hunky.

"No doubt about that," roared the foreman.

"Swim the river with our horses?" exclaimed Ned. "Hurrah! That will be
great!"

"I shall be glad to get some of this dust washed off me," laughed Tad.
"Besides, the bump on my head will feel better for it, I think."

"Spread out, boys. The cattle are coming up on the run. They will push
you into the river before you are ready if you happen to be in their
way," warned Stallings.

The riders clucked to their ponies and all galloped up stream some
distance that they might be well out of the way of the oncoming herd.

The thirsty animals plunged into the water with a mighty splash. Some
forded until their feet could no longer touch the ground, after which
they swam to the other side, while others paused to drink until those
behind them forced them out into the stream also.

In a few moments the stream was alive with swimming cattle, the herd
being spread out for a full quarter of a mile up and down the stream. To
the rear, yelling cowboys were urging on the stragglers and forcing the
herd into the cool waters.

It was an inspiring sight for the boys.

Here and there a cowman would ride his pony into the water and turn the
leaders, who were straying too far up or down the river.

After half an hour of watering, the men began to force the cattle to the
opposite bank. There was a great scramble when the steers started to
climb the steep bluff. The first ones to try it went half way up on a
run.

Losing their footing they came tumbling to the foot of the bluff,
knocking a number of the other cattle back into the water.

There was much bellowing and floundering about, but the relentless
forcing from the other side swept the unfortunate ones to the crest of
the tide and up the steep bank.

Now that the loose dirt had slipped down the footing grew more secure,
and the animals soon fell into trails of their own making, up which they
crept three and four abreast.

Once on the other side they started to graze as contentedly as if they
had not just passed through a most trying experience.

Two of the cowmen who had forded the stream further down, now appeared
opposite the main fording place, to take charge of the cattle.

"Get across, boys," shouted the foreman.

With an answering shout Tad and Ned slid their ponies down the sharp
bluff, plunging into the water and heading straight across.

"Slip out of your saddles and hang on!" called the foreman.

Without a