“You managed to get into trouble the other day when you went over to the cañon,” grunted the Indian.
“‘Twarn’t Ruthie and me that made you trouble. And that Cox girl wouldn’t dare ride within forty rods of these cows,” laughed the ranchman’s niece.
So Jib was forced to give way. Tom and Bob had craved permission to ride herd, too. The cowboys seemed to accept these offers in serious mood, and that made Jane Ann suspicious.
“They’ll hatch up some joke to play on you-all,” she whispered to Ruthie. “But we’ll find out what they mean to do, if we can, and just cross-cut ’em.”
The camp by the river was the scene of much hilarity at supper time. The guests had brought some especially nice rations from the ranch-house, and the herders welcomed the addition to their plain fare with gusto. Tom and Bob ate with the men and, when the night shift went on duty, they set forth likewise to ride around the great herd which, although seemingly so peacefully inclined, must be watched and guarded more carefully by night than by day.
Soon after Jane Ann and Ruth rode forth, taking the place together of one of the regular herders. These additions to the night gang left more of the cow punchers than usual at the camp, and there was much hilarity among the boys as Jane Ann and her friend cantered away toward the not far-distant herd.
“Those fellows are up to something,” the ranchman’s niece repeated. “We must be on the watch for them—and don’t you be scared none, Ruthie, at anything that may happen.”
CHAPTER XVI—THE JOKE THAT FAILED
The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.
At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence. There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh. There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.