Dave, as he ran forward to
stop the nearest horse.

"All right, boys!" was the answer. "That is, I will be as soon as I've
rested a bit. I've had some ride, believe me!"

Roger and Phil helped Dave to secure the free horses and tether them,
and our hero held the old miner's steed while he fairly tumbled to the
ground. The horse was in a heavy lather, and Mr. Dillon was covered with
dust.

"You weren't shot, were you?" questioned the senator's son, anxiously.

"No, although I come putty nigh to it," was the answer, and the old
miner pointed to a hole through the brim of the hat he wore. "The skunk
fired twict at me!"

"We heard two shots," said Dave. "We were afraid you might be in
trouble. If we had had horses we would have followed you."

"I did better nor he did," went on the old miner, with a satisfied ring
in his voice. "I plugged him in the arm."

"You did!" exclaimed Phil. "We heard only two shots!"

"I fired later on, after he left the trail. He was just gittin' ready to
aim his gun ag'in when I caught him. His arm went down like lead, an'
the gun dropped to the ground; so I know I winged him. He didn't shoot
no more, only got into the timber quick as he could. Then I rounded up
the hosses an' started back."

"Who was it, do you know?" questioned Dave.

"It was Ham Staver. I suppose Sol Blugg and Larry Jaley sent him ahead
to steal the hosses. They thought it would be easy, with us asleep."

"It came pretty near being so," answered Dave, gravely.

Tom Dillon was glad enough to rest, and to partake of the hearty meal
the boys prepared for him. The horses were cared for, and the boys were
pleased to learn that they had not suffered through the wild run along
the rocky trail.

"If that Staver shows himself around Butte I'll settle accounts with
him," said the old miner, while eating. "But I reckon he'll stay away
for a while."

After an hour's rest the old miner announced that he was ready to go
forward once more. The sun was now well in the west, and it was not near
so hot as it had been in the middle of the day.

"I wish we could catch up to the Blower party by to-night," said Roger,
earnestly. "Mr. Dillon, do you think we can do it?"

"We can try, lad. But you must remember, we'll have to favor the hosses
a leetle. They have had a mighty hard run on't."

"I know. Well, don't go any further than you deem wise."

For the distance of half a mile the trail was comparatively good. But
then they