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"Then if you take my advice you'll sneak down to the corral, get

your horse, and light out for the run. Lie there till I see you."

"And Siegfried?"

"The Swede won't trouble you unless this Texan dies. I'll send

you word in time if he does."

Later a skulking shadow sneaked into the corral and out again.

Once out of hearing, it leaped to the back of the horse and

galloped wildly into the night.

CHAPTER XIV -- HOWARD EXPLAINS

Two horsemen rode into Millikan's Draw and drew up in front of

the big ranch house. To the girl who stepped to the porch to meet

them they gave friendly greeting. One of them asked:

"How're things coming, Arlie?"

"Better and better every day, Dick. Yesterday the doctor said he

was out of danger."

"It's been a tough fight for Steve," the other broke in. "Proper

nursing is what pulled him through. Doc says so."

"Did he say that, Alec? I'll always think it was doc. He fought

for that life mighty hard, boys."