west side. They were not of this Rose Ranch outfit. Indeed, in that
single glance he realized that they were not dressed like the
cowpunchers.

Who could these strangers be? He was about to ride faster and
overtake one of the other herders and ask, when the thunder seemed
to split the firmament right over the valley. A vivid blue flash
lit up the whole arena.

Walter saw one of the group of strange horsemen dash down toward
the cattle, flying a slicker high over his head. This horseman made
a frightful object charging along the front of the already uneasy
steers.

The latter wheeled. With loud bellowings and a thunder of hoofs,
the herd started east--started full pelt for the narrow opening
between the two hollows.

It was a stampede! Walter had heard of such catastrophes; but he
had never dreamed that a charging herd of cattle could make so
fearful an appearance. His own horse snorted, jumped about, and
started to run away with him; and pull at the bit as Walter did, he
could not at once gain control of the terrified little beast.




CHAPTER XXVI

WHO ARE THEY?