by Joan Clark
CHAPTER XIX
Turning the Herd
Connie leaned low in the saddle and rode as she had never ridden before.But terror held her in its grip. Time was so short--the cliffs so near.
A frenzy took possession of the girl. Everything she had in the worldwas at stake. If the herd went over the precipice she would lose everyanimal and her last chance to save Rainbow Ranch. She had to turn theherd even at the risk of her own life.
Silvertail was racing alongside the leaders now, but they would notswerve. On they ran straight toward the cliffs with the herd thunderingbehind.
Frantically Connie tore off her slicker as she rode. Folding it, sheused it to strike at the leaders. Time after time she brought it down onthe rumps of the Longhorns, trying to swerve them to the right.
Connie's heart pounded from the exertion and her breath came in gasps,but still she struck out with all her strength. The cliffs were veryclose now.
It was no use, Connie thought with faltering courage. They were doomedto go over, she and Silvertail with the cattle. She could not saveherself by turning back now. The tide of cattle would sweep them on assurely as if they were caught in the swift-moving stream of a mightyriver.
Then the girl became aware of another rider. Enid too was riding at thehead of the herd, discharging her revolver and fighting desperately tocheck the leaders. Alkali and Lefty must be there too, loyal and true,risking their lives to help her.
New courage and strength came to Connie. A touch of her spurs sentSilvertail leaping after a rangy Longhorn at the very head of the herd.
With all her might Connie brought the slicker across the animal's face.He whirled to the right and the herd followed. Keeping Silvertailbetween the frantic animals and the dark precipice Connie uttered alittle prayer. She hoped fervently that the cattle would turn at a sharpenough angle to avoid the cliff. A flash of lightning showed that herhorse was running not more than thirty feet parallel to the brink.
As they raced along Connie felt the herd edging sideways toward theprecipice, slowly pressing her mount closer and closer to destruction.Desperately she spurred Silvertail alongside the leading steer andslashed with her slicker at the animal's head. The steer swerved in theopposite direction carrying his blind followers clear of the brink.Connie's heart leaped. She had won!
Although the danger was past, the work was by no means done. It took ahalf hour of hard riding before the animals could be halted in their madrun. But at last they were milling again so that the cowboys could holdthem by riding slowly around the herd.
Not until then did Connie have an opportunity to speak with Enid.
"You were wonderful," she told the girl. "I'll never forget it--never.You risked your life to save my cattle."
"I did no more than Lefty or Alkali or any of the boys," Enid answeredquietly. "Besides, I owe you a great deal, Connie. I must tell you aboutForest Blakeman. He has deliberately plotted to ruin you."
"I know," Connie responded. "I learned the truth tonight when I saw himshoot into the herd."
"Then he was the one who stampeded the cattle! What a criminal thing todo! But it is in keeping with his character."
"Tell me everything you know about Blakeman," Connie urged.
"Months ago he loaned my father money, and he has made trouble for usever since. At the time of the rodeo he forced him to keep Catapult outof the show, expecting to win a large sum of money for himself. Butsomething went wrong----"
"I know about that," Connie nodded.
"Pop didn't wish to deceive his friends but he had no choice. Oh,Connie, that was why I felt so ashamed to face you. I suspected too thatBlakeman intended to ruin you, but I couldn't tell you without exposingPop's part in the affair."
"Substituting another steer for Catapult wasn't such a terribly seriousthing, Enid," Connie said kindly. "Please don't take it so hard."
"There's more to it than that. After the rodeo Blakeman came to ourranch and threatened my father. He made him do exactly what he said. Popdidn't want to start a dude ranch to rival yours. Blakeman arranged tohave Miss Parker and her friend come to our place too. He wanted you tofail in your enterprise."
"I realize that now," Connie said bitterly. "Only a miracle saved metonight. But why has Blakeman done all these things to me?"
"Because he's grasping and cruel," Enid replied. "Dude ranching is goingto develop into a big thing out here, and your place is the cream of thelot. You have natural scenery and the cliff dwellings will draw a greatmany guests. Once you get started your business will grow by leaps.Blakeman has known that, and he's been determined to gain control forhimself."
"I'm glad you came to tell me all this, Enid. It's cleared up so muchmisunderstanding."
"Then you'll forgive Pop and me?" the girl asked eagerly. "In our heartswe've wished you only success."
