Among those who had joined the band of prospectors were two cowboys.

They were as genuine specimens of the prairie tough as one could rest eyes upon.

One was named “Copper Jake” and the other bore the euphonious title of “Buster Bill.”

A number of miners had engaged in a game of dice.

The cowboys had finally ventured to take a hand.

Ordinarily the best of friends, it was hardly a moment before they were quarreling.

The “Buster” accused Copper Jake of using a weighted dice.

“You’re a goldurned liar,” exploded the Copper, savagely. “If ye don’t take yer insinuation back, I’ll salt ye.”

“If ye think ye kin do it ye’d better try now,” retorted the “Buster.”

“By gosh! I will.”

“Humph! Ye wouldn’t hurt nobody.”

“Ye called me a cheat.”

“Wall, what of it?”

“Take it back.”

“Naw, I won’t.”

“If ye don’t, I swow I’ll drag ye at ther heels of my pony.”

“Ye can’t do it.”

“I’ll bet yer a hundred I kin.”

“Put up.”

“Here’s my dust.”

In a twinkling the two desperate fellows had put up their stakes.

They were held by one of the miners, and then the details of the affair were arranged.

Several of the miners were appointed to act as referees and judges, and then the cowboys went out and mounted their ponies.

It was at this juncture that Frank, Silver Sam and Diamond Jake came out of the tent.

With characteristic interest in anything savoring of sport, Silver Sam cried:

“What’s up, boys?”

“Ther Buster and ther Copper have made a bet that one will drag t’other first at the heels of his hoss.”

“I’ll bet two to one on the Buster!” cried Silver Sam.

“I’ll do the same!” cried Diamond Jake.

“Anybody take it?”

“I’ll take ye.”

“So will I.”

The miners crowded forward with their money, and bets were made as free as water.

Frank watched the scene with the interest of one viewing a phase of life wholly peculiar to the region about.

The two cowboys had mounted and rode out upon the plain.

Each had in his hand a long and powerful lariat.

Each knew how to use it, and neither had a peer in the art.

It was an even contest.

How it would terminate only time would tell.

Out upon the plain the two cowboys rode. When well out they began to make a circle about each other.

Then the contest began.

First one would throw his lasso, and then the other.

High up into the air went the whirling cords. They would seem likely at any moment to settle about the cowboy’s head and shoulders.

But the slightest movement, a touch of the knee against the well-trained ponies’ sides, would cause the lariat to fall wide.

Hissing and curling through the air went the lariats again and again.

In vain each tried to outwit the other. It was a duel wholly without precedent, and fascinating to watch.

The “Buster” seemed to have the advantage for a time, but after a while his pony seemed to tire.

Of course it was only a question of agility and endurance, and the end must come some time.

Suddenly the Buster’s pony slipped, and quick as a flash Copper Jake’s lasso went out.

It fairly sung its course through the air, and with accurate aim went down about the Buster’s shoulders.

A quick jerk and the lasso tightened about the victim.

The next moment he went off his pony’s back and was dragged a dozen feet upon the ground.

Then Copper Jake raised his broad-brimmed hat and waved it aloft.

He had won.

He might have dragged his rival to death at his pony’s heels.

But this he wisely refrained from doing. The crowd cheered, the Buster disentangled himself and rode into the camp much crestfallen and subdued.

Frank could not repress a smile at the result of the contest.

It was a contest wholly peculiar to Western life, seen in counterpart nowhere else upon the face of the earth.

Diamond Jake and Silver Sam were around cashing their bets in their order but soon returned to Frank’s side.

“Excuse us, strangers,” said Jake, with a grin. “P’r’aps seein’ the Buster unhossed warn’t quite so important as the bizness we were talkin’ about, but you’ll admit it was mighty interesting.”

“Yes,” agreed Frank. “It was extremely interesting, I will own.”

Silver Sam came up now.

“Well, now that the scrap is over,” he said, brusquely, “let’s get to bizness.”

“I am ready,” said Frank.

“Good fer you. Then it’s decided, is it, that we go up and try to rout out the gang? If we can drive ’em down onto the plain you’ll look after ’em?”

