s tongue could tell it.

All had been so quiet in the sick room that the nurse had supposed her
patient fallen asleep; and it was not till daybreak that she discovered
his absence. She had immediately informed Dr. Jones, and he, in turn,
the "Boss," who understanding the shy nature of the truant and knowing
how he would dislike to be talked about, had instituted a quiet but
thorough search. Only the trustiest men had been set upon this search,
Mr. Ford taking the most active part in it. By his request the matter
had been kept from his young guests, also; and they were to be made as
happy as possible in their ignorance. As he said to Lady Gray, before
leaving her:

"Of course, we shall find him in a very little while. He can't have gone
far afield, and we'll have him back in bed before any of those
youngsters get wind of his performance. Nurse says he was flighty and
feverish and I don't wonder. Doctor claims he'd rather have had a clean,
sharp break to mend than all those bruised and torn ligaments. However,
don't you worry. This party is going to be a success--don't doubt. Sorry
to leave you with seven young folks on your hands--a little world in
themselves, of varying ideas and wills. They can easily spend this first
half-day in inspecting the ranch and, if they're as healthy and happy as
they seem, will be too interested to give much thought to Master James.
Good-by, don't worry."

However, although they felt it would be well to wait for the injured Jim
before beginning their lessons in shooting, Lemuel himself took the
matter out of their hands, explaining:

"I've lived long enough to know there ain't never but one time to do one
thing, an' that if a feller don't snatch it then, afore it gets out o'
reach, he'll be sorry forever atterwards. We'll go inspect the boys'
quarters first hand. That's a part o' my business, anyway. Makes 'em
mad, sometimes, but it's for their good. Nothin' like the army for
trainin' folks right, an' so I tell 'em. Get jawed for it a pretty
consid'able, but Lemuel G. W. Hunt--I'm named for the Father of my
Country, Ma'am--Lemuel G. W. Hunt always does his duty, let come what
follers atterwards. Right this way, Ma'am. Hep, hep, hep, right face!"

The odd fellow led off with a military step and catching his humor the
boys did likewise. Then, the girls laughed and marched, Herbert
gallantly escorting Mrs. Ford, as the eighth of the little "Company A,"
as Leslie immediately named the new "