it struck him as his own countrymen were mostly like them folk
mentioned in the Bible as called their lands after their own names.'

'I like the old names best, for it seems as if they had some meanin' in
'em,' said Jack. 'I never saw anythin' like them mountains at
Longview, and I'm glad to think our new home is somewhere near 'em.'

They stood watching until the glorious colour had quite faded out of
the sky, and then turned into the tent, sorry to see the last of it.

The next morning Jack was tidying out the tent, when he saw Pedro and
Senor hurrying towards him.

'Here's the boss himself!' cried Pedro, in a state of excitement.
'He's coming across the prairie in the spring waggon. Let's make up a
good fire, as he'll be terrible cold after his long drive.'

Jack helped to bring in logs, and they soon had a roaring fire in the
stove.

'Pedro,' asked the boy anxiously, 'd'you think he'll take me back with
him to his ranch?'

'I'm sure he will,' returned the Mexican, 'and I'll miss you sadly,
lad. I believe I couldn't part with you if I didn't know as you were
longing to see your father and mother.'

'I've been very happy along with you and Senor,' said Jack, 'but I'm
bound to go on to my own folks.'

'You're right. You belong to 'em first,' replied Pedro, 'though I'd
give a good deal to keep you. But now we must go and collect the
sheep, as the boss 'll want to see 'em.'

With Senor's help they ran the sheep into the big corral, and waited
there. The waggon soon rattled up to them, and Jack stood quietly by,
while the new-comer warmly greeted the Mexican.

'Well, Pedro, how are you making it this cold weather? Hope you and
the sheep keep fit.'

'Couldn't be better,' returned Pedro; 'and how are you all at the
ranch?'

'First-rate, thanks. If it hadn't been so cold, I'd have brought the
children with me for the drive. But, hello! who have you got here?'
And Mr. Stuart stared with surprise at Jack's quaint little figure
dressed in his leather suit. As he drove up he had noticed what he
thought was a young Mexican by Pedro (as Jack's face was tanned quite
brown), but when he had looked again, he was struck with the
intelligent look on the boy's face, and began to ask questions.

In answer, Pedro said, 'He's a little English boy who was left behind
at Las Vegas by a mining outfit he was travelling with. He tried to
follow 'em up, but got lost on the prairie in that bad thunderstorm we
had abo