment as the cowboys prepared to move the herd ofvaluable cattle. It would be hard work to get them away from the waterwhile a drop yet remained in the muddy pools. But it must be done, for ifthe steers were allowed to remain there many of them would be mired, andin the fight for water others would be trampled on and killed. 

As Dave galloped back to the ranch to summon the irrigation engineer hesaw Mr. Carson head his pony for the bend, above which was the beginningof the Centre O ranch. 

Then the young cowpuncher gave a look at the strenuous efforts of thecowboys to move the maddened cattle. 

"They'll have their own troubles, " Dave reasoned. "I'll help them as soonas I get back. "

He covered the distance to the ranch in record time, and found Mr. Bellmore busy over some calculations. The engineer was surprised to learnwhat had happened, and at once jumped on his horse and galloped off withDave. 

When they again reached the valley Mr. Carson had not yet returned fromhis trip to the bend, but the cattle were in a worse tangle than before. The cowboys efforts to drive them away from what was now nothing but along mudhole, were unavailing. 

"Something's got to be done!" cried Skinny. "We've lost some already, andmore will die soon. We've got to get 'em away from here. But we can't aslong as they smell even the mud. What's to be done?"

Dave looked gloomily on, but could not answer. Could the engineer solvethe problem?

CHAPTER XVII

THE ROUND-UP

Again and again did the weary cowboys try to force the maddened cattle tomove away from the now veritable mud hole, that they might drive them toanother range where there was water for them to drink. But the steers, usually intelligent in this matter, seemed to have lost all theirinstinct. They only wanted to remain near the spot where they had beenaccustomed to drink. 

"Say, this is fierce!" cried Mr. Bellmore. 

"It certainly is, " agreed Dave. "What can we do?"

"Let's see if we can't lend a hand to get the animals off, and on themove, " suggested the engineer. "Those cowboys need help. "

Skinny and his mates certainly did. They were almost exhausted from theirstrenuous labors, But even with the experienced help of Dave, and the well-meant efforts ofMr. Bellmore, the cattle could not be moved. They fought for places at theedge of the stream-which was a stream no longer, but only a slough, inwhich more than one fine steer was now mired. 

"It's of no use, " said Skinny, wearily, after a bit. "You can't budge 'em!They'll have to die here. "

"No they won't!" exclaimed the engineer. 

"How are you goin' t' stop 'em?" asked another of the cowboys. "They can'tget any water here, they won't leave, an' everybody knows that withoutwater cattle can't live long. "

"If we can't drive 'em to water we'll have to do the next best thing. "

"And that is--" began Dave. 

"Bring the water to them!"

"But how can we? The supply is cut off somewhere above. Dad went to seeabout it, but he hasn't come back yet. "

"Then we'll go up there too. Something's got to be done. It may takedesperate measures, but if the Molicks have built a dam, to divert yourwater from here, we'll have to open it; that's all. "

"Will they let you?" asked Skinny, settling wearily in his saddle. 

"We'll do it whether they let us or not!" exclaimed the engineer. "It's myfault, in a way, that they did this, for I pointed out the advantage itwould be to them to have a dam, and I'll do my best to make good thetrouble caused. Come on, Dave. Well ride up above and see what we can do. Meanwhile, you boys do your best to keep the cattle from stampeding. Theywon't let themselves be driven away, that's sure, so we've got to bringwater to them. "

"If we only can, " murmured Cowboy Dave. He felt it to be a hopeless task. 

Now that the cowboys had given over their efforts to drive the cattle awayfrom the water-hole the beasts were quieter. Left to themselves, theyscattered somewhat and sought for places where little pools might haveformed, and where they could slake their thirst. It was not much waterthat remained, and the bellowings of the cattle, and their pantingappearance as their parched tongues fairly hung from their mouths, filledthe hearts of Dave and his friend with pity for the poor beasts. 

"We haven't any time to lose, " said Mr. Bell-more, as he urged his horse, Kurd, toward the bend of the stream. Dave, on Crow, followed, wonderingwhat would be the outcome. Dave glanced back from time to time at thethirst-maddened cattle. Some of them forced their way into the muddysloughs in spite of the desperate efforts of the cowboys to drive themback. Then it was necessary to try to pull them out by lariats attached tothem, and extending to the horns of the saddles. 

"Poor beasts!" murmured the young cow-puncher. 

He and Mr. Bellmore had ridden for perhaps a mile when they saw a figuregalloping toward them. 

"Who's that?" asked the engineer, pulling up suddenly. 

"Dad, " answered Dave. "He rode up to investigate. He'll be able to tell uswhat happened. "

"It's easy enough to guess, " said Mr. Bellmore. "The Molicks have built anintercepting dam, to get even with you and me. "

And this was exactly what Mr. Carson reported as he rode up. 

"They've cut off our water supply, " he called to Dave and the engineer. "They've made a board and mud dam right across the river, and turned thewater onto their own land. They're making irrigating ditches now as fastas they can work. "

"I suspected as much, " Mr. Bellmore said, "Is the dam a very big or strongone?"

"Not especially so. But the water is low at this season of the year, andit doesn't take much of a dam to block it off from me. This dam is made ofboards, banked up with clay and stones. "

"Would it be easy to break away?" asked the engineer. 

"Yes, I suppose so. But Molick will take precious good care that itdoesn't break away, They're strengthening it all the while. "

"Oh, I didn't suppose it would break away of its own accord, " the engineersaid. "I meant would we have much trouble in making a breach in it?"

"We?" cried Dave. " Do you mean--"

"I mean that we've got to break that dam to save your cattle!" theengineer said. "It's the only way!"

"Break the dam!" murmured Dave. Yet his eyes sparkled at the thought. 

"Yes, " assented the irrigation engineer. 

"But we can't do that, " objected Mr. Carson. "It's on Molick's land, andif we go there, and start something, he'll fight us. He is a desperateman. "

"And so ought you to be with your cattle dying of thirst, " said Mr. Bellmore. 

"I am, but--"

"There aren't any buts about it, " declared the other. " This is a desperatesituation, and we'll have to meet it desperately. Morally, right is onyour side, and I think it is legally, too. I've been looking into therecords and titles of lands along this Rolling River and I find that youhave not received all the water rights that belong to you, Mr. Carson. Onthe other hand Molick has taken more than his share. 

"And there is no doubt that he had no right to build the dam in the way hehas. He should have let some water come down to you. Now the only way toaccomplish this is to make a breach in the dam. This will let your cattledrink. "

"But if we do that--break the dam--he'll either fight us to prevent it, orhe'll build it up again, " Dave said. 

"He may fight, but I doubt it. He was warned once before that he wasexceeding his property rights, and he can't claim ignorance now. And whileit is true that he may build the dam over again, after we cut through it, I don't so much care for that. "

"A change will have to be made anyhow, but if you can get a little water, temporarily, to your cattle it will save them, and you can drive them toother ranges. "

"Yes, I could do that, " admitted the ranch-man. 

"Then on to the dam!" cried the engineer, turning his horse as he spoke. 

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Dave. "That's the way to talk!"

Urged on by the thought of the suffering cattle, the three made good speedto the place where the river turned. There, as Mr. Carson had seen a shorttime before, was the newly-built dam. A number of cowboys were about it, and Dave saw Len, his enemy. 

"Are you game?" asked the engineer. 

"I am!" exclaimed the ^ranchman. 

Dave said nothing, but there was a flash in his eyes as he nodded his headthat told more than mere words. 

"You and I will go up and have a talk with them, " suggested Mr. Bellmore. "Meanwhile Dave can ride and get some of your men, Mr. Carson. We'll needhelp if it comes to a fight, though I hope it won't. We'll make a formalprotest first. Hurry, Dave, every minute may mean a steer's life. "

Dave whirled his steed about and rode hard and straight for the nearestrange where some of the Bar U men were guarding the cattle. Meanwhile Mr. Carson and the engineer crossed the stream below the dam, and rode towardthe Centre O boys. 

"Well, what do you want?" surlily demanded the young heir of the house ofMolick. "This is private land, and no trespassers are wanted. Get off!" hesnarled. 

"We came on business, " said Mr. Carson. "Where's your father?"

"I don't know. But he told me if you came on this land to order you off, and that's what I do!"

"Ordering and going are two different things, " said the ranchman, with agrim laugh. "You've cut off my water down below, with this dam, and Iorder you to open it up. My cattle are dying from thirst. Open this dam!"

"Not much!" sneered Whitey Wasson, Len's crony. 

"But I tell you my cattle are dying, man!" exclaimed Mr. Carson. "You knowwhat it means to steers to be without water this kind of weather. "

"You ought to have thought of that before you pastured them down there, "sneered the cowboy. 

"Then you refuse to open the dam?" asked Mr. Bellmore. 

"We certainly do!" returned Len. 

"Then you must take the consequences, " said Mr. Bellmore, speakingsolemnly. "You will be sued for the value of every animal that dies ofthirst, as well as being obliged to pay heavy damages for the trouble youhave caused. I know the situation of water rights in this valley, and Itell you that you are acting illegally. Now do you still refuse to openthat dam?"

Len looked a bit frightened at this warning, but Whitey whispered to him, and the son of Jason Molick answered:

"Go on! We're not afraid. This dam is on our land and you can't touch it!"

At that moment a distant whoop sounded. Mr. Carson and the engineer lookedaround and saw a cloud of dust approaching. It soon resolved itself intoDave, leading a number of cowboys who bore picks and shovels--ratherunusual implements for cowpunchers. On they came, hard-riding, singing andshouting, eager for the fray. They outnumbered the Centre O outfit. 

"Well, since you won't open the dam, we'll have to do it for you, " went onMr. Bellmore. "Lively, boys!" he called, as Dave and his friends rode up. "Tear out the dam and let the water down where it ought to run. Livelynow!"

"Don't you touch that dam!" screamed Len. 

"Go on! I order you to tear it away!" said Mr. Carson to his men. 

