Not an idle hour did Dick Stevens spend during the time they remained
encamped at Buffalo Meadows; and when the time came that his father
believed they might safely begin the journey to Antelope Spring, he had
such a supply of smoked meat as would keep the family in food many days.

Mr. Stevens's wound had healed with reasonable rapidity, thanks to the
materials for its dressing which Dick had risked his life to procure;
and on the morning they decided to cross the desert the invalid was
able to take his place on the front seat of the wagon to play the part
of driver.

Dick rode the broncho, as a matter of course; and to him this journey
was most enjoyable.

Not until the second day did the family arrive at their destination, and
Dick received such a reception as caused his cheeks to redden with joy.

Bob Mason chanced to be in front of Mansfield's store when the party
rode up, and insisted on their remaining there until he could summon
the inhabitants of the settlement to give them welcome.

"We're glad you've come," Mr. Mason said when he believed the time had
come for him to make a speech. "We've seen the kid, an' know how much
sand he's got; so if the rest of the family are anything like him, and I
reckon they must be, we're gettin' the kind of citizens we hanker after.
I've pre-empted the boy, an' allow he'll look out for things on the
ranch as well as any man I could hire, an' a good deal better'n the
average run. We've got a house here for the rest of you, an' Stevens
will find plenty of work if he's handy with tools. Now then, kid, we'll
get the old folks settled, an' after that I'll yank you off with me."

Mason led the way to a rude shanty of boards, which was neither the best
nor the worst dwelling in the town; and to Mrs. Stevens and Margie it
seemed much like a palace, for it was a place they could call home, a
pleasure they had not enjoyed since leaving Willow Point two years ago.

Dick observed with satisfaction that there was a sufficient amount of
furniture in the shanty to serve his parents until money could be
earned with which to purchase more; and then he rode away with Bob
Mason, leading the team-horses to that gentleman's corral.

He had brought his family to a home, and had before him a good
prospect of supplying them with food, even though his father should
not be able to do any work until the coming spring; therefore Dick
Stevens was a very happy boy.

Here we will leave him; for he is