d move heaven and earth and
slosh all the water out of our five oceans in her headlong
determination to do what she had set out to do.

In two minutes she had her mother and Bedelia rushing around like
scared hens, trying to collect the things she wanted to take for
Johnny's comfort and welfare. In three she was bullying the
long-distance operator. In five she was laying down the law to the
sheriff, just as though he were one of her father's cowpunchers.

"Get all the men you can," she commanded, when she had reached the
details, "and scatter them like a round-up. You know how, of course.
And keep them within sight of each other, and make them keep watch in
every hollow and wash and high brush--because an airplane might not
show up very plainly if it's all smashed. And 'phone to all the places
down this way, and make all the men you can get out and help. It's
tremendously important that you find Mr. Jewel immediately, because he
may be badly hurt. My father will give a thousand dollars to the man
who finds him. You tell that to every one, Mr. Sheriff, will you,
please? And say that the Rolling R will pay well for the time of those
who aren't lucky enough to win the reward. We will pay every man
twenty-five dollars that goes out. And have an automobile follow you,
with a doctor in it, to take care of John--Mr. Jewel, when he is found.
We will start all our riders out from here, and ride until we meet you.
Now hurry! Don't stop for a lot of red tape and orders and things--get
right out on the trail. And don't forget the thousand dollars reward."
Just when the sheriff was saying "Aw right--goo'by," Mary V thought of
something else.

"Be sure and have every man carry an extra canteen for Mr. Jewel.
Injured men are always tremendously thirsty. And don't forget that
every man will get twenty-five dollars, and the man that finds him--"

The sheriff had hung up, which was rude of him. Mary V had several
other little suggestions to make--but men never do want to be told
anything, especially by a woman. Mary V was glad she had not been
permitted to say that the sheriff would of course receive an especially
attractive reward. He could go without, now, just for his smartness.

The Rolling R boys, hastily summoned by the cook who had galloped off
without removing his flour-sack apron, came racing in and saddled fresh
mounts. In a surprisingly short time they were filling canteens and
gathering in a restive circ