“I will try to,” said Frank. “When are you going to bring action?”

“To-morrow morning!”

“All right; I will try and do my part.”

Frank went back to the Steam Man and narrated the plan to Barney and Pomp.

The two faithful servitors listened with the deepest of interest.

“A’right, Marse Frank,” declared Pomp. “We’se jes’ de chickens what can gib dose greasers a lickin’.”

“Bejabers, we’ll thry it,” said Barney.

Nightfall was at hand, so it was decided to make camp upon the spot.

The prospectors had decided not to start upon their invasion of the greasers’ stronghold until the next day.

Darkness settled down thickly over the plain.

It was near midnight before all was quiet in the camp.

As the prospectors had a picket line out, our travelers did not deem it necessary to set a watch.

So all turned in and sought slumber.

But Frank Reade, Jr., was utterly unable to sleep.

He tried in vain to woo the gentle goddess. A premonition of some mighty peril was upon him.

At length, as his nerves grew more acute, he decided to get up and walk in the air in the hope of inducing slumber in that way.

He did not arouse Barney and Pomp, and quietly left the wagon. He passed through the camp and came to the banks of the creek.

Just as he reached this point he fancied that he saw shadowy forms moving a short distance out upon the prairie.

Frank’s vision was unusually keen.

He became convinced, after a brief time, that he was right.

It seemed as if the prairie in that direction literally swarmed with men.

They were creeping noiselessly along over the soft grass. A chill of terror seized Frank Reade, Jr.

He thought of the greasers.

Might it not be a band of them intent upon attacking the camp?

The more he pondered upon the matter the more convinced he became that such was a fact.

But one thing puzzled him.

The prospectors had appointed a very strong picket guard. How had the greasers managed to pass them?

This was a question not easily determined at that moment.

It was possible that they had silently overpowered the picket, or that the latter had slept at his post.

In any event the enemy were creeping up to surprise the camp.

The realization came upon Frank Reade, Jr., with a force which for a moment seemed likely to overwhelm him.

“My soul!” he gasped. “They will be upon us before the alarm can be given!”

It was easy to foresee the effect of such a surprise upon the prospectors.

They would, no doubt, be cut down before they could really prepare themselves for the onslaught.

In that moment a dozen daring schemes flitted through the brain of the young inventor.

He thought of starting the Steam Man out amongst them with a view to breaking up their advance.

But the creek was between, and it would be some trouble to find a fording place.

Under the circumstances Frank executed the most sensible move that he could.

He stole quickly back into the camp.

It was but a moment’s work to silently arouse Silver Sam and Diamond Jake.

He quickly explained the situation to them.

“Thunder an’ blazes!” exploded Jake, “we must sound the alarm-—-”

“Easy,” said Frank, quietly. “The first outcry raised will bring them down upon you. They are near at hand.”

“What in thunder can we do, then?”

“There is only one safe thing to do, and there may be time yet to do it.”

“What is it?”

“We must go and arouse each man one by one. Do it silently and don’t let the foe hear a sound.”

“Quick, then!” whispered Silver Sam. “Let’s be about it.”

The move was at once begun.

Of course there was a momentary likelihood that the greasers would attack the camp before it could be aroused.

But the alarm givers worked quickly and well.

From man to man they went silently and quickly.

The result was gratifying.

Each man upon being awakened, went to the cover of the sycamores and there waited for events.

In a very short time the whole camp was thus aroused and in readiness. The greasers would receive a hot welcome in their attack.

All was quiet about the prospectors’ camp. Frank went back to the Steam Man and aroused Barney and Pomp.

The greasers for some reason seemed to be delaying the attack.

Every one of the miners was in the cover of the sycamores waiting for their Mexican foe.

Suddenly across the plain there came in a sharp, stern voice, in Spanish:

“Mexicans, up and at them! Spare not a life!”

Up from the prairie grass sprang a legion of forms.

They came on like a great wave and not a word was said until the creek was reached.

Then they broke the air with wild yells and dashed into the waters of the little stream, but they were destined to become the victims of surprise.