Tad had not seen the cook take his plunge, so, for the moment, he did not realize what had occurred. "Who's overboard," young Butler demanded sharply. "The cook," answered Stallings excitedly. "Can't any of you slow pokes get busy and fish him out?" "Pong!" cried Tad as the head of the Chinaman appeared on the surface. Without an instant's hesitation the lad leaped into his saddle. "Yip!" he shouted to the pony, accentuating his command by a sharp blow with the quirt. The pony leaped forward. "Here, he's not up there; he's in the river I tell you!" shouted the foreman. Tad had driven his mount straight up the bank behind them. He paid no attention to the warning of the foreman, having already mapped out his own plan of action. Reaching the top of the sloping bank, Tad pulled his pony to the right and dashed along the bluff, headed down the river. "Watch your lines or you'll have the wagon overboard, too," he called back. "I'll get Pong out." Big-foot Sanders scratched his head reflectively. "Ain't the Pinto the original whirlwind, though?" he grinned. "I never did see the like of him, now. He'll get that heathen out while we are standing here trying to make up our minds what to do." "Yes, but I'm afraid the Chinaman will drown before Tad gets to him," said the foreman, with a shake of his head. "Here, don't let go of this rope while you are staring at the kid. I can't hold it alone." Tad drove his pony to its utmost speed until he had reached a point some little distance below where the head of the Chinaman had last been seen. All at once the lad turned sharply, the supple-limbed pony taking the bank in a cat-like leap, landing in the water with a splash. Tad kept his saddle until the pony's feet no longer touched the bottom. Then he dropped off, clinging to the mane with one hand. The cook was nowhere to be seen, but Tad was sure he had headed him off and was watching the water above him with keen eyes. "There he is below you!" shouted a voice on shore. "Look out, you'll lose him." Tad turned at the same instant, giving the pony's neck a sharp slap to indicate that he wanted the animal to turn with him. The lad saw the Chinaman's head above the water. Evidently the latter was now making a desperate effort to keep it there, for his hands were beating the water frantically. "Keep your hands and feet going, and hold your breath!" roared Tad. "I'll be----" Before he could add "there," the lad suddenly discovered that there was something wrong with his pony. It was the latter which was now beating the water and squealing with fear. One of the animal's hind hoofs raked Tad's leg, pounding it painfully. Tad released his hold of the mane and grasped the rein. Throwing up its head, uttering a snort, the pony sank out of sight, carrying its master under. Tad quickly let go the reins and kicked himself to the surface.