"Now!" she cried, swinging her own pony against the other with a prick of the spur, and breaking through the galloping bunch. The next moment she and a half dozen of the frightened ponies swept through the gate, and as Kit closed it again Ted ran forward and caught the bay pony. "Hurry him to the house," he said, running beside the bay. His long yell brought the boys and the major to the veranda, and when they saw Ted running beside the bay pony, with Stella and Kit following, they rushed out to help. "What is it?" asked the major, as Ted drew up to the veranda. "Your brother," answered Ted gently, indicating the inert body tied to the pony's back. "Get him off and into the house," said the major brusquely, his face white with apprehension. Bud and Ben were working as for their lives at the rope by which the body of Frederic Caruthers was bound to the pony's back. Soon they had him released, and between them bore the limp form into the living room and laid it on a lounge. The clothes on the body were torn into strips, and the flesh was gashed in numerous places. This was the work of the wolf's teeth, which, during the chase, had repeatedly leaped at the unconscious man, trying to drag him from the pony's back. "These wounds are not the worst," said Ted, looking down at Caruthers. "Off with his clothes, boys, and let us see where his real hurt is." It did not take long for the boys to get Caruthers' rags stripped from his body, and Ted bent over him, examining him closely. "Ah, here it is," he said, as he turned Caruthers over. "What?" asked the major, crowding in. "Here in the back," said Ted, pointing to a small, round, bluish hole just under Caruthers' right shoulder blade. "By Jove, he's been shot through the body. That's what brought him to this." "But how did it happen, I wonder, that he was tied to the back of the pony?" asked Ted. "We'll never know until he tells us, probably," said the major. "If, indeed, he ever is able to do that," he continued, after a slight pause, looking sorrowfully at the young fellow, who seemed to have breathed his last. But Ted's ear was pressed close to his heart, and his fingers sought the wounded man's pulse. In a moment he straightened up. "He's alive--only alive, and no more. But perhaps we can save him yet," he said. "Hustle, fellows! Stella, get me some hot water as soon as possible. Bud, arrange a cot in my room near the window. Major, if you have any brandy, let me have some. Kit, get the bandages ready and prepare some carbolated water. All alive now." Ted's vigorous action was followed by the others, and in a few minutes Caruthers was stretched out on the cot in Ted's room. At the movement the wound began to bleed, which was a good sign, and Ted proceeded to wash it with warm water, and began to probe for the ball, to ascertain, if possible, how deep it had gone. As he was engaged in probing a slight groan came from between the blue lips of the victim.