"But we are not sure it was the mustang's." "I take for granted that it was, for I do not believe any other pony passed this way since it rained." The boys had not gone on straight ahead, but in a grand semicircle, until the footprints mentioned had been discovered. Now they were riding over a broad patch of prairie land, with a belt of timber to the north and another to the south. "I wonder if there are any Indians in the vicinity," resumed Ralph, a while later. "I won't care to fall in with some of those Comanches who made it so hot for us at the cabin." "Oh, they were chased a good many miles off, Ralph. Besides, they won't dare to show up here while they know that all of our best fighters are massing between Gonzales and San Antonio." "I wonder how matters are going on at the front. I should think our army would march on Bexar without delay." "They don't want to make an attack until they are strong enough to overcome General Cos's force. He may have considerable reinforcements by this time." So the boys talked and rode until noon was passed. Both were now hungry, and coming to a pool in the prairie surrounded by mesquite-trees and bushes, they drew rein and tethered their ponies, and sat down to enjoy the midday meal they had brought along. Pompey had packed for them a tempting hamper, and the boys remained over the repast rather longer than anticipated. The sun shone bright, and as there was no wind, the day was pleasant, even though late in the season. "I suppose some day all this territory will be built up with towns and villages," remarked Dan, as he dug his knife-blade into the earth in a meditative way. "And when it is, I wonder if the boys of that generation will ever remember what a howling wilderness it was in our generation." "A few will, but not many," laughed Ralph. "We are too much of a go-ahead people to do much looking back." The youngest Radbury leaped suddenly to his feet. "What's that, Dan?" The brother sprang up also, and gave a searching glance in the direction Ralph pointed out. "Unless I am greatly mistaken, it's the mustang." "Just what I thought. He seems to be grazing just at the edge of the timber. How had we best get at him?" The matter was talked over for several minutes, and they came to the conclusion to ride to the timber at some point below where the pony was grazing and then work up behind him. "Then, if he bolts, it will be for the prairie," said Dan. "That will give me a chance to lasso him." The timber was soon gained, and they skirted this with the silence of Indians until within a hundred yards of the white mustang. Then the older brother called another halt. "Now you take the north side, and I'll keep to the south," said Dan. "Have you got your lasso ready?" Ralph had, and it was decided that he should make the first throw, but not until Dan was prepared to make the second.