Despite the fears of the youth for the safety of his friends in the cabin, the veteran ranchman was more concerned for the fifty-odd cattle that had chosen to stampede themselves, and were at that moment dashing over the prairie for no one could tell where. But inasmuch as the captain had sent for help, it must be given, regardless of other matters, and the easy swing of the mustang continued until the two arrived at the fire that had been kindled in a small valley, where the provision wagon was stationed with the other animals tethered near, ready for the start that was set for an early hour the next morning. Most of the men had stretched themselves out in the wagon to sleep, for a hard and arduous campaign was before them, in which they were likely to be compelled to keep their horses for fifteen or twenty hours at a stretch, changing them when necessary and catching snatches of slumber as chance presented. But the unaccountable stampede of a portion of the herd had roused all, and, at the moment "Ballyhoo," as he was known to his friends, reined up, preparations were under way for a general start after the absent ones. "Where's Madstone and Shackaye?" asked Gleeson, looking down in the faces of the group, dimly shown in the firelight, and noticing that two of their number were missing. "They started out for the cattle a little while ago," replied one of the ranchmen, "thinking as how you might not be able to manage them." "I'd fetched 'em back all right," replied Gleeson, "if it hadn't been for some other business that turned up." "What's that?" "The reds are down at the cabin raising the mischief; a lot of 'em got after Baby here, and I had to drop one, and then take him on my hoss and bring him along with me." "What was he doing out at night on foot?" was the natural query of another of the cowboys. "Wal, he was putting in the tallest kind of running, when I set eyes on him; if he had kept it up, I don't believe I would have been able to overhaul him myself." This remark caused several of the grinning ranchmen to turn toward Avon, who had slipped off the horse and laughed as he made answer: "I got into the worst scrape of my life," he explained, "and it would have gone hard with me if Ballyhoo hadn't turned up just as he did. The reason I was abroad was because Uncle Dohm thought it best I should come to camp after you fellows." "What's the matter with _him_?" asked one, who, despite the brief explanation already given, could not understand how it was their leader and his family were in special danger, even if their home was surrounded by Comanches. "The folks could stand them off for a week, or month, if they had water and provisions, if it wasn't for one thing; the roof of the cabin is as dry as tinder, and the captain knows they intend to set fire to it. If they do, nothing can save the folks, for the building will burn down before we can get there."