Shooting not being common on the plains thereabouts, no sooner had he heard the report than he clapped spurs to his horse and dashed in its direction, and not far had he ridden before he caught sight of Bob and Chester and their pursuers.

At a glance, he realized that the boy was in great danger, and grinding his teeth savagely, he rode at him like mad, from time to time shouting to Bob to keep up courage.

But the plucky boy saw and recognized his employer long before he heard his reassuring words, and the sight lent him fresh strength.

The pursuers also saw Ford and redoubled their efforts to reach Bob first.  But the terrific pace was telling on their mounts and they made little progress.

With a yell of exultation, Ford reached Bob, gave him a hand and lifted him up behind to the saddle, asking: 

“What are they after you for?”

“Because I wanted to warn you!” answered Bob, and hurriedly he related all he had overheard and the incidents of the pursuit.

As he listened to the story, the ranchman’s face grew terrible to behold.  And as it was finished, he sat in silence a moment, then fairly hissed: 

“My law is not ‘an eye for an eye’ or ‘a tooth for a tooth.’  But four eyes for an eye!”

For an instant only was Bob mystified by this speech.

Swinging his rifle from his back to his shoulder with incredible rapidity, Ford fired four shots in quick succession.  And after each shot, one of the conspirator’s horses fell.

“So much for Firefly, though I wouldn’t take the four for him!” snarled the ranchman.  “Now for the men!  Oh, no!  I’m not going to shoot them,” he added, noting the look of horror on Bob’s face.  “I intend to capture them and hand them over to the law.  You’re lighter than I am, so you take my pony and ride for the boys.  I’ll stay here and keep track of those scoundrels.  They won’t be able to walk far.”

Even as he spoke, Ford slipped from the saddle, and Bob taking his place dashed away for the other cowboys.

By good fortune, he found them at the end of their range nearest the scene of trouble, and no urging did they need to ride to their employer’s assistance when they had heard Bob’s story.

Divining the purpose of the boy’s departure, the conspirators had separated and then sought to hide themselves in the long grass.  But the ranchman had kept watch of their general direction, and as his boys rode up, ordered them to advance abreast toward the spot where the scoundrels had disappeared.

As they approached, Ford shouted: 

“If you men will surrender, we won’t hurt you!  But if you fire so much as one shot, we’ll kindle the prairie and roast you!”

For a moment after this terrible alternative was pronounced there was silence and the conspirators made no move.  Then one by one they stood up, glowering with awful hatred at Bob.