aze of dust soon hung above the cavalry charge, which was destined
to come to an end when the line of pine trees was reached. But it
seemed that Jim's Caliente was not going to halt for the solid pines
even, for he charged full speed ahead, with all his fighting blood
aroused.

"Ahoy there, Jim!" yelled Tom, "better anchor your yacht."

But James could not head him, pull as hard as he would, and he ducked
his head low under a branch which threatened to brain him, scraped
between two tall and massive pines, and finally brought his panting
horse to a full stop in a dense clump of brush.

But Jeems Howell seemed to be having the most interesting, if not the
pleasantest, time of all. He was not a natural centaur anyway. He had
tried his best to keep his little rat of a bay from joining in the
chase, but without success. With his long legs stuck out in front and
his eyes wide open with astonishment, he was pulling with all his
might, but with no effect.

It was a comical sight, the long-legged man yelling "Whoa!" "Whoa!"
and the little pony scampering at top speed down the steep and sunny
slope with the dust flying back at a great rate. Then of a sudden, the
pony leaped right from under the long-shanked Jeems and he sat down
upon the warm gravel, while the animal went on into the woods. As for
the man, he made his escape into a neighboring gulch where he hid
himself under a ledge, and was safe enough.

That one movement which he had noted of Juarez's rifle when aimed at
him, was sufficient to give him an idea of the mettle of the Frontier
Boys. He was determined, however, not to get out of that section until
he had seen these travelers properly located, so he waited.

Meanwhile, the boys had got together, in a general council with only
one absentee, viz: Jeems Howell, who was seated contentedly, if
somewhat dazed, upon the mountain side. Then his absence was noted by
the other boys.

"Where is Jeems?" inquired Jo, who had recovered his horse and his
equilibrium likewise.

They looked around anxiously. "There's his pony over there," said
Juarez, "having a good time grazing."

"I suspect we will find Jeems grazing somewhere back here on the
mountain," said Jim. "Jo, you go look for him, if you think you won't
fall off, too."

With a grunt Jo turned his horse at right angles, and went back up
the mountain slope. He soon came upon Jeems seated placidly upon the
ground apparently enjoying the view.

"Lost something