The brothers were somewhat familiar with winter on the plains.  Cold was to be expected, but if accompanied by sunshine and a dry atmosphere, there was nothing to fear.  A warm, fine day was usually the forerunner of a storm, the approach of which gave little warning, requiring a sleepless vigilance to avoid being taken unaware or at a disadvantage.

The day’s work began at sunrise.  Cattle are loath to leave a dry bed, and on throwing open the corral gates, it was often necessary to enter and arouse the herd.  Thereafter, under normal conditions, it was a matter of pointing, keeping up the drag cattle, allowing the herd to spread and graze, and contracting and relaxing as occasion required.  In handling, it was a decided advantage that the little nucleus had known herd restraint, in trailing overland from Texas, and were obedient, at a distance of fifty yards, to the slightest whistle or pressure of a herdsman.  Under favorable conditions, the cattle could be depended on to graze until noon, when they were allowed an hour’s rest, and the circle homeward was timed so as to reach the corral and water by sunset.  The duties of each day were a repetition of the previous one, the moods of the old and younger cattle, sedate and frolicsome, affording the only variety to the monotony of the task.

“Holding these cattle is going to be no trouble at all,” said Dell, as they rode homeward, at the end of the first day’s herding.  “My horse never wet a hair to-day.”

“Don’t shout before you’re out of the woods,” replied Joel.  “The first of April will be soon enough to count our chickens.  To-morrow is only the beginning of December.”

“Last year we shucked corn up until Christmas.”

“Husking corn is a burnt bridge with me.  We’re herding cattle this winter.  Sit straight in your saddle.”

A week of fine weather followed.  The boys were kept busy, early and late, with the details of house and stable.  A new route each day was taken with the herd, and after penning in the evening, it was a daily occurrence, before bedtime, to walk back to the corral and see that all was secure.  Warning of approach and departure, on the part of the boys, either by whistling or singing, was always given the cattle, and the customary grunting of the herd answered for its own contentment.  A parting look was given the horses, their forage replenished, and every comfort looked after to the satisfaction of their masters.  By nature, horses are distant and slow of any expression of friendship; but an occasional lump of sugar, a biscuit at noon-time, with the present ration of grain, readily brought the winter mounts to a reliance, where they nickered at the approaching footsteps of their riders.