ld their breath. But each was on the alert to rush
to Ted's assistance the moment he seemed to need it.

As the bull looked up, and saw Ted approaching him, he ceased pawing,
and stood with watchful eyes. Occasionally he sent forth a challenging
bellow. His tail was switching from side to side, like that of an angry
cat.

Ted was coming alertly. No one knew the danger of openly attacking the
bull better than himself, and yet it must be done.

It was rule or kill, so far as the bull was concerned, for if the boys
could not manage him they would be compelled to kill him so that they
might be able to handle the herd, substituting a more amiable bull in
his place.

A cowman cannot always tell what a bull is going to do when it is faced
on the range. It may dodge the issue or it may attack, and Ted was wary
enough to be on the watch for the latter contingency.

Therefore, when Gladiator, without so much warning as the lowering of
his head, sprang at Ted when he was not more than ten feet away, he
covered the distance in two or three lumbering bounds, and Ted had just
sufficient time to wheel his pony to one side to avoid being bowled
over. But the horns of the bull struck the gaiter on his left leg, as it
rushed past, and tore it off, almost unseating him. Stella, breathlessly
watching the encounter, gasped as she saw Ted reel in his saddle. But
she breathed easier as she saw him straighten up and turn his horse
rapidly to face the bull again.

With almost incredible agility, the bull turned and came rushing at Ted
again, but the leader of the broncho boys rode swiftly away from him,
tolling him away from the herd.

Finally the bull stopped and began to paw the earth. Ted, to tempt him
to another attack, directed Sultan toward him at full speed, intending
to swerve when he got close to his bullship, and dodge him and infuriate
him further, so that he would follow. He knew that Sultan could outrun
Gladiator.

But, as he got close to the bull, in spite of the warning cries from
Stella and Bud, Gladiator swerved to meet the attack, and before the
fleet-footed pony could escape he was struck, and went rolling over the
ground.

A cry of horror went up from the boys as they all dashed to the scene.
Ted Strong was on the ground. The pony had scrambled to his feet, and
stood trembling a few feet distant. The bull, with lowered head, was
charging upon Ted.

CHAPTER IX.

TED GETS AN ASSIGNMENT.

To the horror-