er, as twilight began closing in they reached a small
grove of trees, which was the destination of the guide from the first.
It was there he meant to camp for the night, and he could not have
selected a better place had he spent a week in looking for it.

The grove covered less than an acre, the trees standing well apart, and
wholly free from brush and undergrowth. Thus even the horses could pass
back and forth freely. Over this shaded space the dark-green grass grew
luxuriantly, with a soft juiciness of texture which made it the ideal
food for cattle and horses. In the middle of the grove bubbled a spring
of clear cold water, whose winding course could be traced far out on the
plain by the fringe of deeper green which accompanied it.

Saddles and bridles were removed, and the ponies turned free to crop the
grass until they were filled, when they would lie down for the night.
The blankets were spread on the ground near the spring, and then, at the
suggestion of Hazletine, all three joined in gathering dried branches
and limbs with which to start a fire. It was now cool enough to make the
warmth welcome, while the flame would add to the cheerfulness of the
occasion.

Jack and Fred had never ridden so far at one stretch, and when they
reclined on their blankets to watch Hank start the fire they were
thoroughly tired out; but it seemed to them their hunger was more
ravenous than ever. Each forbore to speak of it, but the deliberation of
their friend in preparing the meal was almost intolerable.

The first night spent by the boys in camping out in the wilds of Wyoming
was one that can never be forgotten. When the meal was finished and the
last vestige of food eaten, the three stretched out where they could
feel the grateful warmth of the fire that had been kindled against the
trunk of a large oak. Hank had again lighted his pipe, and deeply
interested Jack and Fred by his reminiscences of a life that had been
filled to overflowing with strange experience and adventure. They
listened, unconscious of the passage of the hours, until he abruptly
asked:

"What time is it?"

Each youth looked at his watch, and, to his astonishment, saw that it
was nearly half-past ten. They had supposed that it was fully two hours
earlier.

"One of the rules that must always be follered," said the guide, "when
hunting or away from home, is that all the party mustn't sleep at the
same time."

"Then one has to stand watch?"

"It looks t