ompanions, finished the
remark in the recesses of his troubled soul, where the ladies could not
overhear.

"What comes next, Dick?" The voice of Beatrice was frankly curious.

"Next, I'll have to wade out and take after those--" This sentence,
also, was rounded out mentally.

"In the meantime, what shall we do?"

"You'll stay where you are--and thank the good Lord you were not
upset. I'm sorry,"--turning so that he could look deprecatingly at Miss
Hayes--"your welcome to the West has been so--er--strenuous. I'll try
and make it up to you, once you get to the ranch. I hope you won't let
this give you a dislike of the country."

"Oh, no," said the spinster politely. "I'm sure it is a--a very nice
country, Mr. Lansell."

"Well, there's nothing to be done sitting here." Dick climbed down over
the dashboard into the mud and water.

Sir Redmond was not the man to shirk duty because it happened to be
disagreeable, as the regiment whose name was engraved upon his cane
could testify. He glanced regretfully at his immaculate leggings and
followed.

"I fancy you ladies won't need any bodyguard," he said. Looking back, he
caught the light of approval shining in the eyes of Beatrice, and after
that he did not mind the mud, but waded to shore and joined in the
chase quite contentedly. The light of approval, shining in the eyes of
Beatrice, meant much to Sir Redmond.

CHAPTER 2. A Handsome Cowboy to the Rescue.

Beatrice took immediate possession of the front seat, that she might
comfort her heartbroken young nephew.

"Never mind, honey. They'll bring the horses back in a minute, and we'll
make them run every step. And when you get to Uncle Dick's ranch you'll
see the nicest things--bossy calves, and chickens, and, maybe, some
little pigs with curly tails."

All this, though alluring, failed of its purpose; the small boy
continued to weep, and his weeping was ear-splitting.

"Be still, Dorman, or you'll certainly scare all the coyotes to death."

"Where are dey?"

"Oh, all around. You keep watch, hon, and maybe you'll see one put the
tip of his nose over a hill."

"What hill?" Dorman skipped a sob, and scoured his eyes industriously
with both fists.

"M-m--that hill. That little one over there. Watch close, or you'll miss
him."

The dove of peace hovered over them, and seemed actually about to
alight. Beatrice leaned back with a relieved breath.

"It is good of you, my dear, to take so much trouble," si