I could of course have built on a lower
level, and in some ways that would have been an advantage. But when I
settled here I made up my mind that I wanted air that was washed clean
by the mountain breezes, and I planted my stakes according."

Soon they reached a broad, level plateau, and, a little way off, could
see the lights coming from a low-lying group of buildings. Several dogs
came rushing down with barks of welcome, and a couple of men lounging
near one of the corrals removed the bars of a huge gate, from which the
path led up to the largest of the buildings. It was a rambling structure
only two stories in height, but covering a vast extent of ground and
suggestive of homely comfort and hospitality. A broad veranda extended
along three sides of the house, and in front a well-kept flower garden
bordered the path that led to the door.

As they approached, heralded by the noisy greeting of the dogs, the door
was thrown wide open and Mrs. Melton appeared in the flood of light that
streamed from within.

She was a pleasant-faced, motherly-looking woman, and she welcomed the
boys with open arms. There was no mistaking the warmth and sincerity of
her greeting. They felt at home at once and in a few minutes were
chatting and laughing as easily as though they had known her for years.
Perhaps the memory of her own two boys, dead long since, but who would
have been just about the age of the newcomers had they lived, added to
the hearty cordiality with which she took them under her wing.

"We oughtn't to need any introduction at all," she beamed, "because Mr.
Melton has done nothing but talk about you ever since he came back from
that last trip to Mexico. I wouldn't dare to tell you all he said, for
fear of making you conceited. I really think the last trip he made East
was more to see you than anything else. He said he was going on business,
but I have my own opinion about that."

"Well, if it hadn't been for him we wouldn't have been there to see,"
said Bert warmly. "The vultures would have had us long ago, if he hadn't
risked his own life to help us out of trouble."

"Nothing at all, nothing at all," deprecated Melton. "You gave me a
chance for a lovely scrap, just when I was beginning to wonder whether
I'd forgotten how to fight. I've felt ten years younger ever since."

"You don't need to get any younger," retorted his wife in affectionate
reproach. "You're just as much of a boy as you ever were. I declare," she