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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20326-h.zip b/20326-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4586701 --- /dev/null +++ b/20326-h.zip diff --git a/20326-h/20326-h.htm b/20326-h/20326-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..880fa58 --- /dev/null +++ b/20326-h/20326-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6867 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's, by Laura Lee Hope</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + .blockquot2 {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 80%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's, by Laura +Lee Hope</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's</p> +<p>Author: Laura Lee Hope</p> +<p>Release Date: January 10, 2007 [eBook #20326]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J. P. W. Fraser, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/c/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS<br />AT UNCLE FRED'S</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>LAURA LEE HOPE</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">Author of "Six Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's</span>," "<span class="smcap">Six<br /> +Little Bunkers at Grandpa Ford's</span>," "<span class="smcap">The Bobbsey<br /> +Twins Series</span>," "<span class="smcap">The Bunny Brown Series</span>,"<br /> +"<span class="smcap">The Outdoor Girls Series," etc.</span><br /> +<br /><br /><br /> + +<br /><i>ILLUSTRATED</i><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +NEW YORK<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /> +<small>Made in the United States of America</small><br /><br /><br /> +</div> + + +<div class='bbox'> +<h2>BOOKS</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. 50 cents per volume.</i></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES</h3> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE OUTDOOR GIRL SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE OUTDOOR GIRL SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>GROSSET & DUNLAP</b>, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK<br /></div> +</div> +<div class='center'> +Copyright, 1918, by<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's</i></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> +<img src="images/p001.jpg" width="254" height="400" alt=""OH, HERE COME THE COWBOYS!"" title=""OH, HERE COME THE COWBOYS!"" /> +<span class="caption">"OH, HERE COME THE COWBOYS!"</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's.</i> <i>Frontispiece</i>—(<i><a href='#Page_74'>Page <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '64'">74</ins></a></i>)</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='right'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Strange Rescue</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Uncle Fred</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Queer Story</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Uncle Fred's Tale</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Packing Up</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off for the West</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_53'>53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">At Three Star Ranch</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Russ Makes a Lasso</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Queer Spring</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Some Bad News</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_94'>94</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Violet Takes a Walk</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Laddie Catches a Riddle</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On the Ponies</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_125'>125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mun Bun's Pie</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_133'>133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Wind Wagon</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">"Captain Russ"</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Cattle Stampede</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_164'>164</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Indian</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_174'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '175'">174</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">What Rose Found</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_181'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '182'">181</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Laddie Is Missing</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_193'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '194'">193</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Russ Digs a Hole</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_202'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '203'">202</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">At the Bridge</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_210'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '211'">210</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Boys' Well</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_219'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '220'">219</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">More Cattle Gone</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_228'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '229'">228</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Secret of the Spring</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_237'><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '238'">237</ins></a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>"Can't I have a ride now, Russ? You said it would be my turn after Mun +Bun."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but, Margy, I haven't had enough ride yet!" declared Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"But when can I get in and have my ride?"</p> + +<p>The three little children, two girls and a boy, stood in front of their +older brother, Russ, watching him tying an old roller skate on the end +of a board.</p> + +<p>"Can't I have any more rides?" asked the smallest boy.</p> + +<p>"In a minute, Mun Bun. As soon as I get this skate fastened on," +answered Russ. "You rode so hard last time that you busted the scooter, +and I've got to fix it. You broke the skate off!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to," and Mun Bun, who was called that because no one ever +had the time to call him by his whole name, Munroe Ford Bunker—Mun Bun +looked sorry for what had happened.</p> + +<p>"I know you didn't," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"I didn't break anything, did I, Russ?" asked a little girl, with dark, +curling hair and dark eyes, as she leaned over in front of her older +brother, the better to see what he was doing. "I rided nice, didn't I, +and I didn't break anything?"</p> + +<p>"No, Margy, you didn't break anything," answered Russ. "And I'll give +you a ride on the scooter pretty soon. Just wait till I get it fixed."</p> + +<p>"And I want a ride, too!" exclaimed another girl, with curly hair of +light color, and gray eyes that opened very wide. "Don't I get a ride, +Russ? And what makes the wheels make such a funny sound when they go +'round? And what makes you call it a scooter? And can you make it go +backwards? And——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't answer all those questions, Vi!" exclaimed Russ. "You're +always asking ques<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>tions, Daddy says. You wait and I'll give you a +ride."</p> + +<p>The four Bunker children—there were six of them, and you will meet the +other two soon. The four Bunker children were playing up in the attic of +their home. The attic was not as large as the attic of Grandpa Ford's +house on Great Hedge Estate nor were there so many nice things in it. +But still it did very well on a rainy afternoon, and Russ, Margy, Violet +and Mun Bun were having a good time on the "scooter" Russ had made.</p> + +<p>The way Russ made a "scooter" was this. He found a long board, one that +the carpenters had left after they had made a storeroom for Mrs. Bunker +in the attic, and to the board he fastened, on each end, part of an old +roller skate. This gave the scooter two wheels on either end. The wheels +were not very large, nor very wide, and unless you sat right in the +middle of the board of the scooter you might get tipped over. This had +happened several times, and when Mun Bun was on, having a ride, he not +only tipped over, but he ran into a trunk that stood in the attic, and +knocked off one of the skates.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now I have to tie it on again!" Russ had exclaimed, and this had caused +a stop in the fun.</p> + +<p>"Can you fix it?" asked Margy, as she watched her brother. She wanted +another ride, for the one she had had was a short one. Mun Bun was the +youngest of the six little Bunkers, and they generally let him have more +turns than any one else.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I can fix it," said Russ, who now began to whistle. And when +Russ whistled, when he was making anything, you could generally tell +that everything was coming out right.</p> + +<p>Russ very often made things, but he did not always whistle over them. +Often the things he made were such a puzzle that he could not think how +to make them come out right and also think of a whistle-tune at the same +time. But now he was all right, and so he whistled merrily as he put +more string on the roller skate that he was fastening to the board of +the scooter.</p> + +<p>"Is it almost done?" asked Mun Bun, leaning over eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Almost," answered Russ. "I want to look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> at the back wheels to see if +they're all right, and then you can have a ride."</p> + +<p>Russ gave the string a last turn, tied several knots in it, and then +turned the board around. As he did so Margy uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"Ouch!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"You banged me with the scooter," answered the little girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't mean to," said Russ. "I'm sorry! You can have an extra +ride for that." Russ was very kind to his little brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't hurt very much," said Margy, rubbing the elbow that had been +hit when Russ swung the board around.</p> + +<p>Russ now bent over the other wheels on the end of the scooter. He found +them a bit loose, as string will stretch and really isn't very good with +which to fasten wheels on. But it was the best Russ could do.</p> + +<p>Outside an early spring rain beat against the windows of the attic. It +was cold outside, too, for the last winter snow had, only a week before, +melted from the ground, which was still frozen in places. But it was +nice and warm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> up in the attic, and there the Bunker children were +having a fine time. The attic, as I have said, was not as big as Grandpa +Ford's, but the children were having a good time, and even a smaller +attic would have answered as well in the rain.</p> + +<p>"Now I guess it's all ready for more rides," said Russ, as he put the +scooter down on the floor.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to get on!" cried Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"Wait until I put it straight," called Russ. "Then you can have a longer +ride."</p> + +<p>He took the board, with the roller skate wheels on either end, to a far +corner of the attic. From there it could be pushed all the way across to +the other wall.</p> + +<p>Just as Mun Bun was about to take his place, so that Russ could push him +across the attic floor, footsteps were heard coming up the stairs that +led to the third story of the Bunker house.</p> + +<p>Then a boy's voice called:</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?"</p> + +<p>"Riding on a scooter Russ made," answered Violet. "Oh, it's lots of fun! +Come on, Laddie!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>Laddie was Violet's twin brother, and he had the same kind of curly hair +and gray eyes as had his sister.</p> + +<p>"Did you make that?" asked Laddie of Russ.</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"Will it hold me?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. It'll hold me. I had a ride on it."</p> + +<p>"Say, that's great!" cried Laddie. "We can have lots of fun on that! I'm +glad I came up."</p> + +<p>"Well, come all the way up, and stand out of the way!" ordered Russ. +"The train's going to start. Toot! Toot! All aboard!"</p> + +<p>Laddie hurried up the last few steps and took his place in a corner, out +of the way of the scooter with Mun Bun on it. A girl with light, fluffy +hair, and bright, smiling eyes, followed him. She was a year younger +than Russ, who was eight years old.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Rose!" cried Violet, as she saw her older sister. "We're having +such fun!"</p> + +<p>"You can have a ride, too, Rose! Can't she?" asked Mun Bun of Russ. "Go +on, push me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll all take turns having rides,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> said Russ. "If I could find +another roller skate I'd make another scooter, and then we could have +races."</p> + +<p>"If we had two we could make believe they were two trains, and have 'em +bump into each other and have collisions and all that!" cried Laddie. +"That'll be fun! Come on, let's do it!"</p> + +<p>"We'll have to get another board and another skate," said Russ. "We'll +look after a while. Now I'm going to give Mun Bun a ride."</p> + +<p>He shoved the scooter across the floor of the attic. Mun Bun kept tight +hold with his chubby hands of the edges of the board, in the middle of +which he sat, between the two pieces of roller skate that made wheels +for the scooter.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Yi!" yelled Mun Bun. "This is fun!"</p> + +<p>"Now it's my turn!" exclaimed Margy. "Get off, Mun Bun."</p> + +<p>"I have to have a ride back! I've got to have a ride back!" he cried. +"Russ said he'd ride me across the attic and back again! Didn't you, +Russ?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what I did. Well, here we go back."</p> + +<p>He had pushed Mun Bun to the far side of the attic, and was pushing the +little fellow back again, when Laddie cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know a better way than that."</p> + +<p>"For what?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"For having rides," went on Laddie. "We can make a hill and let the +scooter slide downhill. Then you won't have to push anybody."</p> + +<p>"How can you make a hill?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Out of mother's ironing-board," was the answer. "It's down in the +kitchen. I'll get it. Don't you know how we used to put it up on a chair +and then slide down on the ironing-board?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I remember!" cried Rose.</p> + +<p>"Then we can do that," went on Laddie. "It'll be packs of fun!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you get the ironing-board," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"I'll help," offered Violet. "I'll help you get the board, Laddie."</p> + +<p>"All right, come on," he called, and the two children started down the +attic stairs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>While he was waiting for them to come back Russ gave Margy and Rose each +a ride on the scooter. It really went very well over the smooth floor of +the attic, for the roller-skate wheels turned very easily, even if they +did get crooked now and then because the strings with which they were +tied on, slipped.</p> + +<p>Up the stairs, bumpity bump, came Laddie and Vi with the ironing-board.</p> + +<p>"Mother wasn't there, and I didn't see Norah, so I just took the board," +said Laddie. "Now we'll put one end on a box and the other end on the +floor, and we'll have a hill. Then we can ride the scooter downhill just +like we rode our sleds at Grandpa Ford's."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess we can," said Russ.</p> + +<p>There were several boxes in the attic, and some of these were dragged to +one end. On them one end of the ironing-board was raised, so that it +sloped down like a hill. Of course it was not a very big one, but then +the Bunkers were not very large children, nor was the scooter Russ had +made very long. By squeezing them on, it would hold two children.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who's going down first?" asked Russ, as he and Laddie fixed the +ironing-board hill in place, and wheeled the scooter over to it.</p> + +<p>"I will!" exclaimed Mun Bun. "I like to ride."</p> + +<p>"You'd better let us try first," said Laddie. "It might go so fast it +would knock into something."</p> + +<p>"I'll go down!" decided Russ. "It's my scooter, because I made it; and +so I'll go down first."</p> + +<p>"But I made the hill!" objected Laddie. "It's my hill."</p> + +<p>"Then why don't both of you go down together?" asked Rose. "If it will +hold you two boys it will be all right for us girls. You go three times, +then Vi and I will take three turns."</p> + +<p>"All right—that's what we will," said Russ. "Come on, Laddie."</p> + +<p>Some boxes had been piled back of the one on which the ironing-board +rested in a slanting position, and these boxes made a level place on +which to get a start. Russ and Laddie lifted the scooter up there, and +got up themselves. Then they carefully sat down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> on the board to which +were fastened the roller-skate wheels.</p> + +<p>"All ready?" asked Russ, who was in front, holding to a rope, like a +sled rope, by which he hoped to guide the scooter. "All ready, Laddie?"</p> + +<p>"All ready," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Here we go!" cried Russ.</p> + +<p>He gave a little shove with his feet, and down the ironing-board hill +ran the scooter, carrying Russ and Laddie with it. The first time it ran +beautifully.</p> + +<p>"This is great!" cried Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" exclaimed his brother.</p> + +<p>And then, all of a sudden, something happened. The scooter ran off the +hill sideways, and started over the attic floor toward Rose, Vi, Mun Bun +and Margy. They squealed and screamed and tried to get out of the way. +But Mun Bun fell down, and Margy fell over him, and Vi fell over Margy, +and Rose fell over Violet. So there the four little Bunkers were, all in +a heap, and the scooter, with Russ and Laddie on it, running toward the +brother and sisters.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop it!" cried Laddie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I can't!" shouted Russ, pulling on the guide rope. But that did no +good.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're going to knock into 'em!" yelled Laddie.</p> + +<p>And right into the other children ran the scooter. Russ and Laddie were +thrown off, and, for a moment, there was a bumping, thumping, yelling, +crying and screaming noise.</p> + +<p>Mun Bun, trying to roll out of the way, knocked a box down off a trunk, +and the box had some croquet balls in it, which rumbled over the attic +floor almost like thunder.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all this noise and confusion some one came running up +the stairs. A man entered the attic, and took one look at the mass of +struggling children on the floor.</p> + +<p>"My good land!" he cried. "I wonder if I can save any of 'em! Oh, what a +mix-up!"</p> + +<p>Then the stranger started in to rescue the six little Bunkers, for they +were all tangled up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>UNCLE FRED</h3> + + +<p>"Are you hurt? Are any of you hurt? What happened, anyhow? Did part of +the house fall on you?"</p> + +<p>The man who had run up the attic stairs went on picking up first one and +then another of the six little Bunkers. For a time they were so excited +over what had happened that they paid no attention to him.</p> + +<p>But when the stranger picked Rose up and set her on her feet, the little +girl took a good look at him, and, seeing a strange man in the attic, +she cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a burglar! It's a burglar! Oh, Mother! Norah! Jerry Simms! +It's a burglar!"</p> + +<p>"Hush, child! Don't shout like that or you'll have all the neighbors +in!" said the man. "Be quiet, and I'll tell you who I am! Don't yell any +more!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rose stopped yelling, her mouth still wide open, ready for another +shout, and looked at the man. He smiled at her and picked up Mun Bun out +from under the box from which the croquet balls had fallen.</p> + +<p>"Who is you?" asked Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you in just a moment, if you don't make such a racket," said +the stranger, smiling kindly.</p> + +<p>The six little Bunkers became quiet at once, but before I tell you who +the strange man is I want to say just a few words about the children in +this story, and relate to you something about the other books in this +series.</p> + +<p>To begin at the beginning, there were six little Bunkers, as I have told +you. There was Russ, aged eight, a great whistler and a boy very fond of +making toys, such as scooters and other things.</p> + +<p>Next to him was Rose, a year younger.</p> + +<p>Then came Violet and Laddie. They both had curly hair and gray eyes, and +were six years old each, which makes twelve in all, you see. They were +twins, and each one had a funny habit. Vi asked a great many questions, +some of which could be answered, some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> of which could not be answered, +and to some of which she didn't wait for an answer.</p> + +<p>Laddie was very fond of asking queer little riddles. Some were good, and +it took quite a while to think of the answer he wanted. Others didn't +seem to have any answer. And some were not really riddles at all. But he +had fun asking them.</p> + +<p>Next in order was Margy, whose real name was Margaret, just as Laddie's +real name was Fillmore Bunker. But he was seldom called that. Margy was +aged five. She had dark hair and eyes.</p> + +<p>Then there was Mun Bun, or Munroe Ford Bunker, her little brother, who +was four years old, and had blue eyes and golden hair.</p> + +<p>Now you have met the six little Bunkers. Of course there was Daddy +Bunker, whose name was Charles. He was in the real estate business in +Pineville, Pennsylvania, and his office was almost a mile from his home, +on the main street. Mother Bunker's name was Amy, and before her +marriage she had been Miss Amy Bell.</p> + +<p>Besides this there were in the Bunker family two others: Norah O'Grady, +the cook,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> and Jerry Simms, an old soldier, who could tell fine stories +of the time he was in the army. Now Jerry ran the Bunker automobile, cut +the grass, sprinkled the lawn and attended to the furnace in winter.</p> + +<p>But the Bunker family had relatives, and it was on visits to some of +these that the children had had many adventures. First you may read "Six +Little Bunkers at Grandma Bell's." This is the book that begins the +series, and tells of the visit the family made at Grandma Bell's at Lake +Sagatook in Maine. There they found an old lumberman and he had some +papers which Daddy Bunker wanted to get back. And, oh, yes! Grandma Bell +was Mrs. Bunker's mother.</p> + +<p>After that the children went to visit their father's sister in Boston, +and the book which tells all about that, and the strange pocketbook Rose +found, is called "Six Little Bunkers at Aunt Jo's."</p> + +<p>On leaving Aunt Jo's the family paid a visit to another relative. This +was Mr. Thomas Bunker, who was the son of Mr. Ralph Bunker, and Ralph +was Daddy Bunker's brother, who had died.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>In "Six Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's" I told you the story of the fun +the children had at the seashore, and how a gold locket was lost and +strangely found again.</p> + +<p>The book just before this one is called "Six Little Bunkers at Grandpa +Ford's," and there was quite a mystery about a ghost at Great Hedge +Estate, in New York State, where Mr. Ford lived.</p> + +<p>Grandpa Ford was Daddy Bunker's step-father, but no real father could +have been more kind, nor have loved the six little Bunkers any more than +he did. The children spent the winter at Great Hedge Estate, and helped +find out what made the queer noises. And if you want to find out I +suggest that you read the book.</p> + +<p>Christmas and New Year's had been celebrated at Grandpa Ford's, and when +winter was about to break up the Bunkers had come back home to +Pineville. Daddy Bunker said he needed to look after the spring real +estate business, for that was the best time of the year for selling and +buying houses and lots, and renting places.</p> + +<p>So they said good-bye to Grandpa Ford,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> and took the train back home. +The six little Bunkers had been in their own house about a month now, +and they were playing in the attic, as I have told you, with the scooter +Russ had made, when the accident happened.</p> + +<p>Then, as I have told you, up the attic stairs rushed a strange man, who +pulled Mun Bun out of the tangle of arms and legs. And Rose thought the +strange man was a burglar.</p> + +<p>"But I'm not," he said, smiling at the children. "Don't you know who I +am?"</p> + +<p>Russ shook his head.</p> + +<p>"How did you get in here?" asked Violet. As usual, she was first with a +question.</p> + +<p>"I just walked in," said the man in answer. "I was coming here anyhow, +and when I got here I saw the door wide open, so I just walked in."</p> + +<p>"Did you come to sell something?" asked Rose. "'Cause if you did I don't +believe my mother wants anything. She's got everything she wants."</p> + +<p>"Well, she's got a nice lot of children, anyhow," said the man, smiling +on each and ever one of the six little Bunkers in turn. "I'll say that. +She has a nice lot of chil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>dren, and I'm very glad none of you is hurt.</p> + +<p>"As I said, I was coming here anyhow, and when I got on the porch and +saw the door open, I walked right in. Then I heard a terrible racket up +here in the attic, and up I rushed. I thought maybe the house was +falling down."</p> + +<p>"No," said Russ as he pulled his scooter out from between two trunks, +"it was this. We slid down the ironing-board hill, Laddie and I, and it +went off crooked—the scooter did."</p> + +<p>"And it knocked into us," said Violet. "But if you didn't come to sell +anything, what did you come for?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said the strange man, and he smiled again, "you might say I came +to get you children."</p> + +<p>"You—you came to get <i>us?</i>" gasped Rose.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'm going to take you away with me."</p> + +<p>"Take—take us <i>away</i> with you!" cried Russ. "We won't go! We want to +stay with our daddy and mother."</p> + +<p>"I'll take them, too," said the man. "I have room for all you six little +Bunkers and more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> too, out on my ranch. I've come to take you all away +with me."</p> + +<p>What could it mean? Russ and Rose, the oldest, could not understand it. +They looked at the man again. They were sure they had never seen him +before.</p> + +<p>"Yes," the stranger went on, "I saw the door open, so I walked in. I was +glad to get out of the rain. It's a cold storm. I hope summer will soon +come. And, as I say, I've come to take you away."</p> + +<p>If the man had not smiled so nicely the children might have been +frightened. But, as it was, they knew everything would be all right.</p> + +<p>"And now, as long as none of you is hurt, I think I'd better go +downstairs and tell your mother I have come to take you away," went on +the man. "I think I hear her coming up."</p> + +<p>And, just then, footsteps were heard on the stairs leading to the attic, +and Mrs. Bunker appeared.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother," gasped out Rose, "there's a man here and he says he's +going to take us away and——"</p> + +<p>Before she finished Mrs. Bunker had run<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> up to the attic. She looked at +the strange man, who smiled at her. Then she hurried over to him and +kissed him and said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred, I'm glad to see you! I didn't expect you until to-morrow, and +I was going to surprise the children with you. Oh, but I'm glad to see +you! Children," she said, laughing, "this is my brother, your Uncle +Fred."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A QUEER STORY</h3> + + +<p>The six little Bunkers, who had been untangled from the mix-up caused +when the scooter ran sideways off the ironing-board hill, stood in a +half circle and looked at the strange man. He did not seem quite so +strange now, and he certainly smiled in a way the children liked.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 251px;"> +<img src="images/p026.jpg" width="251" height="400" alt="THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS STOOD IN A HALF CIRCLE AND LOOKED UP AT THE STRANGE MAN." title="THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS STOOD IN A HALF CIRCLE AND LOOKED UP AT THE STRANGE MAN." /> +<span class="caption">THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS STOOD IN A HALF CIRCLE AND LOOKED UP AT THE STRANGE MAN.</span> +</div> + +<p>"Is he our real uncle?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is your very own uncle. He is my brother. Frederic is his +name—Frederic Bell," went on Mother Bunker. "But you are to call him +Uncle Fred."</p> + +<p>"Then he <i>isn't</i> a burglar!" stated Rose.</p> + +<p>"Of course not!" laughed her mother.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not a burglar," said the visitor, laughing too. "Though I don't +blame you for feeling a bit alarmed when I rushed in. I thought some of +you might know me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> though some of you I've never seen, and Russ and +Rose were smaller than they are now the last time I saw them."</p> + +<p>"I didn't tell them you were coming," said Mrs. Bunker. "I hardly +thought you would get here so soon, and I was planning a surprise, as I +say. But we're very glad to see you. How did you get into the house and +up here?"</p> + +<p>"I walked in. The front door was open and——"</p> + +<p>"I left it open to air the house."</p> + +<p>"And as soon as I got in I heard a great racket up where I knew the +attic must be, so up I rushed. I found the children all in a heap, and I +pulled them apart as best I could."</p> + +<p>"We were riding on a scooter I made from an older roller skate," +explained Russ, "and it went off the ironing-board sideways and it +bumped into everybody."</p> + +<p>"I should say it did bump!" laughed Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"But we're not hurt," added Laddie. "We're all right now. Can you answer +riddles, Uncle Fred?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I think so, if they're not too hard."</p> + +<p>"I know lots of riddles," said Laddie. "I have a good one about what +goes through——"</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute!" cried Vi, elbowing her way to a place in the front +ranks of the six little Bunkers. "I want to ask Uncle Fred a question."</p> + +<p>"You did ask him one," suggested Rose.</p> + +<p>"Well, I want to ask him another," went on Vi. "You said you were going +to take us away," she told the visitor. "Are you? And where and when are +we all going? And can we have some fun?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, hold on! Stop! Whoa! Back up!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "I thought you +said you wanted to ask <i>one</i> question, not half a dozen."</p> + +<p>"But you said you were going to take us away. Are you?"</p> + +<p>"I am if your mother and father will let me," replied Uncle Fred. "You +know I wrote you," he went on to Mother Bunker, "that I'd like to have +you all come out to my ranch to stay all summer."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's a ranch?" asked Vi.</p> + +<p>"I know," interrupted Russ. "It's a place where they have horses and +cows and——"</p> + +<p>"Indians!" cried Laddie.</p> + +<p>"And cowboys!" went on Russ. "That'll be great! We can have a Wild West +show!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, let's go!" shouted Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Children! Children!" murmured Mother Bunker. "Less noise, please! What +will Uncle Fred think of you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind the noise," replied the Westerner. "I'm used to that. +Sometimes, when the cowboys are feeling pretty good, they whoop and yell +like Indians."</p> + +<p>"Are there any Indians out there?" asked Russ eagerly. "I mean out at +your ranch?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a few," answered Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"And where is your ranch?" Laddie inquired.</p> + +<p>All interest in the scooter was lost in Uncle Fred's arrival. And if he +planned to take the six little Bunkers somewhere they wanted to hear all +about that. So they crowded close around him.</p> + +<p>"My ranch," said Uncle Fred, "is out in Montana, near a place called +Moon City.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> The name of my place is Three Star, and——"</p> + +<p>"Is there a moon, too?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Well, the name of the town, as I said, is Moon City, and I suppose it +was named that because the moon looks so beautiful over the mountains. +But I am down on the plains, and the reason I call my ranch Three Star +is because my cattle are marked with three stars, so I will know them if +they should happen to get mixed up with the cattle of another ranch."</p> + +<p>"When are we going?" asked Russ. "I have to make a lasso if we go out on +a ranch. Maybe I'll lasso an Indian."</p> + +<p>"So'll I," put in Laddie. "When can we go, Mother?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, not for some little time. Uncle Fred has come to pay us a visit. +Haven't you?" she went on to her brother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I'm going to stay East a while," he said. "But I'm desirous of +getting back to Three Star," he added. "There's something queer been +going on there, and I want to find out what it is. That's one reason I +came on East—to try to find out what's wrong<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> at my place. There +certainly is something queer there!"</p> + +<p>"Is it a ghost?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"No, hardly a ghost," answered Uncle Fred with a laugh. "What do you +know about ghosts, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"There was one at Grandpa Ford's," explained Rose.</p> + +<p>"But we found out what it was," added Russ.</p> + +<p>"But first it made terribly queer noises," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Well, the only queer noises out at Three Star Ranch are made by the +cowboys, and sometimes by the Indians," said Uncle Fred. "No, this is +something different. But it might almost as well be a ghost for all I +can find out about it. It certainly is very queer," he went on to his +sister. "I have lost a great many cattle lately, and that and something +strange about a spring of water on my place, are two of the reasons why +I came on here. I want to talk with some men who know about springs and +streams of water, and get some books about it so I can solve this +puzzle, if it's possible.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Another reason I came on," he added, "is to take you all back with me +to Moon City, and let the children have fun out on my ranch."</p> + + +<p>"Do you mean to take us all out West?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"Yes, every one of you six little Bunkers, and your father and mother, +too," returned Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Can we go, Mother?" begged Russ.</p> + +<p>"I'll see about it," was the answer. "But we'd all better go downstairs +now. Uncle Fred must be tired from his long trip, and I want to get him +a cup of tea. It is raining hard still, so you children can't go out and +play."</p> + +<p>"We don't want to," said Vi. "We want to see Uncle Fred."</p> + +<p>"I like Uncle Fred!" exclaimed Mun Bun, going up to his mother's brother +and clasping his hand. "I like him awful much!"</p> + +<p>"And I like you, too," replied Uncle Fred, catching the little fellow up +in his arms.</p> + +<p>"I like him, too!" exclaimed Margy, who was not going to be left out.</p> + +<p>"That's the girl! I knew you wouldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> forget me!" and with a laugh +Uncle Fred caught her up also, and danced about the attic, with a child +in each arm.</p> + +<p>"Is it far out to your ranch?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Quite a way, little man," answered Uncle Fred. "It will take us about +four days to get there, riding steadily on the train. But we won't start +right away. I have some business to do here. But when that is over I +hope the weather will be better, and then we can start."</p> + +<p>"And stay out there all summer?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and all winter, too, if you like. We'll be glad to have you."</p> + +<p>"We seem to do nothing but visit around of late!" exclaimed Mother +Bunker. "We have been to Grandma Bell's, to Aunt Jo's, to Cousin Tom's, +to Grandpa Ford's and now maybe we're going to Uncle Fred's."</p> + +<p>"I think it's nice," remarked Rose.</p> + +<p>"So do I!" added Vi. "I love to go visiting!"</p> + +<p>"Could I ask you that riddle now?" inquired Laddie, as Uncle Fred +started downstairs, carrying Margy and Mun Bun.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," was the answer of the children's uncle. "Go ahead."</p> + +<p>"What is it that goes through——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't ask him that one about what goes through a door but doesn't +come into the room!" exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't!" asserted Laddie. "That's an old one, and the answer is a +keyhole. I was going to ask him a new one."</p> + +<p>"Well, go ahead," said Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"What is it goes through—— No, that isn't it. Let me see. I almost +forgot. Oh, I know! What can you drive without a whip or reins? That's +it. What can you drive without a whip or reins?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean an ox?" asked Uncle Fred. "I've seen oxen driven, and the +man who drove them didn't use reins as they do on horses, though he did +have a goad, which is like a whip."</p> + +<p>"No, oxen isn't the answer," said Laddie. "Do you give up?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I will, just to see what the answer is," replied Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"What is it you can drive without a whip or reins?" asked Laddie again. +"The answer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> is a nail. You can drive that with a hammer."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha! That's a pretty good riddle!" laughed Uncle Fred. "I must try +that on some of the cowboys when I get back to Three Star Ranch."</p> + +<p>"And now don't you children bother Uncle Fred too much while I'm making +him a cup of tea," said Mrs. Bunker, as they reached the first floor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they don't bother me," declared Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about the something queer on your ranch," begged Russ, as his +uncle sat down, holding Margy and Mun Bun in his lap.</p> + +<p>"All right, I will," promised Mr. Bell. "First I'll tell you about the +ranch, and then about the queer things that happened. Now Three Star +Ranch is——"</p> + +<p>Just then the doorbell rang loudly, and Uncle Fred stopped speaking.</p> + +<p>"I wonder who it is," said Rose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>UNCLE FRED'S TALE</h3> + + +<p>The ringing of the Bunker doorbell was not unusual. It often rang during +the day, but just now, when Uncle Fred was about to tell his story, it +rather surprised the children to hear the tinkle.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and see who it is," offered Russ. "And please don't tell any of +the story until I come back," he begged.</p> + +<p>"I won't," promised Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>Russ hurried to the door, and, as he opened it, the other children heard +him cry:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy! What made you ring?"</p> + +<p>"I forgot my key," answered Mr. Bunker. "I couldn't open the door."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's Daddy!" cried Mun Bun and Margy, and, slipping down from Uncle +Fred's knee, they raced to the hall to get their usual kisses.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Guess who's here!" cried Russ, for his father could not see into the +room where his wife's brother sat. "Guess!"</p> + +<p>"Grandma Bell?"</p> + +<p>"Nope!"</p> + +<p>"Aunt Jo?"</p> + +<p>"Nope!"</p> + +<p>"It's Uncle Fred!" cried Rose, hurrying out into the hall. "And he's got +a secret out at his ranch like Grandpa Ford had at Great Hedge, and he's +going to take us all out there and—and——"</p> + +<p>"My! better stop and catch your breath before it runs away from you," +laughed Daddy Bunker, as he lifted Rose in his arms and kissed her. "So +Uncle Fred is here, is he? He came a little ahead of time."</p> + +<p>"And he s'prised us all up in the attic," added Laddie, who had also +come into the hall. "Russ and I rode down on the scooter, and we bumped, +and had a mix-up, and Uncle Fred came up, and——"</p> + +<p>"And we thought he was a burglar!" finished Violet.</p> + +<p>"You must have had quite a time," laughed Daddy Bunker. "Well, now, +after I get my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> wet things off, I'll go in and see Uncle Fred and hear +all about it," and soon Daddy Bunker and his wife's brother were shaking +hands and talking, while the children sat about them, eager and +listening.</p> + +<p>"We'll have an early supper," said Mother Bunker, when she had given +Uncle Fred a cup of tea, "and then we can hear all about Three Star +Ranch."</p> + +<p>Norah O'Grady soon had a nice supper on the table, and after Rose had +helped with it, as she often did, for her mother was teaching her little +daughter to be a housekeeper, the children took their places and began +to eat. And, at the same time, they listened to the talk that went on +among the grown folk. Mother and Father Bunker had many questions to ask +Uncle Fred, and he also asked them a great many, for he wanted to know +all about Grandma Bell, and Aunt Jo and Grandpa Ford and all the rest of +the Bunkers' relatives.</p> + +<p>"And now will you tell us about Three Star Ranch?" asked Russ eagerly, +as the chairs were pushed back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will," promised Uncle Fred.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And don't leave out the Indians," begged Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Nor the cowboys," added Russ.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell about some ponies?" asked Rose. "I love ponies!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll tell about them, too," said her uncle. "And if you come out +West with me you shall have some rides on ponies."</p> + +<p>"Really, truly?" gasped Rose.</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't that be fun!" cried Vi. "What color are ponies? And what +makes them be called ponies? I should think they would be called +pawnies, 'cause they paw the ground. And how many have you, Uncle Fred?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Vi! Not so many questions, my dear! Please!" exclaimed her mother, +laughing. "Uncle Fred won't get a chance to tell any story if you talk +so much. You are a regular chatterbox to-night."</p> + +<p>"Wait until you get out West. It's so big there you can talk all day and +night and bother no one," said Uncle Fred. "But now I'll tell you about +my ranch.</p> + +<p>"As I mentioned, it is near Moon City, in Montana. That is a good many +miles from here, and around my house are big fields,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> where the cattle +roam about and eat the grass.</p> + +<p>"A ranch, you must know, little Bunkers, is just a big farm. But instead +of raising apples and peaches and pears, hay, grain or chickens on my +ranch, I raise cattle. Cows you might call them, though we speak of them +as cattle. Some men raise horses on their ranches, but though I have +some horses and ponies, I have more cattle than anything else.</p> + +<p>"I have to keep a number of men to look after the cattle. These men are +called cowboys, and they ride about the ranch on horses, or cow ponies, +and see that the cattle are all right, that they get enough to eat and +drink, and that no one takes them away."</p> + +<p>"What do the Indians do?" asked Russ. "Tell us about them."</p> + +<p>"Well, some of the Indians farm," said Uncle Fred. "Some of them make +baskets and other things to sell to travelers who come through on the +trains, but many of them just live a lazy life. They are on what is +called a Reservation—that is land which the government has set aside +for them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do Indians come to your ranch?" asked Laddie. "And could I lasso any of +'em with a rope lasso like I saw in some pictures?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sometimes Indians do come to Three Star," answered Uncle Fred. +"But I don't believe any of them would like to be lassoed."</p> + +<p>"What's this I hear about your having trouble?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I have been having trouble," answered Uncle Fred. "And, as +usual, my trouble is like that a lot of ranchers have. Some one has been +taking my cattle."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you want them to?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," answered his uncle. "I raise my cattle to sell, so I can +make money to pay my cowboys and live on some of it myself. If bad men +take my cattle away in the night, as they do, without paying me, I lose +money. And that's why I came on East here."</p> + +<p>"Surely you didn't come all the way from Moon City to find out who was +taking your cattle at Three Star Ranch!" exclaimed Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. The men who are doing that are right out there. I've left some +of my cow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>boys to attend to them," answered Uncle Fred. "What I came on +for, besides getting you to go back with me, is to get some books about +springs and streams of water, and also to talk with some engineers about +a queer spring on my ranch."</p> + +<p>"What sort of queer spring?" asked Daddy Bunker. "I thought all springs +were alike."</p> + +<p>"Well, I s'pose they are, in that they have water in 'em," said Uncle +Fred. "But mine isn't that kind. Sometimes it has water in it, and again +it hasn't."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked his sister. "Does the spring go dry? That used +to happen to the spring where we lived when we were children. Don't you +remember, Fred?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that spring only went dry when there was no rain—say in a +dry, hot summer. The spring on Three Star Ranch goes dry sometimes in +the middle of a rainy season."</p> + +<p>"What makes it?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"That's what I came on to find out about," replied Uncle Fred. "None of +my cowboys can tell what makes it, and the Indians are puzzled, too. +It's like one of Laddie's riddles, I guess."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's what we thought about the ghost at Great Hedge," said Mrs. +Bunker. "But we finally found out what it was, and very simple it was, +too. Perhaps this spring of yours will turn out the same way."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope it does," said her brother. "All I know is that sometimes +the spring will be full of fine water. We use it for drinking at the +ranch house and for watering some of the horses. The cattle drink at a +creek that runs through my place. That never goes dry.</p> + +<p>"But sometimes there will be hardly a drop of water in the spring, and +then there is trouble. Everybody is sorry then, for we have to haul +water from the creek in barrels, and it isn't as good to drink as the +spring water."</p> + +<p>"Is that the only queer thing?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"No. The most remarkable thing about it," went on Uncle Fred, "is that +every time the spring goes dry some of my cattle are taken away. I +suppose you could call it stolen, though I don't like to think that any +of my neighbors would steal. I used to think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> the cattle wandered away, +but since none of them wander back again I feel pretty sure they must be +taken on purpose."</p> + +<p>"And every time the spring dries up the cattle are taken?" asked Mrs. +Bunker, while the six little Bunkers listened eagerly to Uncle Fred's +story.</p> + +<p>"Almost every time. I don't know what causes it."</p> + +<p>"Maybe the cows drink up all the water," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"No, cattle don't come near the spring," said Mr. Bell. "They are on the +far end of the ranch. It is a puzzle to me; about as much of a puzzle as +the ghost must have been at Great Hedge, before you found out about it."</p> + +<p>"So you came East to consult some engineers about the spring," remarked +Daddy Bunker. "Do you think they can help you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you know there are engineers who make a study of all kinds of +water; of springs, lakes, rivers, and so on," explained Uncle Fred. +"They are water-engineers just as others are steam or electrical +engineers. I thought I'd ask them the reasons for springs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> going dry. +Some of them may know something about the water in Montana, and they can +tell me if there are underground rivers or lakes that might do something +to my spring.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow I had some other business in New York, so while I was attending +to that, and coming on here to get you folks, I thought I'd see the +engineers."</p> + +<p>"And have you seen any yet?" asked his sister.</p> + +<p>"Not yet. I'm going to in a day or so. But I stopped at a store and +ordered——"</p> + +<p>Before Uncle Fred could say what it was he had ordered the doorbell rang +again. This time it could not be Daddy Bunker coming in, as he was +already at home.</p> + +<p>Norah, who went to open the door, could be heard speaking to some one.</p> + +<p>"Oh, and it's a message you have for Mr. Bell, is it?" she said. "Well, +come in and don't be standin' there in the wet rain."</p> + +<p>"A message for me!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "I hope it isn't any bad news +from my ranch—about more cattle being taken."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>PACKING UP</h3> + + +<p>"Somebody for you, Mr. Bell," announced Norah, as she opened wider the +door of the sitting room where the six little Bunkers, Uncle Fred and +the others were gathered. "It's a boy, and he has a package."</p> + +<p>"Then it can't be a telegram containing bad news," said Uncle Fred. +"They don't come in packages, unless there's a lot of 'em, and I hardly +would get that many. I'll see what it is."</p> + +<p>The boy was not a telegraph messenger after all, but a special delivery +lad from the post-office, and the package he had for Uncle Fred was a +book.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a book I sent for to New York," said the ranchman after he had +given the boy ten cents, and had opened the package.</p> + +<p>"It's a book that tells about springs, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> the rocks underneath the +earth where the water comes from. I thought I'd read about springs so +I'd learn something about the queer one on my ranch," Uncle Fred said to +Daddy Bunker. "I heard about this book, sent to New York for it, and +asked them to send it to me here by special delivery. Now I can read +what I want to know about water."</p> + +<p>"Will you read us a story out of the book?" asked Margy. "I like +stories."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe there are any stories in this book," said Uncle Fred +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Could you tell us one?" asked Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"About cowboys!" exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>"And Indians!" added Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess I could think of a story, if I tried real hard," answered +Uncle Fred, laughing.</p> + +<p>The six little Bunkers gathered about his chair, and, laying aside the +book that the special delivery messenger had brought, the ranchman told +the children some wonderful stories.</p> + +<p>He told them how, once, his cattle all ran away in a mad rush called a +"stampede," and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> how he and his cowboys had to ride after them on +ponies, firing their big revolvers, to turn the steers back from a deep +gully.</p> + +<p>"And did you stop 'em?" asked Russ, his eyes wide open in wonder and +excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. But it was hard work," answered his uncle.</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Bell told about a big prairie fire. On the flat, level fields, +where he pastured his cattle, grew long grass. When this gets dry it +burns very easily, and, once started, it is hard to stop.</p> + +<p>"And how did you stop it?" asked Rose, when her uncle had told about the +blazing miles of grass.</p> + +<p>"We got a lot of men and horses and plows," he answered, "and plowed a +wide strip of land in front of the fire. When the flames got to the bare +ground there was nothing for them to burn, and the wind was not strong +enough to carry them over to where there was more grass. So we saved our +ranch houses."</p> + +<p>"Do you live in a house on your ranch?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course we do!" laughed Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> Fred. "What did you think we +lived in?"</p> + +<p>"Tents, like the Indians."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, we have houses. But they aren't as nice as yours here in +Pineville," said the ranchman. "I have a house to myself where I live +with Captain Roy, and there is another house where the cowboys live. +Then there is still another house where they eat their meals. This has a +lot of big windows in it that can be opened wide on a hot day."</p> + +<p>"Who is Captain Roy?" asked Russ. "Is he an old soldier, like Jerry +Simms?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Captain Robert Roy used to be in the United States army," answered +Uncle Fred. "He is retired now, and he helps me at the ranch. He is a +partner of mine, and he looks after things while I am away. You six +little Bunkers will like him, for he loves children."</p> + +<p>"I wish we could hurry up and get out there!" sighed Russ.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think the best place for my little chickens to hurry to +is—<i>bed!</i>" laughed Mother Bunker. "Go to bed now, and morning will soon +come, so we can talk about going to Uncle Fred's."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>The children did not want to go to bed, but they always minded their +mother, unless they forgot and did something she had told them not to. +But this time there was no chance to forget.</p> + +<p>"Good night, Uncle Fred!" they called, one after another, as they +trooped upstairs.</p> + +<p>Norah went with Mun Bun and Margy to see that they were properly +undressed and covered up. Uncle Fred stayed downstairs to talk with +Daddy and Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>He was telling them about the strange spring on his ranch, in which the +water sometimes ran out in the night, no one knew where, and he was +speaking about his cattle having been taken away, when suddenly Laddie +called from upstairs:</p> + +<p>"Mother, make Russ stop!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not doing anything, Mother!" answered the voice of Russ, quickly +enough.</p> + +<p>"He is so!" went on Laddie. "He's playing he's a cowboy, and he says +I've got to be an Indian, and he's going to lasso me with the sheet off +the bed."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't do it—not yet—did I?" asked Russ.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, but you're going to!"</p> + +<p>"I am not!"</p> + +<p>"You are so! You said you were."</p> + +<p>"Well, I said I would if you'd let me."</p> + +<p>"And I won't let you! I want to go to sleep so morning will come quick, +and we can go to Uncle Fred's," went on Laddie. "I can think of some new +riddles there."</p> + +<p>"Boys! Boys! Be quiet and go to sleep!" called Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>And, after a little more talk, Laddie and Russ settled down in bed and +nothing more was heard of them until morning.</p> + +<p>"Is Uncle Fred here?" eagerly asked Rose, when she came downstairs to +breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Of course he is," answered her mother. "What made you think he wasn't?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I—I dreamed in the night he went back home, and I couldn't see him +any more," answered the little girl. "Did he go?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I didn't, Rose!" answered Uncle Fred himself, as he came softly +up behind her and caught her up in his arms. "I'm going to stay here +until you all get ready to go back to Three Star Ranch with me."</p> + +<p>Then the rest of the little Bunkers came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> down, each one eager to see +Uncle Fred and hear more of his wonderful stories of the West. And he +was glad to tell them, for he liked the children, and, knowing they had +never been out on a ranch, he realized how strange it all was to them.</p> + +<p>"If we are really going West," said Mother Bunker to Daddy Bunker, after +breakfast, "I must begin to think of packing up again. It seems we do +nothing but travel!"</p> + +<p>"The children like it," said her husband.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they'll like it out at my place," added Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so," said Mrs. Bunker. "But now to think of packing. +It's such a long journey we can't take much."</p> + +<p>"You won't need it," her brother said. "Though we live out West among +the Indians and the cowboys, there are some stores there, and you can +buy what you can't take with you. Besides, you won't need much for the +children. Let them rough it. Put old clothes on them and let them roll +around on the grass. That's the best thing in the world for them.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going now to have a talk with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> some water engineers about my +spring, and attend to some other business. Do you think you can be ready +to go back with me in about a week?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, never so soon as that!" cried Mrs. Bunker. "I'll need at least two +weeks to pack up."</p> + +<p>"All right, then we'll call it two weeks. So, two weeks from to-day, at +ten o'clock in the morning," said Uncle Fred, "we start for the West."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Russ, who came in just in time to hear what his uncle +said.</p> + +<p>The next two weeks were busy ones. The six little Bunkers could not do +much toward packing, though Rose, who went about the house singing, as +she almost always did, helped her mother as much as she could. Russ went +about whistling, but he did not help much. Instead he and Laddie made +lassos out of clotheslines, and once Mrs. Bunker heard Norah, out in the +kitchen, saying:</p> + +<p>"Now you mustn't do that, Russ! I told you that you must not!"</p> + +<p>"What's he doing, Norah?" asked Mrs. Bunker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's taking forks from the table and tying them on his shoes," answered +the cook.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't do that, Russ!" exclaimed his mother. "Why are you doing +such a thing? Forks on your shoes—the idea!"</p> + +<p>"I'm playing they're spurs, Mother, like those the cowboys at Uncle +Fred's ranch wear on their boots," said Russ. "Spurs are sharp and so +are forks, so I thought if I tied some forks on my shoes I'd have spurs +like the cowboys."</p> + +<p>His mother laughed, but told him that forks did not look much like spurs +and, moreover, that she did not want to have her forks used for that +purpose.</p> + +<p>So Russ had to take off his fork-spurs, much to his sorrow. But he soon +found something else to play with, and went about whistling merrily.</p> + +<p>Two days before the two weeks were up Mrs. Bunker said that all the +packing was done, and that she was ready to start for the West with the +six little Bunkers. Meanwhile Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker had been kept +busy; the ranchman attending to his business matters, and talking with +en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>gineers about his mysterious spring, and Mr. Bunker working at his +real estate affairs.</p> + +<p>"They tell me to take some photographs of the spring and send them to +them," said Uncle Fred. "So I'll do that. I've bought a camera, and +we'll take pictures for the engineers."</p> + +<p>"I can do that for you," remarked Daddy Bunker. "I often take pictures +of the houses I buy and sell."</p> + +<p>The last valise and trunk had been packed. Once more the Bunker house +was closed for a long vacation and the family was on the porch, waiting +for the big automobile that was to take them and Uncle Fred to the +station.</p> + +<p>"Are we all here?" asked Mother Bunker, "counting noses," as she did +before the start of every trip. "Oh, where's Margy?" she suddenly cried, +as she did not see her little girl. "Margy isn't here! Where can she +be?"</p> + +<p>For Margy, who had been there a little while before, was missing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>OFF FOR THE WEST</h3> + + +<p>"Come on! Everybody hunt for Margy!" called Mr. Bunker. "She can't be +very far away, as I saw her on the porch a little while ago."</p> + +<p>"We haven't much time if we are to catch the train," said Mother Bunker. +"Oh, dear! I wish she wouldn't run off that way. Did you see her go, +Rose?"</p> + +<p>"No, Mother, I didn't. But I'll go and look, and——"</p> + +<p>"No, you stay here," said Daddy Bunker. "First we know you'll be getting +lost, Rose. Uncle Fred and I will look for Margy. The rest of you stay +here."</p> + +<p>"I know where Margy goed!" suddenly exclaimed Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"Where?" asked Daddy and Mother Bunker and Uncle Fred. "Where did Margy +go?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She goed to say good-bye to Carlo!"</p> + +<p>"What! Carlo, the dog next door?" asked Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Yep!" and Mun Bun nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if she has," murmured Daddy Bunker. "And yet I wouldn't be +surprised. The children think as much of Carlo as if he was their own +dog," he said to Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go and look," suggested the ranchman.</p> + +<p>Back to the yard next door hurried the two men. In the rear was a nice, +cosy dog-house into which Carlo went when it was cold or rainy.</p> + +<p>"Look!" cried Uncle Fred, pointing toward the dog kennel. "There she +is!"</p> + +<p>Something pink and white was fluttering from Carlo's little house, and +pink and white was the color of Margy's dress. Mr. Bunker ran down the +yard.