ful ranch, and carry off a bunch of long horns;
eh, Frank?"

"Sure; and a lot more besides, Bob," was the reply. "But the sun's
getting kind of low, you notice."

"In other words, we'd better be looking around for a place to camp,
Frank?"

"You've hit the nail on the head," the other replied. "Suppose we hold
up here for a bit, and let me take another squint up yonder through the
glass."

"Meaning at old Thunder Mountain?" observed Bob, as his eye traveled
upward toward the bare crown of the great uplift, that had so long
remained a source of mystery to the entire community.

"Yes. Just look at the pinons growing up the sides like tufts, along
with the funny looking clumps of stunted cedars. Then you can see the
aspens and silver spruce next. And over the whole outfit is a silence
that beats the desert itself. Whew! the closer you examine the place
the more it impresses you."

Bob accepted the glasses after Frank had used them and focussed them on
the slope.

"So that's old Thunder Mountain, is it?" he remarked. "Well, I must
say it shows up right well. I've tried to picture the place from all
we've heard."

"But you don't feel disappointed, do you?" asked Frank.

"Not a bit, Frank," his companion continued. "I've seen some
mountains, even before I came out here to your Rockies; but there's
something about this thing that just staggers a fellow. Wow! but we'll
sure have our troubles climbing that wild slope."

"Never could make it if it wasn't for the canyons," Frank added. "They
all tell me that. Here, let me put the field-glasses away. Half an
hour's gallop, and we'll jump off. That ought to bring us to the foot
of the slope. Here you go, Buckskin; show us you're not tired after
your day's run. Whoop-la!"

Frank brought his hat down on the flank of the horse, accompanying the
action with a real cowboy yell. Instantly the spirited steed bounded
off, with Bob's Domino close behind, snorting, and giving signs of
astonishing animation.

So they sped along, with clanking sounds from the various packages
fastened behind the saddles; but after a few minutes both boys
gradually drew upon the lines, knowing full well that their mounts had
done a fair day's work already; and, besides, there was no possible
need of haste.

"How's this for a camping place?" asked Frank, as he suddenly brought
Buckskin upon his haunches in a quick stop.

"Suits me first rate," replied his chum, after giving a g