Part 21 (1/2)

With caution the boys approached the edge of the ravine and looked over.

They saw a spot where the dirt, rocks, and bushes had torn loose and slid down to the bottom of the hollow, carrying with the ma.s.s three of Mr. Endicott's herd of cattle. Two of the herd had been driven up to safety by the cowboys, but the third--the vicious steer--was still below, unable to help himself, and showing fight whenever approached by the ranch hands.

”I see him!” announced Phil, pointing with his hand to some rocks below.

”He looks peaceful enough.”

”So does a bomb--until it goes off,” answered Dave. ”The cowboys wouldn't be afraid of him unless he was a bad one. Maybe he is really crazy. I've heard of a crazy horse.”

”Say, that puts me in mind of a story Shadow Hamilton told,” came from the senator's son. ”A boy in school was a regular blockhead, and one day the teacher asked him what made him so foolish. 'I dunno,' he answered, 'excepting that my mother makes me sleep under a crazy quilt.'”

”Say, that's like Shadow!” cried Phil, after a laugh all around. ”Wish he was here--what stories he would tell!”

For some little time the boys could not see the men, who were hidden by the rocks and brushwood. But presently they caught sight of Sid Todd. He was flouris.h.i.+ng a stick at the steer. The animal paid no attention at first, but presently commenced to shake his head from side to side.

”Doesn't like it,” was Roger's comment.

”He seems to be saying 'No' quite forcibly,” added Dave.

”Now Todd is after him,” cried the s.h.i.+powner's son a minute later. ”See, the steer is on the move at last.”

”Yes, but he is going after Todd!” answered Roger.

Such was the fact, and presently man and beast disappeared behind some brushwood. Then, when they emerged again, it was seen that the cowboy had la.s.soed the animal by one of the forelegs. He was mounting the rocks, and the steer was limping behind, trying vainly to shake himself free. He did not seem to know enough to hold back altogether.

”Well, I think that rather dangerous!” declared Phil. ”Supposing the steer should run for him?”

”I guess the cowboy knows what he is doing,” answered Dave. ”If he is pursued, he can easily scramble up on some of the steep rocks and get out of the way.”

For fully ten minutes they watched the scene below them with interest.

At one time the cowboy would appear to have the best of the situation, then it looked as if the steer would have his own way. But gradually man and beast worked up toward the top of the ravine.

”He'll worry the steer along, if he doesn't get too tired,” said Dave.

”But it must be a fearful strain on him.”

The strain was heavier than the boys antic.i.p.ated and several times Sid Todd was on the point of giving up the struggle. Perhaps, had he been alone, he might have done so. But, with the others looking on, he felt that his reputation was at stake, and so he worried along, until he suddenly slipped on some rocks and fell flat.

As he went down, the steer appeared to realize the man's helplessness, and with a weird snort he rushed forward, the la.s.so becoming tangled up on the front leg as he advanced.

”Look out, Sid!” yelled Yates. ”He's goin' to hook yer!”

Todd had been a little stunned by his fall, and a bit of brushwood hid the animal from his view. But at the cry of alarm from the other ranch hand he realized his peril and rolled over, between two tall rocks.

On came the steer and struck one of the rocks a blow that resounded loudly through the ravine. Then the beast gave a leap, directly over Todd's body, and landed on the rocks beyond.

”Is he hurt?” asked Roger, anxiously.

”I don't know, but I don't think so,” answered Dave.