Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders on the Great American Desert

at an indulgent husband you have?

r companion a quick glance of inquiry. "Why thi

s Range you can see over yonder," answered Miss Briggs, as she gazed out through the open window of their hotel at Elk Run, to the dist

new that I would have a lonely summer at home, and, I believe, deep down in his heart, felt that were he to deny me the pleasure of this trip, I migh

object to th

d to ride horseback across the Great American Desert, starting from Elk Run,

erstandingly. "Should I ever have the misfortune to possess a husba

as our guide and protector across the desert. He is Mr. Fairweather's cousin, you will recall, and my one great h

ake, that he knows his busin

eave the girls?"

where they were selecting picture cards of wild west scenes to send

sting experience for him, but now that he is out of the army he feels that he must get to work

Briggs. "Of course he cannot be blamed for desiring to get to work. I feel the same way about myself, but since my return from France my law practice has bee

but in the meantime try to have the best kind of a ti

ace's husband entered. Elfreda rose, but Grace held ou

did you find him?

g any one. Your man, Hi Lang, is getting the ponies into the cor

y he had not called

ac

e he expected you to look him up. Besides, he is very busy getting ready fo

leave Hippy?" a

dingly, knowing quite well that Hippy Wingate was posing as an expert on horses, whereas about all the knowledg

ra already had found their way there and were watching the wranglers, as the men who catch up the ponies

lively bunch," exc

y cloud of alkali dust hung over the corral, and, altogether, the scene was not only

n't going to ride those wild

tnessed, I am inclined to think we are not,"

t off leading the po

s the desert, and, as soon as he had turned the protesting bro

and Miss Briggs," said To

" greeted the guide, mopping the perspir

minded her of wrinkled parchment, eyes that, though intelligent and alert, frequently took o

you reckoned on starti

eager to get on our way. What about the supplies and e

uide

as gone on ahead in

ghed Elfre

n the desert before. Lively as a cricket. Only trouble with Ping is that he th

ered Grace. "I shoot a little. We are all novices, with the exception of Lieutenant

and stroke

out on the desert I'll see how you can sh

that to you,"

ing will be waiting for us, and have chow there, then go on

d like to try the ponie

as we saw them do just now?" ques

ook his head

s. They'll be as all right as a bronc' can be, so long

tisfied, though I should like to try them out. Hippy, have you ridd

mptly fell off on the other before getting his feet in the stirrups. It was no

e comedian of this outfit anyway," protested Hippy. "Let's see

ll try them, Mr. Lang," directed Grace. "Any

nterest, especially the saddling of the first pony selected for her, whi

objected El

l. If the others are no worse, we

ts, then mounted. The pony danced under her, then, at a word, galloped off. The Overlan

mounted. "He will be all right if he is used rig

ng off, and promptly claimed the little

se that Grace had approved, the cowboys and half the village being interested spectators. Grace was pleased, both with the ponies and with the riding of her girl friends. Not the least of those who were pleased

ink of selecting for me!

that for yourself,"

and brought out. He is the one I think

ne, Mrs. Gray. Don't reckon you'll be abl

fore, sir. Have him r

ry him

shoulders and walked ov

Tom Gray. "Surely there are plenty of ponies

that I bought last fall and rode. You know he was supposed to be the la

ntil you have tried him, but remember, I warne

so perfectly lovely about it right up to this moment, that it would be too bad if you were to get pe

ged his should

ssion to break your neck if you insist. I will

you won't have occasion to keep my memory green so f

revious winter had demonstrated nearly all the tricks known to the stubborn broncos of the great west. At first Grace had ha

evolver shooting, and by spring was capable of qualifying as an expert, especially in quick shooting at moving targets. Thus fitted for the s

had directed. "Cinch him so t

nimal fought viciously for a few moments, then sudde

k is vicious?" dema

?" asked the guid

a real pony

ars, Grace," w

nd Hi Lang, overhearing,

place, and the girth cinched, both forefeet spread wide apart and head well down. He winced a little as the girth was drawn a hole

hose who were familiar with the western bronco, and the l

g an animal naturally so vicious that

had been addressed, gave Gra

eep a tight rein on him; don't let him get his head down if you can help his doing so,

e suggestions. I

et enough of the critter before you have ridden

ter,' as you call him, across the dese

All re

asked Elfreda Briggs frowningly. Elfreda strongly dis

m. See that the other girls do the same.

o so with anything resembling baby talk, and it was their firm conviction that this pretty young tenderfoot from the east was about to get the surprise of her life. Instead of feeling sorry for her, however, the souls of the cowboys were filled with joy at the prospect of some real f

a final pat, and at the same time edging her way back from h

hit the leather," directed Hi in

ack's head narrowly. The animal still stood with forefeet braced

," muttered Grace, ref

ed the voice

he bridle rein crept cautiousl

ow

irmly seated on the saddle, the right foot in the stirrup on that side, then, with the aid