"Whoop!" they yelled in response, and a moment later, flinging themselvesfrom their horses, they swarmed into the water and began the work ofdestruction. 

Dave, Mr. Carson and the engineer looked anxious for a moment, feelingthat the Centre O boys might put up a fight. But not a gun was drawn. 

Perhaps the cowboys employed by the Molick outfit were disgusted with thetactics of their employer, when they heard the story of the thirst-dyingcattle. No true cowboy would countenance that sort of thing. So theylooked on idly while the Bar U men tore away the dam. 

A little trickle of water came through, flowing down the course from whichit had been diverted. Gradually it grew in volume until a gushing streamfilled the muddy bed of the stream. 

"That's what was needed, " murmured Dave. "That will save our cattle. "

"Stop it! Let that dam alone!" yelled Len, over and over again. But no onepaid any attention to him--not even the cowboys of the Centre O. They onlysmiled and rolled cigarettes. Perhaps they were glad to see Len beaten. 

But the bully and Whitey Wasson were whispering together, and soon theyrode off at a gallop. 

"They've gone to get the Old Man, " said one of the Bar U cowboys. 

"We don't care, " Dave said. "Enough water has gone down now to save ourcattle, and it will be some time before they can build up that dam again. "

"That's right, " agreed Mr. Bellmore. "You needn't try to save any of theboards, " he added significantly to the cowboys who were destroying theobstruction. 

And so he work went on, and when it had been accomplished the Bar U boysrode away to their usual tasks. For much remained to be done. 

"We've got to get the cattle off that range, " said Mr. Carson. "Molickwill have that dam in place again as soon as he can, and it will be thesame story over again. "

"That's what he will, " assented the engineer. "And though I think youcould stop him by legal action, it would take so long that your cattlewould die of thirst. The best way is to remove them, and fight himafterward. "

The pent-up waters were now rushing down their accustomed channel, andwhen the cattle range was reached the steers were drinking their fill. Most of them had been saved, only a few died, but some choice ones wereincluded in this number. 

"And now for the big round-up!" exclaimed Mr. Carson, when the cattle, their thirst slaked, were willing to be driven on. "I'll move all my stockto some place where Molick can't kill them off. Then I'll fight him to thelast ditch!"

"Hurrah!" cried Dave. 

"Hurrah for the round-up I" yelled the cowboys. It meant hard work, but itmeant excitement, too, and that was a large part of their lives. 

CHAPTER XVIII

A MIDNIGHT BLAZE

Once the thirsty cattle had satisfied their longing for water, it was acomparatively easy matter to drive them from the temporary range wherethey had been sent to fatten. The river was running at its usual rate, butof course it could not be said how long this would continue. 

"Len and his father will get busy and build that dam again, " remarkedDave, as he and Mr. Bellmore, with Pocus Pete and the cowboys, herded thecattle together to drive them away. 

"Yes, I suppose so, until we can take legal action against him, " assentedthe water agent, who was rapidly learning the rudiments of cow-punching. 

"And legal action is going to take a long time, " said Mr. Carson. "Ihaven't done any more of it than I've had to in my life, but it is mightyslow action. "

"But it is sure in the end, " said Mr. Bellmore. "And I am positive thatright is on your side. "

"Well, we won't take any more chances with the cattle getting water here--at least for a while, " said the ranch owner. "We'll make the main round-upwhile we're at it, and then we'll see what we can do. I'll sell off a bigsupply of steers, and that will mean less water will be required. ThenI'll be in a better position to make a fight against Molick and hiscrowd. "

"That's a good idea--reducing your cattle until the water matter issettled, " the Chicago man said. 

Talking and laughing among themselves, at the manner in which they haddestroyed the dam, and let in the water to its former course, the cowboysrode along, driving the cattle. Not all who had been summoned for thiswork were needed to drive the steers, since they went willingly enough. 

"So some of you had better ride on ahead to the ranch house, and get readyfor the round-up tomorrow, " said Mr. Carson. "There'll be busy times, then. And, too, " he added in a low voice, "I rather want them around theplace just at present. "

"Why?" asked Dave. 

"Oh, you never can tell what Molick will do, " was the answer. 

"You mean he might try to be revenged on you for opening the dam?" askedMr. Bellmore. 

"Something like that--yes. It wouldn't be the first time if a barn or bunkhouse or a pile of fodder should go up in smoke. Such things have occurredhere. "

"And was it never found out who did it?"

"Well, we had our suspicions. Almost always the one who suffered was onthe outs with the Molick crowd. "

"I think I'll ride back myself, " Dave said. "I've got a few possessions Iwouldn't like to have damaged, "

"I'll go with you, " offered Mr. Bellmore. "There are some valuable paperson this irrigation scheme that I wouldn't like to lose, or see fall intothe hands of strangers. "

"Oh, I don't really believe there is any danger, " went on Mr. Carson. "Iwas just taking the utmost precaution. But ride on if you want to, Dave. We can handle the cattle all right now, and I want to talk to Pocus Peteabout the round-up. "

So Dave and his friend rode on ahead, following some of the cowboys whohad been summoned to tear away the dam. Now that the excitement was overDave felt a little reaction, which generally follows high tension. As Davelooked at the young man riding beside him he could not help contrastingtheir two positions. 

"I guess he knows all right who he is, " mused Dave. "No worrying about hisfather and mother or about his future. As for me, I don't know whether I'ma rag-picker's son, or whether I came from a millionaire's family. "

Yet, as he thought it over more soberly, Dave could not help thinking thathe must have had as parents persons in that broad, and altogetherdesirable, middle class. 

"If they were millionaires they would hardly have been living in a smallMissouri town, " reasoned the young cowboy, "and if I came from rag-pickerancestors I'd have had on such ragged clothes that Mr. Carson would havenoticed that and spoken of it. And that reminds me. I must ask him aboutthe clothing I wore, and about how old I was. Maybe he kept the garments, and they might form a clew. Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll ask Mr. Carsonabout it. "

To himself Dave always thought of the ranchman as "Mr. Carson, " thoughwhen he spoke he called him "Dad, " for he did not want strangers tosurmise concerning the secret, nor did he wish to hurt the man who hadbeen a father to him. 

"Anything wrong?" Inquired Mr. Bellmore, as they cantered along. 

"Wrong? No. Why?" asked Dave, looking up suddenly. 

"Why you're as glum as an owl, and as silent as one of these prairiedogs, " went on the engineer. "You haven't said a word for over a mile. Issomething troubling you?"

"Yes--that is, no I" exclaimed Dave. "I was--just thinking"

"Oh, I could see that, " returned the other with a laugh. "Well, if it'sanything about this water business, don't worry. Molick and his crowd maybother your father for a time, but Bar U ranch will win out--I'm sure ofit!"

"I hope so, " murmured Dave. "They're a mean crowd, though, " and he thoughtof the cowardly taunt of Len Molick--the taunt which had first given himthe clew to his lack of identity. 

"Well, I'll do all I can for you and your father, " went on the engineer. "I owe a great deal to you both. In fact I am convinced that I owe my lifeto you. "

"Oh, pshaw!" deprecated Dave. 

"Yes, that's a fact, " went on Mr. Bellmore. "I might have lain caughtthere in that gully until I died, for it is a lonely place. "

"Yes, that's true enough, " agreed Dave. 

"And so, in a small way, I'm going to do all I can to repay you, " said theChicago man. "I know something about water rights, irrigation and titledeeds to streams, even if I'm not much on the cowpunching, " he added witha smile, "and such knowledge as I have is at your service. "

"Well, I'm sure we'll appreciate it--dad and I, " said Dave. "Now let's trya little run. Crow is just spoiling for a good gallop, and the way fromhere home is as fine a track as you'd want. "

Calling to his horse, Dave set him at a gallop, being followed by Mr. Bellmore on Kurd, and the two indulged in an impromptu race, reaching theranch house at the same time. 

"Hi there, Hop Loy!" called Dave. "Grub ready?"

"Alle same leady velly soon, " said the amiable Chinese, with a cheerfulgrin, "How you like plan-cakes?"

"Plan-cakes strike me as about right; don't they you, Mr. Bellmore?"

"I should say they would be eminently fitting and proper, " returned theengineer with a laugh. 

Presently there were busy scenes being enacted at Bar U ranch as thecowboys came in from their various stations, including those men who werewith Mr. Carson, driving in the cattle that had been in such danger. 

"Grub" in other words, supper, was served, a prodigious number of "plan-cakes" being consumed. But far from being annoyed, Hop Loy was pleased themore the boys ate. His shrill voice, singing a Chinese song, rose higherand higher as he toiled in his kitchen, baking stack after stack of thebrown cakes. 

"Velly much glood eat!" he exclaimed with a grin. 

"Hop, you're all right!" cried Pocus Pete. 

"Your pig-tail is safe with us!" declared Tubby Larkin, as he passed hisplate for more cakes. 

Preparations for the round-up were made that night, and the real workbegan next morning. A round-up on a cattle ranch, as I suppose you allknow, means just what the word implies. A rounding up, or bringingtogether, of all the beasts, that a count may be made and some disposedof. 

When the cattle roamed freely about the plains there was an interminglingof herds, and the only way one man could tell his "critters" from those ofhis neighbor, was by the brand marks on their flanks, or cuts in the ears. Of course in later years when there were more fences, the work becameeasier. 

In the round-up the calves born since the last accounting are branded, andcattle matters generally are straightened out, and settled for the ensuingyear. 

And this was the work that Dave and his cowboy friends did. The mainobject of having it done now at the Bar U ranch was to provide for thewater contingency. Mr. Carson realized that Molick would probably soonagain shut off a portion of his supply. 

