BILLY STEELE: KID RANGER

Billy kept his now blackened eye peeled for signs of danger, especially any sign of White Eagle, the "crazy old Indian medicine man" he was warned about.

Billy saw what he thought were monsters in the canyon, but it was only Cactus Andy, a grizzled old prospector and George, an old trapper as they swapped stories of lost fortunes. "Where you heading Billy," Andy called out.

"Gotta help my cavalry unit," Billy answered in a rush.

"Be careful son," George warned, "Beware the angels of death," he yelled to Billy, but the kid ranger was miles ahead and was already galloping through the unknown, danger laden trail of Pinto Basin.

Suddenly the ominous air was shattered by the sounds of a ferocious struggle. In the distance, Billy saw that the sound of a growling animal belonged to a crazed mountain lion. A cougar, hysterical with hunger, sank its dagger fangs and claws into a hapless victim. An aging Native American medicine man had been thrown from his horse by the cougars attack. The old Indian possessed no weapons and used his meager strength to try and keep the cougars jaws of doom away from his throat. Billy thought the cougars prey was White Eagle, the one he was warned to stay away from. And the boy hesitated for a second as the words of warning and prejudice rang in his ears. But as the old man was losing his battle, some force told Billy he must help this man.

Billy wanted to catch up with his cavalry unit as soon as possible, for he knew he would be needed in the ferocious fray. But he could not turn his back on any one in trouble, even if he was warned about them. With no concern for his safety, Billy dismounted Swifty and quickly formulated a plan to rescue the old Indian from the killer cougar.

Billy skillfully threw his lasso around the mountain lions thick neck and pulled with all his might. Free from the creatures grasp, White Eagle rolled in the rocks to a safe vantage point. As White Eagle tried to erect himself, Billy lost control of the lasso and the crazed cougar turned its fury on the young boy, and that left Billy in mortal danger. The ravenous wildcat set its deadly sights on the scrambling Billy. Would Billy sacrifice his life for that of the ancient red mans?

But Billy had a plan. He used his strong legs to run and bait the cougar. Billy ran to the top of a boxed canyon as the cougar chased him. Billy noticed some loose boulders on top of the canyon, and as White Eagle watched pensively, and Lasses barked for his masters safety, the young daredevil used a stick to dislodge the boulders. The massive stone avalanche fell on the scurrying cougar, and forced the big cat to take refuge in the canyon. With all openings now closed, the boxed canyon became a great stone cage for the mountain lion as he roared in anguish.

Billy ran towards the ancient medicine man to tend his wounds. As Billy used his neckerchief to stop White Eagles bleeding, he finally realized he was face to face with his classmates worst fears, the "crazy old Indian" they warned him about.

"Thank you, Billy Steele, thank you for saving my life," White Eagle softly said.

"Youre welcomehey, how did you know my name," Billy asked in apprehension. Billy was now tending the wounds of one rumored to be as monstrous as African cannibals and as demonic as Gypsies. Yet, the timid and sage like Indians smile warmed Billys heart. Could this be a trick, Billy thought.