closer on this trip.

"It's now nearly two o'clock," said Spouter. "And if we want to go any
distance up the river it will take us until sundown to get back home."

They turned back, and an hour or so later reached the point where they
had parted from Jarley Bangs. Then they took a trail up the river and
followed this until the sun, sinking over the western mountains, warned
them that it was time for them to head for home.

"Say, I've got an idea," announced Andy, when they came in sight of the
ranch house. "Don't let on to anybody about that doctored cake. If Hop
Lung or anybody else mentions it, just act as if nothing unusual had
happened. Say the lunch was as good as any we ever had."

"That's the idea!" returned his twin. "We'll keep that Chink guessing."
And it may be added here that the boys kept their word, and Hop Lung
never knew how his little joke had terminated, although he felt sure in
his own mind that they had received the full benefit of the trick he had
played.

The six boys were still some distance from the house when they saw a man
come out on the veranda and wave his hand to them. At first they thought
it might be Sam Rover. But then, of a sudden, Jack let out a yell.

"Boys, what do you know about this! Do you recognize that man?"

"It's Hans Mueller!" ejaculated Fred.

"Uncle Hans!"

"Who would have thought he was coming to the ranch?"

"Hans Mueller!" murmured Andy. "I'll be glad to see him. He's as full of
fun as a stray dog is of fleas!"

Hans Mueller was a man who in his boyhood days had been a boon companion
of the Rover boys' fathers. When he had gone to Putnam Hall with the
Rovers he had spoken very broken English, and his improvement in speech
had been slow and painful. But Hans had prospered in a business way, and
was now the sole proprietor of a chain of delicatessen stores in Chicago.
He was unmarried, and, having no family of his own, had insisted upon it
that all of his young friends call him "uncle."

"Hello der, eferypody!" called out Hans Mueller cordially, as he came
down from the veranda to greet them, his fat face beaming genially.

"How are you, Uncle Hans?" cried Jack, leaping to the ground and shaking
hands. "This is certainly a surprise."

"Yes, Songpird tol' me you wouldn't know I vas coming," was the answer.
"How you been alreatty?"

"Fine as silk," answered Andy gayly. And now all the boys clustered
around to shake hands.

"You're just the man we want he