He stood the racket like a veteran. I'd be a happy
man if I'd only been left a boy like your chum for my own."
The ranchman spurred on ahead at this, and Frank made no effort to
overtake him, for he felt sure he had seen tears glistening in the
other's eyes, and could appreciate his feelings, for the stockman's only
child, a boy, at that, lay with the mother in the ranch cemetery.
Breakfast was ready for them, and what a glorious meal the boys made!
Just as Mr. Mabie had said, they proved as hungry as wolves. That clear
mountain air seemed to tone them up after their long railway journey,
and Frank laughingly declared their host had better send away for a new
stock of provisions if he expected to keep them satisfied.
Bluff was the first to leave the table. Frank had seen him eating
hurriedly toward the close of the meal. He knew without being told what
ailed his comrade.
"He'll never be happy until he gets it, fellows!" sang out Jerry, who,
of course, had also noticed the hurried departure of the anxious one.
They could hear Bluff tossing things around hurriedly in the other room,
where they expected to bunk, and to which the big trunk had been finally
carried.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83