inch the rope
over his saddle pommel. He held it firmly in his hand, with a view to
letting go after it had served its purpose, having no desire to injure
his victim.

Lumpy Bates went over as if he had been bowled over with a club, and
before he had realized the meaning of it he had been dragged several
feet.

Tad jerked his pony up sharply and slowly rode back to where his victim
was desperately struggling to free himself.

"Y-e-e-e-o-ow!" screamed the cowboys, circling about the scene, their
ponies on a dead run, discharging their six-shooters into the air,
giving cat calls and wild war-whoops in the excess of their joy.

Big-foot Sanders, however, had not joined in their merriment. Instead,
he had ridden up within a couple of rods of where Lumpy Bates was lying.
Big-foot sat quietly on his pony, awaiting the outcome.

At last Lumpy tore off the lariat's grip and scrambled to his feet. He
glared about him to see whence had come this last indignity.

"I did it, Lumpy," announced Tad Butler quietly.

"You----"

"Wait a minute before you tell me what you are going to do," commanded
Tad. "Chunky did not mean to throw you. He was trying to rope the steer.
He'll tell you he is sorry. But you were going to hit him because you
were mad. If you'd struck him with the butt of that quirt you might have
killed him. I had to rope you to prevent that. Is there anything you
want to say to me now?"

"I'll show you what I've got to say," snarled the cowboy, starting for
Tad.

"Stop! Lumpy Bates, if you come another foot nearer to me I'll ride you
down!" warned Tad, directing a level gaze at the eyes of his adversary.

The cowboy gazed defiantly at the slender lad for a full moment.

"I'll fix you for that!" he growled, turning away.

At that moment Big-foot Sanders rode in front of him and pulled up his
pony.

"What's that ye say?"

"Nothing--I said I'd be even with that cub."

"I reckon ye'd better not try it, Lumpy. The kid's all right. Big-foot
Sanders is his friend. And that's the truth. Don't let it get away from
you!"

CHAPTER XIV

ON A WILD NIGHT RIDE

"Your fat friend, over there, is making queer noises, Master Tad. Must
be having a bad dream."

Big-foot had reached a ponderous hand from his blankets and shaken Tad
roughly.

"Mebby the gopher's having a fit. Better find out what ails him."

The rain was falling in torrents. The men were soaked to the skin, but
it did not seem to disturb t