Just as they reached the house a horseman came clattering down the road and all paused involuntarily to mark the new arrival.

The rider was a handsome, slim young fellow, dressed as were the other cowboys present, and he came on at a breakneck speed that seemed only warranted by an errand of life and death.
In front of him, tied to the saddle, appeared a huge bundle, and as the horse dashed up to the group standing by the ranch house the rider gracefully threw himself off and removed his hat with a sweeping gesture as he observed the young ladies.
"I've got him, Algy!" he cried merrily.
"Dan'l ?" asked Tobey.
"Dan'l himself." He pointed to the bundle, which heaved and wriggled to show it was alive.

"He refused to come willingly, of course; so I brought him anyhow.

Never yet was there a fiddler willing to be accommodating." "Good for you, Tim!" shouted a dozen voices.

And Stubby added in his earnest way; "Dan'l was never more needed in his life." Tobey was busy unwinding a long lariat that bent the captive nearly double and secured him firmly to the panting horse.