ndle us the worst sort of way. They won't give up the boy on our
promise to pay 'em the money and no questions asked, for they don't
b'leve we'll do it; so we've got to give 'em the money and trust to
their honor to keep their part. Trust to their _honor_," repeated Hank,
with all the scorn he could throw into voice and manner; "as if they
knowed what it means."

"I know from what you have said that Tozer and Motoza are cunning,
but----"

In order to receive all the warmth possible, Jack Dudley was sitting
within the cavern and facing outward, while his companion faced him,
with his back toward the plateau and mountains beyond. Jack suddenly
broke off his remark, for in the gloom behind the cowman he saw
something move. That something quickly took the form of a white-faced,
exhausted youth trudging painfully forward and ready to sink to the
ground with weakness.

"Heavens! can it be?" gasped Jack, half-rising to his feet and staring
across the camp-fire. The next moment, and while Hazletine was looking
in the same direction, as astounded as the youth, the elder made one
bound and was at the side of Fred Greenwood, whom he caught in his arms
as he sagged downward in a state of utter collapse.

In the course of the following hour everything was made clear. Under the
tender ministrations of Jack Dudley and Hank Hazletine the returned
wanderer recovered to a great degree his strength, and to the fullest
degree his naturally buoyant spirits. The faint odor of the broiling
meat which lingered in the air awoke his ravenous appetite, but knowing
how long he had been without food, the cowman would not permit him to
eat more than a tithe of what he craved. After a time he gave him more,
until his appetite was fairly well satisfied.

"Jack," said Fred, with something of his old waggishness, as he looked
across the fire into the face of his comrade, "let's go home."

"You forget that we have a month's vacation, and it is hardly half gone.
We can stay another week and then be sure of being back to school in
time. You lamented more than I because we could not have a longer
play-spell. Your sentiments have changed."

The younger lad pointed to his feet.

"There's the reason. If I were like you I shouldn't think of leaving
this delightful country until the last day; but I shall need all the
vacation to get on my feet again. Do you comprehend?"

"Yes; your demonstration is logical. True, you have lost your rifle and
pistol, t