"And if I can't get enough water for all my cattle I'll have to keep asmaller number until the tangle is straightened out, " said the ranchman, "I'll sell off while I have the chance, and buy later in the fall. "

These were busy times. From distant ranges the cattle were driven in. Those needing branding were "cut out, " or separated from the rest of theherd. With skillful throws of their ropes Dave and the others would lassothe creatures, throwing them and holding them to the ground, while anothercowpuncher, with an iron made hot in a hastily built fire, imprinted onthe flank of the unbranded cow or steer the device of a letter U with astraight bar across it. This marked the animal as Mr. Carson's. 

Riders dashed here and there, shouting, yelling, now and then laughing, and occasionally firing off big revolvers to turn some refractory steer. 

The dust-cloud was thick over everything. It coated the faces of thecowboys until they appeared to be wearing masks. Now and then one of themwould have a fall, but seldom with any serious results. 

It was work, toil, sweat, ride hard, gallop here and there, yell, shout, leap, stumble, fall and get up again. And gradually something like ordercame out of the chaos. 

Over at the chuck wagon Hop Loy stood ready to serve a hasty lunchwhenever it was called for. Water, thickened with oatmeal, or made spicywith vinegar and ginger, "switchel, " as it is called, served to quench thethirst. 

"Well, I guess we have 'em pretty well where we want 'em, " said Dave, atthe close of the day. "Pretty good round-up; eh, Dad?"

"Yes, but it isn't over yet, " was the answer. Mr. Carson cast a look atthe sky. All his cattle were now gathered in one immense herd, branded, and ready for division during the following few days. A large number wouldbe shipped away, and others would be scattered over the ranch on rangeswhere the water supply could not be tampered with by Jason Molick. 

"Thinking of a storm?" asked Mr. Bellmore, for a midnight storm willsometimes stampede a bunch of cattle more quickly than anything else. 

"Well, I don't like the look of the sky, " the ranchman said. "But it mayblow over. "

Night on the prairies. Night, with a great herd of cattle to be lookedafter. The cowboys rode slowly around the immense herd, singing their ownpeculiar songs. Some claimed that the cattle were quieter if they heardsinging. 

"Though th' way some of those fellers howl is enough t' give any self-respectin' cow critter th' nightmare, " declared Pocus Pete. 

"Go on! You're just jealous 'cause you can't warble!" said Skinny. 

Gradually those who were not on night duty rolled themselves up in theirblankets and forgot the cares of the day in heavy slumber. Dave lay nearMr. Carson and Mr. Bellmore. But for some reason or other the young cowboycould not sleep. He stared up at the stars which had been dim, but werenow quite bright. 

"I don't believe we're going to get a storm, " mused Dave. 

He arose to get a drink of water, thinking perhaps this change might bringslumber. As he stood for a moment, after quenching his thirst, he gazedover the great dark mass of slightly moving cattle. He heard the distantsongs of the cowboys. And then, suddenly, Dave saw something else. It wasa glow off to the west-a red, dull glow that nearly caused his heart tostop beating. 

"That's a fire!" he murmured. For a moment he thought of the ranchbuildings, but an instant later he knew it was in the opposite direction. 

The glow increased. It lighted the sky. Dave sprang toward the place wherethe ranchman slept. 

"Fire! Fire!" he cried. "The prairie is on fire!"

CHAPTER XIX

FIGHTING FIRE

The cry of fire at any time, is a dreadful one to hear. Whether it be inthe crowded city, or in the lonely country; whether on board a ship on theheaving ocean, or an alarm given where factory workers are assembled; itis fearsome, always. 

And though Dave and his friends were out on the great, open prairies, where the fire might have full sweep without ever coming near them, yetthe cry of the young cowboy roused all instantly. 

For fire on the prairies means more than would at first seem, and when aherd of cattle is in its path it is a warning that must be heeded at onceif one would save the stock. 

If there is not actual danger from the fire itself, there is the risk ofits stampeding the cattle causing them to make a mad rush in which manywill be killed. 

"Fire! Fire!" yelled Dave, but his first cry was enough. All the sleepersjumped to their feet, and an echoing cry came from the cowboys who, on thefar side of the herd of cattle were riding around them to keep them fromstraying. 

As yet the animals had not taken the alarm. They could not smell the fire, for it was too far away, and the dull, distant glow in the west, as yet, meant nothing to them. 

Nor had Dave's cries, and the answers thereto, given them any alarm. Theywere accustomed to the shouting and yelling of the cowboys day and night, and a little more or less of this noise did not startle them. 

"Fire did you say, Dave?" cried Mr. Carson, as he shook his blanket fromhim. 

"Yes, Dad. Over there!"

Dave pointed to the glow. It was brighter now. 

"Yes, it's a fire sure enough, " was the ranchman's remark. "And travelingfast, too. "

"Wind's blowing her this way, " remarked Pocus Pete, who had joined thetwo. " Got t' get busy, boys. " That last to the cowboys who were now up, ready for business. 

"A prairie fire!" cried Mr. Bellmore. "How are you going to fight it?"

"There are only two ways, " said Pocus Pete. "By plowing, or by firing astrip so wide that the main fire can't cross. We won't have time to plow. We've got to fight fire with fire. Come on, boys. "

"Oh, if we only had water!" murmured the engineer. 

"It wouldn't do us much good, " said the ranchman. "When that fire getshere it will be a mile or more wide, and no hose would reach that far. "

"That's right, " chimed in Dave. He had not seen many prairie fires, but heknew something of their danger. "I guess we'll have to back fire. Thoughwe could send for some plows, Dad"

"Yes, and I think I'll do that, " the ranchman said. "The wind may shift, and I'd feel better if I had some plowed furrows between that blaze and mycattle. "

Plowing and burning a strip are the two principal methods used in fightingprairie fires. The dry grass of the plains, when it starts to burn, goeslike tinder. If it can be done in time, it is often effective to lightanother fire in front of the one that is rolling forward. This consumesthe grass on which the flames feed, and when they reach that spot there isnothing for them to burn. And if one stands on the area burned he will becomparatively safe. Of course care must be taken not to get singed in theback-fire. 

Another method is to plow the ground, turning the dried grass under, andleaving only the bare earth exposed. If a strip can be plowed wide enoughthe fire can not leap over it. 

"Lively now, boys!" called Mr. Carson. "Dave, you go over and help keepthe cattle from stampeding. Keep 'em milling. " This means keeping theanimals going around and around in concentric circles, like a mill wheel. When they can be made to do this they seldom break and run wild. 

"Oh, Dad! Let me go to fight the fire!" pleaded the youth. 

"All right. Only take care of yourself, " was the caution. 

"I'll go and help the boys mill the cattle, " offered the water engineer. "I believe I can do that. "

"I think so, though it isn't going to be an easy task, " said the ranchman. 

The glare of the distant fire was now brighter, and a dull roar could beheard. The cattle seemed to be aware of the danger, and it required hardwork on the part of the punchers to keep them from breaking. With shoutsand yells, with lashings from their shortened lariats and with shots fromtheir heavy revolvers the punchers did manage, however, to keep thecreatures in a compact mass. 

Some cowboys, leaping into the chuck wagon, had started to drive to theranch buildings to bring back plows and plow horses. They might, if theywere lucky, return in time to help in keeping back the flames. 

But the main fighting force, which Dave joined, rode straight toward theonrushing flames in the desperate endeavor to fight fire with fire. Theywould need to reach a spot, though, where the wind was blowing away fromthem and the cattle, and toward the main blaze. Such places can often befound in the rolling prairie, with its many glades and swales. Then, too, the heat of the big fire often creates a vacuum, or back draft, causingair to rush in toward the leaping flames, and making a wind blow towardthem that will carry with it the fire started to offset the menacing one. 

"Here's a good spot!" exclaimed Pocus Pete at length. "Scatter along here, boys, and set the grass ablaze. "

Leaping from the backs of their ponies, the cowboys gave the reins intothe hands of one of their number to hold, for the horses could not betrusted to stand alone with the fire coming ever nearer them. And withouttheir mounts the cowboys would be lost. 

The spot where the party now found itself was down in a little depression, or swale, and the wind was blowing away from them and toward the mainconflagration. 

"Light, boys!" cried the foreman, as he struck a match and applied it to abunch of dried grass that made a rude torch. The others, including Dave, did the same. Soon little spurts of flame in the grass showed where thecontending fire was started. 

"Watch it now, boys!" Pocus Pete warned them. "If you see it starting tocreep back on you swat it out. Take your blankets, and see if you can'tfind a water hole. Sozzle your blankets in that and swat the blaze if shestarts to run back on you. "

A spring, or, rather a mud-hole that passed for one, was found, and inthis the blankets were wet. Then, as the contending fire burned onward, some little tongues of flame crept back toward the spot where the cattlehad been left These were "swatted" with the wet blankets as fast as seen. 

"Well, she's going!" cried Dave, as he saw the fire they had set to fightthe other leaping onward as though to meet the blazing enemy. "That oughtto burn a safety strip. "

"If th' wind doesn't turn, " murmured Pocus Pete. "If th' wind doesn'tturn. "

Anxiously now they waited, looking the while to see that no stray sparksset a fire behind them. Dirty, dusty, choking and smoke-begrimed, thecowboys fought the oncoming fire. Back of them their comrades worked hardto hold in check the frightened cattle, while others were racing back withthe plowing outfit. 

And off to the west glowed, roared and crackled the menacing prairie fire. 

CHAPTER XX

THE CHASE

"Lively boys! Swat it out! Farther off to the left there, Skinny!"

"All right, Pete! I get you!"

"Dave, there's a flicker behind you. Swat it out!"

"Out she goes!" answered the young cowboy. 

"Tubby, step along with a little more life!" the foreman cried. "Th'fire'll git yo' if yo' don't watch out!"

"I'm goin' along as fast as I can, Pete. "

"Well, move faster. We've got to beat this fire!"

Thus with friendly gibes and taunts Pete kept his men at work. The firewas coming nearer, but the burned strip was widening too, and soon wouldbe too broad for the flames to leap over. 

They would separate, of course, and travel down on either side of thecharred section, but the cattle might be saved. 

