Surely the couple who had played their parts in the incidents of the night must have known that nothing could be gained by stampeding a part of Whitney’s herd.  The cattle were branded, and could not be disposed of for that reason.  Besides, a couple of Indians in charge of several hundred cattle would be objects of suspicion themselves, and certain to be called to account.  They could make no common cause with the rustlers, for the latter would have naught to do with them.

More than likely Grizzly Weber hit the truth when he said: 

“It was a piece of pure deviltry on their part.  When they got into the saddles they felt safe.  Instead of making off with the hosses, they thought they would stir up a little fun by stampeding the cattle.  After injuring ’em by rapid driving for a good many miles they would have paid no more attention to ’em, and let us find ’em as best we could.”

“Yes,” assented Budd, “they bit off more’n they could chaw, and so lost the hosses.  But, Grizzly, have you noticed there’s been several guns shot off around the country to-night?”

“Yas,” replied the other, indifferently; “I’ve heard ’em several times, but I haven’t obsarved any coming from the house; it must be that some of the boys are having fun to-night instead of sleeping like lambs, as they ought to do.”

“And there’ll be more of it to-morrow, but that’s what we’ve got to expect at all times.  I’m going to sleep; call me when you want me.”

Budd spread the blanket, which he had taken from the back of his horse, on the ground and lay down.  Hardly five minutes passed when he was wrapped in sound slumber.  To prevent himself from becoming unconscious, Grizzly rose and walked slowly around and among the herd.  He had no thought of anything further occurring, for the ‘dog Indians’ would be certain to keep away from that neighbourhood after what had occurred.  He did not feel easy, however, concerning his friends at the ranch.  He knew trouble was at hand, and he would have been glad if the mother and daughter were removed beyond danger.  The sounds of rifle-firing and the bright glow in the horizon, made by a burning building, confirmed his misgivings as to what a few days or hours were sure to bring forth.

CHAPTER XVI.

An unpleasant visit.

It will be recalled that during these incidents Monteith Sterry and Fred Whitney were sitting at the front of the long, low building, which was the home of the latter, discussing the incidents of the last day or two, as well as the matter of Whitney removing, with his family, to the East, in order to prevent any addition to the affliction they had just suffered.

Besides this, Whitney had turned on his young friend, and impressed upon him that he, too, was incurring unjustifiable risk by remaining in Wyoming during the inflamed state of public feeling.  There was much less excuse in the case of Sterry than of his host.  He ought to be at home prosecuting the study of his profession, as his parents wished him to do.  His health was fully restored, and it cannot be denied that he was wasting his precious days.  He was fond of his father, mother, brothers and sisters, and it would grieve them beyond expression if he should uselessly sacrifice himself.