"What"s the matter?" shouted Dirk.
"Rustlers!" yelled Bud. "They tried that la.s.so stunt to draw you in from the far side, and now they"re over there trying to cut out some steers."
"Well, I guess we"ll have something to say about that!" grimly observed Chot. "Come on!"
Clapping spurs to his pony, he and Dirk began the work of milling the cattle--that is, getting them to move around in a circle rather than dash off in a straight line stampede. This turning of the herd, into a circular instead of a straight movement, is the only way to save the lives of the animals, or prevent them from being driven off by thieves.
d.i.c.k and Nort had been on Diamond X ranch long enough to understand what was being attempted, and they joined with Bud in the work. As Chot and Dirk rode back to take the stations they had left, firing their guns and shouting to turn the leaders, Bud and his cousins did the same in their locality.
As yet they had caught no sight of the rustlers, but it was very evident that these unscrupulous men were at work, trying to drive off some of the valuable animals, all fattened and ready for market.
Confused shouts came from the direction where Chot and Dirk had ridden.
"Lively, boys! Lively!" cried Bud to the two easterners, and he fired his gun in the air as he rode toward the cattle that seemed inclined to dash past the circle of firelight.
Following their cousin, d.i.c.k and Nort dashed in, also firing, and the five cowboys--for d.i.c.k and Nort were now ent.i.tled to be called that--finally succeeded in milling the cattle, and preventing the stampede.
But it was hard work and it was nearly morning before the steers were quieted down after the excitement. The attempt of the rustlers had been foiled, for that time at least.
CHAPTER XIV
THE STAMPEDE
"Well, what do you make of it?" asked Bud of Dirk and Chot, when all five had the first moment of respite from the strenuous work of quieting the excited cattle. They had met near the fire, which was only glowing dully, now that its flame was not needed to head off the steers.
"Don"t just know what to say," answered the older cowboy. "It all came so sudden."
"There must be two bands of rustlers around here," observed Chot.
"That is, unless those your dad is after, Bud, gave him the slip and tried to operate here."
"Maybe there"s only one gang, divided up for the night," suggested Nort.
"Well, of course it"s only guesswork," stated Bud, "but I think this was an altogether different gang trying to put one over on us. And another thing--it was a Greaser who roped d.i.c.k."
"A Greaser!" cried Chot. "What makes you think so?"
"I had a glimpse of the noose," said Bud. "It wasn"t tied the way any cow puncher ties his. It was a Greaser or I"ll never speak to Zip Foster again!"
"Oh, you and your Zip Foster!" scoffed Chot. "But it may be that it was a sneakin" Mex trying his hand with the rope. You didn"t see him, did you?" and he turned to d.i.c.k.
"No. The first I knew I was being snaked off, and I was mighty scared."
"Naturally," said Dirk dryly. He wanted to let the tenderfoot know that it was not considered unmanly to show signs of fear under the circ.u.mstances.
"Did you get a look at "em, Chot?" asked Bud, turning to the cowboys.
"I mean when you rode out there just before they tried to stampede us."
"Didn"t see hide nor hair of "em," was the answer.
"Well, they didn"t get away with what they started after," declared Dirk. "And now, since it"s so near morning, there isn"t much use turning in until we have something to eat."
"I"ll make coffee and sizzle some bacon," offered Bud, for he realized that he and his cousins had had some rest during the fore part of the night, while the cowboys were riding herd before the disturbance happened.
"And can"t we circle around the cattle?" asked Nort.
"We could keep "em quiet while you ate," suggested d.i.c.k.
"They seem to be fairly quiet now," remarked Dirk, "but it wouldn"t do any harm to circle around "em. If you have trouble, though," he added quickly, "fire your guns."
"We will!" exclaimed Nort, as he and d.i.c.k sprang for their horses. The boy ranchers were eager thus to take their first tour of duty alone, and they were much disappointed when nothing happened. The steers were quiet, after their tiresome racing around in a circle. But that was better than having them stampede, with the possible killing of many.
Slowly the light grew in the east, turning from pale gray to rose tints, and then the sun came up, making the dew-laden gra.s.s sparkle brightly. The cattle, many of which had been lying down, got up, rear ends first, which is what always distinguishes the manner of a "cow critter" arising from that of a horse.
Across the range blew wisps of smoke from the greasewood camp fire, and then came the smell of bacon and coffee, than which there is no aroma more to be desired in the world.
"Um!" murmured Nort, sniffing the air.
"Isn"t that great?" cried his brother.
"It will be, if we can get some," said Nort, chuckling.
But he need not have worried, for, a few minutes later, there floated to the ears of the boy ranchers the call of Bud:
"Come an" get it!"
The cattle, around which they had been slowly riding, needed no attention now, and in a short time the five cowboys--for Nort and d.i.c.k could truly be called by this name now--were eating an early breakfast.
"One good thing came out of this fracas, anyhow," observed Chot, as he pa.s.sed his plate for more flapjacks and bacon, and replenished his tin cup with coffee.
"What"s that?" asked d.i.c.k, feeling his neck where the rough rope had broken the skin slightly.
"Well, we"ll get an early start," answered the cowboy, "and that"s a lot when you"re hazing steers to the railroad. Every pound counts for the boss, and you can easily run off a thousand dollars by driving "em along during the heat of the day. We can let "em rest at noon if we start now."
"That"s the idea," said Bud.
A little later, the remains of the camp fire having been carefully stamped out, to prevent dry gra.s.s from catching, packs were slung up behind the saddles--said packs consisting of sleeping canvas, a few utensils and grub--and the start was made.
The cattle were gradually headed in the direction it was desired that they should take--the shortest route to the railroad. Nort rode up ahead with Chot, while d.i.c.k, Bud and Dirk kept to the rear to haze along the stragglers.
There was not much trouble. The cattle had been watered and fed, and were in prime condition. At noon a halt was made to save the animals during the excessive heat, but toward evening they started off once more, and traveled until darkness fell. Camp was made again out in the open.
During the day no signs were seen of any rustlers, or other suspicious characters, and at night the young ranchers and the older cowboys took turns riding herd and standing guard.
But nothing of moment occurred, the only sounds, aside from those made by the cattle themselves, being the unearthly yells and howls of the coyotes.
In less than three days the bunch of cattle was safely delivered at the yards, where the responsibility of Bud and his companions ended, the buyer taking charge of them for shipment.