ual mingling of smiles and
frowns. Smiles from the cow-punchers and townspeople whose champion he
had been, and frowns from the gamblers.

But they saw neither, for they were intent upon their business. They
made a mighty handsome couple as they dashed along, for they were well
mounted and both were perfect riders.

Many a young girl walking along the street looked enviously after
Stella, and wished she could ride as well and was as beautiful. And many
a lad looked after his ideal of a hero of the West, dashing and brave
Ted Strong, who had so lately vanquished the bully who had been feared
of all men, and who could ride like a centaur, and shoot perfectly.

It did not take long for them to clear the town, and dash out onto the
prairie road which led into the Wichita Mountains.

They did not spare their horses, for Ted knew that if Norris once
succeeded in reaching the mountains it would be almost impossible to
find him among the many fastnesses and deep and rough canons which
abound in those most picturesque hills and peaks.

While Ted knew the Wichita Mountains well, he was also aware that even
the most expert scout did not know all about them, and that there were
places in them that had never been explored, unless, perhaps, by
renegade Indians and white outlaws, with which the mountains had at
times been infested.

They had ridden an hour or more when Ted pulled in his pony.

"No use riding our ponies to death the first heat," he said to Stella,
with a smile.

"My cayuse is good for another hour," said Stella; "I can tell by the
way he's going under me."

"Yours would last because you're such a light and easy rider. You take
weight off a pony. But I'm a good deal heavier, and I can feel this
fellow tiring, although he'd go until he dropped in his tracks if I'd
let him."

They walked their ponies over the springy sod beside the road, which was
becoming fainter the farther they got from the town. In the distance
they could see the mountains, a dark mass against the sky.

"Some one on the road," said Stella, pointing ahead.

"It is a little hazy. Dust, I guess," said Ted. "I think we better hit
it up a bit. Perhaps it is Norris and his precious 'grandson,' and if it
is we'll get to them before they get to the mountains."

They put their ponies, at a lope, and seemed to be catching up with the
dust cloud rapidly. Soon they were able to distinguish two riders.

"By Jove, I believe we are on the right trac