</p> + +<p>"Margy!" he cried, as he took his little girl out from the kennel, where +she was snuggled up to Carlo, her head pillowed on his shaggy coat. +"Margy! what are you doing?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I was saying good-bye to Carlo, Daddy," the little girl answered. "I +love him just bushels, and I'm going away from him, so I said good-bye!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we might say good-bye to the train if you stayed here much +longer," laughed her father, brushing the straw off the little girl's +dress.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Carlo! Good-bye!" called Margy, as her father carried her +away.</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow!" barked the big dog.</p> + +<p>That was his way of saying good-bye, I suppose.</p> + +<p>Out of the yard, into which she had gone when no one was watching her, +Margy was carried by her father. Then along came the big automobile, and +in that the six little Bunkers, with their daddy and mother and their +Uncle Fred, rode to the station. Some of their neighbors came out on +their steps to wave good-bye to the Bunkers, and Norah and Jerry Simms +shook their hands and wished them the best of luck.</p> + +<p>"Bring me back an Indian, Russ!" called Jerry.</p> + +<p>"I'll lasso one for you," Russ answered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And I'll think up a lot of new riddles for you, Norah!" said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Sure, and I'll like that!" exclaimed the cook.</p> + +<p>And so the six little Bunkers were off for the West.</p> + +<p>It was a long journey from their home in Pennsylvania to Uncle Fred's +ranch in Montana. It would take four days and nights of riding in +railroad trains, but I am not going to tell you all that happened on the +trip.</p> + +<p>In fact nothing very much did happen. The children sat in their seats +and looked out of the windows. Now and then they walked up and down the +car, or asked for drinks of water. They looked at picture books, and +played with games that Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker bought for them from +the train boy.</p> + +<p>At night they all went to sleep in the car where beds were made out of +what were seats in the daytime. It was not the first time the six little +Bunkers had traveled in sleeping-cars, so they were not much surprised +to see the colored porter make a bed out of a seat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>I will tell you about one funny thing that happened on the trip, and +then I'll make the rest of the story about the things that took place on +Uncle Fred's ranch, for there the children had many adventures.</p> + +<p>"This is our last night of travel," said Mother Bunker to the children +one evening, as the berths were being made up.</p> + +<p>"Shall we be at Uncle Fred's ranch in the morning?" asked Russ, who, +with Laddie, had been counting the hours when they might begin to lasso +something.</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly in the morning," said Uncle Fred himself. "But when you +wake up, to-morrow morning, you can say: 'We'll be there to-night.' For +by this time to-morrow night, if all goes well, we'll be at Three Star."</p> + +<p>"Then can I see the ponies?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and have a ride on one if you want to," her uncle told her. "There +are some very gentle ones that will just do for you children."</p> + +<p>"That will be lovely!" exclaimed Rose. "I'll give my doll a ride, too."</p> + +<p>"So will I," decided Violet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>They had taken with them their Japanese dolls, that had been found in +such a funny way on the beach, as I told you in the book called "Six +Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's."</p> + +<p>"The berths are ready, sir," said the colored porter to Daddy Bunker, +and soon the children were undressed and put to sleep in the queer beds +for the last time on this journey.</p> + +<p>The grown folk stayed up a bit later, talking about different things, +and the queer spring on Uncle Fred's ranch.</p> + +<p>"I hope I can find the men who have been taking my cattle," said the +Westerner, as he got ready for his berth, as the beds in the +sleeping-car are called.</p> + +<p>"We'll help you find the bad chaps," said Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"And the children will want to help, too," added Mrs. Bunker. +"Especially Russ and Laddie. They think they are getting to be quite big +boys now. They may find out what is the matter with your spring, Fred."</p> + +<p>"I hope they do, but I don't see how they can," answered the ranchman. +"I've tried every way I know, and so have my cowboys.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> Well, we'll wait +until we get out to the ranch, and then see what happens."</p> + +<p>Pretty soon every one in the big sleeping-car was in bed. The Bunkers, +two by two, were sleeping in the berths. Russ and Laddie were together +in one, and Rose and Violet were in another. Mun Bun slept with his +father, and Margy with her mother.</p> + +<p>On and on rushed the train through the night, carrying the people +farther West. The weather was fine now, and spring would soon give place +to summer. Uncle Fred had said this was the nicest time of the year out +on his ranch.</p> + +<p>It must have been about the middle of the night that Mr. Bunker awakened +suddenly. Just what caused him to do so he did not know, but he found +himself wide awake in a moment. He reached over to see if Mun Bun was +all right, and, to his surprise, he could not find his little son.</p> + +<p>"That's queer!" exclaimed Mr. Bunker to himself. "Where can Mun Bun be? +I wonder if he got up in the night to get himself a drink?"</p> + +<p>The little fellow had never done this, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> that is not saying he might +not try it for the first time.</p> + +<p>"Or perhaps he didn't like it in bed with me, and went in with his +mother and Margy," thought Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bunker's berth was right across the aisle from the one in which Mr. +Bunker had been sleeping with Mun Bun, and, putting on a bath robe, Mr. +Bunker pushed back the curtains in front of his berth, and opened those +of the one where his wife was sleeping.</p> + +<p>"Amy! Amy!" he whispered, his lips close to her ear so as not to awaken +the other passengers on either side. "Amy! is Mun Bun here with you?"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mrs. Bunker, waking up suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I woke up just now and I can't find Mun Bun. Is he in here?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>AT THREE STAR RANCH</h3> + + +<p>But as Mr. Bunker parted the curtains over his wife's berth, and looked +inside, he saw, by the dim light that streamed in, that Mun Bun was not +with her. There was Margy, quietly sleeping with her mother, but no Mun +Bun.</p> + +<p>"What could have happened to him?" asked Mrs. Bunker, sitting up in bed. +She looked at her husband. "Where is Mun Bun?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," he answered. "He was sleeping with me, but, all of a +sudden, I woke up and Mun Bun was not with me."</p> + +<p>"He must have awakened and got up to get a drink, or something," said +Mrs. Bunker. "Then when he went to go back again, he couldn't find the +place where you were, and he's either crawled in with Russ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> and Laddie, +or with Rose and Violet. We must look for him."</p> + +<p>"I'll look," said Mr. Bunker. "You stay with Margy. If she wakes up and +finds you gone, she'll cry and disturb the whole car. You stay here, and +I'll go and look in the two other berths."</p> + +<p>Going along the aisle of the car, which was swaying to and fro from the +speed of the train, Mr. Bunker softly opened the curtains of the berth +next to that in which his wife and Margy were. In this second +compartment were Violet and Rose.</p> + +<p>It needed only a glance to show that Mun Bun was not with his sisters, +though often, at home, when he had been disturbed in the night, he had +been found in their bed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll try where Laddie and Russ are sleeping," said Mr. Bunker. +"He surely will be there."</p> + +<p>But Mun Bun was not in the berth with Russ and Laddie.</p> + +<p>Rather puzzled, and not knowing exactly what to do next, Mr. Bunker went +back to his wife's berth. She was sitting up waiting for him, and Margy +was still asleep.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did you find him?" whispered Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"No, he wasn't with Russ or Rose. What shall I do?"</p> + +<p>Just then the colored porter came along. He had seen Mr. Bunker roving +around the car, and wanted to know if there was any trouble. The porter +was supposed to stay awake all night, but he often went to sleep, though +he did not undress.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything the matter, sir?" he asked Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a queer thing, but my little boy, who was sleeping with me, +is missing," said Mr. Bunker. "I woke up to find him gone."</p> + +<p>"Is he in the berths where any of the rest of your family are sleeping?" +asked the porter, for, having traveled with the Bunkers for some time, +he knew them all, at least by sight.</p> + +<p>"No, he isn't in with his sisters or brothers," answered Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you didn't look in Fred's berth!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "That's +where he is, Charles. I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Very likely," said Mr. Bunker, a sound of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> relief in his voice. "I +didn't think of looking there!"</p> + +<p>It was only a few steps to the berth where Uncle Fred was sleeping by +himself, and when Daddy Bunker pulled open the curtains there, he at +once awakened his wife's brother.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What's the matter? Has there been an accident—a smash-up?" +asked the Westerner quickly.</p> + +<p>"No, nothing has happened except that Mun Bun is lost and we can't find +him," answered Mr. Bunker in a low voice, so as not to disturb the other +passengers. "I thought maybe he had crawled in with you, as he isn't +with Amy, nor with Russ nor Rose."</p> + +<p>"He isn't here," said Uncle Fred. "I'd have felt him if he had come into +my berth. I'll get up and help you look."</p> + +<p>Uncle Fred quickly slipped on a bath robe and stepped out into the aisle +of the car. Then he and Daddy Bunker and the porter stood there in the +dim light.</p> + +<p>"Did you find him, Charles?" asked Mrs. Bunker in a low voice from her +berth.</p> + +<p>"No, he wasn't with Fred."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! What shall we do? You must find him!" she exclaimed, as she +poked her head out between the curtains.</p> + +<p>"Well, ma'am, he couldn't fall off the train," said the porter, "'cause +we hasn't stopped for a long while, and the doors are tight closed at +each end of the car. He's here somewhere."</p> + +<p>"He's in some other berth," put in Uncle Fred. "He must have walked in +his sleep, or something like that, and he's in with some one else he has +mistaken for his father or his mother, or one of his sisters or +brothers. We'll find him."</p> + +<p>"But we can't wake up everybody in the car, to ask them if Mun Bun is +sleeping with them," said Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"We've just got to!" exclaimed his wife. "We must find Mun Bun!"</p> + +<p>The porter looked disturbed. He did not very much like to awaken all the +sleeping passengers in the train, for some of them were sure to be +cross. They might blame him for their loss of sleep, and then he would +not get the usual tips of quarters or half dollars or dollars at the end +of the ride.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what we can do," said Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Since we know Mun Bun is safe in this car, as the porter says he +couldn't get off, we can wait until morning. He surely is in some berth, +and is, very likely, sleeping soundly. Why not let him alone until +morning?" answered Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Never!" cried Mrs. Bunker. "I must have him found, even if we +have to wake up everybody in the train. I must find Mun Bun!"</p> + +<p>Once more the porter hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, if it has to be done, it has to be," he said. "I'll start at one +end, an' you two gen'mens can start at the other end of the car, and +maybe we won't have to wake up quite everybody."</p> + +<p>Just as they were going to start to make this search a voice from behind +the colored porter called.</p> + +<p>"Are you looking for a lost boy?" inquired a man who wore an +old-fashioned night-cap on his head, which he stuck out from between the +green curtains of his berth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes!" eagerly exclaimed Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Have you one there?" asked Uncle Fred, turning to look at the man.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have some sort of a youngster in my berth with me," was the +low, laughing answer. "I had a dream that my pet dog had climbed in bed +with me, as he sometimes does when I'm at home. In my sleep I put out my +hand and I felt some soft, curly head. Then I happened to think, in my +dream, that my dog is an Airedale, and they don't exactly have soft, +silky hair.</p> + +<p>"Then I woke up, reached under my pillow for my flash-light, and pressed +the switch. There I saw a small boy asleep with me. Maybe he's the one +you want."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it must be Mun Bun!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "Look quick, Charles!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Bunker went down to the berth whence the man with the night-cap had +spoken. There, surely enough, peacefully sleeping in the strange bed, +was Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's my boy," said Daddy Bunker. "Sorry he bothered you."</p> + +<p>"Shucks, he didn't bother me a mite!" said the good-natured man. "I used +to have a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> little tot like him myself, but he's grown up now, and gone +to war. I'm old and bald-headed—that's why I wear this night-cap, on +account of my bald head," he went on. "But I'm not too old to like +children. You can let him stay here until morning if you wish. He won't +bother me."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," said Mr. Bunker. "He might wake up and be frightened if +he found himself in a strange bed. I'll carry him back with me. Thank +you just the same."</p> + +<p>Daddy Bunker picked up Mun Bun, still sleeping, and the little fellow +never awakened. His father took him back to his own berth. Uncle Fred +got into his and Mrs. Bunker went back to sleep beside Margy.</p> + +<p>Mun Bun never awakened as his father carried him back, but slept on. +Only he murmured something in his dreams about "pony rides."</p> + +<p>"You shall have some when you get to Uncle Fred's ranch," whispered +Daddy Bunker, as he softly kissed the little sleeping fellow. And Mun +Bun was once more tucked in the bed where he belonged.</p> + +<p>In the morning the other little Bunkers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> were told of the funny thing +that had happened to Mun Bun in the night. The little fellow himself +knew nothing about it.</p> + +<p>"He must have walked in his sleep," said his mother, "though I never +knew him to do that before."</p> + +<p>And that is probably what happened.</p> + +<p>Mun Bun, not used to sleeping in moving trains, had probably twisted and +turned in the night, and, being restless, he had gotten out of the bed +where he was with his father. If he was awake he did not remember it. He +must have toddled down the aisle of the car, all by himself, and then +have crawled into the berth with the strange man. The latter was not +awakened until he had his queer dream about his pet dog, and then he +found Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"And just in time, too," said Uncle Fred, as they were all laughing +about it at breakfast the next morning. "I wouldn't have liked to get +all the passengers awake to find a lost boy. After this, Mun Bun, we'll +have to put a hobble on you."</p> + +<p>"What's a hobble?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Is it an Indian?" Violet wanted to know.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> She was not going to let Russ +get ahead of her with questions.</p> + +<p>"No, a hobble is something we put on horses to keep them from straying +away," said the ranchman. "It's a rope with which we tie them."</p> + +<p>"Do horses walk in their sleep?" Violet, in wonder, asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe so," answered Uncle Fred. "I never saw any, and we have +a lot out at Three Star."</p> + +<p>"Why don't they?" asked Violet, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Why don't they what?" her uncle queried, for he had turned aside and +was talking to Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Why don't horses walk in their sleep?" asked Violet. "Mun Bun walked in +his sleep, so why don't horses?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess they do enough walking and running in the day time," said +Mrs. Bunker. "They're glad enough to rest at night."</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll make up a riddle about Mun Bun walking in his sleep, if I +can think of a good answer," announced Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Do!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "And save<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> it for the cowboys out at my +ranch. They like riddles."</p> + +<p>"Do they?" cried Laddie. "Then I'll ask them that one about what do the +tickets do when the conductor punches them. Nobody can tell me an answer +to that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that would be a good one for the cowboys," laughed Uncle Fred. +"Well, it won't be very long before we'll be there now."</p> + +<p>The train sped on, and late that afternoon Moon City was reached. It was +a small town, but it had the name of being a city. The children did not +have much time to look about, as Uncle Fred was anxious to get them out +to the ranch.</p> + +<p>So, with bags and trunks, the Bunkers were piled into a big four-seated +wagon, or buckboard, and the horses started off. Through the town they +went, and then out on the broad plains. In the distance were great +mountains and forests.</p> + +<p>It was a drive of about ten miles to Three Star Ranch, and it was just +getting dusk when the place was reached.</p> + +<p>"Welcome home, six little Bunkers!" cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> Uncle Fred, as he jumped from +the wagon and began helping down his sister and the children. "Here we +are, at my ranch at last."</p> + +<p>"Where are the Indians?" asked Russ eagerly.</p> + +<p>And just then came wild yells and whoops, and the air resounded with the +firing of what the children thought must be giant fire-crackers, bigger +than any they had ever heard.</p> + +<p>"Whoop-ee! Whoop! Bang! Bang!" sounded on all sides.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>RUSS MAKES A LASSO</h3> + + +<p>There was so much noise that, at first, no one could make his or her +voice heard. Then, as the sound of the shooting died away a little, and +the whoops and shouts were not so loud, Laddie cried:</p> + +<p>"Is that the Indians, Uncle Fred? Are they trying to get us?"</p> + +<p>"Where's my lasso?" demanded Russ. "I had one on the train! Where is it, +Mother? I want to lasso an Indian for Jerry Simms."</p> + +<p>"Can't the cowboys help fight the Indians?" demanded Laddie, capering +about in his excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look!" suddenly exclaimed Rose, and she pointed to a lot of men on +horses coming around the corner of the big ranch house.</p> + +<p>And as the children looked, these men again fired their big revolvers in +the air,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> making such a racket that Mother Bunker covered her ears with +her hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here come the cowboys!" yelled Russ. "Now the Indians will run!"</p> + +<p>"Let me see the cowboys! Let me see the cowboys!" cried Mun Bun. "Has +they got any cows?"</p> + +<p>Right up to where the six little Bunkers stood rode the cowboys on their +horses, or "ponies," as they are more often called. Then the men +suddenly pulled back on the reins, and up in the air on their hind legs +stood the horses, the men clinging to their backs, swinging their big +hats and yelling as loudly as they could.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's just like a circus!" cried Rose.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it is," said her father. "More like a Wild West circus, I +suppose."</p> + +<p>"Did you get this show up for us, Fred?" asked Mother Bunker, when the +cowboys had quieted down, and had ridden off to the corral, or place +where they kept their horses.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't know anything about it," answered Uncle Fred. "But the +cowboys often ride wild like that when they come in from their work and +find visitors. They shoot off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> their revolvers, 'guns,' as they call +them, and make as much noise as they can."</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just because they feel good, and they want to make everybody else +feel good, too, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Will the Indians come?" asked Laddie hopefully.</p> + +<p>"No, there aren't any Indians," his uncle told him. "At least not any +around here now. Sometimes a few come from the reservation, but there's +none here now."</p> + +<p>The six little Bunkers watched the cowboys ride away to put their horses +out to grass and wash themselves for supper, or "grub," or "chuck," or +"chow," as they called it, giving the meals different names used +according to the place where they had worked before.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad they weren't Indians," said Laddie to Russ, as they went in +the ranch house where Uncle Fred lived.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I wasn't afraid!" said Russ.</p> + +<p>"No, I wasn't either," went on Laddie. "But I don't like Indians to come +at you the first thing. I was glad they were cowboys."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If they'd've been Indians I'd've lassoed 'em!" declared Russ.</p> + +<p>"How could you, when you didn't have a lasso?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make one," declared Russ.</p> + +<p>"I'll help you lasso," offered Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! you don't know how," said Russ. "But I'll teach you," he added.</p> + +<p>"Come in and wash yourselves for supper," called Mother Bunker to the +two boys, who had stayed out on the porch to see if the cowboys would +again ride their horses around so wildly and shoot off the guns which +made so much noise. "You must be hungry, Russ and Laddie."</p> + +<p>"I am," Laddie admitted.</p> + +<p>"So'm I," agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>Into Uncle Fred's ranch house went all six little Bunkers. They liked +the place from the very first. It was different from their house at +home.</p> + +<p>The room they went into first extended the width of the house. It was +"big enough for the whole Bunker family and part of another one to sit +in, and not rock on one anothers' toes," Mother Bunker said. Back of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +this big apartment, called the living-room, was the dining-room. Then +came the kitchen, and, off in another part of the house, were the +sleeping-rooms. The ranch house was only one story high, and it was, in +fact, a sort of bungalow. It was very nice.</p> + +<p>Even though it was away out on the plains Uncle Fred's house had some of +the same things in it that the Bunkers had at home. There was running +water, and a bathroom, and a sink in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"The water comes from the mysterious spring I told you about," said +Uncle Fred when Mrs. Bunker asked him about it. "We pump it up into a +tank with a gasolene engine pump, and then it runs into the bathroom or +wherever else we want it. Oh, we'll treat you all right out here, you'll +see!"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you will," said Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>The children were washed and combed after their long journey, and then +Uncle Fred led them out to the dining-room.</p> + +<p>"Who does your cooking?" asked Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Bill Johnson," was the answer. "He's a fine cook, too."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is he a <i>man?</i>" asked Rose, in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"When you see him you'll say so!" exclaimed her uncle. "Bill is about +six feet tall, and as thin as a rail. But he certainly can cook."</p> + +<p>"I didn't think a <i>man</i> could cook," went on Rose.</p> + +<p>"Of course they can!" laughed her father. "You ought to see me cook when +I go camping and fishing. And the cook we had in the train coming here +was a man."</p> + +<p>"Was he?" asked Rose. "How funny!"</p> + +<p>"Here he comes now," said Uncle Fred, as a tall, thin man, wearing a +white apron and a cap came into the room with a big tray balanced on his +hands. "Bill, this little girl thinks you can't cook because you're a +man!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I only said—I only said——" and Rose blushed and hung her head.</p> + +<p>"That's all right!" laughed Bill Johnson. "If she doesn't like my +cooking I'll have her come out and show me how to make a pie or a cake!" +and he laughed at Rose.</p> + +<p>But the six little Bunkers all agreed that they never had a better meal +than that first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> one at Uncle Fred's, even if it was cooked by a man who +used to be a cowboy, as he told them later.</p> + +<p>"It was as good as Grandma Bell's," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"And as good as Aunt Jo's," added Rose.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad we came!" declared Laddie, as he pulled a cookie out of his +pocket. He had taken it away with him from the table.</p> + +<p>After supper the children and grown folk walked around the ranch near +the house. They saw where the cowboys slept in the "bunk house," and +looked in the corral where the ponies were kept when they were not being +ridden.</p> + +<p>"Where are the little ponies we are to ride?" asked Rose of her uncle.</p> + +<p>"I'll show them to you to-morrow," he promised. "It's too far to go over +to their corral to-night."</p> + +<p>"Will the cowboys shoot any more?" Laddie wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"No, not to-night," said his father. "I guess they want a rest as much +as you children do."</p> + +<p>Indeed the six little Bunkers were very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> willing to go to bed that +night. They were tired with their long journey, and sleeping in a +regular bed was different from curling up in a berth made from seats in +a car. Even Mun Bun slept soundly, and did not walk in his sleep and get +in bed with any one else.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning the children were down to breakfast. They found +that Bill Johnson could get that sort of meal just as well as he could +cook a supper, and after taking plenty of milk and oatmeal, with some +bread and jam, the six little Bunkers were ready to have some fun.</p> + +<p>They had on their play clothes, for the trunks and valises had been +unpacked, and as the weather was mild, though it was not quite summer +yet, they could play out of doors as much as they liked.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to look at the cowboys," announced Russ, as he got up from +the table. "I want to see how they lasso."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll have to wait a bit, boys," Uncle Fred told them. "The +cowboys have ridden over to the far end of the ranch to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> see about some +cattle. They won't be back until evening."</p> + +<p>"Could we walk over and see 'em?" asked Russ. "I want to see how they +lasso."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's several miles to where they have gone," said Uncle Fred. +"I'm afraid you couldn't walk it. But you can go almost anywhere else +you like, as there's no danger around here."</p> + +<p>"Are there any wild bulls or steers or cows that might chase them?" +asked Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"No," answered her brother. "There are a few little calves in a pen out +near the barn, but that's all. The cattle and horses are far away."</p> + +<p>"Let's go out and see this mysterious spring of yours," said Daddy +Bunker. "I'm eager to have a look at it. I'll take the camera along and +get some pictures. Come, children!"</p> + +<p>Rose and Violet, with Margy and Mun Bun, followed their father and +mother and Uncle Fred. Laddie and Russ lagged behind.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you coming?" asked their mother.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make a lasso," said Russ.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So'm I," added Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let them play by themselves," said Uncle Fred. "They can't do any +damage nor come to any harm. They can see the spring later."</p> + +<p>So Russ and Laddie went off by themselves to make a lasso. Russ found a +piece of clothesline, which Bill Johnson, the cook, said he might take, +and soon Russ and his brother were tying knots and loops in the strong +cord.</p> + +<p>If you don't know what a lasso or lariat is I'll tell you. It is just a +long rope with what is known as a slip-knot in one end. That end is +thrown over a horse, a cow, or anything else you want to catch. The +loop, or noose, slips along the long part of the string, and is pulled +tight. Then the horse or cow can be held and kept from getting away.</p> + +<p>Mother and Daddy Bunker, with the four little Bunkers and Uncle Fred, +were looking at the queer spring, which I'll tell you about a little +later, when Laddie came running up to them.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Uncle Fred, seeing that the small boy seemed +excited.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Russ made—made a lasso," panted Laddie, for he had been running, and +was out of breath.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know he said he was going to," said Uncle Fred. "That's all +right. Have a good time with it."</p> + +<p>"Russ made—made a lasso, and he—he lassoed one of the little cows with +it!" went on Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, did he!" exclaimed Mr. Bell with a laugh. "Well, I guess what +little lassoing Russ can do won't hurt the calf. They are all pretty +well grown."</p> + +<p>"But Russ can't—can't get loose!" went on Laddie. "He's yelling like +anything and he says I'd better come and tell you! He lassoed the calf +but he can't get loose—I mean Russ can't get loose!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "I might have known something +would happen!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE QUEER SPRING</h3> + + +<p>"What's all this? What's the matter?" asked Daddy Bunker, who had been +looking at the mysterious spring and had not heard all the talk that +went on. "What happened?"</p> + +<p>"Russ made a lasso," stated Laddie, while Mrs. Bunker and Uncle Fred +started for the corral where the little calves were kept until they were +strong enough to run with the other cattle.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Russ made a lasso, did he?" asked his father. "Well, that boy is +always making something. He'll be an inventor yet, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Russ lassoed a calf," explained Mrs. Bunker, for Mr. Bunker had caught +up Laddie, and they had now overtaken the others, who had started on +ahead.</p> + +<p>"Well, he had to lasso something," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> Mr. Bunker with a laugh. "Any +boy wants to lasso something when he makes a lariat. I did when I was a +boy. I lassoed our old rooster."</p> + +<p>"But the trouble seems to be," said Uncle Fred, "that Russ lassoed a +calf, and now the calf is running away with Russ."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's different!" said Mr. Bunker. "We'll have to see about this!"</p> + +<p>Then he hurried along with his wife and Uncle Fred toward the calf +corral. The five little Bunkers stayed behind at the spring for Mrs. +Bunker called back to them to do this, sending Laddie back, too.</p> + +<p>"We don't want any of them to get into trouble," she said to her +brother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think, too, that one at a time is enough," replied Mr. Bell.</p> + +<p>Even before they reached the corral they heard the voice of Russ +yelling. They heard him calling:</p> + +<p>"Whoa now! Stop! Stop, bossy cow! Let me get up! Stop!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe the calf will hook him!" cried Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" answered Uncle Fred. "The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> calves don't have horns. Russ will +be all right, though he may be mussed up a bit."</p> + +<p>"It will teach him not to lasso calves after this," said Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that," murmured Mrs. Bunker. "It is more apt to make +the others want to try the same thing."</p> + +<p>A moment later they turned around the corner of one of the ranch +buildings and came in sight of the corral. In one end they could see +some frightened calves standing huddled together. In the middle of the +corral was a cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>"That must be Russ and the calf," said Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>He and Daddy Bunker ran faster toward the fence, within which the calves +were kept, but, before they could reach it, they saw a man run out from +one of the buildings, jump over the fence without touching it and land +inside the corral. Then he disappeared in the cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>A moment later he came out, carrying Russ in his arms, and from the +little boy's leg there dangled a piece of clothesline. Then, also out of +the dust cloud, came a very much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> frightened spotted calf, and around +its neck was another piece of line.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is he—is he hurt?" gasped Mrs. Bunker, for Russ was limp.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, I'm glad to say!" answered the man who had Russ in his arms. +"He's pretty dusty, and scratched up a bit, and his clothes are mussed, +and he's frightened, but he's not hurt; are you?" and he laughed as he +set Russ down on his own feet.</p> + +<p>"I—I guess I'm all right," Russ answered, a bit slowly. "I—I had a +dandy time!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say you did!" exclaimed his father. "What did you do?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was playing I was a cowboy in the Wild West and I lassoed a +buffalo. I made believe the calf was a buffalo."</p> + +<p>"And then I guess the calf made believe you were a football, by the way +it pulled you about the corral," said the man who had rescued Russ.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I guess so," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you rescued him," said Mrs. Bunker to the stranger. "I can't +thank you enough."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't do anything," was the an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>swer. "I heard the little fellow +yelling shortly after I had seen him in the corral with the piece of +clothesline. I guessed what had happened, and I jumped in. I found the +calf pulling him around, for the lasso the little boy made had gotten +tangled around his legs. The other end was on the calf.</p> + +<p>"So I just cut the rope and picked up the youngster. Here he is, not +much worse for wear. But you won't do it again, will you?"</p> + +<p>"No—no—I don't guess I will," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"Captain Roy, this is my sister, Mrs. Bunker, and this is Mr. Bunker," +said Uncle Fred, introducing them. "This is Captain Robert Roy, my ranch +partner about whom I spoke to you," he went on to Mr. and Mrs. Bunker. +"He has been away, or you would have met him last night."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you are here to-day, to get my boy out of the trouble he got +himself into," said Mr. Bunker, as he shook hands with the former +soldier.</p> + +<p>"I am glad, too!" exclaimed the captain. "I like children, and I don't +want to see them hurt. But, as it happened, Russ wasn't."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He might have been, only for you," said Mrs. Bunker. "We can't thank +you enough. Russ, don't lasso anything more."</p> + +<p>"Can't I lasso a fence post, Mother?" Russ asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe that, or something that isn't alive. But no more calves."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Russ.</p> + +<p>His clothes were brushed off, Captain Roy talked a little while with Mr. +and Mrs. Bunker, and then went back to his work, and Uncle Fred +remarked:</p> + +<p>"Well, now the excitement is over, we can go back to the spring. I +presume the other children will be wondering what has happened."</p> + +<p>So back they went to where Laddie, Rose and the others were waiting.</p> + +<p>"Did you get him?" asked Laddie eagerly, when he saw Russ.</p> + +<p>"No, he got me," was the answer. "I guess we won't play Wild West any +more. We'll be Indians and not cowboys. Indians don't have to lasso +buffaloes, do they, Uncle Fred."</p> + +<p>"No, Indians have it sort of easy out here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> on their reservation," said +Mr. Bell with a laugh. "I guess it will be safer for you boys to be +Indians."</p> + +<p>"That'll be fun too," agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>"But we must have some feathers for our heads," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"We can get them in the chicken yard," returned Russ.</p> + +<p>"Did the calf bite you?" asked Violet, and she looked at Russ as if to +make sure he was all there.</p> + +<p>"No, he didn't bite, but he almost stepped on me. You ought to have seen +me flying around the field on the end of the rope. I couldn't get it +loose," and Russ explained how it had happened.</p> + +<p>However he was well out of it, and promised never again to try such a +trick.</p> + +<p>"I could make a riddle up about it, but I'm not going to," said Laddie. +"Anyhow it's hard to guess the answer, so I'll think up one that's +easier."</p> + +<p>"Now this," said Uncle Fred, as they stood about the big spring, "is +what I was telling you about. You all see what a nice lot of water there +is here. Sometimes it overflows,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> there's so much. Then, within a few +hours, it will go dry."</p> + +<p>"And where does the water go?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"That's what none of us has been able to find out. The water just seems +to sink down into the ground, as if the bottom had dropped out and let +it all through. Then again, in a day or so, the water comes back again."</p> + +<p>"It is queer," said Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"And the worst of it is," said Uncle Fred, "that I may lose most of what +I put into this ranch on account of this spring."</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Well, I bought this ranch partly because it had such a fine spring of +water on it. There is none better for miles around. But if I wanted to +sell the ranch again, and people heard that the spring went dry every +now and then, they wouldn't pay me as much as I paid. So I would lose. +That's one reason why I'm so anxious to get to the bottom of the puzzle. +As I said, it's like one of Laddie's riddles—I don't know the answer."</p> + +<p>"It looks like a regular spring," said Mother Bunker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And yet it isn't," went on Uncle Fred. "It's all right now, but an hour +later we may find the water sinking away."</p> + +<p>"I'll take some pictures," said Daddy Bunker, who had a camera with him, +"and then maybe we can dig up the ground and find hidden pipes, or +something like that."</p> + +<p>"We'll do the digging to-morrow," said Uncle Fred. "Now I want to show +you about the ranch."</p> + +<p>So he led them about, showing the six little Bunkers and their father +and mother the different buildings, telling them how he raised his +cattle and sent them to market, and how he sent out his cowboys to hunt +for lost calves.</p> + +<p>"There's always something to do on a ranch like this," said Uncle Fred. +"You can keep busy all the while. If one thing doesn't happen another +will. What with the mysterious spring, the bad men taking my cattle now +and then, the Indians running off the reservation and making +trouble—well, you can keep busy."</p> + +<p>"Could we see the little ponies?" asked Rose. "I'd like to have a ride +on one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So would I!" exclaimed Russ. "I'd like a pony better than a calf."</p> + +<p>"The ponies are over this way. I'll show them to you," said Uncle Fred. +"We'll go back by way of the spring. I have some Shetland ponies," he +went on to Daddy Bunker. "I raised a few and may raise more. The larger +children can ride on them while they're at the ranch."</p> + +<p>"That will be fine!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "Oh, I'm sure the children +will love it here."</p> + +<p>They turned back toward the spring to go to the pony corral.</p> + +<p>"I'm thirsty!" exclaimed Russ, as they reached the water hole. "I'm +going to run on ahead and get a drink."</p> + +<p>On he ran, and the others saw him stop suddenly when he reached the +spring. Then Russ shouted:</p> + +<p>"Oh, come here! Come here quick! Look! Hurry!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>SOME BAD NEWS</h3> + + +<p>"I wonder what the matter is," said Mrs. Bunker, when she heard Russ +shout.</p> + +<p>She did not have to wonder long. As the others drew nearer, Russ shouted +again, and this time he said:</p> + +<p>"The water's all running out of the spring! It's going dry, just like +Uncle Fred said it would!"</p> + +<p>"More mystery!" exclaimed the ranchman as he hurried on.</p> + +<p>The five little Bunkers and the grown folk reached the edge of the big +spring where Russ stood. He was looking down into the clear water, and +the others did the same.</p> + +<p>"Surely enough, it is getting lower!" exclaimed Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"There isn't half as much in as there was at first," added her husband. +"Is this the way it always does, Fred?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I never saw it run out before," answered the owner of Three Star Ranch. +"Every time before, it has happened in the night when no one was near +it. We'd visit the spring in the evening, and it would be all right. In +the morning it would be nearly dry, and it might stay that way a day or +two before the water came back into it. Very queer, I call it."</p> + +<p>"So do I!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker. "I'll take another picture of it now. +Maybe that will help us solve the mystery."</p> + +<p>While he was getting the camera ready Mrs. Bunker said:</p> + +<p>"The water is going out fast. You'd better get a drink now, Russ dear, +if you want it, for there may not be any more for a long time."</p> + +<p>"I will!" exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>Uncle Fred kept half a cocoanut shell tied by a string near the spring +to use as a cup. This Russ dipped in the fast lowering water, and got a +drink for the other little Bunkers and for himself, as they all seemed +to be thirsty at once.</p> + +<p>"What will you do for water when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> spring runs dry?" asked Mrs. +Bunker of her brother.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to draw some from the creek, but I have a lot of this water +stored in the tank. I always keep that full lately, since I can't tell +when my spring is going dry."</p> + +<p>They stood and watched the water going out of the spring. It was just +like it is when you pull the stopper out of the bathtub. The water gets +lower and lower, running down the pipe. Only, of course, there was no +pipe in the spring—that is, as far as Uncle Fred knew.</p> + +<p>"The water seems just to stop running in," said Daddy Bunker, as he +knelt down and looked more closely at the little hill of rocks back of +the water hole. It was from cracks in these rocks that the water bubbled +out and filled a hollow, rock basin before flowing on. Now less and less +was coming and, of course, as the spring water always kept running away, +or it would have overflowed, the basin was slowly but surely getting +dry.</p> + +<p>"I think what is happening," said Daddy Bunker, "is that, somewhere back +in the mountains or hills, where the stream comes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> from that feeds this +spring, the water is being shut off, just as we shut off the water at +the kitchen sink faucet. Where does the water come from, Fred?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," was the answer. "It must come from some place +underground, as we've never been able to find it on top. Well, we won't +go thirsty, for there is plenty of water in the tank. But I hope the +spring soon fills up again."</p> + +<p>Even as they watched the water got lower and lower, until there was +hardly a pailful left in the rock basin. No more clear, sparkling water +bubbled up out of the cracks in the rocks. The strange thing that Uncle +Fred had told about was happening at the spring.</p> + +<p>"Is the cows drinking up all the water?" asked Mun Bun, as he looked +into the now almost emptied basin.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe they are," answered his uncle.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the Indians took it to wash in," said Margy. "The Indians wash, +doesn't they, Uncle Fred?"</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe some of 'em do, but not very often," was the answer. +"They're not very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> fond of water, I'm sorry to say. But there! we won't +worry about this any more. You six little Bunkers came here to have fun, +and not bother about my spring. Daddy and I will try to find out why the +water runs away, and stop the leak. Did you all get drinks? If you did +we'll go back to the house. It must be almost dinner time."</p> + +<p>They all had had enough to drink for the time being, and, leaving the +spring, which was now only a damp hole in the ground, the party went +back to the ranch house. Captain Roy met them.</p> + +<p>"Spring's gone dry again," said Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Again! That's too bad! I was hoping we'd seen the last of that. Well, +now, we may expect some more bad news."</p> + +<p>"What kind?" asked Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the captain means about losing more cattle," answered Uncle Fred. +"Almost always, when the spring goes dry, it isn't long before some of +the cowboys come in to tell about our cattle being taken away. But maybe +that won't happen this time."</p> + +<p>After dinner the six little Bunkers started to have some fun. Mun Bun +and Margy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> went to have their afternoon naps, but Rose and Violet took +their Japanese dolls, which had been unpacked, and found a shady place +on the porch where they could play.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do, Russ?" asked Laddie, as he saw his brother +with some sticks.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make a tent," was the answer. "We can make a tent and live +in it same as the Indians do. It's more fun to live in a tent than in a +house when you're out West."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" cried Laddie. "I'll help you. But where can we get the cloth +part?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I got the sticks," Russ went on. "I guess Uncle Fred will let us +take a sheet off the bed for the cloth part."</p> + +<p>But the boys did not make the tent that day. Just as they were thinking +about going to ask for the cloth Uncle Fred called:</p> + +<p>"Come on, Russ and Laddie, and you, too, Rose and Vi. We're going to +look at the ponies. I started to take you to them when we found the +spring was going dry, and that made me forget. Now we'll go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what fun!" cried Russ.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Dandy!" exclaimed Laddie.</p> + +<p>"I love to ride a pony!" added Rose.</p> + +<p>"So do I!" ejaculated Violet.</p> + +<p>Uncle Fred led the children to a small corral, which they had not seen +before. In it were a number of Shetland ponies, some no larger than big +Newfoundland dogs. And some of the ponies came to the fence to be petted +as soon as they saw Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Oh, aren't they cute!" exclaimed Rose.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to ride that black one!" shouted Laddie.</p> + +<p>"He's a little too wild," said Uncle Fred. "Better try one of the more +gentle ones first. I'll get the men to saddle 'em for you."</p> + +<p>In a little while the four little Bunkers were riding about on the backs +of four gentle ponies. The little animals seemed to know children were +on their backs, and they did not run fast, nor kick up their heels.</p> + +<p>Rose and Russ could soon manage their ponies by themselves, but as Vi +and Laddie were younger Uncle Fred and one of his cowboys led their +ponies about by the bridle. The children rode in a big field, with a +fence all around it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now I'm going to ride fast!" cried Russ as he took a tighter hold of +the reins and shook his feet in the stirrups. "Gid-dap!" he called to +his pony. "Go fast!"</p> + +<p>Maybe the pony was surprised at this. Anyhow, he started to gallop. Now +Russ was not as good a horseman as he supposed, and the first he knew he +had slipped from the saddle and fallen off.</p> + +<p>"There you go!" cried Uncle Fred, as he left the pony on which Vi was +riding and ran to help Russ.</p> + +<p>Russ had fallen in a bunch of soft grass, so he was not hurt; and the +pony, after trotting around in a circle, stood still and began to eat +grass.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't try to ride fast yet a while," said Uncle Fred. "Better +learn more about the ponies first. You can have just as much fun riding +slowly, and then you won't tumble off."</p> + +<p>"I won't go fast any more," said Russ, as his uncle helped him back into +the saddle. The other children did not have any accidents, and rode +around on the ponies for some time. Then Mun Bun and Margy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> awakened +from their naps, and they, too, wanted rides. Their father and mother +held them on the backs of two small ponies, and walked with them about +the grassy field, so that all six little Bunkers had pony rides that +day.</p> + +<p>"And may we ride to-morrow?" asked Laddie when it was time to go back to +the house.</p> + +<p>"Yes," promised his uncle, "to-morrow we may all take a ride over the +plain."</p> + +<p>"Goody!" exclaimed Violet.</p> + +<p>"Will mother come, too?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" laughed Mrs. Bunker. "I don't know how to ride pony-back, +and I'm not going to learn now. You children can go."</p> + +<p>"That's what we'll do then," said Uncle Fred. "Daddy and I will take +Rose and Vi and Laddie and Russ for a ride over the plain. We'll go and +see if we can find where our spring water comes from, and why it shuts +itself off in that queer way."</p> + +<p>The children waved good-bye to the ponies, and went back to the house. +On the broad, shady porch stood Captain Roy. He was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> waiting for Uncle +Fred, and there was a worried look on the old soldier's face.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked the ranchman of his partner.</p> + +<p>"More bad news," was the answer. "One of the cowboys just rode in to +tell me that some more of the cattle have been taken."</p> + +<p>"I might have known it!" cried Uncle Fred. "When the spring goes dry +other bad news is sure to come in!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>VIOLET TAKES A WALK</h3> + + +<p>Uncle Fred seemed tired as he sat down in a chair on the porch. He +looked up at Captain Roy and asked:</p> + +<p>"How many cattle gone this time?"</p> + +<p>"About twenty-five. One of the cowboys, who was watching them, rode over +to the far end of the field to see about a steer that had fallen into a +big hole and couldn't get out, and when he got back the twenty-five +steers were gone."</p> + +<p>"Hum! More work of those bad men!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Well, we'll +see if we can catch them. Want to come along?" he asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"To see if we can find the lost cattle. Maybe we can catch the men who +drove them away."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, let me come!" begged Russ. "Maybe I can lasso 'em!"</p> + +<p>"They might lasso you!" laughed his father. "No, you had better stay +here. We'll soon be back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy, please?"</p> + +<p>"Not this time, Sonny," answered his father.</p> + +<p>So Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker, with some of the cowboys, saddled their +horses and started off to look for the lost cattle.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could go!" sighed Russ, as he watched the horsemen riding off.</p> + +<p>"So do I," echoed Laddie. "We could maybe help catch 'em. Mother, +couldn't we go?"</p> + +<p>"They'd be more likely to catch you, just as the calf did," said Mother +Bunker. "Wouldn't they, Captain Roy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," answered the old soldier, smiling at the children. "Men +who take cattle that do not belong to them are very likely to be bad +men, and they would not be nice to the six little Bunkers. You stay with +me, and you may come out and see the ponies again, though I won't +promise you can ride on them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are you going to feed them?" asked Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"No, they feed themselves on the grass in their field," said the +captain.</p> + +<p>"I don't like to eat grass," said Mun Bun, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>"Neither do I," added Margy.</p> + +<p>"Why, I do declare! I believe you're hungry," laughed Captain Roy. "And +it's two hours until supper. Come on, we'll go see what Bill Johnson has +in his cupboard."</p> + +<p>"Could I come, too?" asked Russ. "I—I guess I'm hungry."</p> + +<p>"So'm I," put in Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" added Violet.</p> + +<p>"Come on, all of you!" laughed Captain Roy. "It's almost as easy to feed +six as it is two," he added to Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's too bad to bother you," she said quickly.</p> + +<p>"No bother at all!" exclaimed the old soldier. "I know I used to want my +rations when I was in the army, and I guess there isn't much difference +nowadays. Come along, little Bunkers!"</p> + +<p>Soon the children were having bread and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> milk, with a dish of canned +peaches in addition. There were big cases of canned peaches in Bill +Johnson's kitchen, and when Russ asked him why he had so many the cook +said:</p> + +<p>"Well, the boys seem to like 'em more than anything else. It's hard to +get fresh fruit out on a cattle ranch, so I keep plenty of the canned +stuff on hand. Often a cowboy will eat two cans at once when he comes in +from a ride very hungry."</p> + +<p>So the six little Bunkers had something to eat, even if it was not +supper time, and then they went with Captain Roy to look at the ponies +again.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look how they run to the fence to meet us!" cried Rose, as some of +the ponies in the corral trotted toward the captain and the children.</p> + +<p>"That's because they think I have a bit of bread and sugar for them," +said Captain Roy.</p> + +<p>"Have you?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I hardly ever come out without bringing them something," answered +the old soldier.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>He reached over the fence to pat the glossy necks and soft noses of the +ponies, feeding them bits of dried bread, of which he seemed to have a +lot in his pockets.</p> + +<p>"Bill Johnson saves me all his old crusts for the ponies," Captain Roy +said to Russ. "And if you bring the little horses something to eat each +time you come out they'll like you all the more, and get very tame."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it," said Russ.</p> + +<p>They stood looking at the ponies for some little time, and then Russ +decided he wanted to make a boat and sail it in the creek that was not +far from the ranch house.</p> + +<p>"I'll sail one, too," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"And we'll take our dolls down by the creek and let them have a bath," +said Rose to Violet.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean a real bath?"</p> + +<p>"No, just make believe."</p> + +<p>"All right. Only I think I'll make a boat. Su-San doesn't need a bath. +She had one once when we were at home. But I'll take her along so she +can see the water."</p> + +<p>"We'll all go down to the bank of the creek and sit there in the shade +until Daddy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> and Uncle Fred come back," said Mrs. Bunker. "That will +make the time pass more quickly."</p> + +<p>"I hope they bring back the lost cattle," said Rose.</p> + +<p>A little later the six little Bunkers were walking with their mother +down toward where a creek flowed through the Three Star Ranch. It was +not a very large one, but it had enough water in it to give hundreds of +cattle a drink when they were thirsty. When the spring went dry the +water from the creek had to be used in the ranch house. But, as Uncle +Fred had told the children, there was a tank full of spring water that +might last until the dry spell had passed.</p> + +<p>Russ and Laddie and Vi—Vi keeping Su-San near by—made some boats out +of old pieces of wood they picked up around the ranch house. These boats +they tied strings to, and let float down the creek, pulling them back +from time to time and starting them off on another voyage.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bunker sat on the grassy bank, in the shade of a willow tree, while +Mun Bun and Margy and Rose played near her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mun Bun had his pail and shovel that he had brought from the beach at +Cousin Tom's, and the little boy began digging holes in the dirt near +the edge of the creek. Margy played with her Japanese doll as did Rose.</p> + +<p>It was rather warm, for that time of year, and Mrs. Bunker, leaning up +against the tree trunk, began to feel sleepy. She closed her eyes, +meaning only to rest them a minute, but, before she knew it, she was +asleep. The children did not notice her as they were playing so nicely, +Russ and Laddie and Vi a little way down the creek, and the other three +near their mother.</p> + +<p>After a while Margy said:</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take a walk with my doll. She hasn't had a walk to-day."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just a little way," Margy answered. "Want to come?"</p> + +<p>"No, my doll doesn't feel very well, and I've sent for the doctor. I've +got to stay in till he comes," replied Rose.</p> + +<p>Of course this was only make-believe, but the children often played +that.</p> + +<p>She made a bed for her doll in the soft<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> grass, and covered her with +some leaves picked near by.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll play my doll is sick, too," said Margy, "'stead of taking +her for a walk."</p> + +<p>"No, don't play your doll's sick," objected Rose to Margy. "She must be +a trained nurse for my doll."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. That'll be more fun. I wish the doctor would hurry up and +come."</p> + +<p>"So do I," murmured Rose, pretending to be anxious.</p> + +<p>Then, after a while, they made believe the doctor had arrived in his +automobile, and he left some medicine for Rose's sick doll, which the +trained nurse, who was Margy's doll, had to give with a spoon. The spoon +was just a little willow twig, of course.</p> + +<p>Down by the creek Russ and Laddie and Vi were still sailing their boats.</p> + +<p>Pretty soon Vi said she was tired playing sail-a-boat, and was going to +take Su-San for a walk.</p> + +<p>After a while Russ and Laddie grew tired of playing boats, and came up +the bank to where their mother was.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look! She's asleep!" whispered Russ.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't wake her," replied Rose.</p> + +<p>But just then Mrs. Bunker opened her eyes and smiled at the children.</p> + +<p>"I was asleep," she said, "but I heard what you said. Did you have a +nice time? Shall we go back now? It must be almost supper time. Why, +where's Vi?" she suddenly asked, as she did not see the curly-haired +girl. "Where's Violet?" and Mrs. Bunker stood up quickly and looked all +around.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>LADDIE CATCHES A RIDDLE</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Bunker was startled when she did not see Violet with the other +little Bunkers.</p> + +<p>"Where's Vi?" she asked the other children. "Where did she go?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, she just took her doll for a walk," said Russ. "She went away a +little while ago, over there," and he pointed to the rolling plains +behind the willow trees.</p> + +<p>The plain was not flat, like a board. It was rolling land, with hills +and hollows here and there. Some of the hills were high enough to hide a +man behind them.</p> + +<p>"Where did she go?" asked Mrs. Bunker, and now her voice was anxious.</p> + +<p>"Just to give her doll a walk," explained Russ. "She got tired of +playing sail-a-boat, she said, and she went for a walk, and took her +doll."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Violet! Violet! Where are you?" loudly called Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>There was no answer.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bunker ran to the top of the nearest little hill, or knoll, and +looked across the plain. The five little Bunkers followed her. There +were only five with her, as Violet had gone for a walk with her doll.</p> + +<p>"But where can she have gone?" asked Mrs. Bunker, as she did not see her +little girl, nor hear her answer the call.</p> + +<p>"Maybe she went home," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," agreed Rose, not wanting to think that anything had happened +to her sister. "Maybe her doll got tired, and she took her home."</p> + +<p>Sometimes the little Bunker girls were so real in their make-believe +play that they did things a grown person would have done.</p> + +<p>"Would she know the way home alone?" asked Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"It's right over there," said Russ, pointing. "You can see the ranch +houses from here."