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"Come and get it!" called Cookie.

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Frank and the other cowboys came up to Cookie's wagon.

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The children served the hungry men and everyone sat around a big fire to eat.

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"Frank says you can stay," Cookie said to Vinnie and Mandy.

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"But you'd better keep out of trouble."

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"We promise!" exclaimed the children.

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Mandy listened to the cowboys tell stories, and said,

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"I wish I had a cowboy hat and boots."

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"I wish I had a gun!" Vinnie cried.

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"Hey, kids," a cowboy called out.

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He held up a harmonica.

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"Sing something."

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"I can't sing," said Vinnie shyly.

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"He's right! He can't sing!" giggled Mandy.

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"Come on," the cowboy said.

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"Singing calms the cattle, so they can sleep."

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"Like a lullaby?" asked Vinnie.

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"Yep. We all sing, so don't be shy,"

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said the cowboy,  and he began to play.

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"Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,"

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sang Vinnie as the cattle mooed happily.

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Meanwhile, Mandy was helping Cookie clean up.

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"What is the Chisholm Trail?" she asked.

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"Well, we take the cattle from Texas along the trail to Kansas.

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The cattle end up at the market where they are sold," explained Cookie.

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"How long does it take?" asked Mandy.

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"Depends on the weather and the Indians," said Cookie.

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"It can take from two to three months."

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Later some cowboys unrolled their beds and went to sleep.

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Others just leaned back, covered their eyes with their hats, and slept on the ground.

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Cookie gave Mandy and Vinnie bedrolls. Vinnie yawned.

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A few men were walking around, staring at the herd.

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"Why aren't those men sleeping?" Vinnie asked Frank.

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"They're guarding the cattle," Frank replied.

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"From what?" asked Mandy.

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"Wild animals, cattle thieves, and Indians," said Frank.

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The children heard howling in the distance.

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Mandy moved closer to her brother.

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The next morning, the children woke to a sunny day.

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Everyone was already up and ready to go.

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The wagon was loaded, and the cattle were starting to move again.

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"Good morning, kids," Cookie called.

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"You missed breakfast, but I saved you some biscuits.

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We have to get going."

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"Where?" asked Vinnie, munching on his biscuit.

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"It's time to get back on the trail,"

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said Frank as he brought over Vinnie's horse from the previous day.

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The horse sniffed Vinnie's biscuit.

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"You come with me."

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"And Mandy can ride with me," said Cookie.

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He picked her up and helped her climb onto the wagon seat.

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The horses followed the cattle at an easy pace.

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They rode over dry, flat prairies of tall grass.

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The sun was hot, and the sky was bright blue.

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There was a soft wind.

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Vinnie wiped his face with his sleeve and thought:

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"This is the life of a cowboy!"