Tad smiled broadly.
"There does seem to be plenty of it."
"And plenty more coming. You'll see more fun before we are clear of this part of the country."
"I don't very well see how we can have much more of it. I should imagine we have had our share."
"Wait. We'll be here three or four days yet and mebby more," warned the cowboy.
Tad went out with the second guard that night. Contrary to the expectations of Big-foot Sanders and some others, the night passed without incident, the next morning dawning bright and beautiful.
For some reason the foreman decided, at the last moment, that he would not go to the Ox Bow ranch. Instead, he instructed Big-foot Sanders to take three of the men with him and pick out what ponies they needed from Colonel McClure's stock. They were to bring the animals out to camp where the boys would break them in.
Tad set out with them, after a hurried breakfast, leaving his young companions to amuse themselves as best they could.
"How far do we have to ride, Big-foot?" asked the lad after they were in their saddles.
"Mile or two, I guess. It's been a long time since I was through these parts. There's that church I've been telling you about."