k," said Ted.

Stella's bright eyes had been watching the riders in front of them for
some time.

"Ted, it's not Norris. There are two riders, one behind the other, and
they are coming this way," she said.

Ted reined in his pony, and took a long look.

"You're right, Stella," he said. "But, perhaps, we can get some news of
the fugitives from them."

Again they spurred forward.

"Ted, that's Kit, as sure as you live," cried Stella, "I'd know him
anywhere."

In a few minutes they were within hailing distance, and Ted gave the
long yell, which was answered, and in a few minutes they were reining in
beside Kit. Behind him, securely bound to the back of Magpie, was old
man Norris, who looked very crestfallen.

"Hello, Kit, you rascal, I see that you got him," said Ted.

"You bet, and a merry chase I had after him," answered Kit.

"Why, Kit, what's the matter with your arm?" cried Stella.

Kit's arm was hanging by his side, and his coat sleeve near his shoulder
was stained with blood.

"Shot!" answered Kit laconically.

"Bad?" asked Stella anxiously.

"Not so very. Just touched the bone. But it has been bleeding like the
deuce."

"Ted, take charge of the prisoner. Kit, get off that horse and let me
see that wound."

Stella's commands were promptly obeyed, and Kit groaned slightly as
Stella helped him off with his coat and cut away his sleeve. He had
received a nasty flesh wound near the shoulder, made by a ball of large
caliber, which had passed clear through.

As soon as she had washed the wound with water from Ted's canteen, and
had bound it up, Kit felt much more comfortable.

"How did it happen?" asked Stella.

"I heard that the old man and the jockey had made a sneak from the
grounds when Ted was having his fun with the big fellow, and I got my
bronc and followed them. I came up with them a ways back, and made the
old duffer halt, but the jock potted me and got away. That's all."

CHAPTER XXX.

KIT'S TROUBLESOME PRISONER.

"Kit, you're the most reckless boy I ever knew," said Stella, as he
climbed into his saddle with some effort, for his arm was stiff and
swollen, and it was all he could do to keep from groaning with every
jump of his pony.

"What in the world made you start after them alone?" asked Ted.

"Well, you were busy with the big bully, and, although I felt certain
that you would get the best of him in the end, I thought it wouldn't be
good policy to take any of the boy