the hot sun. When they reached the camp they found that the pack train
had long since broken camp and gone on.

"Where are the ponies?" cried Walter, looking about.

"I'll get them," answered Dad, circling the camp a few times to pick up
the trail.

It will be remembered that the animals had been hobbled on the previous
afternoon and turned loose to graze. Dad found the trail and 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