“Down with ye, Lou,” said Ira shortly, and as, without a word, Louisa obeyed, he stooped and gave her a quick kiss, then putting spurs to his horse he dashed after those who were already giving chase. “Here, girls, you’ll have to go on home alone,” said John as he jumped from the wagon and ran back to where Blythe lay. Ira, Bud and two or three others put spurs to their horses and dashed after the men who had disappeared in the chaparral. This soon became too dense for them to penetrate except on foot, but they fired in all directions and before long, Ira, who was ahead, called out: “Here’s one of them. It looks like we’d done for him.” With difficulty the others made their way to where Ira bent over a prostrate figure. “He’s still breathing,” he told them. “We’d better carry him out to the road away from these thorns and briers.” It was not easy to convey their burden through the thick underbrush, but they managed to do it, and when, under the starlit sky, they bent to discover the man’s features, Bud gave a sharp exclamation. “It’s old Cy Sparks,” he said. Hearing his name spoken, the wounded man opened his eyes and recognized Bud. “Well, boys,” he said feebly, “I reckon I’m done for this time. Where’s Pike?” “Pike? If I’d known it was that low down rascal I’d a hunted him further,” said Bud. Cyrus closed his eyes and breathed heavily. After a moment he looked up again with a dazed expression and recognized Ira. “You’ve come back,” he said. “Where’s Lou? Is she safe?” “She’s gone on with the Ross gals,” Bud told him. “What was ye up to, anyhow, Cy?” He must settle this mystery if possible while the opportunity was his. “We were after the hoss,” said Cyrus with effort. “We got him once before---- Mebbe you don’t know that. Pike was bound to hev him---- We’ve hed dealin’s together oncet or twicet and Pike--he knew--he threatened to tell if I didn’t go with him to-night. I was to git the hoss and he meant to kidnap Iry if he could, but I saw him aim--to kill Iry, ridin’ that hoss of Steve’s.” “I wasn’t ridin’ thet hoss; it was Blythe Van Dorn,” said Ira quickly. “Pike said it was you,” Cyrus went on, “and that Lou was in the wagon. We always meant to git that hoss some day but--when I saw--Pike aim to kill Iry, I struck--up his arm and he--turned--on me and I--reckon he’s finished me.” “It was Pike then. You hear that, boys,” said Ira. “I’m sorry, Cy, I’m sorry fer ye. Ye meant white by me if ye was on a bad business about the hoss. I ast yer pardon fer any hard feelin’s.” “I desarve ’em,” said Cy. “I ain’t been--a good man--left my wife--and child--come here an’--done low down--tricks an’ was goin’ ter do--more of ’em.” He grew weaker and lay breathing painfully with closed eyes. After a time he whispered “Louisa.” “Ole man,” said Ira, “I swar I’ll be good to yer gal, if that’s what you mean.” “Don’t--tell--Lou--I was stealin’ the--hoss.”