d, and I appreciate them, too; but
business, in my line, must go ahead of sentiment, and this old Charlie
was doing me a bad turn. My herds will rest easier now that he is gone,"
he said feelingly.

Leaving Billy and Reddy to secure the hide of the second grizzly, the
others returned to camp. Restless Jerry tried the fishing again, and as
before, success came his way.

"I'd give something to have my little _Red Rover_ here, in that swift
water," sighed Bluff, as he and Frank sat on the edge of the bluff,
listening to the rush of the river while it sped on its way to the lower
country.

"Well, a canoe might be fine for shooting downstream, but I don't
believe you'd find it as safe in the rapids as those hide boats. The
rocks can't smash in their sides, like cedar or canvas craft. Better to
do as the natives do, I find, whenever I go anywhere. They know by
experience what's best," returned Frank wisely.

"Look there! A cowboy coming like the wind up the river, waving his hat
over his head! Say! d'ye suppose anything's gone wrong at the ranch, and
we'll have to cut our hunt short?" exclaimed Bluff anxiously.

"Oh, I guess not. You see, those fellows are built that way. They never
can do anything without excitement. See! He's holding up something that
looks like a mail pouch," said Frank composedly.

"Why, of course that's it! I heard Mr. Mabie say he expected mail
to-day, and, for one, I'll be mighty glad to hear from the folks,"
sighed Bluff.

"What? Not getting homesick already, I hope?" smiled his chum.

"Certainly not, only a fellow naturally likes to hear from his mom and
dad when he's away so far," declared Bluff stoutly.

"Yes, and also from some other fellow's sister, in the bargain. Nellie
never finds time to write to me when I'm away, leaving all that to the
old folks; but I notice that you always manage to get a letter in her
handwriting."

"Well, I made her solemnly promise to write every other day, you see,"
explained Bluff, while he suddenly became red in the face, hurrying off
to get his mail.

There were letters for all the boys. Jerry was called in from his
entrancing sport to receive his share, and Frank noticed that he, too,
had a sweet-looking missive in a schoolgirl hand. Of course, it must be
from Mame Crosby, for Jerry and she were great friends.

"Here's something enclosed in my letter, and directed to Mr. Frank
Langdon. Does anybody know a fellow by that name?" asked Will, holding
u