''Been on small ones, not like this though.'' She kicked the dirt, not knowing what to say now.

"Well... I was wondering if you would like to stay out an extra day or two. There are five head of cattle that split off from the herd, and I need one person to go with me to find em. You up for it?" Tyler asked, raising his eyebrow. If she didn't say yes, he would probably ask Chad. Chad was almost as experienced as Tyler... only about a year behind

''Sure, sounds fun'' She shrugged slightly. ''We goin' now?'' She looked to Arrow, the gelding held his head close to te ground, chewing sleeply.

Tyler glanced at her. "If you are ready." He said quietly, hopping on Rum and trotting him around a couple times. Tyler then slowed his horse to a halt, waiting for Estrella

''Okay'' She saddled Smokey and mounted up. She made him walk, trot, lope a bit to wake him up. ''Im ready now''

Tyler nodded, starting off. He knew Chad and Mitch would tell everybody why two of their people suddenly disappeared. He glanced around, seeing trampled grass... though it looked old, like it was already springing back up. He followed the trail, cantering slowly and taking his time

Smokey cantered after Rum, keeping pace with him. Estrella watched the sun slowly rise.

The light of dawn warmed Tyler up, making Rum's dappled back shine. He smiled slightly. This was what Tyler especially loved about cattle drives... cantering across the open green plains on Rum... the wind blowing and cooling him down, the sun shining on his back... he felt so free. Tyler started seeing tracks... fresh ones

Smokey saw the tracks and sped up a little. Estrella pulled him back to a canter. ''No boy'' She whispered to Smokey

Tyler continued to canter Rum slowly. Down the next valley up and... in the second valley there were the five cattle. It was getting later by now... not completely dark but Tyler decided to take more time rather than hurry the clock. "We will make camp with the cattle, then start moving them in the morning." Tyler called out to Estrella, slowly trotting Rum into the rocky valley. On the inside it got better, the grass turning lush, green, and soft. Tyler made sure all the cattle were okay before dismounting. He took the tack off of Rum and rubbed the horse down, knowing they would have to stay up all night to watch the cattle.