The smaller, under the direction of Jed Parker, was to drive the mesquite in the wide flats.

The rest of us, under the command of Homer, the round-up captain, were to sweep the country even as far as the base of the foothills near Mount Graham.

Accordingly we put our horses to the full gallop.
Mile after mile we thundered along at a brisk rate of speed.

Sometimes we dodged in and out among the mesquite bushes, alternately separating and coming together again; sometimes we swept over grassy plains apparently of illimitable extent, sometimes we skipped and hopped and buck-jumped through and over little gullies, barrancas, and other sorts of malpais--but always without drawing rein.

The men rode easily, with no thought to the way nor care for the footing.