</p> + +<p>This was true enough. When they were up on the little hill they could +see the buildings on Three Star Ranch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If she only went that way she will be all right," said Mother Bunker. +"But if she walked the other way——"</p> + +<p>"Come on! We'll find her!" called Russ to Laddie.</p> + +<p>"All right. Wait till I go back and anchor my ship and I'll come."</p> + +<p>"No, you mustn't go!" exclaimed Mother Bunker. "We must all keep +together. I don't want any more of you getting lost."</p> + +<p>"Is Vi lost, Mother?" asked Rose, and she moved over closer to Mrs. +Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know that she is lost," was the answer. "Probably not. +But she isn't here with us. She has wandered away. I'll call again.</p> + +<p>"Vi! Violet, where are you?" called Mrs. Bunker, as loudly as she could. +But there was no answer. Only the wind rustled the branches of the +willow tree and the tall grass near the creek.</p> + +<p>"Maybe she fell asleep, same as you did," suggested Laddie to his +mother.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps she did, and if she were to lie down in the tall grass we +couldn't see her," said Mrs. Bunker. "Oh, dear! I wish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> I hadn't gone to +sleep, and that Vi hadn't wandered off."</p> + +<p>She called again, but there was no answer.</p> + +<p>"We'd better go for Daddy!" exclaimed Russ. Daddy Bunker was the one +always wanted when anything happened.</p> + +<p>"But we can't get him," said Mrs. Bunker. "He has gone away with Uncle +Fred to look for the lost cattle."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go for Captain Roy!" went on Russ. "He used to be a soldier, +and he'll know how to find lost people."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess that's the best thing to do," said Mrs. Bunker. "Though I +hate to go away and leave Violet all alone here, wherever she is. But +it's the only way to find her. Come, we'll hurry back to the house and +get Captain Roy."</p> + +<p>So the five little Bunkers and their mother hurried over the plain +toward the Three Star Ranch house.</p> + +<p>And now I know you are wondering what happened to Violet, so I am going +to tell you. For you know a book-writer can be in two places at the same +time.</p> + +<p>When Violet started out to give her doll a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> walk the little girl had no +notion of going very far. If she had been at home she would have gone +just down to the corner of her block and back. But there are no corners +or blocks on the open plain, so Violet just walked over the green +fields.</p> + +<p>"Do you like it here, Su-San?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you do," she went on, pretending that her doll had spoken. "And you +want to go a little farther, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Violet made believe listen to what her doll said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you want to pick some flowers. Well, that will be nice," went on +the little girl. "We'll pick a nice bouquet and we'll take it to Rose's +doll."</p> + +<p>There were flowers growing on the plain, and Violet began picking some, +making believe her doll helped. Now, you know how it is when you go to +pick blossoms. First you see a nice one, then, farther on, you see one +that is a little better, and pretty soon you see one that is prettier +than all, and you go for that one, and, before you know it, you are a +long way from where you started.</p> + +<p>That is what happened to Violet. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> wandered on and on, down among the +little hills and hollows until she was quite a distance from the willow +tree and the creek. She could no longer see the tree.</p> + +<p>And Violet forgot, or she did not know, that when one is in a big field, +down among the hills and hollows, and can't see anything high and tall, +like a tree or a building sticking up, that one doesn't know which way +to go. All ways look alike then. So it is no wonder that Vi, after she +had helped her doll gather a bouquet, went the wrong way. Instead of +walking back toward the creek she walked away from it.</p> + +<p>And she was walking away from the Three Star Ranch house also. In fact +Violet was lost on the plain, and she was getting more and more lost +every minute and with each step she took.</p> + +<p>Finally she said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Su-San! aren't you tired? I am. I'm going to sit down and rest and +let you rest, too."</p> + +<p>Of course the doll wasn't tired, as she hadn't done any walking, for Vi +had carried her all the way. But Vi pretended that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> doll was as +weary as was the little girl herself.</p> + +<p>So together they sat down in the tall grass, which came over Violet's +head now, and rested. Violet didn't know she was lost. But she was, all +the same.</p> + +<p>After a while she got up and started to walk again. She walked and +walked, and, when she couldn't find the creek nor the willow tree nor +see her mother nor any of the other little Bunkers, she became +frightened and started to cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother!" she called, "where are you? I want you!"</p> + +<p>Of course Mrs. Bunker could not hear then, for she was on her way to get +Captain Roy to help search for the little girl.</p> + +<p>Violet wandered around and around, calling now and then, and crying real +tears every once in a while, until, at last, when the sun began to get +lower and lower in the west, and the little girl knew it would soon be +dark, she sobbed:</p> + +<p>"Oh, what shall I do! Oh, where is my mother!"</p> + +<p>And just then she heard a horse come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> trotting along. She could hear the +gallop of the hoofs on the ground.</p> + +<p>"Oh, maybe it's an Indian!" thought Vi. "We'd better hide, Su-San!"</p> + +<p>She clasped the Japanese toy in her arms, and crouched down in the +grass. But the trotting came nearer. Then Violet knew it was more than +one horse.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's a whole band of Indians!" she whispered. "Oh, Su-San!"</p> + +<p>Down in the tall grass she hid, but she kept on crying. And then, +suddenly, close to her, a voice said:</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard a child crying just now, didn't you, Jim?"</p> + +<p>"Sounded like it, but what would a child be doing out here all alone?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I sure did hear it!"</p> + +<p>Then another voice called:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter over there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank thought he heard a child crying," answered some one, and Vi +thought it didn't sound like an Indian.</p> + +<p>"A child!" cried still another voice. "Oh, I wonder——"</p> + +<p>Then Violet didn't hear any more, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> standing right over where she +crouched in the grass was a big man on a big horse and he was looking +right down on her.</p> + +<p>"I've found her!" the man cried. "It's one of the six little Bunkers!"</p> + +<p>"One of the six little Bunkers!" repeated a voice that Violet well knew. +It was her father's.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy! Daddy!" she cried. "Here I am! I got lost, and I can't find +the creek, nor the willow tree, nor Mother, nor anything. Here I am!"</p> + +<p>Violet stood up, and a moment later, her father had ridden his horse +over to where she was and, reaching down, took her and the doll up in +his arms.</p> + +<p>"Well, how in the world did you get here?" he asked in surprise. "Where +have you been, Violet?"</p> + +<p>Then Violet told, and Uncle Fred, who was with Daddy Bunker and some of +the cowboys, said:</p> + +<p>"We'd better ride back to the house as fast as we can. Amy is probably +wild now about losing her. Hurry back to the house!"</p> + +<p>Then how the horses did gallop! And Vi,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> sitting in front of Daddy on +his saddle, had a fine ride and forgot she had been lost.</p> + +<p>They got back to the house just as Captain Roy and some cowboys were +about to ride away in search of Violet. For Mrs. Bunker and the other +little Bunkers had reached the ranch house with the story of the lost +one.</p> + +<p>"How did you find her?" asked Mrs. Bunker of her husband when Violet had +been hugged and kissed.</p> + +<p>"We were riding back," said Daddy Bunker, "when one of the cowboys heard +a child crying. He found Violet in the grass, and then I took her up. +How did she get lost?"</p> + +<p>Then Mrs. Bunker told about the trip to the creek and how Vi had +wandered away by herself.</p> + +<p>"But I'm never going again," said the little girl. "I thought the +Indians were after me!"</p> + +<p>"And it was only Daddy Bunker!" laughed her father.</p> + +<p>"Did you find the lost cattle?" asked his wife, when supper was over and +they had ceased talking about Vi being lost.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, the men who took them must have hurried away with them. We could +not find them at all."</p> + +<p>Just as the six little Bunkers were going to bed a cowboy came up to the +ranch house to say that the water was coming back into the spring.</p> + +<p>"That's good," said Uncle Fred. "But I certainly would like to know what +makes it go out, and who takes our cattle."</p> + +<p>The next day Russ and Laddie asked if they could go fishing in the +creek, if they went to one place and stayed there, so they might not +wander away and be lost.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess so," returned Daddy Bunker. "It isn't far, and if you stay +on shore you won't fall in."</p> + +<p>"True," chuckled Uncle Fred, but he wouldn't tell Laddie what he was +laughing at.</p> + +<p>There were some small fish to be caught in the creek, and soon, with +hooks, lines, poles and bait Russ and Laddie started for the creek.</p> + +<p>"I hope they'll be all right," said their mother.</p> + +<p>They had been gone about an hour when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> Russ came running back to the +house, dragging his pole after him, and on the line was a fish, which he +had not stopped to take off.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother! Daddy!" cried Russ. "Laddie—Laddie——"</p> + +<p>"Has he fallen in?" cried Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"No, Mother! It isn't that!" said Russ. "But he's caught a riddle, and +he doesn't know what to do with it."</p> + +<p>"He's caught a <i>riddle?</i>" cried Uncle Fred. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he found it, or caught it, I don't know which," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"How did he catch a riddle?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"On his hook. It's a funny thing, like a black stone, and it wiggles and +sticks its head out, and Laddie doesn't know what it is, and when you +don't know what a thing is that's a riddle, isn't it? Come and see!"</p> + +<p>And down to the creek went Daddy and Mother Bunker to see the riddle +that Laddie had caught.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>ON THE PONIES</h3> + + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Bunker found Laddie sitting on the bank of the creek +looking at something on the ground near him.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" called Daddy Bunker, as Russ led them up to the place +where he and his brother had been fishing. "What have you caught?"</p> + +<p>"I—I guess it's a riddle, for I don't know what else it is," answered +Laddie. "Come and look."</p> + +<p>"Better not touch it," cautioned his mother.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to touch it, 'cause it can bite. It's got a funny head +and a mouth," said Laddie, "and it bit on my hook and it's got it yet."</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Bunker hurried over and saw what Laddie had caught. As Russ +had said, it was rough, like a stone, and as black<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> and hard-looking as +a rock. But it was alive and moved.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a mud turtle!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker, as he took a good look +at the creature. "It's nothing but a mud turtle, Laddie! I should think +you'd know what they are, for you have seen them in Rainbow River at +home."</p> + +<p>"No, this isn't a mud turtle," said Russ. "I know what a mud turtle is, +and this is different. It's something like one, but not the same."</p> + +<p>"How did you get it, Laddie?" asked Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was fishing, and I got a lot of nibbles but none of the fish +stayed on my hook. Then, all of a sudden, this one stayed on, and I +pulled him up, only it isn't a fish."</p> + +<p>"I should say not!" exclaimed another voice, and they looked up to see +Uncle Fred standing near them. He had followed Daddy and Mother Bunker +to the place where the boys were fishing.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"That's a snapping turtle—not a mud turtle," went on the ranchman. +"They're<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> very hard biters, and if a big one gets hold of your finger or +toe he might bite it off, or at least hurt it very much. So keep away +from these fellows."</p> + +<p>"I thought it didn't look like a mud turtle," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"It is something like one, but different in shape," went on Uncle Fred. +"We'll just cut this one off your line, Laddie."</p> + +<p>The line was cut, and the turtle, that had the hook in its mouth, +crawled down toward the creek. It had tried to crawl away before, but +could not because the fishing line held it.</p> + +<p>"They get their mouth closed tight, and don't like to open their jaws," +said Uncle Fred, as the turtle disappeared under the water with a +splash. "But I guess this one will open his mouth and let go the hook +when he gets off by himself. This is the largest snapper I've seen +around here. The Indians say they're good to eat, but I've never tried +it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I did catch something like a riddle, didn't I?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Yes. And Uncle Fred guessed the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> riddle," answered Russ. "Now we'll +fish some more."</p> + +<p>"And I don't want to catch any more snappers," said Laddie, when Uncle +Fred had fastened a new hook on his line.</p> + +<p>The grown folk went back to the ranch house, leaving the boys to fish, +and, somewhat to their own surprise, Laddie and Russ each caught two +good-sized fish.</p> + +<p>With shouts of delight, about an hour after having captured the snapping +turtle, they ran to the house, holding up on strings the prizes they had +caught.</p> + +<p>"We'll have 'em cooked!" cried Laddie. "They're good to eat! One of the +cowboys told us they were."</p> + +<p>"Yes, those fish are good to eat," said Uncle Fred. "I'll have Bill +Johnson clean and cook them for you."</p> + +<p>"This is better than riddles!" laughed Russ. "I'm going fishing every +day and catch fish."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going, too," declared Violet.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried her father. "Then Uncle Fred won't have to buy so many +things at the store."</p> + +<p>The fish were cooked, and very good they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> were, too, though Mun Bun said +they had too many bones in them, and this, perhaps, was true. But all +fish have bones.</p> + +<p>As the days went on Uncle Fred and his men, as well as Daddy Bunker, +tried to find the lost cattle, or the men who, it was thought, had taken +them. But they could not. The cattle seemed to have vanished, leaving no +trace.</p> + +<p>Every day some of the six little Bunkers, and, sometimes, all of them, +went to the mysterious spring, to see if any of the water had run out, +but it seemed to be all right, and behaving just as a spring should.</p> + +<p>"Though there's no telling when it will go dry again," said Uncle Fred. +"We'll have to keep watch of it. For nearly every time the spring goes +dry I lose some cattle."</p> + +<p>"May we go for a ride on our ponies to-day?" asked Russ of his mother +one morning. "Laddie and I want a ride."</p> + +<p>"Will you be very careful," asked his mother, "not to go outside the big +field?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we'll just stay in the big field," promised Laddie. "Come on, +Russ! We'll have some fun!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>The four older Bunker children had learned to ride the little Shetland +ponies very well. Uncle Fred had let them take, for their own use, four +of the best animals, which were kind and gentle. He had also set aside +for them a big fenced-in field, where they might ride.</p> + +<p>Over to the corral Russ and Laddie ran, and soon they were leading out +their own two special ponies. A little later they were riding them +around the big fenced-in meadow, playing they were cowboys and Indians, +though Russ was not allowed to have a lasso. Uncle Fred had said that if +a little boy, like Russ, played with a rope while riding a pony, the +cord might get tangled in the pony's legs, and throw it.</p> + +<p>"This is lots of fun!" cried Laddie, as he trotted about.</p> + +<p>"Most fun we ever had!" agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>But as the six little Bunkers said this every place they went, you can +take it for what it is worth. Certainly they were having good times at +Uncle Fred's.</p> + +<p>When Russ and Laddie were giving their ponies a rest in the shade of a +tree that grew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> at one side of the field, they heard a voice calling to +them:</p> + +<p>"Give me a ride! Oh, please give me a ride!"</p> + +<p>"It's Margy!" cried Russ, looking around. "How'd you get here, Margy?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"I walked," stated the little girl. "Mother and Daddy have gone to the +store with Violet to get her a new dress, and Mun Bun has gone, too. I +stayed at home with Rose."</p> + +<p>"Where is Rose now?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"She is out in the kitchen, making a pie. Bill Johnson said she could. +So I took a walk to come over to see you, and I want a ride."</p> + +<p>"Shall we give her a ride?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to," Russ answered. "But how can we? Mother said we couldn't +take any one on the same pony with us, 'cause we couldn't hold 'em on +tight enough."</p> + +<p>"If we only had a little cart we could give her a ride," said Laddie. +"We could sit on our pony's back and one of us could pull her in the +cart. But we haven't got a cart."</p> + +<p>"Please, I want a ride!" repeated Margy.</p> + +<p>Russ didn't say anything for a moment. Then he suddenly exclaimed:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know how we can give her a ride!"</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Laddie. "Can you make a cart?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I can make something just as good!" exclaimed Russ, and he +began whistling. "You wait, Margy! I'll give you a ride!"</p> + +<p>Russ tied his pony to the fence and hurried over toward the barn, +telling Margy to crawl in under the fence and wait until he came back.</p> + +<p>Margy was going to have a ride, and there was to be a queer ending to +it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>MUN BUN'S PIE</h3> + + +<p>Russ Bunker came back from the barn, dragging with him some long bean +poles, an old bag that had held oats for the horses, and some pieces of +rope.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to make a swing?" asked Margy.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make something for you to ride in," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"A carriage?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"An Indian carriage," Russ answered. "One of the cowboys was telling me +about 'em. The Indians fasten two poles, one on each side of a horse. +Then they tie the ends of the poles that drag on the ground together +with some ropes, and they stick a bag or a piece of cloth between the +poles, and tie it there.</p> + +<p>"That makes a place where you can sit or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> lie down, or put something you +want to carry. And that's where we'll put Margy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll like a ride like that!" exclaimed the little girl. "I was in +the kitchen with Rose, but I came out 'cause she's making a pie. I'll go +back when the pie is done, and get a piece."</p> + +<p>"So'll I," added Laddie with a laugh. "I like pie!"</p> + +<p>He and Russ began to make the queer carriage in which Margy was to ride. +Perhaps you may have seen them in Indian pictures. A long pole is +fastened on either side of a horse, being tied to the edge of the +saddle. The ends drag behind the horse on the ground, and between these +poles is a platform, or a piece of bagging stretched, in which the +Indian squaws and their papooses, or babies, ride. It is just like a +carriage or cart, except that it has no wheels.</p> + +<p>It took Russ and Laddie longer than they thought it would to make the +Indian carriage for Margy. But at last it was finished, and there, +dragging behind Russ's pony, were the two long poles, and a bag was tied +between them for Margy to sit on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All aboard!" cried Laddie, when it was finished.</p> + +<p>"Hey! This isn't a ship! You don't say all aboard!" exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>"What do you say?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you say get in, or something like that. Not 'all aboard!' That's +only for boats or maybe trains."</p> + +<p>"Well, get in, Margy," said Laddie. "Russ will ride ahead and pull you, +and I'll ride behind, just as if I was another Indian. That's what we'll +play—Indian!" he said.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is fun!" exclaimed Margy, when she was seated in the Indian +carriage and Russ's pony was pulling her about the field. "I like it."</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 252px;"> +<img src="images/p140.jpg" width="252" height="400" alt="MARGY WAS HAVING A NICE RIDE." title="MARGY WAS HAVING A NICE RIDE." /> +<span class="caption">MARGY WAS HAVING A NICE RIDE.</span> +</div> + +<p>Indeed she was having a nice ride, though it was rather bumpy when the +dragging poles went over stones or holes in the ground. But Margy did +not mind that, for the bag seat in which she was cuddled was nice and +soft.</p> + +<p>Once one of the poles, which were fastened to the pony with pieces of +clothesline, came loose, and the pony walked around dragging only one, +so that Margy was spilled out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> But the grass was soft, and she only +laughed at the accident.</p> + +<p>Russ tied the pole back again, and then he and Laddie rode around the +field, Margy being dragged after them, just as, in the olden days, the +real Indians used to give their squaws and papooses a ride from one part +of the country to another.</p> + +<p>"I guess the ponies are tired now," said Laddie, as he noticed his +walking rather slowly. "Maybe we'd better give them a rest."</p> + +<p>"I guess so," agreed Russ. "We'll let 'em rest in the shade of the +tree."</p> + +<p>So they rode their ponies into the shade and left them standing there, +the boys themselves running around in the grass, to "stretch their +legs," as their father used to call it.</p> + +<p>"Margy's asleep," said Russ, as he got down from his pony and saw that +his little sister's eyes were closed, as she lay cuddled up in the bag +between the two trailing poles. "We'll let her sleep while we play tag."</p> + +<p>And so Margy slept in the Indian carriage, while Russ and Laddie raced +about the big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> field. Then they forgot all about Margy, for they heard +Rose calling to them:</p> + +<p>"Russ! Laddie! Do you want some of my pie? I baked it all myself in Bill +Johnson's oven!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, her pie is done!" cried Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Come on! Let's get some!" added Russ.</p> + +<p>Then the two boys, forgetting all about Margy sleeping in the Indian +carriage, ran out of the field, leaving the ponies behind them, and +leaving their little sister also.</p> + +<p>"Is it a real pie?" asked Russ, as he reached the ranch house, in front +of which stood Rose.</p> + +<p>"Course it is," she answered.</p> + +<p>"And has it got a crust, and things inside, like Norah makes?" Laddie +wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Course it has," declared Rose. "Come on, I'll give you some."</p> + +<p>They went out to the kitchen where Bill Johnson was busy. He greeted the +boys with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"That little sister of yours is some cook!" exclaimed the cook. "She can +make a pie almost as good as I can, and it took me a good many years to +learn."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let's see the pie!" demanded Russ.</p> + +<p>"Here 'tis!" exclaimed Rose. "We set it out on the window sill to cool," +and she brought in what seemed like a very nice pie, indeed.</p> + +<p>And it was good, too, as the boys said after they had tasted it. True, +it was made of canned peaches, but then you can't get fresh peaches on a +Western ranch in early summer. Canned ones did very well.</p> + +<p>"Could I have another piece?" asked Laddie, finishing his first.</p> + +<p>"Well, a little one," said Rose. "I want to save some for Margy—— Oh, +where is Margy?" she suddenly cried. "I forgot all about her, and Mother +said I was to watch her! Oh, where is she?"</p> + +<p>Rose started up in alarm, but Laddie said:</p> + +<p>"Margy is all right. She came over where me and Russ—I mean, Russ and +I—were riding our ponies, and we made an Indian carriage for her," and +he explained what they had done.</p> + +<p>"But where is she now?" Rose demanded.</p> + +<p>"She's asleep over there," Russ said slowly, and pointed to the big +field.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let's go and get her, and we'll take her this piece of pie," proposed +Laddie. "If she doesn't want it I'll eat it."</p> + +<p>"No, I will!" cried Russ. "You've had two pieces."</p> + +<p>"Margy will want it all right!" declared Rose. "She likes pie. I'm going +to make another some day."</p> + +<p>Carrying Margy's piece of pie, the three little Bunkers went over to the +field where the ponies had been left. On the way Russ told Rose more +about the queer Indian carriage he had made.</p> + +<p>"Will it hold me?" Rose asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll give you a ride after Margy wakes <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'us'">up</ins>," Russ promised. +"I'll get some more poles for Laddie's pony and he can ride Vi and I'll +ride you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't that be fun!" cried Rose.</p> + +<p>But when they reached the field where the ponies had been left a sad +surprise awaited them. Neither of the two little creatures were to be +seen, and there was no sign of Margy or the queer Indian carriage +either.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they—they're gone!" gasped Russ.</p> + +<p>"Both ponies!" added Laddie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And where's Margy?" asked Rose, holding the piece of pie in her hand.</p> + +<p>"She's gone, too," said Russ. "Oh, dear!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe the Indians came and took her," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any Indians," and Russ shook his head.</p> + +<p>"But maybe they rode off with her."</p> + +<p>"Or maybe the bad men that took Uncle Fred's cattle came and took the +ponies and Margy," said Rose. "Oh, what are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>"We must tell Uncle Fred!" exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>"He's away off at the far end of the ranch," said Rose. "He rode over +with some of the cowboys when I was making my pie."</p> + +<p>"Is Mother or Daddy back?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"No, not yet," Rose answered. "Oh, dear! Mother will say it is my fault, +for she told me to watch Margy, but I forgot when I was making my pie."</p> + +<p>The pie seemed to give Russ an idea.</p> + +<p>"We'll tell Bill Johnson," he said. "Bill used to be a cowboy, if he is +a cook now,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> and he'll know how to find anybody the Indians have taken. +We'll go and tell Bill Johnson."</p> + +<p>So back to the ranch house rushed the children, bursting in on Bill +Johnson with an excited story about the missing ponies and Margy.</p> + +<p>"Ponies gone out of the big field, eh?" asked Bill. "Well, I expect you +left the bars down, didn't you—the place where you made a hole in the +fence to drive the ponies in from the corral? Did you leave the bars +down?"</p> + +<p>"I guess we did," admitted Russ.</p> + +<p>"Come on with me," said Bill with a laugh. "I guess I can find the +ponies for you."</p> + +<p>"But we want Margy, too!" said Rose.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess I can find her also."</p> + +<p>Bill Johnson led the way to the corral, where the ponies were kept, and +there, among their fellows, were the two missing ones. And, best of all, +the sticks were still fast to the one Russ had ridden, and Margy was +just awakening and was still in her place in the bag between the poles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Margy!" cried Rose, "I brought you some pie."</p> + +<p>"I had a nice ride," said Margy, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Russ +gave me a nice ride, and we played Indian, and I went to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and while you slept," said Bill, "the two ponies took a notion +they wanted to go back with the others in the corral. So they just +walked through the fence, where the bars were down, and went out, the +one dragging Margy with it. It's a good thing you made the Indian +carriage so good and strong, Russ, or she might have been hurt. After +this don't leave ponies alone in a field with the bars down."</p> + +<p>The boys promised they wouldn't. Margy was lifted out, the poles were +taken off Russ's pony and the children went back to the ranch house.</p> + +<p>Of course, Mrs. Bunker had to caution Russ and Laddie to be a little +more careful when she heard the tale.</p> + +<p>The six little Bunkers had lots of fun at Uncle Fred's. Each day there +was something new to see or do, and as the weather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> became warmer they +were outdoors from morning until night.</p> + +<p>One day Margy and Mun Bun went off by themselves with the pails and +shovels they had played with at the beach when they visited Cousin Tom.</p> + +<p>"Don't go too far," called their mother after them. "Don't go out of +sight of the house."</p> + +<p>"We won't," they promised.</p> + +<p>"I just goin' to make mud pies down by the pond," said Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>The "pond" was a place where the creek widened out into a shallow place, +only half-way to Mun Bun's knees in depth. On one shore was sand, where +"pies" could be made.</p> + +<p>It was about half an hour after Mun Bun and Margy had gone to play on +the shore of the creek that Margy came running back alone.</p> + +<p>"Where's Mun Bun?" her mother asked her.</p> + +<p>"He's in a mud pie and he can't get out," explained the little girl. +"Come on, and get Mun Bun out of the mud pie."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE WIND WAGON</h3> + + +<p>For a moment Mrs. Bunker did not know whether Margy was fooling or not. +She could not imagine how Mun Bun could be stuck in a "mud pie," and yet +that was what Margy had said.</p> + +<p>"Is he hurt?" asked Mrs. Bunker, as she laid aside her sewing and got +ready to follow Margy to the creek.</p> + +<p>"No. He's only just stuck in the middle of his big pie, and he can't get +out. And he's all mud and he looks awful funny."</p> + +<p>"I should think he would!" exclaimed the mother of the six little +Bunkers. "Hurry along, Margy, and show me where he is."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now?" asked Daddy Bunker, who came along just then, +in time to hear what his wife said. "What has happened to Mun Bun now?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He is stuck in a mud pie, so Margy says," answered Mrs. Bunker. +"Perhaps you had better come with me and see what it's all about."</p> + +<p>Together Mr. and Mrs. Bunker hurried after Margy. As they came within +sight of the pond they could not see Mun Bun at all.</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" asked the little chap's mother. "Where did you leave him, +Margy?"</p> + +<p>"There he is—right over there!" answered the little girl. She pointed +to something that, at first, did not look at all like Mun Bun. But as +Mr. Bunker took a second glance he saw that it was his little boy, and +Mun Bun was, indeed, "stuck in a mud pie."</p> + +<p>"Why he's in a regular bog-hole!" cried Mr. Bunker. "He must have waded +out into the water for something or other, and he got stuck in the mud."</p> + +<p>"And he has sunk down!" cried Mrs. Bunker. "Get him out right away, +Daddy! He may be smothered in the mud!"</p> + +<p>"I'll get him!" cried Mun Bun's father.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bunker took off his shoes and socks and, rolling up his trousers so +they would not get muddy, waded out to where his little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> boy was. Truly +Mun Bun was stuck in the middle of a big mud pie—at least that was what +Margy called it. It was, however, the muddy bottom of the pond itself, +which, at one end, was a regular bog, being fenced off so no cattle or +horses could get in.</p> + +<p>But Mun Bun had climbed in under the fence, and at once he found himself +in soft mud. He had begun to sink down; so he called for help, and Margy +ran to tell her mother.</p> + +<p>"My, but you are a sight, Mun Bun!" cried his father, as he came to the +side of the little boy and began pulling him out. And Mun Bun was stuck +so fast in the mud that Mr. Bunker had to pull quite hard to loosen him. +And when Mun Bun came up, his legs and feet making a funny, sucking +sound as they were pulled out, he was covered with mud and water from +his toes to his waist. Mud was splashed up on his face, too, and his +hands—well, they didn't look like hands at all! They were just "gobs of +mud," Margy said.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen? What made you go in the mud?" asked the little boy's +mother, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> Daddy Bunker waded to shore with Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"Well, I made some mud pies in the sand," Mun Bun explained, "and then I +thought maybe if I could find a mud turkle he'd eat the pies. So I +crawled under the fence and went in the deep mud to look for a mud +turkle."</p> + +<p>Mun Bun meant a "turtle," of course.</p> + +<p>"But I didn't find any," he went on, "and I went down deeper and deeper, +and then I hollered like anything."</p> + +<p>"And I heard him," said Margy. "I was going to wade in and get him, but +my feet went down deep in the mud, so I ran for you."</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing you did," said her mother. "You mustn't come here +again. You might get stuck and never get out. Never come here again!"</p> + +<p>"Can't we make mud pies in the sand?" asked Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you mustn't hunt for mud turtles. Stay outside the bog fence."</p> + +<p>The children promised that they would, and then came the work of washing +Mun Bun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> and Margy. Margy was the easiest to clean, as she only had mud +on her up to her knees. She waded in the creek where there was a clean, +sandy bottom, and where the water was clear, and soon the mud was washed +off her.</p> + +<p>"But as for Mun Bun," said his father, "I guess I'll have to put him in +the creek, clothes and all, up to his neck, and let the water wash the +mud away."</p> + +<p>"I guess you'd better," said Mrs. Bunker. "That's the only way to get +off the mud."</p> + +<p>The day was warm, and so was the water, so Mun Bun was set down in the +creek at a clean place, and he and his clothes were washed at the same +time. The mud was rinsed from his hands and face and, in time, it came +off his feet, legs and clothes.</p> + +<p>"It's just like I been in swimming with all my things on!" laughed Mun +Bun, as his father lifted him out of the pond.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't make any more mud pies right away," his mother told him, +and Mun Bun promised not to.</p> + +<p>The other little Bunkers laughed when they heard what had happened to +Mun Bun.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Maybe I could make up a riddle about Mun Bun in a mud pie," said +Laddie.</p> + +<p>"I don't want you to!" the little boy exclaimed. "I don't want to be in +a riddle."</p> + +<p>"All right. Then I'll make up one about something else," went on Laddie. +"This is it. What is it you cannot take from the top of a house to the +bottom?"</p> + +<p>"Pooh! that isn't a riddle," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"Say it again," begged Rose.</p> + +<p>"What is it you can't take from the top of a house and put it on the +bottom—I mean like down cellar?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"There isn't anything," declared Violet. "If you got anything in the top +of your house you can take it down cellar, if you want to; can't you, +Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should think so, yes," answered Mr. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"No, you can't!" declared Laddie. "Do you all give up? What is it in the +top of the house that you can't take down cellar with you?"</p> + +<p>"The chimney," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"Nope," said Laddie. "'Cause the chimney starts down cellar, anyhow, and +goes up to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> the top. I mean what's in the top of a house you can't take +down cellar?"</p> + +<p>"We'll give up," said his mother. "What is it?"</p> + +<p>"A hole in the roof!" answered Laddie with a laugh. "You can't take a +hole in the roof down cellar, can you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I guess you can't," admitted Uncle Fred. "That's a pretty good +riddle, Laddie."</p> + +<p>It was two or three days after Mun Bun had become stuck in the mud pie +that the children awakened one morning to find a high wind blowing +outside.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is this a cyclone?" asked Violet, for she had heard they had such +winds in the West.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, this wind is nothing like as strong as a cyclone," answered +Uncle Fred. "It's just one of our summer winds. They're strong, but they +do no damage. Look out for your hair if you go outdoors; it might blow +off."</p> + +<p>"My hair can't blow off 'cause it's fast to me—it's growed fast!" +explained Violet.</p> + +<p>"Well, then be careful it doesn't blow you away, hair and all!" said +Uncle Fred, but by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> the way he laughed Violet knew he was only joking.</p> + +<p>The children went out to play, and they had to hold their hats on most +of the time, as the wind blew across the plain so strongly. But the six +little Bunkers did not mind.</p> + +<p>"If we only had a boat, and the pond was big enough, we could have a +fine sail!" cried Laddie, as he looked at the wind making little waves +on the place where Mun Bun had been stuck in the mud.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know what we could make!" suddenly exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>"What?" his brother wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"A wind wagon."</p> + +<p>"A wind wagon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you know, a wagon that the wind will blow. Come on, we'll do it. +Mother read me a story once about a boy who lived in the West, and he +made himself a wind wagon and he had a nice ride. Come on, we'll make +one!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>"CAPTAIN RUSS"</h3> + + +<p>Laddie knew Russ could make many play-things, for he had seen his +brother at work. But a wind wagon was something new. Laddie did not see +how this could be made.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going to get your wagon?" he asked Russ, as the two boys +went out to the barn.</p> + +<p>"There's an old express wagon out here. I saw it the other day. It's +broken, but maybe we can fix it. Uncle Fred said it belonged to a family +that used to live on this ranch before he bought it. We'll make the wind +wagon out of that."</p> + +<p>In a corner of the barn, under a pile of trash and rubbish, was found an +old, broken toy express wagon.</p> + +<p>"The four wheels are all right, and that's the main thing," said Russ. +"We can fix the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> other part. The wheels you must have, else you can't +make a wind wagon. Come on! We'll have lots of fun."</p> + +<p>Then began the making of the wind wagon, though Laddie, even yet, didn't +know exactly what Russ meant by it. But Russ soon told his brother what +he was going to do, and not only told him, but showed him.</p> + +<p>"You see, Laddie," explained Russ, "a water ship sails on the ocean or a +lake 'cause the wind blows on the sail and makes it go."</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Laddie, "I know that."</p> + +<p>"Well, 'stead of a water ship, I'm going to make a wind ship that will +go on land. I'll fix the old express wagon up so it will roll along on +wheels."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to have a pony pull it?"</p> + +<p>"No. Though we could do it that way, if we wanted to. And maybe we will +if the wind wagon won't work. But I think it will. You see, we'll fasten +a sail to the wagon, and then we'll get in it and the wind will blow on +the sail and blow us along as fast as anything."</p> + +<p>"It'll be lots of fun!" exclaimed Laddie.</p> + +<p>Russ and Laddie so often made things, or,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> at least, tried to do so, +that their father and mother never paid much attention to the boys when +they heard them hammering, sawing or battering away, with Russ whistling +one merry tune after another. He always whistled when he made things. +And now he was going to make a wind wagon.</p> + +<p>It was not as easy as the boys had thought it would be to get the broken +express wagon so it would run. The wheels were rusty on the axles, and +they squeaked when Russ tried to turn them.</p> + +<p>"And they've got to run easy if we want to ride," he said.</p> + +<p>However, one of the cowboys saw that the boys were making something, and +when they told him the trouble with the rusty wheels he gave them some +axle grease that he used on the big wagons. After that the wheels spun +around easily.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll go fast!" cried Russ.</p> + +<p>With a hammer and some nails, which he and Laddie found in the barn, +they nailed the broken express wagon together, for some of the bottom +boards were loose, as well as one of the sides.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>But at last, after an hour of hard work, the wagon was in pretty good +shape. It could be pulled about, and it would hold the two boys.</p> + +<p>"Now we have to make a mast for the sail," said Russ, "and we must get a +piece of cloth for the sail, and we've got to have some way to guide the +wagon."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't I stick my foot out back, and steer that way, same as I do +when I'm coasting downhill in winter?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Nope," Russ answered. "We'll have to steer by the front wheels, same as +an automobile steers. But I can tie a rope to the front wheels, and pull +it whichever way I want to go, just like Jimmie Brackson used to steer +his coaster wagon down the hill at home."</p> + +<p>He tied a rope on the front axle, close to each front wheel, and then, +by pulling on the cords, he could turn the wagon whichever way he wanted +to make it go.</p> + +<p>"The mast is going to be hard," said Russ, and he and Laddie found it +so. They could not make it stand upright, and at last they had to call +on Daddy Bunker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, so you're going to make a ship to sail on dry land, are you?" asked +their father, when they told him their troubles with the mast.</p> + +<p>"Will it sail?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Well, it may, a little way. The wind is very strong to-day. I'll help +you fix it."</p> + +<p>With Daddy Bunker's aid, the mast was soon fixed so that it stood +straight up in front of the wagon, being nailed fast and braced. Then +they found some pieces of old bags for sails, and these were sewed +together and made fast to the mast. There was a gaff, which is the +little slanting stick at the top of a sail, and a boom, which is the big +stick at the bottom. Only the whole sail, gaff, boom and all, was not +very large.</p> + +<p>"If you have your sail too big," said Daddy Bunker, "it will tip your +wagon over when the wind blows hard. Better have a smaller sail and go a +bit slower, than have an accident."</p> + +<p>At last the sail was finished and hoisted on the mast. Russ and Laddie +took their places in the wagon, and Daddy Bunker turned it around so the +wind would blow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> straight from the back. The wagon stood on a smooth +part of the prairies, where the grass had been eaten short by the +hundreds of Uncle Fred's cattle.</p> + +<p>"All ready, boys?" called their father to them.</p> + +<p>"All ready!" answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" answered Laddie. "I can say that this time, 'cause this is +really a ship, though it sails on dry land," he added.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can say that," agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>"Here you go!" cried Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>He gave the wind wagon a shove, and it began to move. Slowly it went at +first, and then, as the wind struck the sail, it began to send the toy +along faster.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Russ. "We're sailing!"</p> + +<p>"Fine!" shouted Laddie.</p> + +<p>And the boys were really moving over the level prairie in the wind wagon +Russ had made. They could only go straight, or nearly so, and could not +sail much to one side or the other, as their land ship was not like a +water one. It would not "tack," or move across the wind.</p> + +<p>Along they sailed, rather bumpily, it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> true, but Russ and Laddie did +not mind that. Russ could pull on the ropes fast to the front wheels, +and steer his "ship" out of the way of stones and holes.</p> + +<p>"Well, the youngsters did pretty well!" exclaimed Uncle Fred, as he saw +Russ and Laddie sailing along.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they did better than I expected they would," said their father. +"If they don't upset they'll be all right."</p> + +<p>Laddie and Russ did not seem to be going to do this. The wind wagon +appeared to be a great success.</p> + +<p>"Oh, who made it? Where did you get it? Whose is it? Can't I have a +ride?" cried Violet, when she saw the new toy.</p> + +<p>"My, what a lot of questions!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker, laughing.</p> + +<p>"We'll give everybody a ride," said Russ, "only I'm going to sit in the +ship each time and steer. I'm the captain, and nobody knows how to steer +except me."</p> + +<p>When Laddie got out, Rose had a turn, and then Violet was given a ride. +The wind wagon went very nicely. Of course, each time it was blown over +the field, some dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>tance from the ranch house, it had to be dragged +back again, as the children did not want to ride too far from home.</p> + +<p>But walking back with the land ship to the starting point was no worse +than walking back uphill with a sled, as the children had to do when +they went coasting in the winter.</p> + +<p>"And we walk back on level ground, not up a hill," said Russ.</p> + +<p>So the wind wagon was that much better than a sled.</p> + +<p>It came the turns of Mun Bun and Margy, and they liked the rides very +much. Only Mun Bun made trouble by wanting to guide the land ship, and +when he was told he could not, he snatched at the ropes Russ held, and +nearly made the wind wagon upset.</p> + +<p>After that Mun Bun was not given any more rides.</p> + +<p>"I guess he is cross because he hasn't had his sleep this afternoon," +said his mother. "Come on, Margy and Mun Bun. I'll put you to bed."</p> + +<p>So Russ, with Laddie, Violet and Rose, played with the wind wagon after +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> two smallest Bunkers had been put to bed.</p> + +<p>But Russ began to feel that he had been a little selfish, and each of +the older children was allowed to guide the land ship some of the time.</p> + +<p>The wind kept blowing harder and harder, and at last the land ship went +so fast before the breeze that Mr. Bunker called:</p> + +<p>"Better shorten sail, Russ! Better take in some, or you may blow over."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't guess we will," said Russ, who was again, as he was most of +the time, doing the guiding.</p> + +<p>But he did not know what was going to happen.</p> + +<p>"The wind is blowing so strong now," said Laddie to his brother, "that +three of us could ride in the wagon 'stead of only two. It will blow +three of us."</p> + +<p>"We'll try it," agreed Russ. "Come on, Vi and Rose. I'll give you two a +ride at the same time."</p> + +<p>It was rather a tight squeeze to get the three children in the wagon, +but it was managed. Laddie shoved them off and away they went.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>The wind blew harder and harder, and, all of a sudden, as Russ steered +out of the way of a stone, there came a sudden puff, and—over went the +wind wagon, spilling out Rose, Violet and "Captain Russ" himself. The +mast broke off close to where it was fastened to the toy wagon, and the +sail became tangled in the arms and legs of the children.</p> + +<p>"My goodness!" cried Captain Roy, who came along just in time to see the +accident, which happened a little way from the ranch house. "Any of the +six little Bunkers hurt?"</p> + +<p>"There's only three of us in the wagon," said Russ, as he crawled out. +"I'm not hurt. Are you, Rose?"</p> + +<p>"No," she answered, laughing. "But where's Vi?"</p> + +<p>"Here I am," answered the little girl, as she crawled out from under the +wagon, which had upset. "And I don't like that way of stopping at all, +Russ Bunker! I like to stop easy!"</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Russ. "I didn't mean to do that. The wind was too strong +for us. Now the wagon is busted."</p> + +<p>It was indeed broken, and, as the wind blew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> harder than before, Daddy +Bunker said it would not be best to use the wind wagon any more, even if +it had not been smashed. So the toy was turned right side up, the broken +mast and sail put in it and Russ and Laddie took it to the barn.</p> + +<p>"We'll fix it up again to-morrow," said Russ.</p> + +<p>The children had other fun the rest of that day, and in the evening they +all had pony rides. And this time Margy was not given a ride in the +Indian carriage and left asleep. She had her own pony to ride on.</p> + +<p>The next day, when dinner was about to be served, Uncle Fred came in +looking rather thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Has anything happened?" asked Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered. "Some more of my cattle have been taken. I thought +this would happen after the spring started to go dry. I wish I could +find out what it all means—why the water runs out of the spring, and +who is taking my cattle."</p> + +<p>"I wish we could help," said Daddy Bunker. "But we don't seem able to. +The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> engineers you asked about it don't seem to know what makes your +spring go dry; the books tell nothing about it, and we can't find any of +your lost cattle. I'm afraid we Bunkers aren't helping any."</p> + +<p>"Well, I like to have you here!" said Uncle Fred. "Three Star Ranch +would be lonesome if the six little Bunkers went away. Just stay on, and +maybe we'll solve the riddle yet."</p> + +<p>They were just going in to dinner, when a cowboy rode up on a pony that +was covered with foam, from having been ridden far and fast.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Uncle Fred, as he went out to talk to the +man—for cowboys are men, though they are called boys. "Are any more of +my cattle gone?"</p> + +<p>"No, but they're likely to be. There's a big prairie fire started some +miles south of here, and the wind is blowing it right this way. We've +got to do something if we want to save the ranch houses from burning!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>A CATTLE STAMPEDE</h3> + + +<p>"What's that?" cried Uncle Fred. "A prairie fire?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and a bad one, too," answered the man. "I saw it when I was +bringing in those steers you told me to get ready to ship away on the +train. I just left them, knowing they'd keep out of danger, and rode as +fast as I could to tell you."</p> + +<p>"That's right! Glad you did!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Now we must get to +work right away to stop the fire from burning us out. Come on, boys!" he +called. "Where's Captain Roy?"</p> + +<p>"Here I am!" cried the former soldier, as he came out of the dining-room +where he had been helping Margy and Mun Bun get up in their chairs, +ready to eat. "What's the matter?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Prairie fire!" answered Uncle Fred. "We've got to stop it coming any +farther this way, or it may burn all our ranch buildings down! No time +for dinner now! We've got to fight the fire!"</p> + +<p>"Can I help?" asked Russ eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I want to just the same as him!" added Laddie.</p> + +<p>"No, you boys must keep out of the way," answered Daddy Bunker. "I'll go +and help Fred," he said to his wife. "You'll have to keep the children +with you."</p> + +<p>"I will," answered Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you don't need to do that," said Uncle Fred. "The fire is not near +us yet, and if we can plow a wide strip of ground in time, the fire will +come to the edge of that and stop. The older children can stand out of +the way and watch the plowing, if they like."</p> + +<p>"Can we see the fire, too?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Though you can't go very close," his uncle answered. "Let them +have a look," he added to Daddy Bunker. "It isn't every day they see a +prairie fire, and they'll never forget it. There will be no danger to +them."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Daddy Bunker. "Russ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> and Laddie and Violet and Rose +may go to watch the plowing and see the fire. But Mun Bun and Margy must +stay at home."</p> + +<p>"I like to stay at home," said Margy. "I'm awful busy to-day."</p> + +<p>"I like to stay at home, too," said Mun Bun, who generally did what his +little sister did.</p> + +<p>So with the two smallest Bunkers at home with their mother, the other +four went with Daddy Bunker to see the fire and watch the cowboys at +work.</p> + +<p>When Uncle Fred had called the cowboys, they stopped whatever they were +doing and began to get ready to fight the fire. Some of them had had +their dinners, and others had not. But even those that had not eaten got +ready to work. Captain Roy hurried out, also ready to help.</p> + +<p>"Get all the horses and plows you can find," said Uncle Fred. "If we +haven't enough we'll borrow some from the neighbors."</p> + +<p>Though no other ranchmen lived within several miles of Uncle Fred, still +there were a few who had plows and horses that could be used. Uncle Fred +had a telephone in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> house, and Captain Roy was soon calling up the +nearest ranchers, asking them to hurry with their plows and horses to +make a big, wide strip of bare ground, so the fire would have nothing to +burn.</p> + +<p>"They'll be here as soon as they can," said the captain. "They have +already seen the fire."</p> + +<p>"I see it, too!" exclaimed Russ. "Look at the black smoke!"</p> + +<p>"And I can see blazes, too!" exclaimed Laddie.</p> + +<p>"So can I," added Rose.</p> + +<p>"Who started the fire?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"That we don't know," answered Uncle Fred. "Sometimes a cowboy may drop +a match and forget about it. Again some one may start a campfire and +forget to put it out when he leaves. All those things start prairie +fires."</p> + +<p>Uncle Fred and Captain Roy, and as many cowboys as could be found, +started toward the cloud of black smoke with plows and horses. As Russ +had said, the smoke-cloud could plainly be seen. It seemed to be rolling +along the ground, as white, fleecy clouds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> roll along in the sky. And at +the bottom of the black cloud could be seen fire.</p> + +<p>The four little Bunkers were led by their father out to where they could +have a good view of the fire. The smoke was blacker now, and the flames +could be seen more plainly. At times, when the wind blew with unusual +strength, the children could smell the smoke and burning grass.</p> + +<p>"Does the wind push the fire on, same as it pushed Russ's sail-wagon?" +asked Vi.</p> + +<p>"Just the same," answered her father. "The fire comes toward us just as +fast as the wind blows. If the wind would only blow the other way the +fire would not harm us."</p> + +<p>But the wind was blowing right toward Uncle Fred's ranch houses, and he +and the cowboys knew they must hurry to plow the safety strip of land.</p> + +<p>And so they began. Back and forth the teams of horses pulled the plows, +turning the dry grass under and leaving only bare earth on top. Then +other cowboys came, and the farmers and ranchers who had been telephoned +to, and soon many were fighting the prairie fire.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer it came. The horses, smelling the smoke and seeing the +flames, began to snort and prance around.</p> + +<p>"Only a little more now," cried Uncle Fred, "and we'll be safe!"</p> + +<p>Back and forth the plows hurried, turning up strip after strip of damp +ground. It was so hot now, because the fire was nearer, that Daddy +Bunker led the children back a way.</p> + +<p>"Could the fire get ahead of me if I ran fast?" asked Russ, as he +watched the flames and smoke.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if the wind blows hard the fire can go faster than the fastest man +can run," said Captain Roy, who came up to where Daddy Bunker stood. The +captain was thirsty, and wanted a drink of water from the pail Daddy +Bunker had carried from the house.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can stop the fire?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we'll stop it now all right," the former soldier answered. "We +started to plow just in time."</p> + +<p>And so it happened. The flames and smoke in the burning tall grass +rolled right up to the edge of the plowed strip, and then they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> stopped. +There was nothing more for the fire to "eat," as Russ called it. Some +little tongues of fire tried to creep around the ends of the plowed +strip, but the cowboys soon beat these out by throwing shovels full of +dirt on them.</p> + +<p>"There! Now the fire is out!" cried Uncle Fred. "There is no more +danger."</p> + +<p>"And will your houses be all right?" Rose asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they won't burn now."</p> + +<p>There was still much smoke in the air, but the wind was blowing it away. +And then the children could see the big field, all burned black by the +fire.</p> + +<p>"The cows can't eat that now, can they?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"No, it's spoiled for pasture," said Uncle Fred. "But it will grow up +again. Still a prairie fire is a bad thing."</p> + +<p>The little Bunkers thought so, too, and they were glad when it was over. +They went back to the house, leaving some of the cowboys on guard, to +see that no stray sparks started another fire.</p> + +<p>"And now we'll have dinner," said Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> Fred. "It's a little late, but +we'll call it dinner just the same."</p> + +<p>He invited the men from the other ranches, who had come to help him +fight the fire, to stay with him, and soon Bill Johnson was serving a +meal to many hungry men. The little Bunkers had theirs separately.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Russ and Laddie and Vi went fishing again, while Mrs. +Bunker took the other children for a ride in one of Uncle Fred's wagons, +with Daddy Bunker to drive. She went to call on a neighbor, about five +miles away; a lady who used to live near Mrs. Bunker, but whom she had +not seen for a long while.</p> + +<p>Laddie, Russ and Violet had fun fishing, and caught enough for Bill +Johnson to cook for supper.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" called Laddie to Russ that evening, after they had played for +a while out near the barn. "Let's go over and get a drink out of the +spring."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Russ. "Maybe we can see what makes it dry up."</p> + +<p>"Maybe a bad Indian does it," suggested Laddie. "If I saw him do it I'd +lasso him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So would I—only they won't let us have lassos any more."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe they would if they knew we could catch an Indian," went on +Laddie hopefully. "Come on, anyhow." Then off they started toward the +spring.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look!" exclaimed Russ, who had run on ahead. "The water's all gone +again!"</p> + +<p>"It is?" cried Laddie. "Oh, we'd better go and tell Uncle Fred! Let me +see!"</p> + +<p>He hurried to his brother's side. Surely enough, there was hardly a +pailful of water in the bottom of the spring. And the stream that +trickled in through the rocks at the back had stopped.</p> + +<p>"Do you s'pose the bad men are taking any more of Uncle Fred's cattle?" +asked Laddie. "He said they did that when the spring went dry."</p> + +<p>The two little boys managed to dip up a drink in the half a cocoanut +shell, and then they looked about them. Night was coming on, and the sun +had set some little time before.</p> + +<p>"Hark! what's that?" asked Russ, listening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thunder?" asked Laddie. "Is it thunder?"</p> + +<p>"It sounds like it," said Russ, "but I don't see any lightning. I guess +we'd better go home, anyhow."</p> + +<p>They started away from the spring, and then Laddie suddenly cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, look! Look at Uncle Fred's cows all running away!"</p> + +<p>Russ looked, and saw a big bunch of cattle rushing and thundering across +the plain. It was the hoofs of the cattle beating on the ground that +made the sound like thunder.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what is it? What is it?" cried Laddie. "What makes 'em run like +that?"</p> + +<p>"It's a cattle stampede!" shouted a voice, almost in the ears of the +boys. "Look out! Up you come!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>AN INDIAN</h3> + + +<p>"It's a cattle stampede!"</p> + +<p>Before Russ and Laddie had a chance to think what this meant, though +Uncle Fred had told them in his stories, each little boy felt himself +caught up in strong arms, and set on a horse in front of a cowboy.