The cowboys were for stringing him up on the spot, but Bert, who had
swung up behind Dick and been in at the finish, pleaded hard that his
life might be spared.
"You win," conceded Melton. "You've done too much for me to refuse you
anything. We'll turn him over to the sheriff, and he'll have all the
chance that's coming to him, which, between you and me, I think is mighty
little."
Then he turned to Pedro, who, as Bert now noticed for the first time, was
sitting tied upon his horse and guarded by two of the ranchmen.
"Cut his ropes," he commanded, "and turn him loose. I promised the hound
his life if he led me to the rustlers' camp, and I keep my word."
Melton gathered his force together and they took up their march for home,
jubilant at the success of the expedition.
"It's all due to you, you young dare-devil," said Melton, as he and the
reunited comrades rode back at the head of the squad. "Sandy found your
pony neighing to get in the corral, and brought your note to Dick. I
nabbed Pedro and handled him some savage until the fellow wilted. Then we
saddled and started out at the first sign of daybreak and you know the
rest.
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