on to look after you? No, sir! Fred goes with
you. I entrust you to his care, and expect him to bring you back in time
to resume your studies on the first Monday in November. It is very kind
in the doctor to consent to the arrangement. I hope you appreciate it,
sir."

"I thank him very much," said Jack, looking toward the physician, who
just then drew his hand across his mouth to suppress the smile that was
tugging at the corners.

"Of course," continued Mr. Dudley, still with the manner of a
philosopher, "in visiting such a section, inhabited by large and fierce
game, you must take every precaution. I shall furnish each of you with a
repeating Winchester, a revolver, and such other articles as may be
necessary. We will now excuse you, with the understanding that if any
objections occur to either, you will let us know at once, so that you
may continue your studies, while I engage other parties to attend to
this business."

"I'll think it over," replied Jack, tremulous with delight.

And then he and his chum withdrew and went up-stairs again to the room
of Fred Greenwood, who hastily closed the door. The next instant they
were hugging each other, and dancing about as if their senses had
forsaken them; and indeed it may be said that for a brief while such was
the fact.

"Fred," said the happy Jack, when there was a lull in the excitement,
"we must fix upon a name for ourselves."

"I thought our parents attended to that a good many years ago."

"You know what I mean; we need some title that will distinguish us from
all other young gentlemen of our acquaintance. How does 'W. R.' strike
you?"

"'W. R.'? What does that mean?"

"The 'Wyoming Rangers;' that sounds rather high-toned."

Fred shook his head.

"We are not going West to reduce the aboriginal population; I hope we
shall have no trouble with the red men. When we get among the people who
have always lived there, such a title will make us ridiculous, for it
smacks of conceit; it assumes too much."

"Suppose _you_ suggest something?"

"Let's call ourselves the 'V. W. W.'; that surely will be appropriate."

"What do those letters mean?"

"The 'Verdant Wanderers of Wyoming;' that is precisely what we shall
be."

Jack Dudley laughed, and at first protested, but finally agreed to
accept the title as fitting and appropriate, and it was so ordered.

CHAPTER II.

RIDING NORTHWARD.

And so it came about that on a sharp, crisp day early in the mo