Stacy was lying in a little depression in the ground, a sort of puddle having formed about him, and when Tad reached him the lad had turned over on his face, only the back part of his head showing above the water. He appeared to be struggling, but unable to free himself from his unpleasant position. They jerked him up choking and coughing, shaking him vigorously to get the water out of him. "Wha--what's the matter!" stammered the boy. "Matter enough. Trying to drown yourself?" growled the cowboy. "Di--did I fall in?" "Did you fall in? Where do you think you are?" "I--I thought I fell in the river and I was trying to swim out," answered the boy, with a sheepish grin that caused his rescuers to shake with merriment. "Guess we'll have to get a life preserver for you," chuckled Big-foot. "You ain't safe to leave around when the dew is falling." "Dew? Call this dew? This is a flood." "Go find a high piece of ground, and go to bed. We haven't got time to lie awake watching you. Be careful that you don't step on any of the bunch. They ain't likely to wake up in very good humor a night like this, and besides, Lumpy Bates is sleeping not more'n a rope's length from you. You can imagine what would happen if you stepped on his face to-night." Chunky shivered slightly. He had had one experience with the ill-natured cowpuncher that day and did not care for another. "I'll go to bed," he chattered. "You'd better. What's that?" exclaimed the cowpuncher sharply, pausing in a listening attitude. "Some one coming," answered Tad. "They seem to be in a hurry." "Yes, I should say they were. I reckon the trouble is coming, kid." A horseman dashed up to the camp that lay enshrouded in darkness, save for the lantern that hung at the tail board of the chuck wagon. "Roll out! Roll out!" It was the voice of Curley Adams. The cowpunchers scrambled to their feet with growls of disapproval, demanding to know what the row was about. "What is it, a stampede?" called Big-foot, hastily rolling his blankets and dumping them in the wagon. "No; but it may be. The boss wants the whole gang to turn out and help the guard." "For what?" "The cows are restless. They're knocking about ready to make a break at any minute." "What? Haven't they bedded down yet?" asked Big-foot. "No, nary one of them. And they ain't going to to-night." "I knew it," announced the cowman, with emphasis. "Knew what?" asked Tad. "That we were in for trouble. And it's coming a-running." By this time the horse wrangler had rounded up the ponies, and the cowboys, grumbling and surly, were hurriedly cinching on saddles. A few moments later the whole party was riding at full gallop toward the herd. "Where's the gopher?" inquired Big-foot, after they had ridden some distance. "Did we leave him behind?" "I guess Chunky is asleep," laughed Tad.