Get ye a fresh horse, Buddy, and drive the horses down the creek fast as ye can." Buddy uncoiled his rope and ran with his mouth full to do as he was told.

He did not think he was scared, exactly, but he made three throws to get the horse he wanted, blaming the poor light for his ill luck; and then found himself in possession of a tall, uneasy brown that Dick Grimes had broken and sometimes rode.

Buddy would have turned him loose and caught another, but the horses had sensed the suppressed excitement of the men and were circling and snorting in the half light of dawn; so Buddy led out the brown, pulled the saddle from the sweaty horse that had twice made the trip up the creek, and heaved it hastily on the brown's back.

Dick Grimes called to him, to know if he wanted any help, and Buddy yelled, "No!" "Here they come--damn 'em--turn the bunch loose and ride!" called Bob Birnie as a shrill, yelling war-whoop, like the yapping of many coyotes, sounded from the cottonwoods that bordered the creek.

"Yuh all right, Buddy ?" "Yeah--I'm a-comin'," shrilled Buddy, hastily looping the latigo.