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"Well, if they were strange punchers, maybe they frightened our steers," suggested Baldy. "They might have," admitted Mr. Norton. "But I was thinking that perhaps they were rustlers, trying to ride off a bunch, and they became frightened when they saw us all on hand." "It might be," admitted Pete Batso. "I'll have a look around after we get the critters in the corral."
Just now I think we are all anxious to get to the ranch." "All right, jest as you say. My name is Batso Pete Batso, and I'm foreman of Rocky Ranch. The Circle and Dot is our brand you can see it on the ponies," and he showed on the flank of his mount a circle burned in the hide a circle in the center of which was a dot.
Bring out that mouth organ, Necktie!" "What odd names!" remarked Alice to Pete Batso, who constituted himself a sort of guide to Ruth and her sister. "They call Dick Jones 'Buster' because he's a good bronco trainer, or buster," the foreman said. "And Necktie Harry got his handle because he's so fussy about his ties.
"Now, ladies," said Pete Batso, who was managing the cowboy end of the affair, "if you'll get over on that little mound you can see all that goes on and you won't be in any danger. We're goin' to stampede the cattle now!" "Whoop-ee!" yelled the cowboys, as they rushed up at the signal, when Ruth and Alice, with Miss Pennington and Miss Dixon, had gone off some little distance.
Other cowboys quickly threw their ropes around the fore and hind legs of the steer and then, with another rope around the head, the creature was stretched out helpless, ready for the application of the iron. "Oh, doesn't it hurt them?" faltered Ruth, as creature after creature was branded. "No, Miss, hardly at all," Pete Batso assured her.
The latter had seen the danger of the girls, and were hastening to once more stop the stampede that had unexpectedly become a real one. "Look at those fellows over there!" shouted Pete Batso as he rode up, his horse in a lather. "They're none of our crowd!" and he pointed to a group of horsemen who were riding away from the stampeded cattle instead of toward them. "Who are they?" asked Mr.
Trunks, valises and the various properties Pop Snooks had provided for the different plays were put in the wagon and then in the other vehicles the players themselves took their places. "All ready?" asked Pete Batso. "All ready," answered Mr. Pertell.
Pertell had decided to have some scenes of this, with his own players worked in as part of the action. This had already been planned, and after breakfast there was a short rehearsal of the players, while the cowboys were getting ready for the branding. "Now we're ready for you," announced Pete Batso, who was in charge of the cowboys. "Get your players in position.
"Why, I mean we could take a bunch of steers, start them to running, and then the boys could come out and try to get them milling that is, going around in a circle. That stops a stampede, usually. We could do that for you." "And will you?" asked the manager, eagerly. "Why, yes, if you want it. I'll speak to Pete Batso. He's had more experience than I have. We'll get up a stampede for you."
From the group of Indians who had left their ceremonies, to rush toward the huts of their erstwhile captives at the sound of the shots and cheers, came deep-voiced mutterings. They were gathered in a group around their chief, Jumping Horse. "Look out for 'em!" yelled Baldy. "Don't worry," advised Pete Batso. "They haven't any weapons." "Just my luck," groaned Russ, setting up his camera.
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