red at a
young cow just beyond him. The big bull, either frightened or angry,
leaped head down at Old Jack. The horse was without experience with
buffaloes, but he knew that those sharp horns meant no good to him, and
he sprang aside with so much agility that Ned was almost unseated.

The big bull rushed on, and Ned, who had retained his hold upon his
rifle, was tempted to take a shot at him for revenge, but, remembering
the Panther's injunction, he controlled the impulse and fired at a young
cow.

When the noise and confusion were over and the surviving buffaloes had
lumbered away, they found that they had slain two of the young cows and
that they had an ample supply of meat.

"Ned," said the Panther, "you know how to go back to the cabin, don't
you?"

"I can go straight as an arrow."

"Then ride your own horse, lead the other two an' bring two men. We'll
need 'em with the work here."

The Panther and Obed were already at work skinning the cows. Ned sprang
upon Old Jack, and rode away at a trot, leading the other two horses by
their lariats. The snow was gone now and the breeze was almost balmy.
Ned felt that great rebound of the spirits of which the young are so
capable. They had outwitted Urrea, they had taken his prisoners from
him, and then had escaped across the Rio Grande. They had found shelter
and now they had obtained a food supply. They were all good comrades
together, and what more was to be asked?

He whistled as he rode along, but when he was half way back to the cabin
he noticed something in a large tree that caused him to stop. He saw the
outlines of great bronze birds, and he knew that they were wild turkeys.
Wild turkeys would make a fine addition to their larder, and, halting
Old Jack, he shot from his back, taking careful aim at the largest of
the turkeys. The huge bird fell, and as the others flew away Ned was
lucky enough to bring down a second with a pistol shot.

His trophies were indeed worth taking, and tying their legs together
with a withe he hung them across his saddle bow. He calculated that the
two together weighed nearly sixty pounds, and he rode triumphantly when
he came in sight of the cabin.

Will saw him first and gave a shout that drew the other men.

"What luck?" hailed young Allen.

"Not much," replied Ned, "but I did get these sparrows."

He lifted the two great turkeys from his saddle and tossed them to Will.
The boy caught them, but he was borne to his knees by th