g on the thin,
new-fallen snows.

Coyotes, still at vigil on the hills, slid out of sight at the coming of
the horsemen. The prairie dogs peered sleepily from their burrows.
Cattle in scattered bands snuffed and stared or started away hulking,
yet swift, the bulls sullen and ferocious, the calves wild as deer.
There were no fences, no furrows, no wagon tracks, no sign of sheep. It
was the cow country in very truth.

On the way Reynolds said very little. Occasionally as they drew their
ponies to a walk he remarked upon the kindliness of the horse, and said,
"I hope you'll like my horse as well as I like youah's."

It was nearly twelve o'clock when they topped a treeless ridge and came
in sight of the round-up. Below them, in the midst of a wide, grassy
river flat, stood several tents and a covered wagon. Nearby lay a strong
circular corral of poplar logs filled with steers. At some distance from
the corral a dense mass of slowly revolving cattle moved, surrounded by
watching horsemen. Down from the hills and up the valley came other
horsemen, hurrying forward irregular bands of cows and calves. A small
fire near the corral was sending up a pale strand of smoke, and at the
tail of the wagon a stovepipe, emitting a darker column, told that
dinner was in preparation. Over the scene the cloudless September sky
arched. Dust arose under the heels of the herds, and the bawling roar of
bulls, the call of agonized cows, and the answering bleat of calves
formed the base of the shrill whoopings and laughter of the men. Nothing
could be wilder, more stirring, more picturesque, except a camp of Sioux
or Cheyennes in the days of the buffalo.

In a few minutes Mose was in the midst of the turmoil. Everyone greeted
Reynolds with affection, and he replied in the stately phrases which had
made him famous, "How do you do, gentlemen. I certainly am glad to see
you enjoyin' this fine fall day. Captain Charlesworth, allow me to
present my young friend, Moses Harding."

Captain Charlesworth, a tall man with a squint eye and a humorous
glance, came up to shake hands as Mose slipped from his broncho.

Reynolds went on: "Captain Charlesworth is cow boss, an' will see that
you earn yo' bo'd. Cap'n, this young man comes from my good friend,
Cap'n Delmar, of Sante Fe. You know Delmar?"

"I should think so," said the boss. "It seems this youngster kin ride,
seem's he's on Wild Cat."

Reynolds smiled: "I reckon you can consider him both able