sunburned face. Had any one observed him as he rode up with the other
cowboys, it would have been noticed that, though he was the youngest, he
was one of the best riders.

He advanced from among the others, pausing to pet his horse which stuck
out a wet muzzle for what was evidently an expected caress. Then the young
man walked forward, with more of an air of grace than characterized his
companions. Evidently, though used to a horse, he was not so saddle-bound
as were his mates.

As he walked up to the ranch house he was met by Mr. Carson and Pocus
Pete, both of whom looked at him rather eagerly and anxiously.

"Well, son," began the ranch owner, "how did you make out?"

"Pretty fair, Dad," was the answer. "There were more cattle than you led
us to expect, and there were more strays than we calculated on. In fact we
didn't get near all of them."

"Is that so, Dave?" asked Pocus Pete, quickly. "Whereabouts do you reckon
them strays is hidin'?"

"The indications are they're up Forked Branch way. That's where we got
some, and we saw more away up the valley, but we didn't have time to go
for them, as we had a little trouble; and Tubby and the others thought
we'd better come on, and go back for the strays to-morrow."

"Trouble, Dave?" asked Mr. Carson, looking up suddenly.

"Well, not much, though it might have been. We saw some men we took to be