from Rose Ranch. They began to answer the cries of the wild mob
below, and stamped their little hoofs upon the rock. Bess Harley's
mount stood up on his hind legs, and if Walter had not caught the
reins the brute might have got away.

"Why, you naughty boy!" cried Bess. "I never would have thought
you'd do it. He seemed so tame, Rhoda!"

Rhoda could not hear her, but shook a warning head. While the herd
was passing one could not trust even the best trained saddle pony.
It was only a few months before that they had all been members of
just such a mob of wild horses as this.

The dust was carried to the other side of the canyon by such air as
was stirring; therefore Rhoda and her visitors obtained a better
view of the horses as the herd flowed on. There seemed to be an
endless stream of them. Hundreds--yes, thousands--plunged down the
canon trail, sure footed as sheep over the rocky path.

The girls fairly squealed with delight when they saw the
long-legged colts staggering along close to their mothers' flanks.
There was no play among them, for without doubt the younger
creatures were all much confused, and very tired.

Had there been any place where the mates could have turned out of
the mob with their young, they would undoubtedly have done so; but
the way was narrow and those behind pushed the others on. After
all, Nan secretly thought, it was a cruel way to treat the animals.

She did not set herself in judgment upon the method of handling the