ak camp and return to the ranch.

"I feel that I'm cheating you out of some of your expected fun, boys,"
apologized the stockman that evening, as they were packing some of their
stuff, so as to lighten the labor in the morning.

"Why, I don't know what else we could do here. Seems to me we've about
exhausted the list of excitements. We've shot elk, grizzlies, a panther,
a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the
river and treed by a cloudburst. There could hardly be anything more,
sir," laughed Frank.

"Well, I admit that you have made hay while the sun shone; and such a
pushing lot of boys always will get all the fun there is going. It's
been the happiest event of my last ten years of life to have you with
me, and when you see my old side partner of long ago just tell him that
I'll never get over being thankful to him for having sent you up here
to break the dreadful monotony of existence on a stock ranch."

They passed a delightful evening. The boys sang many of their school
songs, and Bluff was induced to give a recitation, which called forth
vociferous applause from the cowboy audience.

"I can see very plainly that you are going to make a worthy successor to
that lawyer father of yours, Bluff," declared Mr. Mabie as he clapped
his hands.

"And I expect to live to see him on the Supreme Bench yet," said Jerry
seriously.

In the morning preparations for their departure were soon completed. The
tents, and all material connected with the camp, went in the wagon,
while the boys, together with Mr. Mabie and Reddy, rode horseback. It
was an invigorating gallop back to the ranch house, and on the way the
chums indulged in a number of little races. But Will would not allow
himself to enter as he was afraid that something might happen to his
precious camera, which he carried by a strap over his shoulder.

Once back in their old quarters, for several days the boys took life
easy, each being busily engaged in some favorite pursuit. Will developed
all his films, and made copious prints of the same, which kept him in a
feverish state of mind. When one turned out especially fine he was in
the seventh heaven of delight; and if he met with disappointment, which
was seldom the case, his laments were dismal indeed.

Thus a week more passed, and the boys were beginning to think of turning
their faces toward the East again. They would leave the ranch with many
regrets, for Mr. Mabie had certainly