“Oh, well, I don’t mind taking a sporting chance now and then.” Rock swung lightly off the fence. “What’s the program now, Miss Parke?” “Rope that sorrel for me and that chunky bay for yourself,” she said crisply. “And catch me that black pony.” * * * * * Nona saddled her horse as soon as Rock, and she had him saddle the small black horse with an extra rig in the stable. They rode to the house. The girl swung down, darted in, and came out with a cushion, which she fastened across the fork of her saddle. Then she called Betty, and that chubby person toddled forth. Nona put her on the cushion and swung up to her seat. The child, all smiles for Rock, rode easily within the protection of her sister’s arm. The extra horse trotted at the end of Rock’s lead rope, as they set off down the valley. “Didn’t she see him?” Rock muttered. “How come she takes me for him?” Nona shook her head. “I left her shut in the house when we made that ride yesterday. You can see she takes you for granted.” Betty undoubtedly did. She prattled away, calling him “Doc.” “I don’t like to leave her alone much,” Nona explained. “That’s why we’ve got this extra cayuse. There’s a half-breed family lives down river a few miles. One of the girls has been nurse for Betty most all the last year. She’s been away for a while, and I’ve got to get her back. I’ve carried this child hundreds of miles like this, but it’s too hard on her and on me. I’ve got to be free to ride when I need to.” Rock nodded comprehension. He had been wondering how she managed with the baby. They traversed long river flats, gray with sage, heavily grassed here and there, spotted with natural meadows of blue-joint hay. Meadow larks caroled. In the still pools, where foaming riffles ended, wild ducks mothered flapping broods. Gray and brown buffalo birds haunted the berry thickets and fluttered out at their approach. Except for this wild life, the bottoms were deserted. Few cattle grazed in those valleys, so hotly scrutinized by a brassy sun. They kept to high ground and cooler airs. And, just as Rock was beginning to wonder if his day’s ride should consist of acting solely as Nona’s escort, she pulled up and pointed to a wide-mouthed draw, opening into the Marias from the north. “Ride up that about six or eight miles, then swing west, and circle back to the ranch,” she said. “My brand is a TL, same as on your horse. Left rib on cattle. Make a sort of rough estimate of how many you see. You ought to get in about two or three o’clock. I’ll have some dinner cooked.” CHAPTER VII: MARINERS