They were within ten miles of the ranch when the cattleman, who sat at the wheel of the automobile, saw a horseman coming toward them.

A moment he watched the approaching figure, then, over his shoulder, he said to the girls, "Look at that fellow ride.

There's something doin', sure." As he spoke he turned the machine well out of the road.
A moment later he added, "It's Curly Elson from the Cross-Triangle.
Somethin's happened in the valley." As he spoke, he stopped the machine, and sprang out so that the cowboy could see and recognize him.
Curly did not draw rein until he was within a few feet of Reid; then he brought his running horse up with a suddenness that threw the animal on its haunches.
Curly spoke tersely.

"Phil Acton is shot.

We need a doctor quick." Without a word Jim Reid leaped into the automobile.