. "I was forgetting. Those fellows had you
down. Are you hurt?"

"They knocked me out with something heavy--my whip, I guess--but I'm
getting over it. Cleaned out my pockets; went off with both teams."

George nodded.

"It's pretty bad; quite impossible to get after them. They'll head for
Montana as fast as they can ride."

"Did you see any of them clearly?"

"One fellow looked like Langside, though I couldn't swear to him; but
I'd know the man who knifed my horse. Remembered that would be
desirable, in case he escaped me; and I got a good look at him. Now,
if you feel able shall we make a start? I'm afraid the horse is too
lame to carry you."

He picked up the knife. Grant rose, and they set off, leading the
horse, which moved slowly and painfully. It had grown dark and the
trail was rough, but the farmer plodded homeward, stopping a few
moments now and then. The path, however, grew smoother when they had
left the sandy ridges behind, and by and by the lights of the homestead
commenced to twinkle on the vast shadowy plain. Soon after they
reached it, George rode away, mounted on a fresh horse, in search of
Constable Flett.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE CLIMAX

George was tired and sleepy when he reached the settlement early in the
morning, and found Flett at Hardie's house. It transpired from their
conversation that there had been a disturbance at the Sachem on the
return of a party which had driven out to the sale, and one man, who
accused a companion of depriving him of a bargain, had attacked and
badly injured him with a decanter. Flett, being sent for, had arrested
the fellow, and afterward called upon the clergyman for information
about his antecedents and character. He listened with close attention
while George told his tale; and then examined the knife he produced.

"This is about the limit!" he exclaimed. "You wouldn't have persuaded
me that the thing was possible when I was first sent into the district.
It isn't what one expects in the wheat-belt, and it certainly has to be
stopped."

"Of course," said George, with some impatience. "But wouldn't it be
wiser to consider the ways and means? At present the fellows are no
doubt pushing on for the frontier with two valuable teams and a wad of
stolen bills."

Flett smiled at him indulgently.

"This isn't a job that can be put through in a hurry. If they're
heading for the boundary--and I guess they are--they'll be in Dakota or
Montan