lley, situated in the
lee of Dent du Chien, or Dog Tooth Mountain, with its rich grass, the
richest in the Black Hills, and its abundance of fresh, clear spring
water, was an ideal breeding place.

There were on the ranch at that time several dangerous bulls, and this
added to the hard work of the day, because the monarchs of the range did
not like to be disturbed and have their following broken up and
scattered.

In the big pasture, which lay at the foot of Deni du Chien Mountain, was
the largest herd in the valley.

The king of this herd was known as "Gladiator." He was always looking
for a fight, and never refused a challenge, whether from another bull or
from what he considered his natural enemy, man.

A man on foot in that pasture would have stood no more chance for his
life than if he tried to stand in front of the engine that hauls the
Empire State Express going at top speed. Gladiator would kill him just
as quickly and as surely.

So it was that strangers were kept out of the big pasture, whether they
were mounted or not, unless they were escorted by some member of the
broncho boys, or one of the older cowboys about the place. Stella, with
her red bolero, nearly caused a tragedy one day by coming within the
vision of Gladiator, who took the bolero for a challenge.

Stella turned in time and fled, and had it not been for the fleetness of
her pony and her own superb riding, there had been no more to relate of
the adventures of the girl pard of the Moon Valley boys.

The morning of the round-up Ted undertook personally to turn the herd to
the rendezvous.

Stella insisted upon accompanying him, and at last he was persuaded to
give his consent, but only on the condition that she wear subdued
colors, which she did, with skirt and jacket of a light-dun color.

The herd was grazing in the noble range that stretched for miles along
and across the valley in the shadow of the splendid mountain.

It was widely scattered, and as the band of horsemen rode out toward it
the cattle lifted their heads for a moment and took a quiet survey, then
returned to their feeding.

Not so Gladiator.

The great white-and-black bull raised his head proudly, and his fierce,
steady eyes regarded them without fear.

Indeed, Gladiator knew no fear, whether of man or beast, wolf pack or
mountain lion, serpent or bird of prey.

He was monarch of that herd, and no one said him nay except Ted Strong,
who ruled the ranch and all tha