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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Polly and Eleanor, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+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 www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Polly and Eleanor
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Illustrator: H. S. Barbour
+
+Release Date: May 11, 2008 [EBook #25419]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY AND ELEANOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, Josephine Paolucci and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: POLLY AND ANNE FOLLOWED THE GUIDE.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor._    _Frontispiece--(Page 21)_]
+
+
+
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+BY
+
+LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+_Author of_
+
+POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY IN NEW YORK, POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD,
+POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE.
+
+ILLUSTRATED BY
+H. S. BARBOUR
+
+     NEW YORK
+     GROSSET & DUNLAP
+     PUBLISHERS
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+     COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY
+     GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                    PAGE
+
+I ANOTHER TRIP TO TOP NOTCH                   1
+
+II THE CLAIM-JUMPERS                         22
+
+III AT CHOKO'S FIND                          38
+
+IV JOHN AND HIS FRIEND ARRIVE                55
+
+V POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVERS        81
+
+VI THE GIRLS ENTERTAIN GUESTS                99
+
+VII SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS               122
+
+VIII POLLY-ELEANOR COMPANY, INC.            143
+
+IX JEB'S SUNDAY NIGHT OFF                   162
+
+X A TRIP TO BUFFALO PARK                    181
+
+XI A WILD-WEST COUNTY FAIR                  195
+
+XII NOLLA'S PLANS DEVELOP                   208
+
+XIII RIGGLEY & RATZGER OF NEW YORK          226
+
+XIV THE VICTORY                             247
+
+XV COMINGS AND GOINGS                       262
+
+XVI POLLY AND ELEANOR START OUT             275
+
+
+
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ANOTHER TRIP TO TOP NOTCH
+
+
+Six intensely interested individuals sat about the supper-table in the
+living room at Pebbly Pit Ranch-house, the evening of the day they rode
+to Oak Creek to file the claim on the gold mine. Sary, the
+maid-of-all-work, had the supper ready for the weary riders when they
+returned from their trip.
+
+Having served the dessert, Sary went out to the barn to help Jeb, the
+foreman on the ranch, with the horses which had just come in from the
+long day's work. So the group about the table felt free to talk as they
+liked. But Polly Brewster and her friend Eleanor Maynard were almost
+talked out by the time they finished the last bit of Sary's delicious
+dessert; and Barbara Maynard tried her best to hide a yawn behind her
+hand, while Anne Stewart, the pretty teacher who was the fourth member
+in the party that spent a night in the cave, was eager to continue
+planning for the future of the mine, but Nature demanded rest after the
+three days' excitement.
+
+Finally, Polly turned to her father and said: "I wish we could see
+John's face when he reads that telegram!"
+
+"If we had only dared word it plainly, there sure would be something
+queer to laugh at when John read it. But we had to cipher it, you know,"
+chuckled Sam Brewster.
+
+"I can't see why such foolish fear of talking about it is entertained by
+all you folks," declared Barbara, loftily.
+
+"Can't you? Well, then, Bob, Ah'll tell you plainly that that message
+had to be camouflaged, as we are not taking any risks on having your
+claim jumped over night. If we sent a wire to John telling him plainly
+that you girls discovered a vein of gold on Top Notch Trail, every last
+rascal in Oak Creek would hit the trail before that message was
+delivered," replied Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Even as it is, I suppose every one who can read the records at Oak
+Creek will start out at once, so as to stake new claims as near to
+Montresor's Mine as possible; perhaps they'll try to pick up some
+nuggets from your claim, as well," added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Then, when word spreads around the country--and such news always
+travels like lightning--every gambler and bunco man in Wyoming and
+Colorado will be seen camping on Top Notch Trail, each trying in his own
+way to wheedle money or gold-dust from the unwary ones," laughed Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+"There now, Daddy! You've laughed, so I know your spell of worry is over
+with. Won't you tell us what made you so serious?" exclaimed Polly.
+
+"Ah was trying to plan for the best way to avoid trouble over this
+claim; and at the same time protect our own rights, and any rights Old
+Montresor's family might have in this rediscovery. That is why Ah
+insisted upon Simms being one of our party, to-morrow; and the sheriff
+with his stalwart son, too. They are both strong, trusty men, and with
+Simms, Jeb and myself, we ought to be able to hold our own in case of an
+argument up there."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Brewster! Do you mean there is likely to be a fight, and
+_shooting_?" cried Barbara, horrified at the very idea.
+
+"Not so that you-all can notice it--if we get there first. But let those
+claim-jumpers camp on our grounds first, and we-all may have to use
+gun-persuasion to move them on to safer ground."
+
+"Dear me, I think it is going to be more fun than a movie-picture play
+in the filming!" exclaimed Eleanor, her eyes shining with excitement.
+
+"I hope we won't have the same kind of gun-play that we see in the
+wild-west films," hinted Anne Stewart, hitherto a listener.
+
+"Would you rather remain here, Anne?" asked Barbara, with an eager
+expression as if to say: "'I hope you do--then I will stay with you.'"
+
+"I should say _no_! I wouldn't miss the picnic we are going to have,
+to-morrow, for anything in Colorado!" declared Anne, emphatically.
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed at the young teacher's vehement tones, and then
+turned to her husband with a suggestion.
+
+"Sam, what do you think of sending Jeb on before, in the morning, to
+tell Rattle-Snake Mike he must act as guide and cook for us while we are
+on the mountain? He is the cleverest Indian anywhere about, you know."
+
+"Just the thing, Mary! Ah'm mighty glad you-all thought of it. Jeb can
+ride on whiles we-all branch off at Bear Forks for the Old Indian Trail.
+Then Mike and Jeb can catch up with us."
+
+"I don't know about that, Sam," returned Mrs. Brewster, thoughtfully.
+"I'd rather see Jeb start from here about four o'clock, so Mike and he
+can meet us at five-thirty at the school-house."
+
+"You must have some good reason for that," ventured Polly.
+
+"Yes, Mike may hear about this claim and leave his cabin early, so as to
+act as guide to strangers who will be glad to pay him any price just to
+get him and his wonderful scouting experience."
+
+"Right as usual, Mary! Ah'll run out, right now, and tell Jeb he'd
+better get to bed if he has to be up before four," exclaimed Mr.
+Brewster, starting for the bedroom over the barn where he knew Jeb would
+be.
+
+"And we had better go to bed, too, so we can be up and have breakfast
+out of the way before the horses are brought to the door," suggested
+Mrs. Brewster, leading the way to the front door to look at the night
+sky.
+
+"Why, it isn't eight o'clock," complained Barbara.
+
+"No, but even that leaves us less than eight hours' sleep. After such
+exciting days as we have been through, we need a good full night's
+rest," replied Anne.
+
+"Chances are Nolla and I won't close an eye! What, with gold mines, and
+John, and the Latimer boys, and Ken Evans coming to town--and
+claim-jumpers, and everything!" laughed Polly.
+
+"You mean that young stranger we met at Oak Creek?" asked Barbara,
+frigidly.
+
+"Yes,--the one who looked so pleasant but forlorn," said Eleanor,
+sympathetically.
+
+"His name was Kenneth Evans, you know, Bob," explained Polly,
+innocently.
+
+Eleanor and Anne exchanged glances and smiled, for they understood that
+Barbara meant to be condemnatory in her manner; but Polly, in her very
+guilelessness, countered the city girl's disparagement.
+
+"It's too bad we couldn't have had him come home with us," added
+Eleanor, teasingly, to Barbara.
+
+"Dear me, Nolla! By the time I get you back to Chicago you will need a
+complete training in social behavior again!" declared Barbara, frowning
+at her younger sister.
+
+But her remark merely called forth a merry laugh from the light-hearted
+girl. Mrs. Brewster then started the usual preparations for bed, and the
+group followed her example.
+
+For the benefit of any one who has not been fortunate enough to become
+acquainted with our western friends, in the first book of this series,
+we will introduce you while the girls are soundly sleeping.
+
+Polly Brewster, a girl just past fourteen, was a true type of the
+honest, ambitious ranchers of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Her home,
+the extensive farm in the crater of an extinct volcano, was called
+Pebbly Pit because of the giant cliffs of colored stones guarding the
+entrance trail. This ranch was about eleven miles from Oak Creek, the
+mining settlement and railroad station for about a thousand inhabitants,
+where all shopping had to be done. The town was much like other rough,
+half-civilized western settlements, consisting of a post office, a bank,
+the sheriff's office, and several saloons. A general store was
+maintained in connection with the post office, and here one must buy
+anything needed for house or farm. The Brewsters, being affluent
+ranchers, ordered their clothing, house-furnishings, and many tools or
+luxuries by mail, from illustrated catalogues. But the rough road from
+the ranch to the town post office, being hard going in a heavy
+ranch-wagon, often caused the Brewsters to forego a mail order on
+cosmopolitan stores rather than drive in and cart the goods home from
+Oak Creek.
+
+Polly had just completed her grammar course at the little Bear Forks'
+school-house where Anne Stewart had taught two years previous to this
+summer. Polly had never been elsewhere than at Oak Creek and now she
+yearned to attend High School in Denver.
+
+Anne Stewart lived in Denver, and for the past year had been tutoring
+Eleanor Maynard, while the girl and her older sister Barbara boarded
+with Mrs. Stewart. The Maynard girls were from Chicago, but Eleanor, who
+was fourteen, was very delicate, so the doctor had recommended a high
+altitude for her.
+
+Anne Stewart was helping her brother Paul through a college in Chicago,
+and during her visit to him, at the end of his first year, she met his
+friends--John Brewster who was Polly's older brother; Tom Latimer a
+promising young engineer from New York; and Pete Maynard who was a
+brother to Eleanor and Barbara. It was through this means that the
+Maynards heard of the Stewarts' home in Denver, and anxiously begged
+Anne to take the two girls into her home circle. As the salary offered
+for this privilege was so munificent, the young teacher eagerly
+accepted, and then found her youngest charge a lovable and merry girl.
+
+The two Chicago girls had returned home for a few months, but Eleanor
+could not stand the high winds and stubborn climate of Chicago, so the
+doctor again ordered her to spend a summer in the mountains of Colorado.
+In distraction, Mr. Maynard begged Anne Stewart to arrange everything,
+and thus it was that these two society girls came, with Anne, to board
+with Polly's family at Pebbly Pit ranch.
+
+The Brewsters were considered very wealthy in land and cattle, to say
+nothing of the Rainbow Cliffs, for which a New York financier had
+offered them half a million dollars for part interest in mining them.
+But Sam Brewster could afford to refuse such destruction to his
+beautiful estate. Polly had never had city-made clothing, nor had she
+the slightest idea of city-ways, until the Maynard girls' advent to
+Pebbly Pit. But she had had years of thrilling experiences to her
+credit--experiences with wild-life of all kinds, of mountain-climbing,
+of adventures of other sorts, to say nothing about knowledge of farming
+and domestic animals. This outdoor life gave her abundant health,
+strength, and the beauty of a fine complexion, clear eyes, luxuriant
+glossy hair, and a graceful well-formed figure that was all the more
+attractive because of the charms her adolescence promised.
+
+That very day had been spent in Oak Creek in filing the claim to
+Montresor's Mine, and just as the party started for home, they had met
+the young stranger, Kenneth Evans, who sought Carew's Surveying Camp,
+which was known to be located near Yellow Jacket Pass. The youth was
+directed how to find Jake, the driver of Carew's wagon, and then he was
+invited to visit Pebbly Pit, on Sunday.
+
+As Polly and Eleanor had predicted, they were so excited over the events
+that promised such thrills on the morrow, that they slept little that
+night, but tossed and talked most of the time. However, when the call
+sounded for them all to awake and dress for the mountain trip, it found
+that these two girls were fast asleep and loath to get up.
+
+"Good gracious, Anne! My wrist watch says it's four o'clock! You don't
+suppose we have to get up at this awful hour?" complained Barbara,
+rubbing her eyes.
+
+Anne was already up and hurriedly dressing. "Any one who is not ready to
+start when the man brings the horses around to the door, remains
+behind, you know."
+
+That brought Polly and Eleanor out of bed with a hop, as there was only
+a wooden partition between the two rooms, and Anne's words were plainly
+heard by them.
+
+"If there was the least thing to do if I stayed here, I'd not go again
+for anything. But I should die of ennui if I had to be entertained by
+Sary for three whole days," grumbled Barbara.
+
+The very idea of Sary, the "house helper," entertaining Barbara, for
+whom she felt such scorn, caused mirth in the adjoining room.
+
+Eleanor called out: "More than likely Sary feels as glad to know that
+you're going, as we would be to have you stay behind."
+
+"Come, come, Bob! You _must_ get up and dress!" now urged Anne, as she
+finished her dressing and turned to leave the room.
+
+The purple gleams of the western dawn shot the heavens of blue and gold,
+as Jeb brought the sturdy horses from the barn. He had given careful
+attention to the trappings and shoes of the various mounts, and finding
+each one in splendid condition, started for the house.
+
+An unusual hubbub came from the living-room where baskets of food and
+outfits were waiting. The moment Jeb was hailed, however, the noisy
+girls ran out to look over their horses.
+
+"Why, Jeb! Isn't Noddy going this time?" asked Polly.
+
+"Not ef you-all want her to keep any breath in her skin. Ain't she
+eena-most done up from that other trip?" retorted Jeb, who was the
+"general-man" on the ranch. Having been with the Brewsters since he was
+a boy of twelve, he felt that he was one of the family and he treated
+Polly as if she were a younger sister.
+
+"Never mind Noddy, this time, Polly, but let Jeb jump into the saddle
+and start off. He'll never reach Mike's cabin if you keep on arguing
+about the burros," said Mrs. Brewster, coming out to call them to
+breakfast.
+
+Jeb had gone on to secure the company of Rattle-Snake Mike, and Mr.
+Brewster sat impatiently on his horse, waiting to guide the party of
+women, when all but Barbara were ready; then she came out while still
+munching her tardy breakfast.
+
+As the riders passed the Rainbow Cliffs, the rays of the rising sun
+gilded their peaks, and the girls exclaimed at the beauty of the stones
+as they reflected the myriad colors of a rainbow. Then on down through
+the Devil's Causeway and out on the Sand Trail, rode the adventurers,
+until they saw Jeb and Mike riding to meet them.
+
+"Mike says we-all ain't the fust ones to start up Grizzly Slide, this
+mornin'," said Jeb, the moment he was within hearing.
+
+"U-um! Plenty fool go by!" grunted Mike.
+
+Mike was an entirely new type to the city girls, and they studied him
+with interest. He was a swarthy-looking Indian; perhaps, as Mr. Brewster
+said, because he smoked himself brown. He always rode his famous Indian
+pony and carried an evil-looking gun, besides the revolvers in his belt.
+Another weapon he had, as evil but not quite so fatal to others as the
+gun--and that was his old pipe, as black as the Asiatic plague.
+
+Mike was a descendant of a famous Chieftain, so he seldom noticed the
+miners or common natives about Oak Creek, but he considered himself an
+equal of educated people like the Brewsters. Hence his willingness to
+act as guide for this party, after he had refused tempting offers from
+the "scorned" early that morning.
+
+"Now we'll turn off at the Forks and ride fast to meet Simms and his
+party," advised Mr. Brewster, when they reached the place where the
+trails forked.
+
+"Mike says there's the old Indian Trail up the mountain, that cuts off
+half the distance to the Slide," called Jeb, from the front.
+
+"Him bad trail--no like Top Notch," warned the Indian.
+
+"Whereabouts will we hit it, Mike?" asked Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Onny Mike say--him secret Indian Trail," explained the red-man, ever
+faithful to his ancestors.
+
+"Well, will we pass Pine Tree where we are to meet Simms and the
+sheriff?" added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Na! him run away from Pine Tree. But him save half-day riding."
+
+Mr. Brewster silently considered this possibility for a few moments,
+then turned to his wife, and said: "Mary, it seems most important just
+now for us to get to the cave before others reach it, as we must stake
+out additional claims adjoining the mine, in order to protect the rights
+of the girls. Of course, we must have Mike show us his secret trail, and
+I will go to escort the girls, but you and Jeb might ride on to Pine
+Tree to meet Simms' party. Then ride with them up along Top Notch Trail.
+We will all meet at Four Mile Blaze."
+
+"I was about to suggest the same plan, Sam; but I won't need Jeb with
+me. I'm so used to this road that I am perfectly safe. It is the Trail
+that will be hazardous to a lone rider, when once the outlaws hear of
+this strike. But I will have Mr. Simms and the other men with me, so
+everything will be safe and all right," replied Mrs. Brewster.
+
+After a hasty good-by, Mrs. Brewster rode away, and the others in the
+party followed after Mike who led up a hitherto unknown trail to Grizzly
+Slide. It was so over-grown that no one but an Indian could ever find a
+way through; however, Mike was an adept in this line.
+
+"I have been wondering if this could have been the trail Mr. Montresor
+discovered the day he approached his gold mine from the valley," said
+Polly, as she followed close at Mike's heels.
