une, and almost any one would have been
disheartened.

"I'll tell you what you can do," said George. "You can easily find your
way to the Ackerman settlement, and if you go there and give Mr. Gilbert
a note of introduction which I will write for you, he will take care of
you until you can decide upon something."

George did not feel at liberty to tell Mr. Wentworth all he had on his
mind. As soon as he returned to the fort he intended to write to his
guardian, asking him if he might furnish Mr. Wentworth with a
sufficient number of cattle from his own herds to give the impoverished
man a new start in life. Of course Mr. Wentworth had a few cattle of his
own among those that had just run off, but it would take some time to
gather them up; and as he would not want to be troubled with his boys
while he was engaged in the work, George intended to ask Mr. Gilbert to
take care of them during their father's absence, and to lend Mr.
Wentworth a few good herdsmen to assist him in getting his stock
together. While he was thinking about it, and before Mr. Wentworth could
thank him for his generous offer, something happened which told them
very plainly that the stampede that had just taken place was not owing
to the nervousness of the cattle, but to the presence of those of whom
George Ackerman had every reason to stand in fear.

Their attention was first attracted by some unusual sound. They could
not have told what it was or from which direction it came, but they all
heard it, and waited for it to be repeated, that they might locate and
define it. There was a moment's silence, and then a chorus of wild yells
arose on the night air, accompanied by the rapid discharge of firearms.
The troopers looked at one another in blank amazement, and then at
George, who was not long in assigning a cause for the disturbance.

"The Greasers are attacking the squatter," he exclaimed; and he was
quite as much astonished to be called upon to say it as the troopers
were to hear it. It must be a strong and daring band that would venture
so far into the country, and almost involuntarily George whispered the
name of Fletcher. Bob was quick to decide upon his course. He knew just
what Captain Clinton would expect of him if he were there.

"Mr. Wentworth," said he, "we must lend that man a helping hand. As you
can't go with us on account of your boys, you will have to look out for
yourself and them."

"And I am just the man who can do it," replied