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.  Budd, too, don’t want to break his neck trying to overtake me.”

His impatience made him unjust.  Neither man nor beast had had time to come up, even though each had set out at their best speed the moment they heard the signal.  They would be on hand in due course, unless prevented.

Weber called them again, with a sharp, peremptory signal, which could not fail to apprise both of the urgency of the case.  Then, afraid of losing any advantage, he pushed after the fleeing cattle.  The figures of the sleeping animals around him grew fewer in number.  By and by none was to be seen.  He had passed the outer boundary of those that were left, and was now tramping over the section from which they had been stampeded or driven by the rustlers.

He dropped to the ground again.  But it was only to use the earth as a medium of hearing.  The multitudinous trampings became distinct once more.  The cattle were running, proof that the thieves were pressing them hard and were in fear of pursuit.

Leaping up again, the rancher peered backward in the moonlight.  Something took shape, and he identified the figure of a man approaching.  The Winchester was grasped and half aimed, so as to be ready for instant use.

But it was his friend, who was coming on the run.  Budd Hankinson had heard the call, and obeyed it with surprising promptness.

“What’s up?” he asked, as he halted, breathing not a whit faster because of his unusual exertion.

“They’re running off some of the cattle; where’s the hosses?”

“Hanged if I know!  I called to Dick the minute I started, but he didn’t show up; I don’t know were he is.”

“I whistled for Cap at the same time I did for you; he ought to be here first.  I wonder if they’ve stolen him?” added Weber, affrightedly.

“No, they wouldn’t have come that close; they didn’t have the chance; but it gets me.”

With that he sent out the signal once more.  Budd did the same, and then they broke into their swift, loping trot after the fleeing animals, both in an ugly mood.

They were at great disadvantage without their own horses when it was clear the rustlers were mounted.  But, though on foot, the ranchers could travel faster than the gait to which the cattle had been forced.  They increased their speed, and it was quickly evident they were gaining on the rogues.