The Pony Rider Boys in Texas; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains

akly, after they had taken th

. "I'm afraid he's got a slight concussion of the brain.

asked the Professor, who h

ardly th

s face, soaking Tad's head and neck and

ed Stallings. "It was a glanci

an to show signs of returning consciousness. At last his trem

. "Boys, get busy now and cut out the rest of those cows. If the young man is not able to

ead weig

would. Did the wh

fessor. I roped him all rig

kon. Think you'll be able to ride in the trail w

lace for the tenderfoo

rned a stern

know. What are you doing here, anyway? Get i

de away

wagon," announced Tad

u will have

I have to be tied on,"

an laughe

uff in you. I see that Master Walter and the gopher ar

to do so,"

rs. That's the first thing

sit u

may

s pluckily, and mastered it. After a little while they helped him to his fee

going?" demande

answer

You will come b

ned obe

ofessor. I'

addle," urged the foreman. "Besides, he's too much of a man to be treated like a weak

did, petting his pony as he reached him, and then pu

now," he smiled, wavin

vised Stallings, mounting his own tough pony and

steer that was cut out from the main herd, after Stallings went back, found Tad Butler alongside of it, crowding it towa

med Stallings, whipping off his hat and dr

go and upset thi

been lucky enough not to have a stampede thus far. That isn't saying we won't, however. If you feel like worki

driving the strange cattle a couple of

tion near the head of the line, and well out to one side of it, was free from this annoyance. The longer the lad was in the saddle, the stronger he seemed to feel,

some time before, came back with the information that a broa

water there, and I believe I'll make a crossing

water?" asked B

he edges it's fordable. The cows will be glad

the cattle along at a little stronger pace, that th

ayside and swung into a rapid pace, such a pace as always gladdens the heart of the cowboy. The steers

ching the stream first. Tad followed them upon

wever, thought it better to cross there than to take the time to work the herd further down. Joining

ing to cross the rive

we are going to do,

dge? I don't see any

re in fron

he

Tad informed him. "We have to

part of the way,

get wet," w

t that," roare

orses?" exclaimed Ned. "Hu

hed off me," laughed Tad. "Besides, the bump

. They will push you into the river before you are rea

lloped up stream some distance that they migh

ir feet could no longer touch the ground, after which they swam to the other side, whi

d out for a full quarter of a mile up and down the stream. To the rear, yelling

piring sight

y into the water and turn the leaders, who

opposite bank. There was a great scramble when the steers started to cl

o the foot of the bluff, knocking a numbe

relentless forcing from the other side swept the unfortu

more secure, and the animals soon fell into trails of th

aze as contentedly as if they had not jus

further down, now appeared opposite the main

boys," shoute

heir ponies down the sharp bluff, plunging

addles and hang on!

slid into the water with a splash, but keepin

ected Stallings. "The p

almost before they knew it their feet rested on the bottom

g his water-soaked sombrero.

Chunky," c

over in the wago

" snapped the foreman. "You wil

one by his young charges, bravely

sh. Instead, however, of allowing the pony to tow him, the Professor propelled himself along w

an, dripping but smiling, emerged from the water and scramb

were given

other side with the straggling cattle w

or supper, you'd better be fording th

r was all that Stacy

d-a

, Stacy leaning far back in the saddle that

ood side hill rider, w

r he were going up o

re he goes!" e

quicksand pocket and had gone down on it

omach, arms and legs outspread,

ed his mouth to

e his way. Floundering about like a drowning steer