Weir scrambled to saddle and spurred from under. The other riders closed in on the day herd, stirring them up the better to check the outlaws. Half of the round-up crew followed Yoast to the right of the now roused and bellowing day herd, bunching them; the others followed Ralston on Johnny's side of the herd. Cole Ralston was the Bar Cross foreman. Overtaking Johnny, he raised a finger; the two drew rein and let the others pass by. Cole spoke to the last man. "Spike, when they quiet down you ride round and tell all these day-herder waddies that if any of 'em want to write letters they can slip in to the wagon. I'm sending a man to town soon after supper." He turned to Johnny, laughing. "Them outcasts was sure snaky. We near wasted the whole bunch. Had to string 'em out and let 'em run so they thought they was getting away or they'd ha' broke back into the brush." "Two bull fights started already," observed Johnny. "Your Sunday-School bulls are hunting up the wild ones, just a-snuffin'." "The boys will keep 'em a-moving," said Cole. "Dines, you ride your own horses, so I reckon you're not drawing pay from the ninety-seven piney-woods brands you're lookin' out for. Just turning their cattle in a neighborly way?" "Someone had to come." "Well, then," said Cole, "how would you like a Bar Cross mount?" Slow red tinged the olive of Johnny's cheek, betraying the quickened heartbeats. "You've done hired a hand--quick as ever I throw these cattle back home." "Wouldn't Walter Hearn cut out your milk-pen brands as close as you would?" "Sure! He's one of the bunch." "Your pay started this morning, then. Here's the lay. To-morrow we work the herd and start the west-bound strays home. Walt can throw in with the S S Bar man and I'll send Lon along to represent the Bar Cross. Hiram goes to the John Cross work, at the same time helpin' Pink throw back the John Cross stuff. So that leaves us shy a short man. That's you. Send your horses home with Walt." "I'd like to keep one with me for my private." "All right. Leave him at the horse camp. Can't carry any idlers with the _caballada_--makes the other horses discontented. You drift into the wagon early, when you see the horse herd coming. I'm goin' to send you to the horse camp to get you a mount. We'll cut out all the lame ones and sore backs from our mounts too. I'll give you a list of fresh ones to bring back for us. You go up to Engle after supper and then slip out to Moongate to-morrow. We'll be loadin' 'em at Engle when you get back. No hurry; take your time."