eady he had a vague theory and he was seeking stubbornly to render
that theory less vague. When they had ridden back to the herd he
singled out Chuck Evans and moved with him out of hearing of the others.

'Chuck,' he said soberly, 'I've got a job for you. I've got to go on
with the herd to San Juan and I don't know just when I'll be back.
To-morrow you move the extra horses up into the hills; it's time,
anyway, to feed off the grass in the canons. And I want you to keep in
touch with the Longstreets. At night-time make your camp within
calling distance of theirs. And keep your eyes and ears open.'

'I get you,' said Chuck, 'only I don't. What's going to hurt them?'

'Nothing that I know of. But I want you on the job. I don't quite
like the idea of the old professor and his daughter being out there
alone.' And that was all the explanation he gave.

The next afternoon the drive began. Sitting a little aside as his men
started the slow procession toward the San Juan trail, Howard watched
his carefully bred cattle go by and drew from the moment a full sense
of success achieved. As they crowded by in bellowing scores he
estimated that they were going to net him above ten thousand dollars,
and that every cent of that ten thousand was going to John Carr as a
worth-while payment upon Desert Valley. From his own funds in the bank
Howard would draw for the purchase of his calves and for running
expenses. He would be close-hauled again, but he would have earned a
long breathing spell. As the tail-enders pushed by him he dropped in
behind them to be engulfed in the rising clouds of dust and to do his
own part of his own work.

The wagon had gone ahead to the place appointed for to-night's camp.
Since the herd was large, while days were hot and water-holes scarce,
Howard had planned the devious way by Middle Springs, Parker's Gulch,
the end of Antelope Valley, across the little hills lying to the north
of Poco Poco and on into San Juan by the chain of mud-holes where the
old Mexican corrals were. Hence, he counted upon being at least four
days on the road to San Juan. There his responsibilities would cease,
as there the buyers had promised to meet him, taking the herd on into
the railroad.

During the days which followed he was as busy as a man should care to
be, for the task of moving a large herd across a dry and baking country
and through it all keeping the cattle in first-class condition, is no
small one.