+
+"You may have hit the nail on the head, Poll. It always has been a
+question whether Montresor was quite sane, because he insisted that he
+rode up a strange trail that was over-grown with jungle before he came
+upon the ravine that held his gold mine," added Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Humph! Him good old scout," came from Mike.
+
+"I'm glad to hear you say so, Mike, because I liked him so much!" sighed
+Polly, and tears filled her eyes at the memory of her old friend.
+
+"Patsy good scout, too. Solly dem dead," Mike added.
+
+Conversation now became impossible, as Mike rode far in advance for some
+reason best known to himself, and the trail was so steep and rough that
+it took each rider all his attention to keep in the saddle. However, the
+flora and fauna were so interesting that the girls endured many a jar
+and jolt for the sake of seeing them.
+
+Reaching Four Mile Blaze they found they had saved over half the
+distance it would have been to ride up over Top Notch Trail; and this
+pleased Mr. Brewster tremendously. He had just turned in his saddle to
+call out to the girls behind him when Mike held up a warning hand.
+
+Every one looked at him to see what he had discovered. He grunted
+unpleasantly, and slid from his horse. He sprawled out on the ground and
+placed his ear close to the earth. Every one sat still, waiting to hear
+the report, or cause, of this unusual behavior.
+
+The Indian listened attentively for a time, then got up and examined the
+trail along Top Notch, as far back as the blazed tree. There he placed
+his ear to the ground again, and listened for a longer time than at
+first. Then he got up slowly and crept about examining the bushes, the
+broken twigs, rocks, and even the grass.
+
+The girls watched him with intense interest, as Polly had told them of
+the wonderful scouting instinct Mike possessed, and now they were going
+to have it demonstrated to them. Having satisfied himself, Mike came
+over to Mr. Brewster and announced, abruptly:
+
+"Tree miner gone aleddy--two tenderfut comin'."
+
+"Three up there already! By the Great Horned Spoon! how did they do it?"
+cried Sam Brewster, aghast at the idea that perhaps they would have
+trouble when they reached Polly's mine.
+
+"Maybe the three gone on ahead have no idea that we found gold up there.
+Maybe they are after pelts, or some other thing," said Anne Stewart.
+
+Mike grinned complacently, for he had spoken.
+
+"How do you know those three are miners, Mike?" asked Polly.
+
+The Indian pointed to the ground where an imprint of a miner's boot was
+plainly seen. Only the miners at Oak Creek wore such spiked heels, the
+ranchers and other citizens being satisfied with heavy leather soles.
+The foot-print pointed towards the Slide--not away from it.
+
+"That's only one, Mike, and you said there were three!" exclaimed Anne,
+triumphantly.
+
+"Tree hoss go by--see." Mike pointed out three different kinds of
+horse-shoe imprints.
+
+"One hoss carry pack an' go lame. Two hoss all light."
+
+"How do you know he is lame--and maybe he isn't packed," Eleanor said.
+
+Mike sniffed derisively, and pointed at the lighter impression of one
+hind foot. Then he showed his admiring audience how a slight rip in a
+flour-sack allowed the contents to trickle down upon the ground at each
+limp the lame horse gave.
+
+Mike now said to Mr. Brewster: "Dem go slow--lame hoss no go fas', mebbe
+jus' ahead."
+
+"If we ride on we can catch up with them!" eagerly exclaimed Anne.
+
+Mike shook his head and lifted a finger for silence. Then the girls
+heard a faint clip-clop of hoof-beats on the rocky trail leading along
+Top Notch.
+
+"Two tenderfut 'mos' catch up. We-all wait an' talkee," suggested Mike,
+settling himself in his saddle to await the riders.
+
+"Mike's right, because they will only follow us and find out where our
+claim is located, if we start on now," added Polly.
+
+Mr. Brewster shook his head. "Ah reckon you-all talk sense but Ah would
+offer an amendment to your plan: to have Polly and Anne take Jeb for an
+escort and ride on at once. Let the horses have their head and get to
+the cave as soon as you can. Hold the fort until we-all join you. We-all
+will see these two men and find out what they are after."
+
+"Daddy, you must remember a grizzly bear lives in that cave. He may have
+been injured but he may not have died, the other night. I have my small
+rifle but Anne hasn't any weapon at all. As for Jeb--he's great on the
+farm, but for this work, huh! Then there are those three miners who are
+up ahead: they wouldn't hesitate to put two mere girls out of their way,
+if we interfered with their staking our mine or jumping our claims,"
+said Polly.
+
+Mike smiled and expressed his opinion. "Miss'r Brooser wait wid two
+ten'erfut, an' Mike go wid leedle leddies. Ef cabe hab trouble of
+grizzle er miner, Mike shoot."
+
+"Good! And Ah'll wait for Simms and the others, and then come after
+you-all," agreed Mr. Brewster.
+
+"I won't go with Mike if there is any danger at the cave. I didn't come
+to the Rockies to be killed!" declared Barbara.
+
+"Daddy, you must keep Eleanor and Barbara here with you and Jeb, and
+wait for mother and the sheriff's men. Anne and I will go with Mike and
+see that our rights are protected," now said Polly.
+
+"I have as much right to go with you, Polly, as Anne has. Why must I
+remain here with Bob?" demanded Eleanor.
+
+"I know that, Nolla, but three of us will be too many--especially as
+Anne and you have no firearms. I may need Anne to help me load but you
+can't even do that. So it will be far better for us all if you remain
+here. Mike will not have to bother over so many of us, then," explained
+Polly.
+
+"But everything may be safe at the cave, and all this worry about
+fighting may be a farce," argued Eleanor.
+
+"In that case Mike will leave us safely there and come back to guide
+you-all to us. Once we are safe on that ledge with a pile of dry wood in
+front of the entrance to the cave, we can defy the whole country."
+
+"All right! Hurry away and get on to that ledge before any more rascals
+steal a march on you. But be sure to send Mike back for us, the moment
+Anne and you arrive there and find everything is all right," replied
+Eleanor.
+
+So Mike spurred his broncho along the trail, while Polly and Anne rode
+after him. Soon they disappeared around the bend where giant pines
+formed a wall on either side of the narrow going.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CLAIM-JUMPERS
+
+
+The moment the three had passed out of sight, Sam Brewster jumped from
+his horse and led him over to the great tree that caused the trail to
+turn aside and run around it. He looped the reins over his arm and
+placed his hands in his coat pockets. As he leaned against the
+tree-trunk nibbling nonchalantly at a sprig of grass, a tenderfoot would
+never have dreamed that his fingers were tensely held against the
+triggers of the revolvers hidden in his pockets.
+
+Soon after Mr. Brewster had taken his stand where he could see the first
+appearance of any one coming up the trail, two riders approached eagerly
+scanning the large trees, in evident search of something. As they came
+to the giant tree where the rancher waited, both men started in
+surprise.
+
+"How-dy, friends? Out early this morning, eh?" was the greeting the two
+amazed men received from the alert man at the tree.
+
+"Oh--oh, yes!" stammered one, plainly uneasy.
+
+"Hoh, it's Sam Brewster of Pebbly Pit, ain't it?" said the other, also
+confused in his manner.
+
+"Right you are, Hank. You see, when a man has to attend to the girls'
+gold mine, he has to be up right early to forestall the plans of any
+claim-jumpers who read the records at Oak Creek, yesterday, after we
+left there. That's why I got a possé to guard the place. I reckon, now,
+Hank, that your boss sent you-all on to help we-all up yonder, eh?"
+laughed Mr. Brewster, tantalizingly, as he recognized Hank to be the
+clerk at the filing office in Oak Creek.
+
+The man Hank laughed also, but a discordant note rang through his forced
+merriment. "We-all ain't claim-jumpers, Mr. Brewster, but it seemed so
+quare to find Old Montresor's Mine hed ben found again, that Ah sez to
+my pal, here, 'How'd you-all like to run up to the Slide and have a
+squint at that cave?' An' havin' a day off, he reckoned he'd enjy the
+trip. So here we-all are."
+
+"Yes--so Ah see! Here you-all are. And Ah says to my girls and the
+possé, says Ah: 'There'll be a lot of fools start off at night-fall, to
+hit this trail to the Slide just out of dern-fool curiosity to have a
+squint at Old Montresor's Mine. But human nature is human nature,
+girls,' says Ah, so when they get that squint, they may forget one of
+the Ten Commandments and want to covet their neighbor's property. And
+seeing how they have lost a good night's sleep through climbing the Top
+Notch Trail just to arrive early to have that squint, they will sort of
+feel justified in stealing an acre, or so, of gold-land. That would make
+them break another Commandment; so Ah felt it a duty, Hank, to send on a
+regiment in advance, to save the souls of such curious sightseers." Sam
+Brewster never changed a muscle of his serious face nor did his voice
+have the slightest sign of any other feeling than a reverent desire to
+help his fellow-man. But the two men knew Sam Brewster by experience as
+well as from hearsay.
+
+"Right-o! Hank told me what a good man you war," said the miner who
+accompanied Hank. But his shifty eyes belied the tone.
+
+Mr. Brewster smiled. "Yes. Ah did hate to see any one lose a good
+night's sleep and then get thus far only to be mistaken for
+claim-jumpers by the Sheriff's men up yonder. Of course, Hank and
+you-all aren't going to take such chances with the law."
+
+The miner glanced about uneasily but only saw two girls sitting on their
+horses a short distance away. Hank's face lowered, however, and he
+growled forth: "Ah don't see whose business it is whether we break the
+Sheriff's law or not."
+
+"Perhaps _you_ don't see--but Ah do, Hank. And when the Sheriff says,
+'Keep the trail free from all trespassers till my possé can take
+charge,' you know me--Ah'll see that his orders are carried out,"
+returned Mr. Brewster sternly, his pockets moving suspiciously.
+
+"You-all hain't got no orders, and thar hain't no possé up yander,
+neither, 'cause they hain't a-comin' till after Simms leaves," exclaimed
+Hank, unguardedly.
+
+"Ah! So you and your man thought you'd get a lead on the Sheriff, eh?"
+laughed Mr. Brewster. "Oh, but you are an easy tenderfoot to stuff,
+Hank! Did you-all really believe such a story would have been told at
+Oak Creek if the possé planned to wait for morning? Why, man, that is
+just what they wanted to do--to catch a lot of rascals red-handed and
+clean Oak Creek out, once for all! How do you know that there is a real
+claim staked out up there--or whether it is the Sheriff's joke to land
+a ring of crooks?"
+
+Eleanor and Barbara were so interested in the way Mr. Brewster handled
+the two rascals without telling a direct falsehood that they sighed when
+the claim-jumpers backed their horses and withdrew to confer anxiously
+on what they had heard. But Sam Brewster interpolated with:
+
+"If it is curiosity that brought you-all to lose a night's rest, pass
+right along and tell the Sheriff and Bill your yarn. They will not only
+let you take a squint at what you think is a mine, but they will pay you
+to remain and help arrest all the claim-jumpers who are already on the
+way."
+
+Even as he spoke, Mr. Brewster saw the sly move of Hank as he tried to
+pull his gun from the holster; instantly a hand came from the rancher's
+pocket and brought to light a cocked revolver. The other man suddenly
+changed his mind when the bore of Brewster's gun was leveled so that the
+clerk could look right down into his grave if he made the slightest
+mistake in this outing of his.
+
+But the miner became ugly; then he saw the other hand of Sam Brewster
+come from his pocket and he knew that he was a dead rascal too, if he
+made one false step. So his expression changed to a wily smile, and he
+said:
+
+"What you-all ha'r fur ef th' Sheriff's up thar guardin' th' precious
+mine?"
+
+"Told to warn away any foolish town-clerks who might be heading straight
+to Kingdom Come! You know Bill likes to give every chump a loop-hole to
+save himself, if possible," retorted Mr. Brewster.
+
+"We ain't lookin' fer no argyment with Bill ner the Shuriff, so
+we-all'll mosey back an' tell others we meet. Howsomever, you-all won't
+find it so easy to git rid of curious folks when that miner-gang gits
+ha'r. Ah happen to know who and how many are plannin' to come."
+
+With that farewell, Hank turned his horse's head and led the way down
+the trail, slowly followed by the unwilling miner.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Brewster! hadn't we better ride after Mike and the girls before
+the miners' gang gets here?" cried Barbara, fearfully.
+
+Mr. Brewster laughed. "That was only a bluff of Hank's to make me ride
+along so he and his pal might follow us. I haven't the least doubt but
+that both of those cowardly rascals are hiding just out of sight where
+they can watch my every movement. Should we start to ride along towards
+the cave, they would follow and shoot us from the rear as sure as
+anything."
+
+In spite of his making light of Hank, however, Mr. Brewster kept a wary
+eye open for an ambuscade. Nothing of moment happened, however, and Jeb
+was just saying: "Maybe we-all had best ride for the cave," when a shot
+rang out.
+
+"Well!" gasped he, while the two girls trembled with fear.
+
+"That sounded from Top Notch. It's either Simms and his party, or those
+rascals. In either case, it won't be cowardly in us to hide behind a
+clump of pines and await developments," suggested the rancher.
+
+Mr. Brewster stationed Eleanor behind a close growth of young pine and
+handed her a small rifle. Barbara was hidden deeper in the forest, and
+then he and Jeb took their places behind a bowlder whence they could
+watch the up-trail. With a revolver ready in each hand, they waited
+anxiously.
+
+But his wise precautions were unnecessary this time, for Bill soon rode
+up, calling loudly as he came. Sam Brewster sighed with relief to find a
+group of Oak Creek's leading citizens with the Sheriff.
+
+"Bill, did you-all shoot, a time back?" queried Mr. Brewster the moment
+the possé came up.
+
+Bill laughed. "Ah'll explain in a minute. You-all see it wa'r this way:
+After you-all left for home, yesterday, it wa'r found how some low-down
+sneaks got wind of this claim and planned to ride up at once. It looked
+a lot like claim-jumpin', so we-all got together mighty quick and rode
+after them to spare the Lord any trouble in judgin' 'em. Also, we-all
+reckoned to save your party any nonsense over the gold, 'specially as
+thar wa'r four gals in it."
+
+"But three rascals got a lead on you," interrupted Sam.
+
+"Yeh, three are at large somewhere, Ah reckon; but two of the worst ones
+out of that five are back yonder. Hank Johnson and his jail-bird pal are
+down on Four Mile Blaze. When we get the other three, we'll rid Oak
+Crick of five of its worst citizens."
+
+"Rattle-Snake Mike came up with us, Bill. We rode up the Indian
+Trail--that's how we got here so soon. But Mike went on to the cave with
+Polly and her friend. They'll guard their claim, all right, unless those
+three interfere," said Mr. Brewster, with an anxious note in his voice.
+
+"Ah reckon we'd better make for that cave, then! Thar may be some work
+cut out fer us thar," whispered Bill, seeing the two city girls now
+ride out from cover and come over to join the group.
+
+"Where's Mrs. Brewster?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"This is Bill's party--they left Oak Creek last night," explained Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+"Then where is Simms and your wife?" asked Barbara.
+
+"You see it will take the others much longer to ride up from Lone Pine
+than it took us to climb the trappers' trail, so they can't possibly
+arrive for some time yet. We-all just got here, and we left Oak Creek at
+midnight," explained one of the men, encouraging the two girls.
+
+"But we-all stopped on the way and cooked breakfast and fed our hosses.
+Simms and his party will ride right up and ought to be ha'r pritty soon,
+now," said Bill.
+
+"How about leavin' some one here at Four Mile Blaze to direct the Simms'
+party, while we-all ride on with Sam to hunt those three claim-jumpers,"
+suggested one of the possé.
+
+"Barbara and I will wait here with Jeb if you leave us each with a gun,"
+offered Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+Barbara gasped at the very idea, but Eleanor added:
+
+"We don't want to be mixed up in a fight with rascals, and we are safer
+here than up there."
+
+"The gal's right, Sam. They'd onny be in the road if we-all have to
+chase them men," said Bill.
+
+"But they can't shoot! Why give them any guns?" asked Mr. Brewster,
+anxiously.
+
+"I just bet I could kill you at forty paces, if you were a claim-jumper
+and looked at me the way Hank looked at you!" declared Eleanor,
+emphatically.
+
+The men laughed, and Bill wagged his head approvingly. "Ah say, Sam, let
+the gals take a crack at the Four Mile tree--and see."
+
+"Well, even the sight of guns will make the villains respect us, even if
+we can't shoot!" added Barbara, who felt that the lesser of the two
+dangers would be to remain with Eleanor and Jeb where they now were.
+
+After many instructions and warnings had been given to Jeb and the two
+city girls, Mr. Brewster spurred his horse on to ride after his
+companions who were already up the trail. But he had not far to go.
+
+At the bend of the trail, where there was a small clearing, he saw the
+men standing up in their stirrups, intent on something ahead. He urged
+his horse up to join them, and just before reaching the group, he
+called out: "What's wrong?"
+
+The horses were tossing their heads, pawing the ground, and acting
+restive. Bill turned half-way around in the saddle and replied:
+"D'you-all smell anything, Sam?"
+
+Mr. Brewster noticed then, that the men held faces up and were sniffing
+in different directions. He then sniffed carefully himself and
+exclaimed: "Smells like smoke."
