Part 27 (2/2)

suggested Jerry wickedly

By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree and once more resume their journey

Of course, they were an unco soaked to the skin, and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes Brisk exertion kept thehted to set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp

Their welcome was a war the to the forest fire and the fierce cloudburst

”We hoped you were safe, and tried to believe it, boys; but at the saht have been caught napping, and I tell you we're lad to see you back safe and sound Now, tell us how it happened,” was Mr Mabie's greeting as he squeezed a hand of each

”If youabout it We have not struck ahere, and only Bluff shot once The fire came from an entirely different quarter, I assure you,” said Frank

”I never doubted that, h of you boys to know that after all I've said none of you would be careless enough to endanger things But perhaps, after all, the fire wasthan otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstor, and that has saved our pastures”

Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once The fire was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be diffused around the iarht I would after all that ru to keep hisstiff

”We'll look back to this day as one of the strangest in all our experience,” rearments where the sun would fall upon the a clear sky overhead

”Howso low I have three rolls still at the ranch house, and when they're exhausted my business is done”

”Sorry to tell you, lads, that I had word froone, and it's absolutely necessary for

Now, if you would like to reer in caive up unless you're satisfied hat fun you've had,” said the stockman just then

The boys looked at each other

”I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of things about the ranch we ought to know more about So I vote that we return with Mr Mabie,” was Frank's suggestion

”Count me in that,” echoed Jerry

”And I'm just wild to print a few of the remarkable pictures I've et back to the house; so I' to say yes to the proposition,” put in Will

”And I' as the cook doesn't strike, or put us on short rations,” added Bluff

In this spirit of hu they would break ca you out of soized the stock so

”Why, I don't knohat else we could do here Seems to me we've about exhausted the list of exciterizzlies, a panther, a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the river and treed by a cloudburst There could hardly be anything hed Frank

”Well, I admit that you havelot of boys alill get all the fun there is going It's been the happiest event of my last ten years of life to have you with o just tell hi sent you up here to break the dreadful monotony of existence on a stock ranch”

They passed a delightful evening The boys sang ive a recitation, which called forth vociferous applause from the cowboy audience

”I can see very plainly that you are going to make a worthy successor to that lawyer father of yours, Bluff,” declared Mr Mabie as he clapped his hands

”And I expect to live to see him on the Supre preparations for their departure were soon completed The tents, and all on, while the boys, together with Mr Mabie and Reddy, rode horseback It was an invigorating gallop back to the ranch house, and on the way the chued in a number of little races But Will would not allow hiht happen to his precious camera, which he carried by a strap over his shoulder