table and tying them on his shoes," answered
the cook.

"You mustn't do that, Russ!" exclaimed his mother. "Why are you doing
such a thing? Forks on your shoes--the idea!"

"I'm playing they're spurs, Mother, like those the cowboys at Uncle
Fred's ranch wear on their boots," said Russ. "Spurs are sharp and so
are forks, so I thought if I tied some forks on my shoes I'd have spurs
like the cowboys."

His mother laughed, but told him that forks did not look much like spurs
and, moreover, that she did not want to have her forks used for that
purpose.

So Russ had to take off his fork-spurs, much to his sorrow. But he soon
found something else to play with, and went about whistling merrily.

Two days before the two weeks were up Mrs. Bunker said that all the
packing was done, and that she was ready to start for the West with the
six little Bunkers. Meanwhile Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker had been kept
busy; the ranchman attending to his business matters, and talking with
engineers about his mysterious spring, and Mr. Bunker working at his
real estate affairs.

"They tell me to take some photographs of the spring and send them to
them," said Uncle Fred. "So I'll do that. I've bought a camera, and
we'll take pictures for the engineers."

"I can do that for you," remarked Daddy Bunker. "I often take pictures
of the houses I buy and sell."

The last valise and trunk had been packed. Once more the Bunker house
was closed for a long vacation and the family was on the porch, waiting
for the big automobile that was to take them and Uncle Fred to the
station.

"Are we all here?" asked Mother Bunker, "counting noses," as she did
before the start of every trip. "Oh, where's Margy?" she suddenly cried,
as she did not see her little girl. "Margy isn't here! Where can she
be?"

For Margy, who had been there a little while before, was missing.

CHAPTER VI

OFF FOR THE WEST

"Come on! Everybody hunt for Margy!" called Mr. Bunker. "She can't be
very far away, as I saw her on the porch a little while ago."

"We haven't much time if we are to catch the train," said Mother Bunker.
"Oh, dear! I wish she wouldn't run off that way. Did you see her go,
Rose?"

"No, Mother, I didn't. But I'll go and look, and----"

"No, you stay here," said Daddy Bunker. "First we know you'll be getting
lost, Rose. Uncle Fred and I will look for Margy. The rest of you stay
here."

"I know where Margy goed!" suddenly exclaimed Mun Bun.