"Ki Sing," said Bradley, jocosely, "I am afraid we can't carry your trunk with us."

 

"'Tlunk'!" repeated the Chinaman, looking puzzled.

 

"Yes, trunk, or 'tlunk,' as you call it. Haven't you a trunk to carry your clothes?"

 

"Got clothes on," said Ki Sing, pointing to his blouse and wide pants.

 

"I see," said Bradley, laughing. "We're all about in the same fix. The clothes of the whole party wouldn't half fill a trunk."

 

The two horses were brought out and saddled.

 

Bradley assisted Richard Dewey to mount one, and motioned to Ben to mount the other. "Get on, Ben," he said. "It's time the procession was moving."

 

Ben shook his head. "No, Jake," he said. "You are older than I am. It is proper that you should ride."

 

"If I'm older than you," said Bradley, "I am stronger than you, and am better able to walk."

 

"I am strong enough, Jake. I sha'n't get tired."

 

"One of us ought to ride. There's no use in havin' a horse if you ain't going to use him."

 

"Suppose," suggested Ben, laughing, "we let Ki Sing ride?"

 

Bradley saw that a joke was intended, and he turned gravely to the Chinaman. "Ki Sing," he said, "come here and mount this mustang. We are goin' to let you ride."

 

An expression of alarm overspread the Chinaman's broad face. He had never been on a horse's back in his life, but he knew something of the Californian mustangs. More than once he had seen them buck and throw the ill-fated riders over their heads, and, not being of a daring or venturesome nature, he preferred to walk rather than trust himself to mount the back of so treacherous an animal.

 

"Ki Sing no wantee lide," he said, starting back in alarm.

 

"But, Ki Sing, you will get tired tramping over these hills. It will be much easier to ride on a mustang."

 

"No likee mustang--mustang buckee," objected the Chinaman.

 

"You are right, Ki Sing. They do buck sometimes, but this animal is as mild and peaceful as a lamb. However, we won't insist on your riding now. Some other day, when you have found out how safe he is, you shall try him."

 

The Chinaman seemed much relieved at the privilege accorded him of walking, and with his small bundle prepared to take his place in the procession.

 

"Ben," said Bradley, "the best way for us to arrange will be to take turns in riding. I'd a good deal rather walk half the way. My legs get cramped when I am on horseback too long. You remember I used to get off and lead the horse when we had one apiece. You may take your turn first, and as you are riding I will give you a bag to carry. Mind you don't lose it, for it contains our store of gold-dust."

 

"All right, Jake. I'll ride first, if you say so." In truth, Ben was pleased to find himself once more on the back of a horse. He had not had much practice in riding at the East, but the practice he had had in California had already made him a good rider, and even if the mustang had taken a fancy to buck he would have found it rather hard to dislodge our young hero. The animal he bestrode, however, was very well-behaved, especially when he felt that his rider had the mastery over him. Any horse, with any spirit, is apt to take advantage of a timid or unpractised rider, and the animal is very quick to learn when this is the case.

 

During the first day the mustang behaved remarkably well. To begin with, both Ben and Bradley were good riders. Moreover, the path was very uneven, chiefly up and down hill, and the horse was too sensible to go much beyond a walk.

 

As for Dewey, he got on very comfortably. His ankle was nearly as strong as at first, but if he had been compelled to use it for a day's tramp it would undoubtedly have ached and become sensitive. On the back of his horse--or rather Bradley's--there was of course no danger of injur............