+
+But even as he spoke, the thought reached him: "A forest fire!" His face
+went white and he murmured a prayer to himself for Polly and Anne.
+
+"Yeh, Sam. Comin' down from the Slide," was all Bill said.
+
+"My Gawd, men! what shall we do?" cried one of the possé.
+
+"We-all must ship them two gals an' Jeb down trail, right away, and then
+the rest of us'll ride up to see if anything kin be done to stop it.
+Mebbe it hain't got a headway yet," replied Bill.
+
+But the two girls were now seen riding up the trail as fast as their
+horses could travel. Barbara rode first and Eleanor after her, shouting
+aloud in a frantic voice. The men waited fearfully to hear what new
+trouble assailed them.
+
+Barbara almost ran down Mr. Brewster's horse in her blind fear, and
+when questioned, could not speak. Eleanor then rode up and looked so
+angry that she could scarcely explain.
+
+"Bob declared she heard noises behind us and on one side, and then,
+without giving me or Jeb any warning, she started her horse at a run, to
+come and meet you men. She cried that it would be safer with a crowd
+than alone with only Jeb and me and the rifles we knew nothing about. I
+had to ride after her to see that she reached you safely. Now I'll go
+back and keep guard again."
+
+"Stop, Nolla! Although you are a brave little girl, it will be of no use
+to keep guard now. Jeb and you will have to ride down Top Notch Trail as
+fast as you can, and meet Simms who is coming up with Mrs. Brewster.
+Send Simms and the men on to help us, but you three women take Jeb and
+go right on down. There's a forest fire." Mr. Brewster added the last
+portentous words in an awed voice.
+
+"Oh, my goodness! Will we be hurt?" cried Barbara.
+
+But Eleanor thought not of herself. She immediately cried: "Are Polly
+and Anne safe?"
+
+"Polly--whar's she?" demanded Bill, suddenly realizing that the girl was
+not one of the party.
+
+"She went to the cave with Mike to watch there, in case any
+claim-jumpers tried to stake their ground," groaned Sam Brewster.
+
+"Is the cave far from here?" added Bill, quickly.
+
+"Not as far as Top Notch Trail," replied Eleanor, seeing a possible way
+for her to get to Polly and Anne.
+
+"But some one ought to send Simms on to us and then ride on down trail
+to signal the forest-rangers' lookout so's they could come and help
+fight the fire," said another man.
+
+"Can't Bob and I join Polly and Anne in the cave where we will be safe
+from any fire, and you send Jeb down to signal Simms and the
+forest-rangers?" asked Eleanor excitedly, seeing how urgent was the need
+for instant action.
+
+"All right; take this young man for protection, and get to the cave as
+quick as you can. You gals wait in the cave till you-all hear from us
+again. Send Mike down trail to Jeb to hurry Simms and then escort Mrs.
+Brewster home. We're ridin' up yander to work," ordered Bill,
+authoritatively.
+
+Eleanor turned her horse's head to a faint trail that she was sure would
+bring them to the cave. Barbara and the cow-boy followed, while Bill
+and his men urged the horses to their utmost up the steep Slide.
+
+"Thar's one good thing about this fire--it seems to be comin' down, and
+it don't travel near so quick that way, like-as-how it do when it goes
+upward. Mebbe we-all kin choke it in its first stages," explained Bill.
+
+Eleanor and her two followers now reached the end of the little erosion
+made by a storm. Then the city girl found it really was no trail at all.
+They sat their horses looking helplessly about while Barbara began to
+whimper with fear.
+
+Even courageous Eleanor began to quail at what would befall them if they
+were lost, when Mike suddenly appeared in the distance, climbing the
+steep slope before them. His broncho came on recklessly through the
+bushes and wild undergrowth until he was within speaking distance then
+he shouted:
+
+"Mike hear shoots! Gals in cabe alle-right. Mike smell fire. He go see
+who burn. Fin' tree bad miner--One gone happy hunting-groun',--two sleep
+f'm much fire-water. Tree hosses hobble on down trail." As he spoke he
+acted his words so that it was plain that he had found the three
+claim-jumpers who were dead drunk, and their mounts which were trying
+to break away in sheer fear of the fire.
+
+"Mike, Bill and Mr. Brewster said you were to leave us in the cave, if
+it is safe there, and then ride down trail to meet Jeb and go on to stop
+Simms' party. Warn the lookout on the forest-ranger's post and then come
+back to us, but Jeb is to ride home with the Missus!" exclaimed Eleanor,
+excitedly.
+
+Mike frowned. "Indian no like squaw job!"
+
+"That's just what I was going to say, Mike. Now if you will put us on
+the right trail, we three can find the way to the cave. We will stay
+there with the other girls, and let you do as you think best, _after_
+you send Jeb away to meet Simms," said Eleanor.
+
+"Mike mus' tell Boss and Bill 'bout fire. Him eat down-hill, udder side
+Slide. No burn dis side."
+
+Meantime, the Indian was leading the way to the trail that would bring
+the girls out at the ravine where the cave was. Once on the right trail,
+the youth whom Bill had sent with the girls, said he could keep to it
+without going astray.
+
+Mike waited but a moment to assure himself that they would be safe along
+the trail, then he started his horse up the steep side. His keen Indian
+scout habits now stood him in good stead. He soon had the Sheriff's
+party tracked and was riding after them. His young broncho galloped
+along until the group of men bound for the Slide, were hailed by a
+war-whoop.
+
+Bill turned and saw the Indian close behind. He called a halt, and when
+the party stopped, the messenger was already in their midst.
+
+"Fire up lodge-pole pine side. Eatin' down--dat way!" cried Mike, waving
+a hand at the side of the mountain away from them and the cave.
+
+"Mike go see an' fin' tree miner. Dey hab big fight--two shoot one. Him
+dead. Udders drunk--gone 'sleep. Hosses tie up."
+
+"Mike, you lead! Men fall in--we-all fight the fire first, then find the
+drunken miners and arrest them for manslaughter," ordered Bill, and thus
+the possé rode away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AT CHOKO'S FIND
+
+
+After losing the trail many times only to stumble into it again and
+again, and then slipping, sliding, or jolting down the steep side of the
+mountain where the timber-line ended near the cliff, Eleanor finally
+recognized the ravine where the cave was located.
+
+"Oh, thank heavens! We're almost there," she cried, trying to find the
+easiest way down to the ledge.
+
+Polly and Anne were sitting before the entrance to the cave, when they
+heard shouts and saw three weary riders coming along the rocky ledge
+that led to their refuge.
+
+"Why--it's Nolla and Bob and a man!" exclaimed Polly, jumping up to run
+and meet the girls.
+
+"What's wrong--any one hurt?" cried Anne, the moment she saw the faces
+of the girls.
+
+Eleanor then told about the forest-fire, and where the men were. The
+more recent excitement had quite driven the story of Hank and his
+claim-jumpers from her mind. But Polly anxiously asked for her mother.
+
+"Oh, yes--Simms and the party hadn't arrived when we left Four Mile
+Blaze. But they will be all right, as Mike is gone to meet them. Then
+your mother and Jeb will ride back to warn the forest-rangers about the
+fire," explained Barbara.
+
+"Why, no, Bob. Don't you remember, Mike said he would have to tell
+Polly's father about the drunken men and the fire, first," Eleanor
+corrected her sister.
+
+"Well, I'm not worrying about mother because she knows too much to run
+into unnecessary danger; but father always wants to save everybody and
+everything from disaster, and so takes his life in his hands, over and
+over again," Polly worried.
+
+"Mr. Brewster'll be all right with Bill around, Miss Polly," said the
+young man who had accompanied the city girls. "No one is allowed to run
+any risks for nuthin', when the Sheriff is there to stop 'em."
+
+"I just hope Bill _will_ keep father in bounds!" declared Polly.
+
+Very little smoke reached the ravine, which was on the opposite side of
+the mountain from that where the fire raged, so the girls knew not how
+matters fared until late in the afternoon. Then, to their great relief,
+Mr. Brewster shouted a signal from the lodge-pole pine forest.
+
+Polly gave an answering call, and then ran along the dangerous ledge
+until she reached the place where the pine trees had been blown down the
+day of the blizzard. Here she could see the dim outlines of several
+riders as they waited for some evidence that they were on the right
+trail.
+
+Before Polly could climb the slope to wave her hat, she saw Mike riding
+up behind the party and then go on before them down the trail leading to
+the cave.
+
+Polly was kept busy with answering the girls who stood at the cave
+entrance, and in calling to her parents and friends who were approaching
+as fast as the down-trail would permit. When they rode near enough for
+Polly to see their faces, she recognized her mother and Jeb in the
+party; she thought they expressed great concern over something that must
+have happened to the party--or perhaps something that might happen.
+
+"Well, Polly, you've had all day to dig the gold out of your mine; got
+it tied in bags for us to lug home?" called Mr. Simms, jocularly.
+
+"Mr. Simms, you needn't worry over that gold as long as there is
+something worse to trouble you. What is it?" answered Polly.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! Poll must be feeling lonesome; when she talks like this,
+it's a sure sign she needs jolly company," replied the lawyer.
+
+"Maybe she thought we were chewed up by the grizzlies," added Mr.
+Brewster, forcing a gayety similar to that of Mr. Simms.
+
+"What's the matter with you men? Is there any danger from the fire?"
+demanded Polly.
+
+"No, the fire's burning over the down-slope on the other side. You know
+it won't come this way," returned Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Well, then--where are the other men? Did those drunken miners shoot any
+one?" persisted the girl.
+
+"Don't bother with questions, Polly. Let us get some supper before we
+think of anything else," advised her mother.
+
+Mike was soon busy unpacking the outfit for cooking, and Mrs. Brewster
+joined him to give any assistance he might need. Polly went over to her
+father to try and get more satisfactory information from him, regarding
+that day's experiences.
+
+"Did you say the miners who came up ahead of us to-day were in Bill's
+custody, Daddy?"
+
+"Ah didn't say anything; but now Ah'll _tell_ you-all that they are
+shipped safely to a place where they can do no harm."
+
+"Oh! Did Bill go down the Trail with them?" continued Polly.
+
+"No, Bill's man went down-trail to watch in case of any new trouble."
+
+"See here, father! Out with your secret! What are you-all keeping from
+me?" asked Polly, anxiously.
+
+"Good gracious, Poll! Can't a man feel riled after such a wearing day
+and with nothing to eat, without his women-folks asking plaguey
+questions?" cried Mr. Brewster, testily.
+
+Polly was silenced for the moment, but she went out to the ledge where
+her mother was helping Mike, and there she began again.
+
+"Mother, I know something unusual concerns you-all, so you may as well
+confide in me."
+
+"I reckon the men are vexed because we lost all this day hunting up
+those wretched miners who must have accidentally set the fire going on
+the other side," was all the reply Polly received.
+
+Mike glanced up to look covertly at Mrs. Brewster and the inquisitive
+girl caught his expression.
+
+"Even Mike is laughing at the poor way in which you are fencing with me.
+Now treat me as if I were sensible--not like a baby, or like Bob!"
+demanded Polly.
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, Polly, I'm afraid to tell you everything. If
+those girls know they will go clean daffy," sighed Mrs. Brewster,
+passing her hand over a troubled brow.
+
+"Mother! Did I go daffy when that blizzard carried Choko over the
+ledge--and what did I do up on Grizzly when the snow and ice covered the
+trail? Did I lose my nerve?"
+
+At that moment Mr. Simms called out to Mike: "'Most done cookin', Mike?
+Ah want you-all to go with me to ketch a grizzly afore it is too dark to
+see him. Ah promised mah wife she should have a bear-skin rug this
+trip."
+
+Mike looked at Mrs. Brewster who nodded for him to go. She calmly took
+the ladle and continued stirring the soup that the Indian had been
+attending to, then Mike hurried after Simms.
+
+"There now--I know it is something serious and it is much better for me
+to _know_ what may happen than to have it come upon me like a
+thunder-bolt," said Polly.
+
+"Well, then, keep on stirring this broth while I busy myself over the
+rest of the supper, and I'll tell you. Don't exclaim, or show any shock.
+It is important for us to keep cool," advised Mrs. Brewster, as she
+toasted some dry bread over the embers.
+
+"I wasn't present when this occurred but father told me. The men found
+the miner who had been shot, and down the slope further on, they saw the
+forms of the other two. But the panic-stricken horses that had been
+hobbled and left to graze, were so frightened at the clouds of smoke and
+crackling fire, that a few of the men had to lead them back to a clear
+place. There they were tied securely to some trees.
+
+"Your father, Bill, and one of his men, jumped down the steep sides
+where the fire was raging, and began to beat out the flames. They could
+see the two drunken miners just beyond the fire-line down the trail, but
+they seemed so overcome with whisky and smoke that they failed to
+respond to any shouts from the men, or to the fear of the on-driving
+fire.
+
+"Our men had beaten out the ground-fire half-way to the miners, when a
+terrific rumbling sounded, as from a distance behind them. Bill's man
+was far in advance of the other two rescuers, and perhaps, the
+crackling on the ground and the raging fire in the trees overhead,
+deafened him to this other portentous sound.
+
+"Father, however, felt that it meant something more terrible than a
+fire, so he shouted to Bill and tried to warn the man. But a fit of
+coughing from inhaling the smoke, cut his call short. Bill then cried,
+'Go on back, Sam--I'll get my man!'
+
+"So your father managed to force his way back towards the Top Trail.
+There he saw a great white cloud swooping down from the peak of Grizzly
+Slide. He turned, screamed at Bill and waved his arms to warn them out
+of the track of the avalanche, if possible. Bill and his man saw this
+new danger and turned to climb back to safety.
+
+"Father was leading, Bill a short distance behind him, and the man not
+far in the rear, when the first two heard a scream. They turned and saw
+the horse had stumbled and fallen. He tried to scramble to his feet
+before the onrush of the half-frozen earth and rock and snow could reach
+him, but it caught and whirled him away on its crest.
+
+"Father and Bill were thrown down with the shaking of the ground caused
+by the terrific slide, and several times they were almost sucked into
+the vortex caused by the overwhelming ever-growing stream. Had it not
+been for Mike who had heard the rumble and knew what it meant, both Bill
+and father would have been lost. But Mike threw out a rope that father
+caught and quickly wound about himself, while Bill clutched on to
+father's legs. Thus Mike dragged them up to the tree where he had bound
+himself. The horses are gone!"
+
+Mrs. Brewster seemed overcome at the recital of the awful ordeal the men
+had passed through, but Polly said encouragingly:
+
+"Don't take on so, mother! 'All's well that ends well' and father and
+Bill are safe, you know."
+
+"Oh, but this isn't all, Polly! Mike says when Grizzly starts an
+avalanche like that first one, the very force of its tearing away keeps
+on breaking away the ice-fields all around the peak. Another slide may
+come at any moment and pour down this side, you see. The men who had
+taken care of the horses when the others were fighting the fire were
+left stationed at the timber-line to watch. If they notice the faintest
+sign of another serious break on the peak, they are to signal a lookout
+left on the crest of this slope. And they in turn must warn Bill's son
+who was left sitting on top of this ledge. That is where Simms and Mike
+have gone now. There must have been a signal from Bill's boy to Simms."
+
+Mrs. Brewster looked at her daughter to see if she could bear the rest
+of the story. Finding Polly as calm as she herself was, she continued:
+
+"Father said the experience Simms and he went through was mere child's
+play to what it might be should Grizzly loosen up and send down a slide
+on this side of the peak. Of course, the fire and smoke added to the
+horror on the other side, but the actual avalanche was not as tremendous
+because the slope was partly protected by the abrupt drop of thousands
+of feet from the peak to the valley, down which the greater flood must
+have rushed.
+
+"This side is on the direct down-slope from the peak, with nothing to
+break a snow-slide, or to carry off the bulk of the débris.
+
+"This morning, when I rode up with Simms' party, we met two old trappers
+who were coming down. They had passed Old Grizzly Slide yesterday, and
+they said there must have been an awful thaw going on under the
+surface-ice of the Slide, as the yawning chasm where you discovered the
+crevice the other day was frightful. It made even their courageous
+spirits tremble at sight of it. But they turned again and rode up with
+us, as they said they could be useful to Bill. They are up on Top Notch
+now, scouting for the first symptoms of a slide."
+
+Polly turned white as she heard the story, but she still had control of
+her voice, so she whispered: "Why don't we-all start down-trail
+to-night? Why lose time cooking supper, and have the men up there
+watching for the trouble?"
+
+"Mike says we are safer in this cave than on the trail. It is impossible
+to go down the Indian trail at night, and Top Notch Trail is bad enough
+in the daytime, so that in the dark it is forbidding. He says this cave
+is high enough up on the ledge and near enough to the crest to escape
+most of the drift. The trash will be swept clear over the entrance and
+down into the ravine, while any snow or ice that might lodge up on the
+ledge before the cave will soon melt again. Then we can get away, when
+all is over."
+
+Polly said nothing, but she was thinking seriously. Mrs. Brewster was
+grateful that her daughter could bear such awesome news without a
+tremor. So the two completed the supper, and were ready to serve it,
+when Sam Brewster rode down the ledge.
