“This seems to clear up every problem except the question of mounts,” announced Grace. “I presume it would be wise to order provisions, to be paid for and taken if our men folk succeed in getting ponies for us.”
After making provisional purchases they returned to camp, and there the girls spent the rest of the day waiting rather impatiently for the return of the horse-hunters, but it was not until supper time that the three men returned. With them they brought a string of western ponies and two pack horses. The animals were not sleek like their own mounts but Tom and Hippy assured the girls that the animals were guaranteed, and that, while they were not all that could be desired, still they were a find.
“Pick your horses,” directed Lieutenant Wingate. “But don’t all choose the same horse. If you do you will have to draw lots to settle the difficulty.”
“I have a better plan,” spoke up Miss Briggs. “Number the animals, write the numbers on slips of paper and place the papers in a hat; then we will each draw a slip.”
“Good idea,” nodded Stacy Brown. “We don’t want any hair pulling in this outfit.”
“Stacy!” rebuked Nora. “I am amazed at you.”
“You shouldn’t be,” interjected Emma.
The drawing took place at once, and for a wonder each girl got the pony that pleased her. After supper the purchases made by Grace and Elfreda were brought over to camp and packs were made up for an early start. The Overland party were on their way shortly after sunrise on the following morning. The ponies behaved well and the party was as well satisfied with them as could be expected in the circumstances, and happy to be once more in the saddle, and especially to be “on their own,” as Miss Briggs expressed it, meaning that they were to be their own guides.
The ponies started at a brisk trot down the dusty road, a pace that the pack animals stood up under very well, considering that they were carrying heavy loads. As they progressed the Overlanders found themselves enveloped in a great cloud of suffocating dust that brought many coughs and sneezes.
“Gracious!” exclaimed Elfreda between coughs. “I never in all my life swallowed so much dust as I have this morning.”