the ranch, Jack. And so
far I've had no occasion to find any fault with him. He seems thoroughly
trustworthy."

The Powells had given their visitors their choice of what to do
concerning rooms. They could either crowd themselves a little and remain
in the one ranch house, or otherwise the boys could take rooms in the
other house, which was located about two hundred yards away.

"If we went over to the other place we could have things all our own
way," whispered Andy to his brother and Fred. "We could come and go to
suit ourselves."

"I think you boys had better stay in this house with us," said Mrs.
Rover. "Then we can keep an eye on you."

"But there is no sense in all of us being crowded," returned Sam Rover.
"And the boys are certainly old enough to take care of themselves. I
think we had better let this matter rest until to-morrow, and then we can
see how we can arrange it."

"If the boys go over to the other ranch house I'll have Joe Jackson stay
there with them," said Songbird. "He'll know how to make them line up if
anything goes wrong."

Several days later it was arranged for all the boys to take their
belongings and settle down in the other ranch house so far as rooming was
concerned. They were to have their meals in the main house. The foreman
of the ranch went with them, taking a room in a corner where he could
watch what was going on if it became necessary to do so. The boys took
three connecting rooms, the twins occupying one, Jack and Fred another,
and Spouter and Gif the third.

On the second day at the ranch the boys began to feel quite at home.
Accompanied by the men, they had visited many points of interest and had
become acquainted with all the cowboys, and also with Hop Lung, the
cook.

"Wellee nice boys," remarked the cook, after they had been chatting with
him and gone their way. "Wellee nice boys. Me cookee heap good dinner for
'em." And then he dived into his kitchen to start his preparations for
the next meal.

The boys found all the cowboys friendly. One of them could do some
marvelous stunts with a lasso, and, urged by the foreman, gave an
exhibition which interested the lads exceedingly.

"Why, that fellow is as good as anybody on the vaudeville stage,"
remarked Fred. "I never dreamed so much could be done with a rope. Just
see how he whirled it around his body and between his legs and over his
head!"

"Yes, and how he lassoed those three running horses all in a bunch,"
added