knew, as well as did Ted, that if it ever got to his throat
there would be strength enough for it; the strength that comes from
blood.

Ted was wishing that some one would come.

He had heard a cry. Why didn't whoever had called out come at once?

He couldn't last more than a minute longer, and the strong, murky smell
of the beast was turning him faint, as the wolf seemed to be gaining in
strength and savagery.

Presently he knew the reason. He felt that his side was wet.

His wound had opened again, and he was bleeding.

The wolf had smelled his blood, and it had renewed its strength and
courage, while it weakened and took the life out of Ted.

Suddenly there was a crash of hoofs on the sod. Stella's clear voice
rang out, and the swish of a quirt came through the air.

That was all Ted remembered, except that he felt relieved of the weight
of the wolf, which was running like a streak of gray lightning toward
the hills.

His eyes opened, and he saw Stella bending over him, and managed to
stagger to his feet, congratulating himself as his hand went to his
throat that he had at least saved it from the white fangs of his enemy.

CHAPTER XXI.

'WARE THE GRAY WOLVES.

As Ted and Stella were walking slowly back toward the house they heard a
series of shouts from the direction of the corral.

They then saw Kit at the corral gate waving frantically to them.

"Something wrong there," said Ted. "I'll get up behind you, and we'll
hurry to the corral."

He jumped upon the pony's back, and Stella rode as fast as possible to
where Kit stood holding the gate of the corral.

Inside the corral was a scene of confusion.

The ponies were running around and leaping in the air, snorting and
edging away from the little bay pony which had come across the plain
chased by the wolves.

As Ted rode up to the corral fence he looked through the bars, then
started back in surprise with an exclamation.

"What is it?" asked Stella.

"A man tied to the back of the pony," replied Ted.

"Who?"

"I cannot tell. I cannot see his face."

"Open the gate, Kit, and let me in," said Stella, gathering up her
reins.

"What are you going to do?" asked Ted.

"I'm going to catch that pony and bring him out. That man will be
smashed to death in there by the other ponies if he isn't gotten out
soon."

"Go ahead, but be careful."

Kit swung the gate open, and Stella dashed into the corral.

The ponies were running around th