"What would cowboys be doing away out here where there isn't a cow or a calf or even an old mule in sight?" inquired Jess.
"Maybe on wild horse hunt," rejoined Alverado with a shrug.
"Are there wild horses hereabouts then?" asked old Mr. Bell, and then quite absent-mindedly he began murmuring:
"Masseppa, Masseppa tied to a wild horse;
In the way of revenge, as a matter of course."
"Plentee wild horse," was the Mexican's rejoinder. "They cross the desert sometimes to get fresh range. Cowboy trail them and cut them off and lasso them. Then they break them to ride."
"Oh, what a shame!" cried Peggy, impulsively.
"No shame go-od," declared the Mexican stolidly; "bye an' bye wild horse all gone. Good."
"I think it's hateful," declared Jess; "just the same I should like to see a wild horse hunt," she added with girlish inconsistence.
"So should I if they'd let them all go again," agreed Peggy.
Old Mr. Bell laughed, for which he was gently reproved by Miss
Prescott.