+
+"Come on, Daddy! Just in time for a bowl of hot soup!" called Polly,
+gayly waving a ladle.
+
+Her mother admired the self-control the girl showed over any fear or
+danger, and followed the brave example set her. "Yes, Sam, if Simms
+wants to chase a bear in the twilight, let him! You will do far better
+to enjoy the supper."
+
+So they sat down to eat toasted bread and soup, while Polly talked
+vivaciously and caused many a laugh from the unsuspecting girls. As the
+meager supper was almost finished, however, Mr. Brewster mentioned in a
+casual tone: "Girls, Ah expect John and his friends early to-morrow, you
+know. Mike is going down to meet them."
+
+"Oh, yes! And won't we have exciting adventures to tell him!" exclaimed
+Anne, thinking only of John and his coming.
+
+"Mrs. Brewster is going down with Mike, to meet the boys. So we-all
+thought you gals would like to ride down, too, instead of sitting up in
+front of this cave all day and night," continued Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Why, how foolish! to kill the horses with all that climbing! Up to-day,
+down to-morrow, and up again the next day! No horse could stand that!"
+declared Anne, amazed at her host's suggestion.
+
+"Well, Ah've been thinking you-all had best stay down, once you get
+there. This is no sort of life for women-folk, anyway. When John and Tom
+Latimer get here they can look after your mining interests better than
+you can yourselves."
+
+"But, Mr. Brewster, you haven't even seen the hole inside of that cave,
+where I followed after Polly the day we discovered the gold!" exclaimed
+Eleanor, greatly disappointed in Polly's father.
+
+"Ah haven't had time, Nolla. What with the doings of the claim-jumpers
+and everything, Ah've had a full day. Besides, it looks as if we-all are
+going to have _some_ time up here, and Ah'd feel a heap easier if you
+women were safe at home."
+
+"Are there signs of other claim-jumpers coming up, Mr. Brewster?" asked
+Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"From what our scouts report, up on the Trail, we're going to have such
+a time, if we remain here, that we may not have another good opportunity
+to escape with our lives," returned the distracted man.
+
+"Oh dear me! Can't we start now? I never want to see any claim-jumpers
+again!" cried Barbara, wringing her hands.
+
+"Keep quiet, Bob! We'll do just as Mr. Brewster says, but your
+whimpering won't help any," said Anne.
+
+"Well, girls, I'm so eager to see John again, that I'm willing to ride
+down with Mike and mother," said Polly, acting her part perfectly.
+
+"Oh, Polly! I don't want to go and leave the gold mine, but I want you
+to stay with me," cried Eleanor.
+
+"Goodness me, Nolla! Don't you s'pose we can ride up again when the
+danger blows over? A lot of good the mine would do either one of us if a
+dozen claim-jumpers put lead through us all at one time!" laughed Polly,
+but feeling far from humorous.
+
+"I suppose I'll just _have_ to go, if all the rest of you do!" cried
+Eleanor, stamping her foot angrily.
+
+So, after much arguing and explaining, it was decided that every one
+should be ready to start down-trail at the earliest streak of daylight.
+
+That night the girls and Mrs. Brewster slept on the pine-beds--or at
+least the city girls slept, while Polly and her mother rested even as
+they waited for the first warning call from the guard, who sat by the
+fire that was started to keep away the wild beasts.
+
+The hours passed without any new signals, and at three o'clock Mike
+called out that he was ready to start. The girls demurred about getting
+up at that hour, but Polly was too energetic to give them any peace. So,
+shortly after three, the entire party started down Indian Trail,
+traveling as swiftly as possible.
+
+"Now see here! why do all you men come down, too? I thought it was only
+the womenfolk who had to get out of the way!" exclaimed Eleanor,
+wonderingly.
+
+"If, any claim-jumpers are about to stake out our land up there who is
+there left to stop them?" added Anne, suspiciously, when she saw the
+deep concern on every man's face as he rode single file down the path.
+
+"Wall, now, seem' as we-all are well along the way down, Ah may as well
+tell you-all: thar hain't goin' to be no danger of any claim-jumpers
+staking your land if Old Grizzly knows anything about it. Thar war a
+turrible avalanche yesterday and a leetle one at suppertime; it looks
+like-es-how anuther powerful one will hit the trail any moment. That's
+why we-all air runnin' away as fast as our hosses kin go," explained
+Bill.
+
+"Oh! Tell Mike to hurry!" cried Barbara.
+
+"No fear but what we-all are as crazy to git down as you kin be, young
+leddy," said Bill, soothingly.
+
+After four hours' hard traveling, the riders came to a small park where
+Mike said they could rest and cook their breakfast, and feed the horses.
+From a certain spot on the clearing on this mountain-side, the peak of
+Old Grizzly Slide could be seen opposite them, dazzling in the sunshine.
+
+"Well, the old rascal is still up there," declared Anne.
+
+"But you-all can't say how soon its skirts will whisk and send down the
+trash that always ruins a forest," added Bill.
+
+Even as he spoke, a strange sight was presented to the group who were
+admiring the sparkling peak. A great mist seemed to rise suddenly from
+its pinnacle, spreading out and obscuring the sun for a time. Then an
+ominous rumble echoed along the crest, and rolled down the slopes. The
+mist was suddenly sucked down by some tremendous force, and then a
+mighty tremor shook the ground where the escaped riders stood.
+
+The horses seemed to know instinctively that there was some upheaval of
+nature taking place, for they quivered along their sensitive nerves and
+nosed the air questioningly. Several of the highbred animals pulled at
+their halters and, with drawn-back lips, snapped viciously at the air
+as if to warn away the destruction.
+
+"Oh, oh! Will it hit us?" wailed Barbara.
+
+"No, we are safe on this opposite up-trail now. But a few hours delay in
+getting away this morning and we would have been caught in the drift,"
+said Sam Brewster, wiping beads of cold perspiration from his brow.
+
+"Daddy, you don't think that avalanche was on the side of our gold mine,
+do you?" asked Polly, plaintively.
+
+"Pretty close to Choko's Find, Polly dear," said her father.
+
+"Humph! Gol' all gone dis time!" added Mike, dramatically.
+
+"Oh no! don't say that, Mike!" wailed Polly.
+
+"Not _our gold mine_!" added Eleanor, with gasping breath.
+
+"Mebbe no! Mike t'ink yes."
+
+There fell a silence at that, and each one looked at the other, while
+the same thought passed through their minds: "If that slide buried
+Choko's Find again, where would they all have been had they remained in
+the cave?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+JOHN AND HIS FRIEND ARRIVE
+
+
+Nothing could have been done to avert the catastrophe on Grizzly Slide,
+so the adventurers finished their breakfast in silence. Mrs. Brewster
+seemed the only one who appeared grateful for their safety. Doubtless,
+the others felt a certain _sense_ of thanks but they were so disturbed
+over the evident loss of the mine again, that it was paramount with
+them.
+
+Having packed the camp dishes, Mike started on the trail again, silently
+followed by the rest. Not until they reached Bear Forks where the roads
+separated, was anything more said about the mine.
+
+"Jeb can accompany the ladies to Pebbly Pit, while Ah ride on to Oak
+Creek to meet the train that will bring John and his friends. It doesn't
+look as if we-all can use their knowledge now, but we may as well talk
+things over seeing that like-as-how they will have had the long trip
+here," ventured Mr. Brewster, thoughtfully.
+
+"We-all ought to make up a crowd to go up and try to find Haywuth's
+body. Mebbe it will show when the snow's melted from the slope," added
+Bill.
+
+"Sam, why don't you-all plan while on your ride to Oak Creek, to take
+Top Notch Trail the same time John and Tom take the expert up? The
+larger the party the less danger of accident, you know," suggested Mrs.
+Brewster.
+
+"Are we going with them, mother?" Polly said, in a pleading tone.
+
+"No, indeed, child! Aren't you cured with what happened this time?"
+
+"'Lightning never strikes in the same place twice,' Mrs. Brewster," said
+Eleanor, hopefully.
+
+"And you know, Maw, such a terrible slide has not occurred here-abouts
+in twenty years," quickly added Polly, dropping back into her ranch
+vernacular in her anxiety. "It may be another twenty years before such
+another slide happens."
+
+"And we can get all the gold out of the cave that we need in a short
+time," Barbara reminded them.
+
+This made the men laugh, as the girl's words showed how little she
+really understood the situation up on the peak.
+
+"Well, we can talk things over better when the boys are present to
+advise us. Meantime, you-all ride home and rest up. Ah'll bring the boys
+along about night-fall," said Mr. Brewster.
+
+The inhabitants of Oak Creek had felt the trembling of the ground caused
+by the huge land-slide on Grizzly, and knowing that so many of their
+prominent citizens were there at the time, they were grouped about the
+public house anxiously talking over the chances for escape that might be
+had on the mountain-top.
+
+At first sight of the returned men, a wild welcome rang out, not only
+from the families who feared their men-folks might never return, but
+also from the citizens who were genuinely glad to see Bill and his
+possé, and Simms and his boy, safely back.
+
+After having had his hand shaken as if it were a pump-handle, Sam
+Brewster continued on to the station to await the train from Denver. As
+he sat on the edge of the horse-trough thinking over the recent
+thrilling experiences, he suddenly realized that if Polly had lost her
+mine again, she might also lose her desire to go away to school in the
+Fall. This seemed a happy thought, for he sat beaming at the old box-car
+until the whistle announced the over-due local.
+
+Two handsome young men jumped from the rear platform the moment the
+train slowed down, and soon Mr. Brewster had one of them by both hands
+giving him a hearty welcome.
+
+"Now, Dad, try your muscle on Tom's arm. Mine has had enough for one
+day," laughed John, placing an arm affectionately over his father's
+shoulder.
+
+With a young man on either side explaining why the expert was not with
+them, Sam Brewster walked down the street towards Simms' office. Both
+young men were eagerly talking so the older man had not told them about
+the avalanche.
+
+"I was saying to John, what a different town this will be the moment we
+begin operations on Polly's claim," said Tom Latimer.
+
+"As the train pulled in I tried to look at the station and streets
+through future glasses--seeing the rows of fine store-buildings and the
+thrift that always follows on the heels of a rich find," added John.
+
+"We'll drop in Simms' office, boys, as I have to borrow his horses. I
+came on to meet you without bringing any mounts," said Mr. Brewster.
+
+Both young men laughed heartily at this admission, and Tom said
+teasingly: "I suppose you were so excited over Polly's discovery of gold
+that you clean forgot we were city chaps who are not overfond of hiking
+over these trails."
+
+Simms was talking to the coroner about the witnesses to the death of
+Bill's man, and the newly arrived young engineers heard him say: "Sam
+Brewster was the other one who escaped that death."
+
+"What's he talking about, Dad?" whispered John, anxiously, as he watched
+the officer take notes.
+
+Then in as few words as possible, the boys were told all about the
+land-slide on Grizzly that had, most likely, buried Choko's Find under
+tons and tons of débris--maybe, hid it completely again for all time.
+
+They sat in Simms' office talking over the plans for the morrow when a
+large party was to go up Top Notch. As they sat arranging who would be
+the best men to take, John interrupted the conversation:
+
+"Isn't that Jeb riding along the road with two led horses?"
+
+"Sure enough! Your mother must have remembered I had but one mount, and
+so Jeb was hurried here with extra horses for you," replied Mr.
+Brewster, running to the door and hailing his man.
+
+On the way to Pebbly Pit, Tom rode alongside Mr. Brewster while John
+rode beside Jeb. The two latter riders had much to say to each other,
+for John had been Jeb's particular charge when the hired man first went
+to work at Pebbly Pit. Now John was a head taller than his erstwhile
+guardian, even if he was much the younger.
+
+Jeb acted very morose and absentminded; instead of giving sensible
+replies to John's questions about the avalanche, he would mutter and say
+inconsequent things. Finally John said:
+
+"Well, it must have been a narrow escape, anyway."
+
+"That's just it, John. Ef Ah don't run away from Pebbly Pit she'll git
+me!" returned Jeb, greatly troubled.
+
+"I'm talking about that land-slide--what do _you_ mean?" laughed John,
+beginning to understand that Jeb was worried over something other than
+the Grizzly experience.
+
+"Wh--y--Ah'm meanin' that widder! It's leap-year, you know."
+
+John had never heard about Sary, so he was unprepared to offer any
+advice, but he thought best to agree in everything with Jeb, concerning
+this particular one, and all "widders" in general.
+
+"Ye-es--siree! That Sary kin ketch any man she starts out to trap. Ef
+she laid eyes on enny of them farm-hands at Pebbly Pit, like-as-how she
+has on _me_, they'd roll right over and eat from her han's. But, you
+see, John, Ah ain't a marryin' man, so Ah wants to escape."
+
+"Jeb, I have a plan! Suppose we get Tom to flirt with Sary and then let
+her understand she is fickle, so that you won't consider her for a
+mate," whispered John, thinking of the fun he could have by playing this
+joke on his friend.
+
+Jeb gave John a scornful look that meant volumes. "D'ye think Sary would
+fall fer it? Ah tells you-all she ain't no fule. She kin see straight,
+an' she knows Tom Latimer ain't in her class."
+
+Thus trying to plan for Jeb's peace and happiness, the two found they
+had reached the Rainbow Cliffs. Tom and Mr. Brewster were looking over
+the beautiful shining walls, and Tom sighed:
+
+"You wouldn't have to waste one regret on Polly's loss of the gold mine,
+if you would but consent to let us sell a bit of these walls."
+
+"_Ah'm_ not worryin' over her loss of gold, Tom; it's glad Ah am that it
+turned out so. Now she won't coax to go away to some big school where Ah
+can't see her for six months."
+
+Tom Latimer turned about in the saddle and sent Sam Brewster a keen
+look and thought: "_So that_ is why he won't consent to these stones
+being mined and sold!"
+
+Then the four men rode up the wide trail that ran from the Cliffs to the
+house where they found a group of girls and women eagerly awaiting them.
+Polly ran down the road and caught hold of her brother's stirrup in her
+impatience to welcome him. John laughed and jumped from his horse, then
+gave his sister the kiss and hug she expected.
+
+Anne Stewart stood on the porch watching this little by-play, and when
+the brother and sister slowly walked along, arm linked in arm, she
+smiled and sighed, then turned to greet Tom Latimer. But she did not see
+Mrs. Brewster's watchful eye quickly turn away from her when _she_
+turned from watching John.
+
+As Tom Latimer was known to the Maynard girls and Anne, having met them
+at the College Prom the past year, he was warmly welcomed by them as
+well as by the Brewsters. Barbara felt an especial interest in him, as
+he was "one of her set" in society, and he had been invited to her home
+when her brother entertained a few of his college friends.
+
+Polly now brought her brother up and introduced him to Eleanor and
+Barbara, but Anne was not there.
+
+"Wh-y--where did Anne go? She was here this minute?" cried Polly,
+looking around in amazement.
+
+Mrs. Brewster had seen Anne steal away and she understood the reason.
+Now she quickly diverted attention by saying: "Of course you boys have
+heard about the awful land-slide?"
+
+As it was so recent an event, it instantly absorbed all. Then Mr.
+Brewster told about the plans to ride up the Trail on the morrow and
+ascertain just how much damage had been done. John seemed to be as
+excited a talker as any one, but his mother saw him send many a
+searching glance around for some one he had not found.
+
+She managed to reach his side without attracting the attention of the
+others, and slyly whispered: "Anne Stewart went out towards the Cliffs a
+moment ago. I saw her leave by the back pathway."
+
+Then while every one was trying to make out the cloud-draped peak of
+Grizzly Slide, having had their attention directed to it by an
+exclamation from Mrs. Brewster, John backed away and ran behind the
+kitchen to the path that led to the Cliffs and Anne.
+
+Jeb found it necessary to fill the wood-box in the kitchen, and it was
+just after John had passed there that he stumbled up the stone walk.
+Sary stood in the doorway grinning sympathetically as she watched John
+dash away after Anne Stewart, when Jeb said:
+
+"Lem'me get by wid this load of wood."
+
+She smirked and said: "Ah, Jeb! Thar's nuthin' in the wurruld like young
+love, ain't it?"
+
+Now Sary's would-be bewitching leer and her dangerous proximity to him,
+frightened Jeb worse than any Rocky Mountain avalanche ever, so that he
+forgot he held an armful of wood. He suddenly went lax in the muscles,
+dropped the wood, and turned to flee to his hay-loft where no Sary dared
+follow without a chaperone.
+
+One stick of the wood fell upon Sary's toe, and not having "feet of
+brass or clay," she uttered a yelp of pain. Jeb never stopped to inquire
+what had caused that cry--whether of baffled love or shooting pains in a
+toe.
+
+Sary limped over to a wooden chair and sitting there with her foot held
+tenderly in both hands, she rocked back and forth, threatening, in an
+undertone, all males but Jeb in particular.
+
+"You-all jes' wait! Don't think Sary Dodd's a fule--cuz she hain't!
+Ah'll git you yit, so run away an' make-out like-es-how you are free
+and not lookin' to any female in pertickler!"
+
+Having thus unburdened her soul of its wrath against Jeb, the cook
+limped over to the stove to hang the kettle over the fire.
