he
chance that a lot of things may happen to a big herd like that.
Some of them might try to wander away or they might get frightened
and stampede. I read about a stampede once where the cattle ran
right over the edge of a cliff."

"Well, they couldn't do that at the pool, because there aren't any
cliffs near there," replied Tom.

Larry was not satisfied, however, and said:

"I wonder what cowboys do to stop a stampede? I wish we'd thought
to ask Mr. Wilder."

"Don't always be looking for trouble, Larry," protested his brother.

"Still, we ought to know. He said he'd hold us responsible for the
cattle."

"We can ask Ned when he gets back, if you really want to know. But
don't, for goodness sake let Horace hear you. His imagination is
so lively that he would think it was a stampede every time the
cattle moved. I think it was because Horace is so excitable that
Mr. Wilder had us stay home. He probably thought we were older and
could steady him down. Now don't try to think up any more things
that might happen. I'm tired and want to go to sleep." And
turning his back to his brother, Tom refused to talk any more.

Out on the prairie the body of horsemen were riding silently and
steadily.

"I hope we shall not be obliged to wait long for Pete," said Bill,
giving voice to his thoughts.

"He'll be on hand, barring accidents," returned his father.

This confidence of the owner of the Half-Moon in his foreman was
justified, when, at the end of another hour, the men caught the
flare of a camp fire in the direction of the pool.

"Must have hurried some," asserted Snider.

But this comment elicited no other response than a quickening of
the pace.

When they were within a mile of the fire Mr. Wilder drew rein.

"You boys wait here," he commanded. "I haven't any doubt but that
it's Pete's fire. Still, it won't pay to take any chances. Snider
and I will ride ahead to reconnoiter. If we are not back within
half an hour, you'll know it's all right and can follow."

Little relishing the enforced halt, the cowboys, however, obeyed,
some of them dismounting and stretching out in the grass.

Riding a rod or so from the others, Bill, Nails and Sandy eagerly
peered through the darkness, listening intently for any sound that
should indicate danger.

The two ranch owners, being experienced in the art of scouting,
rode to the left into a roll of the plains, one crest of which shut
them off from the light. Fo