lf again, and suddenly he leaped to his
feet and glared around. His eyes fell upon Ted, and he looked him up and
down in a sort of amazement.

Had this stripling accomplished what older and stronger men had failed
in?

Shan Rhue could hardly believe it, but it took some of the conceit out
of him at that. However, his anger at Ted had not been in the least
assuaged by the fact that the first honors had gone to this youth who
now stood watching him with a smile on his lips, but with the light of
battle in his eyes.

With a sneer Shan Rhue rushed at Ted. This time he would annihilate him.

But Ted was crouching, awaiting him. His muscles were like steel
springs. His breath had come to him again, and he was ready to fight for
his life, for it had come to that now. Suddenly there was a smack, sharp
and clear in the silence that hung over the crowd.

Shan Rhue staggered back on his heels. The blow from Ted's fist had
struck him fairly below the eye. Before he could recover Ted was upon
him like a panther.

One, two, three, blows fell with a sharp, sickening sound upon the face
and throat of the famous Shan Rhue, as he lurched backward, vainly
trying to defend himself.

His body went to the earth with a crash, and he lay there moaning and
quivering, beaten, discredited, and no more the hero, for he had been
conquered by a boy.

CHAPTER XXIX.

KIT MAKES A CAPTURE.

Shan Rhue lay prostrate for a long time, but no one went to his
assistance. As he fell the gamblers raised a shout, and made a motion to
attack Ted.

But the foreman of Running Water sprang in front of them, and as if by
magic the broncho boys and the cow-punchers and other supporters of
Hatrack were by his side.

Ted had leaped to the fore and was standing shoulder to shoulder with
the foreman of Running Water. He heard a ripple of laughter, and looked
up to see Stella standing by his side.

"Bully for you, Ted," she said. "You did that fine."

Ted smiled back at her, then turned his eyes upon the surprised and
angry gamblers. There was something there that demanded all his
attention. The gamblers only needed a leader to make them a dangerous
proposition.

But their leader was down and out by reason of a few neat and handy
blows, and none other had the courage to come to the front. It was the
psychological moment.

Ted Strong took advantage of it. Without a moment's hesitation, he
stepped in front of the foreman of Running Water, who m