was off
on it running with head bent, reminding the boys of the actions of a
hound. While he was away Tad cooked breakfast, made coffee and the
others showed their appreciation of his efforts by eating all that was
placed before them and calling loudly for more. Dad returned about an
hour later, riding Silver Face, driving the other mustangs before him.
When the boys saw the stock coming in they shouted with merriment. The
mustangs had been hobbled by tying their fore feet together. This made
it necessary for the animals to hop like kangaroos. The boys named them
the kangaroos right then and there.

Tad had some hot coffee ready for Nance by the time Dad got back. The
guide forgot that he had declared against eating or drinking anything
cooked by the Pony Rider Boys. He did full justice to Tad's cooking,
while the rest of the boys stood around watching the guide eat, offering
suggestions and remarks. Dad took it all good-naturedly. He would have
plenty of opportunities to get back at them. Dad was something of a
joker himself, though this fact was suspected only by Tad Butler, who
had noted the constantly recurring twinkle in the eyes of the guide.

"We shall hear from Dad one of these days," was Butler's mental
conclusion. "All right, we deserve all we get and more, I guess."

Shortly afterwards the party was in the saddle, setting out for their
forty-mile ride in high spirits. They hoped to reach their destination
early on the following morning. Some of the way was dusty and hot,
though the greater part of it was shaded by the giant pines.

They caught up with the pack train shortly before noon, as Nance had
said they would. A halt was made and a real meal cooked while the
mustangs were watered and permitted to graze at the ends of their
ropes. The meal being finished, saddle bags were stocked as the party
would not see the pack train again until some time on the following day.
Then the journey was resumed again.

The Pony Rider Boys were full of anticipation for what they would see
when they reached the Canyon. Dad was in a hurry, too. He could
hardly wait until he came in sight of his beloved Canyon. But even with
all their expectations the lads had no idea of the wonderful sight in
store for them when they should first set eyes on this greatest of
Nature's wonders.

That night they took supper under the tall trees, and after a sleep of
some three hours, were roughly awakened by the guide, w