</p> + +<p>What had happened was that two of Uncle Fred's cowboys had ridden along +when Russ and Laddie were at the spring, and, fearing the little lads +might get into danger, they had taken them up on their saddles.</p> + +<p>"Where are we going?" asked Laddie, undecided whether or not to cry.</p> + +<p>"We are going home—that is, I'm going to take you home," said the +cowboy, smiling down at Laddie. "Then we'll try to stop these cattle +from running away."</p> + +<p>"Are the cattle running away?" asked Russ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> of the cowboy who held him so +firmly in front on his saddle.</p> + +<p>"That's what they are, little man," was the answer. "Something +frightened the steers, and they started to run. We've got to stop 'em, +too!"</p> + +<p>"Will they run far?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Well, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't," answered the cowboy. +"It all depends. Out here on the plain, where there isn't any high land +or cliffs for them to topple over, there isn't much danger. The cattle +will run until they get tired out. But, of course, some of 'em get +stepped on and hurt, and that's bad. And sometimes our cattle get mixed +in with another herd, when they stampede this way, and it's hard to get +'em unmixed again. But we're going to take you two boys to the ranch +house, and then we'll try to stop the stampede. What were you doing out +here, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Looking at the spring," answered Russ. "It's gone dry again."</p> + +<p>"Has it?" asked the cowboy. "Then that means we'll lose more cattle, I +reckon. Maybe the men started this stampede."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, I think this stampede was started by Indians," said the cowboy who +had Laddie, and who had just ridden up alongside Russ in order to speak +to "his cowboy" as Russ afterward called him.</p> + +<p>"Indians!" cried Russ.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Sometimes they come off the reservation, and start to travel to +see some of their friends. A band of Indians will stampede a bunch of +cattle as soon as anything else."</p> + +<p>"Could we see the Indians?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe you can, if they come to the ranch. Some do to get +something to eat," was the answer. "But hold tight now, we've got to +ride faster, if we want to get help in time to stop the runaway cattle."</p> + +<p>So the two little boys held tightly to the horn, which is that part of +the saddle which was directly in front of them. This horn is what the +cowboys fasten their lassos around when they catch a wild steer or a +pony.</p> + +<p>Behind the boys could be heard the thunder of the hoofs of the +stampeding steers. They were running close together, and, even in the +half-darkness of the evening, a big cloud of dust raised by the many +feet could be seen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried Uncle Fred, as the two cowboys rode up to the +ranch with Laddie and Russ.</p> + +<p>"Stampede!" was the answer. "Big bunch of cattle running away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Well, get right after 'em! Stop 'em!"</p> + +<p>And this is what the cowboys did. The two who had seen the stampede +first, and ridden in to tell the news, bringing Laddie and Russ on the +way, were joined by other cowboys. They then rode toward the rushing +cattle, to head them off, or turn them back.</p> + +<p>A stampede on a ranch means that a lot of steers or horses become so +frightened over something that they all run together, and don't pay any +attention to where they are going. If one of their number falls, the +others trample right over it. So, too, if a cowboy on his horse got too +close to the stampeding cattle, he would be trampled on.</p> + +<p>To stop a stampede the cowboys try to turn the cattle around. This they +do by riding along in front of them, as close as they dare, firing their +big revolvers. They try to scare the steers from keeping on. Then if +they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> can turn the front ones back, and get them to run in a +circle—"milling," it is called—the others will do the same thing. The +cattle stop running, quiet down and can be driven back where they came +from.</p> + +<p>It is hard work. Still it has to be done.</p> + +<p>It soon grew so dark that the children and grown folk, watching from the +house, could see nothing. Mrs. Bunker wanted the six little Bunkers to +go to bed, but the four older children wanted to stay up and hear what +the cowboys had to say when they came back.</p> + +<p>"Well, you may stay half an hour," their father told them. "If they +aren't back then off to bed you go!"</p> + +<p>However, the cowboys came back about fifteen minutes later, saying they +had stopped the stampede and turned the cattle back where they belonged.</p> + +<p>"That's good," said Uncle Fred. "What with the fire and a stampede these +are busy times at Three Star Ranch."</p> + +<p>"And the spring is dried up again!" said Russ. "We forgot to tell you, +Uncle Fred."</p> + +<p>"The spring dried up once more? Well, I suppose that means more trouble +and more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> cattle missing. I do wish I could find out this puzzle. +Laddie, why can't you solve that riddle for me?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Uncle Fred. I wish I could," said Laddie, as he was taken +off to bed.</p> + +<p>The next day Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker went out to look at the spring, +to take some more pictures of it with the camera, and see if they could +find any reason for its going dry. Laddie and Russ and Vi, who usually +wanted to go where her twin did, went with them, the other children +staying at home to play.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's hardly any water in it," said Uncle Fred, as he looked +down in the rocky basin at which Laddie and Russ had taken a drink the +night before. "I think we'll have to dig back of those rocks," he said +to Daddy Bunker, "and see what's behind them."</p> + +<p>"It might be a good plan," agreed the children's father. "There may be +some sort of secret channel through which the water runs out under the +ground. I think I would dig, if I were you."</p> + +<p>"I will," said Uncle Fred. "I'll go back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> to the house now and get picks +and shovels. You can wait here for me."</p> + +<p>"I'll come with you," said Daddy Bunker. "The children will be all right +here."</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you, Daddy," said Vi. "I must look after my mud pie I left +in the sun to bake."</p> + +<p>Uncle Fred started back toward the ranch buildings with Mr. Bunker and +Vi, while Laddie and Russ sat down near the spring to wait. There was +just a faint trickle of water coming through the rocks.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the boys were surprised to hear a sort of grunt behind them, +and, turning quickly, they saw a figure such as they had often seen in +pictures.</p> + +<p>"An Indian!" gasped Russ. "Oh, Laddie! It's an Indian!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>WHAT ROSE FOUND</h3> + + +<p>There was no doubt about it. Standing in front of Laddie and Russ was an +Indian. He was a tall man, with dark skin.</p> + +<p>The Indian had a blanket wrapped around him, and on his feet were what +seemed to be slippers, made of soft skin. Later the boys learned that +these were moccasins.</p> + +<p>In his hair the Indian had stuck two or three brightly-colored feathers. +He was not a nice-looking man, but he smiled, in what he most likely +meant to be a kind way, at the boys, and, pointing to the spring, said:</p> + +<p>"Water? Indian get drink water?"</p> + +<p>For a moment Russ or Laddie did not know what to think. The coming of an +Indian was so sudden that it surprised them. They were all alone, too, +for Uncle Fred and their father had gone back to the house to get +shovels<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> and picks to dig up the rocks back of the spring.</p> + +<p>"Water? Indian get drink water?" asked the Redman again.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is a real Indian!" whispered Russ to his brother. "I see the +feathers."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he's got a blanket on, same as the Indians have in the picture +Mother showed us," added Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Indian get drink!" went on the Redman, as he opened his blanket. The +boys saw that he wore a pair of old and rather dirty trousers and a red +shirt without a collar. Aside from the blanket and the feathers in his +hair, he was not dressed much like an Indian, so the boys decided.</p> + +<p>"There isn't much water here," said Russ, "but I guess you can get a +drink. The spring has gone dry."</p> + +<p>"Spring gone dry? That funny—plenty rain," said the Indian.</p> + +<p>He stooped down and dipped the cocoanut shell in what little water was +in the bottom of the spring.</p> + +<p>However the Indian managed to get enough to drink, and then he seemed to +feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> better. He sat down on the ground near the two boys and pulled a +package from inside his shirt. It was wrapped in paper and, opening it, +the Indian took out some bread and what seemed to be pieces of dried +meat. Then he began to eat, paying no attention to the boys.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 253px;"> +<img src="images/p198.jpg" width="253" height="400" alt="RUSS AND LADDIE WATCHED THE INDIAN WITH WIDE-OPEN EYES." title="RUSS AND LADDIE WATCHED THE INDIAN WITH WIDE-OPEN EYES." /> +<span class="caption">RUSS AND LADDIE WATCHED THE INDIAN WITH WIDE-OPEN EYES.</span> +</div> + +<p>Russ and Laddie watched the Indian with wide-open eyes. This was the +first one they had ever seen outside of a circus or a Wild-West show, +and he was not like the Indians there. They all wore gaily-colored +suits, and had many more feathers on their heads than this man did. But +that he was a real Indian, Russ and Laddie never doubted.</p> + +<p>Having finished his meal, and taken another drink of water, the Indian +looked at the boys again and said:</p> + +<p>"You live here?" and he waved his hand in a circle.</p> + +<p>"Not—not zactly," stammered Laddie.</p> + +<p>"We're staying with our Uncle Fred at Three Star Ranch," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Three Star Ranch. Huh! Me know! Good place. Bill Johnson him cook!"</p> + +<p>"That's right!" exclaimed Laddie. "He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> knows Uncle Fred's cook. He must +be a good Indian, Russ."</p> + +<p>"I guess he is. Maybe he wants to see Uncle Fred."</p> + +<p>"Here they come back," remarked Laddie, and he pointed to his father and +Uncle Fred, who could now be seen coming toward the spring, carrying +picks and shovels over their shoulders.</p> + +<p>"You got papoose your house?" asked the Indian, pointing in the +direction of the ranch houses. "You got little papoose?"</p> + +<p>"What's a papoose?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>Laddie didn't know, and the Indian was trying to explain what he meant +when Uncle Fred came along.</p> + +<p>"Hello! You boys have company, I see," said the ranchman. "Where did the +Indian come from?" and he looked at the Redman, as Indians are sometimes +called.</p> + +<p>"He just walked here," explained Russ. "He was thirsty and he ate some +bread he had in his shirt, and now he asked us if we had a papoose at +our house."</p> + +<p>"He means small children," said Uncle Fred. "Papoose is the Indian word +for baby<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>—that is, it is with some Indians. They don't all speak the +same language.</p> + +<p>"Where are you from, and what do you want?" Uncle Fred asked the Indian. +"What's your name?"</p> + +<p>"Me Red Feather," answered the Indian, at the same time touching a red +feather in his black hair. "Me look for papoose. You got?"</p> + +<p>"We haven't got any for you," said Uncle Fred with a laugh. "I guess +none of the six little Bunkers would want to go to live with you, though +you may be a good Indian. But where are you from, and what do you want?"</p> + +<p>The Indian began to talk in his own language, but Uncle Fred shook his +head.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you're saying," he said. "If you're lost, and hungry, +go back there and they'll feed you."</p> + +<p>"Bill Johnson?" asked the Indian.</p> + +<p>"So you know my ranch cook, do you?" asked Uncle Fred quickly. "I +suppose some one told you to ask for him. Well, he'll give you a meal, +and maybe he can understand your talk. I can't. Go back there!" and he +pointed to the ranch house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Indian got up, and as he walked away he was seen to limp.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Hurt your foot?" asked Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Much hurt—yes," was the answer, but the Indian did not stop. He kept +on his limping way to the ranch houses.</p> + +<p>"Is it all right for him to wander around over your ranch this way?" +asked Daddy Bunker of Uncle Fred. "Won't he take some of your horses or +cattle?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, the cowboys will be on the watch. I guess Red Feather is all +right, though I never saw him before. The Indians often get tired of +staying on the reservation and wander off. They go visiting. They stop +here now and then, and Bill Johnson feeds 'em. He sort of likes the +Indians. I suppose one he fed some time ago has told the others, so Bill +has a good name among the Indians. Well, now we'll dig, and see what we +can find out about this queer spring."</p> + +<p>"Could we go to see the Indian eat?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"I like him—he talks so funny," said Laddie. "Maybe he knows some new +riddles."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Maybe he does," laughed Daddy Bunker. "You can try him if you like. +Yes, go along to the house, if you wish, and if Bill Johnson asks you +why, say Uncle Fred sent Red Feather to be fed."</p> + +<p>"Come on!" called Russ to Laddie. "We'll go back to the house and talk +some more to the Indian."</p> + +<p>Laddie and Russ reached the house just as Red Feather arrived, for he +walked slowly.</p> + +<p>"So you're hungry, eh?" asked Bill Johnson, when the Indian had spoken +to him. "Well, I guess I can feed you. Where did you come from, and +where are you going?"</p> + +<p>The Indian waved his hand toward the west, as if to say he had come from +that direction, but where he was going he did not tell. Bill tried to +talk to him in two or three different Indian dialects, but Red Feather +shook his head.</p> + +<p>He knew a little English, and his own talk, and that was all. But, every +now and then, as he ate, he looked up at Laddie and Russ, who sat near, +and said:</p> + +<p>"You got more papoose?"</p> + +<p>"I guess he wants to see the rest of you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> little Bunkers!" said Bill +Johnson. "Maybe he heard there were several children here, and he wants +to see all of you. Some Indians like children more than others. Yes, we +have more papooses, Red Feather, though these are the biggest," and he +pointed to Russ and Laddie.</p> + +<p>"No got um so high?" asked the Indian, and he held his hand about a foot +over the head of Russ. "Got papoose so big?"</p> + +<p>"No, none of the six little Bunkers is as big as that," explained Bill +Johnson. "Russ is the biggest. But what's the matter with your foot?" he +asked Red Feather, for the Indian limped badly when he walked.</p> + +<p>The Indian spoke something in his own language and pointed to his foot.</p> + +<p>"It's swelled," said Bill. "Reckon you must have cut it on a stone. +Well, you sit down in the shade, and when Hank Nelson comes in I'll have +him look at it. Hank's a sort of doctor among the cowboys," Bill +explained to Laddie and Russ.</p> + +<p>While the Indian was resting in the shade, Laddie and Russ ran to tell +their mother and the other little Bunkers about him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is he a <i>real</i>, wild Indian?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"He's <i>real</i>, but he isn't <i>wild</i>," Russ answered. "I like him. He likes +children, too, 'cause he's always talking about a papoose. Papoose is +Indian for baby," he told his sister.</p> + +<p>The other little Bunkers gathered around Red Feather, as he sat outside +the cook-house, and he smiled at the children. He seemed to want to tell +them something as he looked eagerly at them, but all he could make them, +or the men at the ranch, understand, was that he wanted to see a +"papoose" who was larger than Russ.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he wants a boy to go along with him and help him 'cause he's +lame," suggested Laddie.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't that," said Uncle Fred, who, with Daddy Bunker, had come +back from the spring. "He's worrying about something, but I can't make +out what it is. Maybe some of the other cowboys can talk his language. +We'll wait until they come in."</p> + +<p>Hank Nelson, the cowboy who "doctored" the others, came riding in, and +he agreed to look at the Indian's lame foot. Hank said it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> was badly +cut, and he put some salve and a clean bandage on it, for which Red +Feather seemed very grateful.</p> + +<p>"No can walk good," he said, when his foot was wrapped up. "I go sleep +out there!" and he pointed to the tall grass of the plain.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I guess we can fix you up a place to sleep," said Uncle Fred +kindly. "There are some bunks in the barn where the extra cowboys used +to sleep. You can stay there until your foot gets well, and Bill Johnson +can give you something to eat now and then."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll feed him all right," said the cook. "He seems like a good +Indian. I wish I knew what he meant by that 'papoose' he's always +talking about."</p> + +<p>But Red Feather could not tell, though he tried hard, and none of the +cowboys spoke his kind of language. So he went to sleep in the barn, on +a pile of clean straw, and seemed very thankful to all who had helped +him.</p> + +<p>"Did you find out anything about the queer spring?" asked Mrs. Bunker of +her husband<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> and Uncle Fred that night, when the children had gone to +bed.</p> + +<p>"No, nothing. We dug up back of the rocks, but found nothing that would +show where the water runs away to."</p> + +<p>"And did you hear of any more of your cattle being taken away?" asked +Captain Roy, who had been visiting his son at the nearest army post. +This son was also Captain Robert Roy, for he was named Robert for his +father, and was now a captain in the regular army. Captain Roy, the +father, had just come back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a few were driven off, as almost always happens when the spring +goes dry," said the ranchman in answer to Captain Roy's question. "It is +a puzzle—beats Laddie's riddles all to pieces."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he'll be getting up some new ones about the Indian +to-morrow," said Captain Roy.</p> + +<p>"If the Indian doesn't run off in the night with one of the ponies," +said Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he won't go," declared Uncle Fred. "He's being treated too nicely +here. He'll stay until his foot gets better."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>And, surely enough, Red Feather was on hand for his breakfast the next +morning. The six little Bunkers ran out to see him. He looked eagerly +and anxiously at them, as if seeking for the "papoose" who was a little +larger than Russ.</p> + +<p>It was that afternoon, when the children had been having fun playing +different games around the house, corrals and barn, that Rose walked off +by herself to gather some flowers for the table, as she often did.</p> + +<p>"Don't go too far!" her mother called to her.</p> + +<p>"I won't," Rose promised.</p> + +<p>A little later Mrs. Bunker, who was washing Mun Bun and Margy, and +putting clean clothes on them, heard Rose calling from the side porch.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother! Come here! Look what I found!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mrs. Bunker. "I can't come now. Tell me what it is, +Rose."</p> + +<p>"It's the papoose Red Feather was looking for, I guess!" was the answer +of Rose Bunker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>LADDIE IS MISSING</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Bunker had Mun Bun in her lap, finishing the buttoning of his +shoes, but, when Rose called out about the papoose, her mother quickly +set the little fellow down on the floor, and ran to the window from +where she could see her daughter on the porch.</p> + +<p>"What did you say you had found, Rose?" she called.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, for sure," said Rose, "but I guess it's the papoose Red +Feather wants. Anyhow it's a little Indian girl, and she's bigger than +Russ. Come on down!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bunker hurried down to the porch, and there she saw Rose standing +beside a little girl dressed in rather a ragged calico dress. The little +girl was very dark, as though she had lived all her life out in the sun, +getting tanned all the while, as the six<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> little Bunkers were tanned at +Cousin Tom's.</p> + +<p>The little girl had long, straight hair, and it was very black, and, +even without this, Mrs. Bunker would have known her to be an Indian.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get her, Rose?" asked Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>"I found her out on the plain. She was lost, I guess. I told her to come +along, 'cause we had an Indian man at Three Star Ranch. I don't guess +she knew what I meant, but she came along with me, and here she is."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so I see!" exclaimed the puzzled Mrs. Bunker. "Here she is! But +what am I going to do with her?"</p> + +<p>The Indian girl smiled, showing her white teeth.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell Uncle Fred," said Rose.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess that's what you'd better do," replied her mother. "Come up +and sit down," she said to the Indian girl, but the little maiden Rose +had found on the plain did not seem to understand. She looked at the +chair which Mrs. Bunker pulled out from against the house, however, and +then, with another shy smile, sat down in it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Poor thing," said Mrs. Bunker. "Maybe she belongs to Red Feather, and +she may be lost. I wish she could talk to me, or that I could speak her +language. I wonder——"</p> + +<p>But just then Rose came hurrying back, not only with Uncle Fred, but +with Daddy Bunker and Red Feather.</p> + +<p>"What's all this I hear, about Rose going out in the fields and finding +a lost papoose?" asked Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"Well, here she is!" replied Mother Bunker.</p> + +<p>Before any one else could say or do anything, Red Feather sprang +forward, as well as he could on his lame foot, and, a moment later, had +clasped the Indian girl in his arms. She clung to him, and they talked +very fast in their own language.</p> + +<p>Then Red Feather turned to Uncle Fred, and, motioning to Rose, said:</p> + +<p>"She find lost papoose. Me glad!"</p> + +<p>"So that's what he was trying to tell us!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Red +Feather lost his little girl (his papoose as he calls her, though she +isn't a baby), and he set out to find her. Then he hurt his foot and +couldn't walk very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> well, so he came here. And that's what he meant when +he tried to ask us if we had another—an Indian child—larger than Russ. +This girl is bigger than Russ."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad she's found her father!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>And that is just what the Indian girl had done. Later they heard the +story, and it was just as Uncle Fred had said.</p> + +<p>Red Feather and some other Indians, with their squaws, children, and +little papooses, had left their reservation and started out to see some +friends. On the way Sage Flower, which was the name of the Indian girl, +became lost. She wandered away from the camp.</p> + +<p>Her father and some of the other Indians started out after her, but did +not find her. Then Red Feather, wandering about alone, hurt his foot, +and managed to get to the spring when Laddie and Russ were waiting at +it.</p> + +<p>Red Feather tried to tell those at Three Star Ranch about his little +lost girl, but could not make himself understood. Then his foot became +so bad that he could not walk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> and he had to stay. And, all the while, +he was wondering what had happened to Sage Flower.</p> + +<p>The little Indian girl wandered about the plains, sleeping wherever she +could find a little shelter, and eating some food she found at a place +where some cowboys had been camping. They had gone off and left some +bread and meat behind.</p> + +<p>Poor little Sage Flower was very tired and hungry when Rose found her on +the plain. The Indian girl did not know her father was at Three Star +Ranch. She only knew she might get something to eat there and a place to +sleep. So when Rose told her to come along Sage Flower was very glad to +do so.</p> + +<p>And oh! how glad and surprised she was when she found her own father +there waiting for her. Sage Flower cried for joy. Mrs. Bunker then took +care of her, seeing that she was washed and combed, and had something to +eat.</p> + +<p>The Indian girl could not speak her thanks in the language the six +little Bunkers talked, but she looked her thanks from her eyes and in +her smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few days later Red Feather's foot was well enough to be used, and then +he and his daughter were put in one of the ranch wagons and sent to the +place where the other Indians were camping. The Redmen were very glad to +see Red Feather and Sage Flower come back to them.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a good thing you found Sage Flower," said Daddy Bunker, "or +the poor thing might have wandered on and on, and been lost for good. +Her father, too, would have felt very bad."</p> + +<p>But everything came out all right, you see, and Red Feather, to show how +grateful he was to Rose, brought her, a week or so later, a beautiful +basket, woven of sweet grass that smelled for a long time like the woods +and fields.</p> + +<p>With this Rose was immensely pleased.</p> + +<p>There were many happy days at Three Star Ranch. The prairies did not get +on fire again, and the cattle seemed to quiet down, and not want to +stampede to make work for every one.</p> + +<p>Russ and Laddie and Rose and Vi had fine fun riding their ponies to and +fro, for they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> were allowed to go out alone, if they did not ride too +far.</p> + +<p>One day, after breakfast, Russ and Laddie came in to ask if they could +go for a long ride all alone.</p> + +<p>Rose was helping Bill Johnson in the kitchen, and Vi was busy lining a +box in which to bury a dead bird she had found. Later there was to be a +formal funeral with willow whistles for a band and as many people as +would go in the funeral procession.</p> + +<p>"I want to see if I can think of a riddle," said Laddie. "I haven't made +up one for a long while."</p> + +<p>"And I want to see if I can find that Indian, Red Feather," put in Russ. +"Maybe he'll make me a bow and arrow."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you wouldn't go now," said their mother. "Don't you want to +come with us?"</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Off to the woods for a little picnic. Bill Johnson is going to put us +up a little lunch, and we will stay all day and have fun in the woods."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we'll go!" cried Russ. "We can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> ride our ponies some other +time," he added to his brother.</p> + +<p>"All right," Laddie agreed. "Maybe I can think of a riddle in the +woods."</p> + +<p>"What makes them call it a 'woods,' Mother?" asked Vi later, when the +lunch baskets were ready and the picnic party was about to set off. "Why +don't they call it a 'trees' insteads of a woods? There's a lot of trees +there."</p> + +<p>"You may call it that, if you like," said Mother Bunker. "We'll go to +the 'trees' and have some fun. Come on all my six little Bunkers!"</p> + +<p>And away they went to the woods or the trees, whichever you like. There +was a large clump of trees not far from the house on Three Star Ranch, +and in that the children had their picnic. They played under the green +boughs, had games of tag and ate their lunch. Then they rested and, +after a while, Russ called:</p> + +<p>"Come on! Let's have a game of hide-and-go-seek! I'll be it, and I'll +blind and all the rest of you can hide."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that'll be lots of fun!" said Rose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + +<p>So they played this game. Russ easily saw where Margy and Mun Bun hid +themselves, behind bushes near the tree where he was "blinding," but he +let them "in free." Then he caught Rose, and she had to be "it" the next +time. Violet came in free, for she had picked out a good hiding-place.</p> + +<p>"Now I have to find Laddie!" cried Russ. He hunted all over, but he +could not find his little brother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell him he can come in free!" exclaimed Rose. "Then we can go on +with the game."</p> + +<p>So Russ called:</p> + +<p>"Givie up! Givie up! Come on in free, Laddie!"</p> + +<p>But Laddie did not come. Where could he be?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>RUSS DIGS A HOLE</h3> + + +<p>"What's the matter, children? Why are you shouting so?" asked Mrs. +Bunker, who had walked on a little way through the woods to get some +flowers. "Can't you play more quietly? You're as bad as the cowboys!"</p> + +<p>"We're hollering for Laddie, Mother!" explained Russ. "We can't find +him."</p> + +<p>"Can't find him?"</p> + +<p>"No. I was blinding, 'cause I was it, and he went off to hide. I found +all the others, or they came in free, but I can't find Laddie, and he +doesn't answer when I say I'll givie up."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he is hiding near here, and only laughing at you," said Mrs. +Bunker. "We must take a look."</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Russ to his brother and sisters. "We'll all look for +Laddie. If he's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> doing this on purpose we won't let him play any more, +either."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Mrs. Bunker softly. "And, after all, +maybe he went so far away that he can't hear you telling him that he may +come in free. So it wouldn't be fair not to let him play with you again. +First find him, and then you can ask him why he hid away so long."</p> + +<p>"All right, we will," agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>So he and the others started through the woods, looking behind trees, +under logs and back of bushes, hoping to catch sight of Laddie. But they +did not see him.</p> + +<p>Then they shouted and called.</p> + +<p>"Givie up! Givie up!" echoed through the woods, that being the way to +call when you want a person to come in from playing hide-and-go-seek. +But Laddie did not answer.</p> + +<p>"Where can he be, Mother?" asked Rose. "Is he hiding for fun, or is he +lost?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see how he can be lost, my dear," answered Mrs. Bunker. "He +went to hide, and surely he wouldn't go very far away, because he would +want a chance to run in free himself. No, I think Laddie must be doing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +a puzzle trick to make you find him. He probably is near by, but he is +so well hidden that you can't find him. Try once more!"</p> + +<p>So the children tried again, shouting and calling, but there was no +Laddie.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go and get your father and Uncle Fred," Laddie's mother +said to Rose and Russ. "They'll know how to find Laddie. You children +stay here, and all keep together so none of you will be lost."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bunker did not have to go for help, for, just at that moment, her +husband came up to them.</p> + +<p>"Is anything the matter?" asked Daddy Bunker. "I was taking a walk over +to the spring, to see if anything had happened to the water there, when +I heard shouting and calling. Is anything wrong?"</p> + +<p>"We can't find Laddie!" exclaimed Russ.</p> + +<p>"He went to hide, but he won't come in," added Rose.</p> + +<p>"I really am a little worried," said Mrs. Bunker. "Perhaps you had +better get Fred and——"</p> + +<p>"I'll find him!" said Daddy Bunker with a laugh. "He can't be far away. +Show me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> where you blinded, Russ, when the others went to hide."</p> + +<p>Russ showed his father where he had stood against a tree, hiding his +head in his arms, so he would not see where the others were hiding. +Standing at the same tree Mr. Bunker looked all around. Then he started +off, walking this way and that, looking up and down and all around in +the woods, until finally he stopped before a rather high stump, and +said:</p> + +<p>"Laddie is here!"</p> + +<p>"Where?" cried some of the little Bunkers.</p> + +<p>"I don't see him," said others.</p> + +<p>"What's this?" asked Daddy Bunker, reaching up on the tree stump, and +lifting down a cap.</p> + +<p>"Why—why—that's Laddie's!" stammered Russ. "I saw it there before, but +I thought he hung it there so it wouldn't fall off when he was playing."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll see what's inside this stump, for it is hollow," went on +Mr. Bunker with a smile. "Unless I'm much mistaken we'll find in +here——"</p> + +<p>And just then, from inside the middle of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> the stump there stuck up a +tousled head of hair, and Laddie's rather surprised face looked down at +his father and mother and brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you found me!" he exclaimed. "I was going to run in free!"</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you?" asked Russ. "I called 'givie up!' a lot of times."</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't hear you," said Laddie, rubbing his eyes. "I guess I must +have fallen asleep."</p> + +<p>"That's what happened," said Daddy Bunker. "When I saw your cap hanging +on a splinter outside the hollow stump I thought you must have hung it +there while you climbed inside. Did you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Laddie. "I was looking for a good place to hide, and +when I climbed up on a stone, outside, and saw the stump was hollow I +knew I could fool Russ. So I left my cap outside, and I got in. And it +was so nice and soft there that I just snuggled down and—and I fell +asleep. I was sleepy anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you hear us calling?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"Nope!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And didn't you hear me tell you to come in free?" Russ wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Nope. I guess I must have slept a lot," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you did," agreed his mother. "We were alarmed about you. +Don't do anything like that again."</p> + +<p>Laddie promised that he wouldn't, and then he climbed out of the hollow +stump. It was just high enough from the ground to prevent any one, +passing along, from looking down into it. And Laddie could not have +climbed up and gotten in if he had not used a stone to step on. The +other children took a peep inside, Margy and Mun Bun having to be lifted +up, of course.</p> + +<p>The stump was partly filled with dried leaves, which made a soft bed on +which Laddie had really gone to sleep. He had just curled up in a sort +of nest and there he had stayed while the others were hunting for him.</p> + +<p>"Are we going to play hide-and-go-seek any more?" asked Laddie, when he +had climbed out of the stump and brushed the pieces of leaves off his +clothes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm hungry," announced Mun Bun. "I want some bread and peaches."</p> + +<p>"So do I!" added Margy.</p> + +<p>Bill Johnson, the good-natured cook, did not have jam to give the +children, as Grandmother Ford had done when they were at Great Hedge, so +he gave them canned peaches instead. And they liked these almost as +much.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll take Mun Bun and Margy to the house," said Mrs. Bunker. "You +other children can play here in the woods, if you like. But don't any of +you get lost again."</p> + +<p>They promised that they would not, and, after Margy and Mun Bun had gone +with their father and mother, Russ and Laddie, with Rose and Violet, +played the hiding game some more.</p> + +<p>But finally the two girls grew tired, and said they were going to play +keep house with their dolls.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's no fun for us two to play hide from each other," said Russ +to Laddie. "What'll we do?"</p> + +<p>"Let's guess riddles," suggested Laddie.</p> + +<p>"No, that isn't any fun, either," said Russ.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> "You'd think of all the +riddles and I'd have to think of all the answers. I know what let's do!"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Let's dig a hole."</p> + +<p>"A hole? What for?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just for fun. Let's see how deep we can dig a hole."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Laddie, after a while. "Maybe we can dig one deep +enough for a well, and then Uncle Fred won't have to go to the creek +after water when the spring goes dry. We'll dig a well!"</p> + +<p>"We'll dig a hole, anyhow," said Russ. "Maybe there won't any water come +in it and then it wouldn't be a well. But we'll dig a hole anyhow."</p> + +<p>So Russ got some shovels at the barn, and he and Laddie began to dig a +hole, starting it not far from the spring, though not close enough to +get any dirt in the clear water that was so cool and sweet to drink.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>AT THE BRIDGE</h3> + + +<p>"Are you going to make a big hole so we both can get in at the same +time?" asked Laddie of Russ, as the older boy began to shovel out the +dirt.</p> + +<p>"No, we'll take turns digging. If we made such a big hole it would take +too long. First I'll dig and throw out the dirt, and you can throw it +farther on, so it won't roll back in the hole. Then, when I get tired of +digging in the hole, you can get in and dig."</p> + +<p>"That'll be lots of fun!" exclaimed Laddie. "Won't Uncle Fred be +s'prised when he sees a well full of water?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe it won't be quite <i>full</i>," said Russ. "But we may get some."</p> + +<p>The boys, of course, could not dig very fast. The shovels they had were +rather small, and did not hold much dirt. But they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> fully large +enough for two such little boys.</p> + +<p>The earth was somewhat sandy, and there were not many large stones on +Uncle Fred's ranch. Of course, the digging was not as easy as it had +been at the beach where Cousin Tom lived, but Russ and Laddie did not +mind this. They were digging for fun, as much as for anything else, and +they really did not have to do it.</p> + +<p>So they dug away, first one and then the other getting down in the hole, +until they had made it so large that, even when Laddie stood up in it, +his head hardly came up to the top of the ground. Russ, being taller, +stuck a little more out of the hole than did his brother.</p> + +<p>"Do you see any water yet?" asked Laddie, when Russ had been digging, in +his turn, for some little time.</p> + +<p>"No, not yet," was the answer. "It's awful dry."</p> + +<p>"We could get some water from the spring and pour it in," said Laddie. +"Then it would look like a well."</p> + +<p>"But all the water would run out, if we just poured it in, same as it +ran out when we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> dug a hole at the beach and let the waves fill it," +objected Russ. "We'll dig down until we come to some regular water. Then +it will be a real well."</p> + +<p>But long before they reached water Laddie and Russ became tired of +digging. They got to a place where the earth was packed hard, and it was +not easy to shovel it out, and finally Russ said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not going to make a well!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not, either," declared Laddie. "What'll we do?"</p> + +<p>"Let's go for a ride on our ponies," suggested Russ.</p> + +<p>"All right!" agreed Laddie. "That'll be fun."</p> + +<p>So, dropping the shovels at the side of the hole they had dug, instead +of taking them back to the barn, as they should have done, Russ and +Laddie went to the house to ask their father or mother if they might go +for a ride on the little ponies.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bunker was out on the ranch with Uncle Fred, but Mother Bunker said +the two boys might ride over the plain if they did not go too far.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<p>Russ and Laddie went to the corral to get their ponies. The boys got one +of the cowboys, who was working around the barn, to put the saddles on +for them, as this they could not do for themselves, and then they set +off, Russ on "Star," as he called his pony, for it had a white star on +its forehead, while Laddie rode "Stocking." His pony had been named that +because one leg, about half-way up from the hoof, was white, just as if +the little horse had on one white stocking.</p> + +<p>"Gid-dap!" cried Russ to Star.</p> + +<p>"Gid-dap!" called Laddie to Stocking.</p> + +<p>And off and away, over the plain, the two ponies galloped.</p> + +<p>"They sure are two nice little boys," said Bill Johnson to Mrs. Bunker, +as they watched Laddie and Russ ride away.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they try to be good, though they do get into mischief now and +then," answered the little boys' mother.</p> + +<p>On and on rode Laddie and Russ, their ponies trotting over the grassy +plain. The day was warm and sunny, and the two boys were having a grand +time.</p> + +<p>"I wish I was an Indian," said Russ, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> a sigh, as he let his pony +walk a way, for it seemed tired.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather be a cowboy," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"But Indians can live in a tent," went on Russ. "And if they don't like +it in one place they can take their tent to another place. If you're a +cowboy and live in a house, like Uncle Fred's, you have to stay where +the house is."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Laddie, after thinking it over a bit. "You have to do that. +I guess maybe I'll be an Indian, too."</p> + +<p>"Let's both make believe we're Indians now," proposed Russ.</p> + +<p>"We'll pretend we're out hunting buffaloes," agreed Laddie.</p> + +<p>"And if we see any of Uncle Fred's cattle we'll make believe they are +buffaloes and we'll lasso them," went on Russ.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we'll shoot 'em, too," declared Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Only make believe, though!" exclaimed his brother. "I wouldn't want to +shoot a cow really."</p> + +<p>"No, I wouldn't either. But do Indians have guns, Russ?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Course they do. Didn't you hear Bill Johnson tell about how he saw a +whole lot of Indians with guns?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. Then we'll be gun-Indians, and not the bow-and-arrow kind."</p> + +<p>"Sure!" agreed Russ. "We'll get some sticks for guns."</p> + +<p>They stopped on the edge of the woods to get sticks that would answer +for guns. Then, after resting in the shade for a while, they rode on.</p> + +<p>"Woo! Wah! Hoo!" suddenly yelled Russ.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Laddie, looking around at his brother, who +was riding behind him. "What did you yell that way for?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause I'm an Indian!" answered Russ. "You have to yell that way, too. +Indians always yell."</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right. I'll yell," said Laddie. "I thought maybe you'd hurt +yourself. Oh, hoo! Doodle-doodle-oo!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"Hey, that's no way to yell like an Indian!" objected Russ.</p> + +<p>"Why isn't it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Cause it sounds more like a rooster crowing. Yell like this: 'Wah-hoo! +Zoo! Zoop! Wah! Wah!'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you want me to yell that way. Well, I will," said Laddie. And he +yelled as nearly as he could like his brother.</p> + +<p>So the two boys rode on and on, crossing the plain this way and that, so +as not to get too far from the house. They could see the ranch buildings +each time they got on top of the little knolls that were scattered here +and there over the plain.</p> + +<p>"Let's have a race!" suggested Laddie, after a bit. "I don't guess we +are going to see any of Uncle Fred's cattle over here to make believe +they're buffaloes. Let's have a race!"</p> + +<p>"All right!" agreed Russ. "And I don't have to give you any head start +this time, 'cause your pony's legs are going to run, and not your legs, +and your pony's legs are every bit as long as my pony's. So we can start +even."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Laddie, "we can start even."</p> + +<p>They rode their ponies up alongside of each other, and got them in line. +Then Russ said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll ride to the bridge. The first one there wins the race."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Laddie, "we'll race to the bridge."</p> + +<p>This bridge was one across the creek, at a place where the water was +deeper than anywhere else on Uncle Fred's ranch. The boys were told they +must not cross the bridge unless some older person was with them, and +they were not allowed to ride into the creek near the bridge because of +the deep water.</p> + +<p>"All ready?" asked Russ of his brother, as they sat on their ponies.</p> + +<p>"All ready, yes."</p> + +<p>"Then go!"</p> + +<p>"Gid-dap!" cried Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Gid-dap!" yelled Russ.</p> + +<p>The ponies began to trot. Russ and Laddie did not have whips, and they +would not have used them if they had had, for they loved their ponies +and were very kind to them. But they tapped the ponies with their hands +or their heels and shook the reins and called to them. This made the +ponies run almost as fast as if they had been whipped, and was a great +deal nicer. Besides, Russ and Lad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>die did not want to ride too fast, for +they might have fallen off.</p> + +<p>On and on they raced. Sometimes Russ was ahead, and again Laddie would +be. But, just as they came near the bridge, the pony Russ was on slowed +up a bit. Laddie's pony kept on, and so he won the race.</p> + +<p>"But I don't care," said Russ kindly. "After we rest a bit at the bridge +we'll have another race and I'll win that one."</p> + +<p>"I hope you do, then we'll be even," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>The little boys got off their ponies and looked about them. The ponies +began to eat the green grass, and Laddie and Russ were looking for a +shady place in which to cool off when they suddenly heard a groan. It +was quite loud, and seemed to come from near the bridge. Then a voice +called:</p> + +<p>"Water! Oh, some one get me a drink of water!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE BOYS' WELL</h3> + + +<p>"Did you hear that?" asked Russ of Laddie, as they stared about them.</p> + +<p>"Course I heard it."</p> + +<p>"What did it sound like?"</p> + +<p>"Like the ghost at Great Hedge," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Russ, "that's what it did sound like—a sort of groan. But +there can't be any ghost here."</p> + +<p>"Course not. But what was it?"</p> + +<p>Laddie and Russ looked across the bridge, but could see no one on the +other side.</p> + +<p>Then the groan sounded again, quite near them, and the voice again +called:</p> + +<p>"Water! Water!"</p> + +<p>"Somebody wants a drink," said Laddie.</p> + +<p>"But who is it?" asked Russ. "I don't see anybody."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It sounds like a man," replied Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's an Indian," said Russ. "But I don't guess Indians would talk +as plain as that. Maybe it's one of Uncle Fred's cowboys, and he fell +off his horse and is hurt."</p> + +<p>"Oh, maybe 'tis!" exclaimed Laddie. "But if it's a strange cowboy we +must ride right home. Mother said so."</p> + +<p>"We got to get him a drink first," decided Russ. "You always have to do +that. You have to do that even to an enemy, 'cause we learned that in +Sunday-school. Let's see if we can find who 'tis wants a drink."</p> + +<p>Suddenly the voice called again, so loudly and so close to them that +Russ and Laddie both jumped when they heard it.</p> + +<p>"Whoever you are, please get me some water!" said the voice. "I'm a +cowboy and I've fallen off my horse and broken my leg."</p> + +<p>"Where—where are you?" asked Russ, looking about.</p> + +<p>"In the tall grass, right at the end of the bridge. I can see you boys, +but you can't see me because I'm hidden in the grass. I was going to +ride over the bridge, but my pony slipped and threw me and I've been +here some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> time with a broken leg. Get me a drink if you can."</p> + +<p>Russ and Laddie looked at each other. Then they looked toward the end of +the bridge, where the voice sounded, and they saw the long grass moving.</p> + +<p>"He must be in there," said Laddie, pointing.</p> + +<p>"He is," answered Russ. "Here, you hold Star and I'll get him a drink," +and Russ slipped off his pony, taking off the cap he wore. Russ had an +idea he could carry some water to the cowboy in the cap, and in this he +was right.</p> + +<p>Going down to the edge of the creek, at one side of the bridge, Russ +dented in the outside top of his cap, and filled it with water.</p> + +<p>Then, carrying the cap as carefully as he could, Russ made his way to +where the cowboy had called from. The little boy found the injured man +lying in the tall grass.</p> + +<p>"Ah! That's good!" exclaimed the cowboy, as he drank the water. "Now if +you could catch my horse for me maybe I could get up on him, and ride +him to where I belong. Do you see my horse anywhere?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>Russ looked all about. At first he saw nothing, but, as he gazed across +the bridge he saw, on the other side of the creek, a big horse eating +grass.</p> + +<p>"I see him!" said Russ to the cowboy. "He's over the bridge."</p> + +<p>"Is he? That's good. Then he didn't go very far away, after all. Now, +look here, you seem to be a pretty smart boy," and the cowboy spoke in a +stronger voice, now that he had had a drink of water. "Do you want to +help me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Russ, "I'd like to help you. My mother says we must help +everybody, and give them a drink of cold water, even our enemies, and I +know you're not an enemy."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said the cowboy with a queer laugh, and he +turned his head away and seemed to be looking at his horse, which was on +the other side of the bridge, eating grass.</p> + +<p>"No, you're not an enemy," went on Russ. "An enemy is a bad man, and +you're not that."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be so sure on that point, either," returned the cowboy. "But +I won't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> hurt you, that's certain. Now look here, boy——"</p> + +<p>"My name is Russ Bunker," interrupted the lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, Russ, do you think you could go across the bridge and get my +horse for me? If I had him I could ride away, now that I feel better +after having had a drink. Will you cross the bridge and get my horse for +me?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Russ slowly, "I couldn't do that."</p> + +<p>"Why not? The horse won't hurt you. He's so tame you could walk right up +to him, and get hold of the reins. He won't run the way some horses do. +You know something about horses or you wouldn't be riding one. Why won't +you get mine?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause Mother said I wasn't to cross the bridge alone," answered Russ. +"Me or Laddie—we can't go across the bridge alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said the cowboy. "But then your mother didn't know you were going +to meet a sick man—one that couldn't walk. She'd let you cross the +bridge if she was here."</p> + +<p>"But she isn't here," said Russ. "I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> what I can do, though! I can +ride back and ask her if Laddie and I can go across the bridge for your +horse. I'll do it!"</p> + +<p>"No! Wait! Hold on a minute!" cried the cowboy. "I don't want you to do +that. I don't want you to ride and tell any one I'm here. I'd rather +you'd get my horse for me yourself. Just ride your horse across the +bridge and get mine."</p> + +<p>"I haven't a horse. I have one of Uncle Fred's ponies," said Russ. "And +my brother Laddie's got a pony, too. But I can't go across the bridge. +Mother said I wasn't to. But I'll ride to Three Star Ranch——"</p> + +<p>"Are you from Three Star Ranch?" asked the cowboy quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" and the cowboy seemed much surprised. "Well, I guess I'd better +get my own horse then," he said. "I guess no one from Three Star Ranch +would want to help me if they knew what I'd done. Ride along, boy—Russ +you said your name was, didn't you? Ride along, and I'll see if I can't +crawl over and get my own horse."</p> + +<p>Russ did not know what to do. He wanted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> to help the cowboy, who seemed +in much pain, but the little boy was not going to cross the bridge when +his mother had told him not to.</p> + +<p>"Hey!" called Laddie. "Come on, Russ. I'm tired of holding your pony."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Russ. "I'm coming. We have to ride back and ask Mother +if we can cross the bridge to catch that horse!" and he pointed to the +cowboy's animal, still cropping grass on the other side of the creek.</p> + +<p>"No, don't bother about me," said the man in the grass. "I'll get my own +horse. Always be a good boy and mind your mother. Then you won't get +into trouble. I wish I had minded mine. Maybe I wouldn't be here now. +Ride on home, but don't say anything about me."</p> + +<p>Russ turned back to join Laddie. As he did so he saw the cowboy try to +rise up and walk. But the man, as soon as he put one leg to the ground, +uttered a loud cry and fell back. Then he lay very still and quiet.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with him?" asked Laddie, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Russ. "But I guess we'd better ride back and +tell Daddy or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> Uncle Fred. They'll know what to do. We can't cross the +bridge, but we can go for help. Come on!"</p> + +<p>Russ got on his pony again, and he and Laddie rode away as fast as they +could, leaving the cowboy very still and quiet, lying in the long grass +at the end of the bridge.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile something was going on back at the Three Star Ranch house. +Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker, who had been out riding on the plains, came +galloping back.</p> + +<p>"Where are Russ and Laddie?" asked their father of his wife.</p> + +<p>"They went for a ride down by the creek," she answered. "They said +they'd go only as far as the bridge. But they've been gone a long while, +and I wish you'd ride after them and bring them back."</p> + +<p>"I will," said Mr. Bunker. "Want to come for a ride, Rose?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Daddy."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll get your pony out of the corral, and saddle him for you. +Then we'll ride and get Russ and Laddie."</p> + +<p>A little later Rose and her father started out on their ride. As they +passed near the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> queer spring, which, for the last day or so had not +emptied itself of water, Daddy Bunker saw quite a hole in the ground.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" he asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's where Russ and Laddie started to make a well," she answered. +"But I guess they didn't find any water."</p> + +<p>Daddy Bunker got off his horse to take a look. He bent over the well the +boys had dug, and stooped close down to it. As he did so a queer look +came over his face.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if this can be the place?" he said to himself.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," her father answered. "But it sounds to me like running +water down near where Russ and Laddie have been digging. If it is, it +may mean we can find out the secret of Uncle Fred's spring. I guess I'd +better go and tell him. It won't take long, and then we can all ride on +and get Russ and Laddie, if they aren't back by then.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shouldn't be surprised but what those two boys had started to +solve the riddle of the spring. I must tell Uncle Fred!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>MORE CATTLE GONE</h3> + + +<p>Uncle Fred was out in the barn, talking over some ranch matters with +Captain Roy, when Daddy Bunker and Rose came trotting back.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Uncle Fred. "Has Rose found some more Indian +papooses?" and he laughed.</p> + +<p>"Not this time," answered her father. "But those boys of mine, Fred, +have dug quite a hole near your spring. I went past it just now, on my +way to find Laddie and Russ. There is a queer sound of gurgling water +seeming to come from the bottom of their 'well,' as they called it. They +didn't strike water, but they came near to it. You'd better come and +have a look."</p> + +<p>"I will," said Uncle Fred. "Better come along, Captain Roy," he went on. +"We may<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> all get a good surprise. I'd be glad to have the secret of the +spring discovered."</p> + +<p>The three men and Rose rode back to the hole Laddie and Russ had dug. +Then Daddy Bunker, Uncle Fred and Captain Roy got off their horses to +listen more closely.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear it?" asked Daddy Bunker of the children's uncle.</p> + +<p>"I hear water running somewhere under ground," answered Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Captain Roy. "I shouldn't be surprised if this was where +the water either ran into or out of our spring."</p> + +<p>"We must get shovels and dig," said Uncle Fred. "When we dug back of the +rocks it wasn't in the right place, I guess. Laddie and Russ, by +accident, have found the very place we were looking for. I'm sure it's a +good thing I brought the six little Bunkers out to Three Star Ranch."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure yet," laughed Daddy Bunker. "We haven't found the +answer to the riddle, yet."</p> + +<p>They were going to ride back to the barn, to get picks and shovels, when +Mrs. Bunker came hurrying out to them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred!" she called to her brother. "Something has happened!"</p> + +<p>"What?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Russ and Laddie——" went on Mrs. Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Has anything happened to them?" cried Daddy Bunker quickly.</p> + +<p>"No, they're all right. But they just rode up to the house greatly +excited, and they tell a remarkable story about a cowboy with a broken +leg, and say that he's lying in the grass at the end of the bridge. +They're quite worked-up over it. Maybe you'd better go to see what it +is."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Daddy Bunker, "I presume I had better hurry on to see about +Russ and Laddie."</p> + +<p>"The spring and the well will keep until you come back," observed Uncle +Fred.</p> + +<p>"We'll wait for you," added Captain Roy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bunker hurried back with his wife to the ranch house.</p> + +<p>"Russ and Laddie are there," said Mother Bunker, and she told about the +little lads having seen the cowboy, just as Russ and Laddie had told +her. They had ridden home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> from the bridge, and reached the house just +after Daddy Bunker and Rose had gone away.</p> + +<p>"Well, boys, what's this I hear?" asked Daddy Bunker. "Did you really +find a cowboy? Or was it an Indian?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a cowboy all right, and I got him a drink of water in my cap," +replied Russ. "He wanted me to ride over the bridge to get his horse, +but Mother said I wasn't to, and I didn't."</p> + +<p>"That's a good boy," said his father.</p> + +<p>"And the cowboy, I guess, is hurt bad," said Laddie. "He couldn't walk +on one leg, and he shut his eyes and sounded like he was sick."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he is, poor fellow," said Mr. Bunker. "We must see about him at +once. I'll go for Uncle Fred," and he hurried back where he had left the +ranchman and Captain Roy.</p> + +<p>"A cowboy hurt!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Well, I don't believe it can be +any of mine, or I'd have heard about it. However, we'll ride over to the +bridge and see about it. We'll see later about the noise of running<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +water under the well that Laddie and Russ dug."</p> + +<p>Rose wanted to ride with her father to the bridge, but he said as they +might have to carry back the cowboy with his injured leg, she had better +go to the house with her mother and the boys. So Rose did.</p> + +<p>Together Uncle Fred, Daddy Bunker and Captain Roy rode to the bridge +where Russ and Laddie had ended their race. They easily found the +cowboy, who had fainted away when he tried to stand on his leg, which +was broken. His eyes were open when the three men rode up, and he +smiled, and seemed glad to see them.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'm going to be laid up for a while," he said. "My pony threw +me, and my leg doubled under me. I saw some boys, and tried to get them +to go across the bridge for my horse, but they wouldn't—said their +mother didn't allow them."</p> + +<p>"That's right—they were my boys," said Daddy Bunker. "But now we'll +take care of you."</p> + +<p>"Where are you from—what ranch?" asked Uncle Fred, looking closely at +the cow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>boy. "I never saw you around here before."</p> + +<p>"No, I'm a stranger. I'm looking for work. But I guess I'll have to stay +in bed a while now."</p> + +<p>"We'll take care of you at Three Star Ranch," said Uncle Fred kindly. +"We've got plenty of room."</p> + +<p>It was no easy work to move a man with a broken leg from the field near +the bridge to the bunk-house of Three Star Ranch, but at last it was +done, and then the doctor was sent for. He said the cowboy, who gave his +name as Sam Thurston, would have to stay in bed for a while, until his +leg got well.