replied;
"but when mother comes it will be our home."

"Well, what in thunder do you want with such a big house? It's big
enough for all the cowboys on both ranches to live in."

"Well, there is no hotel down here, you know, and there is not likely to
be one for several years to come; so, when any friends come down to
visit us, we'll have a place to take care of them."

"Jack," said Terry, "Evelyn came down with us."

"Great Scott! Ain't I glad! But why didn't you bring your girl with
you?"

"She wouldn't come, Jack; but sister came down with us, as she wanted to
help us build up a home out here. So, until your mother and Katy
comedown, we'll let her be boss."

"Yes, and what a boss she will be. I've been telling these fellows
around here that she is the most beautiful young lady in the whole
country. But when is she coming down?"

"Just as soon as we can fix up one of the four-room houses for her, for
we will live there until we can build a larger house."

"What do you want to build a house for when my house is large enough for
forty people?"

"Oh we want to get into our own home. We want to build a residence down
at the mineral spring."

"Oh, that's a mile off."

"Yes, so it is. The depot here, though, is a general resort for every
rough character who comes along; but we'll have some of our lady friends
down here both from Crabtree and from the North. We'll fence in the
spring to keep the cattle from crowding around it, make beautiful flower
gardens, raise all sorts of vegetables and fruits, and try to make our
home here as lovely as our home up at New Era was."

Jack and Terry led the way up to the house in which Jack had been
living, each carrying a valise.

Before they reached there, at least half a dozen cowboys rushed up and
wanted to carry the valises for them, and made every demonstration of
pleasure at the return of the "Bosses."

When the boys reached the house they found that one of bed-rooms
furnished and still another which had not been furnished up.

"Jack, my boy," said Fred, "I see you have been keeping quite
comfortable since we left."

"Yes, and at the same time quite busy."

"Well, have you had any trouble with the cowboys?"

"No, only in one instance, when one of the men got drunk and I promptly
discharged him. He was one of your men, too. He refused to be
discharged, and wouldn't leave, but went on working with the others. I
then told him that I wouldn't pay him a cent at th