whole gang to turn out and help
the guard."

"For what?"

"The cows are restless. They're knocking about ready to make a break at
any minute."

"What? Haven't they bedded down yet?" asked Big-foot.

"No, nary one of them. And they ain't going to to-night."

"I knew it," announced the cowman, with emphasis.

"Knew what?" asked Tad.

"That we were in for trouble. And it's coming a-running."

By this time the horse wrangler had rounded up the ponies, and the
cowboys, grumbling and surly, were hurriedly cinching on saddles. A few
moments later the whole party was riding at full gallop toward the herd.

"Where's the gopher?" inquired Big-foot, after they had ridden some
distance. "Did we leave him behind?"

"I guess Chunky is asleep," laughed Tad.

"Best place for him. He'd have the herd on the run in no time if he was
to come out to-night. Never knew a human being who could stir up so much
trouble out of nothing as he can. We're coming up with the herd now. Be
careful where you are riding, too."

All was excitement. The cattle were moving restlessly about, prodding
each other with their horns, while guards were galloping here and there,
talking to them soothingly and whipping into line those that had strayed
from the main herd.

Bunches of fifteen or twenty were continually breaking through the lines
and starting to run. Quirts and ropes were brought into use to check
these individual rushes, the cowmen fearing to use their weapons lest
they alarm the herd and bring on a stampede.

"What's the trouble!" demanded Big-foot as they came up with the
foreman.

"I don't know. Bad weather, I guess. The evil one seems to have gotten
into the critters to-night. Lead your men up to the north end of the
line. We will take care of these fellows down here as best we can."

The men galloped quickly to their stations. Then in the driving rain
that soaked and chilled them the cowmen began their monotonous songs,
interrupted now and then by a shout of command from some one in charge
of a squad.

There was no thunder or lightning this time. The men were thankful for
that; it needed only some sudden disturbance to start the animals going.

The disturbance came after an hour's work. The cowmen had brought some
sort of order out of the chaos and were beginning to breathe easier.
Stallings rode up to the head of the herd giving orders that the cattle
be pointed in and kept in a circle if possible. To do this he called
awa