e among which they are
driven, after a little milling around, the whole bunch may gentle almost
immediately, or, on the other hand, it may break through and go crashing
away on a wild stampede at a moment's notice. Every experienced cowman
knows enough to expect the unexpected.

At Bronco Mesa the round-up had proceeded with unusual facility. Scores
of wiry, long-legged steers had drifted down the ridges or gulches that
led to the canon; and many a cow, followed by its calf, had stumbled
forward to the herd and apparently accepted the inevitable. But before
Helen Messiter had well started out of the canyon's mouth the situation
changed absolutely.

A big hill steer, which had not seen a man for a year, broke through
the human corral with a bellow near a point where Reddy kept guard. The
puncher wheeled and gave chase, Before the other men could close the
opening a couple of two-year-olds seized the opportunity and followed
its lead. A second rider gave chase, and at once, as if some imp of
mischief had stirred them, fifty tails went up in wild flight. Another
minute and the whole herd was in stampede.

Down the gulch the five hundred cattle thundered toward the motor car,
which lay directly in their path. Helen turned, appreciated the danger,
and put the machine at its full speed. The road branched for a space
of about fifty yards, and in her excitement she made the mistake of
choosing the lower, more level, one. Into a deep sand bed they plowed,
the wheels sinking at every turn. Slower and slower went the car;
finally came to a full stop.

Nora glanced back in affright at the two hundred and fifty tons of beef
that was charging wildly toward them. "What shall we do?" she gasped,
and clambered to the ground.

"Run!" cried Helen, following her example and scudding for the sides
of the canyon, which here sloped down less precipitately than at other
points. But before they had run a dozen steps each of them was aware
that they could not reach safety in time to escape the hoofs rushing
toward them so heavily that the ground quaked.

"Look out!" A resonant cry rang out above the dull thud of the
stampeding cattle that were almost upon them. Down the steep sides of
the gorge two riders were galloping recklessly. It was a race for life
between them and the first of the herd, and they won by scarce more than
a length. Across the sand the horses plowed, and as they swept past
the two trembling young women each rider bent