Joan Clark

“ The stampede called for quick action and courageous riding.
Connie did not need to dig in the rowels of her spurs for Silvertail knew what was expected of him. She could feel his mighty heart pounding against her legs as he raced to overtake the leaders of the herd.
Connie bent low over Silvertail’s neck, trusting that there were no fences or badger holes ahead. Should her horse stumble she would be badly injured if not crushed to death.
Through the rain the girl saw someone riding ahead of her. She could not tell who it was, but a man turned in his saddle and shouted something at her. ”

“ Postil and Mr. Grimes, apparently old friends, lingered in the courtyard for a few minutes while Connie took Helena to her bedchamber.
“Only one room?” the girl asked in surprise. “And no private bath?”
“I’m afraid not,” Connie said politely. “This isn’t a very luxurious place, of course. It’s merely a ranch.”
“I can see that,” Helena murmured dryly.
A flush of anger spread over Connie’s face. Offering no reply she quickly left the girl alone.
“Wrangling dudes isn’t going to be quite as great a pleasure as I expected,” she thought grimly. “I’ve never seen such a spoiled girl in all my life. ”

“ Since her arrival Connie had felt somewhat like a guest. She had been treated with the greatest of politeness by Forest Blakeman, but he paid scant attention to any suggestion which she offered. His attitude rather than his words had given her to understand that he did not consider her opinions worthy of notice.
Connie was thinking of going indoors when Pop Bradshaw and the foreman emerged from the barn. Pop was leading a horse. In the gathering dusk the girl could not be certain which animal it was. But as the two men came closer she saw that it was Silvertail. ”

“ Enid said earnestly. “You think Pop and I have plotted to ruin you.”
“You did take two of my guests away,” Connie returned. “But in business and love they say all is fair.”
“Connie, you must believe me—I didn’t have anything to do with it. I never wanted my father to start the dude ranch in competition with you.”
“I believe you, Enid,” Connie said slowly. “I’m sure you wouldn’t lie to me. After all, why should I be offended? Your father has a perfect right to go into the dude business if he likes.” ”

“ The girl drove automatically, her mind absorbed with the problem which beset her. Upon reaching the ranch she avoided Blakeman, feeling that she could not bear to talk with him in her present mood.
Slipping out to the barn she saddled Silvertail and went for a run through the sage. The rush of cool air seemed to quiet her nerves. She rode toward the vermilion cliffs, following an indistinct trail but one which Connie knew well.
Suddenly Silvertail shied. The girl was startled to see a man lying on the ground ahead of her. ”

“ Then at last the starter’s pistol cracked and the racers were off! Down the track in a cloud of dust came the ponies, their bareback riders bent low as they urged their mounts to greater speed.
At that moment, the child, unaware of any danger, started to toddle across the track. Midway to the other side the little girl saw the oncoming horses and heard the thundering hoofs. Frozen by terror she stopped and stood perfectly still.
“That child will be killed!” screamed a woman.
Before any of the guards could act, Connie slid down from the fence. The racers were almost at the grandstand. ”

“ Connie rode him with body bent low, the wind whipping her hair about her face.
“We’ve gone far enough,” she said at last, turning back toward the ranch.
As they came up to the corrals, Lefty Forbes emerged from the bunkhouse. Connie slid to the ground, her face flushed, her eyes bright with excitement.
“Oh, Lefty, Silvertail is marvelous!” she declared. “In all the world there’s not a horse to compare with him.”
“Nor a rider who stacks up with you,” replied the cowboy affectionately. “I suppose you saw the posters advertisin’ the rodeo.”
“No! When is it coming, Lefty?” Connie asked eagerly. ”

“ As Connie closed the gate behind her, she was surprised to observe Cecil and Helena mounting horses.
“Are you going for a ride?” she asked as they came up. “It is a pretty night.”
“We’re on our way to see those famous cliff dwellings by moonlight,” Helena declared. “Ever since we arrived you’ve been promising us a close glimpse of them. We’ve decided to do our own exploring.”
“Oh, but it’s so late to start out for the cliffs,” Connie protested. “And it isn’t safe for you to go alone.”
“Nonsense,” replied Helena impatiently. “We’re not children.”
“It’s very easy to become lost on the trail. ”

“ I’ll pack up my duds as soon as I get back to the bunk house.”
“Have I asked you to do that, Lefty?”
“No, but this places you in a bad spot. The only thing for me to do is to get out.”
“I want you to stay, Lefty. Why, I couldn’t run the ranch without you. Sometimes I feel you’re the only person I can entirely trust.”
“I’ve let you in for a heap of trouble, Connie. When old man Grimes hears what I did to that sweetheart son of his, he’ll make things hard for you. If I get out of the way he might not be quite so tough.”
“I’m not afraid of Mr. Grimes, Lefty.” ”

“ She urged Silvertail down the steep trail.
“Wait,” protested Cecil in alarm. “We’re unarmed, and there’s no telling who that man may be. Maybe we ought to call off this trip.”
“You and Helena ride back to the ranch,” Connie urged. “I’m going over there.”
“Then we’ll stay with you,” declared Helena with surprising courage. “After all, this was our idea.”
The horses picked their way slowly and cautiously down the steep path. Soon they reached the bottom of the canyon and began the ascent. Connie kept her eyes on the trail above them which circled the cliff. ”

