h recklessly.

"You can't! They're too many! Ride and bring help! Deliver my
message!" pleaded Rosemary. "It's the best way to help us!"

Then, as Paz, wild and furious, rode up with pistol aimed at the
cowboy, the latter fired his last shot, full in the face of the Indian
leader, wheeled his horse, and managed to dash away.

How Paz escaped no one knew, but the shot only grazed him, and with
mutterings he threw aside his own empty weapon, and spurred after the
bold cowboy. But the horse of Paz slipped, while the steed of the
American, being more sure footed, carried him out of danger.

He vanished around a turn in the trail, and Paz swung back to his own
men, several of whom had been wounded, and one killed by the bold,
dashing American cowboys.

Then, when this little "fracas" was over, Rosemary and Floyd were again
led forward, into the mountain fastness, prisoners of the Yaquis.
While, miles away, the boy ranchers were totally unaware of the tragic
happenings.

"What did you do, Rose?" asked Floyd, in a low voice, as the trail was
resumed.

"I scribbled a note and sent it by that cowboy. He'll bring help if he
can."

"Well, I hope he can. If they don't get him, or he doesn't lose your
note."

But the message was delivered and was the means of spurring into action
those at Diamond X ranch.

CHAPTER VIII

SHOOTING STARS

Contrary to what was usual when a band of cowboys, including Bud, Nort,
and Dick, started off on the trail, there was very little singing,
laughing and joking as they gave their ponies rein to begin pursuit
after the kidnapping Yaquis. Even the lightest-spirited cowpuncher
felt the gravity of the situation, though, save for the three boy
ranchers, none had ever seen Rosemary and Floyd. And it was so long
ago that Bud, Nort and Dick had met these western cousins that they
scarcely remembered them.

"But we'd hit the trail for the rescue whether they were our cousins or
not!" declared Bud Merkel, as he kicked his heels against the flanks of
his pony, and sent that steady-going animal forward with a rush.

"Whoa there, son, whoa there!" advised Snake Purdee who was in
leadership of the party.

"That's right," chimed in Yellin' Kid, with his usual strident tones.
"Take it easy, Bud, We've got a long, hard trail ahead of us, and we
haven't any spare horses."

"I didn't intend to start a race," spoke Bud, as he slowed up and
waited for Nort and Dick. "I was just wishin