Billy gave his two chums some brief advice about managing their mounts, and then the three rode off together, going much slower than Mr. Thornton. Andy and Frank found it to be no trouble at all to control their horses, for Max and Major were sedate old cow ponies that had long since gotten over any such childish tricks as shying or bucking.
"Let's see if they'll get a move on when they see Buffalo leaving them behind," suggested Billy, as they rode out of the ranch yard, and started across the prairie.
He spoke to his steed and the horse at once leaped forward, and to the delight of the two Racer boys, who did not care for the slow pace, their steeds also started to gallop. It was easier riding this way.
"That's great!" complimented Billy, when he saw how well Andy and Frank sat their saddles. "We'll make cowboys of you yet."
Once, while spending some time on a farm, the two brothers had learned the rudiments of riding, and this now stood them in good stead. Whether they were glad to be out in the open, away from the stable, or whether they wanted to show that they were good for something yet, did not develop, but certainly Max and Major kept up a fair gait, and, as Billy reined in his steed, the three boys rode along together, making better time than they had anticipated.
"Is it far to the dam?" asked Frank.
"About five miles," answered Billy. "We'll strike right across the plains for it, instead of going back down the road the way the wagon went."
As they rode on they talked of many things, and Billy told something of the building of the dam, and the trouble his uncle had experienced from the men who claimed to own Golden Peak, and the approach to it.
The way led through patches of purple sage, and over short buffalo grass. Now and then they would pass herds of grazing cattle, or skirt some great field where big crops had been raised, or would soon be sprouting up again.
"What's that?" suddenly asked Frank, as something darted from beneath the feet of his horse, and scurried off in the grass.