The X Bar X boys on the ranch

CHAPTER XXV
THE ROUND-UP

The first stars were peeping from a cloud-strewn sky when Roy and Teddy rode into the yards of the X Bar X. Without waiting to tie up their horses, they rushed into the house. Mrs. Manley was talking to Norine in the living room.

“Mother!� Teddy exclaimed, “where’s dad? Is he in?�

“Just went toward the corral, Teddy,â€� Mrs. Manley answered. Then, as she saw Teddy’s face, she asked: “What happened? Is Belle all right? She didn’t—â€�

“Nothing like that at all, Mom!� Roy cried, giving her a quick hug. “We’ve got good news. We know where our horses are!�

“Do you, now?� Norine broke in, her eyes alight. “Then I’m glad! I missed those ponies, so I did!�

“You’d better hurry after your father,� Mrs. Manley admonished. “He’s riding again tonight after the rustlers. I do wish this were over!�

“It will be soon, Mom!â€� declared Teddy, “Don’t worry now—we’ll have that gang before morning!â€�

“But, boys, you’re all wet! You really must get some dry clothes on!�

“When we find dad, Mom! Want to reach him before he leaves! Come on, Teddy!�

The boys rushed from the room. Mrs. Manley turned to Norine with something very much akin to pride in her eyes. Her boys were already men!

Teddy reached his father just as the ranchman was throwing a saddle on a bronco. The boys told their story quickly.

“tonight, hey?� Mr. Manley pondered. “Well, sons, you sure did a fine piece of work. Now for the round-up of those rustlers! Teddy, go to the bunk-house and tell the boys to get over here, pronto! Tell ’em to bring guns! Then you an’ Roy get some food in you an’ some dry clothes on. This is the last act, boys! We ring the curtain down on that gang tonight!�

Later, a small crowd of men sat on restless horses. From each belt hung a heavy revolver, and in more than a few saddlecases reposed long-barreled rifles. Nick Looker was there, and Pop Burns and Gus Tripp, now recovered, and Jim Casey, and four other punchers. Teddy and Roy were on either side of their father.

“Boys,â€� Mr. Manley called, “we’re set! To the north fence—and don’t make any noise! When you get there lay low. Keep your broncs still. When I see the rustlers I’ll fire one shot—then close in, an’ close in quick! Understand? Then let’s go!â€�

There was a clatter of hoofs as the horses galloped over the ground. During that ride hardly a word was spoken. Then the wait began. Time seemed to stand still. The shadowy clouds disappeared, and the moon shone forth, silhouetting the group of watching punchers. A breeze sighed through the branches of a small grove of evergreens. Now and then a pony whinnied nervously, to be instantly quieted by a firm hand on his nostrils.

“Snakes, this is like waitin’ for an explosion when yore sittin’ on top of th’ dynamite!â€� whispered Pop, who was close to Roy. “If somethin’ don’t happen soon—â€�

Roy raised his hand. From the west seven riders came flashing over the moon-flooded prairie, straight for the fence. The leader leaped from his horse and, pulling something from his pocket, rested his hand on the top wire. There was a sharp crack as the strand parted.

A single shot rang out. Then a yell.

“Get ’em, boys!â€� Roy shouted. “They’re our meat! Get the one with the pliers in his hand—that’s Froud!â€�

Ponies sprang forward. Guns leaped from holsters and were leveled at the astounded rustlers. Three of the latter turned in a flash and rode off like the wind, rifles cracking them a farewell.

The man on foot looked about him desperately. In the moonlight the scar on his face seemed like a small, silver snake crawling up his face. He saw himself being surrounded by determined cowboys with murderous guns in their hands.

With a cowardly yell, his courage fled and he fell to his knees.

“Don’t shoot!� he begged, his whole body shaking. “Don’t shoot me! These men made me do it! They forced me into it! I ain’t done nothin’. I swear I ain’t! I even killed the head of this gang, Brand! You ought to let me off for doin’ that!�

Teddy looked down at the groveling figure. He turned and glanced at the other rustlers, who, realizing that the game was up, stood quietly by, hands held high in the air.