"Of course I forgive you," Connie returned heartily. "And now I havesomething disagreeable to do. I must find Blakeman."
Connie knew that the foreman had disappeared immediately after he hadfired into the herd. Undoubtedly aware that she had recognized him, hehad fled from the scene. He might have gone back to the ranch house topack up his belongings. If she rode hard she might intercept him.
Connie did not say anything to Alkali or Lefty for they were busy withthe cattle. But as she started away, Enid rode after her.
"I'm going along, Connie," she declared. "It's not safe for you to faceBlakeman alone. You don't know that man as I do. He might try anything."
"I imagine he's skipped out by this time," Connie replied. "But let'ssee if we can catch him."
The first rays of the morning sun were coloring the East as they rodeacross the range toward the ranch. When they were still some distanceaway, Connie drew rein and her companion likewise halted. They both hadobserved a lone horseman leaving Rainbow Ranch.
"That looks like Blakeman," Connie said. "He's riding off now."
"But he's not going toward Red Gulch," returned Enid. "He's heading forthe canyon."
"Come on," Connie urged, "we mustn't let him get away."
The girls raced their tired steeds on toward the horseman. Apparently hedid not observe their approach for he was traveling in the oppositedirection and they were a long distance away. Blakeman was riding hardtoo, and they could not gain.
Presently they saw the man disappear down into the canyon.
"Enid, I believe he's taking the South trail toward the cliffdwellings!" Connie exclaimed.
"Maybe we ought to let him go. We'll never catch him now."
"Yes, we will," insisted Connie stubbornly. "He'll not be able to travelvery fast down in the canyon."
Minutes later, their ponies breathing hard, the girls reached the top ofthe canyon. Mounting the other side they could see Forest Blakeman.
"He's going straight to the cliff dwellings!" Connie exclaimed. "Iwonder why----"
She sprang from her horse, tying him to a tree.
"You're giving up the pursuit, Connie?" asked Enid in surprise.
"No, but I'd rather Blakeman wouldn't know we're following him. He's upto something, Enid, and I intend to learn what it is. I know a short-cutto the other side but the trail isn't wide enough for our horses."
Enid slid from the saddle and quickly tied her pony beside Silvertail.Then Connie led the way down the trail. Whenever they were within viewof Blakeman they took care to bend low behind the bushes which overhungthe path. The caution was unnecessary. The foreman never glanced back.
"He's making straight for the cliff dwellings all right," Connieobserved a few minutes later. "We'll take this fork in the trail andcircle, coming in from the other direction."
The girls lost sight of the man as he disappeared behind a wall of rock.Their own trail wound deeper into the canyon, past a spring which indays gone by had provided water for the cliff dwellers.
"We're following the path actually used by the women of the tribe whenthey came for water," Connie e
xplained as the girls hurried along. "Thisis the shortest route to the cliff house, but it's a hard climb."
They had gone only a few steps, when in turning a sharp bend, Conniecame to an abrupt halt. Tied to a pine tree on the slope was a pintopony.
"That's not a horse from Rainbow Ranch!" Enid exclaimed in surprise.
"No," answered Connie, staring at the pony. "I never saw it before. Itcouldn't have been left here by Blakeman because he's on the othertrail."
The girls looked quickly about but they saw no sign of a rider.Hastening on again, they climbed a rocky path toward the high cliffs. Asthey drew closer, they approached cautiously, keeping an alert watch forForest Blakeman.
Presently they saw his horse tied up at the same point where Connie,Cecil and Helena had left their steeds the previous night, but theforeman had vanished.
"He must be somewhere in the cave back under the cliff," Conniewhispered. "Perhaps down in one of the kivas."
"But what could he be doing down there?" Enid asked blankly.
"Let's get closer and see if we can find out," Connie urged.
They followed the trail upward, coming to a tunnel so narrow that theyhad trouble in squeezing through on hands and knees. Emerging at theend, Connie and Enid stepped out on a wide shelf. Just ahead were theruined dwellings, built snugly under the lip of the cliff.
"Look!" whispered Connie.
She pointed toward one of the kivas at the far end of the shelf uponwhich they stood. A crude ladder leading down into the hole wiggledslightly as if someone were climbing on it. Then Forest Blakeman's headand shoulders appeared.
