dust
was sweeping toward them, in the centre of which they made out three
hardriding cowboys from the ranch. Farther back, in the distance, was
another dust whirl. The outlaw chief's hard, vigilant gaze swept over
the reinforcements! and decided instantly that the game had gone against
him for the present. He whistled shrilly twice, and began a slow retreat
toward the hills. The miscreants flung a few defiant shots at the
advancing cowmen, and disappeared, swallowed up in the earth swells.

The homeward march was a slow one, for Bannister had begun to show signs
of consciousness and it was necessary to carry him with extreme care.
While they were still a mile from the ranch house the pinto and its
rider could be seen loping toward them.

"Ride forward, Denver, and tell Miss Helen we're coming. Better have her
get everything fixed to doctor him soon as we get there. Give him the
best show in the world, and he'll still be sailing awful close to the
divide. I'll bet a hundred plunks he'll cash in, anyway."

"DONE!"

The voice came faintly from the improvised litter. Mac turned with
a start, for he had not known that Bannister was awake to his
surroundings. The man appeared the picture of helplessness, all the
lusty power and vigor stricken out of him; but his indomitable spirit
still triumphed over the physical collapse, for as the foreman looked
a faint smile touched the ashen lips. It seemed to say: "Still in the
ring, old man."

CHAPTER 8. IN THE LAZY D HOSPITAL

Helen's first swift glance showed that the wounded man was Bannister.
She turned in crisp command to her foreman.

"Have him taken to my room and put to bed there. We have no time to
prepare another. And send one of the boys on your best horse for a
doctor."

They carried the limp figure in with rough tenderness and laid him in
the bed. McWilliams unbuckled the belt and drew off the chaps; then,
with the help of Denver, undressed the wounded man and covered him
with quilts. So Helen found him when she came in to attend his wounds,
bringing with her such things as she needed for her task. Mrs. Winslow,
the housekeeper, assisted her, and the foreman stayed to help, but it
was on the mistress of the ranch that the responsibility of saving him
fell. Missou was already galloping to Bear Creek for a doctor, but the
girl knew that the battle must be fought and the issue decided before he
could arrive.

He had fallen again into insensibility and she ri