rances had been utterly fearless while riding herd, or camping with the
cowboys, or even when alone on the range. If she met strange men she
expected and received from them the courtesy for which the Western man
is noted.

But this leering fellow was different from any person with whom Frances
had ever come in contact before. Each moment she became more fearful of
him.

And he realized her attitude of fear and worked upon her emotions until
she was almost ready to burst out into hysterical screams.

Indeed, she might have done this very thing the next time Pete came near
her had not suddenly a voice spoken her name.

"Frances! what is the matter with you?"

"Oh!" she gasped. "Pratt!"

The young man stepped out of the bushes, not seeing Pete at all. He had
been watching the girl only, and had not understood what made her look
so strange.

"You haven't been thrown, Frances, have you?" asked Pratt, solicitously.
"Are you hurt?"

Then the girl's frightened gaze, or some rustle of Pete's movement, made
Pratt Sanderson turn. Pete had reached for his rifle and secured it. And
by so doing he completely mastered the situation.

"Put your hands over your head, young feller!" he growled, swinging the
muzzle of the heavy gun toward Pratt. "And keep 'em there till I've seen
what you carry in your pockets."

He strode toward the surprised Pratt, who obeyed the order with becoming
promptness.

"Don't you make no move, neither, Miss," growled the man, darting a
glance in Frances' direction.

"Why--why---- What do you mean?" demanded Pratt, recovering his breath
at last. "Do you dare hold this young lady a prisoner?"

"Yep. That's what I dare," sneered Pete. "And it looks like I'd got you,
too. What d'ye think you're going to do about it?"

"Isn't this the fellow who robbed us at the river that time, Frances?"
cried Pratt.

The girl nodded. Just then she could not speak.

"And that fellow Ratty was with him this time?"

Again the girl nodded.

"Then they shall both be arrested and punished," declared Pratt. "I
never heard of such effrontery. Do you know who this young lady is,
man?" he demanded of Pete.

"Jest as well as you do. And her pa's going to put up big for to see her
again--unharmed," snarled the man.

"What do you mean?" gasped Pratt, his face blazing and his fists
clenched. "You dare harm her----"

Pete was slapping him about the pockets to make sure he carried no
weapon. Now he struck Pratt a hea