tion that they did not go fishing, or at least pay a
visit to the old "swimming hole."

When together, Bristles and Fred often talked about the affair of the
opals. The latter said that his aunt kept in constant touch with Gabe
Larkins, and seemed to be gaining considerable influence over the wild
lad.

"I don't just know whether he means to reform, or is only pulling the
wool over Aunt Alicia's eyes," Bristles declared; "but, anyhow, he
seems to be walking a straight line now. Why, his mother told mine just
yesterday that she didn't know what had come over Gabe, he was that
considerate of her feelings nowadays. She wondered if he could be
feeling ill, and expectin' to die. But maw just told her not to worry;
that she reckoned he was only feelin' sorry because he'd been so bad in
the past."

"I hope he means it," said Fred, with considerable earnestness in his
voice. "It's a pretty hard thing for the leopard to change his spots,
father says; but if Gabe does turn over a new leaf, he certainly ought
to be helped by everybody."

"Oh!" said Bristles, quickly, "I stopped and shook hands with him the
last time we met. And say, Fred, there did seem to be something a
little different about his eyes; looked me square in the face, and you
know he used to be seeing somethin' over your head every time before. I
wonder now does it mean anything?"

But that again was another thing that only time could prove. Whether
Gabe did really see a light, and mean to change his ways, or was
playing a foxy game for some purpose, there could be no way of telling,
until he chose to come out into the open.

Here, with the horizon looking so bright for those in whose fortunes we
have come to feel such a deep interest, it may be as well for us to say
good-bye for the present, and leave a further recital of their
adventures and contests to another time.

THE END

THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES

By CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON

12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.

All lads who love life in the open air and a good steed, will want to
peruse these books. Captain Carson knows his subject thoroughly, and
his stories are as pleasing as they are healthful and instructive.

THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
_or Lost on Thunder Mountain_

Telling how the lads started out to solve the mystery of a great noise
in the mountains--how they got lost--and of the things they discovered.

THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON