But the scout did not give the word. There might be no more than twelve in sight, but under the “rise” were enough cowboys to literally overwhelm the scout’s small party. On went the race. Perry and Dunbar led the fugitives down into the timber, and there, where the scrub was thickest, there followed an exciting game of hare and hounds. Knowing the country well, Perry and Dunbar were able to take advantage of every friendly swale and shallow seam in the river bottom. In brushy coverts the fugitives waited for the dozen cowboys to rush past, then they doubled back, crossed the river, followed up the opposite bank, recrossed and paused for breath in a coulee. “Sufferin’ reptyles!” mourned old Nomad, slapping Hide-rack’s sweaty neck, “thet’s new bizness fer We, Us an’ Comp’ny, dodgin’ trouble thet-a-way. I hope I’ll forgive myself some time fer doin’ et.” “You’d have had to forgive yourself for not doing it, Nick,” returned the scout, dismounting to loosen his saddle cinches, “if we’d taken any other course. How many cowboys has Phelps got in his outfit, Perry?” “He can muster thirty men, I guess, without much trouble,” answered Perry. “All of that,” seconded Dunbar. “It is well we took to our heels, friends,” spoke up the sky pilot. “If any blood had been shed, it would have been a blot on our consciences.” “Ef we took on er few blots,” said Nomad, “I reckon we’d crimp them barons an’ save future trouble fer Perry.” Cayuse, thoughtful as ever, had left Navi in the bottom of the coulee and crept up the bank to watch for enemies. Lying on the slope, only his head and the upright eagle plume in his scalplock showed over the crest. All had dismounted and loosened cinches in order to give their panting horses more freedom in using their lungs. “Dick,” said the sky pilot, reaching out his hand to the harassed rancher, “I’m sorry you are having this trouble, but I always feared it would come to something like this.” “There was nothing I could do to help it, parson,” answered Perry, “short of leaving the country. I couldn’t do that, with all I’ve got in the world tied up at the Star-A.” “It is my hope, my prayer, that you will be tided over your difficulties. If that can be accomplished, these good friends will see to it, I’m sure.” “I’m obliged to Buffalo Bill and his pards. How they came to be mixed up in my troubles is more than I know. I want to know all about it, but first, tell me about Hattie. How do you know she has been taken away by Lige Benner? When did it happen?” “Last night, Dick,” answered Dunbar heavily. “Where were you yesterday, Nate?” “Captured by some of Benner’s men while I was out looking for strays, turned over to Red Steve, then found and released by Buffalo Bill. That was in the first half of the night. The scout and I rode to the ranch and found everything in the living room in disorder--and Hattie gone.” A groan was wrenched from Perry’s lips.