e a
movement toward his pistols, but a second glance at the youth made him
change his mind.

"I said I would waste no more words with you," repeated Allen. "Get
down!"

"But see here, youngster----"

"Get down!" And up came the rifle in a motion that caused the man to
start back in terror.

"There must be a mistake somewhar," he said, slowly, as soon as he could
recover. "My pard turned this critter over to me, and I reckoned it war
all right."

"There is where you reckoned wrong. Are you going to get down now or
not?"

"Supposin' we talk it over with my pard first? Thar he is now."

The man pointed to the trail behind Allen. His manner was so natural
that for the instant the young ranchman was deceived. He looked about.

With a dash and a clatter the horse thief urged Rush on, digging his
spurs deep into the little horse's flesh. As he did so he dropped partly
under the horse's neck, thus to shield himself from a chance shot,
should it be taken.

But, although astonished and angered at being so easily duped, Allen did
not fire. Rush was moving along over the rocks too rapidly for him to
take the risk of killing his brother's favorite beast. Besides, only a
small portion of the rider could be seen at one time.

"I'll follow him until I get a better chance," he thought, and he cried
to Lilly to follow in pursuit.

Once again the gallant mare responded, although she was now thoroughly
jaded. Up the rocks they went, and around numerous bends, the clatter
ahead telling plainly that the race was about even for pursued and
pursuer.

"I must be on my guard or that fellow may play me foul," thought Allen.
"He looks like a most desperate character, and he knows well enough
what capture by the law-abiding folks of this State means. They would
lynch him in a minute."

Allen wondered what had become of the other thieves and the horse
Jasper. Surely they could not be far away.

"Perhaps that fellow is trying to reach the others, who may have gone on
ahead," he speculated mentally. "If he reaches them it will be so much
the worse for me, for I can never fight two or more among these rocks
and bushes. On Lilly. We must run him down at once!"

But the little mare could be urged no longer. She had reached her limit,
and went forward with a doggedness that was pitiful to behold.

In five minutes Allen heard the clatter ahead drawing away from him.
Soon it ceased entirely.

But he did not give up. It was not in his