Although the girls were unsheltered he did not see them immediately.That was because he was engrossed in examining something in his hand.Connie saw that it was a roll of bills. As he put the money into hispocket she and Enid ran forward.
"Just a minute, Forest Blakeman!"
At the sound of Connie's voice, the foreman whirled around to face thegirls. A look of fear gave way to one of insolent defiance.
"Well?" he asked brazenly.
"You have a great many things to explain, Forest Blakeman," said Conniegrimly. "First, why did you stampede my herd?"
The man laughed harshly.
"Why did I stampede your herd?" he mocked. "I'd advise you not to makerash accusations without proof."
"I have it and that's why you tried to get away!" Connie cried. "Andanother thing--where did you get that roll of money which I saw youcounting? You had it cached in the kiva and it's my money! Money thatyou stole from me that night at Eagle Pass!"
"You're crazy," muttered Blakeman, but his expression disclosed thatConnie's accusation had been a true one.
"You were the one who held me up," Connie cried with conviction. "You'vekept the money hidden here in the kiva, and that's why you never wantedanyone to come near this place. Give me my money!"
Blakeman started to retreat. Connie and Enid followed.
"Give me my money," Connie repeated again. "If you don't----"
The foreman whirled around.
"I'll give you something else," he shouted angrily. "When you strike thebottom of the canyon you'll not be apt to carry any tales!"
He hurled himself toward the girls. Enid gave a piercing scream. Whetheror not the man intended to push them off the narrow ledge the girlsnever knew for before he could touch them a cool voice rang out.
"Stand where you are, Forest Blakeman. And reach for the sky!"
Wheeling around, Enid and Connie saw Jim Barrows leap nimbly down fromthe rocks, his gun trained on the foreman.
CHAPTER XX
The End of the Trail
The foreman slowly raised his hands above his head. Jim Barrows friskedhim of his revolver and took possession of the roll of bills which hetossed over to Connie. She quickly counted the sum.
"There's exactly seven hundred dollars here," she reported. "Just fiftyless than I lost."
"I reckon Kerrigan spent the fifty," said Jim.
"What did you call me?" demanded the foreman savagely.
"Jack Kerrigan--wanted in Texas for cattle stealing and on a few othercharges. You've eluded the authorities very cleverly, Jack, but the lawhas caught up with you at last."
"Are you a government man?" Connie gasped.
"Reckon I am, Miss," the man agreed, without taking his gaze from theforeman. "Keep your hands up, Jack, and don't try any monkey business."
"I don't understand at all," murmured Connie in bewilderment. "Ithought----"
"Just what I hoped you would," finished the detective. "If you hadsuspected who I was my entire purpose would have been defeated. I'llexplain everything after I've taken this hombre to jail. March on downthe trail, Jack!"
Connie and Enid, still somewhat dazed by what had happened, followed thetwo men. Barrows compelled the foreman to ride ahead of him down thetrail while he kept him covered. The girls had a dozen questions whichthey wished to ask, but the detective seemed in no mood forexplanations. He promised them he would return to Rainbow Ranch just assoon as he had delivered his prisoner to the sheriff at Red Gulch.
"I'm hopelessly mixed now," Connie confided to Enid after they hadparted company with the detective. "To think that I believed Jim Barrowsmight have been the one who robbed me of my money!"
"I don't wonder you arrived at such a conclusion," Enid replied aftershe had heard of the various evidence which had come into her friend'spossession. "So many things aren't explained even now."
But the girls did not have long to wait until all of their questionswere answered. By the time they had changed into dry clothing andrefreshed themselves with breakfast, Jim Barrows returned to the ranch.
"I'll start at the beginning," he declared. "First of all my name isn'tJim Barrows. Instead it is Jim Ragon."
"So that accounts for the initialed handkerchief which I picked up,"Connie commented.
"Yes, and I suppose you've guessed that I came here for the deliberatepurpose of getting a job. I had been tipped off that Blakeman might bethe man I was after."
"You weren't sick at all that day I found you on the trail?"
"I'm afraid I was playing possum. I thought I might appeal to yoursympathy if you thought I was down and out. So I waited for you on thetrail. It was a mean advantage to take, but it did serve my purpose. Youwere kind enough to give me a job."
"Blakeman was suspicious of you from the very first."