Up and down the length of the line of fire they had started to offset theother, keeping well back of it, and watching that no stray sparks or wispsof burning grass got behind them, Dave and his comrades worked hard. Theimmediate danger seemed to have passed, but a shift in the wind might comeat any time, and render their task futile. 

"A little more, boys, and we'll call it done!" exclaimed the foreman, wiping his grimy, sweaty face on his sleeve. It did not greatly improvehis countenance, however. 

Dave and the others lengthened the line of back-fire, and then, seeingthat they had burned a strip sufficiently wide to make it comparativelycertain that the oncoming fire would not leap over it, they turned back tohelp plow the furrows, or to keep the cattle in order and from stampeding. 

Leaping on their snorting ponies the cowboys rode back, leaving behindthem two fires where before there had been but one. But soon the two wouldmerge into one, leaving a broad, blackened barren strip, that contained nofuel for the flames. 

"It's lucky we struck that swale where the wind blew in the otherdirection, " Dave remarked. 

"Mighty lucky, " assented Pocus Pete. 

Of course where a strong wind is blowing a prairie fire toward one, another method of escape can be taken. If there is time a fire can bestarted where one is standing. The wind will carry it in the samedirection as that in which the main blaze is advancing, but ahead of it. Then, as the grass is burned off, and the ground cools, one can follow thesecond fire, getting far enough in toward the center of the area one hasburned to be safe. But this method can not be used where the second firewould consume buildings or cattle, as would have been the case here. 

"How'd you make out?" demanded Mr. Carson, as Dave and the others, smoke-begrimed and weary, rode up. 

"All right. There's a big burned patch between us and the fire now, " saidPocus Pete. "Have the plows come?"

"Not yet"

"Hark!" exclaimed Dave. "What's that?"

A thunder of hoofs could be heard, thudding on the ground. 

"The cattle--a stampede!" gasped Tubby Larkin. 

"No, it's the boys coming back with the plow outfit, " said Dave. "I canhear the rattle of the wheels on the chuck wagon. "

And his guess proved correct. A little later the wagon rumbled up. Ledalong behind it were a number of horses kept for use on the farm that wasattached to the ranch. The animals were quickly hitched to the plows--several of them--and then began the turning over of a number of dampfurrows of earth, which would offer no food for the flames. 

The fire was increasing, for it found much dry material on the sun-bakedprairie. It had not yet reached the strip that had been burned to stop it. Would it pause there, and divide? Or would it still come on toward thecattle?

Those were questions each one was asking. 

The cattle were becoming more and more excited as the sky was lighted morebrilliantly by the bright glare. The smell of fire and smoke was in theair, and the crackle and roar of the flames sounded louder. The cattleheard and were afraid. 

"Come, Dave!" called Pocus Pete. "Guess we'll find our work cut out for usover there now. They won't need us to help with the plowing. "

Indeed the cowboys in charge of the cattle had their hands full. Every nowand then some steer would make a break, and if he were not quickly turnedand driven back it meant that others would follow. Quick action wasrequired. 

And while the men selected for that work attended to the turning over ofthe brown earth, Dave and the others, under the direction of Pocus Petekept the cattle from stampeding. 

The prairies were now as well lighted as at early dawn. In fact with thatdull, red glare over everything, it was not unlike a dawn--the dawn thatbrings a storm in its wake. 

The roar of the fire sounded like distant thunder, and there was a smokytaste to the air, which was hot and stifling. 

"Look out for that fellow, Dave!" called the foreman, as a big steer madea break for liberty. 

"I'll get him!" shouted the young cowboy, as, whirling his lasso inreadiness he spurred after the animal. 

As Dave rode on, another steer, thinking perhaps to take advantage of thedistraction, started out after the first one, and directly behind Dave. With lowered head the animal took after the horse and rider, seeminglywith the intention of trying to overthrow them. 

"Look out, Dave!" yelled Mr. Bellmore. "He'll toss you!"

The engineer sent his horse on the run toward Dave, but it is doubtful ifthe Chicago man could have done anything, not being an expert in handlingthe rope. 

But Skinny had seen Dave's danger, and with a yell he took after thesecond steer. An instant later his lasso had settled over the animal'shead, and as the pony stopped short, and braced back, the steer fell, hisfeet kicking in the air. 

Dave himself was not aware of what had happened, so intent was he ondriving back the brute he was after. And it was not until he had donethis, and looked back, seeing the prostrate creature, that our hero wasaware of what had happened. Then he understood at once. 

"Thanks, Skinny, " he said, pantingly. 

"Don't mention it, " replied the other. He shook free his rope, and thesteer, now subdued, and tractable, rose to his feet and went back to theherd. 

It needed every effort and attention on the part of the cowboys to keepthe cattle from stampeding, but they managed to do it. The fire came on, halted at the burned strip, hesitated as if considering a leap across, andthen divided, rolling down either side of the bare strip. 

"That does the trick, " said Mr. Carson. "I guess we've saved our stock. "

"And we didn't need the plowed strip after all, " Dave said, for, so far, the blaze had not approached within danger-distance of the herd. 

"Well, it isn't over yet, " said the ranch owner. "That fire still hasplenty of ginger in it, and the wind may shift any minute. Dave, youworked well!"

"Oh, no better than any of the others. "

"Yes you did! You worked well, and I shan't forget it But I'd like to knowhow this fire started. No cowman would be so careless with matches when heknows how dry it's been. And I don't believe lightning set it. I'd like toknow how it started. "

"So would I, " said Dave, "and I think I'll investigate. "

"How? Where?" asked the cattleman. 

"Why, I'll go over there where the fire started. I may be able to learnsomething. "

"Better take one of the boys with you, " Mr. Carson cautioned him. "That'sin the direction of Molick's ranch, and they may be in a bad humor. Takesome one with you. "

When Dave's intention was made known Pocus Pete and Mr. Bellmore offeredto accompany him. Dave was glad to have them. 

They rode over the blackened, scarcely-cooled area, there being lightenough from the distant flames to enable them to see well. But there wasnothing to observe--that is at first. 

Finally, however, as they went on, Dave gave a sudden exclamation. 

"What is it? "asked the engineer. 

"Hush! Not so loud!" was Dave's caution. "Don't you see some one croucheddown in the grass there, lighting matches?"

The other two looked to where he pointed. They did indeed see a darkfigure. Suddenly it became plain, and the three saw some one stooping overin the dry grass, setting fire to it with matches. 

"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Bellmore. "Who is he?"

"I don't know, but we'll soon find out, " said Pocus Pete, grimly. "Comeon, boys!"

He spurred forward, followed by Dave and Mr. Bellmore. The person in thegrass heard them, and, leaping to his saddle, leaving the little blaze togrow, he was off at a gallop. But Dave and his two friends chased on afterhim. 

"Looks like he was the very man we want, " murmured Pocus Pete. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE ESCAPE

"What about that fire?" asked Mr. Bellmore, as he galloped on beside Dave. 

"I don't know, " was the doubtful answer. "What do you say, Pete?"

"What's that?" called back the foreman, his eyes never leaving the dimfigure that was racing on ahead. 

"The fire he started, " replied Dave. "Won't it eat back to the cattle?"

"It may. But they've got enough men to fight it now, and the plowed stripwill stop almost any blaze. Come on, we want to get that skunk!"

"Do you think he set the big fire, Pete?"

"I don't know what to think, I'm goin' to catch him first!" was the grimreply. "I'll do my thinkin' afterward. "

The glow of the big fire was dying away now. One reason for this was thatthe blaze was working its way behind a range of hills. Another was foundin the coming of the dawn, the fire paling before the glow of the risingsun. 

Dave gave a look back at the blaze in the grass he had seen started by thecrouching figure. The flames were spreading in the dry, tinder-like grass, and for a moment Dave was worried. Then he reflected that the cowboys whowere with the herd ought to be able to handle it, and, as Pete had said, the plowed strip would act in the same manner as had the burned area. 

"We've got to take a chance, " murmured Dave, "and it can't be a much worsechance than the one we took earlier in the night. And we must get thatfellow!"

It would be the worst possible procedure to leave loose in the country sodesperate a character as one who would deliberately start a prairie fire. He could do untold damage. 

"I wonder who he is?" mused Dave. Yet in his heart he had an answer ready. "Some of the Molick crowd, " he whispered. "Their ranch would be safe withthe wind blowing the way it does now, and they must know it would send thefire right down on us. It was the Molick crowd, I'll wager a hat!"

He hurried on with the others. Dawn was breaking rapidly now. It seemedscarcely more than a few minutes since Dave saw that glow in the midnightsky, yet it was several hours. But so crowded had they been with work andworry that it seemed hardly more than one--or, at most, a few minutes. 

The figure ahead was riding desperately to escape. 

"He's got a good horse critter, " observed Pete, admiringly. He couldadmire even an enemy's mount. 

"Yes, but he can't keep up that speed, " said Mr. Bellmore. " And ouranimals are fresh. "

This was true, as during the fire-fighting the ponies of the Bar U ranchhad been able to rest. Now they were fresh for the chase that was on. Anda fierce chase it was. 

Setting a prairie fire, when the person who did it could not but know itwould eat its way toward a bunch of cattle, was a crime not far from horsestealing, than which there is no blacker offense in the West, where aman's life depends on his horse. And the person who was riding thusdesperately away must have known, or at least feared, that quick vengeancewould be dealt out to him. 

"Th' skunk!" muttered Pete, as he and the others swept on. "Th' mean, onery skunk!"

Up came the sun from below the horizon, shining red in the smoke-filledair--red and dim, like some great balloon. The morning was hot with theheat of the fire, and it would soon be warmer and more depressing from theheat of the sun's rays. 

"It's a good thing dad has his cattle where there's some water for them, "said Dave. 

