what fun you've had," said the stockman just then.

The boys looked at each other.

"I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of
things about the ranch we ought to know more about. So I vote that we
return with Mr. Mabie," was Frank's suggestion.

"Count me in that," echoed Jerry.

"And I'm just wild to print a few of the remarkable pictures I've made
up here, which I can't do until we get back to the house; so I'm only
too willing to say yes to the proposition," put in Will.

"And I'm just as happy one place as the other, so long as the cook
doesn't strike, or put us on short rations," added Bluff.

In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following
morning they would break camp and return to the ranch.

"I feel that I'm cheating you out of some of your expected fun, boys,"
apologized the stockman that evening, as they were packing some of their
stuff, so as to lighten the labor in the morning.

"Why, I don't know what else we could do here. Seems to me we've about
exhausted the list of excitements. We've shot elk, grizzlies, a panther,
a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the
river and treed by a cloudburst. There could hardly be anything more,
sir," laughed Frank.