I saw Mowbray bring down his rifle and
take deliberate aim at me, and I shuddered, because Mowbray is one of
the finest shots in the world. Then I heard the report of his weapon,
and felt the sting of the bullet. He had aimed to strike my heart, but
the turn of my body saved me."
"But how did you come to be tied to the pony's back?" asked Ted.
"When I was struck by the bullet I felt myself going. I knew that very
soon I would lose consciousness, and in that event I would soon be
captured, so it behooved me, while I still retained my senses, to save
myself. There was a lariat hanging to the horn of the saddle, and I
proceeded to tie myself to the pony's back as well as I could. You see,
I knew that the pony would go home when he found himself free.
"I was no sooner well tied to the pony's back when I heard the howl of
the wolves, and recognized the voice of White Fang."
"White Fang?"
"Yes, the master of the pack. Have you not heard of him. He is well
known in this part of the country--a wolf with almost human
intelligence, fierce, a perfect devil of an animal, to whose pack every
ranch in this country has paid heavy tribute. You will know more about
him if you stay here. He is the devil in the hide of an animal.
"Well, I resigned myself to my fate, with a prayer that the little pony
would get me to the Bubbly Well Ranch before the wolves pulled me from
his back.
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