gnity which was ludicrous. He swept together into
one steady outpour all the native and alien oaths he had ever heard in a
long and eventful career among profane persons. When Mose recovered his
horse and rode up to him, Jose was still swearing. He was walking among
the wounded sheep, shooting those which he considered helplessly
injured. His mouth was dry, his voice husky, and on his lips foam lay in
yellow flecks. He ceased to imprecate only when, by repetition, his
oaths became too inexpressive to be worth while.

Mose's heart was boyishly tender for any animal, and to see the gentle
creatures mangled, writhing and tumbling, uttering most piteous cries,
touched him so deeply that he wept. He had no inclination to swear until
afterward, when the full knowledge that it was a trick and not an
accident came to him. He started at once for the camp to carry the black
news.

Delmar did not swear when Mose told him what had happened. He saddled
his horse, and, buckling his revolvers about him said, "Come on,
youngster; I'm going over to see about this."

Mose felt the blood of his heart thicken and grow cold. There was a
deadly resolution in Delmar's deliberate action. Prevision of a bloody
fray filled the boy's mind, but he could not retreat. He could not let
his boss go alone into an enemy's country; therefore he rode silently
after.

Delmar galloped steadily on toward the Circle Bar Ranch house. Mile
after mile was traversed at steady gallop till the powerful little
ponies streamed with salty sweat. At last Delmar drew rein and allowed
Mose to ride by his side.

"You needn't be alarmed," he said in a kindly tone; "these hounds won't
shoot; they're going to evade it, but I shall hold 'em to it--trust me,
my boy."

As they topped a ridge and looked down into Willow Creek, where the
Ranch house stood, several horsemen could be seen riding in from the
opposite side, and quite a group of men waited Delmar's approach, and
every man was armed. Each face wore a look of constraint, though one man
advanced hospitably. "Good afternoon, gentlemen; ride your horses right
into the corral, and the boys'll take the saddles off."

"Where is Williams?" asked Delmar as he slid from his horse.

"Gone to town; anything I can do for you? I'm his boss."

"You tell Mr. Williams," said Delmar, with menacing calm, "I came to
tell him that a drove of horses belonging partly to you and partly to
Hartley, of The Horseshoe, were stampeded t