+
+Supper was late that night, but no one noticed it. Sary had perfected a
+scheme she was going to try on Jeb, some day, soon, so she was all
+smiles and patience when the family gathered about the table.
+
+"I see you set the table in the living-room, mother," remarked John,
+approvingly.
+
+"Oh, we have wrought many changes this summer, John, but the best of all
+is the one whereby we eat out-of-doors when it is good weather. To-night
+we will eat here as it is too dark under the old oak," explained Mrs.
+Brewster, smiling.
+
+Plans were now discussed for the trip to Top Notch the following
+morning, and it was decided that Jeb should go for Mike early, and
+secure his services as before.
+
+"If such a crowd of men are going, I don't see why the owners of the
+mine can't go, too. We are as safe there, as here," grumbled Polly.
+
+"Because we are going to make a three days' trip of this, Poll, and
+women-folk would not feel comfortable with such a lot of mixed men,"
+explained John, pulling his sister's hair, lovingly.
+
+"Well, Polly and I are as good riders as any one of you, and seeing it
+is _our_ mine, we ought to have _some_thing to say about it," added
+Eleanor, poutingly.
+
+"I suppose you-all have forgotten that we invited that nice young
+stranger and his friend, Jim Latimer, over to spend this Sunday with
+us," now ventured Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Oh, that's so! The boy Kenneth who looks like Montresor!" Anne now
+added, understanding Mrs. Brewster's idea and abetting it.
+
+"Kenneth Evans! Is it _this_ Sunday he is coming?" asked Eleanor
+eagerly.
+
+"We might be back on time for that; this is only Friday night, you
+know," persisted Polly, clinging to the hope of riding to Top Notch.
+
+"No girl or woman is going--let that end the argument!" now said Mr.
+Brewster, with finality.
+
+There was silence for a moment, then Polly laughingly said to Eleanor:
+"Nolla, you and I will ride over to visit some old friends of mine
+to-morrow. We will take our lunch and spend the day with them. As it is
+half-way on the Bear Forks road we might as well ride with our boys when
+they go."
+
+"Polly, we plan to leave here before dawn so we can be on the climb
+when day breaks. Nolla and you will please remember to be fast asleep at
+that time. Good-night!"
+
+With these words, Sam Brewster got up and started to go to his room, but
+Polly would not allow her daddy to leave her in that frame of mind. So
+she ran over and jumped up to throw her arms about his neck in her usual
+fashion. What she whispered in his ear no one knew but he smiled and
+nodded his head in meek acquiescence.
+
+"Poll--did he say we might go?" whispered Eleanor.
+
+"No--he won't give in that far, but he said we could ride with them as
+far as Bear Forks, if we were up in time. I'm bound to wake up, so now
+I'm going right to bed," said Polly.
+
+But Polly and Eleanor did not wake up in the morning until seven
+o'clock. The riders were far up along the trail by that time, so the
+girls had to make the best of the day.
+
+When the men riders were well along the trail, Jeb motioned to Mr.
+Brewster that he wished to speak with him, so they permitted their
+horses to slow up and drop behind for a time.
+
+"Ah'm thinkin', Mis'r Brewster, thet Ah'll have to give notice that Ah'm
+quittin' your ranch. Not what Ah've got any kick comin' about the
+fam'ly--thar never w'ar a nicer one. But Ah've got ta save mahself."
+
+"Jeb!" gasped Sam Brewster in unbelief. "You _couldn't_ leave us! Why,
+man, you're one of the family."
+
+"Yeh, Ah knows all that, Mis'r Brewster, but Ah jus' dasent stay where a
+female badgers my peace o' mind."
+
+"Tell me what is wrong, Jeb, and Ah'll fix it if Ah can," anxiously
+promised Sam Brewster.
+
+Jeb gazed wildly about for some one to explain for him, and in gazing,
+his eye rested on John. Big splendid John who had only been a little
+shaver when he went to Pebbly Pit to work.
+
+"Oh John! Cain't you-all drop back and tell your Paw what ails me?"
+shouted Jeb, certain that John, who had been to college, could do
+anything.
+
+John dropped behind his companions, and Sam Brewster hurriedly explained
+that Jeb seemed to have a queer belief that he would be done for if he
+remained at Pebbly Pit.
+
+"Oh, did Jeb bother you about that story, Dad? Here, you ride on in my
+place, and let me get this thing straightened out."
+
+Alone with Jeb, John said persuasively: "Now tell me all about it,
+Jeb--begin from the beginning."
+
+"Wall, seein' es how you-all is in love, mebbe you-all kin understand
+about this love-stuff.
+
+"Now, yuh see, John, when that Sary Dodd come to Pebbly Pit es a widder,
+to help housework, she never cast an eye around fer a likely 'second'
+until that derned old dance at the school-house. It wuz that time when
+she perked up in all that borrered finery that she landed a rich ole
+bachelor-rancher on her ticket to dinner. But he gave one look and run.
+He never showed up again that night.
+
+"Seein' like-es-how her partner vamoosed, she grabbed me to do the Grand
+March with her. Mebbe it w'ar the way Ah danced, that took her fancy.
+But whatever it w'ar, she's ben locooed after me sence that night.
+
+"Now, John, yuh know Sary ain't no prize-winner fer looks, en Ah knows a
+good looker when Ah seez one, cuz Ah hev sat and seen lots of pritty
+gals on the movie sheet in Oak Crick. Gosh! Some of them peaches Ah
+see'd would make yuh leave a stiddy job like Pebbly Pit. So Ah saved and
+_saved_ till now Ah've got a tidy bit laid by fer some pritty gal, like
+them in the Movies.
+
+"Ef Sary Dodd knew Ah had money saved! Phew! She'd get at it whar Ah hid
+it in a hole under the barn-rafters, then she'd hold it out to tempt me,
+like-es-how yuh lead a balky cow to be milked. But that is one thing
+Sary _don't_ know!"
+
+John laughed loud and long at the picture Jeb graphically sketched of
+Sary and himself, but the orator cared nothing for John's laughing. He
+was too concerned over his freedom.
+
+"Sary's got some good points--yuh've got to hand it to her, even ef she
+hain't got a figger like Miss Anne's, and hair like Miss Polly's. But
+she can cook! Gosh, _cain't_ she cook and clean. So ef it w'ar a
+housekeeper er a business partner Ah wanted, Ah coulden pick a better
+one than Sary Dodd.
+
+"But yuh unnerstand me, John, don't yuh, when Ah says Ah wants something
+pritty sittin' afore the pianner to sing to me, or dressin' up in finery
+like Miss Bob's and playin' a lady? Ah've ben a hired man and worked on
+a ranch all mah life, but now Ah've got a bit saved up Ah kin go to the
+city and pick th' gal Ah wants.
+
+"And lem'me tell yuh, John! In the Movies them gals what looks so pritty
+make _fine_ farm-wives. Gosh, but one city gal with yaller curls hadn't
+a cent to live on when she met a feller what owned a little ranch in
+Arizony. They hooked up and she was that happy on the farm! She churned
+the butter and fed chickens and did all the chores. And he looked after
+the stock. Evenin's she played and sang fer him and he sat in a big
+arm-chair and smiled at her.
+
+"That's the kind of wife Ah wants, John--and how kin Ah sit and listen
+to Sary sing? Mebbe she kin _churn_ better'n that one I saw in the
+Movies, but Ah bet a plugged penny that she cain't play a pianner!"
+
+Jeb's tone was so emphatic at the last accusation of Sary's
+short-comings, that John almost rolled from his horse with laughter.
+
+Now Jeb had said all that he had to say, so he waited patiently for John
+to get over his spasm of laughter. Then he looked at him as if to ask
+what had he to say about such positive evidence as he had brought forth,
+regarding the Movie girl making the best kind of a rancher's wife?
+
+"Oh, Jeb! How I love your innocence!" gasped John, wiping his eyes on
+the back of his hand. "I shall certainly sue the Movies for betraying
+your trust and faith in womankind. For they sure did more than amuse you
+for your dime. You took for a solid fact, all the silly mush you saw on
+the screen as real life. But, it was _reel_ life, Jeb, spelled with two
+'e's' instead of the genuine r-e-a-l way.
+
+"Jeb, how'd you like to spend every nickel you've saved, on a girl with
+dyed hair, belladonna eyes, painted lips you could never kiss, blackened
+eye-lashes and eye-brows, and goodness only knows what else she puts on
+and takes off to look pretty in the pictures?"
+
+Jeb listened with loose jaw and wide-opened eyes to this strange
+description of all the lady-loves he knew on the screen.
+
+"Why, Jeb, these blonde Movie beauties have a different husband every
+few months. The ones who play star-leads make the biggest splash in the
+puddles, but the little ones try to mimic the big stars and get into all
+sorts of trouble. I haven't heard of but two or three who could treat a
+good husband decently. As for sitting at home playing and singing for
+you--ha, ha, ha! It costs about five hundred dollars each evening to
+entertain one of them.
+
+"Churn? Did you say she looked so cute in a big bungalow apron churning
+the butter on a vine-clad porch? Didn't the porch open right out on a
+little pasture and tidy barnyard, where her devoted husband could stand
+admiring her? Was it a dear little one-and-a-half story vine-clad house
+painted white, with green wooden shutters?"
+
+"Uh, huh! Just so! Did you see that gal, John?" eagerly asked Jeb.
+
+"Jeb, the Movies use that same little house and painted scenery for
+every farm-picture they make. Sometimes a deserted wife hangs to the
+post of the porch and plans to kill herself. Or sometimes it is the
+husband who hears how his head man ran away with his foolish little
+wife. But, Jeb, never believe anything you see in the Movies, for they
+have turned more heads than you can count, by their subtle ways.
+Everything always ends right in the Movies, but it is seldom so in real
+life.
+
+"Now do you want my best advice, Jeb?"
+
+"Ah shore do, John, cuz you-all knows what's what!"
+
+"Then listen, Jeb, and think things over well before you leave Pebbly
+Pit and take your money away to spend on a pretty Movie gal.
+
+"You say that Sary is a right smart cook and houseworker. You admit that
+she is thrifty, and will save that money you've got hidden away in the
+barn.
+
+"Now look at that good-fer-nothing Bill Dodd she married! In less than
+a year she had him working on a ranch that she saved up for. Didn't she
+keep him at it until it was most paid up? If he hadn't gone with the
+flu, that ranch'd been paid for in another year.
+
+"Sary isn't so feeble, neither. She can save twenty more ranches before
+she cripples up. Any man who has ambition would make no mistake in
+choosing Sary. Now I believe Sary would make a big man of you, Jeb.
+
+"She may not dye her hair or paint her face, but she's got a square
+look, and we-all know what sound stock she comes of. There isn't a
+better family in all Colorado than the Morson's. And Sary Morson is all
+there! She has sterling qualities that will last after beauty and
+singing is worn thread-bare.
+
+"Of course she isn't anything like Anne Stewart--there never was any
+girl like her! But you make a big mistake if you go away to find a
+pretty girl, all dolled up like the Movie Queens, for your wife. She'd
+take all your money and laugh at you the next moment.
+
+"I've lived in big cities, Jeb, and seen a lot of the ways of pretty
+girls who dress up and pose for the boys, but not one of that kind is
+worth a shake. Take it from me, Jeb, you'd be happy and contented if
+you had a ranch of your own, and a sensible wife to make you toe the
+mark. You're too easy for any other sort, Jeb, although you figure that
+you need an ideal. Not so, my man!"
+
+Jeb heaved a mighty sigh as if he was passing on his rainbow dreams
+forever. Then he turned sorrowful eyes on John.
+
+"Wall, Ah cain't fergit that pooty gal in a hurry, even when Sary heaves
+in sight wid a heaped plate of puddin' fer me. Ah s'pose Ah'll hev to
+let _her_ marry me, er git out to onct. Sence yuh've ben talkin', Ah
+have a sort of weakenin' fer her capable ways, and shore ez shootin',
+she'll grab the first chanst Ah gives her to know the wust, because this
+is leap-year."
+
+John shouted with laughter again, and Tom Latimer turned back his horse
+to ask what the joke was about.
+
+"Nothing that concerns little boys like you, Tom," laughed John, as he
+winked at his friend.
+
+"But I feel sure I can be of help to Jeb as well as to you, John,"
+insisted Tom.
+
+"No, Mis'r Tom. It's all over," sighed Jeb, in a funereal tone. "Ah've
+made up mah mind to take the med'cine, er beat it!"
+
+With that, Jeb spurred his horse on and joined his master, leaving John
+to merely hint at the great trouble that almost disrupted the household
+at Pebbly Pit. "Now, thank Heavens, I have saved the ranch from ruin,
+and united two hearts that ought to beat as one, hereafter!"
+
+Tom laughed. "I'm glad you confessed to your profession. I'll be wary of
+your match-making, in the future."
+
+"But you have to find matches before you can make them," laughed John.
+
+"You are so blind that you only see one pretty girl at Pebbly Pit,
+whereas there are four!" exclaimed Tom, smilingly.
+
+"Four! Anne Stewart is one, and Miss Maynard may _consider_ herself
+lovely enough for a match--I don't. But mother and Sary will never
+consent to your including them in your match-making."
+
+"Hah! I thought so! You are so blind over Anne Stewart, that you fail to
+see how your own little sister is growing up to be a stunning miss. Why,
+she will be a beauty at twenty, for she is on the high-way there
+already."
+
+"Tom!" gasped John. "Wh-y--Polly is only a child!"
+
+"That's what all brothers think of their pretty sisters. Some day, a
+fine young fellow will think differently, and you'll want to club him.
+But the trouble is, that Polly will think exactly as the handsome man
+thinks, and she will not listen to her big brother's advice to remain a
+little girl.
+
+"Besides Polly, there is Eleanor Maynard. She, too, is a fine girl and
+will grow to wonderful womanhood. Now, John, take more notice of your
+'little' sister, for she is what we boys call a 'peach.'"
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! I've never heard you say so much about a girl in my life!
+If I didn't _know_ better, I'd say you were half-way in love with Polly,
+yourself. But I know what a quitter you are whenever there is a girl in
+the party," laughed John.
+
+Tom flushed slightly but made no reply. Before John could tease him any
+further, the party reached Four Mile Blaze. Mike tolled off the riders,
+and warned each one to give strictest attention to the going as one
+misstep meant a crippled horse or a serious accident.
+
+From there on, the men rode through the lodge-pole forest to avoid the
+great mass of débris formed of rocks, earth, and torn-up trees that
+obstructed the old trail. Simms felt sure his man had escaped in some
+miraculous manner, after the avalanche swept him from his feet. But
+seeing the mountains of wood-trash that were washed down from the peak
+and piled up everywhere, he lost faith.
+
+Still he and his men were bound to make the most of the least hope, so
+they sought thoroughly over the side where the two miners had been
+discovered, that day. Nothing but trees, rocks, and earth piled in
+toppling heaps on the steep slope of the mountain were seen, however.
+
+While Simms and Bill sought over every foot of ground for their missing
+friend, Mike led Sam Brewster and his two engineers, down the opposite
+slope, to a blaze that told them they were going towards the cave. But
+the nearer they came to the claim, the greater was the destruction of
+the forest. Finally they could see where the ledge had been, but so
+massed up was the trash that had been swept down and over the side, that
+it was impossible to reach the ravine.
+
+Mike chuckled: "Him unner alla trees on Grizzly Sly--him yaller insides
+safe nuff!"
+
+"You're right, Mike," laughed John. "If the gold is in that spot it is
+safe enough for a long time to come."
+
+"I think this slide was the luckiest thing that ever happened to the
+girls," ventured Tom Latimer, thoughtfully.
+
+"Why?" anxiously demanded Mr. Brewster, visions of his darling being
+carried away to school uppermost in his mind.
+
+"When we are ready to bore for the gold, this trash will be an easy
+thing to burn and clear away. Meantime, it keeps off all claim-jumpers
+or thieves who need a little hard yellow metal."
+
+"But you must admit that it is a tough proposition to mine here," said
+Mr. Brewster. "A land-slide is apt to happen any moment and bury all the
+apparatus. All previous efforts will be wiped out and you must begin all
+over again. Then consider the difficulty of transportation, from this
+peak down the long trail, and over miles of rough country to the Oak
+Creek railway."
+
+"Hoh! a mere bagatelle, Mr. Brewster, when gold weighs in the other
+scale. Why, men will dig through the earth for gold! See what happened
+in Alaska. Once men found gold to be had for the pain and privation they
+would be forced to endure, they gladly gave up home, loved
+ones,--all--for the lust of gold.
+
+"And see what that drive did for Alaska. Railroads opened, cities
+founded, people settled there, and all because men fought with odds
+against finding buried gold!"
+
+"We wouldn't have to worry over this out-of-the-way mine if father
+would consent to have his cliffs utilized," hinted John.
+
+"Not with my consent!" retorted Sam Brewster.
+
+"Well, come on, Mike. Let's pitch camp and get something to eat," said
+John, resignedly.
+
+"It's not that I have any silly sentiment over the cliffs, my
+boys--don't mistake me there. But I have a serious reason for refusing
+to coin money out of that beauty--at least for a few years to come."
