Part 27 (2/2)

A jeering laugh followed the remark.

”Did ye mean that fer me?” demanded the mountain boy, rising angrily.

”If the coat fits, put it on,” answered the freckle-faced boy indifferently, vaulting lightly into the saddle.

”I'll bet that's Boss Simms's kid--the pale-faced dude, eh?” sneered one sharply.

An angry growl answered the suggestion. Tad thinking it was time to be off, turned his pony about and Phil did the same. But no sooner had they headed their mounts toward home, Tad being slightly in the lead, than a rope squirmed through the air.

It dropped over the shoulders of Mr. Simms' delicate young son, tightened about his arms with a jerk.

”Help!” cried the frightened boy.

Tad, glancing back apprehensively saw what had happened. He wheeled his pony like a flash, but not quickly enough to save his companion from falling.

Phil Simms was roped from his pony, landing heavily in the dust of the street.

”Y-e-o-w!” chorused the cowboys.

CHAPTER XVI

TAD WHIPS A MOUNTAIN BOY

”Shame! Shame on you!” cried Tad Butler indignantly.

The lad leaped from his pony which he quickly tethered to the hitching bar in front of the store.

This done he ran to his fallen companion, who still lay where the lariat had thrown him. He was half stunned and covered with dust. After jerking him from his pony, however, the cowboys, though continuing their shouts of glee, had made no further effort to molest Philip.

Tad quickly released him.

”I 've had a lot to do with cowboys, but you're the first I ever knew who would do a thing like that. The cowboys I know are gentlemen.”

”Then, d'ye mean to say that we ain't, ye miserable cayuse?”

demanded one of the number, rising menacingly.

”The fellow who roped that boy is a loafer!” answered Tad bravely, taking a couple of paces forward and facing the crowd. ”You wouldn't dare do that to a man, especially if he had a gun as you have. Why didn't you try it on Luke Lame when he was over here?”

”Oh, go back to yer mammy,” jeered one.

”I want to know who threw that rope? If he isn't too big a coward, he'll tell me. I guess Mr. Simms will settle with him.”

”It's up to you, Bob, I guess,” nodded one of them, addressing the angry-faced mountain boy who was one of their number.

The latter rose with what was intended to appear as offended dignity.

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