Part 2 (1/2)

”I was thinking, Jim,” he said, ”that we might put in a day or two hunting before we go on. If I remember rightly this is a pretty fair section for game.”

”It's a fine idea,” said Jim, ”let's start out to-day.”

”I have done my share of hunting,” I said, ”and I think I will take a rest.”

”You have certainly earned it,” replied the captain.

”The next time you cry 'wolf' to me, I won't pay any attention,” said Tom.

”All right, Tommy,” I replied, ”then I will have to think up something new.”

”Would it not be a good idea to split our party?” suggested the captain.

”I think it would,” replied Jim.

”Then I and Tom will go back into the mountains,” continued the captain.

”Jo and I for the plains,” cried Jim.

”We will look for the mountain sheep,” remarked the captain.

”Jo and I will look for antelope,” said Jim.

”And look out for Apaches,” said the captain. ”Keep a sharp lookout for any signs of smoke,” he continued, ”don't rush into an ambush. Keep in the open, watch the ridges and the gullies.”

”We will remember,” promised Jim.

So we proceeded to saddle our mustangs. We had the heavy, easy riding saddles called Mexican, with high pommels and also a high back of carved leather; above the stirrups were also broad bands of carved leather.

Though heavy they were not in any manner hard on our tough little ponies. The weight was also offset by the fact that we were light, and compared to the stalwart Indians we must have seemed like mosquitoes to our ponies.

We likewise took along a good quant.i.ty of jerked beef, enough to last us several days and also some ground corn, for we were old campaigners enough to prepare for an emergency even if everything appeared safe.

We also took our canteens with us. Being thus ready we swung into our saddles.

”Good-bye and luck to you,” waved the captain, as we started.

”Good-bye,” we returned, and Jim laughingly added, ”Take good care of Tommy.”

Down the rocky slope we went and then trotted slowly down the canyon, sitting loosely in our saddles and moving to the gait of our ponies like the cowboys, and not sitting straight like Uncle Sam's cavalry.

We found this the easiest way and it was not ungraceful; sometimes when we were tired we rode sideways on the saddle, or with one leg over the pommel.

We were in high spirits as we jogged down the canyon. We were feeling fine and fit. Our constant life out of doors had enured us to hards.h.i.+ps and made us impervious to fatigue.

Our muscles were supple and tireless and we were also much better able to endure thirst, cold, and hunger than we had been at first.

In a short time we reached the end of the canyon where grew the pine and cottonwood trees.

”Let's fill our canteens here,” advised Jim, ”because when we leave the canyon there is no telling when we will strike water again.”