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The rider thundered up and almost threw his foaiant form, and with fearless eyes

"Judkins, you're all bloody!" cried Jane, in affright "Oh, you've been shot!"

"Nothin' ot a nick in the shoulder I'm some wet an' the hoss's been throwin' lather, so all this ain't blood"

"What's up?" queried Venters, sharply

"Rustlers sloped off with the red herd"

"Where are my riders?" deht with the herd At daylight this an to shoot at ht They chased ot away"

"Jud, they meant to kill you," declared Venters

"Noonder," returned Judkins "They wanted ular for rustlers to waste tiot away," said Jane "But ht-riders weren't there last night when I rode down, en' this mornin' I met no day-riders"

"Judkins! Bern, they've been set upon--killed by Oldring's men!"

"I don't think so," replied Venters, decidedly "Jane, your riders haven't gone out in the sage"

"Bern, what do you mean?" Jane Withersteen turned deathly pale

"You remember what I said about the unseen hand?"

"Oh!Impossible!"

"I hope so But I fear--" Venters finished, with a shake of his head