</p> + +<p>Getting the cowboy to the bunk-house, and going for the doctor, who +lived some miles away, took up so much time that it was dark before +Uncle Fred, Daddy Bunker and Captain Roy had time to think about looking +at the well Laddie and Russ had dug. And then it was too late.</p> + +<p>"We'll look at it the first thing in the morning," said the ranchman.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you want us to dig the well?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind," his uncle answered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> "And maybe, by means of that +well, we may find out the secret of the spring."</p> + +<p>The six little Bunkers sat in the living-room, listening to Uncle Fred +tell a story, just before they were sent to bed. This was one of their +delights since coming to Three Star Ranch. Uncle Fred knew a lot of +stories of the West—stories of Indians, cowboys, of wild animals, big +storms, of fires, and of cattle running in a stampede.</p> + +<p>Mun Bun and Margy fell asleep, one in their mother's lap and the other +in Daddy Bunker's; but Rose and Vi, and Laddie and Russ stayed awake, +listening to the stories told by Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"I know a riddle about a bear," said Laddie, when his uncle had finished +a story about one.</p> + +<p>"A riddle about a bear?" exclaimed Mr. Bell. "Well, let's hear it, +Laddie."</p> + +<p>"This is it. Why does a bear climb a tree? Why does he?"</p> + +<p>"Lots of reasons," answered Russ.</p> + +<p>"Well, you have to give one to answer my riddle," said Laddie. "Why does +a bear climb a tree?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To get the hunter that climbed the tree first," said Daddy Bunker.</p> + +<p>"Nope!" laughed Laddie.</p> + +<p>"To get out of the way of the hunter," said Russ.</p> + +<p>"Nope!" and Laddie laughed again.</p> + +<p>"Does he climb it to go to sleep?" asked Rose.</p> + +<p>"How could a bear go to sleep in a tree?" Laddie wanted to know. "I'll +tell you the answer, 'cause you can't guess. A bear climbs a tree when +the dogs bark at him, so he can throw bark at the dogs. Isn't that a +good riddle? You know trees have bark."</p> + +<p>"But you didn't say anything about dogs and bark at first!" objected Vi. +"If you had said about the dogs I could have guessed."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wanted to make it hard," said Laddie. "Maybe to-morrow I'll +think of another riddle without any dogs in it."</p> + +<p>"Well, you four little Bunkers that are still awake had better go to bed +so you'll be able to eat breakfast as well as guess riddles to-morrow," +laughed Mother Bunker. "Come on! To bed with you! Mun Bun and Margy fell +asleep long ago."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>So off to bed they went, not even dreaming about the strange things that +were to happen the next day.</p> + +<p>About an hour after the six little Bunkers were in Slumberland, Captain +Roy, who had been over to the bunk-house to talk with some of the +cowboys, came hurrying in where Uncle Fred was.</p> + +<p>"Anything the matter?" asked the ranchman.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the captain. "More of our cattle have been taken!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>THE SECRET OF THE SPRING</h3> + + +<p>"More cattle taken?" cried Uncle Fred. "When did that happen?"</p> + +<p>"Just a little while ago," answered Captain Roy. "One of the cowboys +just rode in with the news."</p> + +<p>"Well, this is too bad!" cried Uncle Fred.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what let's do," said Daddy Bunker. "It isn't very late +yet. Let's go out and look at the spring."</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked his wife.</p> + +<p>"Well," answered the father of the six little Bunkers, "I want to see if +the water has run out of it this time. Perhaps it hasn't, and, if so, it +would mean that the taking away of Uncle Fred's cattle didn't have +anything to do with the mysterious spring."</p> + +<p>"Well, it will do no harm to take a look,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> said the ranchman. "Come +along, Captain Roy. We'll see what it all means."</p> + +<p>Taking lanterns with them, they went out in the dark night to look at +the spring.</p> + +<p>"It's just the same," called Daddy Bunker, when he had taken a look. +"The water is almost out of it."</p> + +<p>"Then we must start, the first thing in the morning, digging at the +place where the boys made their well," declared Uncle Fred. "I must get +at the bottom of the secret of my spring."</p> + +<p>"And I'd like to find out who it is that's taking our cattle!" exclaimed +Captain Roy. "I think, in the morning, I'll take some of the cowboys and +have a big hunt. This business must stop. Pretty soon we won't have any +ranch left at Three Star. I'm going to find the men that are taking the +cattle!"</p> + +<p>When the six little Bunkers awoke the next morning, there was so much +going on at Three Star Ranch that they did not know what to make of it. +Cowboys were riding to and fro, Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker were dressed +in old clothes, Captain Roy had a gun slung over his shoulder, and many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +horses were standing outside the corral, saddled and bridled.</p> + +<p>"Are we going on a picnic?" asked Vi. "Is there going to be a parade? Is +the circus coming? What makes so many horses? Is there going to be a +prairie fire?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you've asked enough questions for a while, little girl!" +laughed her mother. "Come and get your breakfast now."</p> + +<p>"But what's going on?" insisted Violet.</p> + +<p>"Two things," her father told her. "Your uncle and I are going to dig +deeper in the well Russ and Laddie started, to see what makes the +gurgling sound of water under the earth at the bottom of it. And Captain +Roy is going to try to find the men who took Uncle Fred's cattle last +night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, can't we help?" asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"You may come and watch us dig your well deeper," his father told him. +"But it would not be safe for little boys to go hunting men who take +cattle."</p> + +<p>Just as Captain Roy and a lot of cowboys were about to ride off over the +plain and Daddy Bunker and Uncle Fred were going to dig at the boys' +well, Mrs. Bunker came out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> of the bunk-house. She had gone to see if +the man with the broken leg needed anything.</p> + +<p>"He wants to see you," she said to Uncle Fred. "He says he can tell you +a secret."</p> + +<p>"Tell me a secret!" exclaimed the ranchman. "Does he mean about the +mysterious spring, or the stolen cattle?"</p> + +<p>"He didn't say," answered Mrs. Bunker. "But he wants you to come to see +him."</p> + +<p>So Uncle Fred went. He stayed a long while in the room where Sam +Thurston, the strange cowboy, had been put to bed after his broken leg +was set, and when Uncle Fred came out he was much excited.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Captain Roy!" he called to his partner. "I can tell you +where to look for the cattle that were taken last night."</p> + +<p>"Where?" asked the former army man, pausing at the head of his band of +cowboys.</p> + +<p>"Over in the gully by the creek. They're hidden there."</p> + +<p>"Who told you so?"</p> + +<p>"Thurston, the strange cowboy. And he has also told me the secret of the +spring, so we won't have to do any digging, Daddy Bunker."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We won't? Why not?" asked the children's father in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Because the cowboy says the reason the water stops coming in at certain +times is because of something that happens back in the hills, where my +spring starts, in a brook that runs under ground after its first +beginning. Back in the hills the men, who have been taking the cattle, +turn the water into another stream. That's why it doesn't run into mine, +and that's why my spring dries up."</p> + +<p>"But why do the men shut off our spring water?" asked Captain Roy.</p> + +<p>"They do it to make a wet place so they can drive my cattle across it, +and no hoof marks are left to tell which way the animals have gone. +Then, when the cattle are safely away, the waters are let run down where +they always flow, and they come into my spring again. The taking of the +cattle and the drying up of my spring are all done by the same band of +men. That's why, whenever any cattle were taken, the spring dried up. +One went with the other."</p> + +<p>"How did Sam Thurston know all this?" asked Daddy Bunker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This cowboy with the broken leg used to be one of the band of men who +took my cattle," went on Uncle Fred. "He just told me. He was on his way +to see about taking more of my steers when his horse threw him at the +bridge. That's why he didn't want to come to Three Star Ranch—because +he had treated us so meanly.</p> + +<p>"But when he saw how good we were to him he made up his mind not to be +bad any more and to tell about the men. He knows where they hide the +cattle after they steal them, and he says if we go there now we can get +back the steers, and also catch the men who took them. And after this +the spring won't go dry any more."</p> + +<p>"Well, well!" exclaimed the children's father. "And to think that two of +the six little Bunkers, by finding the cowboy with the broken leg, +should help solve the spring mystery!"</p> + +<p>"It is extraordinary!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "But I knew as soon as I +saw the little Bunkers in the attic that day I walked into your house, +that they could do something. And they have. Now, Captain Roy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> you and +the cowboys ride on and see if you can get back our cattle."</p> + +<p>Away rode Captain Roy and the cowboys, and some hours later they came +back with the men, whom they had easily caught. They found the cattle +hidden in a gully, or deep valley, near the creek, and the steers were +driven back to their pasturage on Three Star Ranch.</p> + +<p>Then the whole story came out. Sam Thurston and the others of the band, +instead of raising cattle of their own, used to take those belonging to +other ranchmen. They found it easy to take Uncle Fred's, and, by making +a dam, or wall of earth, across the place where the stream started that +fed his spring, they could turn it in another direction, making it flow +over a path, or trail.</p> + +<p>Along this trail, when the water covered it, the men drove the cattle +they took from Uncle Fred's field, and the water covered, and washed +away, any marks the cattle's feet made. So no one could see which way +they had been driven.</p> + +<p>When the stream was thus dammed it did not flow into the spring, which +went dry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> After the dam was taken away the spring filled again.</p> + +<p>And so it went on. Each time cattle were taken the spring was made to go +dry, and the men thus fooled Uncle Fred and his cowboys. The bad men +would hide the cattle and sell them to other men who did not know they +were stolen.</p> + +<p>So the secret of the spring might never have been discovered except for +Laddie and Russ making that race to the bridge where they found the +cowboy with the broken leg.</p> + +<p>Sam Thurston became good after that, his leg healed, and he worked for +Uncle Fred for a number of years. The bad men were sent to prison for a +long time, and had no more chance to take cattle from any one.</p> + +<p>"But aren't you going to dig down in the well we made, and see what is +at the bottom of it?" asked Russ of his father, a day or so after the +cattle had been got back and the men sent away.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think we shall," said Uncle Fred. "I'd like to know what that +gurgle of water is."</p> + +<p>So they dug and found out. But it had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> nothing to do with the secret of +the spring, after all. It was only an old pipe, that had been laid some +years before by a man that had formerly owned the ranch, before Uncle +Fred bought it. The man laid a pipe from the overflow of the spring to a +chicken coop, so the hens could get a drink. Then the pipe became +covered over, and the man did not think to tell Uncle Fred about it when +the ranch was sold.</p> + +<p>But the secret of the spring was found out, and never after that did it +go dry, and no more of Uncle Fred's cattle were taken.</p> + +<p>"So it's a good thing we came out to see you, isn't it, Uncle Fred?" +asked Laddie.</p> + +<p>"I should say it was!" laughed his uncle.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make a riddle about it!" went on Laddie. "I don't just +know what it's going to be, or what the answer is. But it will be a +riddle."</p> + +<p>"All right," laughed Uncle Fred. "When you think of it tell me. And now +have all the fun you can on Three Star Ranch. There are no more secrets +to bother you."</p> + +<p>"What makes 'em call it a ranch?" asked Violet. "Is it 'cause it has a +branch of a tree<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> on it? Or is it an Indian name? And where are all the +Indians you said we'd see, Uncle Fred? And do the Indians and cowboys +ever fight? And do the Indians have bows and arrows, and could I have a +pony ride now?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll answer the last question by saying you may," said Uncle Fred +with a laugh. "As for the others, we'll see about them later."</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Russ. "We'll all have pony rides!"</p> + +<p>"And I'll get Bill Johnson to give us some cookies so we can play +picnic!" added Laddie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, wait for me," called Rose. "I must put my doll to bed before we +start."</p> + +<p>"I want to come!" shouted Mun Bun.</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" added Margy.</p> + +<p>"Bless their hearts! Let 'em have all the fun they can!" laughed Uncle +Fred.</p> + +<p>And that's just what we shall do with the six little Bunkers as we take +leave of them, perhaps some time to meet them again.</p> + + +<h2>THE END</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + + +<div class='center'>Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Books," "The Bunny Brown Series," "The +Make-Believe Series," Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate +popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to +your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute +sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own—one that can be easily +followed—and all are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining manner. +Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every +child in the land.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS</h2> + +<h3>For Little Men and Women</h3> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>12mo. DURABLY BOUND. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that +charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST</td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'> +Wrapper and text illustrations drawn by<br /> +FLORENCE ENGLAND NOSWORTHY<br /> +</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>12mo. DURABLY BOUND. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>These stories by the author of the "Bobbsey Twins" Books are eagerly +welcomed by the little folks from about five to ten years of age. Their +eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively doings of inquisitive +little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful sister Sue.</p> + +<p>Bunny was a lively little boy, very inquisitive. When he did anything, +Sue followed his leadership. They had many adventures, some comical in +the extreme.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By VICTOR APPLETON</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>These spirited tales, convey in a realistic way, the wonderful advances +in land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed upon the +memory and their reading is productive only of good.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE TOM SWIFT SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Series."</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, a widower, is an +actor who has taken up work for the "movies." Both girls wish to aid him +in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of +pictures.</p> + +<div class='blockquot2'> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS<br /> +Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas.<br /> + + +<p>Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies and +the girls follow. Tells how many "parlor dramas" are filmed.</p> + + +<br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM<br /> +Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays.<br /> + + +<p>Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film plays, +and giving an account of two unusual discoveries.</p> + + +<br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND<br /> +Or The Proof on the Film.<br /> + + +<p>A tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the +photo-play actors sometimes suffer.</p> + + +<br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS<br /> +Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida.<br /> + + +<p>How they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas before +the camera; were lost, and aided others who were also lost.</p> + + +<br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH<br /> +Or Great Days Among the Cowboys.<br /> + + +<p>All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great West will want to +know just how they are made. This volume gives every detail and is full +of clean fun and excitement.</p> + + +<br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA<br /> +Or a Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real.<br /> + + +<p>A thrilling account of the girls' experiences on the water.</p> + + +<br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS IN WAR PLAYS<br /> +Or The Sham Battles at Oak Farm.<br /> + + +<p>The girls play important parts in big battle scenes and have plenty of +hard work along with considerable fun.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of the popular "Bobbsey Twin Books" and "Bunny Brown" Series.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several +bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. They are clean and +wholesome, free from sensationalism, and absorbing from the first +chapter to the last.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Outdoor Girls"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Wintering in the Sunny South.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Box that Was Found in the Sand.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or A Cave and What it Contained.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Doing Their Best for the Soldiers.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or A Wreck and A Rescue.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Hermit of Moonlight Falls.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Girl Miner of Gold Run.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors corrected.</p> + +<p>On <a href='#Page_224'>page 224</a>, the final three lines were typeset out of order. +The orginal text read:</p> +<div class='blockquot'>Ride along, and I'll see if I can't crawl over<br /> + +<p>Russ did not know what to do. He wanted<br /> + and get my own horse."</p></div> + +<p>This was repaired.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 20326-h.txt or 20326-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/3/2/20326">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/3/2/20326</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's + + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + + + +Release Date: January 10, 2007 [eBook #20326] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE +FRED'S*** + + +E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J. P. W. Fraser, Emmy, and +the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team +(https://www.pgdp.net/c/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 20326-h.htm or 20326-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/3/2/20326/20326-h/20326-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/3/2/20326/20326-h.zip) + + + + + +SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S + +by + +LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of "Six Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's," "Six +Little Bunkers at Grandpa Ford's," "The Bobbsey +Twins Series," "The Bunny Brown Series," +"The Outdoor Girls Series," Etc. + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +New York +Grosset & Dunlap +Publishers +Made in the United States of America + + + * * * * * + + +BOOKS + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. 50 cents per volume._ + + +THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES + + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA + + +THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES + + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY + + +THE OUTDOOR GIRL SERIES + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + * * * * * + + +Copyright, 1918, by +Grosset & Dunlap + + + + +_Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's_ + + +[Illustration: "OH, HERE COME THE COWBOYS!" + +_Six Little Bunkers at Uncle Fred's._ _Frontispiece_--(_Page 64_)] + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. A STRANGE RESCUE 1 + II. UNCLE FRED 14 + III. A QUEER STORY 23 + IV. UNCLE FRED'S TALE 33 + V. PACKING UP 43 + VI. OFF FOR THE WEST 53 + VII. AT THREE STAR RANCH 61 + VIII. RUSS MAKES A LASSO 73 + IX. THE QUEER SPRING 84 + X. SOME BAD NEWS 94 + XI. VIOLET TAKES A WALK 104 + XII. LADDIE CATCHES A RIDDLE 113 + XIII. ON THE PONIES 125 + XIV. MUN BUN'S PIE 133 + XV. THE WIND WAGON 144 + XVI. "CAPTAIN RUSS" 152 + XVII. A CATTLE STAMPEDE 164 + XVIII. AN INDIAN 175 + XIX. WHAT ROSE FOUND 182 + XX. LADDIE IS MISSING 194 + XXI. RUSS DIGS A HOLE 203 + XXII. AT THE BRIDGE 211 + XXIII. THE BOYS' WELL 220 + XXIV. MORE CATTLE GONE 229 + XXV. THE SECRET OF THE SPRING 238 + + + + +SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A STRANGE RESCUE + + +"Can't I have a ride now, Russ? You said it would be my turn after Mun +Bun." + +"Yes, but, Margy, I haven't had enough ride yet!" declared Mun Bun. + +"But when can I get in and have my ride?" + +The three little children, two girls and a boy, stood in front of their +older brother, Russ, watching him tying an old roller skate on the end +of a board. + +"Can't I have any more rides?" asked the smallest boy. + +"In a minute, Mun Bun. As soon as I get this skate fastened on," +answered Russ. "You rode so hard last time that you busted the scooter, +and I've got to fix it. You broke the skate off!" + +"I didn't mean to," and Mun Bun, who was called that because no one ever +had the time to call him by his whole name, Munroe Ford Bunker--Mun Bun +looked sorry for what had happened. + +"I know you didn't," answered Russ. + +"I didn't break anything, did I, Russ?" asked a little girl, with dark, +curling hair and dark eyes, as she leaned over in front of her older +brother, the better to see what he was doing. "I rided nice, didn't I, +and I didn't break anything?" + +"No, Margy, you didn't break anything," answered Russ. "And I'll give +you a ride on the scooter pretty soon. Just wait till I get it fixed." + +"And I want a ride, too!" exclaimed another girl, with curly hair of +light color, and gray eyes that opened very wide. "Don't I get a ride, +Russ? And what makes the wheels make such a funny sound when they go +'round? And what makes you call it a scooter? And can you make it go +backwards? And----" + +"Oh, I can't answer all those questions, Vi!" exclaimed Russ. "You're +always asking questions, Daddy says. You wait and I'll give you a +ride." + +The four Bunker children--there were six of them, and you will meet the +other two soon. The four Bunker children were playing up in the attic of +their home. The attic was not as large as the attic of Grandpa Ford's +house on Great Hedge Estate nor were there so many nice things in it. +But still it did very well on a rainy afternoon, and Russ, Margy, Violet +and Mun Bun were having a good time on the "scooter" Russ had made. + +The way Russ made a "scooter" was this. He found a long board, one that +the carpenters had left after they had made a storeroom for Mrs. Bunker +in the attic, and to the board he fastened, on each end, part of an old +roller skate. This gave the scooter two wheels on either end. The wheels +were not very large, nor very wide, and unless you sat right in the +middle of the board of the scooter you might get tipped over. This had +happened several times, and when Mun Bun was on, having a ride, he not +only tipped over, but he ran into a trunk that stood in the attic, and +knocked off one of the skates. + +"Now I have to tie it on again!" Russ had exclaimed, and this had caused +a stop in the fun. + +"Can you fix it?" asked Margy, as she watched her brother. She wanted +another ride, for the one she had had was a short one. Mun Bun was the +youngest of the six little Bunkers, and they generally let him have more +turns than any one else. + +"Oh, yes, I can fix it," said Russ, who now began to whistle. And when +Russ whistled, when he was making anything, you could generally tell +that everything was coming out right. + +Russ very often made things, but he did not always whistle over them. +Often the things he made were such a puzzle that he could not think how +to make them come out right and also think of a whistle-tune at the same +time. But now he was all right, and so he whistled merrily as he put +more string on the roller skate that he was fastening to the board of +the scooter. + +"Is it almost done?" asked Mun Bun, leaning over eagerly. + +"Almost," answered Russ. "I want to look at the back wheels to see if +they're all right, and then you can have a ride." + +Russ gave the string a last turn, tied several knots in it, and then +turned the board around. As he did so Margy uttered a cry. + +"Ouch!" she exclaimed. + +"What's the matter?" asked Russ. + +"You banged me with the scooter," answered the little girl. + +"Oh, I didn't mean to," said Russ. "I'm sorry! You can have an extra +ride for that." Russ was very kind to his little brothers and sisters. + +"It doesn't hurt very much," said Margy, rubbing the elbow that had been +hit when Russ swung the board around. + +Russ now bent over the other wheels on the end of the scooter. He found +them a bit loose, as string will stretch and really isn't very good with +which to fasten wheels on. But it was the best Russ could do. + +Outside an early spring rain beat against the windows of the attic. It +was cold outside, too, for the last winter snow had, only a week before, +melted from the ground, which was still frozen in places. But it was +nice and warm up in the attic, and there the Bunker children were +having a fine time. The attic, as I have said, was not as big as Grandpa +Ford's, but the children were having a good time, and even a smaller +attic would have answered as well in the rain. + +"Now I guess it's all ready for more rides," said Russ, as he put the +scooter down on the floor. + +"I'm going to get on!" cried Mun Bun. + +"Wait until I put it straight," called Russ. "Then you can have a longer +ride." + +He took the board, with the roller skate wheels on either end, to a far +corner of the attic. From there it could be pushed all the way across to +the other wall. + +Just as Mun Bun was about to take his place, so that Russ could push him +across the attic floor, footsteps were heard coming up the stairs that +led to the third story of the Bunker house. + +Then a boy's voice called: + +"What are you doing?" + +"Riding on a scooter Russ made," answered Violet. "Oh, it's lots of fun! +Come on, Laddie!" + +Laddie was Violet's twin brother, and he had the same kind of curly hair +and gray eyes as had his sister. + +"Did you make that?" asked Laddie of Russ. + +"Sure." + +"Will it hold me?" + +"Sure. It'll hold me. I had a ride on it." + +"Say, that's great!" cried Laddie. "We can have lots of fun on that! I'm +glad I came up." + +"Well, come all the way up, and stand out of the way!" ordered Russ. +"The train's going to start. Toot! Toot! All aboard!" + +Laddie hurried up the last few steps and took his place in a corner, out +of the way of the scooter with Mun Bun on it. A girl with light, fluffy +hair, and bright, smiling eyes, followed him. She was a year younger +than Russ, who was eight years old. + +"Oh, Rose!" cried Violet, as she saw her older sister. "We're having +such fun!" + +"You can have a ride, too, Rose! Can't she?" asked Mun Bun of Russ. "Go +on, push me!" + +"Yes, we'll all take turns having rides," said Russ. "If I could find +another roller skate I'd make another scooter, and then we could have +races." + +"If we had two we could make believe they were two trains, and have 'em +bump into each other and have collisions and all that!" cried Laddie. +"That'll be fun! Come on, let's do it!" + +"We'll have to get another board and another skate," said Russ. "We'll +look after a while. Now I'm going to give Mun Bun a ride." + +He shoved the scooter across the floor of the attic. Mun Bun kept tight +hold with his chubby hands of the edges of the board, in the middle of +which he sat, between the two pieces of roller skate that made wheels +for the scooter. + +"Hi! Yi!" yelled Mun Bun. "This is fun!" + +"Now it's my turn!" exclaimed Margy. "Get off, Mun Bun." + +"I have to have a ride back! I've got to have a ride back!" he cried. +"Russ said he'd ride me across the attic and back again! Didn't you, +Russ?" + +"Yes, that's what I did. Well, here we go back." + +He had pushed Mun Bun to the far side of the attic, and was pushing the +little fellow back again, when Laddie cried: + +"Oh, I know a better way than that." + +"For what?" asked Russ. + +"For having rides," went on Laddie. "We can make a hill and let the +scooter slide downhill. Then you won't have to push anybody." + +"How can you make a hill?" asked Russ. + +"Out of mother's ironing-board," was the answer. "It's down in the +kitchen. I'll get it. Don't you know how we used to put it up on a chair +and then slide down on the ironing-board?" + +"Oh, I remember!" cried Rose. + +"Then we can do that," went on Laddie. "It'll be packs of fun!" + +"Well, you get the ironing-board," said Russ. + +"I'll help," offered Violet. "I'll help you get the board, Laddie." + +"All right, come on," he called, and the two children started down the +attic stairs. + +While he was waiting for them to come back Russ gave Margy and Rose each +a ride on the scooter. It really went very well over the smooth floor of +the attic, for the roller-skate wheels turned very easily, even if they +did get crooked now and then because the strings with which they were +tied on, slipped. + +Up the stairs, bumpity bump, came Laddie and Vi with the ironing-board. + +"Mother wasn't there, and I didn't see Norah, so I just took the board," +said Laddie. "Now we'll put one end on a box and the other end on the +floor, and we'll have a hill. Then we can ride the scooter downhill just +like we rode our sleds at Grandpa Ford's." + +"Yes, I guess we can," said Russ. + +There were several boxes in the attic, and some of these were dragged to +one end. On them one end of the ironing-board was raised, so that it +sloped down like a hill. Of course it was not a very big one, but then +the Bunkers were not very large children, nor was the scooter Russ had +made very long. By squeezing them on, it would hold two children. + +"Who's going down first?" asked Russ, as he and Laddie fixed the +ironing-board hill in place, and wheeled the scooter over to it. + +"I will!" exclaimed Mun Bun. "I like to ride." + +"You'd better let us try first," said Laddie. "It might go so fast it +would knock into something." + +"I'll go down!" decided Russ. "It's my scooter, because I made it; and +so I'll go down first." + +"But I made the hill!" objected Laddie. "It's my hill." + +"Then why don't both of you go down together?" asked Rose. "If it will +hold you two boys it will be all right for us girls. You go three times, +then Vi and I will take three turns." + +"All right--that's what we will," said Russ. "Come on, Laddie." + +Some boxes had been piled back of the one on which the ironing-board +rested in a slanting position, and these boxes made a level place on +which to get a start. Russ and Laddie lifted the scooter up there, and +got up themselves. Then they carefully sat down on the board to which +were fastened the roller-skate wheels. + +"All ready?" asked Russ, who was in front, holding to a rope, like a +sled rope, by which he hoped to guide the scooter. "All ready, Laddie?" + +"All ready," was the answer. + +"Here we go!" cried Russ. + +He gave a little shove with his feet, and down the ironing-board hill +ran the scooter, carrying Russ and Laddie with it. The first time it ran +beautifully. + +"This is great!" cried Laddie. + +"Fine!" exclaimed his brother. + +And then, all of a sudden, something happened. The scooter ran off the +hill sideways, and started over the attic floor toward Rose, Vi, Mun Bun +and Margy. They squealed and screamed and tried to get out of the way. +But Mun Bun fell down, and Margy fell over him, and Vi fell over Margy, +and Rose fell over Violet. So there the four little Bunkers were, all in +a heap, and the scooter, with Russ and Laddie on it, running toward the +brother and sisters. + +"Stop! Stop it!" cried Laddie. + +"I can't!" shouted Russ, pulling on the guide rope. But that did no +good. + +"Oh, we're going to knock into 'em!" yelled Laddie. + +And right into the other children ran the scooter. Russ and Laddie were +thrown off, and, for a moment, there was a bumping, thumping, yelling, +crying and screaming noise. + +Mun Bun, trying to roll out of the way, knocked a box down off a trunk, +and the box had some croquet balls in it, which rumbled over the attic +floor almost like thunder. + +In the midst of all this noise and confusion some one came running up +the stairs. A man entered the attic, and took one look at the mass of +struggling children on the floor. + +"My good land!" he cried. "I wonder if I can save any of 'em! Oh, what a +mix-up!" + +Then the stranger started in to rescue the six little Bunkers, for they +were all tangled up. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +UNCLE FRED + + +"Are you hurt? Are any of you hurt? What happened, anyhow? Did part of +the house fall on you?" + +The man who had run up the attic stairs went on picking up first one and +then another of the six little Bunkers. For a time they were so excited +over what had happened that they paid no attention to him. + +But when the stranger picked Rose up and set her on her feet, the little +girl took a good look at him, and, seeing a strange man in the attic, +she cried: + +"Oh, it's a burglar! It's a burglar! Oh, Mother! Norah! Jerry Simms! +It's a burglar!" + +"Hush, child! Don't shout like that or you'll have all the neighbors +in!" said the man. "Be quiet, and I'll tell you who I am! Don't yell any +more!" + +Rose stopped yelling, her mouth still wide open, ready for another +shout, and looked at the man. He smiled at her and picked up Mun Bun out +from under the box from which the croquet balls had fallen. + +"Who is you?" asked Mun Bun. + +"I'll tell you in just a moment, if you don't make such a racket," said +the stranger, smiling kindly. + +The six little Bunkers became quiet at once, but before I tell you who +the strange man is I want to say just a few words about the children in +this story, and relate to you something about the other books in this +series. + +To begin at the beginning, there were six little Bunkers, as I have told +you. There was Russ, aged eight, a great whistler and a boy very fond of +making toys, such as scooters and other things. + +Next to him was Rose, a year younger. + +Then came Violet and Laddie. They both had curly hair and gray eyes, and +were six years old each, which makes twelve in all, you see. They were +twins, and each one had a funny habit. Vi asked a great many questions, +some of which could be answered, some of which could not be answered, +and to some of which she didn't wait for an answer. + +Laddie was very fond of asking queer little riddles. Some were good, and +it took quite a while to think of the answer he wanted. Others didn't +seem to have any answer. And some were not really riddles at all. But he +had fun asking them. + +Next in order was Margy, whose real name was Margaret, just as Laddie's +real name was Fillmore Bunker. But he was seldom called that. Margy was +aged five. She had dark hair and eyes. + +Then there was Mun Bun, or Munroe Ford Bunker, her little brother, who +was four years old, and had blue eyes and golden hair. + +Now you have met the six little Bunkers. Of course there was Daddy +Bunker, whose name was Charles. He was in the real estate business in +Pineville, Pennsylvania, and his office was almost a mile from his home, +on the main street. Mother Bunker's name was Amy, and before her +marriage she had been Miss Amy Bell. + +Besides this there were in the Bunker family two others: Norah O'Grady, +the cook, and Jerry Simms, an old soldier, who could tell fine stories +of the time he was in the army. Now Jerry ran the Bunker automobile, cut +the grass, sprinkled the lawn and attended to the furnace in winter. + +But the Bunker family had relatives, and it was on visits to some of +these that the children had had many adventures. First you may read "Six +Little Bunkers at Grandma Bell's." This is the book that begins the +series, and tells of the visit the family made at Grandma Bell's at Lake +Sagatook in Maine. There they found an old lumberman and he had some +papers which Daddy Bunker wanted to get back. And, oh, yes! Grandma Bell +was Mrs. Bunker's mother. + +After that the children went to visit their father's sister in Boston, +and the book which tells all about that, and the strange pocketbook Rose +found, is called "Six Little Bunkers at Aunt Jo's." + +On leaving Aunt Jo's the family paid a visit to another relative. This +was Mr. Thomas Bunker, who was the son of Mr. Ralph Bunker, and Ralph +was Daddy Bunker's brother, who had died. + +In "Six Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's" I told you the story of the fun +the children had at the seashore, and how a gold locket was lost and +strangely found again. + +The book just before this one is called "Six Little Bunkers at Grandpa +Ford's," and there was quite a mystery about a ghost at Great Hedge +Estate, in New York State, where Mr. Ford lived. + +Grandpa Ford was Daddy Bunker's step-father, but no real father could +have been more kind, nor have loved the six little Bunkers any more than +he did. The children spent the winter at Great Hedge Estate, and helped +find out what made the queer noises. And if you want to find out I +suggest that you read the book. + +Christmas and New Year's had been celebrated at Grandpa Ford's, and when +winter was about to break up the Bunkers had come back home to +Pineville. Daddy Bunker said he needed to look after the spring real +estate business, for that was the best time of the year for selling and +buying houses and lots, and renting places. + +So they said good-bye to Grandpa Ford, and took the train back home. +The six little Bunkers had been in their own house about a month now, +and they were playing in the attic, as I have told you, with the scooter +Russ had made, when the accident happened. + +Then, as I have told you, up the attic stairs rushed a strange man, who +pulled Mun Bun out of the tangle of arms and legs. And Rose thought the +strange man was a burglar. + +"But I'm not," he said, smiling at the children. "Don't you know who I +am?" + +Russ shook his head. + +"How did you get in here?" asked Violet. As usual, she was first with a +question. + +"I just walked in," said the man in answer. "I was coming here anyhow, +and when I got here I saw the door wide open, so I just walked in." + +"Did you come to sell something?" asked Rose. "'Cause if you did I don't +believe my mother wants anything. She's got everything she wants." + +"Well, she's got a nice lot of children, anyhow," said the man, smiling +on each and ever one of the six little Bunkers in turn. "I'll say that. +She has a nice lot of children, and I'm very glad none of you is hurt. + +"As I said, I was coming here anyhow, and when I got on the porch and +saw the door open, I walked right in. Then I heard a terrible racket up +here in the attic, and up I rushed. I thought maybe the house was +falling down." + +"No," said Russ as he pulled his scooter out from between two trunks, +"it was this. We slid down the ironing-board hill, Laddie and I, and it +went off crooked--the scooter did." + +"And it knocked into us," said Violet. "But if you didn't come to sell +anything, what did you come for?" + +"Well," said the strange man, and he smiled again, "you might say I came +to get you children." + +"You--you came to get _us_?" gasped Rose. + +"Yes. I'm going to take you away with me." + +"Take--take us _away_ with you!" cried Russ. "We won't go! We want to +stay with our daddy and mother." + +"I'll take them, too," said the man. "I have room for all you six little +Bunkers and more too, out on my ranch. I've come to take you all away +with me." + +What could it mean? Russ and Rose, the oldest, could not understand it. +They looked at the man again. They were sure they had never seen him +before. + +"Yes," the stranger went on, "I saw the door open, so I walked in. I was +glad to get out of the rain. It's a cold storm. I hope summer will soon +come. And, as I say, I've come to take you away." + +If the man had not smiled so nicely the children might have been +frightened. But, as it was, they knew everything would be all right. + +"And now, as long as none of you is hurt, I think I'd better go +downstairs and tell your mother I have come to take you away," went on +the man. "I think I hear her coming up." + +And, just then, footsteps were heard on the stairs leading to the attic, +and Mrs. Bunker appeared. + +"Oh, Mother," gasped out Rose, "there's a man here and he says he's +going to take us away and----" + +Before she finished Mrs. Bunker had run up to the attic. She looked at +the strange man, who smiled at her. Then she hurried over to him and +kissed him and said: + +"Oh, Fred, I'm glad to see you! I didn't expect you until to-morrow, and +I was going to surprise the children with you. Oh, but I'm glad to see +you! Children," she said, laughing, "this is my brother, your Uncle +Fred." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A QUEER STORY + + +The six little Bunkers, who had been untangled from the mix-up caused +when the scooter ran sideways off the ironing-board hill, stood in a +half circle and looked at the strange man. He did not seem quite so +strange now, and he certainly smiled in a way the children liked. + +[Illustration: THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS STOOD IN A HALF CIRCLE AND LOOKED +UP AT THE STRANGE MAN.] + +"Is he our real uncle?" asked Violet. + +"Yes, he is your very own uncle. He is my brother. Frederic is his +name--Frederic Bell," went on Mother Bunker. "But you are to call him +Uncle Fred." + +"Then he _isn't_ a burglar!" stated Rose. + +"Of course not!" laughed her mother. + +"No, I'm not a burglar," said the visitor, laughing too. "Though I don't +blame you for feeling a bit alarmed when I rushed in. I thought some of +you might know me, though some of you I've never seen, and Russ and +Rose were smaller than they are now the last time I saw them." + +"I didn't tell them you were coming," said Mrs. Bunker. "I hardly +thought you would get here so soon, and I was planning a surprise, as I +say. But we're very glad to see you. How did you get into the house and +up here?" + +"I walked in. The front door was open and----" + +"I left it open to air the house." + +"And as soon as I got in I heard a great racket up where I knew the +attic must be, so up I rushed. I found the children all in a heap, and I +pulled them apart as best I could." + +"We were riding on a scooter I made from an older roller skate," +explained Russ, "and it went off the ironing-board sideways and it +bumped into everybody." + +"I should say it did bump!" laughed Uncle Fred. + +"But we're not hurt," added Laddie. "We're all right now. Can you answer +riddles, Uncle Fred?" + +"Well, yes, I think so, if they're not too hard." + +"I know lots of riddles," said Laddie. "I have a good one about what +goes through----" + +"Wait a minute!" cried Vi, elbowing her way to a place in the front +ranks of the six little Bunkers. "I want to ask Uncle Fred a question." + +"You did ask him one," suggested Rose. + +"Well, I want to ask him another," went on Vi. "You said you were going +to take us away," she told the visitor. "Are you? And where and when are +we all going? And can we have some fun?" + +"Oh, hold on! Stop! Whoa! Back up!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "I thought you +said you wanted to ask _one_ question, not half a dozen." + +"But you said you were going to take us away. Are you?" + +"I am if your mother and father will let me," replied Uncle Fred. "You +know I wrote you," he went on to Mother Bunker, "that I'd like to have +you all come out to my ranch to stay all summer." + +"What's a ranch?" asked Vi. + +"I know," interrupted Russ. "It's a place where they have horses and +cows and----" + +"Indians!" cried Laddie. + +"And cowboys!" went on Russ. "That'll be great! We can have a Wild West +show!" + +"Oh, let's go!" shouted Laddie. + +"Children! Children!" murmured Mother Bunker. "Less noise, please! What +will Uncle Fred think of you?" + +"Oh, I don't mind the noise," replied the Westerner. "I'm used to that. +Sometimes, when the cowboys are feeling pretty good, they whoop and yell +like Indians." + +"Are there any Indians out there?" asked Russ eagerly. "I mean out at +your ranch?" + +"Yes, a few," answered Uncle Fred. + +"And where is your ranch?" Laddie inquired. + +All interest in the scooter was lost in Uncle Fred's arrival. And if he +planned to take the six little Bunkers somewhere they wanted to hear all +about that. So they crowded close around him. + +"My ranch," said Uncle Fred, "is out in Montana, near a place called +Moon City. The name of my place is Three Star, and----" + +"Is there a moon, too?" asked Violet. + +"Well, the name of the town, as I said, is Moon City, and I suppose it +was named that because the moon looks so beautiful over the mountains. +But I am down on the plains, and the reason I call my ranch Three Star +is because my cattle are marked with three stars, so I will know them if +they should happen to get mixed up with the cattle of another ranch." + +"When are we going?" asked Russ. "I have to make a lasso if we go out on +a ranch. Maybe I'll lasso an Indian." + +"So'll I," put in Laddie. "When can we go, Mother?" + +"Oh, not for some little time. Uncle Fred has come to pay us a visit. +Haven't you?" she went on to her brother. + +"Oh, yes, I'm going to stay East a while," he said. "But I'm desirous of +getting back to Three Star," he added. "There's something queer been +going on there, and I want to find out what it is. That's one reason I +came on East--to try to find out what's wrong at my place. There +certainly is something queer there!" + +"Is it a ghost?" asked Violet. + +"No, hardly a ghost," answered Uncle Fred with a laugh. "What do you +know about ghosts, anyhow?" + +"There was one at Grandpa Ford's," explained Rose. + +"But we found out what it was," added Russ. + +"But first it made terribly queer noises," said Laddie. + +"Well, the only queer noises out at Three Star Ranch are made by the +cowboys, and sometimes by the Indians," said Uncle Fred. "No, this is +something different. But it might almost as well be a ghost for all I +can find out about it. It certainly is very queer," he went on to his +sister. "I have lost a great many cattle lately, and that and something +strange about a spring of water on my place, are two of the reasons why +I came on here. I want to talk with some men who know about springs and +streams of water, and get some books about it so I can solve this +puzzle, if it's possible. + +"Another reason I came on," he added, "is to take you all back with me +to Moon City, and let the children have fun out on my ranch." + + +"Do you mean to take us all out West?" asked Rose. + +"Yes, every one of you six little Bunkers, and your father and mother, +too," returned Uncle Fred. + +"Can we go, Mother?" begged Russ. + +"I'll see about it," was the answer. "But we'd all better go downstairs +now. Uncle Fred must be tired from his long trip, and I want to get him +a cup of tea. It is raining hard still, so you children can't go out and +play." + +"We don't want to," said Vi. "We want to see Uncle Fred." + +"I like Uncle Fred!" exclaimed Mun Bun, going up to his mother's brother +and clasping his hand. "I like him awful much!" + +"And I like you, too," replied Uncle Fred, catching the little fellow up +in his arms. + +"I like him, too!" exclaimed Margy, who was not going to be left out. + +"That's the girl! I knew you wouldn't forget me!" and with a laugh +Uncle Fred caught her up also, and danced about the attic, with a child +in each arm. + +"Is it far out to your ranch?" asked Russ. + +"Quite a way, little man," answered Uncle Fred. "It will take us about +four days to get there, riding steadily on the train. But we won't start +right away. I have some business to do here. But when that is over I +hope the weather will be better, and then we can start." + +"And stay out there all summer?" asked Laddie. + +"Yes, and all winter, too, if you like. We'll be glad to have you." + +"We seem to do nothing but visit around of late!" exclaimed Mother +Bunker. "We have been to Grandma Bell's, to Aunt Jo's, to Cousin Tom's, +to Grandpa Ford's and now maybe we're going to Uncle Fred's." + +"I think it's nice," remarked Rose. + +"So do I!" added Vi. "I love to go visiting!" + +"Could I ask you that riddle now?" inquired Laddie, as Uncle Fred +started downstairs, carrying Margy and Mun Bun. + +"Yes," was the answer of the children's uncle. "Go ahead." + +"What is it that goes through----" + +"Oh, don't ask him that one about what goes through a door but doesn't +come into the room!" exclaimed Russ. + +"I wasn't!" asserted Laddie. "That's an old one, and the answer is a +keyhole. I was going to ask him a new one." + +"Well, go ahead," said Uncle Fred. + +"What is it goes through---- No, that isn't it. Let me see. I almost +forgot. Oh, I know! What can you drive without a whip or reins? That's +it. What can you drive without a whip or reins?" + +"Do you mean an ox?" asked Uncle Fred. "I've seen oxen driven, and the +man who drove them didn't use reins as they do on horses, though he did +have a goad, which is like a whip." + +"No, oxen isn't the answer," said Laddie. "Do you give up?" + +"Well, I will, just to see what the answer is," replied Uncle Fred. + +"What is it you can drive without a whip or reins?" asked Laddie again. +"The answer is a nail. You can drive that with a hammer." + +"Ha! Ha! That's a pretty good riddle!" laughed Uncle Fred. "I must try +that on some of the cowboys when I get back to Three Star Ranch." + +"And now don't you children bother Uncle Fred too much while I'm making +him a cup of tea," said Mrs. Bunker, as they reached the first floor. + +"Oh, they don't bother me," declared Uncle Fred. + +"Tell us about the something queer on your ranch," begged Russ, as his +uncle sat down, holding Margy and Mun Bun in his lap. + +"All right, I will," promised Mr. Bell. "First I'll tell you about the +ranch, and then about the queer things that happened. Now Three Star +Ranch is----" + +Just then the doorbell rang loudly, and Uncle Fred stopped speaking. + +"I wonder who it is," said Rose. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +UNCLE FRED'S TALE + + +The ringing of the Bunker doorbell was not unusual. It often rang during +the day, but just now, when Uncle Fred was about to tell his story, it +rather surprised the children to hear the tinkle. + +"I'll go and see who it is," offered Russ. "And please don't tell any of +the story until I come back," he begged. + +"I won't," promised Uncle Fred. + +Russ hurried to the door, and, as he opened it, the other children heard +him cry: + +"Oh, Daddy! What made you ring?" + +"I forgot my key," answered Mr. Bunker. "I couldn't open the door." + +"Oh, it's Daddy!" cried Mun Bun and Margy, and, slipping down from Uncle +Fred's knee, they raced to the hall to get their usual kisses. + +"Guess who's here!" cried Russ, for his father could not see into the +room where his wife's brother sat. "Guess!" + +"Grandma Bell?" + +"Nope!" + +"Aunt Jo?" + +"Nope!" + +"It's Uncle Fred!" cried Rose, hurrying out into the hall. "And he's got +a secret out at his ranch like Grandpa Ford had at Great Hedge, and he's +going to take us all out there and--and----" + +"My! better stop and catch your breath before it runs away from you," +laughed Daddy Bunker, as he lifted Rose in his arms and kissed her. "So +Uncle Fred is here, is he? He came a little ahead of time." + +"And he s'prised us all up in the attic," added Laddie, who had also +come into the hall. "Russ and I rode down on the scooter, and we bumped, +and had a mix-up, and Uncle Fred came up, and----" + +"And we thought he was a burglar!" finished Violet. + +"You must have had quite a time," laughed Daddy Bunker. "Well, now, +after I get my wet things off, I'll go in and see Uncle Fred and hear +all about it," and soon Daddy Bunker and his wife's brother were shaking +hands and talking, while the children sat about them, eager and +listening. + +"We'll have an early supper," said Mother Bunker, when she had given +Uncle Fred a cup of tea, "and then we can hear all about Three Star +Ranch." + +Norah O'Grady soon had a nice supper on the table, and after Rose had +helped with it, as she often did, for her mother was teaching her little +daughter to be a housekeeper, the children took their places and began +to eat. And, at the same time, they listened to the talk that went on +among the grown folk. Mother and Father Bunker had many questions to ask +Uncle Fred, and he also asked them a great many, for he wanted to know +all about Grandma Bell, and Aunt Jo and Grandpa Ford and all the rest of +the Bunkers' relatives. + +"And now will you tell us about Three Star Ranch?" asked Russ eagerly, +as the chairs were pushed back. + +"Yes, I will," promised Uncle Fred. + +"And don't leave out the Indians," begged Laddie. + +"Nor the cowboys," added Russ. + +"Can you tell about some ponies?" asked Rose. "I love ponies!" + +"Yes, I'll tell about them, too," said her uncle. "And if you come out +West with me you shall have some rides on ponies." + +"Really, truly?" gasped Rose. + +"Oh, won't that be fun!" cried Vi. "What color are ponies? And what +makes them be called ponies? I should think they would be called +pawnies, 'cause they paw the ground. And how many have you, Uncle Fred?" + +"Oh, Vi! Not so many questions, my dear! Please!" exclaimed her mother, +laughing. "Uncle Fred won't get a chance to tell any story if you talk +so much. You are a regular chatterbox to-night." + +"Wait until you get out West. It's so big there you can talk all day and +night and bother no one," said Uncle Fred. "But now I'll tell you about +my ranch. + +"As I mentioned, it is near Moon City, in Montana. That is a good many +miles from here, and around my house are big fields, where the cattle +roam about and eat the grass. + +"A ranch, you must know, little Bunkers, is just a big farm. But instead +of raising apples and peaches and pears, hay, grain or chickens on my +ranch, I raise cattle. Cows you might call them, though we speak of them +as cattle. Some men raise horses on their ranches, but though I have +some horses and ponies, I have more cattle than anything else. + +"I have to keep a number of men to look after the cattle. These men are +called cowboys, and they ride about the ranch on horses, or cow ponies, +and see that the cattle are all right, that they get enough to eat and +drink, and that no one takes them away." + +"What do the Indians do?" asked Russ. "Tell us about them." + +"Well, some of the Indians farm," said Uncle Fred. "Some of them make +baskets and other things to sell to travelers who come through on the +trains, but many of them just live a lazy life. They are on what is +called a Reservation--that is land which the government has set aside +for them." + +"Do Indians come to your ranch?" asked Laddie. "And could I lasso any of +'em with a rope lasso like I saw in some pictures?" + +"Well, sometimes Indians do come to Three Star," answered Uncle Fred. +"But I don't believe any of them would like to be lassoed." + +"What's this I hear about your having trouble?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"Well, yes, I have been having trouble," answered Uncle Fred. "And, as +usual, my trouble is like that a lot of ranchers have. Some one has been +taking my cattle." + +"Didn't you want them to?" asked Russ. + +"No, indeed," answered his uncle. "I raise my cattle to sell, so I can +make money to pay my cowboys and live on some of it myself. If bad men +take my cattle away in the night, as they do, without paying me, I lose +money. And that's why I came on East here." + +"Surely you didn't come all the way from Moon City to find out who was +taking your cattle at Three Star Ranch!" exclaimed Mother Bunker. + +"Oh, no. The men who are doing that are right out there. I've left some +of my cowboys to attend to them," answered Uncle Fred. "What I came on +for, besides getting you to go back with me, is to get some books about +springs and streams of water, and also to talk with some engineers about +a queer spring on my ranch." + +"What sort of queer spring?" asked Daddy Bunker. "I thought all springs +were alike." + +"Well, I s'pose they are, in that they have water in 'em," said Uncle +Fred. "But mine isn't that kind. Sometimes it has water in it, and again +it hasn't." + +"What do you mean?" asked his sister. "Does the spring go dry? That used +to happen to the spring where we lived when we were children. Don't you +remember, Fred?" + +"Yes, but that spring only went dry when there was no rain--say in a +dry, hot summer. The spring on Three Star Ranch goes dry sometimes in +the middle of a rainy season." + +"What makes it?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"That's what I came on to find out about," replied Uncle Fred. "None of +my cowboys can tell what makes it, and the Indians are puzzled, too. +It's like one of Laddie's riddles, I guess." + +"That's what we thought about the ghost at Great Hedge," said Mrs. +Bunker. "But we finally found out what it was, and very simple it was, +too. Perhaps this spring of yours will turn out the same way." + +"Well, I hope it does," said her brother. "All I know is that sometimes +the spring will be full of fine water. We use it for drinking at the +ranch house and for watering some of the horses. The cattle drink at a +creek that runs through my place. That never goes dry. + +"But sometimes there will be hardly a drop of water in the spring, and +then there is trouble. Everybody is sorry then, for we have to haul +water from the creek in barrels, and it isn't as good to drink as the +spring water." + +"Is that the only queer thing?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"No. The most remarkable thing about it," went on Uncle Fred, "is that +every time the spring goes dry some of my cattle are taken away. I +suppose you could call it stolen, though I don't like to think that any +of my neighbors would steal. I used to think the cattle wandered away, +but since none of them wander back again I feel pretty sure they must be +taken on purpose." + +"And every time the spring dries up the cattle are taken?" asked Mrs. +Bunker, while the six little Bunkers listened eagerly to Uncle Fred's +story. + +"Almost every time. I don't know what causes it." + +"Maybe the cows drink up all the water," said Russ. + +"No, cattle don't come near the spring," said Mr. Bell. "They are on the +far end of the ranch. It is a puzzle to me; about as much of a puzzle as +the ghost must have been at Great Hedge, before you found out about it." + +"So you came East to consult some engineers about the spring," remarked +Daddy Bunker. "Do you think they can help you?" + +"Well, you know there are engineers who make a study of all kinds of +water; of springs, lakes, rivers, and so on," explained Uncle Fred. +"They are water-engineers just as others are steam or electrical +engineers. I thought I'd ask them the reasons for springs going dry. +Some of them may know something about the water in Montana, and they can +tell me if there are underground rivers or lakes that might do something +to my spring. + +"Anyhow I had some other business in New York, so while I was attending +to that, and coming on here to get you folks, I thought I'd see the +engineers." + +"And have you seen any yet?" asked his sister. + +"Not yet. I'm going to in a day or so. But I stopped at a store and +ordered----" + +Before Uncle Fred could say what it was he had ordered the doorbell rang +again. This time it could not be Daddy Bunker coming in, as he was +already at home. + +Norah, who went to open the door, could be heard speaking to some one. + +"Oh, and it's a message you have for Mr. Bell, is it?" she said. "Well, +come in and don't be standin' there in the wet rain." + +"A message for me!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "I hope it isn't any bad news +from my ranch--about more cattle being taken." