"And come to think of it, that will be an ideal place for us to drop off for our noon meal," he added. "We'll let Jose go on again, and I don't think he can lose himself so easily this time. The trail is so plainly marked that he can't miss it."
The boys were now all anxiety to start, while the ponies, after their Sunday rest, were almost as full of life as were their owners. The little animals were becoming more sure-footed every day, and Ned said that, before the trip was finished, "Jimmie" would be able to walk a slack rope.
An early start was made, so that the party reached the promised table lands shortly before ten o'clock in the forenoon. A temporary camp was quickly pitched.
At their urgent request, Professor Zepplin told the boys to go ahead and enjoy themselves.
"But be careful that you don't break your necks," he added, with a laugh. "I guess I had better go along to see that you do not."
They assured him that nothing was further from their intention, and quickly casting aside guns and cartridge belts, they threw themselves into their saddles again for a jolly romp.
The great, green field, surrounded on all sides by tall trees, made the place an ideal one for their purpose.
"Tell you what let's do," suggested Tad. "Suppose we start with a race? We'll race the length of the field and back. We'll do it three times, and the one who wins two times out of three will be it."
To this all agreed. Appointing Professor Zepplin as starter, the Pony
Riders lined up for the word.
The first heat was run easily, none of the ponies being put to its utmost speed. Walter Perkins won the heat.