She took up her work the next morning with a fresh incentive and in a happy spirit. Caring for the animals was not such a bore as she thought it would be. She went first to the chickens and pigs; next she attended to the horses and heifers in the corral. The cow was nowhere in sight. "I wonder when Jones will get back?" she thought. "Now that he might really be of some use, of course he's not here." She finished her work, made Rob comfortable, and then went to walk over the ranch to see in which of the grassy coulees the cow had stayed to feed. The hundred and sixty acres that the fence inclosed afforded plenty of range and good pasture, and there was no apparent reason why the cow should break out; but although Harry searched every gully and behind every rock ledge, she could not find her. CHAPTER VI It was several days before Rob was able to get about as usual. His head ached when he tried to walk and his muscles were stiff and sore. On waking the morning after he was hurt, he asked whether Jones had come back again. He seemed a little troubled to learn that he had not yet returned. When the next two days passed without bringing Jones, Rob became plainly disturbed. "He might at least send me word if anything has gone wrong," he declared. "Perhaps he's gone after more colts," Harry suggested. "He's sold a good many of those he had here, hasn't he?" "About half of them; but he wouldn't bring in more--not now, anyhow." "Why not?" "Oh, because. He simply wouldn't." Harry kept silent, for she saw that Rob did not want to say any more about the matter. He seemed so greatly worried over Jones's absence that she restrained her impulse to tell him about Garnett and his sorrel horse. On the third day Rob got up and announced that he was going to work. "The first thing you know the cattle will be coming in round here to feed, and if I don't get that extra strand of wire round my fence before they get here, my critters will be up and off with the others." Harry's heart thumped. "I might as well tell you, Bobs. The cow is gone already." "Hey?" Rob turned quickly and stared at her. He looked pale and thin now that he was standing. "When did the cow get out?" "I don't know--exactly. The day you got hurt, I guess." "She may be in Boise by this time. Did the heifers go, too?" "No, they are all here." "Thank goodness! Well, I'll get right out after the other beast. I've heard Dan say a dry cow is a mean critter to keep tabs on. Put me up a lunch, will you, sis, while I'm saddling the pony?" "Bobs! You aren't going to start out to-day? In this hot sun?" "The longer I wait the hotter it'll get and the farther I'll have to ride." "Couldn't you send one of the Robinson boys?" "And pay him two dollars a day? They couldn't go, anyhow. The whole family is busy irrigating and plowing for fall wheat. Don't worry, sis; that scratch on my scalp looks worse than it feels. I may find the cow right down along the creek."