CHAPTER XI.
THE COWBOYS SAVE THE DAY.
For a few moments matters took on a serious aspect for the two boys.
The quitclaim deed, however, had been destroyed, and there was no fear that Professor Borrodaile would again fall into Heppner's trap.

Frank had counted upon this, and had even figured that he would have to take a few hard knocks in bringing it about.
Heppner, fairly boiling, was rushing at Merry like an unleashed tornado.
McGurvin, too, was plunging toward him from the right.

Sam and Turkeyfoot were making Clancy the object of their attack.
Merry felt that Heppner was entitled to a little something as a memorial of the plot that failed.

So, dodging the bull-like rush of McGurvin, he jumped at Heppner, and his doubled fist shot out like a battering-ram.
"Oof!" Heppner grunted, flinging up his arms.
Frank's knuckles had landed on the point of his heavy, brutelike jaw, in just the place best calculated to make a man see stars, and, incidentally, to teach him a lesson.
The "government agent" reeled back and staggered groggily.

McGurvin, swearing furiously, flung his arms around Frank from behind.
"I'll wring yer neck fer ye, you young terror!" threatened the rancher.
And it was at that moment, when Merry and Clancy were hard beset, that a Bar Z yell floated down the breeze.