"Yes, " agreed Pete. "There isn't much, but it's better than being over atthe other place, where Molick and his crowd can cut us off altogether. "

"If worst comes to worst, and he's built up that dam again, " said theengineer, "we'll go and tear it down once more. "

"That's what we will, " Pete said. "I'm not going to lose the cattle forwant of some water, when we saved 'em from the fire. "

Dave was about to make a remark, when he gave a cry of surprise instead. 

"What's up?" asked Pete. 

"Look! If that isn't Len Molick I'll eat my rope!" cried the youngcowpuncher. "Len Molick started that fire!"

"It's him all right, " agreed Pete, after an instant's glance. 

The figure racing on ahead so desperately had turned for a moment in thesaddle, and this turning gave a view of his face. Dave had seen it was hisenemy--the enemy who had taunted him with his lack of knowledge concerninghis birth and parentage. 

"And we've caught him with the goods, " remarked Pete, indulging in theslang which meant so much. "He'll go to jail for this. "

"If we catch him, " suggested Mr. Bellmore. 

"Oh, we'll get him, " declared Pete. "Come on here you cayuse you!" hecalled merrily to his mount. 

But alas for Pete's hopes. Whether the extra burst of speed was more thanhis horse could respond to, or whether in the excess of his zeal Peteforgot his usual caution probably would never be known. 

But the fact of the matter was that his horse Stepped into the burrow of aprairie dog, and, a moment later, the foreman went flying over the head ofhis steed, landing on the soft grass some distance away. 

Dave and Mr. Bellmore pulled up at once, but they had hardly done sobefore Pete leaped to his feet. 

"Ride on I Ride on!" he yelled. "Don't mind me. Get that skunk!"

"But you may be hurt!" Dave called. 

"Hurt? No, not a bit! I'm all right!"

"What about the horse?" asked the engineer. 

The animal had picked himself up, and walked with a limp toward hismaster, for Pete had trained him well. 

"Poor brute's got a twisted shoulder--I'll have to ride him slow after Irub him down, " Pete said, mournfully enough. "I can't make any kind ofspeed on him. Ride on, you fellows! Don't let that skunk get away!"

It was the law and custom of the range. When a chase was on, if one failedand fell behind, the other, or others, must keep going. It was a hard law, but life on the range was not easy, nor was it one for children. 

"All right!" called Dave, recognizing the necessity for prompt action. "We'll get him!"

"And watch out for him, " Pete warned them. "He'll be desperate if he findsyou're closing in on him. "

"We'll watch out, " said Mr. Bellmore. 

Again he and Dave dashed on, leaving Pete to minister to his injuredhorse. The foreman at once proceeded to rub vigorously the strainedshoulder with a bunch of grass. His steed winced it the pain, but seemedto know it was for its own good. 

"I'll have to go back, " Pete said, mournfully. "But I hope they catch thatskunk!"

It was the meanest name he could think of to call Len Molick. 

The chase was resumed. Pete's accident had cost Dave and his companionsome precious moments and they had lost distance. But they felt that, eventually, they must win. For their horses were fresher than was themount of the youth who had set the fire, and already they had appreciablylessened the distance between them. 

Len's horse had shown a wonderful burst of speed at first, and he hadsecured a quick start. 

"But it won't do him any good, " said Dave. "We'll have him ridden down inten minutes more. "

"I hope so, " murmured Mr. Bellmore, "Why. Can't Kurd stand it?"

"Oh, yes, but I'm afraid I can't. This is more riding than I've done sinceI had my accident, and my ankle is paining me. "

"Say, you drop out, " Dave urged him. "I can manage Len all right. "

"Indeed I'll not drop out! I'm going to stay in to the finish, but I'll beglad when it comes. This Western life is, indeed, rough and ready, Dave. "

"Then you're not a Westerner by birth?"

"No, I came from the East. I'll have to tell you my story some day. It'srather a curious one. "

Dave reflected that his own was, also, but he was not so sure he wanted totell it. Every day had increased his admiration for Mr. Bellmore, butthere are some facts that we keep even from our best friends. 

They were on a downward slope now, and the going was better. Slowly butsurely they were overtaking Len. Now and then he glanced back over hisshoulder, as if to measure the distance separating him from his pursuers. 

"Do you think he'll shoot?" asked Mr. Bellmore. 

"He may, " said Dave, calmly. "He's a big enough bully to do so, but he'sthe worst shot you ever heard of. I really believe he's afraid of a gun. "

"Still, sometimes those chaps make a bull's-eye out of pure luck. "

"We've got to take the chance, " Dave said. "Keep well down on your horse'sneck. "

But Len showed no intention of drawing a weapon. Probably it was all hecould do to manage his now fast-tiring steed. 

Suddenly the stillness of the morning was broken by a prolonged shrillscreech. 

"What's that?" cried Mr. Bellmore. 

"Railroad train, " said Dave. "The line passes just below us. You can seethe smoke of the train in a minute. There she is--a fast freight. Whistledbecause they're going to stop for water I guess. Yes, there she goes up tothe tank. "

Down below them they could see the crawling freight. As they watched theysaw it draw up to the tank and stop. Water poured into the tender of theengine. 

"Why, look at Len! He's riding straight for the freight!" cried Dave. 

"That's what he is, " echoed Mr. Bellmore. "Maybe he's going to take it!"

"If he does--" murmured Dave. 

They spurred on, but were too far away. A moment later they saw Len leapfrom his horse, abandon the creature, and jump on one of the freight cars. The engine whistled, started off and rapidly gathered speed, taking Lenaway from his pursuers. 

"Well, if that isn't tough luck!" bitterly said Dave, as they pulled up. Len had escaped. There was no use in chasing the fast freight. 

CHAPTER XXII

TANGLES

Sitting astride his tired horse Dave looked lung and earnestly at thefast-disappearing freight, as it went around a bend in the hills. He couldnot see Len, but he knew the young bully was aboard. 

"Well, you're gone now, but there'll come a time when you may want to comeback, " mused Dave. "And when you do, I'll get you. I think you started thebig fire, but I'll give you a chance to prove you didn't. "

He sat there musing for a while longer. The freight was out of sight nowbut there came to his ears, faintly through the heavy morning air, thesound of the distant puffing. And he could see the trail of smoke. 

"Smoke! Ugh!" exclaimed Dave. "I've seen enough, and smelled enough, inthe last few hours to last me a year!"

His eyes smarted from the acrid fumes of the burning prairie grass, andhis mouth was parched. 

"Guess you must want a drink too, Crow, " said Dave aloud, and his horsewhinnied as though understanding. Dave saw Len's horse, which the youngrascal had abandoned, taking a long drink from a pool that had formedunder the railroad tank. 

Dave's horse needed no urging toward the inviting water and soon bothmaster and beast were drinking deeply. Dave also plunged his head down ina puddle and soused his arms and hands in it. 

"There, I feel better, " he said. " A heapsight better. And now what am Igoing to do with you?" he asked as he saw Len's abandoned horse croppingthe grass near the tank. "I can't leave you here for rustlers to make offwith. You're too good an animal, if you do belong to a mean skunk. And yetI don't feel like doing Len any favor. If I take you I may get intotrouble with Mr. Molick, too. 

"Oh, I'll take a chance though. Can't see a horse suffer, " Dave went on, and when his own mount had sufficiently refreshed itself with water andfood, the young cowboy leaped to the saddle and rode up to Len's animal. 

He had no difficulty in catching the pony, as it was quite exhausted fromthe run. And thus leading his prize, Dave started back. Mr. Bellmore, whohad done as Dave had, taken a long drink and a wash, was also muchrefreshed. 

"It surely was tough luck, " remarked the engineer, "but it couldn't behelped. We did our best!"

"I should say so!" exclaimed Dave. "I regard it as a pretty sure sign ofhis guilt--that running away; don't you?"

"Well, most people would, I think, " said the Chicago man slowly, "and yet, from what you have told me, I guess Len would run from you anyhow, wouldn't he, if he saw you take after him?"

"He might, " admitted Dave, with a grin, as he thought of the encounter hehad had with the bully. "Yes, I guess he might. But we saw him start onefire; didn't we?"

"Yes, but of course he could claim that he was starting a back-fire, justas we did. "

"Huh!" Dave mused. "I didn't think of that. But I'm sure Len did start thebig blaze, anyhow. He wanted to either stampede our cattle, or burn someof them, and you can't make me think any differently. "

"Oh, I'm not trying to, " said Mr. Bellmore. "I'm only giving you an ideaof the view a judge and jury might take of it, if you had Len arrested. "

 "I didn't think of that, " Dave said. "I guess it won't come to an arrest, as far as that is concerned. We Western folk generally administer the lawourselves. If we waited for judges and juries we'd get left in a good manycases. But I don't believe Len will come back, in a hurry. "

"Perhaps not But what are you going to do with his horse?"

"I don't know. Take it back with us for the time being. It's a good animalI might hold it as a sort of hostage until Len claims it. But I don'tbelieve he will. Whew! That was some chase!"

"It certainly was, " agreed Mr. Bellmore. 

They rode back slowly. The air was gradually clearing of the smoke fromthe prairie fire, though far off it could be observed burning yet. But theworst of it was over. Bar U ranch was no longer in danger. 

"What's the next thing on the programme?" asked Mr. Bellmore. 

"Finish the round-up, get rid of as many cattle as we can, provide for therest so they'll have plenty of water in the dry spell, and then fight theMolick crowd, " said Dave. 

"Plenty of room for action there, " commented the engineer with a smile. 

"I guess so, " assented Dave. "But we're depending on your help. "

"And I'll give it to the best of my ability. I think it is wise toundertake legal action as a starter to regaining control of your waterrights. If they don't help us---"

"Why, then we'll try some of our Western persuasive ways, " finished Dave. "I guess dad will be anxious to get busy right away. This fire shows howdesperate that other crowd is. "

"Yes. And if the Molicks had a hand in starting it, which seems reasonableto believe, they probably did it out of revenge for the breaking of thedam. But we had a perfect moral, if not a legal, right to do that, " theChicago man said. 