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PACKING UP + + +"Somebody for you, Mr. Bell," announced Norah, as she opened wider the +door of the sitting room where the six little Bunkers, Uncle Fred and +the others were gathered. "It's a boy, and he has a package." + +"Then it can't be a telegram containing bad news," said Uncle Fred. +"They don't come in packages, unless there's a lot of 'em, and I hardly +would get that many. I'll see what it is." + +The boy was not a telegraph messenger after all, but a special delivery +lad from the post-office, and the package he had for Uncle Fred was a +book. + +"Oh, it's a book I sent for to New York," said the ranchman after he had +given the boy ten cents, and had opened the package. + +"It's a book that tells about springs, and the rocks underneath the +earth where the water comes from. I thought I'd read about springs so +I'd learn something about the queer one on my ranch," Uncle Fred said to +Daddy Bunker. "I heard about this book, sent to New York for it, and +asked them to send it to me here by special delivery. Now I can read +what I want to know about water." + +"Will you read us a story out of the book?" asked Margy. "I like +stories." + +"I don't believe there are any stories in this book," said Uncle Fred +with a laugh. + +"Could you tell us one?" asked Mun Bun. + +"About cowboys!" exclaimed Russ. + +"And Indians!" added Laddie. + +"Well, I guess I could think of a story, if I tried real hard," answered +Uncle Fred, laughing. + +The six little Bunkers gathered about his chair, and, laying aside the +book that the special delivery messenger had brought, the ranchman told +the children some wonderful stories. + +He told them how, once, his cattle all ran away in a mad rush called a +"stampede," and how he and his cowboys had to ride after them on +ponies, firing their big revolvers, to turn the steers back from a deep +gully. + +"And did you stop 'em?" asked Russ, his eyes wide open in wonder and +excitement. + +"Oh, yes. But it was hard work," answered his uncle. + +Then Mr. Bell told about a big prairie fire. On the flat, level fields, +where he pastured his cattle, grew long grass. When this gets dry it +burns very easily, and, once started, it is hard to stop. + +"And how did you stop it?" asked Rose, when her uncle had told about the +blazing miles of grass. + +"We got a lot of men and horses and plows," he answered, "and plowed a +wide strip of land in front of the fire. When the flames got to the bare +ground there was nothing for them to burn, and the wind was not strong +enough to carry them over to where there was more grass. So we saved our +ranch houses." + +"Do you live in a house on your ranch?" asked Laddie. + +"Why, of course we do!" laughed Uncle Fred. "What did you think we +lived in?" + +"Tents, like the Indians." + +"Oh, no, we have houses. But they aren't as nice as yours here in +Pineville," said the ranchman. "I have a house to myself where I live +with Captain Roy, and there is another house where the cowboys live. +Then there is still another house where they eat their meals. This has a +lot of big windows in it that can be opened wide on a hot day." + +"Who is Captain Roy?" asked Russ. "Is he an old soldier, like Jerry +Simms?" + +"Yes, Captain Robert Roy used to be in the United States army," answered +Uncle Fred. "He is retired now, and he helps me at the ranch. He is a +partner of mine, and he looks after things while I am away. You six +little Bunkers will like him, for he loves children." + +"I wish we could hurry up and get out there!" sighed Russ. + +"Well, I think the best place for my little chickens to hurry to +is--_bed_!" laughed Mother Bunker. "Go to bed now, and morning will soon +come, so we can talk about going to Uncle Fred's." + +The children did not want to go to bed, but they always minded their +mother, unless they forgot and did something she had told them not to. +But this time there was no chance to forget. + +"Good night, Uncle Fred!" they called, one after another, as they +trooped upstairs. + +Norah went with Mun Bun and Margy to see that they were properly +undressed and covered up. Uncle Fred stayed downstairs to talk with +Daddy and Mother Bunker. + +He was telling them about the strange spring on his ranch, in which the +water sometimes ran out in the night, no one knew where, and he was +speaking about his cattle having been taken away, when suddenly Laddie +called from upstairs: + +"Mother, make Russ stop!" + +"I'm not doing anything, Mother!" answered the voice of Russ, quickly +enough. + +"He is so!" went on Laddie. "He's playing he's a cowboy, and he says +I've got to be an Indian, and he's going to lasso me with the sheet off +the bed." + +"Well, I didn't do it--not yet--did I?" asked Russ. + +"No, but you're going to!" + +"I am not!" + +"You are so! You said you were." + +"Well, I said I would if you'd let me." + +"And I won't let you! I want to go to sleep so morning will come quick, +and we can go to Uncle Fred's," went on Laddie. "I can think of some new +riddles there." + +"Boys! Boys! Be quiet and go to sleep!" called Mr. Bunker. + +And, after a little more talk, Laddie and Russ settled down in bed and +nothing more was heard of them until morning. + +"Is Uncle Fred here?" eagerly asked Rose, when she came downstairs to +breakfast. + +"Of course he is," answered her mother. "What made you think he wasn't?" + +"Oh, I--I dreamed in the night he went back home, and I couldn't see him +any more," answered the little girl. "Did he go?" + +"Indeed I didn't, Rose!" answered Uncle Fred himself, as he came softly +up behind her and caught her up in his arms. "I'm going to stay here +until you all get ready to go back to Three Star Ranch with me." + +Then the rest of the little Bunkers came down, each one eager to see +Uncle Fred and hear more of his wonderful stories of the West. And he +was glad to tell them, for he liked the children, and, knowing they had +never been out on a ranch, he realized how strange it all was to them. + +"If we are really going West," said Mother Bunker to Daddy Bunker, after +breakfast, "I must begin to think of packing up again. It seems we do +nothing but travel!" + +"The children like it," said her husband. + +"Yes, and they'll like it out at my place," added Uncle Fred. + +"Yes, I suppose so," said Mrs. Bunker. "But now to think of packing. +It's such a long journey we can't take much." + +"You won't need it," her brother said. "Though we live out West among +the Indians and the cowboys, there are some stores there, and you can +buy what you can't take with you. Besides, you won't need much for the +children. Let them rough it. Put old clothes on them and let them roll +around on the grass. That's the best thing in the world for them. + +"Well, I'm going now to have a talk with some water engineers about my +spring, and attend to some other business. Do you think you can be ready +to go back with me in about a week?" + +"Oh, never so soon as that!" cried Mrs. Bunker. "I'll need at least two +weeks to pack up." + +"All right, then we'll call it two weeks. So, two weeks from to-day, at +ten o'clock in the morning," said Uncle Fred, "we start for the West." + +"Hurray!" cried Russ, who came in just in time to hear what his uncle +said. + +The next two weeks were busy ones. The six little Bunkers could not do +much toward packing, though Rose, who went about the house singing, as +she almost always did, helped her mother as much as she could. Russ went +about whistling, but he did not help much. Instead he and Laddie made +lassos out of clotheslines, and once Mrs. Bunker heard Norah, out in the +kitchen, saying: + +"Now you mustn't do that, Russ! I told you that you must not!" + +"What's he doing, Norah?" asked Mrs. Bunker. + +"He's taking forks from the table and tying them on his shoes," answered +the cook. + +"You mustn't do that, Russ!" exclaimed his mother. "Why are you doing +such a thing? Forks on your shoes--the idea!" + +"I'm playing they're spurs, Mother, like those the cowboys at Uncle +Fred's ranch wear on their boots," said Russ. "Spurs are sharp and so +are forks, so I thought if I tied some forks on my shoes I'd have spurs +like the cowboys." + +His mother laughed, but told him that forks did not look much like spurs +and, moreover, that she did not want to have her forks used for that +purpose. + +So Russ had to take off his fork-spurs, much to his sorrow. But he soon +found something else to play with, and went about whistling merrily. + +Two days before the two weeks were up Mrs. Bunker said that all the +packing was done, and that she was ready to start for the West with the +six little Bunkers. Meanwhile Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker had been kept +busy; the ranchman attending to his business matters, and talking with +engineers about his mysterious spring, and Mr. Bunker working at his +real estate affairs. + +"They tell me to take some photographs of the spring and send them to +them," said Uncle Fred. "So I'll do that. I've bought a camera, and +we'll take pictures for the engineers." + +"I can do that for you," remarked Daddy Bunker. "I often take pictures +of the houses I buy and sell." + +The last valise and trunk had been packed. Once more the Bunker house +was closed for a long vacation and the family was on the porch, waiting +for the big automobile that was to take them and Uncle Fred to the +station. + +"Are we all here?" asked Mother Bunker, "counting noses," as she did +before the start of every trip. "Oh, where's Margy?" she suddenly cried, +as she did not see her little girl. "Margy isn't here! Where can she +be?" + +For Margy, who had been there a little while before, was missing. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +OFF FOR THE WEST + + +"Come on! Everybody hunt for Margy!" called Mr. Bunker. "She can't be +very far away, as I saw her on the porch a little while ago." + +"We haven't much time if we are to catch the train," said Mother Bunker. +"Oh, dear! I wish she wouldn't run off that way. Did you see her go, +Rose?" + +"No, Mother, I didn't. But I'll go and look, and----" + +"No, you stay here," said Daddy Bunker. "First we know you'll be getting +lost, Rose. Uncle Fred and I will look for Margy. The rest of you stay +here." + +"I know where Margy goed!" suddenly exclaimed Mun Bun. + +"Where?" asked Daddy and Mother Bunker and Uncle Fred. "Where did Margy +go?" + +"She goed to say good-bye to Carlo!" + +"What! Carlo, the dog next door?" asked Mother Bunker. + +"Yep!" and Mun Bun nodded his head. + +"I wonder if she has," murmured Daddy Bunker. "And yet I wouldn't be +surprised. The children think as much of Carlo as if he was their own +dog," he said to Uncle Fred. + +"Well, let's go and look," suggested the ranchman. + +Back to the yard next door hurried the two men. In the rear was a nice, +cosy dog-house into which Carlo went when it was cold or rainy. + +"Look!" cried Uncle Fred, pointing toward the dog kennel. "There she +is!" + +Something pink and white was fluttering from Carlo's little house, and +pink and white was the color of Margy's dress. Mr. Bunker ran down the +yard. + +"Margy!" he cried, as he took his little girl out from the kennel, where +she was snuggled up to Carlo, her head pillowed on his shaggy coat. +"Margy! what are you doing?" + +"I was saying good-bye to Carlo, Daddy," the little girl answered. "I +love him just bushels, and I'm going away from him, so I said good-bye!" + +"Well, we might say good-bye to the train if you stayed here much +longer," laughed her father, brushing the straw off the little girl's +dress. + +"Good-bye, Carlo! Good-bye!" called Margy, as her father carried her +away. + +"Bow-wow!" barked the big dog. + +That was his way of saying good-bye, I suppose. + +Out of the yard, into which she had gone when no one was watching her, +Margy was carried by her father. Then along came the big automobile, and +in that the six little Bunkers, with their daddy and mother and their +Uncle Fred, rode to the station. Some of their neighbors came out on +their steps to wave good-bye to the Bunkers, and Norah and Jerry Simms +shook their hands and wished them the best of luck. + +"Bring me back an Indian, Russ!" called Jerry. + +"I'll lasso one for you," Russ answered. + +"And I'll think up a lot of new riddles for you, Norah!" said Laddie. + +"Sure, and I'll like that!" exclaimed the cook. + +And so the six little Bunkers were off for the West. + +It was a long journey from their home in Pennsylvania to Uncle Fred's +ranch in Montana. It would take four days and nights of riding in +railroad trains, but I am not going to tell you all that happened on the +trip. + +In fact nothing very much did happen. The children sat in their seats +and looked out of the windows. Now and then they walked up and down the +car, or asked for drinks of water. They looked at picture books, and +played with games that Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker bought for them from +the train boy. + +At night they all went to sleep in the car where beds were made out of +what were seats in the daytime. It was not the first time the six little +Bunkers had traveled in sleeping-cars, so they were not much surprised +to see the colored porter make a bed out of a seat. + +I will tell you about one funny thing that happened on the trip, and +then I'll make the rest of the story about the things that took place on +Uncle Fred's ranch, for there the children had many adventures. + +"This is our last night of travel," said Mother Bunker to the children +one evening, as the berths were being made up. + +"Shall we be at Uncle Fred's ranch in the morning?" asked Russ, who, +with Laddie, had been counting the hours when they might begin to lasso +something. + +"No, not exactly in the morning," said Uncle Fred himself. "But when you +wake up, to-morrow morning, you can say: 'We'll be there to-night.' For +by this time to-morrow night, if all goes well, we'll be at Three Star." + +"Then can I see the ponies?" asked Violet. + +"Yes, and have a ride on one if you want to," her uncle told her. "There +are some very gentle ones that will just do for you children." + +"That will be lovely!" exclaimed Rose. "I'll give my doll a ride, too." + +"So will I," decided Violet. + +They had taken with them their Japanese dolls, that had been found in +such a funny way on the beach, as I told you in the book called "Six +Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's." + +"The berths are ready, sir," said the colored porter to Daddy Bunker, +and soon the children were undressed and put to sleep in the queer beds +for the last time on this journey. + +The grown folk stayed up a bit later, talking about different things, +and the queer spring on Uncle Fred's ranch. + +"I hope I can find the men who have been taking my cattle," said the +Westerner, as he got ready for his berth, as the beds in the +sleeping-car are called. + +"We'll help you find the bad chaps," said Daddy Bunker. + +"And the children will want to help, too," added Mrs. Bunker. +"Especially Russ and Laddie. They think they are getting to be quite big +boys now. They may find out what is the matter with your spring, Fred." + +"I hope they do, but I don't see how they can," answered the ranchman. +"I've tried every way I know, and so have my cowboys. Well, we'll wait +until we get out to the ranch, and then see what happens." + +Pretty soon every one in the big sleeping-car was in bed. The Bunkers, +two by two, were sleeping in the berths. Russ and Laddie were together +in one, and Rose and Violet were in another. Mun Bun slept with his +father, and Margy with her mother. + +On and on rushed the train through the night, carrying the people +farther West. The weather was fine now, and spring would soon give place +to summer. Uncle Fred had said this was the nicest time of the year out +on his ranch. + +It must have been about the middle of the night that Mr. Bunker awakened +suddenly. Just what caused him to do so he did not know, but he found +himself wide awake in a moment. He reached over to see if Mun Bun was +all right, and, to his surprise, he could not find his little son. + +"That's queer!" exclaimed Mr. Bunker to himself. "Where can Mun Bun be? +I wonder if he got up in the night to get himself a drink?" + +The little fellow had never done this, but that is not saying he might +not try it for the first time. + +"Or perhaps he didn't like it in bed with me, and went in with his +mother and Margy," thought Mr. Bunker. + +Mrs. Bunker's berth was right across the aisle from the one in which Mr. +Bunker had been sleeping with Mun Bun, and, putting on a bath robe, Mr. +Bunker pushed back the curtains in front of his berth, and opened those +of the one where his wife was sleeping. + +"Amy! Amy!" he whispered, his lips close to her ear so as not to awaken +the other passengers on either side. "Amy! is Mun Bun here with you?" + +"What's the matter?" asked Mrs. Bunker, waking up suddenly. + +"I woke up just now and I can't find Mun Bun. Is he in here?" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +AT THREE STAR RANCH + + +But as Mr. Bunker parted the curtains over his wife's berth, and looked +inside, he saw, by the dim light that streamed in, that Mun Bun was not +with her. There was Margy, quietly sleeping with her mother, but no Mun +Bun. + +"What could have happened to him?" asked Mrs. Bunker, sitting up in bed. +She looked at her husband. "Where is Mun Bun?" she asked. + +"I don't know," he answered. "He was sleeping with me, but, all of a +sudden, I woke up and Mun Bun was not with me." + +"He must have awakened and got up to get a drink, or something," said +Mrs. Bunker. "Then when he went to go back again, he couldn't find the +place where you were, and he's either crawled in with Russ and Laddie, +or with Rose and Violet. We must look for him." + +"I'll look," said Mr. Bunker. "You stay with Margy. If she wakes up and +finds you gone, she'll cry and disturb the whole car. You stay here, and +I'll go and look in the two other berths." + +Going along the aisle of the car, which was swaying to and fro from the +speed of the train, Mr. Bunker softly opened the curtains of the berth +next to that in which his wife and Margy were. In this second +compartment were Violet and Rose. + +It needed only a glance to show that Mun Bun was not with his sisters, +though often, at home, when he had been disturbed in the night, he had +been found in their bed. + +"Well, I'll try where Laddie and Russ are sleeping," said Mr. Bunker. +"He surely will be there." + +But Mun Bun was not in the berth with Russ and Laddie. + +Rather puzzled, and not knowing exactly what to do next, Mr. Bunker went +back to his wife's berth. She was sitting up waiting for him, and Margy +was still asleep. + +"Did you find him?" whispered Mrs. Bunker. + +"No, he wasn't with Russ or Rose. What shall I do?" + +Just then the colored porter came along. He had seen Mr. Bunker roving +around the car, and wanted to know if there was any trouble. The porter +was supposed to stay awake all night, but he often went to sleep, though +he did not undress. + +"Is there anything the matter, sir?" he asked Mr. Bunker. + +"Well, it's a queer thing, but my little boy, who was sleeping with me, +is missing," said Mr. Bunker. "I woke up to find him gone." + +"Is he in the berths where any of the rest of your family are sleeping?" +asked the porter, for, having traveled with the Bunkers for some time, +he knew them all, at least by sight. + +"No, he isn't in with his sisters or brothers," answered Mr. Bunker. + +"Oh, you didn't look in Fred's berth!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "That's +where he is, Charles. I'm sure." + +"Very likely," said Mr. Bunker, a sound of relief in his voice. "I +didn't think of looking there!" + +It was only a few steps to the berth where Uncle Fred was sleeping by +himself, and when Daddy Bunker pulled open the curtains there, he at +once awakened his wife's brother. + +"What is it? What's the matter? Has there been an accident--a smash-up?" +asked the Westerner quickly. + +"No, nothing has happened except that Mun Bun is lost and we can't find +him," answered Mr. Bunker in a low voice, so as not to disturb the other +passengers. "I thought maybe he had crawled in with you, as he isn't +with Amy, nor with Russ nor Rose." + +"He isn't here," said Uncle Fred. "I'd have felt him if he had come into +my berth. I'll get up and help you look." + +Uncle Fred quickly slipped on a bath robe and stepped out into the aisle +of the car. Then he and Daddy Bunker and the porter stood there in the +dim light. + +"Did you find him, Charles?" asked Mrs. Bunker in a low voice from her +berth. + +"No, he wasn't with Fred." + +"Oh, dear! What shall we do? You must find him!" she exclaimed, as she +poked her head out between the curtains. + +"Well, ma'am, he couldn't fall off the train," said the porter, "'cause +we hasn't stopped for a long while, and the doors are tight closed at +each end of the car. He's here somewhere." + +"He's in some other berth," put in Uncle Fred. "He must have walked in +his sleep, or something like that, and he's in with some one else he has +mistaken for his father or his mother, or one of his sisters or +brothers. We'll find him." + +"But we can't wake up everybody in the car, to ask them if Mun Bun is +sleeping with them," said Mr. Bunker. + +"We've just got to!" exclaimed his wife. "We must find Mun Bun!" + +The porter looked disturbed. He did not very much like to awaken all the +sleeping passengers in the train, for some of them were sure to be +cross. They might blame him for their loss of sleep, and then he would +not get the usual tips of quarters or half dollars or dollars at the end +of the ride. + +"I'll tell you what we can do," said Uncle Fred. + +"What?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"Since we know Mun Bun is safe in this car, as the porter says he +couldn't get off, we can wait until morning. He surely is in some berth, +and is, very likely, sleeping soundly. Why not let him alone until +morning?" answered Uncle Fred. + +"Oh, no! Never!" cried Mrs. Bunker. "I must have him found, even if we +have to wake up everybody in the train. I must find Mun Bun!" + +Once more the porter hesitated. + +"Well, if it has to be done, it has to be," he said. "I'll start at one +end, an' you two gen'mens can start at the other end of the car, and +maybe we won't have to wake up quite everybody." + +Just as they were going to start to make this search a voice from behind +the colored porter called. + +"Are you looking for a lost boy?" inquired a man who wore an +old-fashioned night-cap on his head, which he stuck out from between the +green curtains of his berth. + +"Yes!" eagerly exclaimed Mr. Bunker. + +"Have you one there?" asked Uncle Fred, turning to look at the man. + +"Well, I have some sort of a youngster in my berth with me," was the +low, laughing answer. "I had a dream that my pet dog had climbed in bed +with me, as he sometimes does when I'm at home. In my sleep I put out my +hand and I felt some soft, curly head. Then I happened to think, in my +dream, that my dog is an Airedale, and they don't exactly have soft, +silky hair. + +"Then I woke up, reached under my pillow for my flash-light, and pressed +the switch. There I saw a small boy asleep with me. Maybe he's the one +you want." + +"Oh, it must be Mun Bun!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "Look quick, Charles!" + +Mr. Bunker went down to the berth whence the man with the night-cap had +spoken. There, surely enough, peacefully sleeping in the strange bed, +was Mun Bun. + +"Yes, that's my boy," said Daddy Bunker. "Sorry he bothered you." + +"Shucks, he didn't bother me a mite!" said the good-natured man. "I used +to have a little tot like him myself, but he's grown up now, and gone +to war. I'm old and bald-headed--that's why I wear this night-cap, on +account of my bald head," he went on. "But I'm not too old to like +children. You can let him stay here until morning if you wish. He won't +bother me." + +"No, thank you," said Mr. Bunker. "He might wake up and be frightened if +he found himself in a strange bed. I'll carry him back with me. Thank +you just the same." + +Daddy Bunker picked up Mun Bun, still sleeping, and the little fellow +never awakened. His father took him back to his own berth. Uncle Fred +got into his and Mrs. Bunker went back to sleep beside Margy. + +Mun Bun never awakened as his father carried him back, but slept on. +Only he murmured something in his dreams about "pony rides." + +"You shall have some when you get to Uncle Fred's ranch," whispered +Daddy Bunker, as he softly kissed the little sleeping fellow. And Mun +Bun was once more tucked in the bed where he belonged. + +In the morning the other little Bunkers were told of the funny thing +that had happened to Mun Bun in the night. The little fellow himself +knew nothing about it. + +"He must have walked in his sleep," said his mother, "though I never +knew him to do that before." + +And that is probably what happened. + +Mun Bun, not used to sleeping in moving trains, had probably twisted and +turned in the night, and, being restless, he had gotten out of the bed +where he was with his father. If he was awake he did not remember it. He +must have toddled down the aisle of the car, all by himself, and then +have crawled into the berth with the strange man. The latter was not +awakened until he had his queer dream about his pet dog, and then he +found Mun Bun. + +"And just in time, too," said Uncle Fred, as they were all laughing +about it at breakfast the next morning. "I wouldn't have liked to get +all the passengers awake to find a lost boy. After this, Mun Bun, we'll +have to put a hobble on you." + +"What's a hobble?" asked Russ. + +"Is it an Indian?" Violet wanted to know. She was not going to let Russ +get ahead of her with questions. + +"No, a hobble is something we put on horses to keep them from straying +away," said the ranchman. "It's a rope with which we tie them." + +"Do horses walk in their sleep?" Violet, in wonder, asked. + +"I don't believe so," answered Uncle Fred. "I never saw any, and we have +a lot out at Three Star." + +"Why don't they?" asked Violet, after a pause. + +"Why don't they what?" her uncle queried, for he had turned aside and +was talking to Daddy Bunker. + +"Why don't horses walk in their sleep?" asked Violet. "Mun Bun walked in +his sleep, so why don't horses?" + +"Oh, I guess they do enough walking and running in the day time," said +Mrs. Bunker. "They're glad enough to rest at night." + +"I guess I'll make up a riddle about Mun Bun walking in his sleep, if I +can think of a good answer," announced Laddie. + +"Do!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "And save it for the cowboys out at my +ranch. They like riddles." + +"Do they?" cried Laddie. "Then I'll ask them that one about what do the +tickets do when the conductor punches them. Nobody can tell me an answer +to that." + +"Yes, that would be a good one for the cowboys," laughed Uncle Fred. +"Well, it won't be very long before we'll be there now." + +The train sped on, and late that afternoon Moon City was reached. It was +a small town, but it had the name of being a city. The children did not +have much time to look about, as Uncle Fred was anxious to get them out +to the ranch. + +So, with bags and trunks, the Bunkers were piled into a big four-seated +wagon, or buckboard, and the horses started off. Through the town they +went, and then out on the broad plains. In the distance were great +mountains and forests. + +It was a drive of about ten miles to Three Star Ranch, and it was just +getting dusk when the place was reached. + +"Welcome home, six little Bunkers!" cried Uncle Fred, as he jumped from +the wagon and began helping down his sister and the children. "Here we +are, at my ranch at last." + +"Where are the Indians?" asked Russ eagerly. + +And just then came wild yells and whoops, and the air resounded with the +firing of what the children thought must be giant fire-crackers, bigger +than any they had ever heard. + +"Whoop-ee! Whoop! Bang! Bang!" sounded on all sides. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +RUSS MAKES A LASSO + + +There was so much noise that, at first, no one could make his or her +voice heard. Then, as the sound of the shooting died away a little, and +the whoops and shouts were not so loud, Laddie cried: + +"Is that the Indians, Uncle Fred? Are they trying to get us?" + +"Where's my lasso?" demanded Russ. "I had one on the train! Where is it, +Mother? I want to lasso an Indian for Jerry Simms." + +"Can't the cowboys help fight the Indians?" demanded Laddie, capering +about in his excitement. + +"Oh, look!" suddenly exclaimed Rose, and she pointed to a lot of men on +horses coming around the corner of the big ranch house. + +And as the children looked, these men again fired their big revolvers in +the air, making such a racket that Mother Bunker covered her ears with +her hands. + +"Oh, here come the cowboys!" yelled Russ. "Now the Indians will run!" + +"Let me see the cowboys! Let me see the cowboys!" cried Mun Bun. "Has +they got any cows?" + +Right up to where the six little Bunkers stood rode the cowboys on their +horses, or "ponies," as they are more often called. Then the men +suddenly pulled back on the reins, and up in the air on their hind legs +stood the horses, the men clinging to their backs, swinging their big +hats and yelling as loudly as they could. + +"Oh, it's just like a circus!" cried Rose. + +"Indeed it is," said her father. "More like a Wild West circus, I +suppose." + +"Did you get this show up for us, Fred?" asked Mother Bunker, when the +cowboys had quieted down, and had ridden off to the corral, or place +where they kept their horses. + +"No, I didn't know anything about it," answered Uncle Fred. "But the +cowboys often ride wild like that when they come in from their work and +find visitors. They shoot off their revolvers, 'guns,' as they call +them, and make as much noise as they can." + +"What for?" asked Violet. + +"Oh, just because they feel good, and they want to make everybody else +feel good, too, I suppose." + +"Will the Indians come?" asked Laddie hopefully. + +"No, there aren't any Indians," his uncle told him. "At least not any +around here now. Sometimes a few come from the reservation, but there's +none here now." + +The six little Bunkers watched the cowboys ride away to put their horses +out to grass and wash themselves for supper, or "grub," or "chuck," or +"chow," as they called it, giving the meals different names used +according to the place where they had worked before. + +"I'm glad they weren't Indians," said Laddie to Russ, as they went in +the ranch house where Uncle Fred lived. + +"Pooh! I wasn't afraid!" said Russ. + +"No, I wasn't either," went on Laddie. "But I don't like Indians to come +at you the first thing. I was glad they were cowboys." + +"If they'd've been Indians I'd've lassoed 'em!" declared Russ. + +"How could you, when you didn't have a lasso?" + +"I'm going to make one," declared Russ. + +"I'll help you lasso," offered Laddie. + +"Pooh! you don't know how," said Russ. "But I'll teach you," he added. + +"Come in and wash yourselves for supper," called Mother Bunker to the +two boys, who had stayed out on the porch to see if the cowboys would +again ride their horses around so wildly and shoot off the guns which +made so much noise. "You must be hungry, Russ and Laddie." + +"I am," Laddie admitted. + +"So'm I," agreed Russ. + +Into Uncle Fred's ranch house went all six little Bunkers. They liked +the place from the very first. It was different from their house at +home. + +The room they went into first extended the width of the house. It was +"big enough for the whole Bunker family and part of another one to sit +in, and not rock on one anothers' toes," Mother Bunker said. Back of +this big apartment, called the living-room, was the dining-room. Then +came the kitchen, and, off in another part of the house, were the +sleeping-rooms. The ranch house was only one story high, and it was, in +fact, a sort of bungalow. It was very nice. + +Even though it was away out on the plains Uncle Fred's house had some of +the same things in it that the Bunkers had at home. There was running +water, and a bathroom, and a sink in the kitchen. + +"The water comes from the mysterious spring I told you about," said +Uncle Fred when Mrs. Bunker asked him about it. "We pump it up into a +tank with a gasolene engine pump, and then it runs into the bathroom or +wherever else we want it. Oh, we'll treat you all right out here, you'll +see!" + +"I'm sure you will," said Mother Bunker. + +The children were washed and combed after their long journey, and then +Uncle Fred led them out to the dining-room. + +"Who does your cooking?" asked Mrs. Bunker. + +"Bill Johnson," was the answer. "He's a fine cook, too." + +"Is he a _man_?" asked Rose, in some surprise. + +"When you see him you'll say so!" exclaimed her uncle. "Bill is about +six feet tall, and as thin as a rail. But he certainly can cook." + +"I didn't think a _man_ could cook," went on Rose. + +"Of course they can!" laughed her father. "You ought to see me cook when +I go camping and fishing. And the cook we had in the train coming here +was a man." + +"Was he?" asked Rose. "How funny!" + +"Here he comes now," said Uncle Fred, as a tall, thin man, wearing a +white apron and a cap came into the room with a big tray balanced on his +hands. "Bill, this little girl thinks you can't cook because you're a +man!" + +"Oh, I only said--I only said----" and Rose blushed and hung her head. + +"That's all right!" laughed Bill Johnson. "If she doesn't like my +cooking I'll have her come out and show me how to make a pie or a cake!" +and he laughed at Rose. + +But the six little Bunkers all agreed that they never had a better meal +than that first one at Uncle Fred's, even if it was cooked by a man who +used to be a cowboy, as he told them later. + +"It was as good as Grandma Bell's," said Russ. + +"And as good as Aunt Jo's," added Rose. + +"I'm glad we came!" declared Laddie, as he pulled a cookie out of his +pocket. He had taken it away with him from the table. + +After supper the children and grown folk walked around the ranch near +the house. They saw where the cowboys slept in the "bunk house," and +looked in the corral where the ponies were kept when they were not being +ridden. + +"Where are the little ponies we are to ride?" asked Rose of her uncle. + +"I'll show them to you to-morrow," he promised. "It's too far to go over +to their corral to-night." + +"Will the cowboys shoot any more?" Laddie wanted to know. + +"No, not to-night," said his father. "I guess they want a rest as much +as you children do." + +Indeed the six little Bunkers were very willing to go to bed that +night. They were tired with their long journey, and sleeping in a +regular bed was different from curling up in a berth made from seats in +a car. Even Mun Bun slept soundly, and did not walk in his sleep and get +in bed with any one else. + +Early in the morning the children were down to breakfast. They found +that Bill Johnson could get that sort of meal just as well as he could +cook a supper, and after taking plenty of milk and oatmeal, with some +bread and jam, the six little Bunkers were ready to have some fun. + +They had on their play clothes, for the trunks and valises had been +unpacked, and as the weather was mild, though it was not quite summer +yet, they could play out of doors as much as they liked. + +"I'm going to look at the cowboys," announced Russ, as he got up from +the table. "I want to see how they lasso." + +"So do I," said Laddie. + +"Then you'll have to wait a bit, boys," Uncle Fred told them. "The +cowboys have ridden over to the far end of the ranch to see about some +cattle. They won't be back until evening." + +"Could we walk over and see 'em?" asked Russ. "I want to see how they +lasso." + +"Well, it's several miles to where they have gone," said Uncle Fred. +"I'm afraid you couldn't walk it. But you can go almost anywhere else +you like, as there's no danger around here." + +"Are there any wild bulls or steers or cows that might chase them?" +asked Mother Bunker. + +"No," answered her brother. "There are a few little calves in a pen out +near the barn, but that's all. The cattle and horses are far away." + +"Let's go out and see this mysterious spring of yours," said Daddy +Bunker. "I'm eager to have a look at it. I'll take the camera along and +get some pictures. Come, children!" + +Rose and Violet, with Margy and Mun Bun, followed their father and +mother and Uncle Fred. Laddie and Russ lagged behind. + +"Aren't you coming?" asked their mother. + +"I'm going to make a lasso," said Russ. + +"So'm I," added Laddie. + +"Oh, let them play by themselves," said Uncle Fred. "They can't do any +damage nor come to any harm. They can see the spring later." + +So Russ and Laddie went off by themselves to make a lasso. Russ found a +piece of clothesline, which Bill Johnson, the cook, said he might take, +and soon Russ and his brother were tying knots and loops in the strong +cord. + +If you don't know what a lasso or lariat is I'll tell you. It is just a +long rope with what is known as a slip-knot in one end. That end is +thrown over a horse, a cow, or anything else you want to catch. The +loop, or noose, slips along the long part of the string, and is pulled +tight. Then the horse or cow can be held and kept from getting away. + +Mother and Daddy Bunker, with the four little Bunkers and Uncle Fred, +were looking at the queer spring, which I'll tell you about a little +later, when Laddie came running up to them. + +"What's the matter?" asked Uncle Fred, seeing that the small boy seemed +excited. + +"Russ made--made a lasso," panted Laddie, for he had been running, and +was out of breath. + +"Yes, I know he said he was going to," said Uncle Fred. "That's all +right. Have a good time with it." + +"Russ made--made a lasso, and he--he lassoed one of the little cows with +it!" went on Laddie. + +"Oh, did he!" exclaimed Mr. Bell with a laugh. "Well, I guess what +little lassoing Russ can do won't hurt the calf. They are all pretty +well grown." + +"But Russ can't--can't get loose!" went on Laddie. "He's yelling like +anything and he says I'd better come and tell you! He lassoed the calf +but he can't get loose--I mean Russ can't get loose!" + +"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "I might have known something +would happen!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE QUEER SPRING + + +"What's all this? What's the matter?" asked Daddy Bunker, who had been +looking at the mysterious spring and had not heard all the talk that +went on. "What happened?" + +"Russ made a lasso," stated Laddie, while Mrs. Bunker and Uncle Fred +started for the corral where the little calves were kept until they were +strong enough to run with the other cattle. + +"Oh, Russ made a lasso, did he?" asked his father. "Well, that boy is +always making something. He'll be an inventor yet, I'm sure." + +"Russ lassoed a calf," explained Mrs. Bunker, for Mr. Bunker had caught +up Laddie, and they had now overtaken the others, who had started on +ahead. + +"Well, he had to lasso something," said Mr. Bunker with a laugh. "Any +boy wants to lasso something when he makes a lariat. I did when I was a +boy. I lassoed our old rooster." + +"But the trouble seems to be," said Uncle Fred, "that Russ lassoed a +calf, and now the calf is running away with Russ." + +"Oh, that's different!" said Mr. Bunker. "We'll have to see about this!" + +Then he hurried along with his wife and Uncle Fred toward the calf +corral. The five little Bunkers stayed behind at the spring for Mrs. +Bunker called back to them to do this, sending Laddie back, too. + +"We don't want any of them to get into trouble," she said to her +brother. + +"Yes, I think, too, that one at a time is enough," replied Mr. Bell. + +Even before they reached the corral they heard the voice of Russ +yelling. They heard him calling: + +"Whoa now! Stop! Stop, bossy cow! Let me get up! Stop!" + +"Maybe the calf will hook him!" cried Mrs. Bunker. + +"Oh, no!" answered Uncle Fred. "The calves don't have horns. Russ will +be all right, though he may be mussed up a bit." + +"It will teach him not to lasso calves after this," said Mr. Bunker. + +"I'm not so sure of that," murmured Mrs. Bunker. "It is more apt to make +the others want to try the same thing." + +A moment later they turned around the corner of one of the ranch +buildings and came in sight of the corral. In one end they could see +some frightened calves standing huddled together. In the middle of the +corral was a cloud of dust. + +"That must be Russ and the calf," said Uncle Fred. + +He and Daddy Bunker ran faster toward the fence, within which the calves +were kept, but, before they could reach it, they saw a man run out from +one of the buildings, jump over the fence without touching it and land +inside the corral. Then he disappeared in the cloud of dust. + +A moment later he came out, carrying Russ in his arms, and from the +little boy's leg there dangled a piece of clothesline. Then, also out of +the dust cloud, came a very much frightened spotted calf, and around +its neck was another piece of line. + +"Oh, is he--is he hurt?" gasped Mrs. Bunker, for Russ was limp. + +"Not a bit, I'm glad to say!" answered the man who had Russ in his arms. +"He's pretty dusty, and scratched up a bit, and his clothes are mussed, +and he's frightened, but he's not hurt; are you?" and he laughed as he +set Russ down on his own feet. + +"I--I guess I'm all right," Russ answered, a bit slowly. "I--I had a +dandy time!" + +"Well, I should say you did!" exclaimed his father. "What did you do?" + +"Well, I was playing I was a cowboy in the Wild West and I lassoed a +buffalo. I made believe the calf was a buffalo." + +"And then I guess the calf made believe you were a football, by the way +it pulled you about the corral," said the man who had rescued Russ. + +"Yes, sir, I guess so," answered Russ. + +"I'm glad you rescued him," said Mrs. Bunker to the stranger. "I can't +thank you enough." + +"Oh, I didn't do anything," was the answer. "I heard the little fellow +yelling shortly after I had seen him in the corral with the piece of +clothesline. I guessed what had happened, and I jumped in. I found the +calf pulling him around, for the lasso the little boy made had gotten +tangled around his legs. The other end was on the calf. + +"So I just cut the rope and picked up the youngster. Here he is, not +much worse for wear. But you won't do it again, will you?" + +"No--no--I don't guess I will," answered Russ. + +"Captain Roy, this is my sister, Mrs. Bunker, and this is Mr. Bunker," +said Uncle Fred, introducing them. "This is Captain Robert Roy, my ranch +partner about whom I spoke to you," he went on to Mr. and Mrs. Bunker. +"He has been away, or you would have met him last night." + +"I'm glad you are here to-day, to get my boy out of the trouble he got +himself into," said Mr. Bunker, as he shook hands with the former +soldier. + +"I am glad, too!" exclaimed the captain. "I like children, and I don't +want to see them hurt. But, as it happened, Russ wasn't." + +"He might have been, only for you," said Mrs. Bunker. "We can't thank +you enough. Russ, don't lasso anything more." + +"Can't I lasso a fence post, Mother?" Russ asked. + +"Well, maybe that, or something that isn't alive. But no more calves." + +"All right," said Russ. + +His clothes were brushed off, Captain Roy talked a little while with Mr. +and Mrs. Bunker, and then went back to his work, and Uncle Fred +remarked: + +"Well, now the excitement is over, we can go back to the spring. I +presume the other children will be wondering what has happened." + +So back they went to where Laddie, Rose and the others were waiting. + +"Did you get him?" asked Laddie eagerly, when he saw Russ. + +"No, he got me," was the answer. "I guess we won't play Wild West any +more. We'll be Indians and not cowboys. Indians don't have to lasso +buffaloes, do they, Uncle Fred." + +"No, Indians have it sort of easy out here on their reservation," said +Mr. Bell with a laugh. "I guess it will be safer for you boys to be +Indians." + +"That'll be fun too," agreed Russ. + +"But we must have some feathers for our heads," said Laddie. + +"We can get them in the chicken yard," returned Russ. + +"Did the calf bite you?" asked Violet, and she looked at Russ as if to +make sure he was all there. + +"No, he didn't bite, but he almost stepped on me. You ought to have seen +me flying around the field on the end of the rope. I couldn't get it +loose," and Russ explained how it had happened. + +However he was well out of it, and promised never again to try such a +trick. + +"I could make a riddle up about it, but I'm not going to," said Laddie. +"Anyhow it's hard to guess the answer, so I'll think up one that's +easier." + +"Now this," said Uncle Fred, as they stood about the big spring, "is +what I was telling you about. You all see what a nice lot of water there +is here. Sometimes it overflows, there's so much. Then, within a few +hours, it will go dry." + +"And where does the water go?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"That's what none of us has been able to find out. The water just seems +to sink down into the ground, as if the bottom had dropped out and let +it all through. Then again, in a day or so, the water comes back again." + +"It is queer," said Mrs. Bunker. + +"And the worst of it is," said Uncle Fred, "that I may lose most of what +I put into this ranch on account of this spring." + +"How?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"Well, I bought this ranch partly because it had such a fine spring of +water on it. There is none better for miles around. But if I wanted to +sell the ranch again, and people heard that the spring went dry every +now and then, they wouldn't pay me as much as I paid. So I would lose. +That's one reason why I'm so anxious to get to the bottom of the puzzle. +As I said, it's like one of Laddie's riddles--I don't know the answer." + +"It looks like a regular spring," said Mother Bunker. + +"And yet it isn't," went on Uncle Fred. "It's all right now, but an hour +later we may find the water sinking away." + +"I'll take some pictures," said Daddy Bunker, who had a camera with him, +"and then maybe we can dig up the ground and find hidden pipes, or +something like that." + +"We'll do the digging to-morrow," said Uncle Fred. "Now I want to show +you about the ranch." + +So he led them about, showing the six little Bunkers and their father +and mother the different buildings, telling them how he raised his +cattle and sent them to market, and how he sent out his cowboys to hunt +for lost calves. + +"There's always something to do on a ranch like this," said Uncle Fred. +"You can keep busy all the while. If one thing doesn't happen another +will. What with the mysterious spring, the bad men taking my cattle now +and then, the Indians running off the reservation and making +trouble--well, you can keep busy." + +"Could we see the little ponies?" asked Rose. "I'd like to have a ride +on one." + +"So would I!" exclaimed Russ. "I'd like a pony better than a calf." + +"The ponies are over this way. I'll show them to you," said Uncle Fred. +"We'll go back by way of the spring. I have some Shetland ponies," he +went on to Daddy Bunker. "I raised a few and may raise more. The larger +children can ride on them while they're at the ranch." + +"That will be fine!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. "Oh, I'm sure the children +will love it here." + +They turned back toward the spring to go to the pony corral. + +"I'm thirsty!" exclaimed Russ, as they reached the water hole. "I'm +going to run on ahead and get a drink." + +On he ran, and the others saw him stop suddenly when he reached the +spring. Then Russ shouted: + +"Oh, come here! Come here quick! Look! Hurry!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SOME BAD NEWS + + +"I wonder what the matter is," said Mrs. Bunker, when she heard Russ +shout. + +She did not have to wonder long. As the others drew nearer, Russ shouted +again, and this time he said: + +"The water's all running out of the spring! It's going dry, just like +Uncle Fred said it would!" + +"More mystery!" exclaimed the ranchman as he hurried on. + +The five little Bunkers and the grown folk reached the edge of the big +spring where Russ stood. He was looking down into the clear water, and +the others did the same. + +"Surely enough, it is getting lower!" exclaimed Mother Bunker. + +"There isn't half as much in as there was at first," added her husband. +"Is this the way it always does, Fred?" + +"I never saw it run out before," answered the owner of Three Star Ranch. +"Every time before, it has happened in the night when no one was near +it. We'd visit the spring in the evening, and it would be all right. In +the morning it would be nearly dry, and it might stay that way a day or +two before the water came back into it. Very queer, I call it." + +"So do I!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker. "I'll take another picture of it now. +Maybe that will help us solve the mystery." + +While he was getting the camera ready Mrs. Bunker said: + +"The water is going out fast. You'd better get a drink now, Russ dear, +if you want it, for there may not be any more for a long time." + +"I will!" exclaimed Russ. + +Uncle Fred kept half a cocoanut shell tied by a string near the spring +to use as a cup. This Russ dipped in the fast lowering water, and got a +drink for the other little Bunkers and for himself, as they all seemed +to be thirsty at once. + +"What will you do for water when the spring runs dry?" asked Mrs. +Bunker of her brother. + +"We'll have to draw some from the creek, but I have a lot of this water +stored in the tank. I always keep that full lately, since I can't tell +when my spring is going dry." + +They stood and watched the water going out of the spring. It was just +like it is when you pull the stopper out of the bathtub. The water gets +lower and lower, running down the pipe. Only, of course, there was no +pipe in the spring--that is, as far as Uncle Fred knew. + +"The water seems just to stop running in," said Daddy Bunker, as he +knelt down and looked more closely at the little hill of rocks back of +the water hole. It was from cracks in these rocks that the water bubbled +out and filled a hollow, rock basin before flowing on. Now less and less +was coming and, of course, as the spring water always kept running away, +or it would have overflowed, the basin was slowly but surely getting +dry. + +"I think what is happening," said Daddy Bunker, "is that, somewhere back +in the mountains or hills, where the stream comes from that feeds this +spring, the water is being shut off, just as we shut off the water at +the kitchen sink faucet. Where does the water come from, Fred?" + +"I don't know," was the answer. "It must come from some place +underground, as we've never been able to find it on top. Well, we won't +go thirsty, for there is plenty of water in the tank. But I hope the +spring soon fills up again." + +Even as they watched the water got lower and lower, until there was +hardly a pailful left in the rock basin. No more clear, sparkling water +bubbled up out of the cracks in the rocks. The strange thing that Uncle +Fred had told about was happening at the spring. + +"Is the cows drinking up all the water?" asked Mun Bun, as he looked +into the now almost emptied basin. + +"No, I don't believe they are," answered his uncle. + +"Maybe the Indians took it to wash in," said Margy. "The Indians wash, +doesn't they, Uncle Fred?" + +"Well, maybe some of 'em do, but not very often," was the answer. +"They're not very fond of water, I'm sorry to say. But there! we won't +worry about this any more. You six little Bunkers came here to have fun, +and not bother about my spring. Daddy and I will try to find out why the +water runs away, and stop the leak. Did you all get drinks? If you did +we'll go back to the house. It must be almost dinner time." + +They all had had enough to drink for the time being, and, leaving the +spring, which was now only a damp hole in the ground, the party went +back to the ranch house. Captain Roy met them. + +"Spring's gone dry again," said Uncle Fred. + +"Again! That's too bad! I was hoping we'd seen the last of that. Well, +now, we may expect some more bad news." + +"What kind?" asked Mrs. Bunker. + +"Oh, the captain means about losing more cattle," answered Uncle Fred. +"Almost always, when the spring goes dry, it isn't long before some of +the cowboys come in to tell about our cattle being taken away. But maybe +that won't happen this time." + +After dinner the six little Bunkers started to have some fun. Mun Bun +and Margy went to have their afternoon naps, but Rose and Violet took +their Japanese dolls, which had been unpacked, and found a shady place +on the porch where they could play. + +"What are you going to do, Russ?" asked Laddie, as he saw his brother +with some sticks. + +"I'm going to make a tent," was the answer. "We can make a tent and live +in it same as the Indians do. It's more fun to live in a tent than in a +house when you're out West." + +"Oh, yes!" cried Laddie. "I'll help you. But where can we get the cloth +part?" + +"Well, I got the sticks," Russ went on. "I guess Uncle Fred will let us +take a sheet off the bed for the cloth part." + +But the boys did not make the tent that day. Just as they were thinking +about going to ask for the cloth Uncle Fred called: + +"Come on, Russ and Laddie, and you, too, Rose and Vi. We're going to +look at the ponies. I started to take you to them when we found the +spring was going dry, and that made me forget. Now we'll go." + +"Oh, what fun!" cried Russ. + +"Dandy!" exclaimed Laddie. + +"I love to ride a pony!" added Rose. + +"So do I!" ejaculated Violet. + +Uncle Fred led the children to a small corral, which they had not seen +before. In it were a number of Shetland ponies, some no larger than big +Newfoundland dogs. And some of the ponies came to the fence to be petted +as soon as they saw Uncle Fred. + +"Oh, aren't they cute!" exclaimed Rose. + +"I'd like to ride that black one!" shouted Laddie. + +"He's a little too wild," said Uncle Fred. "Better try one of the more +gentle ones first. I'll get the men to saddle 'em for you." + +In a little while the four little Bunkers were riding about on the backs +of four gentle ponies. The little animals seemed to know children were +on their backs, and they did not run fast, nor kick up their heels. + +Rose and Russ could soon manage their ponies by themselves, but as Vi +and Laddie were younger Uncle Fred and one of his cowboys led their +ponies about by the bridle. The children rode in a big field, with a +fence all around it. + +"Now I'm going to ride fast!" cried Russ as he took a tighter hold of +the reins and shook his feet in the stirrups. "Gid-dap!" he called to +his pony. "Go fast!" + +Maybe the pony was surprised at this. Anyhow, he started to gallop. Now +Russ was not as good a horseman as he supposed, and the first he knew he +had slipped from the saddle and fallen off. + +"There you go!" cried Uncle Fred, as he left the pony on which Vi was +riding and ran to help Russ. + +Russ had fallen in a bunch of soft grass, so he was not hurt; and the +pony, after trotting around in a circle, stood still and began to eat +grass. + +"I wouldn't try to ride fast yet a while," said Uncle Fred. "Better +learn more about the ponies first. You can have just as much fun riding +slowly, and then you won't tumble off." + +"I won't go fast any more," said Russ, as his uncle helped him back into +the saddle. The other children did not have any accidents, and rode +around on the ponies for some time. Then Mun Bun and Margy awakened +from their naps, and they, too, wanted rides. Their father and mother +held them on the backs of two small ponies, and walked with them about +the grassy field, so that all six little Bunkers had pony rides that +day. + +"And may we ride to-morrow?" asked Laddie when it was time to go back to +the house. + +"Yes," promised his uncle, "to-morrow we may all take a ride over the +plain." + +"Goody!" exclaimed Violet. + +"Will mother come, too?" asked Rose. + +"No, indeed!" laughed Mrs. Bunker. "I don't know how to ride pony-back, +and I'm not going to learn now. You children can go." + +"That's what we'll do then," said Uncle Fred. "Daddy and I will take +Rose and Vi and Laddie and Russ for a ride over the plain. We'll go and +see if we can find where our spring water comes from, and why it shuts +itself off in that queer way." + +The children waved good-bye to the ponies, and went back to the house. +On the broad, shady porch stood Captain Roy. He was waiting for Uncle +Fred, and there was a worried look on the old soldier's face. + +"What's the matter?" asked the ranchman of his partner. + +"More bad news," was the answer. "One of the cowboys just rode in to +tell me that some more of the cattle have been taken." + +"I might have known it!" cried Uncle Fred. "When the spring goes dry +other bad news is sure to come in!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +VIOLET TAKES A WALK + + +Uncle Fred seemed tired as he sat down in a chair on the porch. He +looked up at Captain Roy and asked: + +"How many cattle gone this time?" + +"About twenty-five. One of the cowboys, who was watching them, rode over +to the far end of the field to see about a steer that had fallen into a +big hole and couldn't get out, and when he got back the twenty-five +steers were gone." + +"Hum! More work of those bad men!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Well, we'll +see if we can catch them. Want to come along?" he asked Daddy Bunker. + +"Where are you going?" + +"To see if we can find the lost cattle. Maybe we can catch the men who +drove them away." + +"Oh, let me come!" begged Russ. "Maybe I can lasso 'em!" + +"They might lasso you!" laughed his father. "No, you had better stay +here. We'll soon be back." + +"Oh, Daddy, please?" + +"Not this time, Sonny," answered his father. + +So Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker, with some of the cowboys, saddled their +horses and started off to look for the lost cattle. + +"I wish I could go!" sighed Russ, as he watched the horsemen riding off. + +"So do I," echoed Laddie. "We could maybe help catch 'em. Mother, +couldn't we go?" + +"They'd be more likely to catch you, just as the calf did," said Mother +Bunker. "Wouldn't they, Captain Roy?" + +"Yes, indeed," answered the old soldier, smiling at the children. "Men +who take cattle that do not belong to them are very likely to be bad +men, and they would not be nice to the six little Bunkers. You stay with +me, and you may come out and see the ponies again, though I won't +promise you can ride on them." + +"Are you going to feed them?" asked Mun Bun. + +"No, they feed themselves on the grass in their field," said the +captain. + +"I don't like to eat grass," said Mun Bun, shaking his head. + +"Neither do I," added Margy. + +"Why, I do declare! I believe you're hungry," laughed Captain Roy. "And +it's two hours until supper. Come on, we'll go see what Bill Johnson has +in his cupboard." + +"Could I come, too?" asked Russ. "I--I guess I'm hungry." + +"So'm I," put in Laddie. + +"Me, too!" added Violet. + +"Come on, all of you!" laughed Captain Roy. "It's almost as easy to feed +six as it is two," he added to Mother Bunker. + +"Oh, it's too bad to bother you," she said quickly. + +"No bother at all!" exclaimed the old soldier. "I know I used to want my +rations when I was in the army, and I guess there isn't much difference +nowadays. Come along, little Bunkers!" + +Soon the children were having bread and milk, with a dish of canned +peaches in addition. There were big cases of canned peaches in Bill +Johnson's kitchen, and when Russ asked him why he had so many the cook +said: + +"Well, the boys seem to like 'em more than anything else. It's hard to +get fresh fruit out on a cattle ranch, so I keep plenty of the canned +stuff on hand. Often a cowboy will eat two cans at once when he comes in +from a ride very hungry." + +So the six little Bunkers had something to eat, even if it was not +supper time, and then they went with Captain Roy to look at the ponies +again. + +"Oh, look how they run to the fence to meet us!" cried Rose, as some of +the ponies in the corral trotted toward the captain and the children. + +"That's because they think I have a bit of bread and sugar for them," +said Captain Roy. + +"Have you?" asked Violet. + +"Yes. I hardly ever come out without bringing them something," answered +the old soldier. + +He reached over the fence to pat the glossy necks and soft noses of the +ponies, feeding them bits of dried bread, of which he seemed to have a +lot in his pockets. + +"Bill Johnson saves me all his old crusts for the ponies," Captain Roy +said to Russ. "And if you bring the little horses something to eat each +time you come out they'll like you all the more, and get very tame." + +"I'll do it," said Russ. + +They stood looking at the ponies for some little time, and then Russ +decided he wanted to make a boat and sail it in the creek that was not +far from the ranch house. + +"I'll sail one, too," said Laddie. + +"And we'll take our dolls down by the creek and let them have a bath," +said Rose to Violet. + +"You don't mean a real bath?" + +"No, just make believe." + +"All right. Only I think I'll make a boat. Su-San doesn't need a bath. +She had one once when we were at home. But I'll take her along so she +can see the water." + +"We'll all go down to the bank of the creek and sit there in the shade +until Daddy and Uncle Fred come back," said Mrs. Bunker. "That will +make the time pass more quickly." + +"I hope they bring back the lost cattle," said Rose. + +A little later the six little Bunkers were walking with their mother +down toward where a creek flowed through the Three Star Ranch. It was +not a very large one, but it had enough water in it to give hundreds of +cattle a drink when they were thirsty. When the spring went dry the +water from the creek had to be used in the ranch house. But, as Uncle +Fred had told the children, there was a tank full of spring water that +might last until the dry spell had passed. + +Russ and Laddie and Vi--Vi keeping Su-San near by--made some boats out +of old pieces of wood they picked up around the ranch house. These boats +they tied strings to, and let float down the creek, pulling them back +from time to time and starting them off on another voyage. + +Mrs. Bunker sat on the grassy bank, in the shade of a willow tree, while +Mun Bun and Margy and Rose played near her. + +Mun Bun had his pail and shovel that he had brought from the beach at +Cousin Tom's, and the little boy began digging holes in the dirt near +the edge of the creek. Margy played with her Japanese doll as did Rose. + +It was rather warm, for that time of year, and Mrs. Bunker, leaning up +against the tree trunk, began to feel sleepy. She closed her eyes, +meaning only to rest them a minute, but, before she knew it, she was +asleep. The children did not notice her as they were playing so nicely, +Russ and Laddie and Vi a little way down the creek, and the other three +near their mother. + +After a while Margy said: + +"I'm going to take a walk with my doll. She hasn't had a walk to-day." + +"Where are you going?" asked Rose. + +"Oh, just a little way," Margy answered. "Want to come?" + +"No, my doll doesn't feel very well, and I've sent for the doctor. I've +got to stay in till he comes," replied Rose. + +Of course this was only make-believe, but the children often played +that. + +She made a bed for her doll in the soft grass, and covered her with +some leaves picked near by. + +"I guess I'll play my doll is sick, too," said Margy, "'stead of taking +her for a walk." + +"No, don't play your doll's sick," objected Rose to Margy. "She must be +a trained nurse for my doll." + +"Oh, yes. That'll be more fun. I wish the doctor would hurry up and +come." + +"So do I," murmured Rose, pretending to be anxious. + +Then, after a while, they made believe the doctor had arrived in his +automobile, and he left some medicine for Rose's sick doll, which the +trained nurse, who was Margy's doll, had to give with a spoon. The spoon +was just a little willow twig, of course. + +Down by the creek Russ and Laddie and Vi were still sailing their boats. + +Pretty soon Vi said she was tired playing sail-a-boat, and was going to +take Su-San for a walk. + +After a while Russ and Laddie grew tired of playing boats, and came up +the bank to where their mother was. + +"Oh, look! She's asleep!" whispered Russ. + +"Don't wake her," replied Rose. + +But just then Mrs. Bunker opened her eyes and smiled at the children. + +"I was asleep," she said, "but I heard what you said. Did you have a +nice time? Shall we go back now? It must be almost supper time. Why, +where's Vi?" she suddenly asked, as she did not see the curly-haired +girl. "Where's Violet?" and Mrs. Bunker stood up quickly and looked all +around. