ter some
little time Tad heard him galloping toward camp.

At first Tad took the keenest enjoyment in his surroundings; then the
loneliness of the plains came over him. He began to feel a longing for
human companionship.

A dense mantle of darkness settled down over the scene.

Remembering the advice of the foreman, the lad gave his pony the rein.
The hardy little animal, with nose almost touching the ground, began its
monotonous crawling pace about the herd. It seemed more asleep than
awake.

In a short time a sheet of bright light appeared on the eastern horizon.
Tad looked at it inquiringly, then smiled.

"It's the moon," he decided.

The boy felt a great sense of relief in his lonely vigil. Just ahead of
him he saw a pony and rider leisurely approaching.

It proved to be Red Davis, one of the first guard.

Red waved his hand to the boy in passing, but no word was spoken on
either side.

After having circled the herd twice, Tad suddenly discovered a small
bunch of cattle that had just scrambled to their feet and had begun
grazing a little way outside the circle. The rest of the herd were
contentedly chewing their cuds in the moonlight, grunting and blowing
over contented stomachs.

The lad was not sure just what he ought to do. His first inclination was
to call to some of the other guards. Then, remembering the injunction
placed upon him by the foreman, he resisted the impulse.

"I am sure those cattle have no business off there," he decided after
watching them for a few moments in silent uncertainty. "I believe I will
try to get them back."

Tightening the grip on his reins and clucking to the pony, Tad headed
for the steers, that were slowly moving off, taking a step with every
mouthful or so.

He steered his pony well outside and headed in toward them.

The pony, with keen intelligence, forced its way up to the leading steer
and sought to nose it around. The animal resisted and swung its sharp
horns perilously near to the side of the horse, which quickly leaped to
one side, almost upsetting its rider.

"Guess I'd better let the pony do it himself. He knows how and I don't,"
muttered Tad, slackening on the reins.

The straying animal was quickly turned and headed toward the herd, after
which the pony whirled and went after one of the others, turning this
one, as it did the others. In a short time the truants were all back in
the herd.

"That's the way to do it, young fellow. I told the gang b