were busy putting the road
brand on the cattle just bought.

"Don't bust yore suspenders on this job, boys," Webb told his men. "I'd
just as lief lie up here for a few days while Uncle Sam is roundin' up
his pets camped out there. Old man Roubideau says we're welcome to stick
around. The feed's good. Our cattle are some gaunted with the drive. It
won't hurt a mite to let 'em stay right here a spell."

But on the third day came news that induced the Missourian to change his
mind. Jean, who had been out as a scout, returned with the information
that a company of cavalry had come down from the fort and that the
Apaches had hastily decamped for parts unknown.

"I reckon we'll throw into the trail again tomorrow, Joe," the drover
told Yankie. "No use wastin' time here if we don't have to stay. We'll
mosey along toward the river. Kinder take it easy an' drift the herd down
slow so as to let the cattle put on flesh. Billie an' the kid can join us
soon as they're fit to travel."

The decision was announced on the porch of the Roubideau house. Its owner
and his daughter were present. So was Dad Wrayburn. The Texan old-timer
snorted as he rolled a cigarette.

"Hm! Soft thing those two boys have got sittin' around an' bein' petted
by Miss Polly here. I've a notion to go an' bust my laig too. Will you
nurse me real tender, ma'am, if I get stove up pullin' off a grand-stand
play like they done?"

"The hospital is full. We haven't got room for more invalids, Mr.
Wrayburn," laughed the girl.

"Well, you let me know when there's a vacancy, Miss Polly. My sister gave
me a book to read onct. It was 'most twenty years ago. The name of it was
'Ivanhoe.' I told her I would save it to read when I broke my laig. Looks
like I never will git that book read."

By daybreak the outfit was on the move. Yankie trailed the cattle out to
the plain and started them forward leisurely. Webb had allowed himself
plenty of time for the drive. The date set for delivery at the fort was
still distant and he wanted the beeves to be in first-class condition for
inspection. To reach the Pecos he was allowing three weeks, a programme
that would let him bed the herd down early and would permit of drifting
it slowly to graze for an hour or two a day.

The weeks that followed were red-letter ones in the life of Jim Clanton.
They gave him his first glimpse of a family life which had for its basis
not only affection, but trust and understanding. He had never