TAKING TO THE TRAIL 15 



a reasonable price. We were uncertain of the 

 pony's powers of endurance, but finally pur- 

 chased him with the hope that he would answer 

 our purpose until we reached the Apache reser- 

 vation, where John felt certain we could secure 

 a better qualified animal. This pony had a 

 large "W" branded on his left shoulder, which 

 suggested to John that "William" would be an 

 appropriate name for him, and this he was 

 dubbed, though he quickly learned to answer 

 to Bill and Billy as well. 



Thus our outfit was completed, and at five 

 o'clock on the afternoon of June thirtieth we 

 rode out of Taylor, glad to be finally in the 

 saddle and on the trail. 



