"The cattle--a stampede!" gasped Tubby Larkin.

"No, it's the boys coming back with the plow outfit," said Dave. "I can hear the rattle of the wheels on the chuck wagon."

And his guess proved correct. A little later the wagon rumbled up. Led along behind it were a number of horses kept for use on the farm that was attached to the ranch. The animals were quickly hitched to the plows--several of them--and then began the turning over of a number of damp furrows of earth, which would offer no food for the flames.

The fire was increasing, for it found much dry material on the sun-baked prairie. It had not yet reached the strip that had been burned to stop it.

Would it pause there, and divide? Or would it still come on toward the cattle?

Those were questions each one was asking.

The cattle were becoming more and more excited as the sky was lighted more brilliantly by the bright glare. The smell of fire and smoke was in the air, and the crackle and roar of the flames sounded louder. The cattle heard and were afraid.

"Come, Dave!" called Pocus Pete. "Guess we'll find our work cut out for us over there now. They won't need us to help with the plowing."

Indeed the cowboys in charge of the cattle had their hands full. Every now and then some steer would make a break, and if he were not quickly turned and driven back it meant that others would follow. Quick action was required.

And while the men selected for that work attended to the turning over of the brown earth, Dave and the others, under the direction of Pocus Pete kept the cattle from stampeding.

The prairies were now as well lighted as at early dawn. In fact with that dull, red glare over everything, it was not unlike a dawn--the dawn that brings a storm in its wake.

The roar of the fire sounded like distant thunder, and there was a smoky taste to the air, which was hot and stifling.

"Look out for that fellow, Dave!" called the foreman, as a big steer made a break for liberty.

"I'll get him!" shouted the young cowboy, as, whirling his la.s.so in readiness he spurred after the animal.

As Dave rode on, another steer, thinking perhaps to take advantage of the distraction, started out after the first one, and directly behind Dave.

With lowered head the animal took after the horse and rider, seemingly with the intention of trying to overthrow them.

"Look out, Dave!" yelled Mr. Bellmore. "He'll toss you!"

The engineer sent his horse on the run toward Dave, but it is doubtful if the Chicago man could have done anything, not being an expert in handling the rope.

But Skinny had seen Dave's danger, and with a yell he took after the second steer. An instant later his la.s.so had settled over the animal's head, and as the pony stopped short, and braced back, the steer fell, his feet kicking in the air.

Dave himself was not aware of what had happened, so intent was he on driving back the brute he was after. And it was not until he had done this, and looked back, seeing the prostrate creature, that our hero was aware of what had happened. Then he understood at once.

"Thanks, Skinny," he said, pantingly.

"Don't mention it," replied the other. He shook free his rope, and the steer, now subdued, and tractable, rose to his feet and went back to the herd.

It needed every effort and attention on the part of the cowboys to keep the cattle from stampeding, but they managed to do it. The fire came on, halted at the burned strip, hesitated as if considering a leap across, and then divided, rolling down either side of the bare strip.

"That does the trick," said Mr. Carson. "I guess we've saved our stock."

"And we didn't need the plowed strip after all," Dave said, for, so far, the blaze had not approached within danger-distance of the herd.

"Well, it isn't over yet," said the ranch owner. "That fire still has plenty of ginger in it, and the wind may shift any minute. Dave, you worked well!"

"Oh, no better than any of the others."

"Yes you did! You worked well, and I shan't forget it But I'd like to know how this fire started. No cowman would be so careless with matches when he knows how dry it's been. And I don't believe lightning set it. I'd like to know how it started."

"So would I," said Dave, "and I think I'll investigate."

"How? Where?" asked the cattleman.

"Why, I'll go over there where the fire started. I may be able to learn something."

"Better take one of the boys with you," Mr. Carson cautioned him. "That's in the direction of Molick's ranch, and they may be in a bad humor. Take some one with you."

When Dave's intention was made known Pocus Pete and Mr. Bellmore offered to accompany him. Dave was glad to have them.

They rode over the blackened, scarcely-cooled area, there being light enough from the distant flames to enable them to see well. But there was nothing to observe--that is at first.

Finally, however, as they went on, Dave gave a sudden exclamation.

"What is it?" asked the engineer.

"Hush! Not so loud!" was Dave's caution. "Don't you see some one crouched down in the gra.s.s there, lighting matches?"

The other two looked to where he pointed. They did indeed see a dark figure. Suddenly it became plain, and the three saw some one stooping over in the dry gra.s.s, setting fire to it with matches.

"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Bellmore. "Who is he?"

"I don't know, but we'll soon find out," said Pocus Pete, grimly. "Come on, boys!"

He spurred forward, followed by Dave and Mr. Bellmore. The person in the gra.s.s heard them, and, leaping to his saddle, leaving the little blaze to grow, he was off at a gallop. But Dave and his two friends chased on after him.

"Looks like he was the very man we want," murmured Pocus Pete.

CHAPTER XXI

THE ESCAPE

"What about that fire?" asked Mr. Bellmore, as he galloped on beside Dave.

"I don't know," was the doubtful answer. "What do you say, Pete?"

"What's that?" called back the foreman, his eyes never leaving the dim figure that was racing on ahead.

"The fire he started," replied Dave. "Won't it eat back to the cattle?"

"It may. But they've got enough men to fight it now, and the plowed strip will stop almost any blaze. Come on, we want to get that skunk!"