“Brave leader you’ve got,� the boy said.

One of the men looked down with a contemptuous sneer.

“Him? He ain’t no leader. He’s a yeller dog! Wait an’ I’ll fix him for you. Hear what he said about Brand? I knew somethin’ was up. The rat said Brand told him to go ahead with the raid an’ he’d meet us at the Bowl. So you killed Brand, did you? Well, kiss yoreself good-bye, ’cause yore sure goin’ on a long journey!�

The man’s hand flashed down to his side. There was a crack, and a tongue of flame belched from the muzzle. Froud gave a shrill scream and gripped his left shoulder at the same moment that Roy and Nick rode closer and covered the fellow who had shot.

But the man did not fire again.

“I’m gettin’ pretty poor,� he said in a sad voice. “Don’t worry, son, I won’t do no more shootin’. Here, take the gun. I won’t have no use for it where I’m goin’. ’Bout time I had a rest, I guess. First time I ever failed to kill a snake with one shot. And at ten paces, too! Yo’re lucky, Froud! Look at him wiggle! Let’s hear you sound yore rattles, you cussed sidewinder!�

“That’ll do,â€� Mr. Manley said sternly, riding up. “You almost had a charge of murder against you—though it don’t seem like murder to shoot a snake. Froud, stop that yellin’! You ain’t killed! Get on your feet. Let’s see.â€� Mr. Manley dismounted, and, ripping the man’s shirt open, disclosed a small gash in the fleshy part of the shoulder.

“You snivilin’ coward!� the cattle owner cried. “All that shoutin’ over a scratch! Get on your bronc now, an’ be quick about it! We’re ridin’ in. Nick an’ Gus, stay in back. Keep your guns out. The rest of you ride close. If any one makes a break, shoot an’ shoot straight! Here’s where this rustlin’ stops, once an’ for all! We’ll find out from these rats who those were who got away. Then they won’t dare show their faces around here again.�

“Don’t let him get near me,â€� Froud whined, pointing at the man who had shot him. “He’ll kill me if he can! He was Brand’s friend—â€�

“An’ you knifed Brand,� Mr. Manley finished, with a fierce frown. “You rat! You ought to be strung up!�

“But it ain’t murder to kill a rustler, is it?� Froud asked eagerly. “It ain’t! I could get a reward fer doin’ it, couldn’t I? He’s wanted! The police in three states want him! So if I show you his body I get the reward, don’t I? Don’t I?�

Mr. Manley looked at him.

“Froud,� he said slowly, “I seen some snakes in my time. At least, till now I thought I had. I can’t blame that bucker for shootin’ you. Too bad he wasn’t a better shot. Froud, listen to this! Brand ain’t dead! He’s alive, an’ he’s lookin’ for you!�

Froud’s face went livid. He swayed in his saddle.

“He—he—ain’t dead?â€� he stammered. “But—I—â€�

“You tried your best! But it wasn’t quite good enough, an’ my boys here saved his life. He got to that cabin of yours, an’ Roy an’ Teddy bound up his wound. He told everything, an’ he’ll be in the saddle again in two weeks. Froud, you’re a marked man!�

The rustler caught at the saddle horn. He trembled as though with the ague, and wet his lips with his tongue. He strove to speak, but the words would not come.

“Save ’em,� Nick Looker said in a contemptuous voice. “You might need later all the talk you got. Come on now! Ride on! We ain’t got all night. All right, boss? Do we go?�

“We go, Nick! An’ don’t worry about watchin’ Froud. If he starts to fall off, you might prop him back on again. Boys, we’re off! We’re headin’ home with a rare cargo! Let’s go!�

The procession of horsemen filed into the yard of the X Bar X just as the gray dawn was breaking. On all but four of the riders were happy grins. One of these four sagged low in the saddle. Frequently his tongue ran over his dry lips. And on the side of his face a scar, like a small snake, shone livid against his sickly pallor.

Teddy and Roy could hardly wait to ride to Cottonwood Bowl. Swallowing a hasty breakfast, they started, together with Nick and Pop. Mr. Manley stayed at the ranch to guard the prisoners until the sheriff from Hawley could take them into custody.

