there's no saying what those varmints will
do; they're so fond of stealing that they'll run great risks."

However, since the couple were able to locate the running animals, they
felt it their duty to bear a hand in helping to bring them back to camp.
There was danger that if they were not speedily brought under control,
the start could not be made on time.

"Come on, Baby," called Gleeson, wheeling his animal to the right, and
sending him off at a dead run.

Thunderbolt knew what was expected of him, and without waiting for
orders, stretched away in the same direction, with the old thrill
stirring his rider at the prospect of exciting work at hand.

It was not long before they caught sight of the frightened animals,
going as if a legion of wolves were at their heels. They were running
from camp, and, unless their course could be changed, would be far from
it before daylight.

In fact their presence so comparatively near proved that they were
either another part of the main herd, or if the ones first stampeded,
had broken off again, after being well on their way to their regular
pasturing grounds.

"Look out! they may be Comanches!" called Ballyhoo to his youthful
companion. "No, they are not either."

The last remark was caused by the sight of two of their friends riding
like mad, shouting and swinging their whips, which they had brought
from camp. They were Madstone and Rickety, who were doing all they knew
how to check the animals that seemingly would not be checked or turned
aside.

It looked as if Ballyhoo and Avon must be trampled to death, for they
were directly in front of the rushing herd, but they swung their arms,
holding each his rifle aloft, and shouted loud enough to be heard miles
distant.

The mustangs were a little nervous, but were used to such experiences,
and they did not catch the contagion. They held their ground, though it
was manifest they would have preferred to be somewhere else.

Suddenly, when the terrified beasts were almost upon them, they swerved
to one side. The change of direction was slight, but it was important as
a beginning. The cowboys were quick to take advantage of it, and
redoubled their shoutings and gesticulations. The cattle trended further
and further from the course they had been following, and ere long were
headed toward the camp.

They were now on the run and the four men kept them there, determined
that they should not get away again.

Madstone explained