has taken my advice to drive the herd up the
canon and into the park for the night," explained Roubideau. "There iss
one way in, one way out. Guard the entrances and the 'Paches cannot
stampede the cattle. Voila!"

From the hill-top the leaders of the herd could be seen drinking at the
creek. Cattle behind were pushing forward to get at the water, while the
riders on the point and at the swing were directing the movement of the
beeves, now checking the steady pressure from the rear and now hastening
the pace of those dawdling in the stream. To add to the confusion cows
were mooing loudly for their off-spring not yet unloaded from the calf
wagon.

Near the summit Jean with the buckboard met the party from the canon. He
helped Clanton to the seat and drove to the house.

Webb cantered up. "What's this I hear about you, Jimmie-Go-Get-'Em? They
tell me you've made four good Injuns to-day, shot up a renegade, rescued
this young lady here, 'most rode one of my horses to death, an' got stove
up in the foot yore own self. It certainly must have been yore busy
afternoon."

The drover looked at him with a new respect. He had found the answer to
the question he had put himself a few hours earlier. This boy was no
four-flusher. He not only knew how and when to shoot, was game as a
bulldog, and keen as a weasel; he possessed, too, that sixth sense so
necessary to a gun-fighter, the instinct which shows him how to take
advantage of every factor in the situation so as to come through safely.

"I didn't do it all," answered Clanton, flushing. "Billie helped, and the
Roubideaus got two of 'em."

"That's not the way Billie tells it. Anyhow, you-all made a great gather
between you. Six 'Paches that will never smile again ought to give the
raiders a pain."

"Don't you think we'd better get him to bed?" said Pauline gently.

"You're shoutin', ma'am," agreed Webb. "Roubideau, the little boss says
Jimmie-Go-Get-'Em is to be put to bed. I'll tote him in if you'll
give my boys directions about throwin' the herd into yore park and
loose-herdin' 'em there."

The Missourian picked up the wounded boy and followed Pauline into the
house. She led the way to her own little bedroom. It was the most
comfortable in the house and that was the one she wanted Jim Clanton to
have.

Chapter VI

Billie Asks a Question

Roubideau rounded up next day his beef stock and sold two hundred head to
the drover. During the second day the riders