Suddenly a narrow shadow flashed by his eyes.  Before his consciousness could leap from its inner contemplation, his arms were pulled flat to his sides, a shock ran through him as though he had received a heavy blow, and he was jerked backward from his horse to hit the ground with great violence.

The wind was knocked from his body, so that for five seconds, perhaps, he was utterly confused.  Before he could gather himself, or even comprehend what had happened, a heavy weight flung itself upon him.  The beginnings of his feeble struggles were unceremoniously subdued.  When, in another ten seconds, his vision had cleared, he found himself bound hand and foot.  Saleratus Bill stood over him, slowly recoiling the riata, or throwing rope, with which he had so dexterously caught Bob from behind.  After contemplating his victim for a moment, Saleratus Bill mounted his own animal, and disappeared.

Bob, his head humming from the violence of its impact with the ground, listened until the hoof beats had ceased to jar the earth.  Then with a methodical desperation he began to wrench and work at his bonds.  All his efforts were useless; Saleratus Bill understood “hog-tying” too well.  When, finally, he had convinced himself that he could not get away, Bob gave over his efforts.  The forest was very still and warm.  After a time the sun fell upon him, and he began to feel its heat uncomfortably.  The affair was inexplicable.  He began to wonder whether Saleratus Bill intended leaving him there a prey to what fortune chance might bring.  Although the odds were a hundred to one against his being heard, he shouted several times.  About as he had begun once more to struggle against his bonds, his captor returned, leading Bob’s horse, and cursing audibly over the difficulty he had been put to in catching it.

Ignoring Bob’s indignant demands, the gun-man loosed his ankles, taking, however, the precaution of throwing the riata over the young man’s shoulders.

“Climb your horse,” he commanded briefly.

“How do you expect me to do that, with my hands tied behind me?” demanded Bob.

“I don’t know.  Just do it, and be quick,” replied Saleratus Bill.

Bob’s horse was nervous and restive.  Three times he dropped his master heavily to earth.  Then Saleratus Bill, his evil eye wary, extended a helping hand.  This was what Bob was hoping for; but the gun-man was too wily and experienced to allow himself within the captive’s fettered reach.

When Bob had finally gained his saddle, Saleratus Bill, leading the horse, set off at a rapid pace cross country.  To all of Bob’s questions and commands he turned a deaf ear, until, finally, seeing it was useless to ask, Bob fell silent.  Only once did he pause, and then to breathe and water the horses.  The country through which they passed was unfamiliar to Bob.  He knew only that they were going north, and were keeping to westward of the Second Ranges.