the direction whence
the sound of distress seemed to spring, they saw a small Mexican girl
struggling with an over-grown fellow, garbed in the customary range
habit, even to the "chaps" of leather covering his trousers.

Both Frank and Bob jumped from their saddles, for the little affair was
taking place in the courtyard of an inn that fronted on the street.
Whether the brute was simply playing the bully, and trying to kiss the
girl; or meant to strike her for getting in his way, Bob Archer did not
stop to inquire.

His warm Kentucky blood on fire, he made a swoop for the fellow, and
managed to give him a tremendous blow that toppled him over in a heap.

"Lie there, you coward!" he exclaimed.

And then, as the fellow whom he had knocked down struggled to his
knees, to stare up at him, Bob discovered, not a little to his
surprise, and satisfaction as well, that he was looking into a familiar
face.

It was Peg Grant!

CHAPTER II

THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO

"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Frank; which remark showed how much
surprised he was to recognize the youth whom his chum had sent to the
ground.

"What do you mean by hitting me like that?" snarled the rich man's son,
as he managed to scramble to his feet again, though he seemed a bit
"groggy," and one of his eyes was already turning dark, as if it had
come in violent contact with a stone when he struck the ground.

"What do _you_ mean, hurting that poor little Mexican girl?" demanded
Bob, who stood on his guard, as though he might not be averse to trying
conclusions with the bully, if so be the other felt like seeking
satisfaction for his upset.

"She sassed me when I ordered her to get out of my way, that's what she
did;" declared Peg, wrathfully, "and I'd look nice now, wouldn't I,
letting a little greaser kid talk back to me? So I was just giving her
a good shaking when you broke in. Guess you didn't know who you were
hitting when you did that, Bob Archer!"

"Perhaps I didn't," replied the Kentucky lad, calmly; "though that
wouldn't have made any particular difference. Any cur who would lay
his hands on a child like that ought to get knocked down every time.
I'd do it again if you gave me the chance!"

Peg stared at him. Perhaps he had never been treated in this manner
before. All his life his acquaintances had truckled to him on account
of the great wealth of his father, and the liberal way he himself, as a
boy, rewarded those who we