They rode back slowly, and soon overtook Pocus Pete, who was ambling alongon his injured pony. 

"How'd he get away?" asked Pete, as he saw Dave leading the riderlesshorse. "Was there any shootin'?"

"No, nothing like that, " Dave replied. "He jumped on the fast freight, andleft his animal behind. "

"Huh! Well, maybe it's jest as well, " the foreman said. "It's one skunkless in a country that's got more than its share. That's a good horse, " hewent on, sizing up Len's mount. 

"Yes, " said Dave. "You'd better take it for awhile, and give yours arest. "

"I will, ' said Pete, dismounting and leaping to the saddle of the other. It was a great relief for his own mount, whose shoulder was badlywrenched. 

"This is forcin' th' enemy to give us aid an' comfort, " commented PocusPete, as he settled to the saddle, having put on his own in place of theone Len used, which did not fit the foreman. 

Back over the burned prairie they rode. It was hot with the heat of thesun, which rose higher and higher in the sky, and the air, though it wasmorning, still seemed to have in it some of the heat from the big fire. 

Dave and his friends found Mr. Carson and the cowboys waiting anxiouslyfor them. The story of the chase and its failure was soon told. 

"Well, you did your best, Dave, and I'm much obliged to you, " said Mr. Carson. "I agree with you that it looks as though the Molick crowd wasgetting desperate, and trying to drive us out of the country either by astampede or by fire. If you hadn't discovered that blaze in time there'sno telling what might have happened. Now I've got to plan what to do. "

"And let me help--Dad, " said Dave in a low voice. "I want to do all I canfor you and the Bar U. "

Mr. Carson did not reply at once, but he held out his hand and Davegrasped it in a firm clasp. They understood one another. 

A conference was held, and it was decided that the round-up should befinished as soon as possible, and the cattle intended for shipment drivento the nearest railroad point. The others would be scattered over thedifferent grazing ranges Mr. Carson owned. 

"And then we'll take up this water fight, " said Mr. Bellmore. "If I had mypapers here I could begin some preliminary work now. "

"What you folks most need is a rest, " said Mr. Carson. "You've been up thebest part of the night, fighting fire, and on this chase. Now get somebreakfast and stretch out in the shade of the chuck wagon. There's nothingto be done right away. Hop Loy, get 'em something to eat!"

"Slure I glet bleckflast!" exclaimed the happy-faced Celestial. "Plentyhungly Mlister Dave?" he asked cheerfully. 

"Yes, plenty hungry, " Dave assented. 

While he, Pocus Pete and Mr. Bellmore rested after the meal Mr. Carson andthe others finished the round-up work, branding such cattle as had notalready felt the iron. Then the herds were separated, the ones forshipment being cut out from the others. 

The next few days were busy ones, the work going on from the first peep ofdaylight until it was impossible to see. And in due time the shipment wassuccessfully made. 

"Well, I can breathe more easily now, " said Mr. Carson, when the train haddeparted, some of his cowboys going with it to see that the cattle werefed and watered on the trip. "No matter what Molick does now he can't ruinme completely. "

"That's so, and now we'll take up this water matter, " said the engineer. "I'm afraid it's going to prove a legal tangle, though. "

And so it did. The chief fight was about the ownership of the water rightsat the point where Molick had built the dam that the Bar U boys haddestroyed. 

It had at once been rebuilt, as was expected and all water was shut offfrom Mr. Carson's land in that vicinity. But as he was not pasturing anycattle there for the present, no damage resulted. 

"But you have a right to that water, and I'm going to see that you getyour share of it, " said Mr. Bellmore. "It was partly my fault that Molickbuilt that dam, for if I had not mentioned it to him he probably wouldnever have thought of it. So it's up to me to make this fight for you, andI'm going to. "

Nor was the fighting all on one side. Molick brought suit against Mr. Carson for the destruction of the dam, but it would take some time tosettle this, since many questions were involved. 

In turn Mr. Carson sued the owner of Centre O ranch for shutting off thewater supply. Mr. Carson, Dave and Mr. Bellmore also went before the GrandJury and gave information about having seen Len starting a prairie fire. That body lost little time in returning an indictment against the missingbully. But of course it was out of their power to go after him and bringhim back. 

"But if he ever does come back I'll get him, " the sheriff assured Dave. "He daren't set foot in this county again. Of course I'm not saying he'sguilty, but I'll arrest him and he'll have to prove his innocence. "

"That's all we want, " said Dave. 

Meanwhile the legal tangles increased. A number of suits were started onboth sides, and as a result there were several physical clashes betweenthe cowboys of the Bar U and the Centre O ranches. 

The horse of Pocus Pete was more seriously hurt than he had at firstthought, and he had to give his mount a long rest. 

"But I've got Len's critter!" Pete chuckled, "and I'm goin' to ride that. "

This he did to his own great satisfaction. Several times when he and hisboys got into more than verbal arguments with the Centre O crowd Pete usedLen's horse. 

"It's like gettin' th' enemy's ammunition an' firin' it at him, " said Petewith a laugh. " I guess they don't relish it none. "

And Molick and his crowd did not. They did not make a claim for the horse, however, since this would have involved admitting that Len rode it toescape from the country, and they did not want to do this. So Pocus Petekept the contraband horse. 

Work was easier on Bar U ranch after the big cattle shipment, but stillthere was plenty to do. Mr. Bellmore was busy working up his waterirrigation project, in addition to helping Mr. Carson fight the Molickcrowd. After a number of suits had been started Molick brought an actionagainst the engineer for breach of contract. 

"He claims I promised to go into the water matter with him, and thenbacked out, " said Mr. Bellmore. "Well, I did nothing of the sort. I mighthave gone in with him, if you had not warned me, though Mr. Carson. "

"Well, I'm glad I warned you, for he'd have you all tangled up if you hadgone in with him. "

"I guess you're right. But well get straightened out after a bit, Ithink. "

The Molick outfit was the only one that fought the irrigation project. Allthe other ranch owners in the vicinity recognizing the value of it totheir places, entered into it. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE CLEW

"Dave, are you fit for a little ride this morning?" asked Mr. Bellmore, about two weeks after the prairie fire. 

"Why, sure, " was the answer. "What's on?"

"I want to go over to the stone valley, and make some calculations of theflow of water there. It isn't much of a stream, to be sure, but if we'regoing into this irrigation scheme, we can't neglect even a small flow ofwater. We might want it in dry weather. I need some one to help me makethe measurements. "

 "Why sure I'll go. Be with you in a little while. There's a little matterI want to see dad about, and then I'll come. "

Though Dave spoke thus lightly of a "little matter, " it was one that meanta great deal to him. For it was nothing less than an attempt he had made, or, rather, started, to solve the mystery of his identity. 

All along, ever since Dave had been told the truth of his rescue from theMissouri flood, he had sought some means of finding out who he was. Mr. Carson had said there was no means of knowing, since he had made inquiriesat the time in the vicinity of the flood, and no one had laid claim to thethen small baby. 

"Which led me to believe, Dave, " the ranchman said, "that your parents andall your relations were drowned. "

The young cowboy was silent after this, and a look of sadness came overhis face. 

"But there is a bare chance that some--even distant relatives--might havebeen saved, " he said. "And on that supposition, if I had some little clewon which to start it might put me on the right track. 

"How was I dressed when you found me? Wasn't there any distinguishingmark?"

"Huh! Well, now I come to think of it, perhaps there might have been, " Mr. Carson had said. This conversation had taken place some time previously. 

"What was it?" asked Dave eagerly. "Was there a note pinned to my dress? Isuppose I must have worn dresses, if I was so little at the time?"

"Yes, you wore dresses, " the ranchman said, with a far-off look in hiseyes. He was struggling to recall the dim and distant past. "Yes, you hadon a dress. I think it must have been white at the start, but the muddywater had stained it a dark brown. But there was no note or anything likethat pinned to it. I looked for that. But you did have on something thatperhaps might prove a clew. "

"What was it?" asked Dave eagerly. 

"It was a sort of life-preserver, " said the cattle man. "At least I tookit to be that. 

"A life-preserver!" echoed Dave. 

"Well, maybe I'm wrong about it, for I never had much to do with water orthe sea, " admitted Mr. Carson. "But it was some sort of a cork jacket. Itwas made from a lot of bottle corks, all strung together, and wound aroundin a sort of belt. "

"They don't make life-preservers that way, " said Dave, who had been on atrip East, and had seen the life-saving apparatus on a steamer. "A life-preserver is made from broad sheets of cork, sometimes granulated, andpressed together. I never heard of one being made of corks from bottlesstrung together. "

"Well, that's what you had on, " said the ranchman. "Maybe it was a home-made one. Come to think of it, that's probably what it was. I reckon itsaved your life, too, for though you were on a pretty big piece ofwreckage, you looked as though the waves had washed up over you a numberof times. Yes, that home-made cork life-preserver undoubtedly saved you. "

"What became of it?" asked Dave. "I suppose you threw it away. You musthave had your hands full, looking after a small baby. "

"Why, no, I didn't throw it away, " said Mr. Carson slowly. "I sort of hadan idea it might prove a relic, so I kept it. "

"Where is it now?" asked Dave, eagerly. 

"Well, I didn't take it all over with me, " went on the owner of the Bar Uranch. "I left it in Denver with a lot of other things of mine. It's thereyet I reckon, in storage. "

"Could you get it?" exclaimed the youth, his eyes shining with eagerness. 

"Yes, I reckon so. But what good would it do, Dave?"

"It might--it might prove my identity. "

Mr. Carson shook his head. 

"I'm afraid not, " he said. "There wasn't anything to it but a lot of corksstrung together. They were wound around you like a belt. "

"But could you send for it? I should like to see it. And it might--itmight, after all, be a clew. "

"Well, I'll get it, of course. I suppose you aren't satisfied to be justwhat you are. You know I'll look after you all your life. You know that, don't you, Dave?" asked the ranchman softly. 

