ere frightened and a
partial stampede followed. That Hazletine was among acquaintances was
proved by the hails which he received from cowmen, most of whom were so
distant that the wonder was how they recognized one another. The boys
studied them through their spy-glasses, but, of course, all were
strangers to them.

When the afternoon was about half gone they came upon a stream that
looked formidable. It was a hundred yards in width, with a roiled and
rapid current, which, so far as the eye could determine, might be a
score of feet in depth. The prospect of having to swim their ponies
across was anything but pleasant, but the boys saw that a well-marked
trail led down to the bank where they approached it, showing that it had
been crossed and recrossed many times.

"There are places in that stream, which flows into the Platte," said the
guide, "where it is a hundred feet deep. It has whirlpools and eddies
where the best swimmer couldn't save himself, and even a grizzly bear
would drown."

"I hope those places are a good way off," said Jack.

"There's one of 'em right over there to the left."

"How are we going to reach the other side?" asked Fred, in dismay.

"Foller me."

As he spoke the guide spurred his animal into the muddy water, with the
boys timidly at his heels and closely watching him.

At no time during the fording did the ponies sink above their knees. It
was a surprise and vast relief when they rode out on the other side
without having been compelled to draw up their feet during the passage.

"And yet," explained their companion, "if you'd gone three yards to the
right or left your critters would have had to swim for their lives, and
you'd have had the worst soaking you ever knowed. Now fur the ranch!"

CHAPTER VI.

AT THE RANCH.

The night was well advanced, and the boys, despite their fine physique,
felt the effects of the prolonged ride. They had come a goodly distance
since morning, the tough little ponies most of the time maintaining a
sweeping canter, which placed many miles behind them. Jack and Fred were
stiffened, tired and hungry, for no halt was made for supper, it being
the intention of the guide to take that meal at the ranch, which he
meant to reach before drawing rein.

In the midst of the monotonous gallop of the animals the youths were
startled by the sound of a laugh, which suddenly rang out on the still
air. It was brief and hearty, such as a man emits who is highly