shirt. The bull was stamping in a circle in the vain attempt to trample
his victim.

"Don't shoot!" gasped Charleton. "Rope his hind legs and throw him! By
God, I'll keep him now!"

Twice Doug's lariat darted through the air before the loop caught. But
the third attempt was successful and he raced the half-maddened Moose
away and jerked the bull off his feet. Charleton rolled to his own lariat
lying on the ground near Democrat. He grasped the rope, rose to his knees
and twirled it. It twisted about the bull's mighty neck. Charleton sank
back to a sitting position and pulled the rope taut.

"Dismount and come up on him, Doug, and hog tie him," he panted.

Douglas obeyed, and shortly the bull was helpless although he continued
to bellow threateningly.

"He'll have Nelson up here even if he is five miles off," said Douglas
anxiously. "Better let him go."

"Take a look at my ankle, Doug," ordered Charleton. "If it's nothing
worse than a sprain, I'm in luck."

With many oaths on the part of Charleton, the high riding-boot was worked
off, disclosing an ankle already puffed and discolored.

"A sprain! Well, I can sit Democrat with that. Now take a look at my
shoulder."