But once the cattle got him down he would be gored and trampled to
death. Nothing could save him.
Ted and Stella were trying to force their way to his side, but were
unable to do so.
Notwithstanding the fact the fellow had been caught in the act of
mutilating his cattle, Ted could not see him die without trying to save
him.
Now they heard a cry of fear, and saw the man throw his arms up in the
air.
The cattle were surging about him with wild and angry bovine cries, and
with a great tossing of horns, and leaps into the air.
There were muffled yells of agony from beneath the tossing mass of
horns.
"They've got him," muttered Ted. "They are wreaking their own revenge."
"Are they killing him, Ted?" asked Stella.
"They have got him down. The fool he was to go among them on foot. He
should have known better."
Ted made another effort to get through the cattle, and at last succeeded
in making a lane for himself.
"Stella," he shouted over his shoulder, "you stay where you are! This is
nothing for you to see. Better let me attend to this."
Stella was aware that Ted always knew what he was talking about when he
warned her away from anything, and she made her way out of the herd.
When Ted got to the spot where he had last seen the man, the cattle were
still milling, but were getting calmer, and had no hesitancy in
scattering when he rode among them slashing right and left with his
quirt and firing his revolver over their heads.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70