"All right. There's a big burned patch between us and the fire now," said Pocus Pete. "Have the plows come?" "Not yet." "Hark!" exclaimed Dave. "What's that?" A thunder of hoofs could be heard, thudding on the ground. "The cattle--a stampede!" gasped Tubby Larkin. "No, it's the boys coming back with the plow outfit," said Dave. "I can hear the rattle of the wheels on the chuck wagon." And his guess proved correct. A little later the wagon rumbled up. Led along behind it were a number of horses kept for use on the farm that was attached to the ranch. The animals were quickly hitched to the plows--several of them--and then began the turning over of a number of damp furrows of earth, which would offer no food for the flames. The fire was increasing, for it found much dry material on the sun-baked prairie. It had not yet reached the strip that had been burned to stop it. Would it pause there, and divide? Or would it still come on toward the cattle? Those were questions each one was asking. The cattle were becoming more and more excited as the sky was lighted more brilliantly by the bright glare. The smell of fire and smoke was in the air, and the crackle and roar of the flames sounded louder. The cattle heard and were afraid. "Come, Dave!" called Pocus Pete. "Guess we'll find our work cut out for us over there now. They won't need us to help with the plowing." Indeed the cowboys in charge of the cattle had their hands full. Every now and then some steer would make a break, and if he were not quickly turned and driven back it meant that others would follow. Quick action was required. And while the men selected for that work attended to the turning over of the brown earth, Dave and the others, under the direction of Pocus Pete kept the cattle from stampeding. The prairies were now as well lighted as at early dawn. In fact with that dull, red glare over everything, it was not unlike a dawn--the dawn that brings a storm in its wake. The roar of the fire sounded like distant thunder, and there was a smoky taste to the air, which was hot and stifling. "Look out for that fellow, Dave!" called the foreman, as a big steer made a break for liberty. "I'll get him!" shouted the young cowboy, as, whirling his lasso in readiness he spurred after the animal. As Dave rode on, another steer, thinking perhaps to take advantage of the distraction, started out after the first one, and directly behind Dave. With lowered head the animal took after the horse and rider, seemingly with the intention of trying to overthrow them. "Look out, Dave!" yelled Mr. Bellmore. "He'll toss you!" The engineer sent his horse on the run toward Dave, but it is doubtful if the Chicago man could have done anything, not being an expert in handling the rope.