year it had been.

Ted's thoughts turned to the ranch. He was eager to see Red Mack,
Smiles, Graham, Pop, and the Deans. He hoped it would be Red who would
meet him--and that he would bring his horse down so that they could go
back to the ranch on horseback. Of course, in all likelihood, it would
be the Packard that would come down for him, for the distance was long
and it would mean a lot of extra trouble for Red or anyone to lead his
horse down all the way. The trip to Big Gulch seemed long because of
the boy's eagerness to see his friends. He awakened very early on the
second morning when the train was due. When the train finally reached
the station, he eagerly looked out to see who was there. But he could
see no one until he stepped from the train.

There stood Red and next to him Pop. There were three horses and one
of them was his.

Glad greetings were exchanged.

"My, I'm glad you came for me on horseback. I hoped you would, but it
seemed too much to expect."

"Well, we figured you would like it. Glad you do."

They started off. As best he could, Ted told his story and both of the
men listened with different interest. When Ted came to that part where
it had practically been settled that his mother and Helen were to come
out, a queer look came into Pop's eyes which neither of them saw. The
older man rode behind most of the way after that.

"You should see Wolf, you would not know him," said Red.

"I guess he would not know me, either," answered Ted.

"He may be your dog, but I'm kind of attached to him myself," remarked
Red.

Some time in the afternoon they reached the ranch. Smiles was there
and so were the other men and they gave Ted a great welcome.

So did Wolf, who had grown wonderfully, and who, while he did not
look like any particular kind of dog, showed himself to have an
individuality, all his own. He sprang at Ted and barked his delight.
It made Ted feel good to have the dog remember him. It was queer to
see how the dog tried to pay attention to both Red and Ted, and it
made the men laugh at his double devotion.

Ted hurried to the house where Mrs. Dean was waiting for him. She
showed how glad she was to see him.

"Mr. Dean will be back a little later. He has been very busy."

Ted thought he would wait with his news until later and merely
mentioned some of the things that had happened.

"Ted, dear," said Mrs. Dean, "I want to tell you that we are going to
have a little stranger in thi