“ Connie wondered if she had heard correctly. But she could not doubt her own ears, and besides, she saw that the rancher was preparing to lead Silvertail away.
“Just a minute please,” she said, stepping forward. “Mr. Blakeman, why is Pop Bradshaw taking my horse?”
“Why, I bought him a few days ago,” answered the rancher before the foreman could reply.
“You bought Silvertail?” Connie echoed in amazement. “But he’s my horse. I’d not sell him to anyone.”
“Now be reasonable, Miss Connie,” interposed Blakeman. “We need money and Silvertail’s not much use as a cow pony. ”

“ Grimes,” Connie said gratefully. “Will you be staying on?”
“Yes, indeed. I’m thoroughly enjoying ranch life. And I think it may have a beneficial effect upon both Cecil and Helena.”
Connie felt as if a great load had been lifted from her shoulders. After talking with Mr. Grimes for a few minutes she went back toward the bunk house. Meeting Lefty she paused to tell him the good news.
“The old gent is a real man,” the cowboy declared admiringly. “Too bad his son can’t be more like him.” ”

“ A cowboy never would have tried to walk the distance from Red Gulch, nor would one accustomed to outdoor life have been affected by the sun. Jim Barrows obviously was a tenderfoot.
“Here, let me help you,” she said kindly as the man tried to raise himself. “If you’re able to ride my horse I can get you to the ranch house. Or maybe it would be better to go for help.”
“No, I can make it,” Jim Barrows insisted. “My head isn’t so woozy now.”
Connie helped him into the saddle, observing that he really did know how to mount. Then she led Silvertail down the trail. ”

“ Cecil asked nervously as they mounted their horses.
“Oh, perhaps a cowboy from Slocer’s Ranch,” Connie replied carelessly. “One of the boys might have come over here just to see the cliff dwellings by moonlight. Nearly every cowboy has a sentimental streak, you know.”
“I hadn’t observed it,” Helena responded dryly. “It doesn’t seem to me the man would have run away unless he were afraid of being recognized.” ”

“ Connie found it a relief to talk with Mr. Grimes and Mr. Postil. They both seemed well pleased with Rainbow Ranch and assured her that they would not mind a few inconveniences.
“It will do my son and daughter good to rough it for a few weeks,” the railroad man declared. “Life has always been too easy for them.”
Connie quite agreed with Mr. Grimes before the day was ended. Helena spent nearly all of her time sulking while Cecil annoyed the cowboys by asking ridiculous questions and trying to let them know that he considered them as menials whose sole function was to serve him. ”

“ After breakfast she asked Forest Blakeman if she might have a talk with him.
“I reckon you can,” he replied with a frown. “It’s time you learn just how matters are around here. I hate to tell you, Miss Connie, but the old Rainbow is headed for the rocks.”
“You gave me no hint of it in your letters,” said Connie.
“Didn’t see what good it would do to worry you. We might have made it if the bottom hadn’t fallen out of the cattle market. Lost a thousand dollars on our last shipment.”
“My father always made money from this ranch. It’s considered one of the best in New Mexico.” ”

“ Pop didn’t want to start a dude ranch to rival yours. Blakeman arranged to have Miss Parker and her friend come to our place too. He wanted you to fail in your enterprise.”
“I realize that now,” Connie said bitterly. “Only a miracle saved me tonight. But why has Blakeman done all these things to me?”
“Because he’s grasping and cruel,” Enid replied. “Dude ranching is going to develop into a big thing out here, and your place is the cream of the lot. You have natural scenery and the cliff dwellings will draw a great many guests. Once you get started your business will grow by leaps. ”

“ Connie did not quite follow the two men’s conversation. She wondered who this Catapult might be.
“Why, that’s Pop Bradshaw’s prize bulldoggin’ steer, Miss Connie,” Lefty explained. “That old hunk of animated baloney has got a neck that’s made of pure spring steel.”
“It sure is,” Alkali confirmed. “That steer ain’t never been throwed in his whole life. If you ask me there ain’t a man a-livin’ who can do it, nuther.” ”

“ Connie went to the chuck wagon for a cup of hot coffee and a dish of steaming stew. It was the first food she had tasted since morning.
“You look all done in,” observed Lefty who had thrown himself on the ground for a few minutes’ rest.
“Oh, I’m all right,” Connie declared. “It’s been a wonderful drive! I had no idea I owned so many steers. If I get anything like a fair price, I’ll be able to pay my debts and have a tidy sum left.”
“You ought to go back to the ranch and get some sleep tonight,” Lefty advised. “We can hold the herd without you.” ”

“ Blakeman,” said Connie. “I found the man lying on the trail. He’s down on his luck and hasn’t had a square meal in days. I brought him here. I thought you might find some work for him to do.”
“We can’t pay the men we have now,” the foreman snapped. “Anyway, I don’t like the looks of this fellow.”
“I do,” said Connie quietly. “My father never would have turned a man away when he was hungry and half-sick.”
“He’s no more sick than you are,” retorted the foreman. “I can tell when a guy is puttin’ on.” ”

“ A frenzy took possession of the girl. Everything she had in the world was at stake. If the herd went over the precipice she would lose every animal and her last chance to save Rainbow Ranch. She had to turn the herd even at the risk of her own life.
Silvertail was racing alongside the leaders now, but they would not swerve. On they ran straight toward the cliffs with the herd thundering behind.
Frantically Connie tore off her slicker as she rode. Folding it, she used it to strike at the leaders. ”