The cowboy leaned toward them.
A little afraid, Vinnie and Mandy moved to the other side of the wagon.
"Come on out of there,"
he said in a firm but friendly voice.
The children crawled forward and looked out.
"Wow!" Vinnie said loudly.
A large herd of cattle was nearby.
Vinnie counted about ten cowboys riding horses.
The children started to climb out of the wagon.
"Where are we? Oops!"
cried Mandy, almost falling off the wagon.
"Careful now, little one," the cowboy laughed.
"We left Texas quite a while ago.
We're in Kansas, on the Chisholm Trail."
"Kansas?" cried Vinnie.
"How did you two get in my wagon?" asked the cowboy.
"Actually, we . . . ," stuttered Vinnie.
"We wanted to go on an adventure!" Mandy interrupted.
The cowboy smiled and shook his head.
"You'll get adventure, all right.
But this trail can be dangerous."
The children introduced themselves, and Mandy said,
"We promise not to bother you.
Can we stay?"
"Hey, Cookie! When's supper?" a young cowboy called to the man.
"Wait a minute, my friend," Cookie shouted back.
Then he turned to the children.
"I'll talk to the boss to see if you can stay.
Meanwhile, you can help me cook."
Cookie asked the children to unload a frying pan and a large pot.
Then, as Cookie picked up a sack of beans, another cowboy walked over.
"Who are these kids?" he said.
"They're Vinnie and Mandy, and they're on a big adventure," chuckled Cookie.
He winked at the other man.
"This is Frank, children.
He's the trail boss."
"That's right," said Frank sternly.
"Come with me, Vinnie.
I can use your help."
Vinnie followed Frank.
Mandy stayed behind to help Cookie.
"What are we going to do?" asked Vinnie.
Frank untied two horses from a nearby bush.
"We need to move the herd,"
explained Frank, getting on one horse.
"Just follow me."
Frank made a clicking noise with his tongue and then rode off.
Nervously, Vinnie climbed onto the other horse.
"Good horse," he said softly.
The horse didn't move.
Vinnie tried making the clicking noise like Frank.
But his horse just lowered its head and ate some grass.
Vinnie watched Frank circle the cattle, going in and out of the herd.
He shouted and snapped a whip in the air.
"Please, do something," Vinnie said to his horse.
"First time on a horse?" asked Frank, riding over.
"Yes, sir," said Vinnie.
"Our horses know their job," said Frank.
"But you need to show them who's boss."
Frank showed Vinnie how to hold the reins and lightly kick with his heels.
"Now, give it a try," ordered Frank.
"Come on, horse!" Vinnie shouted in a strong voice.
The horse moved slowly forward.
Vinnie held on as tight as he could.