That Zip horse was the ringleader.

Every time, just as I was about to get 'em turned, he'd make a break and the rest would follow, hellity-larrup! Old Heck has cut his feet all to pieces with the hobbles--old fool! I headed 'em four or five times--five, I guess--and they kept getting away, and running farther every time before they stopped and went to grazing.

After a while the pony snagged his bridle in a bush and I got him.

Then I dropped my twine on old Heck and unhobbled him, and come on back.

Give me another drink, Pete." They rode back very slowly to the northern edge of the sandhills and lighted their two signal fires.