As the riders reached the spot Brand had described, Teddy mounted the rock and parted the brush which grew on top. He looked over. Then he gave a yell.

“Flash! And Star and General! Running around like colts! Take a look, Roy! Take a look! Baby! Let’s get down there quick! Here’s the path around to the left! Come on, Roy! Hurry up! Wow, you old bronc you! Be with you in a minute!�

“Just like kids,â€� Nick said to Pop, with a grin, as the two brothers ran down the path toward the enclosure. “They’re crazy to get their ponies under them, an’ I don’t know as I blame ’em! Golly—watch ’em! Look at Roy! By jimminy, he’s kissin’ the bronc! Now he’s on—so is Teddy! Yay, boy! See ’em go! Ride ’em, cowboy! Yay!â€�

Around the Bowl the boys flashed, milling the small herd of cattle like veterans. Then they broke the cows and ran them out of the Bowl into the path. Aided by Nick and Pop, they started the drive for the X Bar X, leading General and their other horses.

“Take a look at him!� Roy exclaimed, patting Star’s side. “Skin shines like satin! Must have taken good care of you, bronc! That’s another thing we’ve got to thank Checkered Shirt for. Golly, it’s good to be astride again!�

“Same here!� Teddy cried. “Gee, I never expected to see this ole horse again! Did I, you crazy coot, you? Nope, he says! Never did! See him nod his head? Atta baby! Speak up!�

“Yo’re sure happy, ain’t you?� Pop grinned.

“I’ll tell a maverick!� Roy exploded. “Why shouldn’t we be? An’ wait till dad sees General! Boy! He won’t be very glad!�

At last they reached the X Bar X with the cattle. It was a long, dusty, hot ride, but to Teddy and Roy it was just a pleasure jaunt. The cattle were placed in the X Bar X corral until Mr. Ball should send for them. Mr. Manley was overjoyed to see General again, and insisted on riding with the two boys back to the cabin where they had left Checkered Shirt, although Mrs. Manley was sure they would fall asleep in their saddles. They decided that it would be better to bring the wounded man back to the ranch if he could be moved, rather than to waste time getting a doctor to the out-of-the-way cabin.

To his wife’s objection that he needed rest, Mr. Manley answered:

“Don’t worry about us, Barbara. We won’t fall asleep. Not on these broncs! Hey, Teddy? Nick, when the sheriff comes, tell a few of the boys to saddle up and help him bring those four galoots to Hawley. Guess they won’t give you no trouble. All right, boys, let’s go!�

When Mr. Manley and his two sons reached the cabin they noticed that the door was open. Dismounting, they walked in.

The shack was deserted. On the floor in front of the fireplace was a branding iron, resting on a piece of paper. Bending over, Teddy picked the paper up. On it were the words:

“Can you beat that?� Roy said, with a chuckle. “Stopping because he made a mistake in a branding iron! Funny rustler, isn’t he? I sort of like him, though. He’s no coward. Well, we may as well start back. Baby, I’m getting sleepy! Wait!� He seized the iron that lay on the floor. “For a souvenir. We’ll remember this summer, anyway! So long, Checkered Shirt! Good luck to you, too!�

Indeed, the summer did linger long in the boys’ memories. More exciting times were in store for them, as will be told in the next book, called “The X Bar X Boys in Thunder Canyon.� But they never forgot their adventures while chasing the rustlers and looking for their stolen horses.

As they mounted and turned their faces toward home, Roy looked over at Teddy. Mr. Manley smiled, for he knew what was coming.

“Want to ride over to see Curly tomorrow?� the boy asked, with a grin.

Teddy smiled casually.

“My boy,� he said, “your innocence is sublime! We will ride to see Nell, and maybe Ethel will be there. How about that?�

“Race you to that bush!� Roy returned. “Come on, Dad! Get in this! Let’s see what General can do!�

With a yell the three started. Over the prairie they raced, their laughter ringing high.

Neck and neck the three ponies reached the bush, and with happy hearts the two boys and their father rode homeward.