For fully ten minutes they watched the scene below them with interest. At one time the cowboy would appear to have the best of the situation, then it looked as if the steer would have his own way. But gradually man and beast worked up toward the top of the ravine. "He'll worry the steer along, if he doesn't get too tired," said Dave. "But it must be a fearful strain on him." The strain was heavier than the boys anticipated and several times Sid Todd was on the point of giving up the struggle. Perhaps, had he been alone, he might have done so. But, with the others looking on, he felt that his reputation was at stake, and so he worried along, until he suddenly slipped on some rocks and fell flat. As he went down, the steer appeared to realize the man's helplessness, and with a weird snort he rushed forward, the lasso becoming tangled up on the front leg as he advanced. "Look out, Sid!" yelled Yates. "He's goin' to hook yer!" Todd had been a little stunned by his fall, and a bit of brushwood hid the animal from his view. But at the cry of alarm from the other ranch hand he realized his peril and rolled over, between two tall rocks. On came the steer and struck one of the rocks a blow that resounded loudly through the ravine. Then the beast gave a leap, directly over Todd's body, and landed on the rocks beyond. "Is he hurt?" asked Roger, anxiously. "I don't know, but I don't think so," answered Dave. "See, the steer is coming right up the side of the ravine!" cried Phil. "He is dragging the lasso after him." "Yes, and he is coming this way!" put in the senator's son. "Perhaps we had better get out of the way!" he added, in alarm. "Oh, I don't think he'll tackle us," answered Phil. "There is no telling what he will do," said Dave. "He is coming to the top, that is sure. Maybe we had better get into the saddle. We'll be safer on horseback." The horses of the three boys were tethered some distance away, and as mentioned before, the lads had to move slowly, for fear of stepping into some hole. As they advanced they heard loud cries coming up from the bottom of the ravine. "What can be wrong down there now?" questioned the shipowner's son. "I don't know," returned Roger. "Perhaps they are shouting to warn us." "That is just what they are doing!" added Dave, quickly. "Listen!" "Look out, up there!" came from the ravine. "Look out! The steer is coming!" The boys quickened their pace, but hardly had they covered half the distance to where the horses were tied when Roger suddenly slipped and went down. "Hurry up!" called out Phil, who was near. "Oh!" moaned the senator's son, and his face took on a look of pain. "What's wrong?" asked Dave, coming up. "My foot! It got twisted, and now it is fast in the hole!" answered Roger. "Gracious! how it hurts!" he went on, making a wry face.