CHAPTER XXX. CONCLUSION. On the way back to the Star-A ranch, close to which those from Phelps’ place would have to ride, a scurry of dust in the road claimed the attention of the riders. “Mebbyso,” remarked old Nomad, “trouble’s goin’ te bust through thet cloud o’ dust. Pard Buffler an’ compadres don’t no more’n git time ter breathe arter one shake-up than another hits ’em. Who’s thet shackin’ this-a-way?” When the form of the galloping horseman emerged from the cloud, the man was recognized as Prouther. “Something’s happened to Jake!” exclaimed Phelps, fearing the worst. “Don’t lose your nerve, Hank, till you hear what’s happened to him,” cautioned the doctor. “I’m wondering how Prouther was able to guess where we were.” When he came close, Prouther jerked his horse back on its haunches. “Waal, here ye aire!” he exclaimed. “Didn’t reckon I could spot ye, but I had a notion ye rode over ter the Star-A ranch, seein’ as how Buffler Bill was with ye. So I shot along in this direction. Ye wasn’t at the Star-A, but them Circle-B men reckoned ye was some place over hyer. So hyer I come, an’ hyer ye aire. I reckon thar’s been a mistake, Hank.” “I reckon there has,” said the doctor dryly, “several mistakes. Why did you leave Jake? Didn’t I tell you to stay with him?” “Waal, doc,” said Prouther, “he come to.” “Whoop!” jubilated the doctor. “He came to, eh? Then he’ll pull through. That was all I was waiting for. Was he rational?” “Meanin’ which?” asked Prouther innocently. “Dunderhead! Was he in his right senses when he woke up?” “He was. It’s what he said as brung me hyer at sich a clip.” “What did he say?” “He allowed it was Red Thunderbolt as made him all the trouble.” “Ha! Better late than never. This is right from headquarters. Bloom! Do you hear that, Bloom?” Bloom heard it, but he made no comments. “What else did Jake say?” asked Phelps eagerly. “Said he was ridin’ fer home when Red Thunderbolt charged him,” went on Prouther; “he said Nate Dunbar didn’t have nothin’ ter do with it. Jake said he tried ter rope Thunderbolt, an’ the steer galloped on with his saddle an’ saddlebags, leaving Jake on the ground. Jake was some shook up, and he was climbin’ to his feet an’ rubbin’ his eyes when he see Thunderbolt comin’ at him full tilt. Thunderbolt landed. The sunshine was blotted out fer Jake, an’ thet’s all he kin recollect until he woke up, with me settin’ by him fannin’ him. I was afeared,” Prouther added, “that Bloom might be doin’ somethin’ with Dunbar. That’s why I pulled out ter find you all.” “I reckon this case is double proof!” laughed the doctor. “Say, Prouther, you were one of the crazy men who came to the Star-A last night to ‘get’ Nate Dunbar. Now how do you feel?” “Meachin’,” answered Prouther promptly, “meachin’ as sin. I’m a heap sorry for it all, Dunbar,” he added sheepishly.