"Yes--Dad--I know that, " and the youth's voice faltered. "But I want--Ijust want to know who I am. I don't intend to leave you. I guess you knowthat. I haven't any other place to go. But I would like to know who I am. Maybe--maybe, " and Dave's voice was husky, "I might have a--a sistersomewhere in this world. Oh, what I'd give if I had!" and unshed tearsshone in his eyes. 

"Well, Dave, I never thought of it in just that way, " said the ranchman. "Yes, what you say may be true. I'll send for this life belt of bottlecorks, and let you look at it. Mind, I don't believe it will be of any useas a clew, but I'll send for it. "

And so the matter had ended for the time being. There had been so much todo, what with the fire and the trouble over the water rights, that therehad been a delay in sending for the old relic of the flood. 

But finally Mr. Carson had written for it, together with some of his othergoods in storage in Denver, and they had arrived that day. He had promisedDave to unpack them, and show him the belt, and it was this matter thatthe young cowboy wished to see about before going over to the stone valleywith Mr. Bellmore. 

"Well, Dave, there it is, " said Mr. Carson, as he opened a trunk, and tookout several articles. "Here's the little dress and the other things youwore when I hauled you from the water. "

He held up a white garment, clean, but yellow with age, and smellingfaintly of some perfume. 

"It doesn't look as though it had been through a flood, " said Dave. 

"No, I had it washed and ironed, and then a lady I knew packed it away inrose leaves for me. She said that's how she kept the baby clothes of herown little ones. Those are the shoes you wore, " the ranchman went on, assomething fell to the floor, when Dave unrolled the dress. 

The shoes, too, had once been white, but were soiled now, not havingresponded to the cleansing process as had the dress. They were stuffed outwith wads of paper. 

"It would be some job to get in them now, " Dave remarked with a smile ashe glanced down at his booted and spurred feet. "Some job!"

"Yes, " assented Mr. Carson. "And here's your petticoat, Dave. I reckonthat's what you call it, " and he held up some other garments. "I saved 'emall, " he said, "thinking they might be a clew, but they never turned outso. "

"But where is the cork belt?" Dave asked. He was impatient to see that. Herealized that baby dresses must be more or less alike, with seldom adistinguishing mark. But the cork belt impressed him with the possibilityof being different. 

"Here it is, " said Mr. Carson. 

From amid the contents of the trunk he pulled out a queer object

Dave held it up to get a better view of it. As Mr. Carson had said it wasa belt, composed of a number of corks strung together on a strong cord, there being many rows of them, one above the other. The corks were of allsizes, the cord passing through them on the short axis. There were twoholes for the arms, and a sort of tape by which the belt could be tiedaround one. 

It was small, clearly made for a child, though for a larger one than Davecould have been at the time he was picked up in the flood. 

"I must have rattled around in that?" he said, with a questioning look. 

"Yes, it was lapped around you a couple of times, " said the ranchman. "But, just as I said, Dave, it isn't much of a clew. They are just commoncorks. "

This was so. There were no marks on the corks, as far as Dave could see, by which any identification could be made. He looked closely at the oddlife-preserver. 

"I say, Dave, are you coming?" called Mr. Bellmore from without. 

"Right away, " was the answer. 

Dave sadly laid down the cork jacket and went out. 

CHAPTER XXIV

BROTHERS

Profound indeed was the impression made on Dave by the sight of thechildish things in the trunk Mr. Carson had received from Denver. Sadness, too, was mingled with his feelings. Somehow he felt as though the lasthope had gone from him, for he did not see how he could find any clew tohis identity in the corks, strung into such a queer jacket. 

Dave tried to look cheerful as he came out to join Mr. Bellmore for theride across the prairies to the place where they were going to measure theflow of water. He did not want his companion to suspect anything. 

"Feel like taking it on the gallop?" asked the engineer. 

"Yes, I guess Crow can stand it if your animal can, " Dave said. 

"Oh, I'll bank on Kurd!"

Together they were off at a fast pace that fairly ate up the distance, andsoon they were half-way to the place where a small stream had given Mr. Bellmore hopes that he could add it to his water conservation scheme. 

"I wonder how it would be to take a trip over to the Molick dam, and seewhat they're doing?" suggested the water man. "It's just as well to keeptab on those fellows. "

"Go ahead, I'm with you, " said Dave. 

They changed their course slightly. The whole day, or, rather, the bestpart of it was ahead of them, for they had made an early start. Dave hadnot much to do at the ranch since the big cattle shipment, though Mr. Carson was getting ready to increase his stock as soon as the question ofproviding water for them was settled. 

"Looks as if something was going on, " commented Mr. Bellmore, as theyapproached the place where the Molick dam had been rebuilt. 

"Yes, there's a crowd there, anyhow, " agreed Dave. "And some of them areon our land, too!" he exclaimed, excitedly. 

"Now take it easy, " advised his friend. "This matter must take a legalcourse, since we have started it that way. Keep cool. "

"Oh, I will" the young cowboy promised, as he spurred on, followed by theengineer. 

They found Molick and several of his men making a sort of supplementarydam, the water having backed up more than they had calculated on, so thatsome of it was now flowing in the old bed of the stream over Mr. Carson'sproperty. It was to prevent this that another dam was being made. 

"He wants to get every drop!" said Dave, bitterly. 

"Yes, " assented the engineer. "He isn't satisfied with a fair share. "

Some of the workmen who knew Dave seemed a bit embarrassed as he caughtthem on the Carson land, for it was necessary for them to go there tocomplete the dam. The young cowboy, however, said nothing, preferring toleave it to Mr. Bellmore. The latter looked significantly at Molick, andremarked:

"Seems to me you're overstepping a bit; aren't you?"

"I don't know that I am, " was the surly answer. 

"Why, you're on Bar U land--or some of your men are. "

"I know it. "

"What gives you the right?"

"The law. It says I can go where I have to, to recover my property. Iguess that's right enough. "

"Where is any of your property on Mr. Carson's land?"

Molick pointed to the trickling water. 

"That's mine, " he said. "It's escaping from my pond over the dam. I'mmaking the dam bigger, and if I have to go on Bar U land to do it, to savemy property, the law gives me a right. I know what I'm talking about, forI've looked it up. "

As this was a point on which the engineer was not certain of the rights ofMr. Carson, he thought it better to say nothing. He observed, however, that there was more water than even he had calculated on, and that thoughthe dam were raised it would overflow again, thus necessitating furthertrespassing on the Bar U property. 

"And if the flow keeps on increasing, " the engineer reasoned, "it willgive us a water supply in spite of all Molick can do. Guess I'll letmatters take their course for a while. "

He said as much to Dave in a low voice, and the two rode away. They hadseen all they needed to. 

"Dad can pasture here again soon, " said the young cowboy. 

"Yes, " assented the engineer, "I guess we don't need to worry much. There'll be more water than Molick can impound unless he raises a bigconcrete dam, and before he can do that we'll have legally established ourown rights, I think. "

They resumed their way to the valley to measure the water there, and forsome time were kept busy, Dave helping his friend make the calculations. 

"Well, there isn't as much as I thought there'd be, " was the comment ofthe engineer, "but every little helps. We'll make a different section ofthis a year from now. If it wasn't for Molick standing out against theirrigation scheme we'd have the whole of Rolling River Valley in it, "

"Is there any way of forcing him?" asked Dave. 

"There may be, after he sees what he's missing. "

Together they rode home in the early evening. Now that the work of the daywas over Dave's mind went back to the scene of the morning, when he hadhandled his baby garments and the cork jacket. His manner must have beenstrange and distracted, for Mr. Bellmore said:

"What's the matter, Dave?" You act as though you had lost your lastfriend. "

"Well, I have, in a way, " was the unexpected answer. 

"You have! What do you mean? Seems to me, if I were you, with the kind ofa father you have, and a dandy ranch like this I'd be the happiest fellowon--"

"I haven't any father!" burst out Dave. "And that's the trouble. Oh, it'sjust as Len Molick said--I'm a nameless nobody!" and his voice choked andbroke. 

Mr. Bellmore rode his horse over beside Crow. He put his arm around thelad, who hung his head. 

"Look here, old man!" said the engineer. "I don't want to intrude, but ifit will do you any good, tell me all about it!"

"I will!" exclaimed Dave, taking a sudden resolve. "I wasn't going to tellyou, " he went on, after a pause, "for, though some of the fellows at theranch know it, and though some over at Centre O do, also, still I wasn'tgoing to tell you. I was so happy before I knew it. "

Then, slowly, and haltingly, he told how Len Molick had fired the taunt athim and how, upon making inquiries of Mr. Carson, the latter had confirmedthe rumor, saying that Dave was not his son, though he loved him as such. 

"And where did you say he found you?" asked the engineer. There was acurious light in his eyes, and an eager expectancy in his manner. 

"It was during a flood somewhere in Missouri. I've forgotten the exactname of the place. He can tell you. He picked me up on some wreckage, andlooked after me. That was a long while ago--or at least it seems so, " Daveremarked with a smile. 

"It couldn't have been so very long ago. You're not more than twenty; areyou, Dave?"

"Nineteen, I think. Of course I don't know my exact age. "

"No, I suppose not. Then I'm not so much older than you. I'm twenty-seven. But yours is a strange story. Dave, we are brothers in misfortune. "

"Brothers in misfortune! What do you mean?" cried the young cowboy. 

"I mean, that I haven't any near relatives either. And while I do know whoI am, and who my parents were, still that isn't much satisfaction. I havelost them. "

"Lost them?" Dave echoed. 

"Yes, and in a flood, such as nearly claimed your life. I must find outjust what town you came from. It may be that our folks lived in the sameplace. It would be a strange coincidence, but it might be that it is so. Ilost all my folks, including a baby brother in a Western flood. I don'tknow many of the particulars, for I was with relatives in Ohio at thetime, so I escaped. 

