a half-circle, the saddle as the center. As they went up Mr. Smith's head went down, and as the horse leaped back and whirled, he was jolted into a position rarely seen in horseback riding except in exhibitions. For a moment he stood on his shoulder against the cantle of the saddle and then turned a pretty, if unintentional, back flip onto the ground, landing squarely on his hat. The whole thing happened in a flash and the sound of the shot was still rumbling among the hills when, grabbing his sombrero, he started on a dead run for the horse and the ranch. When he reached the animal he leaped into the saddle without touching the stirrups, and urged a speedy departure, which his spurs obtained. Johnny rolled over on his back and laughed heartily. Finally he sat up, put the empty shell in his pocket, reloaded the rifle and went up the mountain to hide Squint's saddle in a better place, for he now believed such a precaution necessary. It was more than probable that Pine Mountain would be searched as soon as the indignant puncher could lead his friends to the scene of his discomfiture. He found the saddle where he had left it and carried it to a narrow, shallow split in the mountain's rocky side and dropped it in, after which dead branches and grass and rocks covered it and hid it securely. Scrambling back to the trail he looked cautiously along it and then dashed across and made his way to his horse, stepping on rock whenever possible. Not long afterward he rode down the Juniper trail and went to the hotel shed, where he led Pepper inside and prepared to groom her. He hardly had begun work when Two-Spot sidled in, and there was wrath in his eyes. "What you been doin' to that hoss?" he demanded, as his gaze swept over her. "She looks like she's been rolled in th' river." "Mebby she has," replied Johnny, rubbing briskly. "She likes a swim as well as I do--an' we both had one, which is somethin' I can recommend to you." "What did you do with them rifle cartridges of Polecat's you was goin' to give me?" asked Two-Spot, going to work on the other flank. "I hid 'em," answered Johnny. "Look out she don't hand you a stomachful of hoof--she don't like strangers." "Huh!" snorted Two-Spot, "what do _I_ care about strangers? Where'd you hide 'em?" "In them sweepin's, under th' manger," replied Johnny. "Wait till after dark." "What you figger I'm goin' to do--show everybody that Two-Spot's startin' an arsenal?" He rubbed for a moment in silence, and then began to chuckle. "Ol' Chief Smell-Um-Strong had a plumb fine gun--I got a laugh comin'; you gave th' best one away." "I'm satisfied," grunted Johnny. "Dave was on th' prod this noon when I showed up," continued Two-Spot. "What did you say you was swimmin' in?" he demanded, curiously, examining one of Pepper's hocks. "Water," answered Johnny. "What did he say?" "Mebby it was," observed Two-Spot. "How'd you get out?" "Swum."