pleased
over something said by a companion. There was no moon in the sky, but
the starlight was as bright as on the previous evening. Peering ahead in
the gloom, nothing was to be seen that explained the singular sound.

"Did you hear that?" asked Jack of Hazletine.

"I s'pose you mean that laugh? Not being deaf, it would have been cur'us
if the same hadn't reached my ears."

"What was the meaning of it?"

"It meant, I s'pose, that somebody was pleased."

The lads had to be satisfied with this indefinite answer, but they did
not have to wait long for the explanation. Suddenly, from the obscurity
ahead, loomed the outlines of a building. It was long, low, and flat,
consisting of a single story, like most of the structures in that
section of the country.

At the same moment that it was observed, a tiny point of light shone
through the gloom, and some one called to them:

"Is that you, Hank?"

"I reckon," was the reply.

At the same moment a tall man, rising from the stool on which he had
been seated, came forward. He was smoking a pipe, and the gleam of the
fire in the bowl was what had been noted before he became visible.

"These are the younkers we expected," explained Hazletine, "and, if I
ain't mistook, they've brought a purty healthy appetite with 'em."

"I've heard of such things afore. Howdy?"

The man, who was known as "Kansas Jim," his full name being James
Denham, extended his hand to each boy in turn, and they dismounted.

"I'll look after the animals," he explained. "Go inside, and I reckon
Ira can give you some medicine fur that appetite Hank spoke about."

Hazletine led the way to the small covered porch where Ira Garrison,
another cattleman, rose to his feet and shook hands with the boys,
expressing his pleasure at receiving a visit from them. All three of the
arrivals sat down at the front, while Ira passed inside and lighted an
oil-lamp. It seemed that he was not absent ten minutes when he called
out that the meal was ready--a most welcome announcement to our young
friends. The three were quickly seated at the pine table and feasting
with keen enjoyment. While they were thus engaged, Ira Garrison sat on a
stool a few paces away, smoking his pipe, and was soon joined by Kansas
Jim, who brought the saddles and belongings of the ponies that he had
turned loose to look after their own wants.

Jack and Fred found their new acquaintances typical cowboys, dressed
similarly to Hazletine, though