“They all must be strangers hereabouts,” the cow-boy said, then he added: “It’s well I met up with yo’, Miss Margaret, for Slim is riding north to the Dartly Ranch. Ah passed him this hour back.” “Oh, what shall we do, then?” Margaret dolefully exclaimed. “Virginia told me to send Slim to her at once with the car. How I wish now that I had learned to drive, but all I can do is start a car and stop it.” “Wall,” said the cow-boy hopefully, “if yo’ all can start it, like as not ah can steer it, and then Miss Virginia can be drivin’ it back.” Five minutes later they were down by the corral and the big automobile was taken from its shelter. Then, with many misgivings, Margaret told Slick Cy what to do and they started so suddenly that the girl feared that they would plunge down into the dry creek before the machine could be controlled, but, although Slick Cy knew much more about the management of wild horses, by following Margaret’s directions, he was soon driving slowly and the danger of a wreck was passed, for the present, at least. Virginia saw them coming and hurried out to meet them. “Why, Slick Cy,” she exclaimed, when the car stopped, “I didn’t know that you could drive.” The cow-boy drew out a big, red bandana and wiped his flushed face. “He did splendidly,” Margaret put in before the cow-boy could reply. “I am so thankful he happened along, for Slim has ridden over to the Dartley Ranch.” They were walking toward the old adobe as they talked and when they entered the dark, damp room Margaret glanced at the hard board bench and saw a frail little woman lying there so white and still that the girl feared she had died while she had been gone. Nearby stood a hollow-eyed boy of 9, and, on the floor, clinging to each other were two small girls of about 3 and 5. The younger one was crying softly, but the older girl looked as though she had suffered and starved so much that she could cry no more. Slick Cy took off his hat. “How came the pore things here, Miss Virginia?” he asked. “The little lad has told me the whole sad story,” that girl replied, “and I will tell it to you when the brave little mother is cared for. Cy, can you carry her to the car?” For answer the young giant of a cow-boy stooped and lifted the frail woman, who moaned but did not open her eyes. Soon they were all in the car, which Virginia drove slowly and skillfully toward the V. M. Ranch. CHAPTER XV THE STRANDED FAMILY Back of the big, rambling V. M. ranch house there was a comfortable small adobe which had been occupied at one time by the foreman and family, but now that Malcolm was his own foreman, the house was vacant, and it was into this that Virginia bade Cy carry the little woman. Then Virginia held out her hand as she said sincerely: “Thank you Cy, for having helped us again. Isn’t it strange that twice, when we have needed someone, you have just happened to pass by.”