Nothing as yet had come to confirm that peculiar warning described, but his faith knew no weakening on that account.
From a long way came the sound of rifle-firing, sometimes rapid, and sometimes consisting of dropping shots.
"They're at it somewhere," muttered the rancher; "it doesn't come from the ranch, so I guess the folks are all right." The reports were too far off for him to feel any interest in them; that which was foretold by the twitching of his limb must come much closer to answer the demands of the occasion.
Weber resumed his walk around and among the prostrate animals.

He was on the alert, glancing to the right and left, and speculating as to the nature of the "trouble" that could not be far off.
Through the impressive stillness he caught a subdued sound which caused him again to stop in his walk and listen.

His keen vision could discover nothing, nor was he certain of the nature of the disturbance.
He knelt down and pressed his ear to the ground.

That told the story; several hundred of the herd were in motion and moving away from him.
They would not do this of their own accord, and the rancher translated its meaning at once; they were being driven off.
He broke into a loping trot toward the threatened point, holding his Winchester ready for instant use.

As he was likely to need his horse, he placed his fingers between his lips and emitted the whistle by which he was accustomed to summon the faithful beast.