wire. Anyhow, you said we was goin' to take it easy. And he can catch
rabbits, I guess."

"Perhaps he won't want to come along," suggested Big Jim as he pulled up
a cincha and slipped the end through the ring.

Little Jim beckoned to Smiler who had stood solemnly listening to the
controversy about himself as though he understood. Smiler trotted over
to Jimmy.

"You want to take it plumb easy on this trip," said Little Jim, "and not
go to chasin' around and runnin' yourself ragged gettin' nowhere. If you
get sore feet, we'll just have to beef you and hang your hide on the
fence."

Smiler grinned and wagged his tail. He pushed up and suddenly licked
Little Jim's face. Little Jim promptly cuffed him. Smiler came back for
more.

Big Jim turned and watched the boy and the dog in their rough-and-tumble
about the yard. He blinked and turned back to the horses. "Come on,
Jimmy. We're all set."

"Got to throw my pack on ole Lazy, dad. Gimme a hand, will you?"

Little Jim never would admit that he could not do anything there was to
be done. When he was stuck he simply asked his father to help him.

Big Jim slung up the small pack and drew down the hitch. Little Jim
ducked under Lazy and took the rope on the other side, passing the end