+
+"If I guess the truth about it, will you admit it to me some day?"
+quizzed Tom Latimer, his eyes twinkling.
+
+"No, sir! Not even to my wife--it's _my_ secret!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVERS
+
+
+After breakfast the four girls asked each other what there was to do.
+They had had so much excitement all week, that the simple life palled on
+them.
+
+"It's exactly like drinking milk after you have been kept on spice-beer
+for a long time," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Well, Nolla and I have an invitation to spend the day with friends of
+mine. We can ride over there any time," said Polly.
+
+"Then for goodness' sake, come on! I'll be asleep again if we don't do
+something," exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"All right, I'll saddle Noddy and you can have Choko. We will have to
+harness them ourselves now that Jeb is away, and the other hands are
+working on the ranch."
+
+"You're not going far, are you?" asked Anne, suspiciously.
+
+Polly laughed. "Not as far as we went yesterday."
+
+Mrs. Brewster had been told where Polly planned to take Eleanor, and she
+smiled approvingly. A nice luncheon was packed up and placed in the
+panniers of the burros, and the three grownups stood and watched the two
+girls ride down the trail to Rainbow Cliff.
+
+As they went, Eleanor said: "Did you mention the name of your friends? I
+forgot, if you have."
+
+Polly laughed. "Maybe I told you, but I don't remember now. Anyway, you
+wouldn't know them if I did tell you their names."
+
+"But what do you call them when you address them?"
+
+"I always call the old one 'Grandfather,' but he has a large family that
+I never bother with. _He_ is our friend.
+
+"This family lives and does queer things that no city folks ever dream
+of," added Polly.
+
+"Something like that Halsey woman, eh?" laughed Eleanor, who had heard
+from Sary about the disobedient children.
+
+"The Beavers are too polite to force their company on us. And as we may
+not care to eat as they do, I decided to bring lunch, which we can
+enjoy by ourselves," explained Polly.
+
+Noddy and Choko now reached the trail leading up the pine-tipped crest
+of the mountain back of Pebbly Pit, and were soon climbing through a
+veritable wilderness of sage-brush and aspens.
+
+"My, what a place to live in!" said Eleanor, surprised.
+
+"It's not far, now," returned Polly.
+
+Shortly after this, Polly turned Noddy from the old trail and plunged
+into a thicket of aspens.
+
+"Good gracious! How can they ever find their own home?" wondered
+Eleanor, gazing at the closely growing aspen trees.
+
+"They know everything! And Noddy knows the way by this time, too, as I
+like to come here and spend the day. Besides there are blazes on the
+large trees to guide one."
+
+Noddy came out of the aspen grove after a time and then followed a
+mountain-stream up-trail for half a mile or so, before turning to look
+at her rider.
+
+"Oh, you wise little Noddy. How did you know I wanted to stop here?"
+laughed Polly, patting the burro affectionately.
+
+Noddy flicked back her long ears in approval of such words and petting,
+but Eleanor's cry made the burro listen intently.
+
+"Polly! What a dreadful place to live in! Surely no one exists in this
+lonesome wilderness, do they?"
+
+"Mr. Beaver is clearing away the aspens just as fast as he can, but as
+soon as they are all cut down, he will move the whole family to some
+other dense grove, as they live on aspens, you know."
+
+"What--what! I didn't understand you!" cried Eleanor.
+
+Polly laughed as she pointed to a pond made by a dam crudely built
+across the stream. It was rough and queer looking, but it answered its
+purpose very well.
+
+Eleanor saw half a dozen conical shaped huts built of mud in a row
+across the dam, then she stared at both sides of the stream, up and
+down, but no other habitation could she see. On the opposite bank
+several large trees had been felled and a quantity of aspens had been
+cut down and piled in confusion on the edge of the water.
+
+"Do your ranchers live near here?" asked she.
+
+"I didn't say they were ranchers, Nolla."
+
+"Well, woodcutters, or what you call them!"
+
+"Yes," laughed Polly, "they are woodcutters and live in those mud huts."
+
+"What?" cried Eleanor again.
+
+"S-sh! Not so loud or you will frighten them away!"
+
+"Polly--impossible! What _do_ you mean anyway?"
+
+"The beavers live there until the family grows too large, then they
+either build another story to the house, or start a new colony where
+aspens can be had in plenty. As there are so many young aspens here in
+perfect security, for the beavers, Grandfather Beaver remains here."
+
+"Oh, Polly! You mean they are _real beavers_!" gasped Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, and I knew you would love to see them at work, but we have to keep
+very quiet if we want them to come out."
+
+"Tell me about them--quick--before we have to go away," begged Eleanor,
+eagerly.
+
+"We won't have to go, but we have to keep quiet. You see they must have
+been cutting aspens over there, when they heard us coming and so they
+made a dive for safety. They are now hiding in the huts."
+
+"What can we do to coax them out again?"
+
+"We'll lead the burros to the park to graze, and we'll come back and
+sit quietly on this rock to watch for them."
+
+So the two burros were taken to a small nearby clearing where buffalo
+grass offered a juicy repast for them. Having hobbled them to keep them
+from straying, Polly led the way back to the beaver-dam.
+
+"If you were over there to examine those cut aspens you would find each
+one about eighteen inches long and about one and a half inches thick.
+The beavers always build near an aspen grove, as it is their food, but
+not finding a grove near the water, they have to swim up or down until
+they reach what they need. That is why you find their huts on water,"
+explained Polly.
+
+"But I've heard they are water animals."
+
+Before Polly could reply, a sleek head bobbed up from the water near one
+of the huts and Eleanor gasped with surprise. The beaver swam to the
+opposite bank where the trees had been cut down. He climbed quickly out
+of the stream and started to roll a heavy log over the ground until it
+splashed down into the pond. He then jumped after it and continued
+rolling and pushing it along till he reached the dam. Instantly, more
+beavers came out from the huts and assisted in towing the log to their
+dam of aspens.
+
+"Oh, oh, Polly!" whispered Eleanor in excited astonishment, but Polly
+held her finger over her lips in warning.
+
+"I do believe they plan to build a new dam further up-stream, Nolla. If
+that is so, we will have something worth while to watch for during the
+next few days. Just now they are repairing the old houses for the
+Winter, and that log is to be a bulwark about which green cuttings of
+willow and young aspens can be woven as a partial strainer for the
+water. The débris that thus collects in the chinks between the cuttings,
+makes the dam firmer and yet more flexible than a solid structure
+would."
+
+Just then, the sound of a falling tree made Eleanor jump and look across
+the stream.
+
+"Other industrious beavers cutting down another tree," explained Polly.
+
+"How do they ever do it, Poll?"
+
+"If you watch, you will see that beaver go to work."
+
+Not one beaver appeared, but four that hurried to the bank and moved the
+newly cut tree into the water. One of the four dragged the tree with its
+branches still on, into the mid-stream where, catching a heavy branch
+between his teeth, he steered it to the row of huts.
+
+Directly back of the first one, swam the other three, each dragging a
+section of tree to deposit on the dam, where an old beaver was hard at
+work. As soon as the first beaver reached the huts, the old fellow gave
+a peculiar call that brought out a score or more of workers. They all
+went to their tasks as if drilled by a master.
+
+"My old Grandfather is not there this morning, or that other boss would
+not be taking his place," whispered Polly.
+
+Eleanor had been using her eyes to good advantage and now called to
+Polly anxiously. "Look a'there, Polly! Those beavers are eating the
+tree!"
+
+"They're not eating it but are cutting it down. Now you watch and you
+will see how they do it."
+
+The tree in question, stood on the shore and was about six inches in
+diameter and about sixteen feet in height. The boss of another group of
+beavers tested the tree by placing his fore-paws against the trunk and
+spreading out his hind legs as a bracer. He sat upon his tail and took a
+deliberate bite from the bark. No wonder Eleanor thought he was eating
+the tree!
+
+After gnawing at one side, he thumped the ground with his extended tail
+and ran away. Other beavers took his place and began cutting in much
+the same manner. Then the boss beaver, who was superintending the work,
+pushed the workers away and showed them how to work in a better way.
+This done, the boss thumped the ground with his tail--just as a
+policeman strikes the walk with his night-club--and the cutters went
+back to work.
+
+Suddenly the boss thumped the ground repeatedly and the cutters ran to a
+safe distance. A moment later, the tree began swaying and crashed down
+into the pond. It had been so cut and planned that labor and time would
+be saved by throwing it directly into the stream.
+
+It was towed down into the general harvest-pile and left for other
+colonists to saw into required shape and length for the additions to
+their huts.
+
+Soon after this, a number of beavers came forth and swam to the extreme
+upper end of the pond. Here they climbed up on the bank and disappeared
+from sight in the aspen-covered forest.
+
+"Where are they going?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"We'll soon find out!" declared Polly.
+
+As Polly spoke, a beaver swam along the bank and scrambled out quite
+near the spot where the two girls sat quietly watching. He sniffed and
+then plunged back to hurry to the huts where he must have reported the
+result of his trip. Immediately after, the boss commanded him to lead
+the way, and both returned to the place for a thorough investigation.
+
+The scout brought his boss up the bank and sniffed. Polly and Eleanor
+were quivering with excitement, as they saw the beavers making for the
+trail.
+
+"Let's see what is wrong?" whispered Polly, cocking her rifle in case of
+emergency.
+
+"Oh, don't do that!" cried Eleanor, catching hold of Polly's arm.
+
+"Stop! Let go--that is how accidents happen. You drag on one's arm and
+the trigger, all ready to fire, is pulled accidentally. I know what I am
+about, so you need have no concern."
+
+Eleanor felt chagrined and meekly followed Polly after this. They crept
+through the woods without making a sound.
+
+The two beavers reached the clearing where Noddy and Choko were grazing,
+and the moment the boss saw the burros, he turned and snapped at the
+foolish scout that had brought him this journey for naught! But the
+subdued laughter from the girls made the beavers rush pell-mell into
+the pond to wonder whether burros could laugh like that!
+
+On the way back to their rock of observation, Polly said, "Beavers are
+slow and awkward on land so that the agile panther, the alert wildcat,
+or wolves and bears, form a constant menace to them. Because of their
+unwieldy and short legs, they cannot escape quickly, but in water they
+are wonderful swimmers, so, water being necessary to their safety, they
+build their huts on the dams that will not bear up other wild animals.
+If their dams were constructed solidly, the beavers would soon be
+extinct, as forest savages would crawl over and glut on the helpless
+prey."
+
+"Didn't you say we could follow those other ones that went up-stream?"
+asked Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, come on," replied Polly, leading the way for some distance before
+seeing a sign of a beaver again. Then suddenly, she clutched hold of
+Eleanor's arm.
+
+"Ah, there's Grandfather, hard at work!"
+
+"Where--which?" cried Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"The one with a limp and a twisted back!"
+
+The girls had reached a place where the stream widened and here they
+found a great number of beavers at work. Some cutting, some dragging,
+others swimming with aspens, willows and alders, and all ordered about
+by an old crippled beaver.
+
+But despite his twisted back and decided halt in gait, he moved about
+quicker than the others, showing them where to place, how to saw, when
+to cut the aspens, and other important details of construction.
+
+"There are a lot of pines, Polly--why doesn't he use them?"
+
+"A beaver doesn't like the smelly, pitchy wood, so they never cut them
+unless they have to clear a roadway from an aspen grove to the stream of
+water."
+
+"Then they ought to use all those trees already down. There are lots
+that have been felled by forest fires, I guess."
+
+"There again they show their wisdom," explained Polly. "A beaver never
+cuts dead wood as it dulls and injures his teeth. And dead wood does not
+last like live trees, either."
+
+At this moment, Grandfather Beaver seemed to sniff a familiar as well as
+a doubtful presence. He lifted his nose high and thumped his tail for an
+assistant. Leaving commands with this beaver, the Grandfather went into
+the stream and swam away.
+
+Eleanor was sorry to lose sight of him, but almost before she could
+speak, the old fellow rose laboriously from the water just in front of
+her. He waited, sniffing anxiously, but found a stranger with his
+friend, so he half-slid back into the stream.
+
+Polly made strange sounds and ran down towards him. To Eleanor's
+amazement the old fellow actually expressed joy at seeing a friend. He
+emitted peculiar sounds and Polly stood a few feet away uttering queer
+sounds, too. Then he sent her a look of love--if there ever was one--and
+after this welcome he slid back into the water to continue the work as
+overseer.
+
+"Polly Brewster--I never in all my life!" gasped Eleanor.
+
+Polly laughed as she watched her beaver join the workers and scold them
+for laziness while he was absent visiting a friend.
+
+"Let's get the burros, now, and I'll show you a place where we can lunch
+while I tell you how Grandfather and I got to know each other so well,"
+suggested Polly.
+
+As the girls rode along the up-trail, Polly told the story.
+
+[A]"A few years ago, while out adventuring, I found this colony of
+beavers. I wanted father to come with me and see them, but he was too
+busy that year.
+
+[Footnote A: A true story.]
+
+"The following Summer, however, he came and we sat on the same rock
+where you and I sat to-day.
+
+"We had to wait for ten minutes or more, before a beaver came out of his
+hut in the dam. It was not as large or strong a dam, then, as now. The
+beaver was anxious to reach a spot in the aspen grove where we could
+hear the other beavers at work.
+
+"To reach the grove, he had to come up out of the stream and cross some
+land to the other pond. Just as he climbed up from the water, he sniffed
+danger. He was directly opposite us and we could see everything very
+plainly.
+
+"Father lifted his rifle slowly and very carefully, and I looked
+intently to see what it was that he saw.
+
+"On a bough of a tree almost directly over the beaver, I saw a lithe
+serpentine thing twitching as if a snake was trying to curl up. But I
+knew it wasn't a snake. It must be the long tail of a panther who was
+crouching for a leap, but I could not distinguish a body back of the
+foliage of the tree.
+
+"The beaver stood uncertain of action for a moment, and as he turned to
+dive again to safety, the mountain-lion sprang. At the same instant,
+father pulled the trigger. But the panther landed almost on top of the
+beaver's back, while the shot must have grazed his head, making him rage
+furiously.
+
+"The beaver, who was on the verge of the stream, fought valiantly with
+teeth and his powerful strength, but the lion had the upper hold on him.
+Slowly the two squirmed and rolled, the beaver trying to drag his enemy
+into the stream, and the panther fighting to keep his prey on land.
+
+"'Father--shoot--shoot! Even if you kill the beaver!' I yelled, as I
+closed my eyes from the awful sight.
+
+"But daddy already had taken aim and even as I spoke, he pulled the
+trigger. This time his shot took effect for we saw the beast loose his
+hold on the beaver and roll over writhing in agony.
+
+"Father rushed along the bank and crept over the beaver-dam to the other
+side. Then he put the lion out of pain with a third shot, and stooped to
+examine the beaver.
+
+"We always take a doctor's pocket-case when going on a trip, and father
+now took it out, so I knew the beaver was not dead.
+
+"'Poll, try to come over here and bring a pan, sheath-knife, and some
+hartshorn from the pack.'
+
+"I did as I was told, and stood helping father when the beaver came
+too--after getting a big whiff of hartshorn. We washed the torn flesh
+with water, and father poured on something from a bottle that made the
+old fellow squirm, but he sensed that we were helping him and he offered
+no resistance.
+
+"Well, Nolla, when we were done with our surgical work, you just ought
+to have seen that beaver's gratitude shining from his round eyes.
+
+"When he had recovered sufficiently to start for home, father swam
+beside him. And it was well he did for the poor fellow could not have
+made it alone. Father towed him across the pond and left him on the dam.
+There, the boss (for he was the boss of the colony) made a strange sound
+and instantly, a score of beavers came out.
+
+"Meantime, father had left him alone while I stood a distance away and
+watched the scene eagerly. As many beavers as could get near him,
+managed to roll and push him up on the dam where he lay stretched out.
+
+"Father did not think the poor thing would recover, but I thought he
+would, so we went back the next day, but he had disappeared.
+
+"We wished we could find out in some way, whether our friend was
+recovering or whether he had died and was buried by his family. So
+father decided to creep out on the dam and investigate. I went, too, and
+no sooner had we tried to make the same queer sound the Grandfather had
+made that day, than a beaver poked his nose out of a hut and sniffed.
+Quickly he disappeared again, but in a few moments, he came out and
+stood quite close to us making queer sounds at us. He was not afraid, so
+we took it that he was reporting on the health of our friend.
+
+"We did not see Grandfather again that Summer, so early last Spring I
+went to visit my colony, and there was my friend, bossing things as
+usual. But his back was crooked and he had to walk with a lame twist, so
+I suppose that lion injured his backbone.
+
+"I made a queer sound and he listened. He recognized me and swam over to
+thump his tail on the ground in front of my rock. I was so delighted
+that I rushed home and brought father over. Then you should have seen
+that beaver! He squirmed, and barked, and thumped his tail. It was like
+the meeting of a long-lost friend. Father was so impressed by the
+incident that he went to Denver and secured permission from the
+Government Land Survey Office to establish a permanent reserve here for
+the beavers. Now they have law protection and may rest unmolested by
+hunters or trappers."
