r about the way you stuck to the herd when it ran away."

"What for?"

"I dunno. Guess 'cause he knows it'll make the old man smile. We boys
will come in for an extra fiver at the end of the trip, for saving the
herd, I reckon."

"That's where you have the best of me," laughed Tad. "No fives for me. I
get my pay out of the fun I am having. I think I am overpaid at that.
Well, so long, Big-foot," announced the lad as they finally reached the
herd.

"So long," answered the cowman, turning his pony off to take the
opposite side of the sleeping cattle. In a few moments Tad heard his
strident voice singing to the herd again.

The hours passed more quickly than had been the case the last time Tad
was on guard, for he had much to think of and to wonder over.

Daybreak had arrived almost before he knew it and the call for breakfast
sounded across the plain.

As soon as he had been relieved, Tad Butler galloped back to camp,
bright-eyed and full of anticipation, both for the meal and for the ride
that was before them that day.

Corn cakes were on the bill of fare that morning and the Pony Riders
shouted with glee when they discovered what Pong had prepared for them.

"Bring on the black strap," called Stallings.

Stacy Brown glanced at the foreman suspiciously.

"Why do you want a black strap for breakfast?" he demanded.

"To put on the corn cakes of course, boy," laughed Stallings.

"I've heard of using a black strap to hitch horses with----"

"And to correct unruly boys," added Professor Zepplin.

"But I never did hear of eating it on corn cakes."

Everybody laughed at Chunky's objection.

"You will eat this strap when you see it," answered Stallings, taking a
jug from the hands of the Chinaman and pouring some of its contents over
the cakes on his plate.

"What is it!" asked Ned Rector.

"Molasses. It's what we call black strap. Help yourselves. Never mind
the gopher there. He never eats black straps for breakfast," the foreman
jeered.

"Here, I want some of that," demanded Stacy, half-rising and reaching
for the jug. "My, but it's good!" he decided with his mouth full.

"That's all right," answered Walter. "But please do not forget that
there are some others in this outfit who like cakes and molasses. Please
pass that jug this way."

"Yes, the pony won't be able to carry him to-day if he keeps on for ten
minutes more, at the rate he's been going," laughed Ned Rector. "I never
did have any sort of