"I am anxious to hear Mr. Carson's story. It interests me mightily. Tothink that we have gone through much the same sort of suffering. But Ishould have thought so small a baby as you must have been at the timewould have been drowned. "

"I would have been if it hadn't been for one thing, " returned our hero, with an odd little smile. 

"One thing? What was that?"

"I doubt if you can guess. "

"Maybe you were bound fast to the wreckage, or it didn't float into deepwater. "

"I don't know about being bound fast, but I do know the wreckage floatedaround, or rather, down stream. But that wasn't what I referred to. "

"What was it?"

"Can't you guess?"

"I don't think so. "

"I had on a cork life-preserver, " said Dave. "I was looking at it thismorning when you called to me. "

"A cork life-preserver?" excitedly repeated Mr. Bellmore. "Was it--was itany particular kind, Dave?"

"Why, yes, it was. But why do you look at me so strangely?"

"Never mind that now! Tell me about that life-preserver. How was it made?"

"From bottle corks strung together and made into a belt. I had it aroundme when dad--I mean Mr. Carson--picked me up. I--I thought the preservermight be a clew but it isn't, for--"

"A clew! Of course it is!" fairly shouted the engineer. "Hurrah, Dave it_is_ a clew. Put her there, old man! Shake! I said a while ago that wewere brothers in misfortune! We're more than that. 

"We're real brothers, Dave Carson--no, not Dave Carson any longer! DaveBellmore! We're brothers, I tell you! brothers !"

CHAPTER XXV

THE NEW RANCH

For a moment the two remained with clasped hands, looking deep into theeyes one of the other. Then Dave, with a deep breath, murmured:

"Brothers! Is it possible?"

"Not only possible, but probable!" cried Mr. Bellmore. "We are brothers, Itell you, Dave! Your mention of that cork life-preserver almost proves itto me. "

"Why so?"

"Because, before I went away to the East, to visit, I made one just likethat with which to learn to swim. I did learn, too, with it. Of course I'dhave to see this one to be dead sure, but it isn't likely that there wouldbe two cork life-preservers made in that way. I'm sure it was mine you hadon when you were rescued. Come on, we'll gallop to the ranch and findout. "

They set off at top speed, Dave's heart beating madly with hope. 

"Oh, if it should prove true, after all!" he murmured over and over again. "That I really have some folks at last!"

As they rode Mr. Bellmore briefly told how, as a boy of about ten, hewanted to swim in the stream that ran near his home. 

"This was in Missouri, too, " he said, "so that adds to the assurance Ihave that we are brothers, since it was in Missouri that you were found byMr. Carson. I made that life preserver out of a design from my own head. Iknow I had to beg and borrow corks from all the neighbors before I hadenough. But with that on I simply could not sink, and so I learned toswim. 

"I wanted to take it East with me, but my folks persuaded me to leave itat home. And poor mother or father must have fastened it on you when theflood came. Oh, I'm sure it's the same one. We are brothers!"

Once more they clasped hands and looked into each other's eyes. 

It was two excited individuals who burst into the ranch house of Bar U alittle later. Fairly leaping from their steeds Dave and Mr. Bellmoresought Mr. Carson. 

"Dad, where is that cork life-preserver?" asked the young cowboy. The useof the word "Dad" seemed perfectly proper under the circumstances. 

"The life-preserver?" repeated the ranchman, wonderingly. 

"Yes, Mr. Bellmore--Benjamin, " said Dave, using the name for the firsttime, "Benjamin thinks it's one he made, and if it is I'm his brother!"

"His brother?" Mr. Carson looked from one to the other, as if doubtingwhether he had heard aright. 

Slowly the cattleman again produced the old relic. At the first sight ofit Mr. Bellmore exclaimed:

"Yes! That's it! I'd know it anywhere! Dave, there's no doubt but that youare my brother! Shake!"

"But are you sure?" asked Mr. Carson. 

"Positive!" exclaimed the young engineer. "See, I can point out a dozenlittle points about this belt that makes me certain it is mine, " and hedid. He even recalled where he got certain oddly-shaped corks from theneighbors. 

Then he related his story--how he had lived as a boy in the town where, later, the flood came and swept away the Bellmore home, taking Dave withit. The future engineer was away at the time of the disaster, and he knewnothing of the particulars of the rush of the waters, save what relativestold him afterward. 

"But they said my whole family was drowned, including my little brother, "he went on. "His name wasn't Dave, by the way, but Charles. "

"I named him Dave, " said Mr. Carson. 

"And I'm going to keep it, " Dave said. 

"It's just as well, " decided Mr. Bellmore. "But, as I said, all I know iswhat I was told. I was only about ten years old at the time, and you musthave been about two, Dave. How it happened we can only guess, but motheror father must have put my odd cork life-preserver on you when they sawthe waters rising, and it probably saved your life when the house wascarried away. What a strange coincidence!"

"Isn't it?" agreed Mr. Carson. He could add little to the story, for allhe knew was the finding of the baby. His inquiries had come to naught, soit was assumed that all the rest of the Bellmore family had perished inthe high waters. 

"And what did you do when you heard you had no folks left?" asked Dave ofhis brother. 

"Well, I was too young at the time to realize all that it meant. MyEastern relatives came to Missouri with me in the hope of finding some ofour folks, but we never did. Then they took charge of me until I grew up, and entered upon my profession. 

"And all these years I've been thinking I had not a near living relative, when, all the while I had a brother!" and he looked fondly at Dave. 

"And to think I believed myself a nameless nobody!" Dave returned. 

"Well, you're Dave Bellmore, from now on. "

"Dave _Carson_ Bellmore, " corrected the other softly. 

"Oh, I see!" Mr. Bellmore exclaimed. "Of course. "

And so it was arranged. The story created no end of wonder at Bar U ranch, and Dave and his brother were congratulated on all sides. The Easternrelatives were communicated with, and one sent a letter mentioning acertain birthmark on Dave's arm, which would be there if he was really theBellmore baby. The mark was found, and thus the matter was fully proved. 

"Well, now that you've found your brother, I suppose you'll shake Bar Uranch--and me, " said Mr. Carson some time later. 

"Not much!" cried Dave with shining eyes, as his arm went around Benjamin. "I'm a cattleman first, last and always. If you haven't any room for mehere I'll have to start out and work for some one else, I guess. "

"Not while I've got a horse to ride, " said the ranchman significantly. 

A few days later the matter of trying the various lawsuits came up. It wasa tedious proceeding, with which I will not burden you, but to be brief Iwill say that Mr. Carson won nearly everything. 

It was settled beyond dispute that the Molick ranch had no right to buildthe dam and shut off the water from the fine pasture. So that was saved toMr. Carson. And not only that, but certain other water rights that Mr. Molick had claimed, were taken from him, and restored to Bar U. 

"That means I can go into the cattle-raising business on a larger scalethan ever, " declared the ranchman. 

Mr. Molick was allowed to retain enough of the water for his own stock, sothat his ranch was as valuable as ever. He recognized when he wasdefeated, and when the court business was over he approached Mr. Bellmore, rather shamefacedly, it is true, and requested that he be allowed to comeinto the general water and irrigation scheme. 

"No, sir!" exclaimed the engineer. "You had your chance and would not takeit. It's too late now. All our plans are made and your ranch isn'tincluded. "

"Then if you won't take me in I'll sue you and make you. "

"Go ahead, " was the cool response. "You had your chance and turned itdown. We aren't depriving you of any water. You'll have all you need, butyou won't have any over, as the rest of the ranchmen will. Go ahead andsue. "

Molick did, but he was defeated, and then, as his son Len dared not returnto the vicinity on account of the fire indictment, there came anunexpected turn to affairs. 

"I hear Molick wants to sell out, " said Pocus Pete, coming to the Bar Uranch house a few days after the defeat of the bully's father. "And he'llsell out cheap, too. "

"Will he?" asked Mr. Bellmore. "Then I know some one who will buy. "

"Who?"

"I will! Dave, I've been thinking for a long time of going into the cattlebusiness. I think it will pay better than water engineering. I've beenhoping for a chance to get a good ranch, and now that Molick's is on themarket, I'm going to take it"

"Good!" cried Mr. Carson. "I'll have decent neighbors all around me then. And if you want any money, Mr. Bellmore--you and Dave--"

"Thanks, but I'm pretty well off. I've saved a bit. I think I'll invest itin Centre O, but I'm going to change the name, with your permission. "

"What are you going to call it?" asked Dave. "Bar U-2. How does thatstrike you?"

"Fine!" Dave exclaimed. 

"Couldn't be better!" declared Mr. Carson. "We'll combine the two ranchesinto a new one, and with the water supply we'll have there won't be aplace in this country that can hold a candle to us. Shake!"

"Do you really mean it?" cried our hero, his eyes shining with delight. 

"Sure I mean it, " answered the man who had been a father to him, with muchfeeling. 

"It's a fine thing to propose, " put in our hero's newly-found brother. "Afine thing indeed. "

"I've got to do it--to keep Dave by me, " answered Mr. Carson. 

"I'll stay--don't worry, " answered the boy, with a happy grin. 

And so it was arranged. The Bellmore brothers, as they were now called--Dave and Benjamin--purchased the Molick ranch and it was added to theCarson holdings under a general partnership agreement. More cattle werepurchased, and to-day the Bar U-2 is one of the finest ranches in theWest. The water irrigation scheme, planned by Mr. Bellmore was a completesuccess, though when he took up ranching with Dave, another irrigationengineer succeeded to the managership. The Molicks--father and son--disappeared, but most of the cowboys, with the exception of Whitey Wasson, were hired by Dave and his brother. 

"Though if it hadn't been for Len and Whitey I might never have found you, Ben, " said Dave, with shining eyes. 

And that is the story of Cowboy Dave--a "nameless nobody" no longer--butan honored and respected member of the community. And Mr. Carson, who hadno near kith or kin, has promised to make the Bellmore brothers his heirs. 

THE END