Charley grew very pale at the thought of the narrow escape he
had had, and wrung his brother very hard by the hand; while Hubert
was half-inclined to cry at the thoughts of what might have
happened.
The sun was just setting when they saw a crowd of objects in the
distance; and the boys at once saddled their horses and rode off,
to meet their father and to assist to drive in the animals. They
found, upon reaching him, that he had bought a thousand sheep,
fifty cattle, and twenty horses; three of these last being
remarkably well bred, and fast, and bought specially for their own
riding. Upon their arrival at the house the sheep were turned into
the enclosure, the horses were picketed, and the cattle left to
roam at their will, as it was not thought probable that they would
attempt to return to their distant homes, especially after two
days' fatiguing march.
Mr. Hardy was very much pleased at the sight of the long rows of
bricks lying in front of the house, and gave great credit to all
for the amount of work which had been done during his few days'
absence. The next morning he assigned to every one their share of
the future work. Lopez and one of the peons went out with the
horses, cattle, and sheep. After a time it would not be necessary
to have two men employed for this work, as the cattle and horses,
when they once became accustomed to their new home, would never
wander very far.
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