launched it at the steer.
The lariat whistled through the air, as true to its course as a ball
from a rifle, the noose settled down over his horns, the horse stopped
suddenly, and the runaway lay struggling on the ground.

His last attempt at escape seemed to have exhausted his energies, for
when he had regained his feet, he allowed Felix to lead him back to the
gate and into the cow-pen, where he was turned loose, to remain until
his owner should send for him.

CHAPTER II.

FRANK'S NEW HOME.

Frank and Archie, as we have before remarked, had been in California
about two months; and, between riding, hunting, visiting, and assisting
Uncle James, who was engaged in selling off his stock and closing up his
business, preparatory to his return to Lawrence, they had passed the
time most agreeably. They were as fond as ever of excitement, were
almost constantly in the saddle, and Mr. Winters often said that if they
and their horses and dog did not travel a thousand miles every day, it
was not because they did not try.

When the boys first arrived in California, they thought themselves
expert in all manner of frontier accomplishments. But one morning, they
rode over to visit Johnny Harris and Dick Thomas--two boys, about their
own age, with whom they had become acquainted--and, during the day,
they witnessed some feats of skill that made them wonder. Johnny and
Dick, to show what they could do, captured and rode a couple of wild
horses, that had never been handled before; and Frank and Archie were
compelled to admit that they had some things yet to learn. Every boy in
that country could throw the lasso, and the cousins found that, if they
desired to keep up their reputation, they must put themselves under
instructions. Dick and Bob readily took them in hand, and, although the
boys were awkward at first, they improved rapidly. They soon learned to
throw the lasso with considerable skill, and Frank speedily took the
lead in rifle-shooting, while Archie began to brag of his horsemanship.
The former could bring a squirrel out of the top of the highest oak on
the farm, at every shot; and his cousin could bend down from his saddle
and pick up his sombrero from the ground, while his horse was going at
the top of his speed.

The horses the boys rode were the same that had carried them across the
prairie, and they were now hitched at the end of the porch, saddled and
bridled, and awaiting the pleasure of their masters. On