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +LADDIE CATCHES A RIDDLE + + +Mrs. Bunker was startled when she did not see Violet with the other +little Bunkers. + +"Where's Vi?" she asked the other children. "Where did she go?" + +"Oh, she just took her doll for a walk," said Russ. "She went away a +little while ago, over there," and he pointed to the rolling plains +behind the willow trees. + +The plain was not flat, like a board. It was rolling land, with hills +and hollows here and there. Some of the hills were high enough to hide a +man behind them. + +"Where did she go?" asked Mrs. Bunker, and now her voice was anxious. + +"Just to give her doll a walk," explained Russ. "She got tired of +playing sail-a-boat, she said, and she went for a walk, and took her +doll." + +"Violet! Violet! Where are you?" loudly called Mrs. Bunker. + +There was no answer. + +Mrs. Bunker ran to the top of the nearest little hill, or knoll, and +looked across the plain. The five little Bunkers followed her. There +were only five with her, as Violet had gone for a walk with her doll. + +"But where can she have gone?" asked Mrs. Bunker, as she did not see her +little girl, nor hear her answer the call. + +"Maybe she went home," said Russ. + +"Oh, yes," agreed Rose, not wanting to think that anything had happened +to her sister. "Maybe her doll got tired, and she took her home." + +Sometimes the little Bunker girls were so real in their make-believe +play that they did things a grown person would have done. + +"Would she know the way home alone?" asked Mrs. Bunker. + +"It's right over there," said Russ, pointing. "You can see the ranch +houses from here." + +This was true enough. When they were up on the little hill they could +see the buildings on Three Star Ranch. + +"If she only went that way she will be all right," said Mother Bunker. +"But if she walked the other way----" + +"Come on! We'll find her!" called Russ to Laddie. + +"All right. Wait till I go back and anchor my ship and I'll come." + +"No, you mustn't go!" exclaimed Mother Bunker. "We must all keep +together. I don't want any more of you getting lost." + +"Is Vi lost, Mother?" asked Rose, and she moved over closer to Mrs. +Bunker. + +"Well, I don't know that she is lost," was the answer. "Probably not. +But she isn't here with us. She has wandered away. I'll call again. + +"Vi! Violet, where are you?" called Mrs. Bunker, as loudly as she could. +But there was no answer. Only the wind rustled the branches of the +willow tree and the tall grass near the creek. + +"Maybe she fell asleep, same as you did," suggested Laddie to his +mother. + +"Well, perhaps she did, and if she were to lie down in the tall grass we +couldn't see her," said Mrs. Bunker. "Oh, dear! I wish I hadn't gone to +sleep, and that Vi hadn't wandered off." + +She called again, but there was no answer. + +"We'd better go for Daddy!" exclaimed Russ. Daddy Bunker was the one +always wanted when anything happened. + +"But we can't get him," said Mrs. Bunker. "He has gone away with Uncle +Fred to look for the lost cattle." + +"Then we'll go for Captain Roy!" went on Russ. "He used to be a soldier, +and he'll know how to find lost people." + +"Yes, I guess that's the best thing to do," said Mrs. Bunker. "Though I +hate to go away and leave Violet all alone here, wherever she is. But +it's the only way to find her. Come, we'll hurry back to the house and +get Captain Roy." + +So the five little Bunkers and their mother hurried over the plain +toward the Three Star Ranch house. + +And now I know you are wondering what happened to Violet, so I am going +to tell you. For you know a book-writer can be in two places at the same +time. + +When Violet started out to give her doll a walk the little girl had no +notion of going very far. If she had been at home she would have gone +just down to the corner of her block and back. But there are no corners +or blocks on the open plain, so Violet just walked over the green +fields. + +"Do you like it here, Su-San?" she asked. + +"Oh, you do," she went on, pretending that her doll had spoken. "And you +want to go a little farther, don't you?" + +Violet made believe listen to what her doll said. + +"Oh, you want to pick some flowers. Well, that will be nice," went on +the little girl. "We'll pick a nice bouquet and we'll take it to Rose's +doll." + +There were flowers growing on the plain, and Violet began picking some, +making believe her doll helped. Now, you know how it is when you go to +pick blossoms. First you see a nice one, then, farther on, you see one +that is a little better, and pretty soon you see one that is prettier +than all, and you go for that one, and, before you know it, you are a +long way from where you started. + +That is what happened to Violet. She wandered on and on, down among the +little hills and hollows until she was quite a distance from the willow +tree and the creek. She could no longer see the tree. + +And Violet forgot, or she did not know, that when one is in a big field, +down among the hills and hollows, and can't see anything high and tall, +like a tree or a building sticking up, that one doesn't know which way +to go. All ways look alike then. So it is no wonder that Vi, after she +had helped her doll gather a bouquet, went the wrong way. Instead of +walking back toward the creek she walked away from it. + +And she was walking away from the Three Star Ranch house also. In fact +Violet was lost on the plain, and she was getting more and more lost +every minute and with each step she took. + +Finally she said: + +"Oh, Su-San! aren't you tired? I am. I'm going to sit down and rest and +let you rest, too." + +Of course the doll wasn't tired, as she hadn't done any walking, for Vi +had carried her all the way. But Vi pretended that the doll was as +weary as was the little girl herself. + +So together they sat down in the tall grass, which came over Violet's +head now, and rested. Violet didn't know she was lost. But she was, all +the same. + +After a while she got up and started to walk again. She walked and +walked, and, when she couldn't find the creek nor the willow tree nor +see her mother nor any of the other little Bunkers, she became +frightened and started to cry. + +"Oh, Mother!" she called, "where are you? I want you!" + +Of course Mrs. Bunker could not hear then, for she was on her way to get +Captain Roy to help search for the little girl. + +Violet wandered around and around, calling now and then, and crying real +tears every once in a while, until, at last, when the sun began to get +lower and lower in the west, and the little girl knew it would soon be +dark, she sobbed: + +"Oh, what shall I do! Oh, where is my mother!" + +And just then she heard a horse come trotting along. She could hear the +gallop of the hoofs on the ground. + +"Oh, maybe it's an Indian!" thought Vi. "We'd better hide, Su-San!" + +She clasped the Japanese toy in her arms, and crouched down in the +grass. But the trotting came nearer. Then Violet knew it was more than +one horse. + +"Maybe it's a whole band of Indians!" she whispered. "Oh, Su-San!" + +Down in the tall grass she hid, but she kept on crying. And then, +suddenly, close to her, a voice said: + +"I thought I heard a child crying just now, didn't you, Jim?" + +"Sounded like it, but what would a child be doing out here all alone?" + +"I don't know, but I sure did hear it!" + +Then another voice called: + +"What's the matter over there?" + +"Oh, Frank thought he heard a child crying," answered some one, and Vi +thought it didn't sound like an Indian. + +"A child!" cried still another voice. "Oh, I wonder----" + +Then Violet didn't hear any more, for standing right over where she +crouched in the grass was a big man on a big horse and he was looking +right down on her. + +"I've found her!" the man cried. "It's one of the six little Bunkers!" + +"One of the six little Bunkers!" repeated a voice that Violet well knew. +It was her father's. + +"Oh, Daddy! Daddy!" she cried. "Here I am! I got lost, and I can't find +the creek, nor the willow tree, nor Mother, nor anything. Here I am!" + +Violet stood up, and a moment later, her father had ridden his horse +over to where she was and, reaching down, took her and the doll up in +his arms. + +"Well, how in the world did you get here?" he asked in surprise. "Where +have you been, Violet?" + +Then Violet told, and Uncle Fred, who was with Daddy Bunker and some of +the cowboys, said: + +"We'd better ride back to the house as fast as we can. Amy is probably +wild now about losing her. Hurry back to the house!" + +Then how the horses did gallop! And Vi, sitting in front of Daddy on +his saddle, had a fine ride and forgot she had been lost. + +They got back to the house just as Captain Roy and some cowboys were +about to ride away in search of Violet. For Mrs. Bunker and the other +little Bunkers had reached the ranch house with the story of the lost +one. + +"How did you find her?" asked Mrs. Bunker of her husband when Violet had +been hugged and kissed. + +"We were riding back," said Daddy Bunker, "when one of the cowboys heard +a child crying. He found Violet in the grass, and then I took her up. +How did she get lost?" + +Then Mrs. Bunker told about the trip to the creek and how Vi had +wandered away by herself. + +"But I'm never going again," said the little girl. "I thought the +Indians were after me!" + +"And it was only Daddy Bunker!" laughed her father. + +"Did you find the lost cattle?" asked his wife, when supper was over and +they had ceased talking about Vi being lost. + +"No, the men who took them must have hurried away with them. We could +not find them at all." + +Just as the six little Bunkers were going to bed a cowboy came up to the +ranch house to say that the water was coming back into the spring. + +"That's good," said Uncle Fred. "But I certainly would like to know what +makes it go out, and who takes our cattle." + +The next day Russ and Laddie asked if they could go fishing in the +creek, if they went to one place and stayed there, so they might not +wander away and be lost. + +"Yes, I guess so," returned Daddy Bunker. "It isn't far, and if you stay +on shore you won't fall in." + +"True," chuckled Uncle Fred, but he wouldn't tell Laddie what he was +laughing at. + +There were some small fish to be caught in the creek, and soon, with +hooks, lines, poles and bait Russ and Laddie started for the creek. + +"I hope they'll be all right," said their mother. + +They had been gone about an hour when Russ came running back to the +house, dragging his pole after him, and on the line was a fish, which he +had not stopped to take off. + +"Oh, Mother! Daddy!" cried Russ. "Laddie--Laddie----" + +"Has he fallen in?" cried Mrs. Bunker. + +"No, Mother! It isn't that!" said Russ. "But he's caught a riddle, and +he doesn't know what to do with it." + +"He's caught a _riddle_?" cried Uncle Fred. "What do you mean?" + +"Well, he found it, or caught it, I don't know which," said Russ. + +"How did he catch a riddle?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"On his hook. It's a funny thing, like a black stone, and it wiggles and +sticks its head out, and Laddie doesn't know what it is, and when you +don't know what a thing is that's a riddle, isn't it? Come and see!" + +And down to the creek went Daddy and Mother Bunker to see the riddle +that Laddie had caught. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +ON THE PONIES + + +Mr. and Mrs. Bunker found Laddie sitting on the bank of the creek +looking at something on the ground near him. + +"What is it?" called Daddy Bunker, as Russ led them up to the place +where he and his brother had been fishing. "What have you caught?" + +"I--I guess it's a riddle, for I don't know what else it is," answered +Laddie. "Come and look." + +"Better not touch it," cautioned his mother. + +"I'm not going to touch it, 'cause it can bite. It's got a funny head +and a mouth," said Laddie, "and it bit on my hook and it's got it yet." + +Mr. and Mrs. Bunker hurried over and saw what Laddie had caught. As Russ +had said, it was rough, like a stone, and as black and hard-looking as +a rock. But it was alive and moved. + +"Why, it's a mud turtle!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker, as he took a good look +at the creature. "It's nothing but a mud turtle, Laddie! I should think +you'd know what they are, for you have seen them in Rainbow River at +home." + +"No, this isn't a mud turtle," said Russ. "I know what a mud turtle is, +and this is different. It's something like one, but not the same." + +"How did you get it, Laddie?" asked Mother Bunker. + +"Well, I was fishing, and I got a lot of nibbles but none of the fish +stayed on my hook. Then, all of a sudden, this one stayed on, and I +pulled him up, only it isn't a fish." + +"I should say not!" exclaimed another voice, and they looked up to see +Uncle Fred standing near them. He had followed Daddy and Mother Bunker +to the place where the boys were fishing. + +"What is it?" asked Russ. + +"That's a snapping turtle--not a mud turtle," went on the ranchman. +"They're very hard biters, and if a big one gets hold of your finger or +toe he might bite it off, or at least hurt it very much. So keep away +from these fellows." + +"I thought it didn't look like a mud turtle," said Russ. + +"It is something like one, but different in shape," went on Uncle Fred. +"We'll just cut this one off your line, Laddie." + +The line was cut, and the turtle, that had the hook in its mouth, +crawled down toward the creek. It had tried to crawl away before, but +could not because the fishing line held it. + +"They get their mouth closed tight, and don't like to open their jaws," +said Uncle Fred, as the turtle disappeared under the water with a +splash. "But I guess this one will open his mouth and let go the hook +when he gets off by himself. This is the largest snapper I've seen +around here. The Indians say they're good to eat, but I've never tried +it." + +"Well, I did catch something like a riddle, didn't I?" asked Laddie. + +"Yes. And Uncle Fred guessed the riddle," answered Russ. "Now we'll +fish some more." + +"And I don't want to catch any more snappers," said Laddie, when Uncle +Fred had fastened a new hook on his line. + +The grown folk went back to the ranch house, leaving the boys to fish, +and, somewhat to their own surprise, Laddie and Russ each caught two +good-sized fish. + +With shouts of delight, about an hour after having captured the snapping +turtle, they ran to the house, holding up on strings the prizes they had +caught. + +"We'll have 'em cooked!" cried Laddie. "They're good to eat! One of the +cowboys told us they were." + +"Yes, those fish are good to eat," said Uncle Fred. "I'll have Bill +Johnson clean and cook them for you." + +"This is better than riddles!" laughed Russ. "I'm going fishing every +day and catch fish." + +"And I'm going, too," declared Violet. + +"Good!" cried her father. "Then Uncle Fred won't have to buy so many +things at the store." + +The fish were cooked, and very good they were, too, though Mun Bun said +they had too many bones in them, and this, perhaps, was true. But all +fish have bones. + +As the days went on Uncle Fred and his men, as well as Daddy Bunker, +tried to find the lost cattle, or the men who, it was thought, had taken +them. But they could not. The cattle seemed to have vanished, leaving no +trace. + +Every day some of the six little Bunkers, and, sometimes, all of them, +went to the mysterious spring, to see if any of the water had run out, +but it seemed to be all right, and behaving just as a spring should. + +"Though there's no telling when it will go dry again," said Uncle Fred. +"We'll have to keep watch of it. For nearly every time the spring goes +dry I lose some cattle." + +"May we go for a ride on our ponies to-day?" asked Russ of his mother +one morning. "Laddie and I want a ride." + +"Will you be very careful," asked his mother, "not to go outside the big +field?" + +"Oh, yes, we'll just stay in the big field," promised Laddie. "Come on, +Russ! We'll have some fun!" + +The four older Bunker children had learned to ride the little Shetland +ponies very well. Uncle Fred had let them take, for their own use, four +of the best animals, which were kind and gentle. He had also set aside +for them a big fenced-in field, where they might ride. + +Over to the corral Russ and Laddie ran, and soon they were leading out +their own two special ponies. A little later they were riding them +around the big fenced-in meadow, playing they were cowboys and Indians, +though Russ was not allowed to have a lasso. Uncle Fred had said that if +a little boy, like Russ, played with a rope while riding a pony, the +cord might get tangled in the pony's legs, and throw it. + +"This is lots of fun!" cried Laddie, as he trotted about. + +"Most fun we ever had!" agreed Russ. + +But as the six little Bunkers said this every place they went, you can +take it for what it is worth. Certainly they were having good times at +Uncle Fred's. + +When Russ and Laddie were giving their ponies a rest in the shade of a +tree that grew at one side of the field, they heard a voice calling to +them: + +"Give me a ride! Oh, please give me a ride!" + +"It's Margy!" cried Russ, looking around. "How'd you get here, Margy?" +he asked. + +"I walked," stated the little girl. "Mother and Daddy have gone to the +store with Violet to get her a new dress, and Mun Bun has gone, too. I +stayed at home with Rose." + +"Where is Rose now?" asked Laddie. + +"She is out in the kitchen, making a pie. Bill Johnson said she could. +So I took a walk to come over to see you, and I want a ride." + +"Shall we give her a ride?" asked Laddie. + +"I'd like to," Russ answered. "But how can we? Mother said we couldn't +take any one on the same pony with us, 'cause we couldn't hold 'em on +tight enough." + +"If we only had a little cart we could give her a ride," said Laddie. +"We could sit on our pony's back and one of us could pull her in the +cart. But we haven't got a cart." + +"Please, I want a ride!" repeated Margy. + +Russ didn't say anything for a moment. Then he suddenly exclaimed: + +"I know how we can give her a ride!" + +"How?" asked Laddie. "Can you make a cart?" + +"No, but I can make something just as good!" exclaimed Russ, and he +began whistling. "You wait, Margy! I'll give you a ride!" + +Russ tied his pony to the fence and hurried over toward the barn, +telling Margy to crawl in under the fence and wait until he came back. + +Margy was going to have a ride, and there was to be a queer ending to +it. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MUN BUN'S PIE + + +Russ Bunker came back from the barn, dragging with him some long bean +poles, an old bag that had held oats for the horses, and some pieces of +rope. + +"Are you going to make a swing?" asked Margy. + +"I'm going to make something for you to ride in," answered Russ. + +"A carriage?" asked Laddie. + +"An Indian carriage," Russ answered. "One of the cowboys was telling me +about 'em. The Indians fasten two poles, one on each side of a horse. +Then they tie the ends of the poles that drag on the ground together +with some ropes, and they stick a bag or a piece of cloth between the +poles, and tie it there. + +"That makes a place where you can sit or lie down, or put something you +want to carry. And that's where we'll put Margy." + +"Oh, I'll like a ride like that!" exclaimed the little girl. "I was in +the kitchen with Rose, but I came out 'cause she's making a pie. I'll go +back when the pie is done, and get a piece." + +"So'll I," added Laddie with a laugh. "I like pie!" + +He and Russ began to make the queer carriage in which Margy was to ride. +Perhaps you may have seen them in Indian pictures. A long pole is +fastened on either side of a horse, being tied to the edge of the +saddle. The ends drag behind the horse on the ground, and between these +poles is a platform, or a piece of bagging stretched, in which the +Indian squaws and their papooses, or babies, ride. It is just like a +carriage or cart, except that it has no wheels. + +It took Russ and Laddie longer than they thought it would to make the +Indian carriage for Margy. But at last it was finished, and there, +dragging behind Russ's pony, were the two long poles, and a bag was tied +between them for Margy to sit on. + +"All aboard!" cried Laddie, when it was finished. + +"Hey! This isn't a ship! You don't say all aboard!" exclaimed Russ. + +"What do you say?" + +"Well, you say get in, or something like that. Not 'all aboard!' That's +only for boats or maybe trains." + +"Well, get in, Margy," said Laddie. "Russ will ride ahead and pull you, +and I'll ride behind, just as if I was another Indian. That's what we'll +play--Indian!" he said. + +"All right," agreed Russ. + +"Oh, this is fun!" exclaimed Margy, when she was seated in the Indian +carriage and Russ's pony was pulling her about the field. "I like it." + +[Illustration: MARGY WAS HAVING A NICE RIDE.] + +Indeed she was having a nice ride, though it was rather bumpy when the +dragging poles went over stones or holes in the ground. But Margy did +not mind that, for the bag seat in which she was cuddled was nice and +soft. + +Once one of the poles, which were fastened to the pony with pieces of +clothesline, came loose, and the pony walked around dragging only one, +so that Margy was spilled out. But the grass was soft, and she only +laughed at the accident. + +Russ tied the pole back again, and then he and Laddie rode around the +field, Margy being dragged after them, just as, in the olden days, the +real Indians used to give their squaws and papooses a ride from one part +of the country to another. + +"I guess the ponies are tired now," said Laddie, as he noticed his +walking rather slowly. "Maybe we'd better give them a rest." + +"I guess so," agreed Russ. "We'll let 'em rest in the shade of the +tree." + +So they rode their ponies into the shade and left them standing there, +the boys themselves running around in the grass, to "stretch their +legs," as their father used to call it. + +"Margy's asleep," said Russ, as he got down from his pony and saw that +his little sister's eyes were closed, as she lay cuddled up in the bag +between the two trailing poles. "We'll let her sleep while we play tag." + +And so Margy slept in the Indian carriage, while Russ and Laddie raced +about the big field. Then they forgot all about Margy, for they heard +Rose calling to them: + +"Russ! Laddie! Do you want some of my pie? I baked it all myself in Bill +Johnson's oven!" + +"Oh, her pie is done!" cried Laddie. + +"Come on! Let's get some!" added Russ. + +Then the two boys, forgetting all about Margy sleeping in the Indian +carriage, ran out of the field, leaving the ponies behind them, and +leaving their little sister also. + +"Is it a real pie?" asked Russ, as he reached the ranch house, in front +of which stood Rose. + +"Course it is," she answered. + +"And has it got a crust, and things inside, like Norah makes?" Laddie +wanted to know. + +"Course it has," declared Rose. "Come on, I'll give you some." + +They went out to the kitchen where Bill Johnson was busy. He greeted the +boys with a laugh. + +"That little sister of yours is some cook!" exclaimed the cook. "She can +make a pie almost as good as I can, and it took me a good many years to +learn." + +"Let's see the pie!" demanded Russ. + +"Here 'tis!" exclaimed Rose. "We set it out on the window sill to cool," +and she brought in what seemed like a very nice pie, indeed. + +And it was good, too, as the boys said after they had tasted it. True, +it was made of canned peaches, but then you can't get fresh peaches on a +Western ranch in early summer. Canned ones did very well. + +"Could I have another piece?" asked Laddie, finishing his first. + +"Well, a little one," said Rose. "I want to save some for Margy---- Oh, +where is Margy?" she suddenly cried. "I forgot all about her, and Mother +said I was to watch her! Oh, where is she?" + +Rose started up in alarm, but Laddie said: + +"Margy is all right. She came over where me and Russ--I mean, Russ and +I--were riding our ponies, and we made an Indian carriage for her," and +he explained what they had done. + +"But where is she now?" Rose demanded. + +"She's asleep over there," Russ said slowly, and pointed to the big +field. + +"Let's go and get her, and we'll take her this piece of pie," proposed +Laddie. "If she doesn't want it I'll eat it." + +"No, I will!" cried Russ. "You've had two pieces." + +"Margy will want it all right!" declared Rose. "She likes pie. I'm going +to make another some day." + +Carrying Margy's piece of pie, the three little Bunkers went over to the +field where the ponies had been left. On the way Russ told Rose more +about the queer Indian carriage he had made. + +"Will it hold me?" Rose asked. + +"Yes, and I'll give you a ride after Margy wakes up," Russ promised. +"I'll get some more poles for Laddie's pony and he can ride Vi and I'll +ride you." + +"Oh, won't that be fun!" cried Rose. + +But when they reached the field where the ponies had been left a sad +surprise awaited them. Neither of the two little creatures were to be +seen, and there was no sign of Margy or the queer Indian carriage +either. + +"Oh, they--they're gone!" gasped Russ. + +"Both ponies!" added Laddie. + +"And where's Margy?" asked Rose, holding the piece of pie in her hand. + +"She's gone, too," said Russ. "Oh, dear!" + +"Maybe the Indians came and took her," said Laddie. + +"I don't see any Indians," and Russ shook his head. + +"But maybe they rode off with her." + +"Or maybe the bad men that took Uncle Fred's cattle came and took the +ponies and Margy," said Rose. "Oh, what are we going to do?" + +"We must tell Uncle Fred!" exclaimed Russ. + +"He's away off at the far end of the ranch," said Rose. "He rode over +with some of the cowboys when I was making my pie." + +"Is Mother or Daddy back?" asked Laddie. + +"No, not yet," Rose answered. "Oh, dear! Mother will say it is my fault, +for she told me to watch Margy, but I forgot when I was making my pie." + +The pie seemed to give Russ an idea. + +"We'll tell Bill Johnson," he said. "Bill used to be a cowboy, if he is +a cook now, and he'll know how to find anybody the Indians have taken. +We'll go and tell Bill Johnson." + +So back to the ranch house rushed the children, bursting in on Bill +Johnson with an excited story about the missing ponies and Margy. + +"Ponies gone out of the big field, eh?" asked Bill. "Well, I expect you +left the bars down, didn't you--the place where you made a hole in the +fence to drive the ponies in from the corral? Did you leave the bars +down?" + +"I guess we did," admitted Russ. + +"Come on with me," said Bill with a laugh. "I guess I can find the +ponies for you." + +"But we want Margy, too!" said Rose. + +"Yes, I guess I can find her also." + +Bill Johnson led the way to the corral, where the ponies were kept, and +there, among their fellows, were the two missing ones. And, best of all, +the sticks were still fast to the one Russ had ridden, and Margy was +just awakening and was still in her place in the bag between the poles. + +"Oh, Margy!" cried Rose, "I brought you some pie." + +"I had a nice ride," said Margy, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Russ +gave me a nice ride, and we played Indian, and I went to sleep." + +"Yes, and while you slept," said Bill, "the two ponies took a notion +they wanted to go back with the others in the corral. So they just +walked through the fence, where the bars were down, and went out, the +one dragging Margy with it. It's a good thing you made the Indian +carriage so good and strong, Russ, or she might have been hurt. After +this don't leave ponies alone in a field with the bars down." + +The boys promised they wouldn't. Margy was lifted out, the poles were +taken off Russ's pony and the children went back to the ranch house. + +Of course, Mrs. Bunker had to caution Russ and Laddie to be a little +more careful when she heard the tale. + +The six little Bunkers had lots of fun at Uncle Fred's. Each day there +was something new to see or do, and as the weather became warmer they +were outdoors from morning until night. + +One day Margy and Mun Bun went off by themselves with the pails and +shovels they had played with at the beach when they visited Cousin Tom. + +"Don't go too far," called their mother after them. "Don't go out of +sight of the house." + +"We won't," they promised. + +"I just goin' to make mud pies down by the pond," said Mun Bun. + +The "pond" was a place where the creek widened out into a shallow place, +only half-way to Mun Bun's knees in depth. On one shore was sand, where +"pies" could be made. + +It was about half an hour after Mun Bun and Margy had gone to play on +the shore of the creek that Margy came running back alone. + +"Where's Mun Bun?" her mother asked her. + +"He's in a mud pie and he can't get out," explained the little girl. +"Come on, and get Mun Bun out of the mud pie." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE WIND WAGON + + +For a moment Mrs. Bunker did not know whether Margy was fooling or not. +She could not imagine how Mun Bun could be stuck in a "mud pie," and yet +that was what Margy had said. + +"Is he hurt?" asked Mrs. Bunker, as she laid aside her sewing and got +ready to follow Margy to the creek. + +"No. He's only just stuck in the middle of his big pie, and he can't get +out. And he's all mud and he looks awful funny." + +"I should think he would!" exclaimed the mother of the six little +Bunkers. "Hurry along, Margy, and show me where he is." + +"What's the matter now?" asked Daddy Bunker, who came along just then, +in time to hear what his wife said. "What has happened to Mun Bun now?" + +"He is stuck in a mud pie, so Margy says," answered Mrs. Bunker. +"Perhaps you had better come with me and see what it's all about." + +Together Mr. and Mrs. Bunker hurried after Margy. As they came within +sight of the pond they could not see Mun Bun at all. + +"Where is he?" asked the little chap's mother. "Where did you leave him, +Margy?" + +"There he is--right over there!" answered the little girl. She pointed +to something that, at first, did not look at all like Mun Bun. But as +Mr. Bunker took a second glance he saw that it was his little boy, and +Mun Bun was, indeed, "stuck in a mud pie." + +"Why he's in a regular bog-hole!" cried Mr. Bunker. "He must have waded +out into the water for something or other, and he got stuck in the mud." + +"And he has sunk down!" cried Mrs. Bunker. "Get him out right away, +Daddy! He may be smothered in the mud!" + +"I'll get him!" cried Mun Bun's father. + +Mr. Bunker took off his shoes and socks and, rolling up his trousers so +they would not get muddy, waded out to where his little boy was. Truly +Mun Bun was stuck in the middle of a big mud pie--at least that was what +Margy called it. It was, however, the muddy bottom of the pond itself, +which, at one end, was a regular bog, being fenced off so no cattle or +horses could get in. + +But Mun Bun had climbed in under the fence, and at once he found himself +in soft mud. He had begun to sink down; so he called for help, and Margy +ran to tell her mother. + +"My, but you are a sight, Mun Bun!" cried his father, as he came to the +side of the little boy and began pulling him out. And Mun Bun was stuck +so fast in the mud that Mr. Bunker had to pull quite hard to loosen him. +And when Mun Bun came up, his legs and feet making a funny, sucking +sound as they were pulled out, he was covered with mud and water from +his toes to his waist. Mud was splashed up on his face, too, and his +hands--well, they didn't look like hands at all! They were just "gobs of +mud," Margy said. + +"How did it happen? What made you go in the mud?" asked the little boy's +mother, as Daddy Bunker waded to shore with Mun Bun. + +"Well, I made some mud pies in the sand," Mun Bun explained, "and then I +thought maybe if I could find a mud turkle he'd eat the pies. So I +crawled under the fence and went in the deep mud to look for a mud +turkle." + +Mun Bun meant a "turtle," of course. + +"But I didn't find any," he went on, "and I went down deeper and deeper, +and then I hollered like anything." + +"And I heard him," said Margy. "I was going to wade in and get him, but +my feet went down deep in the mud, so I ran for you." + +"It's a good thing you did," said her mother. "You mustn't come here +again. You might get stuck and never get out. Never come here again!" + +"Can't we make mud pies in the sand?" asked Mun Bun. + +"Yes, but you mustn't hunt for mud turtles. Stay outside the bog fence." + +The children promised that they would, and then came the work of washing +Mun Bun and Margy. Margy was the easiest to clean, as she only had mud +on her up to her knees. She waded in the creek where there was a clean, +sandy bottom, and where the water was clear, and soon the mud was washed +off her. + +"But as for Mun Bun," said his father, "I guess I'll have to put him in +the creek, clothes and all, up to his neck, and let the water wash the +mud away." + +"I guess you'd better," said Mrs. Bunker. "That's the only way to get +off the mud." + +The day was warm, and so was the water, so Mun Bun was set down in the +creek at a clean place, and he and his clothes were washed at the same +time. The mud was rinsed from his hands and face and, in time, it came +off his feet, legs and clothes. + +"It's just like I been in swimming with all my things on!" laughed Mun +Bun, as his father lifted him out of the pond. + +"Well, don't make any more mud pies right away," his mother told him, +and Mun Bun promised not to. + +The other little Bunkers laughed when they heard what had happened to +Mun Bun. + +"Maybe I could make up a riddle about Mun Bun in a mud pie," said +Laddie. + +"I don't want you to!" the little boy exclaimed. "I don't want to be in +a riddle." + +"All right. Then I'll make up one about something else," went on Laddie. +"This is it. What is it you cannot take from the top of a house to the +bottom?" + +"Pooh! that isn't a riddle," said Russ. + +"Say it again," begged Rose. + +"What is it you can't take from the top of a house and put it on the +bottom--I mean like down cellar?" asked Laddie. + +"There isn't anything," declared Violet. "If you got anything in the top +of your house you can take it down cellar, if you want to; can't you, +Daddy?" + +"Well, I should think so, yes," answered Mr. Bunker. + +"No, you can't!" declared Laddie. "Do you all give up? What is it in the +top of the house that you can't take down cellar with you?" + +"The chimney," answered Russ. + +"Nope," said Laddie. "'Cause the chimney starts down cellar, anyhow, and +goes up to the top. I mean what's in the top of a house you can't take +down cellar?" + +"We'll give up," said his mother. "What is it?" + +"A hole in the roof!" answered Laddie with a laugh. "You can't take a +hole in the roof down cellar, can you?" + +"No, I guess you can't," admitted Uncle Fred. "That's a pretty good +riddle, Laddie." + +It was two or three days after Mun Bun had become stuck in the mud pie +that the children awakened one morning to find a high wind blowing +outside. + +"Oh, is this a cyclone?" asked Violet, for she had heard they had such +winds in the West. + +"Oh, no, this wind is nothing like as strong as a cyclone," answered +Uncle Fred. "It's just one of our summer winds. They're strong, but they +do no damage. Look out for your hair if you go outdoors; it might blow +off." + +"My hair can't blow off 'cause it's fast to me--it's growed fast!" +explained Violet. + +"Well, then be careful it doesn't blow you away, hair and all!" said +Uncle Fred, but by the way he laughed Violet knew he was only joking. + +The children went out to play, and they had to hold their hats on most +of the time, as the wind blew across the plain so strongly. But the six +little Bunkers did not mind. + +"If we only had a boat, and the pond was big enough, we could have a +fine sail!" cried Laddie, as he looked at the wind making little waves +on the place where Mun Bun had been stuck in the mud. + +"Oh, I know what we could make!" suddenly exclaimed Russ. + +"What?" his brother wanted to know. + +"A wind wagon." + +"A wind wagon?" + +"Yes, you know, a wagon that the wind will blow. Come on, we'll do it. +Mother read me a story once about a boy who lived in the West, and he +made himself a wind wagon and he had a nice ride. Come on, we'll make +one!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +"CAPTAIN RUSS" + + +Laddie knew Russ could make many play-things, for he had seen his +brother at work. But a wind wagon was something new. Laddie did not see +how this could be made. + +"Where are you going to get your wagon?" he asked Russ, as the two boys +went out to the barn. + +"There's an old express wagon out here. I saw it the other day. It's +broken, but maybe we can fix it. Uncle Fred said it belonged to a family +that used to live on this ranch before he bought it. We'll make the wind +wagon out of that." + +In a corner of the barn, under a pile of trash and rubbish, was found an +old, broken toy express wagon. + +"The four wheels are all right, and that's the main thing," said Russ. +"We can fix the other part. The wheels you must have, else you can't +make a wind wagon. Come on! We'll have lots of fun." + +Then began the making of the wind wagon, though Laddie, even yet, didn't +know exactly what Russ meant by it. But Russ soon told his brother what +he was going to do, and not only told him, but showed him. + +"You see, Laddie," explained Russ, "a water ship sails on the ocean or a +lake 'cause the wind blows on the sail and makes it go." + +"Yes," answered Laddie, "I know that." + +"Well, 'stead of a water ship, I'm going to make a wind ship that will +go on land. I'll fix the old express wagon up so it will roll along on +wheels." + +"Do you mean to have a pony pull it?" + +"No. Though we could do it that way, if we wanted to. And maybe we will +if the wind wagon won't work. But I think it will. You see, we'll fasten +a sail to the wagon, and then we'll get in it and the wind will blow on +the sail and blow us along as fast as anything." + +"It'll be lots of fun!" exclaimed Laddie. + +Russ and Laddie so often made things, or, at least, tried to do so, +that their father and mother never paid much attention to the boys when +they heard them hammering, sawing or battering away, with Russ whistling +one merry tune after another. He always whistled when he made things. +And now he was going to make a wind wagon. + +It was not as easy as the boys had thought it would be to get the broken +express wagon so it would run. The wheels were rusty on the axles, and +they squeaked when Russ tried to turn them. + +"And they've got to run easy if we want to ride," he said. + +However, one of the cowboys saw that the boys were making something, and +when they told him the trouble with the rusty wheels he gave them some +axle grease that he used on the big wagons. After that the wheels spun +around easily. + +"Now we'll go fast!" cried Russ. + +With a hammer and some nails, which he and Laddie found in the barn, +they nailed the broken express wagon together, for some of the bottom +boards were loose, as well as one of the sides. + +But at last, after an hour of hard work, the wagon was in pretty good +shape. It could be pulled about, and it would hold the two boys. + +"Now we have to make a mast for the sail," said Russ, "and we must get a +piece of cloth for the sail, and we've got to have some way to guide the +wagon." + +"Couldn't I stick my foot out back, and steer that way, same as I do +when I'm coasting downhill in winter?" asked Laddie. + +"Nope," Russ answered. "We'll have to steer by the front wheels, same as +an automobile steers. But I can tie a rope to the front wheels, and pull +it whichever way I want to go, just like Jimmie Brackson used to steer +his coaster wagon down the hill at home." + +He tied a rope on the front axle, close to each front wheel, and then, +by pulling on the cords, he could turn the wagon whichever way he wanted +to make it go. + +"The mast is going to be hard," said Russ, and he and Laddie found it +so. They could not make it stand upright, and at last they had to call +on Daddy Bunker. + +"Oh, so you're going to make a ship to sail on dry land, are you?" asked +their father, when they told him their troubles with the mast. + +"Will it sail?" asked Laddie. + +"Well, it may, a little way. The wind is very strong to-day. I'll help +you fix it." + +With Daddy Bunker's aid, the mast was soon fixed so that it stood +straight up in front of the wagon, being nailed fast and braced. Then +they found some pieces of old bags for sails, and these were sewed +together and made fast to the mast. There was a gaff, which is the +little slanting stick at the top of a sail, and a boom, which is the big +stick at the bottom. Only the whole sail, gaff, boom and all, was not +very large. + +"If you have your sail too big," said Daddy Bunker, "it will tip your +wagon over when the wind blows hard. Better have a smaller sail and go a +bit slower, than have an accident." + +At last the sail was finished and hoisted on the mast. Russ and Laddie +took their places in the wagon, and Daddy Bunker turned it around so the +wind would blow straight from the back. The wagon stood on a smooth +part of the prairies, where the grass had been eaten short by the +hundreds of Uncle Fred's cattle. + +"All ready, boys?" called their father to them. + +"All ready!" answered Russ. + +"All aboard!" answered Laddie. "I can say that this time, 'cause this is +really a ship, though it sails on dry land," he added. + +"Yes, you can say that," agreed Russ. + +"Here you go!" cried Daddy Bunker. + +He gave the wind wagon a shove, and it began to move. Slowly it went at +first, and then, as the wind struck the sail, it began to send the toy +along faster. + +"Hurray!" cried Russ. "We're sailing!" + +"Fine!" shouted Laddie. + +And the boys were really moving over the level prairie in the wind wagon +Russ had made. They could only go straight, or nearly so, and could not +sail much to one side or the other, as their land ship was not like a +water one. It would not "tack," or move across the wind. + +Along they sailed, rather bumpily, it is true, but Russ and Laddie did +not mind that. Russ could pull on the ropes fast to the front wheels, +and steer his "ship" out of the way of stones and holes. + +"Well, the youngsters did pretty well!" exclaimed Uncle Fred, as he saw +Russ and Laddie sailing along. + +"Yes, they did better than I expected they would," said their father. +"If they don't upset they'll be all right." + +Laddie and Russ did not seem to be going to do this. The wind wagon +appeared to be a great success. + +"Oh, who made it? Where did you get it? Whose is it? Can't I have a +ride?" cried Violet, when she saw the new toy. + +"My, what a lot of questions!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker, laughing. + +"We'll give everybody a ride," said Russ, "only I'm going to sit in the +ship each time and steer. I'm the captain, and nobody knows how to steer +except me." + +When Laddie got out, Rose had a turn, and then Violet was given a ride. +The wind wagon went very nicely. Of course, each time it was blown over +the field, some distance from the ranch house, it had to be dragged +back again, as the children did not want to ride too far from home. + +But walking back with the land ship to the starting point was no worse +than walking back uphill with a sled, as the children had to do when +they went coasting in the winter. + +"And we walk back on level ground, not up a hill," said Russ. + +So the wind wagon was that much better than a sled. + +It came the turns of Mun Bun and Margy, and they liked the rides very +much. Only Mun Bun made trouble by wanting to guide the land ship, and +when he was told he could not, he snatched at the ropes Russ held, and +nearly made the wind wagon upset. + +After that Mun Bun was not given any more rides. + +"I guess he is cross because he hasn't had his sleep this afternoon," +said his mother. "Come on, Margy and Mun Bun. I'll put you to bed." + +So Russ, with Laddie, Violet and Rose, played with the wind wagon after +the two smallest Bunkers had been put to bed. + +But Russ began to feel that he had been a little selfish, and each of +the older children was allowed to guide the land ship some of the time. + +The wind kept blowing harder and harder, and at last the land ship went +so fast before the breeze that Mr. Bunker called: + +"Better shorten sail, Russ! Better take in some, or you may blow over." + +"Oh, I don't guess we will," said Russ, who was again, as he was most of +the time, doing the guiding. + +But he did not know what was going to happen. + +"The wind is blowing so strong now," said Laddie to his brother, "that +three of us could ride in the wagon 'stead of only two. It will blow +three of us." + +"We'll try it," agreed Russ. "Come on, Vi and Rose. I'll give you two a +ride at the same time." + +It was rather a tight squeeze to get the three children in the wagon, +but it was managed. Laddie shoved them off and away they went. + +The wind blew harder and harder, and, all of a sudden, as Russ steered +out of the way of a stone, there came a sudden puff, and--over went the +wind wagon, spilling out Rose, Violet and "Captain Russ" himself. The +mast broke off close to where it was fastened to the toy wagon, and the +sail became tangled in the arms and legs of the children. + +"My goodness!" cried Captain Roy, who came along just in time to see the +accident, which happened a little way from the ranch house. "Any of the +six little Bunkers hurt?" + +"There's only three of us in the wagon," said Russ, as he crawled out. +"I'm not hurt. Are you, Rose?" + +"No," she answered, laughing. "But where's Vi?" + +"Here I am," answered the little girl, as she crawled out from under the +wagon, which had upset. "And I don't like that way of stopping at all, +Russ Bunker! I like to stop easy!" + +"So do I," said Russ. "I didn't mean to do that. The wind was too strong +for us. Now the wagon is busted." + +It was indeed broken, and, as the wind blew harder than before, Daddy +Bunker said it would not be best to use the wind wagon any more, even if +it had not been smashed. So the toy was turned right side up, the broken +mast and sail put in it and Russ and Laddie took it to the barn. + +"We'll fix it up again to-morrow," said Russ. + +The children had other fun the rest of that day, and in the evening they +all had pony rides. And this time Margy was not given a ride in the +Indian carriage and left asleep. She had her own pony to ride on. + +The next day, when dinner was about to be served, Uncle Fred came in +looking rather thoughtful. + +"Has anything happened?" asked Mother Bunker. + +"Yes," he answered. "Some more of my cattle have been taken. I thought +this would happen after the spring started to go dry. I wish I could +find out what it all means--why the water runs out of the spring, and +who is taking my cattle." + +"I wish we could help," said Daddy Bunker. "But we don't seem able to. +The engineers you asked about it don't seem to know what makes your +spring go dry; the books tell nothing about it, and we can't find any of +your lost cattle. I'm afraid we Bunkers aren't helping any." + +"Well, I like to have you here!" said Uncle Fred. "Three Star Ranch +would be lonesome if the six little Bunkers went away. Just stay on, and +maybe we'll solve the riddle yet." + +They were just going in to dinner, when a cowboy rode up on a pony that +was covered with foam, from having been ridden far and fast. + +"What's the matter?" asked Uncle Fred, as he went out to talk to the +man--for cowboys are men, though they are called boys. "Are any more of +my cattle gone?" + +"No, but they're likely to be. There's a big prairie fire started some +miles south of here, and the wind is blowing it right this way. We've +got to do something if we want to save the ranch houses from burning!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A CATTLE STAMPEDE + + +"What's that?" cried Uncle Fred. "A prairie fire?" + +"Yes, and a bad one, too," answered the man. "I saw it when I was +bringing in those steers you told me to get ready to ship away on the +train. I just left them, knowing they'd keep out of danger, and rode as +fast as I could to tell you." + +"That's right! Glad you did!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Now we must get to +work right away to stop the fire from burning us out. Come on, boys!" he +called. "Where's Captain Roy?" + +"Here I am!" cried the former soldier, as he came out of the dining-room +where he had been helping Margy and Mun Bun get up in their chairs, +ready to eat. "What's the matter?" + +"Prairie fire!" answered Uncle Fred. "We've got to stop it coming any +farther this way, or it may burn all our ranch buildings down! No time +for dinner now! We've got to fight the fire!" + +"Can I help?" asked Russ eagerly. + +"I want to just the same as him!" added Laddie. + +"No, you boys must keep out of the way," answered Daddy Bunker. "I'll go +and help Fred," he said to his wife. "You'll have to keep the children +with you." + +"I will," answered Mrs. Bunker. + +"Oh, you don't need to do that," said Uncle Fred. "The fire is not near +us yet, and if we can plow a wide strip of ground in time, the fire will +come to the edge of that and stop. The older children can stand out of +the way and watch the plowing, if they like." + +"Can we see the fire, too?" asked Russ. + +"Yes. Though you can't go very close," his uncle answered. "Let them +have a look," he added to Daddy Bunker. "It isn't every day they see a +prairie fire, and they'll never forget it. There will be no danger to +them." + +"All right," said Daddy Bunker. "Russ and Laddie and Violet and Rose +may go to watch the plowing and see the fire. But Mun Bun and Margy must +stay at home." + +"I like to stay at home," said Margy. "I'm awful busy to-day." + +"I like to stay at home, too," said Mun Bun, who generally did what his +little sister did. + +So with the two smallest Bunkers at home with their mother, the other +four went with Daddy Bunker to see the fire and watch the cowboys at +work. + +When Uncle Fred had called the cowboys, they stopped whatever they were +doing and began to get ready to fight the fire. Some of them had had +their dinners, and others had not. But even those that had not eaten got +ready to work. Captain Roy hurried out, also ready to help. + +"Get all the horses and plows you can find," said Uncle Fred. "If we +haven't enough we'll borrow some from the neighbors." + +Though no other ranchmen lived within several miles of Uncle Fred, still +there were a few who had plows and horses that could be used. Uncle Fred +had a telephone in his house, and Captain Roy was soon calling up the +nearest ranchers, asking them to hurry with their plows and horses to +make a big, wide strip of bare ground, so the fire would have nothing to +burn. + +"They'll be here as soon as they can," said the captain. "They have +already seen the fire." + +"I see it, too!" exclaimed Russ. "Look at the black smoke!" + +"And I can see blazes, too!" exclaimed Laddie. + +"So can I," added Rose. + +"Who started the fire?" asked Violet. + +"That we don't know," answered Uncle Fred. "Sometimes a cowboy may drop +a match and forget about it. Again some one may start a campfire and +forget to put it out when he leaves. All those things start prairie +fires." + +Uncle Fred and Captain Roy, and as many cowboys as could be found, +started toward the cloud of black smoke with plows and horses. As Russ +had said, the smoke-cloud could plainly be seen. It seemed to be rolling +along the ground, as white, fleecy clouds roll along in the sky. And at +the bottom of the black cloud could be seen fire. + +The four little Bunkers were led by their father out to where they could +have a good view of the fire. The smoke was blacker now, and the flames +could be seen more plainly. At times, when the wind blew with unusual +strength, the children could smell the smoke and burning grass. + +"Does the wind push the fire on, same as it pushed Russ's sail-wagon?" +asked Vi. + +"Just the same," answered her father. "The fire comes toward us just as +fast as the wind blows. If the wind would only blow the other way the +fire would not harm us." + +But the wind was blowing right toward Uncle Fred's ranch houses, and he +and the cowboys knew they must hurry to plow the safety strip of land. + +And so they began. Back and forth the teams of horses pulled the plows, +turning the dry grass under and leaving only bare earth on top. Then +other cowboys came, and the farmers and ranchers who had been telephoned +to, and soon many were fighting the prairie fire. + +Nearer and nearer it came. The horses, smelling the smoke and seeing the +flames, began to snort and prance around. + +"Only a little more now," cried Uncle Fred, "and we'll be safe!" + +Back and forth the plows hurried, turning up strip after strip of damp +ground. It was so hot now, because the fire was nearer, that Daddy +Bunker led the children back a way. + +"Could the fire get ahead of me if I ran fast?" asked Russ, as he +watched the flames and smoke. + +"Yes, if the wind blows hard the fire can go faster than the fastest man +can run," said Captain Roy, who came up to where Daddy Bunker stood. The +captain was thirsty, and wanted a drink of water from the pail Daddy +Bunker had carried from the house. + +"Do you think you can stop the fire?" asked Violet. + +"Oh, yes, we'll stop it now all right," the former soldier answered. "We +started to plow just in time." + +And so it happened. The flames and smoke in the burning tall grass +rolled right up to the edge of the plowed strip, and then they stopped. +There was nothing more for the fire to "eat," as Russ called it. Some +little tongues of fire tried to creep around the ends of the plowed +strip, but the cowboys soon beat these out by throwing shovels full of +dirt on them. + +"There! Now the fire is out!" cried Uncle Fred. "There is no more +danger." + +"And will your houses be all right?" Rose asked. + +"Yes, they won't burn now." + +There was still much smoke in the air, but the wind was blowing it away. +And then the children could see the big field, all burned black by the +fire. + +"The cows can't eat that now, can they?" asked Laddie. + +"No, it's spoiled for pasture," said Uncle Fred. "But it will grow up +again. Still a prairie fire is a bad thing." + +The little Bunkers thought so, too, and they were glad when it was over. +They went back to the house, leaving some of the cowboys on guard, to +see that no stray sparks started another fire. + +"And now we'll have dinner," said Uncle Fred. "It's a little late, but +we'll call it dinner just the same." + +He invited the men from the other ranches, who had come to help him +fight the fire, to stay with him, and soon Bill Johnson was serving a +meal to many hungry men. The little Bunkers had theirs separately. + +That afternoon Russ and Laddie and Vi went fishing again, while Mrs. +Bunker took the other children for a ride in one of Uncle Fred's wagons, +with Daddy Bunker to drive. She went to call on a neighbor, about five +miles away; a lady who used to live near Mrs. Bunker, but whom she had +not seen for a long while. + +Laddie, Russ and Violet had fun fishing, and caught enough for Bill +Johnson to cook for supper. + +"Come on!" called Laddie to Russ that evening, after they had played for +a while out near the barn. "Let's go over and get a drink out of the +spring." + +"All right," agreed Russ. "Maybe we can see what makes it dry up." + +"Maybe a bad Indian does it," suggested Laddie. "If I saw him do it I'd +lasso him." + +"So would I--only they won't let us have lassos any more." + +"Well, maybe they would if they knew we could catch an Indian," went on +Laddie hopefully. "Come on, anyhow." Then off they started toward the +spring. + +"Oh, look!" exclaimed Russ, who had run on ahead. "The water's all gone +again!" + +"It is?" cried Laddie. "Oh, we'd better go and tell Uncle Fred! Let me +see!" + +He hurried to his brother's side. Surely enough, there was hardly a +pailful of water in the bottom of the spring. And the stream that +trickled in through the rocks at the back had stopped. + +"Do you s'pose the bad men are taking any more of Uncle Fred's cattle?" +asked Laddie. "He said they did that when the spring went dry." + +The two little boys managed to dip up a drink in the half a cocoanut +shell, and then they looked about them. Night was coming on, and the sun +had set some little time before. + +"Hark! what's that?" asked Russ, listening. + +"Thunder?" asked Laddie. "Is it thunder?" + +"It sounds like it," said Russ, "but I don't see any lightning. I guess +we'd better go home, anyhow." + +They started away from the spring, and then Laddie suddenly cried: + +"Oh, look! Look at Uncle Fred's cows all running away!" + +Russ looked, and saw a big bunch of cattle rushing and thundering across +the plain. It was the hoofs of the cattle beating on the ground that +made the sound like thunder. + +"Oh, what is it? What is it?" cried Laddie. "What makes 'em run like +that?" + +"It's a cattle stampede!" shouted a voice, almost in the ears of the +boys. "Look out! Up you come!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AN INDIAN + + +"It's a cattle stampede!" + +Before Russ and Laddie had a chance to think what this meant, though +Uncle Fred had told them in his stories, each little boy felt himself +caught up in strong arms, and set on a horse in front of a cowboy. + +What had happened was that two of Uncle Fred's cowboys had ridden along +when Russ and Laddie were at the spring, and, fearing the little lads +might get into danger, they had taken them up on their saddles. + +"Where are we going?" asked Laddie, undecided whether or not to cry. + +"We are going home--that is, I'm going to take you home," said the +cowboy, smiling down at Laddie. "Then we'll try to stop these cattle +from running away." + +"Are the cattle running away?" asked Russ of the cowboy who held him so +firmly in front on his saddle. + +"That's what they are, little man," was the answer. "Something +frightened the steers, and they started to run. We've got to stop 'em, +too!" + +"Will they run far?" asked Russ. + +"Well, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't," answered the cowboy. +"It all depends. Out here on the plain, where there isn't any high land +or cliffs for them to topple over, there isn't much danger. The cattle +will run until they get tired out. But, of course, some of 'em get +stepped on and hurt, and that's bad. And sometimes our cattle get mixed +in with another herd, when they stampede this way, and it's hard to get +'em unmixed again. But we're going to take you two boys to the ranch +house, and then we'll try to stop the stampede. What were you doing out +here, anyhow?" + +"Looking at the spring," answered Russ. "It's gone dry again." + +"Has it?" asked the cowboy. "Then that means we'll lose more cattle, I +reckon. Maybe the men started this stampede." + +"No, I think this stampede was started by Indians," said the cowboy who +had Laddie, and who had just ridden up alongside Russ in order to speak +to "his cowboy" as Russ afterward called him. + +"Indians!" cried Russ. + +"Yes. Sometimes they come off the reservation, and start to travel to +see some of their friends. A band of Indians will stampede a bunch of +cattle as soon as anything else." + +"Could we see the Indians?" asked Laddie. + +"Well, maybe you can, if they come to the ranch. Some do to get +something to eat," was the answer. "But hold tight now, we've got to +ride faster, if we want to get help in time to stop the runaway cattle." + +So the two little boys held tightly to the horn, which is that part of +the saddle which was directly in front of them. This horn is what the +cowboys fasten their lassos around when they catch a wild steer or a +pony. + +Behind the boys could be heard the thunder of the hoofs of the +stampeding steers. They were running close together, and, even in the +half-darkness of the evening, a big cloud of dust raised by the many +feet could be seen. + +"What's the matter?" cried Uncle Fred, as the two cowboys rode up to the +ranch with Laddie and Russ. + +"Stampede!" was the answer. "Big bunch of cattle running away." + +"Oh, my!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Well, get right after 'em! Stop 'em!" + +And this is what the cowboys did. The two who had seen the stampede +first, and ridden in to tell the news, bringing Laddie and Russ on the +way, were joined by other cowboys. They then rode toward the rushing +cattle, to head them off, or turn them back. + +A stampede on a ranch means that a lot of steers or horses become so +frightened over something that they all run together, and don't pay any +attention to where they are going. If one of their number falls, the +others trample right over it. So, too, if a cowboy on his horse got too +close to the stampeding cattle, he would be trampled on. + +To stop a stampede the cowboys try to turn the cattle around. This they +do by riding along in front of them, as close as they dare, firing their +big revolvers. They try to scare the steers from keeping on. Then if +they can turn the front ones back, and get them to run in a +circle--"milling," it is called--the others will do the same thing. The +cattle stop running, quiet down and can be driven back where they came +from. + +It is hard work. Still it has to be done. + +It soon grew so dark that the children and grown folk, watching from the +house, could see nothing. Mrs. Bunker wanted the six little Bunkers to +go to bed, but the four older children wanted to stay up and hear what +the cowboys had to say when they came back. + +"Well, you may stay half an hour," their father told them. "If they +aren't back then off to bed you go!" + +However, the cowboys came back about fifteen minutes later, saying they +had stopped the stampede and turned the cattle back where they belonged. + +"That's good," said Uncle Fred. "What with the fire and a stampede these +are busy times at Three Star Ranch." + +"And the spring is dried up again!" said Russ. "We forgot to tell you, +Uncle Fred." + +"The spring dried up once more? Well, I suppose that means more trouble +and more cattle missing. I do wish I could find out this puzzle. +Laddie, why can't you solve that riddle for me?" + +"I don't know, Uncle Fred. I wish I could," said Laddie, as he was taken +off to bed. + +The next day Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker went out to look at the spring, +to take some more pictures of it with the camera, and see if they could +find any reason for its going dry. Laddie and Russ and Vi, who usually +wanted to go where her twin did, went with them, the other children +staying at home to play. + +"Yes, there's hardly any water in it," said Uncle Fred, as he looked +down in the rocky basin at which Laddie and Russ had taken a drink the +night before. "I think we'll have to dig back of those rocks," he said +to Daddy Bunker, "and see what's behind them." + +"It might be a good plan," agreed the children's father. "There may be +some sort of secret channel through which the water runs out under the +ground. I think I would dig, if I were you." + +"I will," said Uncle Fred. "I'll go back to the house now and get picks +and shovels. You can wait here for me." + +"I'll come with you," said Daddy Bunker. "The children will be all right +here." + +"I'll go with you, Daddy," said Vi. "I must look after my mud pie I left +in the sun to bake." + +Uncle Fred started back toward the ranch buildings with Mr. Bunker and +Vi, while Laddie and Russ sat down near the spring to wait. There was +just a faint trickle of water coming through the rocks. + +Suddenly the boys were surprised to hear a sort of grunt behind them, +and, turning quickly, they saw a figure such as they had often seen in +pictures. + +"An Indian!" gasped Russ. "Oh, Laddie! It's an Indian!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WHAT ROSE FOUND + + +There was no doubt about it. Standing in front of Laddie and Russ was an +Indian. He was a tall man, with dark skin. + +The Indian had a blanket wrapped around him, and on his feet were what +seemed to be slippers, made of soft skin. Later the boys learned that +these were moccasins. + +In his hair the Indian had stuck two or three brightly-colored feathers. +He was not a nice-looking man, but he smiled, in what he most likely +meant to be a kind way, at the boys, and, pointing to the spring, said: + +"Water? Indian get drink water?" + +For a moment Russ or Laddie did not know what to think. The coming of an +Indian was so sudden that it surprised them. They were all alone, too, +for Uncle Fred and their father had gone back to the house to get +shovels and picks to dig up the rocks back of the spring. + +"Water? Indian get drink water?" asked the Redman again. + +"Oh, he is a real Indian!" whispered Russ to his brother. "I see the +feathers." + +"Yes, and he's got a blanket on, same as the Indians have in the picture +Mother showed us," added Laddie. + +"Indian get drink!" went on the Redman, as he opened his blanket. The +boys saw that he wore a pair of old and rather dirty trousers and a red +shirt without a collar. Aside from the blanket and the feathers in his +hair, he was not dressed much like an Indian, so the boys decided. + +"There isn't much water here," said Russ, "but I guess you can get a +drink. The spring has gone dry." + +"Spring gone dry? That funny--plenty rain," said the Indian. + +He stooped down and dipped the cocoanut shell in what little water was +in the bottom of the spring. + +However the Indian managed to get enough to drink, and then he seemed to +feel better. He sat down on the ground near the two boys and pulled a +package from inside his shirt. It was wrapped in paper and, opening it, +the Indian took out some bread and what seemed to be pieces of dried +meat. Then he began to eat, paying no attention to the boys. + +[Illustration: RUSS AND LADDIE WATCHED THE INDIAN WITH WIDE-OPEN EYES.] + +Russ and Laddie watched the Indian with wide-open eyes. This was the +first one they had ever seen outside of a circus or a Wild-West show, +and he was not like the Indians there. They all wore gaily-colored +suits, and had many more feathers on their heads than this man did. But +that he was a real Indian, Russ and Laddie never doubted. + +Having finished his meal, and taken another drink of water, the Indian +looked at the boys again and said: + +"You live here?" and he waved his hand in a circle. + +"Not--not zactly," stammered Laddie. + +"We're staying with our Uncle Fred at Three Star Ranch," said Russ. + +"Oh, Three Star Ranch. Huh! Me know! Good place. Bill Johnson him cook!" + +"That's right!" exclaimed Laddie. "He knows Uncle Fred's cook. He must +be a good Indian, Russ." + +"I guess he is. Maybe he wants to see Uncle Fred." + +"Here they come back," remarked Laddie, and he pointed to his father and +Uncle Fred, who could now be seen coming toward the spring, carrying +picks and shovels over their shoulders. + +"You got papoose your house?" asked the Indian, pointing in the +direction of the ranch houses. "You got little papoose?" + +"What's a papoose?" asked Russ. + +Laddie didn't know, and the Indian was trying to explain what he meant +when Uncle Fred came along. + +"Hello! You boys have company, I see," said the ranchman. "Where did the +Indian come from?" and he looked at the Redman, as Indians are sometimes +called. + +"He just walked here," explained Russ. "He was thirsty and he ate some +bread he had in his shirt, and now he asked us if we had a papoose at +our house." + +"He means small children," said Uncle Fred. "Papoose is the Indian word +for baby--that is, it is with some Indians. They don't all speak the +same language. + +"Where are you from, and what do you want?" Uncle Fred asked the Indian. +"What's your name?" + +"Me Red Feather," answered the Indian, at the same time touching a red +feather in his black hair. "Me look for papoose. You got?" + +"We haven't got any for you," said Uncle Fred with a laugh. "I guess +none of the six little Bunkers would want to go to live with you, though +you may be a good Indian. But where are you from, and what do you want?" + +The Indian began to talk in his own language, but Uncle Fred shook his +head. + +"I don't know what you're saying," he said. "If you're lost, and hungry, +go back there and they'll feed you." + +"Bill Johnson?" asked the Indian. + +"So you know my ranch cook, do you?" asked Uncle Fred quickly. "I +suppose some one told you to ask for him. Well, he'll give you a meal, +and maybe he can understand your talk. I can't. Go back there!" and he +pointed to the ranch house. + +The Indian got up, and as he walked away he was seen to limp. + +"What's the matter? Hurt your foot?