"He didn't like me," the detective admitted, "but until today I am surehe did not suspect who I was. You understand now why I was trying tobreak into his chest?"
"You were after evidence."
"Yes, and I did succeed in getting a paper which definitely links yourforeman with a crime committed in Texas. I could have arrested himyesterday but by waiting I hoped to learn more."
"Did you think that he was the person who robbed me at Eagle Pass?"Connie questioned.
"Yes, I felt certain of it. I thought that by keeping watch of him Imight learn where he had cached the money."
Connie took a silver knife from her pocket, offering it to thedetective.
"Here is something which belongs to you, I believe."
"Where did you find it?" he asked quickly.
"I picked it up last night on the trail to the cliff dwellings."
"I must have dropped it when I followed your foreman there," thedetective responded. "I've been watching him ever since I startedworking here at the ranch. Finally I figured out that his secret tripsto the cliffs must have some significance. Last night I searched thekivas without success. Today I lay in wait for Blakeman, as you know,with better luck."
"What will happen to him?" Connie asked.
The detective shrugged.
"Oh, he'll probably get twenty years if he pleads guilty. I have himlocked up at the jail now. Late this afternoon I'm starting back toTexas with him."
"Then I may not see you again," Connie said regretfully. "You mustforgive me for discharging you."
"You did me a service," the man smiled. "The only thing I worried aboutwas that you might tell Blakeman I had been prying into his chest."
"I'll always be grateful to you," Connie said earnestly. "And you'll beremembered as the finest hand I ever had!"
"Maybe you'll see me again next summer," the man promised as he preparedto ride away. "I've taken a liking to this ranch. I'd enjoy spending myvacation here."
"We'll be looking for you back next year," Connie declared.
Later in the morning the girls rode to Red Gulch themselves. By thattime the cowboys had driven the cattle to the stockyards, and theloading was nearly completed.
"Did we lose many animals in the stampede?" Connie asked Leftyanxiously.
"Only two," he answered. "You're a-sittin' pretty now, Connie. Thisshipment ought to net you a nice amount."
"I'll not need very much of the money to pay off my bank debt," she toldhim gaily. "With the seven hundred dollars I already have, I'll make afirst payment on the note. Then as soon as my check comes back for thisstock, I'll settle it."
"Looks like you'll get a good market for your cattle too," Leftydeclared. "You ought to have quite a bit left over."
"I can use it," laughed Connie. "Oh, I have wonderful plans! I'llremodel, and I'll buy thoroughbred stock. Perhaps I'll build a new wingon the ranch house and advertise for dudes!"
"Going into the business strong?"
"That's right," Connie agreed. "This morning Mr. Grimes said he intendsto come back next year bringing Cecil and Helena. And he knows severalother people he expects to interest in our place."
"I could do without Cecil myself," Lefty muttered.
"Oh, he's improving every day," Connie laughed. "In another year perhapsyou'll make a real cowboy of him."
"Wranglin' dudes ain't my favorite pastime."
"Oh, that reminds me. Lefty, you're to have a new job--and if we dowell, a new salary to go with it."
"What doin'?" the cowboy asked cautiously.
"You're to be the new foreman."
Lefty stared at Connie as if he could not believe his ears. His mouthwidened in a grin.
"That's sure swell of you, Connie. I--I don't know what to say."
His horny hand reached out and grasped hers.
After leaving the stockyards, Connie went directly to the First NationalBank. Mr. Haynes received her with a cordiality which was amusing to thegirl. He gave her a receipt for the seven hundred dollars, assuring herthat she need not worry about the remaining amount.
"Thank you," said Connie, "but I'll pay off the rest of my debt in threedays."
And she was able to keep her word. The sale of the cattle netted farmore than the girl had expected. Upon receiving the check in payment,her first act was to settle the note with the bank.
"Rainbow Ranch is really mine again," Connie thought with satisfactionas she rode slowly home.
Her gaze wandered toward the vermilion cliffs. She had never seen themquite so beautiful as they were at this moment, tinted by the last raysof the afternoon sun.
Behind her sloped the golden plain. Ahead in majestic splendor rose thepainted mountains. Connie drew rein to gaze for a moment at the familiarscene. Then with a gay laugh she spurred Silvertail into a brisk canterand they raced home to Rainbow Ranch.
THE END
