The reason for a round-up is not, contrary to fiction, for the purpose of allowing the buckers an opportunity of showing off their riding ability and giving them a chance to shoot and yell. It is the only method there is to herd all the animals of a particular ranch to one spot, for the purpose of checking them, removing the cattle which do not belong where found to their proper ranges, and sorting out those to be sold. It is tiresome work, replete with danger, and everyone is glad when it is over. The corrals used by the X Bar X for the round-up were far distant from the ranch house. They had been repaired in anticipation of the huge herds of cattle they must soon accommodate, and at the first streak of dawn the chuck wagon under the guidance of Sing Lung, started its creaking journey toward the point of deployment. This wagon was a traveling kitchen, for during round-up time the boys ate and slept on the range. The extra saddle ponies were driven out, in charge of Pop Burns and Gus. They were to be held in reserve until a puncher needed a fresh bronco, for the work was of such a laborious nature that frequent changes of mounts were necessary. Every horse, except the ones to be ridden by the punchers, was sent after the chuck wagon. With the home corral empty, the ranch took on a deserted appearance. And at six o’clock Teddy, Roy, Mr. Manley and the punchers started for the range. The round-up was under way. CHAPTER XVII DRIVING IN Straight toward the rising sun the herders rode. The corral, within which the cattle were to be driven, was about seven miles out, and they were to go there and get their instructions from Mr. Manley. There were eight riders in the group, led by Teddy, Roy and their father. The others were trailing along behind. In the extreme rear rode Nick Looker and Jules Kolto. “Peach of a day,” Teddy remarked. “Thought sure we’d have rain--always does pour when you don’t want it to.” “Teddy, you and Roy are going to be round-up bosses,” Mr. Manley stated. “I reckon you knew that, anyway. Roy, you’d better put a good tally-man on the job. I want to know just how many, if any, we’re shy since the spring.” “Right, Dad. Now about the six hundred we’re bringing to Red Rock! Want them herded into the corral first?” “No, I reckon not. Only waste time that-a-way. There’s a bunch of dogies far down on the southwest corner--or they were the last I heard--that I’m countin’ on for that herd. Best and fattest of the lot. How many men do you want with you?” “You mean to get that bunch together and drive ’em to Red Rock?” “Yep.” “Well, what do you think, Teddy? Suppose we take Nick, Gus and Pop. Or do you want them to--” “Nope--you can have ’em. These boys back there all know their business.” He motioned with his head to those following. “But we won’t start the drive until to-morrow. I want to get the rest together--as many as I can--first.”