"I won't, Dad," Cindy promised.
They rode until Pete halted them.
"Stick your flag in right here, Jed," he told Cindy's father.
"Here?" Mr. Simpson questioned.
"This is it."
Mr. Simpson dismounted, and holding the tired Sunshine's reins, he took the flag from his saddle and rammed the pointed end of the stick into the ground.
"I christen thee Simpsonia," he said solemnly.
"Good enough." Pete couldn't lose his grin. "Now I'll stake."
In spite of the long run, Pete's pony still had enough spirit to canter. Pete rode him through the oak grove and thrust his flag into the center of the claim he wanted. Cindy dismounted and petted Sparkle. She had thought that claiming the homesteads would be the most exciting part of all, but she was just as happy that it wasn't. There'd been enough excitement for one day.
Still grinning broadly, Pete came riding back.