+
+"Oh, Polly! It's just like a fairy tale, but much more interesting. What
+became of the nasty panther?" cried Eleanor.
+
+"He's stretched on our living-room floor--that skin by the fire-place.
+We had an awful time lugging the beast home, but I was determined to
+walk on his head every chance I got, so we swung him on a pole and
+managed to induce the horses to be reasonable about the dead creature."
+
+By the time Polly had concluded her story, the burros reached the bluff
+where the girls camped and prepared luncheon. This day of closer
+intimacy for the two girls, sealed a life-long friendship between them.
+Neither girl had ever had a chum of her own age, and now they found so
+much to admire and respect in each other that their companionship
+continued without the usual envy, quarrels or jealousies so common in
+school life between school-mates.
+
+[Illustration: THE PANTHER WAS ABOUT TO LEAP UPON THE BEAVER.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor._     _Page 94._]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE GIRLS ENTERTAIN GUESTS
+
+
+During the absence of Polly and Eleanor from Pebbly Pit, that Saturday,
+Mrs. Brewster made preparations for the entertainment of the young
+visitors who were expected on the morrow. So many days that week had
+been wasted in riding about the country that the pantry was almost bare.
+Chickens were killed and dressed, pies baked, and other delectable
+viands made ready for Sunday's dinner and tea.
+
+No word had come from the scouting party on Grizzly Slide, but Mrs.
+Brewster said she had no idea of hearing from them until they had
+completed their investigations and returned home. Polly and Eleanor were
+well tired out when they reached the house, after their visit to the
+beavers, and made no demur when early bed was suggested to them.
+
+Sunday was a glorious day and the girls bustled around rearranging the
+living-room, and seeing that the hammock with its cushions and the
+wicker porch chairs, were invitingly placed. Their own appearance had
+been seriously discussed so that both girls felt suitably dressed when
+the time came for the young surveyors to arrive.
+
+Eleanor had loaned Polly one of her prettiest organdies, and had
+arranged her really beautiful hair becomingly. Silk stockings now
+encased Polly's shapely limbs, and her new low shoes looked twice as
+well with the sheen of silk above them.
+
+Eleanor wore a dress similar to the one Polly had on, and tried to
+appear as like her as possible, so that no unfair advantage should arise
+from appearances. Barbara smiled scornfully at what she considered
+"childishness" in Eleanor. "Why should she want to have Polly look as
+well as she could? And why bother, anyway, to dress up for a nobody like
+Kenneth Evans? Of course, it would be all right for Jim Latimer--if he
+were at home--but not in the wilderness. Chances were that the boys
+would wear everyday working clothes." But all her "cold water" failed to
+dampen the spirits of the girls.
+
+The hour for the boys' expected appearance came and went but no sound
+of horse-hoof was heard echoing from the rocky trail that led past the
+Cliffs.
+
+"Why! It is now eleven, and they were to be here at ten-thirty,"
+remarked Eleanor, hearing the old clock strike the hour.
+
+"Are you sure that that foolish-looking boy understood he was to tell
+Jim about coming here Sunday?" asked Barbara, feeling rather pleased
+that the girls felt fidgety over the nonappearance of their company.
+
+"He wasn't foolish-looking at all! In fact I never saw such a fine head
+with such intelligence as he had," retorted Eleanor.
+
+"Come on, Nolla, let's walk down to the Cliffs and sit up on the
+'Guards' where we can see the trail all the way to Bear Forks,"
+suggested Polly, jumping up from the chair.
+
+"All right! we may meet them before we get there," added Eleanor.
+
+"You two certainly are acting silly over a mere boy you know nothing
+about!" snapped Barbara, who felt peeved at losing the targets for her
+sarcasm.
+
+The only reply given this parting shot was a merry laugh. Both girls
+skipped blithely along the path and were soon out of sight where the
+roadway ran behind the steep banks of the terrace.
+
+"Now that we are out of the way of Bob's eyes and tongue, let's go
+slower or we'll spoil our shoes," said Eleanor, stopping to see if any
+dust showed on her shiny toes.
+
+"And we won't climb the high Guards, but just sit on the ledge nearest
+the trail," added Polly.
+
+The Sunday dinner hour at Pebbly Pit was usually at one o'clock, so
+everything was ready and waiting just before that time. But no visitors
+appeared, and Mrs. Brewster sent Anne down the road to see if the girls
+and boys were visiting the Causeway and other unusual features of
+Rainbow Cliffs.
+
+"Oh, Anne! Are you alone?" called Eleanor, when she saw the messenger
+coming from the house.
+
+"Yes--are you?" returned Anne, shading her eyes from the sun, as she
+looked up at the ledge.
+
+"Come on up," Polly called, leaning over the rocks.
+
+Anne soon joined them and looked around. "Where do you suppose those
+boys can be?"
+
+"That's just what we want to know. I'm sure we were plain enough in
+telling that boy that he was to come over with Jim Latimer for
+Sunday--weren't we?" demanded Eleanor.
+
+"I thought it was plain enough, but Bob declares that the boy was too
+stupid to understand a simple invitation. She is in her glory because
+every one is disappointed," said Anne.
+
+"I wouldn't let her see me feeling bad for anything!" exclaimed Polly,
+stiffly. "But I do wish they would come, because I wanted to find out if
+he ever knew _any one_ like our Old Man Montresor."
+
+"Look! See way over there--out on the Bear Forks road?" now exclaimed
+Eleanor, pointing away towards the distant trail.
+
+"Sure enough!" breathed Anne, with relief.
+
+"But there are three, and we only expected two. Who can the other one
+be?" added Polly.
+
+"Maybe they are not our company, at all, but some ranchers riding that
+way," suggested Eleanor, fearfully.
+
+"Ranchers seldom ride that trail, and never on Sundays. Now look!" said
+Polly.
+
+The three horses had stopped and soon, one rider was seen going along
+the trail to Oak Creek, while the other two turned in at the gulch trail
+and disappeared under the giant over-hanging rocks.
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Eleanor, waving her sun-hat wildly about her head.
+
+"I reckon our company is coming, after all," said Polly, smiling with
+satisfaction.
+
+"I'll run back and tell your mother, Polly, as it will be at least half
+an hour before they can reach the house," said Anne, happy also that
+Barbara was to be silently contradicted.
+
+"Don't dally around here, girls, when your company joins you," advised
+Anne, turning around, after she had started down the cliff-side.
+
+"I reckon we'd better go back with you--mother can be the first to say
+how-dy to them," ventured Polly, looking like a stage-struck amateur at
+her first appearance before the public.
+
+"See here, Polly Brewster! Don't you go back on _me_! I wouldn't have
+Bob watching us meet those boys and then laughing at us afterwards, for
+anything in the world! We'll stay right _here_ and get acquainted before
+we go to the house to be teased and made to feel uncomfortable,"
+declared Eleanor, who knew her sister only too well.
+
+"I guess Eleanor's right, Polly; it struck me that that nice young boy
+was rather shy with strangers, so you will be doing him a great favor if
+you get acquainted here and then bring him to the house to meet the
+rest of us," admitted Anne, then she ran down the steep sides of the
+rocks.
+
+Now and then the waiting girls had glimpses of the two riders as they
+rode along the winding trail past the Cliffs. And Jim Latimer also
+caught a glimpse of the girls as he happened to pause, to point out the
+Rainbow rocks to his friend. Instantly he pulled off his wide sombrero
+and waved it gayly at his young hostesses. Then both boys spurred their
+horses eagerly onward.
+
+Eleanor and Jim felt perfectly at ease as they met and shook hands, but
+it was evident that Polly and Kenneth Evans were not accustomed to
+social ways or behavior, for both acted rather awkward at this meeting.
+However, Eleanor generally fitted into any breach, and now she
+unconsciously steered the would-be friendly craft of the four past the
+reefs of self-consciousness into the haven of youthful reciprocity.
+
+"We thought you were _never_ coming--it's past one o'clock you know, and
+we looked for you at eleven," said she, catching Jim by the sleeve and
+leading the way to the road where the two horses were waiting.
+
+"We expected to be here at half-past ten, or eleven at the latest, but
+it is a long story to tell, and we ought to explain to your mother at
+the same time," replied Jim, throwing the bridle over his arm and
+starting to walk beside Eleanor.
+
+Naturally, Kenneth and Polly followed, but Eleanor turned around every
+other moment to include them in her vivacious conversation about the
+land-slide and the fears that Choko's Find was lost.
+
+"Oh, but say! What a ripping chance we missed, Ken, by not being one of
+the party on the Slide, eh?" cried Jim, enviously.
+
+"I'd like to be one of the party up there now. Just fancy the
+opportunities one would have for seeing how much he knows about
+engineering," replied Kenneth.
+
+"Maybe we can fix it so mother'll allow us to show you the way up. I'd
+love to go again," ventured Polly, enthusiastically, as she forgot
+herself in the absorbing subject of the gold mine.
+
+"Ken and I have to be back at camp to-night! That's the worst of being
+hired!" grumbled Jim.
+
+"It's that, or being fired!" retorted Kenneth, laughingly.
+
+Youth needs little to laugh at, so the four took this little speech as a
+cue to laugh loud and long. It attracted Barbara's attention. She had
+been trying to read, but now she got up to frown at the gay young people
+she saw climbing the road to the house. Anne also heard the laughter
+and hurriedly called to Mrs. Brewster: "They're almost here--come right
+out."
+
+So the visitors found a pleasant welcome awaiting them as they reached
+the porch. Immediately after greeting the ladies, the boys apologized
+for their lateness. Jim then acted as spokesman.
+
+"We feared we would not be able to be here, at all, as the Boss of our
+Crew forbid any one taking out a horse to-day. Jake has charge of the
+horses, you know, and he was instructed not to pass one mount.
+
+"Maybe the boys weren't furious! as we always take Sundays to ride to
+Oak Creek. It's the only off day we get. But Carew said we had a long
+move to make to-morrow, and his horses had to be fresh for the trip.
+
+"Gee! I felt like thundering about camp, as I had looked forward to this
+visit ever since Ken told me about how he met you folks, and all. Now we
+both were all fixed ready to make an early start in the morning, and
+there would be no horses!
+
+"Ken and I stole out late last night and tried to bribe Jake with
+goodies, then with money, and lastly I remembered tobacco! I agreed to
+hand over a big bag of Cut Plug and a tin box of cigarettes if he would
+loan us his two wagon-horses. These he could use as they were not
+included in the ban on the crew horses.
+
+"But Jake is a wily fellow and wanted to see our tobacco first. He knew
+that neither of us used it and he doubted our having any!"
+
+Jim chuckled at this, and Ken smiled sympathetically. The ladies also
+smiled as an interested audience will. Then the narrator continued:
+
+"Ken and I knew where Jake kept the store of tobacco that he always sold
+to the other surveyors, so we fixed up a little scheme. We left more
+than enough money to pay for what we took and then hurried back to Jake
+with the gift of tobacco.
+
+"I wish you could have seen him scratch his head in bewilderment when he
+saw us hand over the star brand of tobacco he kept in stock! Still he
+refused to say whether we could start early in the morning, and then I
+got good and mad. If it wasn't for Ken, here, kicking me in the ribs,
+I'd have spilled the beans!"
+
+Every one laughed at Jim's slangy way of describing his interview with
+Jake, but he was full of his subject and would not be laughed out of
+countenance.
+
+"Ken and I were getting ready to go to sleep, when Jake crept under our
+tent flap and pulled my foot to attract attention.
+
+"There were three other surveyors in our tent, and Jake did not wish
+them to hear what was going on. The lights were out, so we were not seen
+as we slid under the canvas and joined the driver over by the trees
+where no one could hear us whisper.
+
+"'You fresh boys!' was the first thing Jake said.
+
+"Then he laughed deep down in his throat, and said; 'Ah kin bet on you
+boys, ef Ah lets you-all have mah team to-morrer,--you-all shore will
+come back in time?'
+
+"I eagerly promised everything, and he added: 'Ah sold a lot of tobakker
+to some one Ah don't know, but it doesn't matter who the smoker is, 'cuz
+now Ah got mah money and tobakker, too! It's 'cuz that feller is so
+smart that Ah feels shore the Boss won't get wind of mah hosses bein'
+lent. 'Course Ah hez a right to use mah waggin-team ef Ah likes, but
+Carew is strick and might get on his high-boss ef he learned Ah sent two
+of his men on an errent.'
+
+"I was so sure no one would ever know we rode the horses if he would
+_only_ loan them to us, that I agreed to anything.
+
+"Then he said: 'Wall, now, Ah left one of the crew's tripods over at
+Bear Forks line to-day when Ford took an observation. Ah've got'ta go
+fer it to-morrer--er find some good-natured feller who will go fer me.
+Ah've got'ta get a heap of work done, to-morrer, and it looks well-nigh
+impossible fer me to get that tripod!'
+
+"I caught on at once, and turned to Ken and said: 'Why, Jake, I will get
+that tripod for you. But I'd hate to walk so far as Bear Forks line, all
+alone, you know.'
+
+"That made Jake laugh softly and he said: 'Ef you-all will find that
+tripod fer me, Ah'll lend you-all the hosses fer the day.'
+
+"So that is how we got away from camp, but we have been hunting
+everywhere for that old tripod and haven't seen a shadow of it. While
+looking for it along the line that Ford surveyed this week, we lost our
+way and had to have that rancher show us the way back to Bear Forks
+trail. That's why we are so late."
+
+"Well, now that you are here, suppose you brush up and get ready for
+dinner. I've had it waiting this hour and a half," said Mrs. Brewster,
+leading the way over to the pump.
+
+"And maybe we aren't ready to do justice to your cooking! We haven't had
+a crumb since supper last night, because we dared not ask the cook for
+sandwiches, and we left camp before breakfast-time. Jake said we might
+not be permitted to hunt up his tripod for him if any one learned he was
+giving us his horses for the trip," explained Kenneth.
+
+"Oh, you poor boys! Do hurry, then, and join us at table over under the
+oak, yonder!" exclaimed Mrs. Brewster, hasting to bring out towels and
+brushes for her young visitors.
+
+The dinner was a great success, both from a culinary and also from the
+social points of view. While thoroughly enjoying the home-cooking, the
+boys talked of their work and adventures in the mountains. Jim had been
+with the survey crew all summer, but Kenneth had but just arrived. So
+Jim had a store-house filled with recent thrilling experiences and
+escapes.
+
+Close-up encounters with bears, rattle-snakes, and land-slides, were
+passed off as mere trifles by him. But the problems of getting enough
+good things to eat, now and then a dance at some school-house, or
+finding a pretty girl one could talk to--these were awful!
+
+When dinner was out of the way, the four young people started to walk to
+Rainbow Cliffs, as that was the show-spot of all the countryside. Having
+so many unique features and winding walks made it a delightful place
+for quiet little chats or tête-à-têtes.
+
+"I never saw anything like those great masses of color," said Kenneth,
+as they drew near the sparkling walls.
+
+"I told Ken when we rode past here to-day, that Tom wanted your father
+to sell out the cliffs on a royalty basis, but he refused to. Now that
+Tom is here again with John, and the gold mine is caved in with that
+land-slide, maybe he will listen, eh?" asked Jim, eagerly.
+
+Polly shook her head. "I don't believe he will, but we can't find out
+why he is so stubborn about it."
+
+"Jim, I don't believe our gold mine has caved in, at all. It's only
+temporarily buried, up there. If there is any way it can be located
+again, I'm going to insist upon having it worked!" declared Eleanor.
+
+"Why? You don't need the money," laughed Jim.
+
+"How do you know what I need!" retorted Eleanor. "Polly and I need money
+this Fall, as we are going to go away to school together--somewhere. And
+she can't go unless she has her own money, 'cause her father won't
+consent to her leaving home, but her mother will--so she will have to
+have her own money to get away with, see?"
+
+"No, I don't see that that will work," Kenneth interpolated.
+
+"Why not? If Mr. Brewster finds Polly is going, anyway, he will soon
+enough give his consent," argued Eleanor.
+
+"I never said I would go away to school with you, Nolla, although I
+should like it better than going alone. And I'm sure I couldn't _think_
+of leaving home if Daddy objected to it," said Polly seriously.
+
+"Oh, well, I know you won't, but a lot of money of your very own will
+help coax him to our way of thinking," explained Eleanor.
+
+"You seem to think your mine will turn out money in time for you to
+spend it this Fall," ventured Kenneth, amusedly.
+
+"Why, of course it will, if we can get at it through that land-slide,"
+returned she.
+
+"Other mines take from one to ten years to prepare for and operate. If
+you do the thing right, and have engineers plan for the apparatus to
+work the ore, you won't be spending that gold this year," added Jim.
+
+"No! Then what good will it do Polly or me? I have a fine idea that I
+want to perfect right away, and it needs money. I haven't even told
+Polly a word of it, as I must see how much money we get from the mine
+before I mention it."
+
+"But once your mine begins to pay it will keep on paying for ever so
+long. You can plan to spend all the money you can possibly use, if the
+mine has any kind of vein in it," said Kenneth, soothingly.
+
+"I believe in taking a 'bird in the hand instead of the one in the
+bush,' and here is a fortune right on this wall!" said Jim, pointing at
+the jeweled cliffs.
