s, and, not knowing what had taken place
within the last few minutes, she tried to struggle out of Ted's arms, at
the same time uttering shrill screams, and trying to use her finger
nails on his face. She was fighting like a wild cat, and it was all Ted
could do to prevent her from injuring him, while he was trying to get
her quiet enough to realize the change in her fortunes.

Finally she recognized his voice and ceased to struggle, but sat up and
looked at him in amazement.

"It is I, Singing Bird," said he. "I followed you and took you away from
Woofer. You are safe."

Then she saw it was so, and remained quiet.

He let her slip to the ground, and then assisted her to mount Magpie,
and thus they rode slowly back to camp.

Before going Ted got down from Sultan's back and found Woofer, who was
lying where he fell. He was not in a serious condition, but Ted knew
that he would suffer from a severe headache when he awoke. Then he would
have to take care of himself, alone on the vast prairie without a horse.
But it was his own lookout, and perhaps it would teach him a much-needed
lesson.

When they reached camp the night guard was changing, and, seeing Ted and
the Indian girl come riding in together, the boys aroused the whole camp
with their eager questions.

Ted told them briefly all that had happened during the attempted
abduction of Singing Bird, but the time was not ripe to divulge the
burden of the Indian girl's story of the gold in the mother lode.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE LOCOED STEER.

The daring attempt to abduct the Indian girl made a strong impression on
every one of the Moon Valley outfit, and they resolved that they would
not be caught napping in that manner again.

The herd continued to move forward slowly toward the north, with nothing
to vary the monotony.

The long, grassy slopes of Montana furnished the best of feed, and the
country was plentifully watered with clear, flashing mountain streams,
and, all in all, it was an ideal cow country.

The herd was now well up toward the northeast corner of Montana, and not
far away was the Missouri, near the banks of which Ted intended to hold
the cattle until they were in fine condition, and then drive them by
easy stages to the railroad.

One day Bud rode up to Ted with a very serious face, so unusual a thing
that Ted looked at him with a grin.

"What's the grouch about now, Bud?" he asked.

"I ain't got no grouch," answered Bud.

"No?