He trekked to the Kimberleys several years ago. But that trek did not cross the Never-never."

"I savvy. Then thet three thousand mile drive we're undertakin' is jest a short cut?"

"It is, really. The whole idea thrills me through and through."

"Shore. I can see why for a boy. But for a girl--"

"I'm tired of that Downsville school. Then I couldn't let Mum and Dad go without me."

"Yeah? But can you ride, Miss Leslie?" went on Red, drawling, quizzically.

"Please don't call me miss... Ride? I'll give you a go any day, Mister Cowboy."

"Please don't call me mister...'Course I wouldn't race you. No girl in the world could beat a Texas cowboy."

"I wouldn't risk any guesses or wagers," said Sterl.

"You'd better not. My horses are the finest in Queensland. We'll miss the races this fall. I'm sorry about that. All the fun we ever have here is racing."

"Yore hosses. You mean yore Dad's?" inquired Red. "No, my own. I have ten. I'm just waiting to show you!"

When the cowboys said good night and walked toward their camp, Red inquired: "Pard, did you look Leslie over tonight?"

"I saw her, but I didn't look twice."

"Shore a fine looker in thet blue dress. She was born on a hoss all right. Did you notice she was a little less free with you than with me?"

"No, pard, I didn't."

"Wal, she was. But thet isn't goin' to keep me from takin' my chance. Aw, I don't entertain no big hope of cuttin' you out. I never could win any girl when you was around."

"Red, you can have them all," declared Sterl.

At day-break they were off for the paddock, laden with saddles, bridles and blankets. Another barn marked the opening of the level valley. Cattle were bawling, horses whistling, thrushes singing. A heavy dew glistened upon grass and brush. Down the lane, riders mounted bareback were driving a string of horses into a corral.

Presently Sterl and Red were perched upon the top bar of the corral fence, as they had been perhaps thousands of times on western ranches, directing keen and experienced eyes at the drove of dusty, shaggy horses. They proved to be fat, full of fire and dash, superb in every requirement. They came of a rangier, heavier, more powerful stock than the ordinary western horses, and in these particulars were markedly superior to the plains cayuse.

"Gosh-durn-it! I never seen their beat. Did we have to come way out heah to see English stock beat the socks off ours?" said Red.

"But, Red, good horses have to have speed and stamina," returned Sterl, weakly.

"Hell, you can see thet in every line. Hosses gotta be the same all over.