The herd was going at regulation stampede speed now, but this did not cause Ted to think of his own danger when he deliberately turned Sultan and came galloping back upon the advancing sea of sharp horns. In a moment he was beside Barrows, wheeled suddenly, and began to ride against the cavalry horse, forcing it to one side, and urging it on with lashes of his quirt. At last he got the heavy brute going the way he wanted and soon it was out of danger, as the frantic herd swept by with a roar like that of a lightning express rushing over a culvert. Barrows was sitting on his trembling horse, pale, and with beads of perspiration standing out on his forehead. "You did that on purpose, curse you," snarled the lieutenant. "You made those cattle run." Ted looked at him in astonishment. He thought at least that the soldier would murmur some few words of gratitude for having been saved from a horrible death. "You're a grateful chap, I must say," said Ted. "You weren't far from kingdom come then, I can tell you." "I'll see that you are punished for this," said Barrows, wheeling his horse and riding out of sight in the direction of the post. It was two hours before the boys headed the cattle and got them to milling, and then broke them up and succeeded in getting them bedded down. As they got a new camp fire made, and were lying around it, Bud said, with a laugh: "That was a mighty slick trick o' yours, Ted. It certainly took ther herd off ther reservation in a hurry." "I don't see yet why it was necessary to stampede them," said Ben, who was sore at having had to do so much work getting the herd together again. "Can't, eh?" said Bud. "That's all er collidge eddication done fer yer? Why, if we hadn't got them cattle off'n thar pretty pronto, thet thar lootenant would hev bagged every animile on foot. But Ted, he foresee what they wuz up ter, an' ther simplest way wuz ter run 'em off in a fake stampede. It done ther work, too, fer we're out o' ther reservation whar they can't touch us." Except for the night guard, the boys rolled themselves in their blankets and were soon sound asleep. The next morning Ted began to drift the herd slowly into the north, where there was plenty of free range. They were still well within view of the fort. It was almost time for the beef issue at the post, and Ted and Bud, walking their ponies slowly along in the lead of the herd, were talking about it. "Wonder they ain't been out to head us off this morning?" said Bud. "They know they cannot take forcible possession of our cattle when we are off the reservation," answered Ted. "Hello, what's that heading this way?" Coming toward them from the direction of the fort, several riders were kicking up the dust in lively fashion. As they got nearer the riders revealed themselves as four soldiers, accompanied by two ladies. Suddenly Ted pulled in his pony, and grasped Bud's arm.