there was something wrong!" he exclaimed. "How long has
this thing been going on?"

"Not more than five minutes."

"Which way are they looking," continued George.

"Every way, but the most of them keep their heads in that direction,"
said Loring, waving his arm toward the south.

"Call everybody in camp while I speak to Bob and Mr. Wentworth. No noise
now. I am afraid we are going to have trouble."

In less than two minutes all the troopers had been aroused, and George
was holding an earnest consultation with Mr. Wentworth and the corporal.
"I've seen cattle act that way before," said he, speaking as rapidly as
he could make his tongue move, for time was precious; "and if we were a
little nearer the river I could easily tell what is the matter with
them; but I never heard of the Greasers coming so far into the country
as this, and it may be nothing but nervousness that's troubling them.
My advice would be to mount the men and move them quietly in line on the
north side of the herd, and perhaps by making such a show of numbers we
can keep them within bounds until they are quieted down.--What do you
say, Mr. Wentworth?"

"It is the only thing that can be done," replied Mr. Wentworth, who
seemed to be greatly excited and alarmed; "and even that is a slim
chance.--Make haste, corporal. Do all you can for me, for if I lose this
herd I shall be ruined, sure enough."

"Catch up!" commanded Bob.

"Look here," said George, seizing his friend by the shoulder and
speaking with all the earnestness he could throw into his tones: "if you
get in line in front of those cattle, and they start to run toward you,
don't try to stop them, for you can't do it, any more than we could stop
those buffaloes the other night. Run before them, and gradually draw off
to the right or left of them, and you will get safely off; otherwise
they will certainly run over you. But I am afraid it is too late to do
anything," added George as he noted the increasing restlessness of the
cattle.

"It is too late! it is too late!" exclaimed Mr. Wentworth, rubbing his
hands nervously together. "There they go!"

Even as he spoke a noise like the rumbling of distant thunder sounded in
their ears, and instantly the whole herd made off at the top of its
speed. Looking over the mass of horns and tails that was tossed wildly
in the air, the troopers were horrified to see Phillips standing
directly in front of it. Being fully determined to do his duty to the