better spot if we had hunted for a
month," said Jack, admiringly surveying their surroundings.

"This is to be our headquarters," explained Hazletine, "during the few
days or the week that we spend in hunting here."

"You mean that we are to spend each night in this place?"

The guide nodded his head.

"I don't know of any better arrangement," said Fred; "we can gather
enough wood to keep a fire going, and, if rain should set in, shall have
as good shelter as if in the house on the ranch."

"That's it; and you mustn't furgit one thing," added Hazletine; "we
fetched along just 'nough stuff fur dinner. We haven't anything left fur
supper. None of the cattle git this fur into the mountains, so we can't
count on them. Therefore, we've the ch'ice atween shooting game or
starving to death."

"That's enough to make us all do our best, but we cannot suffer so long
as we have you for our companion."

"But you ain't going to have me fur your companion."

The boys stared at their friend in astonishment. He explained:

"There ain't much show fur three persons to find game as long as they
stick together. The right way is fur 'em all to part and each keep it up
on his own hook. A chap isn't in half the danger of being seen by the
deer or sheep, or whatever it may be he's after; and he has the chance,
too, to show what stuff he's made of."

"Then you intend to leave us?"

"You've hit it the first time. I'll start out on my own bus'ness,
meaning to be back here while the night's young."

Observing significant looks passing between the boys, the man hastened
to add:

"Now, don't you folks make the mistake of thinking I'll get your supper
fur you, fur I don't mean to do nothing of the kind. I don't intend to
do any hunting, but to git away from you so as to let you have the
chance. I don't say that if a big horn or a antelope or buck walks up in
front of me and asks me to take a shy at him that I won't pop him over,
though some folks that I know wouldn't do the same if the buck happened
to be a two-legged one; but such things don't often happen; and, if you
don't fetch in any game, them appetites of your'n are likely to bother
you as much as they did t'other day when we was riding from the fort."

"Do you wish Fred and me to part company?"

Hank's eyes twinkled and a quizzical expression lit up that part of his
countenance which was visible.

"'Twouldn't be safe."

"Why not?"

"You'd each take the other fur a wild