CHAPTER XXX.
WHEN THE SHERIFF CAME--CONCLUSION.
Quickly following these shouts the two boys could see moving figures,that presently developed into galloping horses. They seemed to beriderless until one looked more closely, when possibly a knee might bediscovered above the saddle, or it might be an arm was disclosed.
Every fellow kept shouting at the top of his lungs, undoubtedly with atwo-fold object in view; for by this means they hoped to not only excitethe penned-up cattle, and work them into a fit condition for a stampedethe moment an opening was provided, but at the same time such a racketwas apt to alarm the defenders of the corrals, as well as bring theirconfederates into the game.
As they started to swing back and forth, now coming closer, and anonfalling more to the rear, these wild riders started shooting theirrevolvers at a rapid rate. If there is one thing that a cow-puncherdearly loves above all others it is an opportunity to pull the triggerof his gun in quick succession, while he is shooting up some unluckytown where they sell strong drink.
And these rustlers were of that breed to a certainty, for they keptthings going at a pretty lively gait.
"Let's start in some ourselves!" cried Adrian in the ear of his chum;for they had simply crouched there, watching what was going on, asthough it might be a free show organized for their especial benefit.
Donald was only waiting for this word. He dropped his head close to thebutt of his rifle, and like a flash the report came. There was a horseon the ground immediately, with his rider taking a flight through theair so that he landed fully fifteen feet ahead.
"Watch and see if he gets up; if he does let him have it!" said Donald,already filled with the enthusiasm such a situation was apt to bringabout.
The fellow could not have been badly hurt by his tumble, for he at oncestarted to scramble to his feet, as though meaning to either make off,or else try and run for the shelter of the nearest corral, bent on doingcertain work that had been assigned to him beforehand.
Adrian, seeing a good chance to disable him, fired so as to hit therustler in the leg. He went down in a heap, and the last glance theycast his way they could see him hugging his injured limb as though allthe fight might have been taken out of him after that disaster.
"Don't stop there!" urged Donald. "We must teach the fools a lesson.Wait till that fellow mounted on the big bay comes along again; becausesomehow I've got a notion it may be Hatch Walker himself on that horse.I've heard he rides a magnificent bay; and that animal sure is a dandy!"
"Look there, you're some too late!" shouted Adrian, himself full ofanimation.
"Yes, somebody else got ahead of me, and bowled the horse over as neatas you please. But did you notice that shot, Adrian; didn't it have asort of familiar ring to you? If I didn't believe our chum Billie wasasleep in the bunk house right now I'd be willing to say that was hisrifle!"
"And you'd hit the bull's-eye plum center!" laughed the other; "becausethere he is right now, standing up, and swinging his hat to let us knowhe's in the swim. And Donald, look at that fellow lying there where hefell. It must be Hatch Walker, and he's had his neck broken by thetumble, or else is knocked senseless. Now, our game would be to playsafe; don't let any of them swoop down and carry him off."
"I see what you mean," echoed the other; "if so be we could get Hatch inour power this business would stop right short. Without his guiding handthe rustlers'd throw up the job, and never have the heart to stampedeanother herd. There's one fellow heading that way, and he's just got tobe told to stop, or he'll find himself hurt the same way as thoseothers!"
Donald took a quick aim and fired. This time he could see well enough totry and strike the leg that projected over the back of the gallopinghorse. The conditions were all against him; but he must have touched therider enough to give him cause to change his mind about trying to carryoff the stunned leader; for the fellow suddenly whirled aside and wentfuriously past.
"There's Billie running out to bag his game!" cried Donald, suddenly;"he may be a fool, but we've just got to back him up, Ad; so let's rushit. When they see us coming perhaps the rest'll get cold feet and skipout!"
It was a bold act, but by such tactics has many a battle been decided.Seeing the three boys starting out toward the riders who were circlingaround, others of the defenders of the corrals started after them.
"Listen! what's all that shouting going on?" cried Adrian, as he paused;"can the rustlers be getting reinforcements?"
"Not much, if I know what a cheer sounds like!" answered Donald; "but itmust be that sheriff's posse, come up just in the nick of time. Givethem an answering whoop, Adrian, Billie, and then let's capture that manwho rode the bay hoss; because unless I miss my guess that's the kingpin of the lot, Hatch Walker himself!"
Billie made wonderfully fast time in trying to reach the fallen manfirst.
"Surrender! The game is up, Hatch Walker!" he panted, as he presentedhis rifle at the man, who was now beginning to move a little.
"I'm all in, so don't shoot!" called the other, feebly.
Out from the darkness dashed a body of at least a dozen bold riders; andas if they grasped the situation instantly each one seemed to pick acertain rustler, and put after him at full speed. And to the delight ofthe boys, the fickle moon thought best to sail out into an open spaceabove just then, allowing the pursuit to go on with more or lesssuccess.
Sheriff Jo Davies must have picked up the right kind of a posse for hisfirst trial of strength against the infamous Walkers, for they scatteredthe band to the four winds of heaven; five were brought back asprisoners, and the boys afterward learned that two had been badlywounded, so that they were carried to the ranch to be looked after forthe time being.
It certainly was the chief offender, Hatch himself, whom Broncho Billiehad dismounted by that lucky shot. He fell into the hands of the sheriffwho was determined to do his duty; and it might as well be said righthere that Hatch and all of his men who were captured received good longsentences for rustling cattle; while the band was broken up for good,never to come together again in that county while Jo Davies carried thestar of his office on his left breast.
Of course the three who were hiding in the strong room were also takenin hand, and would at least be warned never to show their faces againaround that cattle section. It was the sheriff himself who took the key,and escorted the inmates of the store-room to the outside air. Theyhappened to arrive just when Mr. Thomas was begging Mr. Comstock toallow him the use of a horse taken from the rustlers so that he couldaccompany the posse back to town, in order to keep an engagement he hadjust thought of.
As the three renegades and the lady of the house suddenly appeared inview the ragged pilgrim tried to escape observation; but there was ashriek from Mrs. Fred, who, rushing forward, penned him in a corner; andto the wonder of all the rest clasped her arms about him, voicing herastonishment and delight:
"Why, Thomas Smeed, then you ain't dead after all, and that report was alie! I actually believe you got it up a purpose to deceive your lawfullywedded wife, and make her believe she might be a widow. But after all Ireckon I was happier with you than I've been since I married thatfightin' stockman, Fred Comstock. Course since you're alive, and thereain't been no divorce, I'm still your own wife. No use trying to getaway, Thomas; you just _got_ to go with me, d'ye hear? I own a littlefarm away down in Kansas that I bought with my savings; and there we'llgo and try it all over again. So that's settled, and a good riddance Isay. I likes a husband as don't fight back when a lady wants somethingdone."
And sure enough, when she did leave Bar-S Ranch on the next morning,with a wagonload of stuff which Mr. Comstock only too gladly allowed herto take away, poor Thomas was sitting alongside on the seat, looking themost forlorn man on earth.
Of course all his actions were explained now, for as soon as hediscovered that the woman who had once made life miserable for him wasinstalled as the mistress of the ranch, his desire to take service withMr. Comstock had oozed from the tips of his
fingers; and his onlythought was to escape without his identity being disclosed.
But Fate had been too much for him; and Thomas had to be resigned.
The stockman was acting like a boy, such was his delight at the waythings had turned out. Once again he was free, and a bachelor, with noone to please but himself and his employer. Of course he immediatelymade a new contract with his nephew; and from the way he took hold itwas certain that things would boom from that hour, until the Bar-S Ranchfar exceeded its most productive year.
Before the three boys left things had all been cleared up, and peacereigned in the county which had fast been becoming known as the mostriotous in all Wyoming.
As Billie had many more months still ahead of him before he would beexpected to return home--and he might conclude to remain in the WildWest, since it seemed to agree so well with him--it can be set down thatthe three Broncho Rider Boys were bound to see further adventures incompany. Some day in the near future it may be our pleasing task toagain introduce these tried and true chums to the reader, and chroniclesome of their doings in the form of another series of stories that willvie with these present ones in interest. Until such time then we willhave to say good-bye.
THE END.