uld
stop the impetus of the herd, although only traveling slowly. Indeed, if
he tried, he could see that the rear by pressure onwards would force the
outside ranks midway down the herd over the edge of the cliff. Kit spun
round again almost on one hoof, all but unseating Wilbur.

But even in that brief moment there had been a change, and the boy felt
it. The steers were nervous, and, worst of all, he knew that Kit could
realize that he himself was frightened. When a horse feels that the
rider is frightened, anything is apt to happen. Wilbur's judgment was
not gone, but he was ready to yell. The herd behind grew closer and
closer. Presently the walk broke into a short trot, the horns of the
following bunch of steers appeared at Kit's flanks, a rumbling as of
half-uttered bellows was heard from the rear of the herd, and, on the
instant, the steers began to run.

[Illustration: NURSERY FOR YOUNG TREES.

_Photograph by U. S. Forest Service._]

[Illustration: PLANTATION OF YOUNG TREES.

_Photograph by U. S. Forest Service._]

[Illustration: SOWING PINE SEED.

Brush on ground is to shade tender seedlings from the heat of the sun.

_Photograph by U. S. Forest Service._]

[Illustration: PLANTING YOUNG TREES.

_Photograph by U. S. Forest Service._]

CHAPTER XII

ALMOST TRAMPLED TO DEATH

The minute the stampede began Wilbur's nerves steadied, and with voice
more than with hand he quieted Kit. It took a moment or two for the
front group to break into the running gallop of the frightened steer,
and two head of cattle not twenty feet from Wilbur were forced over the
edge before the leaders started to run. In this moment the rear bunch
closed up solidly and Wilbur was hemmed in.

The pace became terrific, and as they hurtled along the face of the
cliff with the precipice below, Wilbur noted to his horror that he was
gradually being forced to the outer edge. Being lighter than the steers,
the heavier animals were surging ahead alongside the cliff wall, and the
little pony with the boy on his back was inch by inch being forced to
the verge, of which there was a clear fall now of about one hundred
feet. Vainly he looked for a tree overhanging the road into which he
could leap; there were no trees. And every few strides he found himself
appreciably nearer the edge. Looking back, as far as he could see the
steers were crowding, and looking forward the road curved, hiding what
might lie before.

His fee