you'd get
at the boss's table, but I guess we can manage to fill yer up."

"That's a pretty big contract, Sandy," laughed Bert; "but we'll be only
too glad to come. Just let me speak to Mrs. Melton, so that she won't
wait for us and we'll be with you in a jiffy."

Mrs. Melton smilingly acquiesced, and Melton himself, who knew how much
of the boys' enjoyment of their visit would depend upon friendly
relations with the men about the ranch, gave his hearty approval.

A dozen or more of the cowboys were at the house when they arrived, all
ravenous for "grub." Outside of the door was a broad bench on which was a
basin, which the men in turn replenished from a hogshead standing near,
and in which they plunged their hands and faces, emerging dripping to dry
themselves on a roller towel behind the door. The boys did the same, and
as they came in were introduced by Sandy to the rest of the men. There
was a breezy absence of formality that was most refreshing after the more
or less artificial life of the East, and the boys warmed at once toward
these hardy specimens of manhood, who looked them straight in the eyes
and crushed their hands in their hearty grip. This wild, free spirit of
the plains was akin to their own, and although their mode of life had
been so different, a subtle free masonry told them that in substance
they were members of the same brotherhood.

The cowboys also were "sizing up" the newcomers. Physically they had no
criticism to make. These stalwart, athletic young fellows were splendid
specimens, who looked as though they were fully capable of giving a good
account of themselves in a tussle. Most of them had heard in a more or
less fragmentary way about the adventure in Mexico, and Melton's
unstinted praise of them had gone a long way in their favor. Still, that
had been a scrap with "greasers," and the contemptuous attitude that most
of them held toward the men south of the Rio Grande, led them to attach
less value to the exploit. Then, too, when all was said and done, these
visitors were "tender-feet," and as such would bear watching. So that,
while perfectly free and friendly and admitting that they were a "likely
bunch," they were inclined to reserve judgment, and observe them further,
before admitting them fully into their fraternity.

The meal proceeded amid a clatter of dishes and a buzz of conversation,
abounding in rough jests and repartee. The boys took their part in frank,
good fellowship and we