t," said
Jim. "The rest of you can do what you feel like, only don't overexert
yourselves."

"I'm going fishing," declared Tom.

"Me too," chimed in Jo.

"I shall stay at home then," said Jeems, "and look after things until
you children get back. I shan't mind a quiet day with no callers."

"Don't be too sure about there being no callers, Jeems," warned
Juarez. "Remember what happened to Jo last evening and be careful or
you will be among the missing."

"I don't know why the other party shouldn't be among the missing,"
declared Jeems. "I'm a terrible fighter when I get started."

"You would stop when the other fellow said 'ouch,'" remarked Tom, "and
get a drink of water."

"I'm not much of a mule when it comes to holding a grudge, and certain
that's a fact," admitted Jeems.

"You're all right," declared Jim with earnestness.

"Sure you are," said the chorus, and Jeems in acknowledgment bowed
low.

"I thank your Royal Highnesses for your appreciation of your humble
servant," he said.

"You're welcome," replied Jim briefly.

Jim and Juarez were soon on their chargers, and they made a fine
appearance; Jim on his powerful animal, Caliente, with his strong,
arched neck, body and hindquarters built for speed, and shoulders to
crash through all barriers of an enemy; his gray mottled coat fairly
glistened in the sun.

Juarez's roan was a smaller horse than Caliente, but he, too, was
fleet and of tireless endurance. He was somewhat wall-eyed and vicious
at times, but Juarez was the master. The story of the capture of the
horses is told in "Frontier Boys in Mexico," so I will not rehearse it
here.

No sooner had the two horsemen left the hill than they whirled their
rifles over their heads and gave their horses the rein. Away they
dashed at full speed over the level meadows, near the edge of the dark
tree-clad slopes, as though they were reviewing the vast army of the
pines.

"There they go like wild Indians," said Tom. "We will have a quiet day
now."

In a few minutes Tom and Jo were going across the level meadow with
the slender poles they had cut and the lines and hooks ready. As for
Jeems, he proceeded to make himself comfortable, taking his blankets
and spreading them out under the shade of a tree, stretching himself
out upon them with his hands clasped under his head, and gazing at the
distant clouds, drifting dreamily over the depths of blue, while there
came through the sun-warmed air the continual