, while they were at it, they'd get a Chink cook," said Nort
to whom had fallen the task of washing the dishes. "Any chance of
getting a yellow man in Los Pompon?" he asked Sam.

"Oh, sure, I should think so. If you can get him to stay."

"Why wouldn't he stay?" Nort wanted to know. And then he remembered
and added: "You mean on account of possible deaths?"

"Sure! That's it. Them Chinks is powerful leery about anything like
that. But maybe we can get one fresh smuggled over from Mexico and he
won't be so particular."

"That's right," agreed Nort as he recalled how desperately eager the
Celestials were to be smuggled into the United States.

It was getting dusk, and the three were a bit anxious as they prepared
the evening meal, for, as yet, the prospectors, as they might be
called, had not returned. Nort was going to suggest that perhaps it
might be well to ride out and see if his brother and the others were in
sight when the clatter of horses' feet was heard and into the ranch
yard came riding the cavalcade.

A quick count showed not one missing, and it was with a relieved heart
that Nort greeted Bud and Dick.

"Anything happen?" asked Snake.

"Nary a thing!" boomed out Yellin' Kid. "It was as peaceful as a
Sunday school picnic. But this is sure some dandy ranch."

"That's right!" chimed in Bud. "We didn't have time to go all over
it," he went on to those who had been left behind. "But we saw enough
to convince us that dad made no mistake in buying it--that is if we can
clear out the jinx."

"But you didn't see any signs of him--or it?" asked Nort.

"Who?" inquired Dick.

"I mean the jinx."

"No, not a thing. Didn't even see a dead calf, and, as we know,
they're common enough on a ranch. Everything was lovely."

"It sure is a good buy," went on Bud. "Of course it's a bit run down,
and the fences here and there need mending. But there's plenty of
water and what cattle there are seem to be in good shape. When we buy
a few more herds, and hire some more men to help us, we'll be sitting
pretty."

"Then we didn't need to do so much worrying?" questioned Nort.

"Seems not."

"And that warning was all tommyrot!" added Dick with a laugh. "Hello,
what's this?" and he picked up one of the bottles of Elixer, for by
this time the whole party was in the ranch house, and saw the three
flasks on the table.

"Stuff your brother bought to save lives!" chuckled Snake, and the
story was told.