The man looked at the two boys with dull eyes. He opened his mouth as though to speak, then put his hand to his head. He swayed uncertainly for a moment, gave a little cough, and pitched headlong to the floor. “He’s hurt!” Roy cried, springing forward. “Teddy, shut that door! Help me lift him nearer the fire! Golly, he’s bleedin’ like a stuck pig!” Together the boys carried the wounded man closer to the warmth of the fire. Luckily it still had some live embers, and Roy quickly piled these together and added fresh wood so that they flamed once more. Teddy noticed that the man’s lips were blue and his closed eyes were sunk deep in his head. The boy leaned over and swiftly opened the man’s shirt. From the top of the left shoulder to the breast ran a red gash. “Knifed!” Roy exclaimed. “If we don’t stop that bleeding soon, he’ll cash in!” “A tourniquet--it’s the only chance,” came from Teddy. “Can you make one?” “Think so--though the cut is in a mighty tough place.” Always at his best in emergencies, Roy ran to the other room and twisted the wooden handle off one of the branding irons. Then, with his jackknife, he cut the injured man’s sleeve off at the shoulder, and bound it about the man’s chest and shoulder so that it pressed against the main arteries. He inserted the handle of the iron under the cloth, and twisted. Slowly the blood stopped flowing. “Got it!” Roy cried triumphantly. “Now I’ve got to hold this until she clots. I don’t think any of the large arteries are cut, but it won’t do to take a chance. Teddy--” he added in a questioning voice. His brother nodded. “I know. Recognized him as soon as he came in. Checkered Shirt!” “Well, he’s harmless now. That’s a terrible wound. Wonder how it happened!” Teddy shook his head. “Hard to say. Poor geezer, I feel sorry for him, even if he is one of Frond’s gang. He stands a fair chance of passing out, and we can’t do much for him. Want me to try to get help while you watch here? If we could find a doctor in time--” The ranch boy stopped. The man’s eyes opened and his lips moved feebly. Roy bent closer. “What is it?” he asked gently. “Just take it easy now. You’re all right. Just lie quiet.” “Froud--Froud--” the man whispered. “Stabbed me--” Roy looked up with startled eyes. “Did you hear that?” he demanded. “He says Froud stabbed him! Yes, I’m listening.” “Knifed me--” the man faltered. He struggled to sit up, but Roy prevented this. The man’s fist clenched and his voice came more strongly. “The rat!” he cried. “Cut me--without givin’ me no chance. I’ll get him for this!” He expelled his breath in a long sigh. “Water,” he gasped. “Water. Pump in back.” Teddy nodded, and ran to the rear. He returned in a moment with a tin cup full of water and held it to the man’s lips. After drinking deep, the man turned his head from side to side.