.

"Big-foot!" he shouted.

"Yes?" answered the cowboy, in a far away voice, for some distance now
separated the two.

"It looks to me as if they were closing in on us. What do you think?"

"Wait! I'll see."

The cowboy pulled up a little and listened.

"Right you are. They have spread out in a solid wall."

"What shall we do?"

"Ride! Ride for your life!" came the excited reply.

"Where?"

"To your right. Don't let them catch you or you'll be trampled under
their feet. They'll never stop, now, till they get to the river."

"Is it near here?"

"Only a few miles ahead. I can hear it roar now. A flood is coming down
it. Hurry!"

Tad had barely heard the last word. Already he had swung his pony about
and was galloping with all speed to the right in an effort to get free
of the herd before they crowded him and his pony into the turbulent,
swollen river.

CHAPTER XV

FORDING A SWOLLEN RIVER

The first light of the morning revealed to Tad Butler the narrow escape
he had had. He had barely passed the outer point of the stampeding herd
when the cattle rushed by him.

On beyond, less than half a mile away, he made out the river in the
faint light. His companion was nowhere to be seen. However, that was not
surprising, as the cattle now covered a large area; so large that Tad
was unable to see to the other side of the herd.

As the day dawned the cattle began to slacken their speed, and, by the
time the leaders reached the river bank, the rush was at an end. Some of
the stock plunged into the edge of the stream where they began drinking,
while others set to grazing contentedly.

As the light became stronger, the lad made out the figure of Big-foot
Sanders approaching him at an easy gallop.

"We did it, didn't we, Big-foot?" exulted Tad Butler.

"That we did, Pinto. And there comes the rest of the bunch now,"
Big-foot added, pointing to the rear, where others of the cowboys were
to be seen riding up.

Stallings was the first to reach them.

"Good job," he grinned. "We are at the river several hours ahead of
schedule time. Doesn't look very promising, does it?"

"River's pretty high. Are you thinking of fording it this morning?"
asked Big-foot, looking over the swollen stream.

"We might as well. The water will be higher later in the day. We may not
be able to get across in several days if we wait too long."

"What do you think started the cattle this time?" asked Tad.

"I don't think. I