Then he sent out a different call.

That was for the listening ears of Budd Hankinson, who would be sure to hasten to his comrade.
But Weber did not wait for man or animal.

They could come as fast as they chose.

The case was too urgent to admit of delay.
He believed the moving cattle were hardly a furlong distant, but they were not only going at a rapid pace, but were moving directly away from where the rancher had halted.
He could run as swiftly and as long as an Indian, but the course was difficult, and he believed the cattle were going so fast that he was gaining little if anything on them.

When he had run a short way he stopped and glanced impatiently back in the gloom.
"Why doesn't Cap hurry ?" he muttered, referring to his horse; "he must have heard my call, and he never lets it pass him.