"Oh, buck up! You'll make good, all right--if only these creeks wasn't so
bone dry!"

"Well, there's water enough in the Rocking R field for to-day; we'll throw
'em in there till tomorrow. And I've a notion I can find a better trail
across to North Fork than the way we came. I'm going to strike out this
afternoon and see, anyway, if Quitter Creek hasn't got water farther up.
Once we get up north uh the home ranch, I can see my way clear."

"Go to it, boss," Pink cried heartily. "I don't see how I'm goin t' keep
from sassing yuh, once in a while, though. That's what bothers me. What'll
happen if I turn loose on yuh, some time?"

"You'll get fired, I expect," laughed Rowdy, and rode off to announce the
news to the rest of the outfit, who were very unhappy in their
mystification.

If their reception of the change of plans and foreman was a bit profane, and
their manner toward him a bit familiar, Rowdy didn't mind. He knew that they
did not grudge him his good luck, even while they hated the long drive. He
also knew that they watched him furtively; for nothing--not even
misfortune--is as sure a test of a man's character as success. They liked
Rowdy, and they did not believe this would spoil him; still, every man of
them was secretly a bit anxious.

On the trail, he rode in his accustomed place, and, so far as appearances
went, the party had no foreman. He went forward and helped Pink take down
the fence that had been so carefully put up a few hours before, and he
whistled while he put it in place again, just as if he had no responsibility