rrived, the robber could call in his
men, who were employed on the neighboring ranchos, and capture the boys
without the least trouble. Pierre was very glad that Arthur had got
angry at Frank.

Meanwhile Frank, Archie, and Johnny, all unconscious of the plans that
were being formed against them, enjoyed themselves to the utmost, and
wasted a good deal of time every day in laughing over the incidents that
had transpired during their ride to Captain Porter's ranch. Archie,
especially, had a great deal to say about it. He had an accomplishment,
of which we have never before had occasion to speak: he was a
first-class mimic; and he took no little pride in showing off his
powers. He could imitate the brogue of an Irishman the broken English of
a Dutchman, or the nasal twang of a Yankee, to perfection; and one day,
while he was in the barn saddling his horse, he carried on a lengthy
conversation with Bob Kelly (who was on the outside of the building),
about some runaway cattle, and the old trapper thought all the while
that he was talking to his chum, Dick Lewis. Now Archie had a new
subject to practice upon. He laid himself out to personate Arthur Vane;
and he not only successfully imitated that young gentleman's pompous
style of talking, and his dignified manner of riding and walking, but
even the tone of his voice. He criticised Frank and Johnny continually,
and made them laugh, till their jaws ached, by recounting imaginary
adventures on the burning sands of Patagonia, and among the icebergs and
polar bears of India.

The day following the one on which Arthur Vane visited the robber in the
mountains, found the three boys on the back porch of Mr. Winters's
rancho, making preparations for their hunting expedition. Frank was
cleaning his rifle, and Archie and Johnny were repairing an old
pack-saddle, in which they intended to carry their provisions and extra
ammunition. Archie was seated on the floor, with an awl in one hand, and
a piece of stout twine in the other; and, while he was working at the
pack-saddle, his tongue was moving rapidly.

"I am young in years, fellows," he was saying, "but I am aged in
experience. If I had my rights, I should long ago have been gray-headed.
I have seen thrilling times in my life, and have been the hero of
adventures, that, were I to relate them to you, would make each
particular hair of your heads stand on end, like the quills of a
punched hedge-hog. I am--if you will kindly permit me