THE YOUNG TRAIL HUNTERS.


CHAPTER I.

"Boys, the mustangs will be up from the range this morning. Which of you
want to go down to the corral with me?"

"I do! I do!" exclaimed both in the same breath.

"I spoke first," cried Hal.

"No, you didn't; I spoke first myself," retorted Ned.

"I say you didn't," rejoined Hal.

Seeing that the dispute was likely to become a serious one, I interrupted
it by saying,--

"Well, boys, I'll settle the matter at once by taking you both with me.
In this way there'll be no chance for a quarrel."

"Hurrah! hurrah!" exclaimed Ned. "We can both go; ain't that nice?"

"But I spoke first, though," declared Hal. "Never mind which spoke first.
If either of you want to go with me, you must come now."

We immediately started towards the corral; but, before reaching it, I saw
the herd coming over the plain towards us, their heads high in air, as