After this, he and the boys returned to the ranch house, where they
discussed the recent exciting happenings pro and con. The boys had
planned to take an exploring expedition that afternoon, but all thought
of this was banished from their minds. After a while they returned to the
stables, where the stallions were having their wounds doctored. It
appeared that, as Mr. Melton had surmised, neither was very badly injured
physically, but the bay stallion's spirit seemed utterly broken. After
many days, however, he regained the pride which had been so rudely
shattered in his encounter with Satan, and proved to be a valuable horse.
He was of a more gentle disposition also, and accepted the overtures of
friendship that the boys made toward him, so that before their visit at
the ranch came to a close they were on very good terms with him.




CHAPTER IX

The Indian Outbreak


"They seem to be having trouble with the Indians on the reservation,"
remarked Mr. Milton one evening, just after his return from a trip to
town; "everybody in Helena seems to be talking about it, and there was
a big article in the 'Despatch' this morning, too."

"What kind of trouble?" asked Bert, his interest at once aroused. "You
don't mean there's talk of an outbreak among them, do you?"

"That's exactly what I _do_ mean," replied Mr. Melton seriously. "The