and also a high back of carved
leather; above the stirrups were also broad bands of carved leather.

Though heavy they were not in any manner hard on our tough little
ponies. The weight was also offset by the fact that we were light, and
compared to the stalwart Indians we must have seemed like mosquitoes to
our ponies.

We likewise took along a good quantity of jerked beef, enough to last us
several days and also some ground corn, for we were old campaigners
enough to prepare for an emergency even if everything appeared safe.

We also took our canteens with us. Being thus ready we swung into our
saddles.

"Good-bye and luck to you," waved the captain, as we started.

"Good-bye," we returned, and Jim laughingly added, "Take good care of
Tommy."

Down the rocky slope we went and then trotted slowly down the canyon,
sitting loosely in our saddles and moving to the gait of our ponies like
the cowboys, and not sitting straight like Uncle Sam's cavalry.

We found this the easiest way and it was not ungraceful; sometimes when
we were tired we rode sideways on the saddle, or with one leg over the
pommel.

We were in high spirits as we jogged down the canyon. We were feeling
fine and fit. Our constant life out of doors had enured us to hardships
and made us impervious to fatigue.

Our muscles were supple and tireless and we were also much better able
to endure thirst, cold, and hunger than we had been at first.

In a short time we reached the end of the canyon where grew the pine and
cottonwood trees.

"Let's fill our canteens here," advised Jim, "because when we leave the
canyon there is no telling when we will strike water again."

"All right," I said, and I swung off my horse and filled my canteen as
well as Jim's.

In a short time we left the canyon and rode out on the plains.

"It looks to me as if we might have rain to-day," said Jim.

"It would be a pity if we got wet," I laughed, "might spoil our fine
clothes and new sombreros. What makes you think it is going to rain?"

"You can generally count on that mackerel sky furnishing a rain," he
said.

"It looks pretty anyway," I said.

It certainly did, the blue morning sky being dappled with numberless
little clouds that gave a softness to the sunlight without dimming it to
a shadow.

"Let's keep near the foot hills," I said, "because the brush and rocks
give us some shelter and the antelope will not be so apt to see us."

"It's a good scheme," ass