he bunch of Diamond X
cattle some one had tried to haze away.

"Oh!" murmured Professor Wright, as the growing illumination, caused by
the moon coming out more clearly, revealed him to the boys and them to
him. "Were you--er--looking for me?" he asked in his usual cultured
tones.

"Not exactly," replied Bud. "We were just over to your camp, to leave
the stuff for the men, and you weren't there."

"No, I had to leave," said the professor, smoothly. "I am going back
now. I am sorry I missed you."

"You didn't!" Bud said grimly to himself. And then the scientist
seemed to realize this for he added:

"I mean I am sorry I was not there to thank you. It was very kind of
you to help the men. I'm sorry this trouble occurred."

"Oh, we're always glad to help," spoke Bud. "Out west you never know
when you're going to need help yourself, so it's always a good plan to
have a balance in your favor."

"Yes, I should say that was so," spoke the professor thoughtfully.
"You found everything all right, at my camp?" he asked, rather than
stated.

"All right--yes," answered Bud. "We left the stuff with Professor
Blair. He said you were out."

"Yes, I had to make a little trip. But aren't you off your road?" he
asked the boys. "I mean doesn't your ranch lie over there?" and he
pointed in the proper direction.

"It does," assented Bud. "But we've got to look out for these cattle."

"Oh, I see. You are 'riding herd,' as I believe it is called."

"In a way--yes," spoke Bud and then he went on boldly: "Some rustlers
tried to haze this bunch over the river, but we caught 'em!"

"Caught them?" repeated the professor quickly.

"Well, our assistant foreman is after 'em now," Bud explained. "We're
waiting here for him to come back. We thought you were Babe as you
came along, but as soon as I heard your horse I knew it couldn't be
him. He doesn't ride--er--just that way."

"I realize that I shall never become a horseman," said the professor
dryly, and with a little half smile, visible in the moonlight. "But I
can ride enough for my purpose."

Bud, as well as Nort and Dick, found themselves wondering just what the
professor's "purpose" was. However he did not seem inclined to
disclose it, for he pulled up his horse, which was idly cropping the
grass, and said:

"Well, I must be going. Thank you, again, for your kindness. I hope
we may meet again. Good-night!"

He urged his animal onward, and a moment late