inherited the fearless nature of the beast that had nursed them in that
den.

Perhaps it was all one-sided, since the animals never had a chance to
get in touch with the invaders. Neither of the boys ever felt very proud
of the work; but in view of the tremendous amount of damage a pack of
hungry wolves can do on a cattle ranch, or in a sheepfold, they had no
scruples concerning the matter. Besides, every one along the Arizona
border hated a wolf almost as badly as they did a cowardly coyote; for
while the former may be bolder than the beast that slinks across the
desert looking for carrion, its capacity for mischief is a good many
times as great.

"I don't see any more eyes, Frank!" called out Bob, presently, as he
tried to penetrate the cloud of powder-smoke that surrounded both of
them.

"That's because we got 'em all, I reckon," replied his chum. "How about
that, Hank?"

"Cleaned the hull brood out, son," replied the other, chuckling; "an' no
mistake about it either."

"But where did the big one go to; has she escaped after all?" asked Bob,
with a note of regret in his voice; for he thought the blame would be
placed on him, for having made a poor shot when he had such a splendid
chance to finish the animal.

"Oh! I wouldn't worry myself about her, Bob," chuckled Frank, who had
already made a discovery; and as he spoke he pointed to a spot close by,
where, huddled in a heap, lay the heavy body of the fiercest cattle
thief known for years along the border.

"She was mortally hurted by the fust shot," said Hank, as they stood
over the gaunt animal, and surveyed her proportions with almost a touch
of awe; "but seemed like the critter had enough strength left t' make
thet leap, as nigh knocked me flat. Then she jest keeled over, an' guv
up the ghost. Arter this the young heifers kin stray away from their
mother's sides, without bein' dragged off. Thar'll be a vote o' thanks
sent ter ye, Bob, from every ranch inside of fifty mile, 'cause of what
ye did when ye pulled trigger this day."

Hank, being an experienced worker, did not take very long to secure the
pelt of the dead terror of the desert. Then they left the rocks, finding
their horses just where they had left them.

All of the animals showed signs of alarm when they scented the skin of
the wolf; and Domino in particular pranched and snorted at a great rate
since his education had been neglected in this particular. So Hank,
having the best trained stee