eaped out of the
shadow, and the speaker dropped like a log.

With a cry the shepherd ran to the side of his friend; but in a
moment the crowd had again reached the cabin, and the old man was
dragged from his fallen companion. With all his strength, Mr.
Howitt struggled with his captors, begging them to let him go to
the boy. But his hands were bound tightly behind his back, and
when he still plead with those who held him, Wash Gibbs struck him
full in the mouth, a blow that brought the blood.

They were leading the stunned and helpless old man away, when
someone, who was bending over Young Matt, exclaimed, "You missed
him, Wash! Jest raked him. He'll be up in a minute. An' hell 'll
be to pay in th' wilderness if he ain't tied. Better fix him
quick."

The big fellow already showed signs of returning consciousness,
and, by the time they had tied his arms, he was able to struggle
to his feet. For a moment he looked dizzily around, his eyes
turning from one evil, triumphant face to another, until they
rested upon the bleeding countenance of his old friend. The
shepherd's eyes smiled back a message of cheer, and the kind old
man tried to speak, when Wash Gibbs made another threatening
motion, with his clenched fist.

At this, a cry like the roar of a mad bull came from the young
giant. In his rage, he seemed suddenly endowed with almost
superhuman strength. Before a man of the startled company could do
more than gasp with astonishment, he had shaken himself free from
those who held him, and, breaking the rope with which he was
bound, as though it were twine, had leaped to the shepherd's side.

But it was useless. For a moment, no one moved. Then a crashing
blow, from the butt of a rifle in the hands of a man in the rear
of the two prisoners, sent Young Matt once more to the ground.
When he again regained consciousness, he was so securely bound,
that, even with his great strength, he was helpless.

Leading their captives to the old tree, the men withdrew for a
short consultation, and to refresh themselves with another drink.
When they had finished, Gibbs addressed the two friends; "We'uns
didn't aim to hurt you, Young Matt, but seein' how you're so thick
with this here feller, an' 'pear to know so much 'bout him, I
reckon we can't hep ourselves nohow." He turned to the shepherd;
"There's been too dad burned much funny work, at this ranch, since
you come, Mister, an' we'uns 'low we'll just give warnin' that we
don't