flecked with foam. Even the tough little
Buckskin mount of Frank showed signs of weariness; though ready to keep
on if his master gave the word.

"That would be hard to tell," replied the rancher's son; "but it must be
all of sixty-five miles, I reckon."

"Then that beats my record some," declared the other.

"But it was a glorious gallop all the way through," asserted Frank.

"That's what; and more to follow to-morrow," his chum hastened to
remark.

"But a different kind of travel, the chances are, Bob. To-day it
happened that we were crossing the great mesa, and it was like a floor
for being level. Over yonder, ahead, you can see the mountains we must
cross. Then there are rivers to ford or swim. Yes, variety is the spice
of life; and unless I miss my guess we're due for a big change
to-morrow."

"Think we can make Flagstaff by to-morrow night?" asked the Kentucky
lad, who, at a time like this, seemed to depend very much upon the
superior knowledge of his chum, who had been brought up on the plains.

"We're going to make a try; that's as far as I've got," laughed Frank.
"But what about camping here?"

"As good as anywhere," answered Bob. "Fact is, I'm admitting to being
ready to drop down in any old place, so long as I can stretch my legs,
and roll. No wonder a horse likes to turn over as soon as you take the
saddle off. Shall we call it a go, Frank?"

The other jumped to the ground. Bob thought he heard him give a little
grunt in doing so; but just then he was interested in repressing his own
feelings.

However, when they had moved about somewhat, both boys confessed to
feeling considerably better. As for the horses, there was no danger of
their straying after that gallop of many hours in the hot sun. They took
their roll, and then began hunting for stray tufts of grass among the
buffalo berry bushes.

The sun had already set, and twilight told of the coming night. Around
them lay the mesa, with the mountains cropping up like a crust along the
edge. It was a familiar scene, to Frank in particular, and one of which
he never tired.

"I noticed some jack rabbits as we came along," remarked Bob, "and as
they always come out of their burrows about dusk to play, suppose I try
and knock over a couple right now."

"Wouldn't object myself to a good dinner of rabbit, after that ride,"
Frank admitted, as he proceeded to get the little tent in position, a
task that was only a pleasure to a boy fond of all outdo