group which, at
first had been but a cloud of dust, but which now resolved itself into
forms of horsemen and cattle.

And as the outfit from Diamond X approached nearer, it could be seen
that the drivers of the cattle were not regulation cowboys from any
ranch north of the Rio Grande. There was an air and manner about the
horsemen urging on the weary cattle which betokened them as
irregulars--rustlers, in other words.

The advantage--such as it was--appeared to be with the boy ranchers and
their friends, for they were on fresh horses, and could ride hither and
yon without having to drive before them, and keep from stampeding, a
bunch of cattle. As for the rustlers the success of their raid
depended on keeping the cattle they had stolen. Once the small herd
got beyond their control, they might as well cut and run for it, since
it would be a case of everyone save himself, and every man for himself.

"Some of you cut out the cattle, boys," advised Old Billee, as he
spurred along with the youngest rider. For though this veteran more
than doubled the years of the boy ranchers, he was almost as "spry" as
any of them. "Cut out the cattle, and we'll look after these rustlers."

There were members enough in the outfit from Diamond X to provide for a
division of forces--enabling them to execute a flank movement, as it
were, though this does not exactly describe it.

"What's the best thing to do?" asked Bud, willing to take advice from
his father's able helper. Bud was willing to learn, a most commendable
spirit in a youth.

"Wa'al, this would be about as good a plan as any," remarked Old
Billee, as he still continued to ride on, but at the same time he was,
with his keen eyes, looking over the lay of the land. "Bud, you and
your cousins ride off to the left, with Hank and Sam, and see if you
can cut out the steers. If you can circle 'em around and bring 'em up
behind where we are now--or as near as you can. I'll take the rest of
the boys and see if we can't speed up and close with the rustlers."

Bud at once saw that this was giving him and his boy chums, as well as
Sam and Hank, the other two cowboys, quite the safest end of the
battle. The cattle could be cut out without coming into very close
contact with the desperate rustlers. The fight with them would be
taken care of by the more experienced Billee and his men.

Bud thought it over for a moment. He was not afraid of danger, but he
was not foolhardy, and