His wound had opened again, and he was bleeding. The wolf had smelled his blood, and it had renewed its strength and courage, while it weakened and took the life out of Ted. Suddenly there was a crash of hoofs on the sod. Stella's clear voice rang out, and the swish of a quirt came through the air. That was all Ted remembered, except that he felt relieved of the weight of the wolf, which was running like a streak of gray lightning toward the hills. His eyes opened, and he saw Stella bending over him, and managed to stagger to his feet, congratulating himself as his hand went to his throat that he had at least saved it from the white fangs of his enemy. CHAPTER XXI. 'WARE THE GRAY WOLVES. As Ted and Stella were walking slowly back toward the house they heard a series of shouts from the direction of the corral. They then saw Kit at the corral gate waving frantically to them. "Something wrong there," said Ted. "I'll get up behind you, and we'll hurry to the corral." He jumped upon the pony's back, and Stella rode as fast as possible to where Kit stood holding the gate of the corral. Inside the corral was a scene of confusion. The ponies were running around and leaping in the air, snorting and edging away from the little bay pony which had come across the plain chased by the wolves. As Ted rode up to the corral fence he looked through the bars, then started back in surprise with an exclamation. "What is it?" asked Stella. "A man tied to the back of the pony," replied Ted. "Who?" "I cannot tell. I cannot see his face." "Open the gate, Kit, and let me in," said Stella, gathering up her reins. "What are you going to do?" asked Ted. "I'm going to catch that pony and bring him out. That man will be smashed to death in there by the other ponies if he isn't gotten out soon." "Go ahead, but be careful." Kit swung the gate open, and Stella dashed into the corral. The ponies were running around the corral, following the line of the fence, and in the center of the bunch was the little bay pony with the inert, and probably dead, body of a man hanging head downward on the pony's flank, rolling horribly, and in constant danger of being hit by the flying heels of the other ponies, who were frantic at the smell of blood. Stella rode among the ponies, following the circle with them, all the while edging in more and more until she was close to the little bay. Then she was able to see the face of the man tied to its back. "It's Farnsworth," she shouted to Ted, who was standing on the fence watching her movements. "Get him out as soon as you can," Ted answered. Stella rode to the pony's side, and managed to get hold of the bridle close to the bit. Then she maneuvered for an opening by which she could lead the frightened animal out of the bunch. "Get ready to open the gate," she called at last, and Kit stood with his hand on it. As she came around again she began pushing the bay pony outward.