I'm some wet an' the hoss's been throwin' lather, so all this ain't blood." "What's up ?" queried Venters, sharply.
"Rustlers sloped off with the red herd." "Where are my riders ?" demanded Jane.
"Miss Withersteen, I was alone all night with the herd.

At daylight this mornin' the rustlers rode down.

They began to shoot at me on sight.

They chased me hard an' far, burnin' powder all the time, but I got away." "Jud, they meant to kill you," declared Venters.
"Now I wonder," returned Judkins.

"They wanted me bad.