Cowboy Dave; Or, The Round-up at Rolling River

ng over to speak into the very ear of his coal-black steed. "Don't step

luable cattle before they could stray and get far out on the range or among the wild hills where they would lose much of their p

ected. To save the property of a

himself. It never entered his mind. For the time bein

nd over again, as he neared the frightened, tumultuous

e used to seeing mounted men-in fact they seldom see them otherwise, and for a mounted

owpuncher's life depends on his steed. The cattle seem to regard horse and man as one and as a superior being to whom they must give place. That is why Dave did not

the rushing steers Dave ha

ight five minutes ago. And I wonder if I can turn them and drive them

. "But don't glance ahead of him and over the backs of the steers. He saw no one

ots, anyhow," Dave reason

by the pressure of the knees on either side of his neck. Dropping the leather, Dave broke his

fearless riding straight at the oncoming steers, to drive them back. Now again he was ready

sought to drive back the maddened animals. He put into his action all the energy of which he was cap

n its neck. The front line of cattle began to divide to let Dave through, or, rathe

some one to help

ttle. Yes, there was a figure on horseback, but i

ack! Give me a hand here, w

and disgust showing in his face, thought he recognize

d his horse to ride out of the press of

"But what is he doing here, and why is he riding away instead

ure it was. Scarcely a cowpuncher but would render even his enemy help in an emergency of this kind

s way, evidently," m

no time for idle speculation. Somehow or other he mu

s hat and shooting, Dave too

y was answered. For, riding toward him, and toward the bunch of stam

ried. "Now we'll g

de up at top speed, his hat off, his revolver spitting fire,

to head in that direction. Pete himself took the right, and a moment later the two were rid

n the stream of cattle-to swing around the front

y give up and cease running, but there is an irresistible pressure from those in the rear. And if

th the help of Pete, Dave had brought the animals down to a walk, and then

had a chance to get his brea

lone, I rec

appen to kno

ome over here on an

d in some

l I find my real one-if I ever do. No matter what happens, even if I do fin

ever forget that. There's not many folks-not even a fellow's real ones-who can

the now quieted catt

a little errand for th' Old Man, an' I thought I'd take a

o!" Dave exclai

one to help you?

riding off-sneaking away. I call

break out?" Pe

zling me," replied

e, pointing. "That's how they got out.

at all," said Dave. "The st

le passed in, Pete and Dave stood on guard astride their ponies to prevent the animals sta

of those posts have bee

le!" exclaimed the fore

een treac