Part 6 (1/2)

Let us rejoin dick Arbuckle at the time that the incensed cavalryman, Tucker, was about to attack the hapless lad with his heavy Sabra

Had the cruel blow fallen as intended it is beyond dispute that dick would have been severely injured

”Don't!” cried the boy, and then closed his eyes at the terrible thought of such dire punishment so close at hand

But just at that instant an interruption came from out of the darkness of the brush

”hello, there! What are you up to?”

Tucker started, and the Sabra was turned aside to bury itself in the exposed roots of a tree

”If it ain't pawnee Brown!” muttered another cavalryman, Ross by name

”pawnee Brown!” burst fro, he attempted to rush toward his friend

”Not so fast, boy!” howled Tucker, and caught the youth by the collar

”What's theto that boy?” asked pawnee Brown as he rode closer, with Rasobside hi to take him to our camp,” answered Tucker, somewhat uneasily, for he had seen pawnee Brown before and knew he had acharacter hom to deal

”A horse thief!” ejaculated Jack Rasco ”Say, sod'ger, yer crazy! Thet boy a thief! Wall, by gum!”

”That boy is no thief,” put in pawnee Brown ”He belongs to our camp, and is as square as theythe word of any boomer,” muttered Tucker sourly ”That kid--hold on! Don't shoot!”

And he dropped back in terror, for the great scout had drawn his pistol like a flash

”You'll takeelse,” came the stiff response

”Be quick, now, and say which you choose”

”I didn't mean any harm, pawnee Maybe you don't know it, but the boy is a thief just the sa my horse--this bay My comrades can prove it”

”It's true,” said Ross

”True as gospel,” added Skiht hi to this, pawnee Brown turned to the youth

”Tell me your yarn, dick I know there is some mistake here”

”There is not much to tell, Major When the lariat broke up at the Devil's Chiet help and a rope I intended to ride your ot to where thearound in her place I got on the bay, but, instead of riding to caht h onto splitin the nick of time”