Supper-time came and passed, and busy men rode away in all directions.

Others came and relieved the guards, and at midnight another squad took up the vigil.
Day broke and the thunder of hoofs as the punchers rounded up the cattle became very noticeable.

One herd swept past toward the south, guarded and guided by fifteen men.

Two hours later and another followed, taking a slightly different trail so as to avoid the close-cropped grass left by the first.

At irregular intervals during the day other herds swept by, until six had passed and denuded the plain of cattle.
Buck, perspiring and dusty, accompanied by Hopalong and Red, rode up to where the guards smoked and joked.