e degrees; "sure to be better
places further on, where the holding is firmer."

"And yet," remarked Bob, suddenly, "horses have made this climb only a
short time ago, Frank!"

"What makes you say that?" asked the other, interested at once.

"Why, there are tracks going up slantingly, you see; and even if I am
next door to a greenhorn I can tell that the marks look fresh," Bob
declared, pointing.

"Say, I take a back seat, Bob," Frank remarked, laughingly. "That's
the time you saw my lead, and went me one better. Sure there have been
horses climbing that slope--one, two, three of 'em. And Lopez, he had
only two; so it can hardly be him. I wonder now if that measly
tenderfoot, Peg----"

"Look up yonder!" interrupted Bob, suddenly pointing again. "I saw the
bushes moving along the edge of the top there. Somebody's got an eye
on us right now, Frank. D'ye reckon it could be one of those rustlers;
and would they try to hold us up so as to get our mounts?"

Bob instinctively snatched his rifle, and began to make a
demonstration, as though half tempted to shoot. His action looked so
decidedly hostile that it naturally created something of a panic in the
breast of the unknown who was lying concealed behind the fringe of
bushes.

They saw a sudden hasty movement, as though, in alarm, the hidden one
had started to change his position. Then something not down on the
bills occurred.

The loose earth at the edge of the top of the long slope seemed to give
way in a treacherous manner. Immediately a human figure came into
view, struggling, clawing desperately, and trying in every way possible
to clutch at something firm in order to halt his downward progress.

But it was all of no avail. A second figure attempted to grasp the
imperiled one in time, but evidently failed to secure a firm hold. And
so the fellow started to roll down the slope. He came much after the
manner in which a bag of corn might turn over and over. Sometimes he
was head-first; and then again resuming the side motion, he whirled
around in a way that was enough to make anyone dizzy.

All the while he kept letting out shrill squeals of real alarm; as
though the prospect of a final plunge into that deep dark pool at the
base filled him with dread.

By some rare chance the rolling man struck the twisted little cedar
that tried to keep its dying hold on the scanty soil half way up the
rise. Caught by the seat of his stout trousers on one of th