a moderate pace, having browsed so fully on the succulent grass that it
was easy to keep them going, until nearly the middle of the day. At this
time a halt was made for an hour, during which the cattle spread out on
the sides of the well-marked trail, and ate as though they had not
partaken of food for days.

Shortly after resuming the journey a small stream was reached, which was
easily forded, there being no portion where it was necessary for the
beasts to swim. All drank heartily, and, upon climbing the sloping bank
on the other side, another herd was observed several miles to the east.

"They haven't got as many as we," remarked the captain to Gleeson, who
was riding by his side; "and I hope we shall keep far enough apart to
prevent our cattle mixing."

"He's off the trail," replied Ballyhoo, "but will come into it before
long."

"If we keep moving briskly, he must strike it behind us."

It soon became evident that the other cattlemen were trying to force
their herd to a point on the trail ahead of the larger drove, which was
strung along for many yards. Since they were about equally far north,
the struggle was an interesting one for some time; but the action of the
smaller collection of cattle showed they were not as manageable as the
larger one, and, before the close of day, they gave over the struggle
and dropped back so far that, when they struck the trail, they were
fully a mile to the rear.

The promised storm still hung off, though the sky was cold and
lowering, and toward night a misty rain began falling. It did not become
severe at any time, but it added to the dismal gloom. The wind blew in
gusts, much the same as on the previous evening, and the temperature
fell until, had the cowmen been less accustomed to exposure, they would
have suffered more than their animals.

Our friends did not forget to keep a lookout for the Comanches, who were
likely to show themselves, whenever a chance presented itself for a raid
upon the herd.

If they had been too roughly handled to venture upon anything of the
kind, there were plenty of others to take their places, if only the
temptation was strong enough.

The misty rain shortened the view in every direction, but the horsemen
who dashed hither and thither, when the cattle showed a disposition to
stray off, reported no signs of their old enemies, who, however, might
be keeping out of sight until darkness should settle over the earth.

Prudence required that