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"Much hurt--yes," was the answer, but the Indian did not stop. He kept +on his limping way to the ranch houses. + +"Is it all right for him to wander around over your ranch this way?" +asked Daddy Bunker of Uncle Fred. "Won't he take some of your horses or +cattle?" + +"Oh, no, the cowboys will be on the watch. I guess Red Feather is all +right, though I never saw him before. The Indians often get tired of +staying on the reservation and wander off. They go visiting. They stop +here now and then, and Bill Johnson feeds 'em. He sort of likes the +Indians. I suppose one he fed some time ago has told the others, so Bill +has a good name among the Indians. Well, now we'll dig, and see what we +can find out about this queer spring." + +"Could we go to see the Indian eat?" asked Russ. + +"I like him--he talks so funny," said Laddie. "Maybe he knows some new +riddles." + +"Maybe he does," laughed Daddy Bunker. "You can try him if you like. +Yes, go along to the house, if you wish, and if Bill Johnson asks you +why, say Uncle Fred sent Red Feather to be fed." + +"Come on!" called Russ to Laddie. "We'll go back to the house and talk +some more to the Indian." + +Laddie and Russ reached the house just as Red Feather arrived, for he +walked slowly. + +"So you're hungry, eh?" asked Bill Johnson, when the Indian had spoken +to him. "Well, I guess I can feed you. Where did you come from, and +where are you going?" + +The Indian waved his hand toward the west, as if to say he had come from +that direction, but where he was going he did not tell. Bill tried to +talk to him in two or three different Indian dialects, but Red Feather +shook his head. + +He knew a little English, and his own talk, and that was all. But, every +now and then, as he ate, he looked up at Laddie and Russ, who sat near, +and said: + +"You got more papoose?" + +"I guess he wants to see the rest of you little Bunkers!" said Bill +Johnson. "Maybe he heard there were several children here, and he wants +to see all of you. Some Indians like children more than others. Yes, we +have more papooses, Red Feather, though these are the biggest," and he +pointed to Russ and Laddie. + +"No got um so high?" asked the Indian, and he held his hand about a foot +over the head of Russ. "Got papoose so big?" + +"No, none of the six little Bunkers is as big as that," explained Bill +Johnson. "Russ is the biggest. But what's the matter with your foot?" he +asked Red Feather, for the Indian limped badly when he walked. + +The Indian spoke something in his own language and pointed to his foot. + +"It's swelled," said Bill. "Reckon you must have cut it on a stone. +Well, you sit down in the shade, and when Hank Nelson comes in I'll have +him look at it. Hank's a sort of doctor among the cowboys," Bill +explained to Laddie and Russ. + +While the Indian was resting in the shade, Laddie and Russ ran to tell +their mother and the other little Bunkers about him. + +"Is he a _real_, wild Indian?" asked Rose. + +"He's _real_, but he isn't _wild_," Russ answered. "I like him. He likes +children, too, 'cause he's always talking about a papoose. Papoose is +Indian for baby," he told his sister. + +The other little Bunkers gathered around Red Feather, as he sat outside +the cook-house, and he smiled at the children. He seemed to want to tell +them something as he looked eagerly at them, but all he could make them, +or the men at the ranch, understand, was that he wanted to see a +"papoose" who was larger than Russ. + +"Maybe he wants a boy to go along with him and help him 'cause he's +lame," suggested Laddie. + +"No, it isn't that," said Uncle Fred, who, with Daddy Bunker, had come +back from the spring. "He's worrying about something, but I can't make +out what it is. Maybe some of the other cowboys can talk his language. +We'll wait until they come in." + +Hank Nelson, the cowboy who "doctored" the others, came riding in, and +he agreed to look at the Indian's lame foot. Hank said it was badly +cut, and he put some salve and a clean bandage on it, for which Red +Feather seemed very grateful. + +"No can walk good," he said, when his foot was wrapped up. "I go sleep +out there!" and he pointed to the tall grass of the plain. + +"Oh, no, I guess we can fix you up a place to sleep," said Uncle Fred +kindly. "There are some bunks in the barn where the extra cowboys used +to sleep. You can stay there until your foot gets well, and Bill Johnson +can give you something to eat now and then." + +"Oh, I'll feed him all right," said the cook. "He seems like a good +Indian. I wish I knew what he meant by that 'papoose' he's always +talking about." + +But Red Feather could not tell, though he tried hard, and none of the +cowboys spoke his kind of language. So he went to sleep in the barn, on +a pile of clean straw, and seemed very thankful to all who had helped +him. + +"Did you find out anything about the queer spring?" asked Mrs. Bunker of +her husband and Uncle Fred that night, when the children had gone to +bed. + +"No, nothing. We dug up back of the rocks, but found nothing that would +show where the water runs away to." + +"And did you hear of any more of your cattle being taken away?" asked +Captain Roy, who had been visiting his son at the nearest army post. +This son was also Captain Robert Roy, for he was named Robert for his +father, and was now a captain in the regular army. Captain Roy, the +father, had just come back. + +"Yes, a few were driven off, as almost always happens when the spring +goes dry," said the ranchman in answer to Captain Roy's question. "It is +a puzzle--beats Laddie's riddles all to pieces." + +"I suppose he'll be getting up some new ones about the Indian +to-morrow," said Captain Roy. + +"If the Indian doesn't run off in the night with one of the ponies," +said Daddy Bunker. + +"Oh, he won't go," declared Uncle Fred. "He's being treated too nicely +here. He'll stay until his foot gets better." + +And, surely enough, Red Feather was on hand for his breakfast the next +morning. The six little Bunkers ran out to see him. He looked eagerly +and anxiously at them, as if seeking for the "papoose" who was a little +larger than Russ. + +It was that afternoon, when the children had been having fun playing +different games around the house, corrals and barn, that Rose walked off +by herself to gather some flowers for the table, as she often did. + +"Don't go too far!" her mother called to her. + +"I won't," Rose promised. + +A little later Mrs. Bunker, who was washing Mun Bun and Margy, and +putting clean clothes on them, heard Rose calling from the side porch. + +"Oh, Mother! Come here! Look what I found!" + +"What is it?" asked Mrs. Bunker. "I can't come now. Tell me what it is, +Rose." + +"It's the papoose Red Feather was looking for, I guess!" was the answer +of Rose Bunker. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +LADDIE IS MISSING + + +Mrs. Bunker had Mun Bun in her lap, finishing the buttoning of his +shoes, but, when Rose called out about the papoose, her mother quickly +set the little fellow down on the floor, and ran to the window from +where she could see her daughter on the porch. + +"What did you say you had found, Rose?" she called. + +"I don't know, for sure," said Rose, "but I guess it's the papoose Red +Feather wants. Anyhow it's a little Indian girl, and she's bigger than +Russ. Come on down!" + +Mrs. Bunker hurried down to the porch, and there she saw Rose standing +beside a little girl dressed in rather a ragged calico dress. The little +girl was very dark, as though she had lived all her life out in the sun, +getting tanned all the while, as the six little Bunkers were tanned at +Cousin Tom's. + +The little girl had long, straight hair, and it was very black, and, +even without this, Mrs. Bunker would have known her to be an Indian. + +"Where did you get her, Rose?" asked Mother Bunker. + +"I found her out on the plain. She was lost, I guess. I told her to come +along, 'cause we had an Indian man at Three Star Ranch. I don't guess +she knew what I meant, but she came along with me, and here she is." + +"Yes, so I see!" exclaimed the puzzled Mrs. Bunker. "Here she is! But +what am I going to do with her?" + +The Indian girl smiled, showing her white teeth. + +"I'll tell Uncle Fred," said Rose. + +"Yes, I guess that's what you'd better do," replied her mother. "Come up +and sit down," she said to the Indian girl, but the little maiden Rose +had found on the plain did not seem to understand. She looked at the +chair which Mrs. Bunker pulled out from against the house, however, and +then, with another shy smile, sat down in it. + +"Poor thing," said Mrs. Bunker. "Maybe she belongs to Red Feather, and +she may be lost. I wish she could talk to me, or that I could speak her +language. I wonder----" + +But just then Rose came hurrying back, not only with Uncle Fred, but +with Daddy Bunker and Red Feather. + +"What's all this I hear, about Rose going out in the fields and finding +a lost papoose?" asked Uncle Fred. + +"Well, here she is!" replied Mother Bunker. + +Before any one else could say or do anything, Red Feather sprang +forward, as well as he could on his lame foot, and, a moment later, had +clasped the Indian girl in his arms. She clung to him, and they talked +very fast in their own language. + +Then Red Feather turned to Uncle Fred, and, motioning to Rose, said: + +"She find lost papoose. Me glad!" + +"So that's what he was trying to tell us!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Red +Feather lost his little girl (his papoose as he calls her, though she +isn't a baby), and he set out to find her. Then he hurt his foot and +couldn't walk very well, so he came here. And that's what he meant when +he tried to ask us if we had another--an Indian child--larger than Russ. +This girl is bigger than Russ." + +"Oh, I'm so glad she's found her father!" exclaimed Mrs. Bunker. + +And that is just what the Indian girl had done. Later they heard the +story, and it was just as Uncle Fred had said. + +Red Feather and some other Indians, with their squaws, children, and +little papooses, had left their reservation and started out to see some +friends. On the way Sage Flower, which was the name of the Indian girl, +became lost. She wandered away from the camp. + +Her father and some of the other Indians started out after her, but did +not find her. Then Red Feather, wandering about alone, hurt his foot, +and managed to get to the spring when Laddie and Russ were waiting at +it. + +Red Feather tried to tell those at Three Star Ranch about his little +lost girl, but could not make himself understood. Then his foot became +so bad that he could not walk and he had to stay. And, all the while, +he was wondering what had happened to Sage Flower. + +The little Indian girl wandered about the plains, sleeping wherever she +could find a little shelter, and eating some food she found at a place +where some cowboys had been camping. They had gone off and left some +bread and meat behind. + +Poor little Sage Flower was very tired and hungry when Rose found her on +the plain. The Indian girl did not know her father was at Three Star +Ranch. She only knew she might get something to eat there and a place to +sleep. So when Rose told her to come along Sage Flower was very glad to +do so. + +And oh! how glad and surprised she was when she found her own father +there waiting for her. Sage Flower cried for joy. Mrs. Bunker then took +care of her, seeing that she was washed and combed, and had something to +eat. + +The Indian girl could not speak her thanks in the language the six +little Bunkers talked, but she looked her thanks from her eyes and in +her smile. + +A few days later Red Feather's foot was well enough to be used, and then +he and his daughter were put in one of the ranch wagons and sent to the +place where the other Indians were camping. The Redmen were very glad to +see Red Feather and Sage Flower come back to them. + +"Well, it's a good thing you found Sage Flower," said Daddy Bunker, "or +the poor thing might have wandered on and on, and been lost for good. +Her father, too, would have felt very bad." + +But everything came out all right, you see, and Red Feather, to show how +grateful he was to Rose, brought her, a week or so later, a beautiful +basket, woven of sweet grass that smelled for a long time like the woods +and fields. + +With this Rose was immensely pleased. + +There were many happy days at Three Star Ranch. The prairies did not get +on fire again, and the cattle seemed to quiet down, and not want to +stampede to make work for every one. + +Russ and Laddie and Rose and Vi had fine fun riding their ponies to and +fro, for they were allowed to go out alone, if they did not ride too +far. + +One day, after breakfast, Russ and Laddie came in to ask if they could +go for a long ride all alone. + +Rose was helping Bill Johnson in the kitchen, and Vi was busy lining a +box in which to bury a dead bird she had found. Later there was to be a +formal funeral with willow whistles for a band and as many people as +would go in the funeral procession. + +"I want to see if I can think of a riddle," said Laddie. "I haven't made +up one for a long while." + +"And I want to see if I can find that Indian, Red Feather," put in Russ. +"Maybe he'll make me a bow and arrow." + +"I'd rather you wouldn't go now," said their mother. "Don't you want to +come with us?" + +"Where are you going?" asked Laddie. + +"Off to the woods for a little picnic. Bill Johnson is going to put us +up a little lunch, and we will stay all day and have fun in the woods." + +"Oh, yes, we'll go!" cried Russ. "We can ride our ponies some other +time," he added to his brother. + +"All right," Laddie agreed. "Maybe I can think of a riddle in the +woods." + +"What makes them call it a 'woods,' Mother?" asked Vi later, when the +lunch baskets were ready and the picnic party was about to set off. "Why +don't they call it a 'trees' insteads of a woods? There's a lot of trees +there." + +"You may call it that, if you like," said Mother Bunker. "We'll go to +the 'trees' and have some fun. Come on all my six little Bunkers!" + +And away they went to the woods or the trees, whichever you like. There +was a large clump of trees not far from the house on Three Star Ranch, +and in that the children had their picnic. They played under the green +boughs, had games of tag and ate their lunch. Then they rested and, +after a while, Russ called: + +"Come on! Let's have a game of hide-and-go-seek! I'll be it, and I'll +blind and all the rest of you can hide." + +"Oh, that'll be lots of fun!" said Rose. + +So they played this game. Russ easily saw where Margy and Mun Bun hid +themselves, behind bushes near the tree where he was "blinding," but he +let them "in free." Then he caught Rose, and she had to be "it" the next +time. Violet came in free, for she had picked out a good hiding-place. + +"Now I have to find Laddie!" cried Russ. He hunted all over, but he +could not find his little brother. + +"Oh, tell him he can come in free!" exclaimed Rose. "Then we can go on +with the game." + +So Russ called: + +"Givie up! Givie up! Come on in free, Laddie!" + +But Laddie did not come. Where could he be? + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +RUSS DIGS A HOLE + + +"What's the matter, children? Why are you shouting so?" asked Mrs. +Bunker, who had walked on a little way through the woods to get some +flowers. "Can't you play more quietly? You're as bad as the cowboys!" + +"We're hollering for Laddie, Mother!" explained Russ. "We can't find +him." + +"Can't find him?" + +"No. I was blinding, 'cause I was it, and he went off to hide. I found +all the others, or they came in free, but I can't find Laddie, and he +doesn't answer when I say I'll givie up." + +"Perhaps he is hiding near here, and only laughing at you," said Mrs. +Bunker. "We must take a look." + +"Come on!" cried Russ to his brother and sisters. "We'll all look for +Laddie. If he's doing this on purpose we won't let him play any more, +either." + +"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Mrs. Bunker softly. "And, after all, +maybe he went so far away that he can't hear you telling him that he may +come in free. So it wouldn't be fair not to let him play with you again. +First find him, and then you can ask him why he hid away so long." + +"All right, we will," agreed Russ. + +So he and the others started through the woods, looking behind trees, +under logs and back of bushes, hoping to catch sight of Laddie. But they +did not see him. + +Then they shouted and called. + +"Givie up! Givie up!" echoed through the woods, that being the way to +call when you want a person to come in from playing hide-and-go-seek. +But Laddie did not answer. + +"Where can he be, Mother?" asked Rose. "Is he hiding for fun, or is he +lost?" + +"I don't see how he can be lost, my dear," answered Mrs. Bunker. "He +went to hide, and surely he wouldn't go very far away, because he would +want a chance to run in free himself. No, I think Laddie must be doing +a puzzle trick to make you find him. He probably is near by, but he is +so well hidden that you can't find him. Try once more!" + +So the children tried again, shouting and calling, but there was no +Laddie. + +"I think I'll go and get your father and Uncle Fred," Laddie's mother +said to Rose and Russ. "They'll know how to find Laddie. You children +stay here, and all keep together so none of you will be lost." + +Mrs. Bunker did not have to go for help, for, just at that moment, her +husband came up to them. + +"Is anything the matter?" asked Daddy Bunker. "I was taking a walk over +to the spring, to see if anything had happened to the water there, when +I heard shouting and calling. Is anything wrong?" + +"We can't find Laddie!" exclaimed Russ. + +"He went to hide, but he won't come in," added Rose. + +"I really am a little worried," said Mrs. Bunker. "Perhaps you had +better get Fred and----" + +"I'll find him!" said Daddy Bunker with a laugh. "He can't be far away. +Show me where you blinded, Russ, when the others went to hide." + +Russ showed his father where he had stood against a tree, hiding his +head in his arms, so he would not see where the others were hiding. +Standing at the same tree Mr. Bunker looked all around. Then he started +off, walking this way and that, looking up and down and all around in +the woods, until finally he stopped before a rather high stump, and +said: + +"Laddie is here!" + +"Where?" cried some of the little Bunkers. + +"I don't see him," said others. + +"What's this?" asked Daddy Bunker, reaching up on the tree stump, and +lifting down a cap. + +"Why--why--that's Laddie's!" stammered Russ. "I saw it there before, but +I thought he hung it there so it wouldn't fall off when he was playing." + +"Well, we'll see what's inside this stump, for it is hollow," went on +Mr. Bunker with a smile. "Unless I'm much mistaken we'll find in +here----" + +And just then, from inside the middle of the stump there stuck up a +tousled head of hair, and Laddie's rather surprised face looked down at +his father and mother and brothers and sisters. + +"Oh, you found me!" he exclaimed. "I was going to run in free!" + +"Why didn't you?" asked Russ. "I called 'givie up!' a lot of times." + +"I--I didn't hear you," said Laddie, rubbing his eyes. "I guess I must +have fallen asleep." + +"That's what happened," said Daddy Bunker. "When I saw your cap hanging +on a splinter outside the hollow stump I thought you must have hung it +there while you climbed inside. Did you?" + +"Yes," answered Laddie. "I was looking for a good place to hide, and +when I climbed up on a stone, outside, and saw the stump was hollow I +knew I could fool Russ. So I left my cap outside, and I got in. And it +was so nice and soft there that I just snuggled down and--and I fell +asleep. I was sleepy anyhow." + +"Didn't you hear us calling?" asked Rose. + +"Nope!" + +"And didn't you hear me tell you to come in free?" Russ wanted to know. + +"Nope. I guess I must have slept a lot," said Laddie. + +"Well, I guess you did," agreed his mother. "We were alarmed about you. +Don't do anything like that again." + +Laddie promised that he wouldn't, and then he climbed out of the hollow +stump. It was just high enough from the ground to prevent any one, +passing along, from looking down into it. And Laddie could not have +climbed up and gotten in if he had not used a stone to step on. The +other children took a peep inside, Margy and Mun Bun having to be lifted +up, of course. + +The stump was partly filled with dried leaves, which made a soft bed on +which Laddie had really gone to sleep. He had just curled up in a sort +of nest and there he had stayed while the others were hunting for him. + +"Are we going to play hide-and-go-seek any more?" asked Laddie, when he +had climbed out of the stump and brushed the pieces of leaves off his +clothes. + +"I'm hungry," announced Mun Bun. "I want some bread and peaches." + +"So do I!" added Margy. + +Bill Johnson, the good-natured cook, did not have jam to give the +children, as Grandmother Ford had done when they were at Great Hedge, so +he gave them canned peaches instead. And they liked these almost as +much. + +"Well, I'll take Mun Bun and Margy to the house," said Mrs. Bunker. "You +other children can play here in the woods, if you like. But don't any of +you get lost again." + +They promised that they would not, and, after Margy and Mun Bun had gone +with their father and mother, Russ and Laddie, with Rose and Violet, +played the hiding game some more. + +But finally the two girls grew tired, and said they were going to play +keep house with their dolls. + +"Well, it's no fun for us two to play hide from each other," said Russ +to Laddie. "What'll we do?" + +"Let's guess riddles," suggested Laddie. + +"No, that isn't any fun, either," said Russ. "You'd think of all the +riddles and I'd have to think of all the answers. I know what let's do!" + +"What?" + +"Let's dig a hole." + +"A hole? What for?" + +"Oh, just for fun. Let's see how deep we can dig a hole." + +"All right," agreed Laddie, after a while. "Maybe we can dig one deep +enough for a well, and then Uncle Fred won't have to go to the creek +after water when the spring goes dry. We'll dig a well!" + +"We'll dig a hole, anyhow," said Russ. "Maybe there won't any water come +in it and then it wouldn't be a well. But we'll dig a hole anyhow." + +So Russ got some shovels at the barn, and he and Laddie began to dig a +hole, starting it not far from the spring, though not close enough to +get any dirt in the clear water that was so cool and sweet to drink. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +AT THE BRIDGE + + +"Are you going to make a big hole so we both can get in at the same +time?" asked Laddie of Russ, as the older boy began to shovel out the +dirt. + +"No, we'll take turns digging. If we made such a big hole it would take +too long. First I'll dig and throw out the dirt, and you can throw it +farther on, so it won't roll back in the hole. Then, when I get tired of +digging in the hole, you can get in and dig." + +"That'll be lots of fun!" exclaimed Laddie. "Won't Uncle Fred be +s'prised when he sees a well full of water?" + +"Maybe it won't be quite _full_," said Russ. "But we may get some." + +The boys, of course, could not dig very fast. The shovels they had were +rather small, and did not hold much dirt. But they were fully large +enough for two such little boys. + +The earth was somewhat sandy, and there were not many large stones on +Uncle Fred's ranch. Of course, the digging was not as easy as it had +been at the beach where Cousin Tom lived, but Russ and Laddie did not +mind this. They were digging for fun, as much as for anything else, and +they really did not have to do it. + +So they dug away, first one and then the other getting down in the hole, +until they had made it so large that, even when Laddie stood up in it, +his head hardly came up to the top of the ground. Russ, being taller, +stuck a little more out of the hole than did his brother. + +"Do you see any water yet?" asked Laddie, when Russ had been digging, in +his turn, for some little time. + +"No, not yet," was the answer. "It's awful dry." + +"We could get some water from the spring and pour it in," said Laddie. +"Then it would look like a well." + +"But all the water would run out, if we just poured it in, same as it +ran out when we dug a hole at the beach and let the waves fill it," +objected Russ. "We'll dig down until we come to some regular water. Then +it will be a real well." + +But long before they reached water Laddie and Russ became tired of +digging. They got to a place where the earth was packed hard, and it was +not easy to shovel it out, and finally Russ said: + +"Oh, I'm not going to make a well!" + +"I'm not, either," declared Laddie. "What'll we do?" + +"Let's go for a ride on our ponies," suggested Russ. + +"All right!" agreed Laddie. "That'll be fun." + +So, dropping the shovels at the side of the hole they had dug, instead +of taking them back to the barn, as they should have done, Russ and +Laddie went to the house to ask their father or mother if they might go +for a ride on the little ponies. + +Mr. Bunker was out on the ranch with Uncle Fred, but Mother Bunker said +the two boys might ride over the plain if they did not go too far. + +Russ and Laddie went to the corral to get their ponies. The boys got one +of the cowboys, who was working around the barn, to put the saddles on +for them, as this they could not do for themselves, and then they set +off, Russ on "Star," as he called his pony, for it had a white star on +its forehead, while Laddie rode "Stocking." His pony had been named that +because one leg, about half-way up from the hoof, was white, just as if +the little horse had on one white stocking. + +"Gid-dap!" cried Russ to Star. + +"Gid-dap!" called Laddie to Stocking. + +And off and away, over the plain, the two ponies galloped. + +"They sure are two nice little boys," said Bill Johnson to Mrs. Bunker, +as they watched Laddie and Russ ride away. + +"Yes, they try to be good, though they do get into mischief now and +then," answered the little boys' mother. + +On and on rode Laddie and Russ, their ponies trotting over the grassy +plain. The day was warm and sunny, and the two boys were having a grand +time. + +"I wish I was an Indian," said Russ, with a sigh, as he let his pony +walk a way, for it seemed tired. + +"I'd rather be a cowboy," said Laddie. + +"But Indians can live in a tent," went on Russ. "And if they don't like +it in one place they can take their tent to another place. If you're a +cowboy and live in a house, like Uncle Fred's, you have to stay where +the house is." + +"Yes," said Laddie, after thinking it over a bit. "You have to do that. +I guess maybe I'll be an Indian, too." + +"Let's both make believe we're Indians now," proposed Russ. + +"We'll pretend we're out hunting buffaloes," agreed Laddie. + +"And if we see any of Uncle Fred's cattle we'll make believe they are +buffaloes and we'll lasso them," went on Russ. + +"Yes, and we'll shoot 'em, too," declared Laddie. + +"Only make believe, though!" exclaimed his brother. "I wouldn't want to +shoot a cow really." + +"No, I wouldn't either. But do Indians have guns, Russ?" + +"Course they do. Didn't you hear Bill Johnson tell about how he saw a +whole lot of Indians with guns?" + +"Oh, yes. Then we'll be gun-Indians, and not the bow-and-arrow kind." + +"Sure!" agreed Russ. "We'll get some sticks for guns." + +They stopped on the edge of the woods to get sticks that would answer +for guns. Then, after resting in the shade for a while, they rode on. + +"Woo! Wah! Hoo!" suddenly yelled Russ. + +"What's the matter?" asked Laddie, looking around at his brother, who +was riding behind him. "What did you yell that way for?" + +"'Cause I'm an Indian!" answered Russ. "You have to yell that way, too. +Indians always yell." + +"Oh, all right. I'll yell," said Laddie. "I thought maybe you'd hurt +yourself. Oh, hoo! Doodle-doodle-oo!" he shouted. + +"Hey, that's no way to yell like an Indian!" objected Russ. + +"Why isn't it?" + +"'Cause it sounds more like a rooster crowing. Yell like this: 'Wah-hoo! +Zoo! Zoop! Wah! Wah!'" + +"Oh, you want me to yell that way. Well, I will," said Laddie. And he +yelled as nearly as he could like his brother. + +So the two boys rode on and on, crossing the plain this way and that, so +as not to get too far from the house. They could see the ranch buildings +each time they got on top of the little knolls that were scattered here +and there over the plain. + +"Let's have a race!" suggested Laddie, after a bit. "I don't guess we +are going to see any of Uncle Fred's cattle over here to make believe +they're buffaloes. Let's have a race!" + +"All right!" agreed Russ. "And I don't have to give you any head start +this time, 'cause your pony's legs are going to run, and not your legs, +and your pony's legs are every bit as long as my pony's. So we can start +even." + +"Yes," said Laddie, "we can start even." + +They rode their ponies up alongside of each other, and got them in line. +Then Russ said: + +"We'll ride to the bridge. The first one there wins the race." + +"Yes," said Laddie, "we'll race to the bridge." + +This bridge was one across the creek, at a place where the water was +deeper than anywhere else on Uncle Fred's ranch. The boys were told they +must not cross the bridge unless some older person was with them, and +they were not allowed to ride into the creek near the bridge because of +the deep water. + +"All ready?" asked Russ of his brother, as they sat on their ponies. + +"All ready, yes." + +"Then go!" + +"Gid-dap!" cried Laddie. + +"Gid-dap!" yelled Russ. + +The ponies began to trot. Russ and Laddie did not have whips, and they +would not have used them if they had had, for they loved their ponies +and were very kind to them. But they tapped the ponies with their hands +or their heels and shook the reins and called to them. This made the +ponies run almost as fast as if they had been whipped, and was a great +deal nicer. Besides, Russ and Laddie did not want to ride too fast, for +they might have fallen off. + +On and on they raced. Sometimes Russ was ahead, and again Laddie would +be. But, just as they came near the bridge, the pony Russ was on slowed +up a bit. Laddie's pony kept on, and so he won the race. + +"But I don't care," said Russ kindly. "After we rest a bit at the bridge +we'll have another race and I'll win that one." + +"I hope you do, then we'll be even," said Laddie. + +The little boys got off their ponies and looked about them. The ponies +began to eat the green grass, and Laddie and Russ were looking for a +shady place in which to cool off when they suddenly heard a groan. It +was quite loud, and seemed to come from near the bridge. Then a voice +called: + +"Water! Oh, some one get me a drink of water!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE BOYS' WELL + + +"Did you hear that?" asked Russ of Laddie, as they stared about them. + +"Course I heard it." + +"What did it sound like?" + +"Like the ghost at Great Hedge," said Laddie. + +"Yes," agreed Russ, "that's what it did sound like--a sort of groan. But +there can't be any ghost here." + +"Course not. But what was it?" + +Laddie and Russ looked across the bridge, but could see no one on the +other side. + +Then the groan sounded again, quite near them, and the voice again +called: + +"Water! Water!" + +"Somebody wants a drink," said Laddie. + +"But who is it?" asked Russ. "I don't see anybody." + +"It sounds like a man," replied Laddie. + +"Maybe it's an Indian," said Russ. "But I don't guess Indians would talk +as plain as that. Maybe it's one of Uncle Fred's cowboys, and he fell +off his horse and is hurt." + +"Oh, maybe 'tis!" exclaimed Laddie. "But if it's a strange cowboy we +must ride right home. Mother said so." + +"We got to get him a drink first," decided Russ. "You always have to do +that. You have to do that even to an enemy, 'cause we learned that in +Sunday-school. Let's see if we can find who 'tis wants a drink." + +Suddenly the voice called again, so loudly and so close to them that +Russ and Laddie both jumped when they heard it. + +"Whoever you are, please get me some water!" said the voice. "I'm a +cowboy and I've fallen off my horse and broken my leg." + +"Where--where are you?" asked Russ, looking about. + +"In the tall grass, right at the end of the bridge. I can see you boys, +but you can't see me because I'm hidden in the grass. I was going to +ride over the bridge, but my pony slipped and threw me and I've been +here some time with a broken leg. Get me a drink if you can." + +Russ and Laddie looked at each other. Then they looked toward the end of +the bridge, where the voice sounded, and they saw the long grass moving. + +"He must be in there," said Laddie, pointing. + +"He is," answered Russ. "Here, you hold Star and I'll get him a drink," +and Russ slipped off his pony, taking off the cap he wore. Russ had an +idea he could carry some water to the cowboy in the cap, and in this he +was right. + +Going down to the edge of the creek, at one side of the bridge, Russ +dented in the outside top of his cap, and filled it with water. + +Then, carrying the cap as carefully as he could, Russ made his way to +where the cowboy had called from. The little boy found the injured man +lying in the tall grass. + +"Ah! That's good!" exclaimed the cowboy, as he drank the water. "Now if +you could catch my horse for me maybe I could get up on him, and ride +him to where I belong. Do you see my horse anywhere?" + +Russ looked all about. At first he saw nothing, but, as he gazed across +the bridge he saw, on the other side of the creek, a big horse eating +grass. + +"I see him!" said Russ to the cowboy. "He's over the bridge." + +"Is he? That's good. Then he didn't go very far away, after all. Now, +look here, you seem to be a pretty smart boy," and the cowboy spoke in a +stronger voice, now that he had had a drink of water. "Do you want to +help me?" + +"Yes," said Russ, "I'd like to help you. My mother says we must help +everybody, and give them a drink of cold water, even our enemies, and I +know you're not an enemy." + +"I don't know about that," said the cowboy with a queer laugh, and he +turned his head away and seemed to be looking at his horse, which was on +the other side of the bridge, eating grass. + +"No, you're not an enemy," went on Russ. "An enemy is a bad man, and +you're not that." + +"I wouldn't be so sure on that point, either," returned the cowboy. "But +I won't hurt you, that's certain. Now look here, boy----" + +"My name is Russ Bunker," interrupted the lad. + +"Well, Russ, do you think you could go across the bridge and get my +horse for me? If I had him I could ride away, now that I feel better +after having had a drink. Will you cross the bridge and get my horse for +me?" + +"No," said Russ slowly, "I couldn't do that." + +"Why not? The horse won't hurt you. He's so tame you could walk right up +to him, and get hold of the reins. He won't run the way some horses do. +You know something about horses or you wouldn't be riding one. Why won't +you get mine?" + +"'Cause Mother said I wasn't to cross the bridge alone," answered Russ. +"Me or Laddie--we can't go across the bridge alone." + +"Oh," said the cowboy. "But then your mother didn't know you were going +to meet a sick man--one that couldn't walk. She'd let you cross the +bridge if she was here." + +"But she isn't here," said Russ. "I know what I can do, though! I can +ride back and ask her if Laddie and I can go across the bridge for your +horse. I'll do it!" + +"No! Wait! Hold on a minute!" cried the cowboy. "I don't want you to do +that. I don't want you to ride and tell any one I'm here. I'd rather +you'd get my horse for me yourself. Just ride your horse across the +bridge and get mine." + +"I haven't a horse. I have one of Uncle Fred's ponies," said Russ. "And +my brother Laddie's got a pony, too. But I can't go across the bridge. +Mother said I wasn't to. But I'll ride to Three Star Ranch----" + +"Are you from Three Star Ranch?" asked the cowboy quickly. + +"Yes," answered Russ. + +"Oh!" and the cowboy seemed much surprised. "Well, I guess I'd better +get my own horse then," he said. "I guess no one from Three Star Ranch +would want to help me if they knew what I'd done. Ride along, boy--Russ +you said your name was, didn't you? Ride along, and I'll see if I can't +crawl over and get my own horse." + +Russ did not know what to do. He wanted to help the cowboy, who seemed +in much pain, but the little boy was not going to cross the bridge when +his mother had told him not to. + +"Hey!" called Laddie. "Come on, Russ. I'm tired of holding your pony." + +"All right," said Russ. "I'm coming. We have to ride back and ask Mother +if we can cross the bridge to catch that horse!" and he pointed to the +cowboy's animal, still cropping grass on the other side of the creek. + +"No, don't bother about me," said the man in the grass. "I'll get my own +horse. Always be a good boy and mind your mother. Then you won't get +into trouble. I wish I had minded mine. Maybe I wouldn't be here now. +Ride on home, but don't say anything about me." + +Russ turned back to join Laddie. As he did so he saw the cowboy try to +rise up and walk. But the man, as soon as he put one leg to the ground, +uttered a loud cry and fell back. Then he lay very still and quiet. + +"What's the matter with him?" asked Laddie, in a low voice. + +"I don't know," answered Russ. "But I guess we'd better ride back and +tell Daddy or Uncle Fred. They'll know what to do. We can't cross the +bridge, but we can go for help. Come on!" + +Russ got on his pony again, and he and Laddie rode away as fast as they +could, leaving the cowboy very still and quiet, lying in the long grass +at the end of the bridge. + +Meanwhile something was going on back at the Three Star Ranch house. +Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker, who had been out riding on the plains, came +galloping back. + +"Where are Russ and Laddie?" asked their father of his wife. + +"They went for a ride down by the creek," she answered. "They said +they'd go only as far as the bridge. But they've been gone a long while, +and I wish you'd ride after them and bring them back." + +"I will," said Mr. Bunker. "Want to come for a ride, Rose?" + +"Yes, Daddy." + +"Well, I'll get your pony out of the corral, and saddle him for you. +Then we'll ride and get Russ and Laddie." + +A little later Rose and her father started out on their ride. As they +passed near the queer spring, which, for the last day or so had not +emptied itself of water, Daddy Bunker saw quite a hole in the ground. + +"What's that?" he asked Rose. + +"Oh, it's where Russ and Laddie started to make a well," she answered. +"But I guess they didn't find any water." + +Daddy Bunker got off his horse to take a look. He bent over the well the +boys had dug, and stooped close down to it. As he did so a queer look +came over his face. + +"I wonder if this can be the place?" he said to himself. + +"What is it?" asked Rose. + +"I don't know," her father answered. "But it sounds to me like running +water down near where Russ and Laddie have been digging. If it is, it +may mean we can find out the secret of Uncle Fred's spring. I guess I'd +better go and tell him. It won't take long, and then we can all ride on +and get Russ and Laddie, if they aren't back by then. + +"Yes, I shouldn't be surprised but what those two boys had started to +solve the riddle of the spring. I must tell Uncle Fred!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +MORE CATTLE GONE + + +Uncle Fred was out in the barn, talking over some ranch matters with +Captain Roy, when Daddy Bunker and Rose came trotting back. + +"What's the matter?" asked Uncle Fred. "Has Rose found some more Indian +papooses?" and he laughed. + +"Not this time," answered her father. "But those boys of mine, Fred, +have dug quite a hole near your spring. I went past it just now, on my +way to find Laddie and Russ. There is a queer sound of gurgling water +seeming to come from the bottom of their 'well,' as they called it. They +didn't strike water, but they came near to it. You'd better come and +have a look." + +"I will," said Uncle Fred. "Better come along, Captain Roy," he went on. +"We may all get a good surprise. I'd be glad to have the secret of the +spring discovered." + +The three men and Rose rode back to the hole Laddie and Russ had dug. +Then Daddy Bunker, Uncle Fred and Captain Roy got off their horses to +listen more closely. + +"Do you hear it?" asked Daddy Bunker of the children's uncle. + +"I hear water running somewhere under ground," answered Uncle Fred. + +"So do I," said Captain Roy. "I shouldn't be surprised if this was where +the water either ran into or out of our spring." + +"We must get shovels and dig," said Uncle Fred. "When we dug back of the +rocks it wasn't in the right place, I guess. Laddie and Russ, by +accident, have found the very place we were looking for. I'm sure it's a +good thing I brought the six little Bunkers out to Three Star Ranch." + +"Don't be too sure yet," laughed Daddy Bunker. "We haven't found the +answer to the riddle, yet." + +They were going to ride back to the barn, to get picks and shovels, when +Mrs. Bunker came hurrying out to them. + +"Oh, Fred!" she called to her brother. "Something has happened!" + +"What?" he asked. + +"Russ and Laddie----" went on Mrs. Bunker. + +"Has anything happened to them?" cried Daddy Bunker quickly. + +"No, they're all right. But they just rode up to the house greatly +excited, and they tell a remarkable story about a cowboy with a broken +leg, and say that he's lying in the grass at the end of the bridge. +They're quite worked-up over it. Maybe you'd better go to see what it +is." + +"Yes," said Daddy Bunker, "I presume I had better hurry on to see about +Russ and Laddie." + +"The spring and the well will keep until you come back," observed Uncle +Fred. + +"We'll wait for you," added Captain Roy. + +Mr. Bunker hurried back with his wife to the ranch house. + +"Russ and Laddie are there," said Mother Bunker, and she told about the +little lads having seen the cowboy, just as Russ and Laddie had told +her. They had ridden home from the bridge, and reached the house just +after Daddy Bunker and Rose had gone away. + +"Well, boys, what's this I hear?" asked Daddy Bunker. "Did you really +find a cowboy? Or was it an Indian?" + +"Oh, it's a cowboy all right, and I got him a drink of water in my cap," +replied Russ. "He wanted me to ride over the bridge to get his horse, +but Mother said I wasn't to, and I didn't." + +"That's a good boy," said his father. + +"And the cowboy, I guess, is hurt bad," said Laddie. "He couldn't walk +on one leg, and he shut his eyes and sounded like he was sick." + +"Maybe he is, poor fellow," said Mr. Bunker. "We must see about him at +once. I'll go for Uncle Fred," and he hurried back where he had left the +ranchman and Captain Roy. + +"A cowboy hurt!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "Well, I don't believe it can be +any of mine, or I'd have heard about it. However, we'll ride over to the +bridge and see about it. We'll see later about the noise of running +water under the well that Laddie and Russ dug." + +Rose wanted to ride with her father to the bridge, but he said as they +might have to carry back the cowboy with his injured leg, she had better +go to the house with her mother and the boys. So Rose did. + +Together Uncle Fred, Daddy Bunker and Captain Roy rode to the bridge +where Russ and Laddie had ended their race. They easily found the +cowboy, who had fainted away when he tried to stand on his leg, which +was broken. His eyes were open when the three men rode up, and he +smiled, and seemed glad to see them. + +"I guess I'm going to be laid up for a while," he said. "My pony threw +me, and my leg doubled under me. I saw some boys, and tried to get them +to go across the bridge for my horse, but they wouldn't--said their +mother didn't allow them." + +"That's right--they were my boys," said Daddy Bunker. "But now we'll +take care of you." + +"Where are you from--what ranch?" asked Uncle Fred, looking closely at +the cowboy. "I never saw you around here before." + +"No, I'm a stranger. I'm looking for work. But I guess I'll have to stay +in bed a while now." + +"We'll take care of you at Three Star Ranch," said Uncle Fred kindly. +"We've got plenty of room." + +It was no easy work to move a man with a broken leg from the field near +the bridge to the bunk-house of Three Star Ranch, but at last it was +done, and then the doctor was sent for. He said the cowboy, who gave his +name as Sam Thurston, would have to stay in bed for a while, until his +leg got well. + +Getting the cowboy to the bunk-house, and going for the doctor, who +lived some miles away, took up so much time that it was dark before +Uncle Fred, Daddy Bunker and Captain Roy had time to think about looking +at the well Laddie and Russ had dug. And then it was too late. + +"We'll look at it the first thing in the morning," said the ranchman. + +"Didn't you want us to dig the well?" asked Russ. + +"Oh, I don't mind," his uncle answered. "And maybe, by means of that +well, we may find out the secret of the spring." + +The six little Bunkers sat in the living-room, listening to Uncle Fred +tell a story, just before they were sent to bed. This was one of their +delights since coming to Three Star Ranch. Uncle Fred knew a lot of +stories of the West--stories of Indians, cowboys, of wild animals, big +storms, of fires, and of cattle running in a stampede. + +Mun Bun and Margy fell asleep, one in their mother's lap and the other +in Daddy Bunker's; but Rose and Vi, and Laddie and Russ stayed awake, +listening to the stories told by Uncle Fred. + +"I know a riddle about a bear," said Laddie, when his uncle had finished +a story about one. + +"A riddle about a bear?" exclaimed Mr. Bell. "Well, let's hear it, +Laddie." + +"This is it. Why does a bear climb a tree? Why does he?" + +"Lots of reasons," answered Russ. + +"Well, you have to give one to answer my riddle," said Laddie. "Why does +a bear climb a tree?" + +"To get the hunter that climbed the tree first," said Daddy Bunker. + +"Nope!" laughed Laddie. + +"To get out of the way of the hunter," said Russ. + +"Nope!" and Laddie laughed again. + +"Does he climb it to go to sleep?" asked Rose. + +"How could a bear go to sleep in a tree?" Laddie wanted to know. "I'll +tell you the answer, 'cause you can't guess. A bear climbs a tree when +the dogs bark at him, so he can throw bark at the dogs. Isn't that a +good riddle? You know trees have bark." + +"But you didn't say anything about dogs and bark at first!" objected Vi. +"If you had said about the dogs I could have guessed." + +"Well, I wanted to make it hard," said Laddie. "Maybe to-morrow I'll +think of another riddle without any dogs in it." + +"Well, you four little Bunkers that are still awake had better go to bed +so you'll be able to eat breakfast as well as guess riddles to-morrow," +laughed Mother Bunker. "Come on! To bed with you! Mun Bun and Margy fell +asleep long ago." + +So off to bed they went, not even dreaming about the strange things that +were to happen the next day. + +About an hour after the six little Bunkers were in Slumberland, Captain +Roy, who had been over to the bunk-house to talk with some of the +cowboys, came hurrying in where Uncle Fred was. + +"Anything the matter?" asked the ranchman. + +"Yes," answered the captain. "More of our cattle have been taken!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE SECRET OF THE SPRING + + +"More cattle taken?" cried Uncle Fred. "When did that happen?" + +"Just a little while ago," answered Captain Roy. "One of the cowboys +just rode in with the news." + +"Well, this is too bad!" cried Uncle Fred. + +"I'll tell you what let's do," said Daddy Bunker. "It isn't very late +yet. Let's go out and look at the spring." + +"What for?" asked his wife. + +"Well," answered the father of the six little Bunkers, "I want to see if +the water has run out of it this time. Perhaps it hasn't, and, if so, it +would mean that the taking away of Uncle Fred's cattle didn't have +anything to do with the mysterious spring." + +"Well, it will do no harm to take a look," said the ranchman. "Come +along, Captain Roy. We'll see what it all means." + +Taking lanterns with them, they went out in the dark night to look at +the spring. + +"It's just the same," called Daddy Bunker, when he had taken a look. +"The water is almost out of it." + +"Then we must start, the first thing in the morning, digging at the +place where the boys made their well," declared Uncle Fred. "I must get +at the bottom of the secret of my spring." + +"And I'd like to find out who it is that's taking our cattle!" exclaimed +Captain Roy. "I think, in the morning, I'll take some of the cowboys and +have a big hunt. This business must stop. Pretty soon we won't have any +ranch left at Three Star. I'm going to find the men that are taking the +cattle!" + +When the six little Bunkers awoke the next morning, there was so much +going on at Three Star Ranch that they did not know what to make of it. +Cowboys were riding to and fro, Uncle Fred and Daddy Bunker were dressed +in old clothes, Captain Roy had a gun slung over his shoulder, and many +horses were standing outside the corral, saddled and bridled. + +"Are we going on a picnic?" asked Vi. "Is there going to be a parade? Is +the circus coming? What makes so many horses? Is there going to be a +prairie fire?" + +"Well, I guess you've asked enough questions for a while, little girl!" +laughed her mother. "Come and get your breakfast now." + +"But what's going on?" insisted Violet. + +"Two things," her father told her. "Your uncle and I are going to dig +deeper in the well Russ and Laddie started, to see what makes the +gurgling sound of water under the earth at the bottom of it. And Captain +Roy is going to try to find the men who took Uncle Fred's cattle last +night." + +"Oh, can't we help?" asked Laddie. + +"You may come and watch us dig your well deeper," his father told him. +"But it would not be safe for little boys to go hunting men who take +cattle." + +Just as Captain Roy and a lot of cowboys were about to ride off over the +plain and Daddy Bunker and Uncle Fred were going to dig at the boys' +well, Mrs. Bunker came out of the bunk-house. She had gone to see if +the man with the broken leg needed anything. + +"He wants to see you," she said to Uncle Fred. "He says he can tell you +a secret." + +"Tell me a secret!" exclaimed the ranchman. "Does he mean about the +mysterious spring, or the stolen cattle?" + +"He didn't say," answered Mrs. Bunker. "But he wants you to come to see +him." + +So Uncle Fred went. He stayed a long while in the room where Sam +Thurston, the strange cowboy, had been put to bed after his broken leg +was set, and when Uncle Fred came out he was much excited. + +"Wait a minute, Captain Roy!" he called to his partner. "I can tell you +where to look for the cattle that were taken last night." + +"Where?" asked the former army man, pausing at the head of his band of +cowboys. + +"Over in the gully by the creek. They're hidden there." + +"Who told you so?" + +"Thurston, the strange cowboy. And he has also told me the secret of the +spring, so we won't have to do any digging, Daddy Bunker." + +"We won't? Why not?" asked the children's father in surprise. + +"Because the cowboy says the reason the water stops coming in at certain +times is because of something that happens back in the hills, where my +spring starts, in a brook that runs under ground after its first +beginning. Back in the hills the men, who have been taking the cattle, +turn the water into another stream. That's why it doesn't run into mine, +and that's why my spring dries up." + +"But why do the men shut off our spring water?" asked Captain Roy. + +"They do it to make a wet place so they can drive my cattle across it, +and no hoof marks are left to tell which way the animals have gone. +Then, when the cattle are safely away, the waters are let run down where +they always flow, and they come into my spring again. The taking of the +cattle and the drying up of my spring are all done by the same band of +men. That's why, whenever any cattle were taken, the spring dried up. +One went with the other." + +"How did Sam Thurston know all this?" asked Daddy Bunker. + +"This cowboy with the broken leg used to be one of the band of men who +took my cattle," went on Uncle Fred. "He just told me. He was on his way +to see about taking more of my steers when his horse threw him at the +bridge. That's why he didn't want to come to Three Star Ranch--because +he had treated us so meanly. + +"But when he saw how good we were to him he made up his mind not to be +bad any more and to tell about the men. He knows where they hide the +cattle after they steal them, and he says if we go there now we can get +back the steers, and also catch the men who took them. And after this +the spring won't go dry any more." + +"Well, well!" exclaimed the children's father. "And to think that two of +the six little Bunkers, by finding the cowboy with the broken leg, +should help solve the spring mystery!" + +"It is extraordinary!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "But I knew as soon as I +saw the little Bunkers in the attic that day I walked into your house, +that they could do something. And they have. Now, Captain Roy, you and +the cowboys ride on and see if you can get back our cattle." + +Away rode Captain Roy and the cowboys, and some hours later they came +back with the men, whom they had easily caught. They found the cattle +hidden in a gully, or deep valley, near the creek, and the steers were +driven back to their pasturage on Three Star Ranch. + +Then the whole story came out. Sam Thurston and the others of the band, +instead of raising cattle of their own, used to take those belonging to +other ranchmen. They found it easy to take Uncle Fred's, and, by making +a dam, or wall of earth, across the place where the stream started that +fed his spring, they could turn it in another direction, making it flow +over a path, or trail. + +Along this trail, when the water covered it, the men drove the cattle +they took from Uncle Fred's field, and the water covered, and washed +away, any marks the cattle's feet made. So no one could see which way +they had been driven. + +When the stream was thus dammed it did not flow into the spring, which +went dry. After the dam was taken away the spring filled again. + +And so it went on. Each time cattle were taken the spring was made to go +dry, and the men thus fooled Uncle Fred and his cowboys. The bad men +would hide the cattle and sell them to other men who did not know they +were stolen. + +So the secret of the spring might never have been discovered except for +Laddie and Russ making that race to the bridge where they found the +cowboy with the broken leg. + +Sam Thurston became good after that, his leg healed, and he worked for +Uncle Fred for a number of years. The bad men were sent to prison for a +long time, and had no more chance to take cattle from any one. + +"But aren't you going to dig down in the well we made, and see what is +at the bottom of it?" asked Russ of his father, a day or so after the +cattle had been got back and the men sent away. + +"Yes, I think we shall," said Uncle Fred. "I'd like to know what that +gurgle of water is." + +So they dug and found out. But it had nothing to do with the secret of +the spring, after all. It was only an old pipe, that had been laid some +years before by a man that had formerly owned the ranch, before Uncle +Fred bought it. The man laid a pipe from the overflow of the spring to a +chicken coop, so the hens could get a drink. Then the pipe became +covered over, and the man did not think to tell Uncle Fred about it when +the ranch was sold. + +But the secret of the spring was found out, and never after that did it +go dry, and no more of Uncle Fred's cattle were taken. + +"So it's a good thing we came out to see you, isn't it, Uncle Fred?" +asked Laddie. + +"I should say it was!" laughed his uncle. + +"I'm going to make a riddle about it!" went on Laddie. "I don't just +know what it's going to be, or what the answer is. But it will be a +riddle." + +"All right," laughed Uncle Fred. "When you think of it tell me. And now +have all the fun you can on Three Star Ranch. There are no more secrets +to bother you." + +"What makes 'em call it a ranch?" asked Violet. "Is it 'cause it has a +branch of a tree on it? Or is it an Indian name? And where are all the +Indians you said we'd see, Uncle Fred? And do the Indians and cowboys +ever fight? And do the Indians have bows and arrows, and could I have a +pony ride now?" + +"Well, I'll answer the last question by saying you may," said Uncle Fred +with a laugh. "As for the others, we'll see about them later." + +"Come on!" cried Russ. "We'll all have pony rides!" + +"And I'll get Bill Johnson to give us some cookies so we can play +picnic!" added Laddie. + +"Oh, wait for me," called Rose. "I must put my doll to bed before we +start." + +"I want to come!" shouted Mun Bun. + +"Me, too!" added Margy. + +"Bless their hearts! Let 'em have all the fun they can!" laughed Uncle +Fred. + +And that's just what we shall do with the six little Bunkers as we take +leave of them, perhaps some time to meet them again. + + +THE END + + + + * * * * * + + + +SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + + +Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Books," "The Bunny Brown Series," "The +Make-Believe Series," Etc. + +Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding + +Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate +popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to +your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute +sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own--one that can be easily +followed--and all are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining manner. +Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every +child in the land. + + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS + +For Little Men and Women + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series Etc. + +12mo. DURABLY BOUND. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING + +Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that +charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire. + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + +THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books + + Wrapper and text illustrations drawn by + FLORENCE ENGLAND NOSWORTHY + +12mo. DURABLY BOUND. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING + +These stories by the author of the "Bobbsey Twins" Books are eagerly +welcomed by the little folks from about five to ten years of age. Their +eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively doings of inquisitive +little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful sister Sue. + +Bunny was a lively little boy, very inquisitive. When he did anything, +Sue followed his leadership. They had many adventures, some comical in +the extreme. + + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + +UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS. + +These spirited tales, convey in a realistic way, the wonderful advances +in land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed upon the +memory and their reading is productive only of good. + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Series." + +12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING + +The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, a widower, is an +actor who has taken up work for the "movies." Both girls wish to aid him +in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of +pictures. + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS + Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas. + +Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies and +the girls follow. Tells how many "parlor dramas" are filmed. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM + Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays. + +Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film plays, +and giving an account of two unusual discoveries. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND + Or The Proof on the Film. + +A tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the +photo-play actors sometimes suffer. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS + Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida. + +How they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas before +the camera; were lost, and aided others who were also lost. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH + Or Great Days Among the Cowboys. + +All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great West will want to +know just how they are made. This volume gives every detail and is full +of clean fun and excitement. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA + Or a Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real. + +A thrilling account of the girls' experiences on the water. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS IN WAR PLAYS + Or The Sham Battles at Oak Farm. + +The girls play important parts in big battle scenes and have plenty of +hard work along with considerable fun. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of the popular "Bobbsey Twin Books" and "Bunny Brown" Series. + +UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS. + +These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several +bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. They are clean and +wholesome, free from sensationalism, and absorbing from the first +chapter to the last. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + Or Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + Or Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + Or The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + Or Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + Or Wintering in the Sunny South. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + Or The Box that Was Found in the Sand. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND + Or A Cave and What it Contained. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE + Or Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE + Or Doing Their Best for the Soldiers. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT + Or A Wreck and A Rescue. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE + Or The Hermit of Moonlight Falls. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE + Or The Girl Miner of Gold Run. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Obvious punctuation errors corrected. + + Frontispiece, "64" changed to "74". (Page 74) + + Table of Contents, XVIII-XXV, the page numbers were off by one. + (i.e. Chapter XVIII which was printed in the Table of Contents + as beginning on page 175, in actuality began on page 174. These + numbers where changed to reflect this.) + + Page 139, "us" changed to "up". (Margy wakes up) + + Page 224, original text had lines out of order + + Ride along, and I'll see if I can't crawl over + + Russ did not know what to do. He wanted + and get my own horse." + + changed to + + Ride along, and I'll see if I can't crawl over + and get my own horse." + + Russ did not know what to do. He wanted + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S*** + + +******* This file should be named 20326.txt or 20326.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/3/2/20326 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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