Alta was ready to make amends, for she liked Dick and had no thought of hurting his feelings; but he was in no mood to make up. He acted independently, flirted with the other girls all the evening. Alta was independent herself and she almost decided not to allow him to accompany her home, but she would not permit herself to pay such respect to his smartness, so she simply gave no further heed to his actions. This hurt him worst of all; and he had hard work to conceal his feelings as they rode away toward the ranch in the moonlight after the ball. When the dance broke up, with its babble and chatter of hearty voices, rattling of rigs, and galloping hoof-beats, Fred found Chief nervous to be off. He mounted the high-spirited horse, and catching up with Pat and Jim, burst with them into a madcap chase across the flat toward home. A mile or so of this exciting sport and they slowed down to a canter, jollying one another over the night’s doings. “Bloomin’ surprise party ye are, Tiddy,” said Pat, “a regular step dancer.” “Yes,” put in Jim, “and as full of spice about swingin’ the girls as any of us.” “Oh, stop your nonsense,” protested Fred. “Faith,” Pat broke in, “and didn’t he dive into the bunch and cut Dick’s ranch fairy out, though?” “Roped and tied her before Dick caught his breath. Oh, he’s a smooth cow-kid, I tell--” The sentence was cut short by a wild whoop from a cowboy who dashed up just then, reined his puffing pony and called out, “Hello, stags! travelin’ or just goin’ somewhere?” “Stag yourself, you bloomin’ spalpeen; and who are you to be salutin’ yer betters so oncivilly?” “Dick--I’ll be hanged!” exclaimed Jim; “what’s your hurry, sport? Did she shake you.” “Not on your life,” retorted Dick; “I saw her home all right.” “Sounds fishy,” said Jim; “you hain’t had time.” “Time!” snapped Dick; “you pokes need spurs, that’s all, especially this slick cow-kid in his borrowed outfit; here, take one of mine.” With the words Dick threw up his spurred heel and gave Chief a savage dig in the flank. The proud horse reared at the insult. Fred, caught unawares, was all but flung to the ground. He clutched the saddle horn in time to save himself from a serious fall, while the horse, with free head flung low, bucked and pitched madly along the road. The other riders followed close, Dick laughing at his mischief, Jim shouting encouragement: “Stay with him, boy, stay with him!” Luckily Chief did not whirl, but bucked straight ahead until his rider gradually drew up his head and quieted him. The danger past, a violent temper seized Fred. He swung the horse about to face Dick, and with-- “Take that, you sneak!” he fetched his tormentor a stinging crack in the face with his quirt. Dick jerked out his revolver and fired. Fortunately again for Fred, Chief had leaped as the quirt struck, and began to plunge again along the road. Dick was whirling to shoot again, when another pistol flashed in the moonlight and Jim shouted,