“Wood must be collected for the fire, the food and dishes must be unpacked, supper cooked and water located.”

“Better put me on the job of getting water, because I shall picket the horses where they can get a drink,” declared the ranchman.

“Then, Larry, you and Bill build the fire and get supper ready.  Horace, I’ll put you in charge and you must arrange the place for us to sleep.  I can see some pine trees yonder.  Break off some limbs and spread them on the ground.  Then put the blankets over them.  I’m going with Mr. Wilder to bring the water and to learn how to hobble the horses.”

“You’re a fine commander to be lieutenant for—­not,” declared Horace.  “Gave me the meanest job of all.”  Yet he lost no time in obeying.

Quickly each one set about the work assigned to him, for the sight of the doughnuts and other good things to eat, after their long ride, made them hungry.

“Get the coffee pot and then sling the reins of Lightning and Buster on your arm and come with me, Tom,” said Mr. Wilder.  “I’ll take Blackhawk, because he’s still cranky, and the other two.”

The ranchman, however, let the ponies lead him more than he led them, for he knew their instinct would take them to the nearest water.

Yet there was no need of their guidance, for in a few minutes the ears of the hunters caught the sound of running water.

“That’s a brook,” declared Mr. Wilder, and quickly he led the way to a spot where they found a fair-sized pool formed by a stream coming from the hills.

The coffee pot was a monster, holding all of two gallons, and this the ranchman directed Tom to fill before allowing the ponies to satisfy their thirst.

As the animals were drinking Mr. Wilder took the lariats he had brought and tied an end around the left ankle of each pony, making another noose round the hind ankle on the same side at such a distance that there was about three feet of the rope between the hoofs.

“Such a short line makes it impossible for them to run or even walk very well,” he explained, “so they will just stay here and browse,

“Now we’ll remove the bridles.  Always remember to hobble your pony before unbridling.”

“But the rope ends?” asked Tom.

“In a place like this, where there are no rocks between which they can get bound, you can let them drag.  When it is rocky, you can wind the rope loosely round their necks.”

Before the task was finished they heard Horace calling.

“Hey, you!  Hurry with that coffee pot!” he shouted.  “We want to start it boiling.”

“Then come and get it,” replied his father.

But Tom had already picked it up and was carrying it toward the camp fire, which was blazing cheerily beneath the big tree.  Taking the bridles, Mr. Wilder soon followed.

Larry had spread a blanket on the ground for a tablecloth and arranged the plates, knives and forks.  In the middle he had made a pile of doughnuts and around them set three pies.