safe and
sound. Now, tell us how it happened," was Mr. Mabie's greeting as he
squeezed a hand of each.

"If you mean the fire, sir, we know nothing about it. We have not struck
a match since leaving here, and only Bluff shot once. The fire came from
an entirely different quarter, I assure you," said Frank.

"I never doubted that, my lad. I've seen enough of you boys to know that
after all I've said none of you would be careless enough to endanger
things. But perhaps, after all, the fire was more of a blessing than
otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstorm along, and
that has saved our pastures."

Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once. The fire
was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be
diffused around the immediate vicinity, after which there was a general
change of garments.

"I feel better than I thought I would after all that rumpus," admitted
Bluff, as he capered about, trying to keep his muscles from getting
stiff.

"We'll look back to this day as one of the strangest in all our
experience," remarked Frank, hanging his wet garments where the sun
would fall upon them, for the clouds had passed away, leaving a clear
sky overhead.

"How much longer do we stay here?" asked Will, who had been doing some
figuring. "Because my films are getting low. I have three rolls still at
the ranch house, and when they're exhausted my business is done."

"Sorry to tell you, lads, that I had word from the house while you were
gone, and it's absolutely necessary for me to start back in the morning.
Now, if you would like to remain a little longer in camp, why, Reddy and
Billy will keep you company. Don't give up unless you're satisfied with
what fun you've had," said the stockman just then.

The boys looked at each other.

"I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of
things about the ranch we ought to know more about. So I vote that we
return with Mr. Mabie," was Frank's suggestion.

"Count me in that," echoed Jerry.

"And I'm just wild to print a few of the remarkable pictures I've made
up here, which I can't do until we get back to the house; so I'm only
too willing to say yes to the proposition," put in Will.

"And I'm just as happy one place as the other, so long as the cook
doesn't strike, or put us on short rations," added Bluff.

In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following
morning they would bre