e girl saw
the bald-faced steer staggering to its feet, and she knew their
salvation depended upon the holding of the bad-tempered brute.

The stampeded herd was fast coming down upon them; afoot, she nor Pratt
could scarcely escape the hoofs and horns of the cattle.

She saw Ratty M'Gill on the black pony flying ahead of the steers; but
what could one man do to turn two thousand head of wild cattle? Frances
of the ranges had appreciated the peril which threatened to the full and
at first glance.

The prostrate carcase of the huge steer would serve to break the wave of
cattle due to pass over this spot within a very few moments. If Baldface
got up, shook off the entangling rope and ran, Frances and Pratt would
be utterly helpless.

Once under the hoofs of the herd, they would be pounded into the prairie
like powder, before the tail of the stampede had passed.

Frances, seeing the attempts of the big steer to climb to its feet, ran
forward and seized the rope that had slipped through the ring of her
saddle. She drew in the slack at once; but her strength was not
sufficient to drag the steer back to earth.

Snorting and bellowing, the huge beast was all but on his feet when
Pratt Sanderson reached the girl's side.

Pratt was staggering, for the shock of his fall had been severe. He
understood her, however, when she cried:

"Jump on it, Pratt! Jump on it!"

The young man leaped, landing with both feet on the taut rope. Frances,
at the same instant, threw herself backward, digging her heels into the
sod.

The shock of the tightening of the rope, therefore, fell upon the steer.
Down he went bellowing angrily, for he had not cast off the noose that
entangled him.

"Don't let him get loose, Pratt! Stand on the rope!" commanded Frances.

With the slack of the lariat she ran forward, caught a kicking hind
foot, then entangled one of the beast's forefeet, and drew both together
with all her strength. The bellowing steer was now doubly entangled; but
he was not secure, and well did Frances know it.

She ran in closer, although Pratt cried out in warning, and looped the
rope over the brute's other horn. Slipping the end of her rope through
the loop that held his feet together, Frances got a purchase by which
she could pull the great head of the beast aside and downward, thus
holding him helpless. It was impossible for him to get up after he was
thus secured.

"Got him! Quick, Pratt, this way!" Frances panted.

S