use for a glutton."

"Neither did I," added Chunky solemnly, at which both Pony Riders and
cowboys roared with laughter.

"Going to be another scorcher," decided the foreman, rising and
surveying the skies critically. "We shall not be able to make very good
time, I fear."

"When do you expect to reach the Nueces River?" asked the Professor.

"I had hoped to get there by to-morrow. However, it doesn't look as if
we should be able to do so if it comes off so hot."

"Is the Nueces a large river?" asked Walter.

"Sometimes. And it is a lively stream when there happens to be a freshet
and both forks are pouring a flood down into it. We will try to bed down
near the river and you boys can have some sport swimming. Do all of you
swim?"

"Yes," they chorused.

"That's good. The cowpunchers will have a time of it, too."

"I can float," Stacy Brown informed him eagerly.

"So could I if I were as fat as you. I could float all day," retorted
Ned Rector. "You couldn't sink if you were to fill your pockets with
stones. There is some advantage in being fat, anyway."

"He didn't seem to float the day he fell in among the steers," said one
of the cowboys.

"That isn't fair," interrupted Stallings. "The steers put the gopher
under, that day. Any of you would have gone down with a mob of cows
piling on top of you."

"The river is near the church you were telling me about, isn't it?"
inquired Tad of Big-foot in a low tone.

Sanders nodded solemnly.

Tad's eyes sparkled eagerly. He finished his breakfast rather hurriedly
and rose from the table. As he walked away he met the horse wrangler
bringing the day ponies. The lad quickly saddled his own mount after a
lively little struggle and much squealing and bucking from the pony.

Tad was eager to reach the river and get sight of the mysterious church
beyond. Yet, he did not dream of the thrilling experiences that were
awaiting them all at the very doors of the church of San Miguel.

CHAPTER XIII

CHUNKY ROPES A COWBOY

"Wow! Help! Help!"

The herd had been moving on for several hours, grazing comfortably along
the trail, when the sudden yell startled the entire outfit.

The cowboys reined in their ponies and grasped their quirts firmly,
fully expecting that another stampede was before them.

Instead, they saw Stacy Brown riding away from the herd, urging his pony
to its best speed. Right behind him, with lowered head and elevated tail
was a white muley, evi