a sense, the head of the new organization. Though Dick and Nort held equal shares, purchased for them by their father, the two lads who ha

ewcomer, from the top of his broad-brimmed range hat to the pawing hoof

mon a practice among most of the cowboys. Perhaps they didn't have time to use the proper endings. "I'm dead anxious to ride for some outfit," went on

d quickly, for he sensed that the stranger, in some manner, had managed

ack there," he added with a wave of 'is quirt in the direction of Diamond X. "Had supper with the boys at your father's ranch, and he told me you might

rs he wanted help more than ever, for he was about to put into execution a plan for getting on the trail of these marauders. "But

which Snake, Yellin' Kid and the boy ranchers joined. "When he said he didn'

d toward his cousins. "You can turn your pony into the corral," he added, "an

My name's Henry Mellon. I've ridden some for C

sized you up all

shall call him, following the custom of the others on the

father bore an enviable reputation for finding o

n' Kid, and the loud tone's of his vo

swer. "I can't say th

ranches?"

p with you," he added, riding forward and extending his hand

he new cowboy shook hands all around. "He'll be glad of a rest, though,

ou can add to your string. See you later, fellows," Bud called to his cowboy he

eing made to feel at home by Snake, Yellin' Kid, and Old Billee, who had by this time ridd

toward where the cowboys were

n about th

ride over and take a look at the place. It doesn't seem reasonable that they can drive a bunch of cat

Dick. "Do you s'pose this

that direction," decl

nd when Nort accented that one wor

ieve what he s

call up your fat

d a moment a

it won't do any harm to know it. I like his looks, though

father that Mr. Merkel knew nothing about the stra

had been in communication, otherwise, with the late employers of Henry Mel

s. "But we do have to take some action about these rustler

ght!" chim

on their trail

y. What with cattle missing, and queer shots being fired behind your back,

iceratops!" added

een made. "What cattle had not been taken-and it was only a small part of the herd that had been driven off-were now nearer the camp headquarters, hav

as the three boys started toward the corral, intending to saddle thei

agree

Snake and Yellin' Kid, and, as the boy ranchers watched

doing?" a

'em some fancy rop

Nort. "I'd like to get on

his lasso about his head, the rope forming a perfect circle, he changed the direction from horiz

and rope. Snake could equal the newcomer's feat in twirling the rope around

. "I had a lot of spare time, and I practiced some o

-not!" chall

ve to be going in the same direc

ent on Snake. "I've heard of t

ride past me I'll r

, Yellin' Kid, Old B

, and as Bud, Nort

repared fo