eager attention.

"This is Master Tad Butler, Mr. Stallings," announced the Professor.

"I think I have met the young man before," answered the foreman, with a
peculiar smile.

"Tad, I am surprised that you should involve yourself in trouble so soon
after getting out of my sight. I----"

"The boy was not to blame, Mr. Professor. My cowpunchers were wholly in
the wrong. But you need have no fears of any future trouble. The bunch
will be given to understand that the young gentlemen are to be well
treated. You will find no luxuries, but lots of hard work on a cattle
drive, young men----"

"Do--do we get plenty to eat?" interrupted Stacy Brown apprehensively.

All joined in the laugh at the lad's expense.

"Chunky's appetite is a wonderful thing, Mr. Stallings," said Tad.

"I think we shall be able to satisfy it," laughed the foreman. "Our cook
is a Chinaman. His name is Pong, but he knows how to get up a meal. I
believe, if he had nothing but sage grass and sand, he could make a
palatable dish of them, provided he had the seasoning. Have you boys
brought your slickers with, you?"

"What's a slicker?" demanded Chunky.

"A rubber blanket that----"

"Oh yes. We bought an outfit of those at Austin," answered Tad.
"Anything else that you wish us to get?"

"The boys don't carry guns, do they?"

Professor Zepplin shook his head emphatically.

"Most certainly not. They can get into enough trouble without them. We
have rifles in our kit, but I imagine there will be little use for such
weapons on this trip."

"You can't always tell about that," smiled the foreman. "I remember in
the old days, when we used to have to fight the rustlers, that a rifle
was a pretty good thing to have."

"Who were the rustlers?" asked Walter.

"Fellows who rustled cattle that didn't belong to them. But the old days
have passed. Such a drive as we are making now hasn't been done on so
large a scale in nearly twenty years."

"Why not?" asked Ned.

"The iron trails have put the old cow trails out of business."

"Iron trails?" wondered Tad.

"Railroads. We men of the plains refer to them as the iron trails.
That's what they are in reality. Professor, do you wish the boys to take
their turns on the herd to-night?"

"As you wish, Mr. Stallings. I presume they will be anxious to begin
their life as cowboys. I understand that's an ambition possessed by most
of your American boys."

"All right," laughed the foreman. "I'll send them o