+
+He picked up a handful of the colored lava-stones and showed them to
+Kenneth. "Do you know, Ken, that I wouldn't be one bit surprised but
+what that new patent your father got out for cutting rare gems would
+work on these to some good."
+
+"I never thought of that! Maybe it would. If only he could come here to
+investigate and try his machine on the jewels."
+
+"Why not send him a small box-full of the stones and let him experiment
+on them with the model he has in father's office?" asked Jim, eagerly.
+
+"If Polly will give us some--I will send them on with a letter of
+explanation," returned Kenneth.
+
+"Of course! Take all you want. Every one is welcome to them," said
+Polly, breaking off a cluster of fresh stones from the wall.
+
+"What are you talking about, Jim? I heard Bob say something about a new
+patented machine that would make millions out of these Cliffs, but what
+do _you_ mean?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"I guess we were both speaking of the same idea," replied Jim. "You see,
+my father is financing the wonderful patent Ken's father invented. Dr.
+Evans is a great inventor, and every once in a while he has a big idea.
+That was how he planned the vacuum sweepers, and the self-stop on the
+victrolas. He has lots of unusual patents granted him, and now he has
+this idea patented.
+
+"He can cut a stone so that it surpasses any hand-cut jewel for facets
+and beauty, by merely dropping the material into the feeder on the
+machine and letting it cut out the jewel in a few moments. The size of
+stone wanted can be regulated by a screw. And the small bits of refuse
+left after making large jewels, can be cut into sparkling chips.
+
+"My father and Uncle George incorporated the company that is financing
+this cutting machine. Now they can try out this lava and see if it is
+hard enough to cut brilliantly."
+
+"Wouldn't it be lovely to have Ken's father use these lava jewels in his
+company, and let Nolla and me have the royalty to send us to school?"
+ventured Polly, wistfully, looking at the distant peak where her gold
+mine seemed lost for the present.
+
+Jim and his friend were selecting the finest specimen of the lava as
+Polly spoke, so they made no reply. Her eyes traveled along the Top
+Notch Trail and finally came back to the Cliffs at home. She watched the
+boys gather the stones and suddenly remembered Kenneth's likeness to
+Montresor.
+
+"Oh, Kenneth! I 'most forgot to ask you something!" cried she.
+
+Ken stood up and looked at her with a broad smile. As he waited thus,
+she was struck by the singular look that was so like her old friend's.
+
+"That gold mine we told you boys about, was first found and staked by a
+white-haired man who called himself Montresor. He lost it again in just
+the same way as we did--a land-slide buried it and his stakes, and no
+one could locate it again.
+
+"Then he died and left his claim to me. I always believed he had one,
+but every one else laughed at him and said he was crazy. Father was
+good to him after the mine was lost, and took his part when folks
+jeered. When he died, Daddy paid for the funeral and has the certificate
+where he is buried. But we never learned who he was, except the fact
+that he came from the East, although we advertised a lot.
+
+"Just the day you arrived in Oak Creek, Mr. Simms, our lawyer, read a
+letter which Old Man Montresor left. It was written to a wife and child,
+but there was no name or address on it. Then I heard how father spent
+lots of money trying to identify the dear old man and trace his
+relatives but to no account.
+
+"When we first saw you, we-all were impressed with your resemblance to
+our old friend. So now I want to ask you if there ever was any one in
+your family who went to the Klondike and was reported lost there?"
+
+"Wh-y, ye-es, there is some such story in our family, but I do not know
+the exact truth about it. And we seldom discussed it as mother always
+felt badly afterwards.
+
+"As far as I can understand it, my mother's only brother Peter was a
+clever mining engineer in the East, but he was too ambitious to be
+contented with his income. Mother says it was his wife who wanted to
+spend money like water, who finally urged him to try his luck in
+Alaska--and he left home to seek wealth in the Klondike.
+
+"He placed all the money he had in the bank for his family, and left
+Aunt Ada and my Cousin Gail with sufficient to live on if they were
+economical. But my Aunt was not content with a simple home and a meager
+income, and thought to add to her comfort and wealth by starting a fine
+boarding-house.
+
+"She knew nothing about the business, however, and soon lost all the
+money she had been left with and then she ran in debt. When her
+investment was sold out, she came to us for help. She and Cousin Gail
+lived with us for two years; then Aunt Ada had pneumonia and died. She
+begged us to adopt Gail as she had never heard from Uncle after he wrote
+to her to send him money to get out of Nome. But she had none, so she
+never told mother about this letter; we would have helped poor Uncle.
+
+"As it was a year since he wrote that letter, and he was in wretched
+health while in the far North, mother felt sure that he had succumbed to
+the cold and his discouragement. Aunt Ada left a note in which she said
+that Gail and I were to share like brother and sister in anything Uncle
+Peter left us.
+
+"But mother always laughed at the idea that there would be any wealth
+coming to us from the Klondike. She said the only precious legacy we
+could claim in the gold-fields of Alaska was the untiring energy and
+earnestness Uncle was sure to use wherever he went or whatever he did.
+But she wrote to the postmaster at Nome and received word that her
+brother was dead.
+
+"Gail was always delicate, and a year after her mother died, she, too,
+took sick and was gone in a week's time. So mother tried to forget her
+dear brother after these sad experiences, and it is only at rare
+intervals that any one mentions his name to her."
+
+When Kenneth finished telling his story, Polly asked eagerly: "But you
+haven't told us your uncle's name--nor your mother's maiden name. Was it
+Montresor?"
+
+"Oh no! Just a plain New England name--mother is called Priscilla
+Amesbury, and my uncle was Peter Amesbury. I never heard of a Montresor
+in our family, either. But that doesn't say the old gentleman couldn't
+have chosen an assumed name, you know."
+
+Eleanor and Polly were plainly disappointed that the names of the
+Klondike uncle and the hero of Polly's life, were not the same. Jim
+laughed when he saw the girls' evident regret.
+
+"Any one would think you two girls were anxious to share your gold-mine
+with the heir of old Montresor. Now what is there to hinder me from
+claiming the old man as _my_ uncle and telling you he is a twin-brother
+of my father's? That will make me the heir to that mine."
+
+"We wouldn't believe you, because you haven't one bit of resemblance to
+this friend Polly knew, but Kenneth has. That is why it may turn out
+that Montresor really was his uncle," said Eleanor.
+
+As the sun went down back of Rainbow Cliffs, the two boys regretfully
+said good-by. Mrs. Brewster planned for them to come and spend the
+following Sunday at Pebbly Pit with John and Tom there, provided the
+crew was not too far removed for the trip.
+
+The boys promised to send word by mail, as Jake rode to Oak Creek two or
+three times a week, and could mail a note from them if they were to be
+within riding distance.
+
+"We might even find a way to lose the valuable transit and then have to
+come and hunt for it," laughed Kenneth, as they got into their saddles
+for the return ride.
+
+"But you didn't find the tripod! What will Jake say?" asked Polly,
+anxiously.
+
+"We'll let you know next Sunday," laughed both the boys.
+
+That night when Jake smuggled his two horses back to the corral with the
+crew's mounts, he turned to the boys and said:
+
+"Whar did you-all leave it?"
+
+"Leave what?" asked Jim, wonderingly.
+
+"Why, mah tripod, yuh coyote!" grinned Jake, winking at Kenneth.
+
+"Oh, yes! Well, Jake, I had to leave it at Pebbly Pit because it was so
+heavy, but I'll go back for it next Sunday!"
+
+"Nah, yuh won't, eider--some one else brought in th' tripod and ha'r it
+'tis!" With that Jake displayed the article wanted.
+
+"Who found it? No one could take a horse," exclaimed Jim, perplexed.
+
+Then Jake leaned over and whispered in his ear: "The Boss hisself! He
+rode to Yaller Jacket to spend Sunda' with his wife, yuh know, an' what
+shoul' he do but come acrost the tripod whar Ah left it fer you boys to
+pick up! Mebbe Ah didn't get hail on Pagoda!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS
+
+
+Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on
+Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.
+Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to
+investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could
+be worked--providing it was found again. But in such a dreadful
+wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile
+of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a
+tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine? And
+with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the
+land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to
+remain to mark the place?
+
+Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so
+on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into
+Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.
+
+This would be a break in the dull routine of waiting impatiently for
+news from the Peak, and all four of the girls willingly complied with
+the order. Two strong horses were hitched to the ranch-wagon, and the
+gay party drove away, leaving Mrs. Brewster waving her hand as they
+rumbled down the road past the Cliffs.
+
+The colored stones reminded Polly of Kenneth's story, and she turned to
+Eleanor and said: "I wonder if he wrote home to ask his mother about her
+brother?"
+
+"Even if he did it will be fully a fortnight before he can have an
+answer. But we ought to get a letter to-day, telling us whether the boys
+are coming over Sunday, or not," replied Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, I know; I thought we'd stop at the post office first of all,"
+answered Polly.
+
+The girls enjoyed the wonderful drive along the trail that ran to Oak
+Creek, and having reached their destination, left the team tied to the
+post in front of Mr. Simms' office, for they purposed having a good
+time.
+
+Anne and Barbara went to the store where they could buy candy, while
+Polly and Eleanor ran to the post office. To their surprised delight,
+they found Kenneth Evans there. He was reading a telegram and did not
+see the girls until he had finished.
+
+"Oh--hullo! I never expected to see you here," exclaimed he, seemingly
+too excited to remember that he had not met them since Sunday.
+
+"I wired mother last Monday--sent it in by Jake, you know. And told her
+to reply so I could get her answer to-day. The Boss let me off because I
+finished my work on the old line yesterday. So I came to town myself for
+the message."
+
+Kenneth acted so elated that Polly and Eleanor wondered what news he had
+received to make his eyes sparkle like stars and his face to flush in a
+way that made him positively handsome.
+
+"Isn't it great, though? And just think, if it hadn't been for you
+girls, I never would have known it!"
+
+"Known what? What have we done that is so great?" asked Eleanor,
+laughingly.
+
+"Why, the mine, don't you know!"
+
+"What about it?" cried both girls at once, thinking that news of some
+moment from the engineers had reached Oak Creek before they arrived
+there.
+
+"Why, the mine--you know, my uncle's mine!"
+
+"Your uncle's!" again the girls gasped in astonishment.
+
+"Of course--didn't Polly tell me all about her old friend Montresor?
+Here, read my mother's night letter to me." And Kenneth placed the
+yellow sheet in Eleanor's hand.
+
+She read aloud to anxious Polly: "One branch of family has a
+Montresor--two generations back the name was used as surname. Brother
+was christened Peter Miles Montresor Amesbury. Disliked name Montresor,
+dropped it when young. Every one forgot about it. Am sending letter with
+photograph of Peter. Show Polly. Wire results. Father may come west.
+Love, Mother."
+
+"Oh, oh! how wonderful!" cried Polly, catching Kenneth's hands
+delightedly.
+
+"I'm glad, too, Ken, but I shall have to contest any of your claims to
+my mine," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Your father ought to be told about the land-slide. Maybe he is coming
+west to look over the claim, but he won't be able to see anything,"
+remarked Polly.
+
+"No, I think Dad plans to come west to look at your Cliffs. I told him
+in my telegram just what they were, and sent on the box of jewels. When
+he gets them he will try out his invention and if it cuts them properly,
+then he may come here to see your family."
+
+"Oh! You didn't waste any time attending to things, did you?" said
+Eleanor, with keen amusement at Kenneth's business methods.
+
+"No, I never waste time on _anything_ that's worth while. And, by the
+way, Jim and I are coming over to Pebbly Pit again on Sunday--your
+mother invited us, you know."
+
+Both girls laughed, and they caught the youth up. "Ah, you must think
+Pebbly Pit is worth while, then?"
+
+"Why, I do! You don't suppose I'd ride 'way over there if I was bored,
+do you?" replied Kenneth, earnestly.
+
+Eleanor laughed this time, but Polly felt he was in too serious a mood
+for laughter. So she said: "I'm glad you liked us. We'll tell mother you
+are coming again. That is one reason we drove to Oak Creek--to get the
+letter."
+
+"I'm afraid it will be our only chance to see you-all again, as our crew
+moves from Brushy Creek to Silver Creek, and after that we go to Buffalo
+Park. The Boss says we will have about three weeks' work there, and then
+go across the desert to work along the Lincoln Highway, until we reach
+the other lines, completed last year by Carew's men.
+
+"He doesn't know whether we shall be dismissed then, or sent on to tie
+up a few other little jobs before the summer ends. However, it looks as
+if Jim and I will be too far away to ride over for the day then. It will
+take us a day and night to cross the desert and over several mountain
+peaks to reach you."
+
+Eleanor listened delightedly to this innocent youth, and as he concluded
+she squealed with amusement: "Oh, don't you love it!"
+
+"Love what?" asked Kenneth, never having heard this extravagant
+expression so favored by city misses.
+
+"Love _you_, of course!" retorted Eleanor, laughing.
+
+Polly frowned at this admission, and Kenneth blushed, for he had never
+before been told so publicly that a pretty girl loved him! Eleanor
+doubled over laughing, and gasped: "Oh, you two adorable babes!"
+
+Further conversation was made impossible now, by Barbara and Anne coming
+in. They immediately joined the three young people, and Anne asked: "Did
+you get the mail, Nolla?"
+
+"No, we never thought of it. Ken has such an exciting telegram that we
+forgot everything else."
+
+Anne waited to hear no more, but went to the window and inquired for her
+mail and for that of the family at Pebbly Pit. A bulky package was
+handed out, and caused Polly to exclaim at its size.
+
+"Why, I never knew so many letters to come at one time."
+
+"That's because no one's been here to get it for more than a week,"
+returned Anne.
+
+Barbara had not forgotten the yellow sheet in Kenneth's hand, however,
+and now asked what the news was that had so thrilled the girls.
+
+She was given the telegram to read, and having mastered the contents she
+looked daggers at poor Kenneth; "I suppose you will expect my sister to
+share her mine with you, now."
+
+Eleanor instantly interpolated: "Your sister wouldn't think of keeping a
+mine that belongs to some one else. I'm thankful we had the use of it
+that night when the panther and bear wanted to get at us. And again the
+day of the avalanche! I'm much obliged to Ken for his cave hotel!"
+
+Barbara sneered unpleasantly and walked away. Kenneth said nothing, but
+when she had gone he turned to the girls and said: "We were thinking
+more of knowing for a certainty whether Uncle Peter was still alive, or
+whether your Montresor is my mother's brother. I almost forgot there was
+gold in that mine."
+
+The girls assured him that that was exactly what they believed he was
+anxious to know, and that the gold was the least of all things to be
+considered.
+
+Having spent two hours in the Moving Picture Hall, and completing all
+the shopping, the girls started back to Pebbly Pit. Kenneth Evans had
+said good-by and gone on his way, so there was now no side interest for
+Polly and Eleanor as they drove the obedient horses homeward.
+
+Barbara and Anne were reading their letters, and the two younger girls
+on the front seat whispered confidences to each other. Anne suddenly
+exclaimed, as she finished reading a type-written letter:
+
+"Well, of all things! How did they hear of _me_?"
+
+Eleanor half turned around and asked: "What's the matter?"
+
+"Mother inclosed a letter that came from New York. She thought it might
+be important, so she slipped it inside the one she was just going to
+mail to me," murmured Anne, vaguely, studying the dense forest as they
+drove past.
+
+"Well, that's nothing to wonder about," said Eleanor.
+
+Anne glanced at the letter again: "No, but the contents is."
+
+"Maybe it's one of those proposals of marriage--you know; the kind where
+a lonely bachelor, rich, well-bred, perfect in every respect (except his
+bald head, glass eye, toothless gums, and palsy) wishes acquaintance
+with sweet young miss--object matrimony!" Eleanor said, jokingly.
+
+"Eleanor Maynard! How very unladylike of you!" cried her sister, shocked
+at her levity.
+
+"I'm only saying what you can read in the paper any day," argued
+Eleanor, still laughing at her joke.
+
+"This _is_ a proposal, but not that kind. It comes from a well-known
+gentleman in New York City," said Anne.
+
+Polly was so astonished that she pulled in the horses and suddenly
+halted them without being aware of it. Eleanor and she turned square
+about and gazed at Anne questioningly. Barbara couldn't say anything as
+she was at sea for words.
+
+"For goodness' sake!" exclaimed Eleanor, at last.
+
+"Wh-y--I wanted to live with you in Denver this winter!" complained
+Polly. Then remembering John and his evident preference for Anne, she
+added severely: "Does John know about this man?"
+
+Anne laughed gayly. "No, and that is the only thing that makes me feel
+unhappy. I'd accept at once, if New York wasn't so far away, or if I had
+never met John."
+
+Although Anne spoke in a jocular tone when mentioning John, she blushed
+most bewitchingly at her acknowledgment.
+
+Eleanor had been keenly studying Anne's face, and now she exclaimed:
+"Ha! you didn't tell us what _sort_ of a proposal! It may be a mason who
+wants to hire you to carry a hod up the ladders."
+
+As the very idea was so ridiculous, every one laughed, and that broke
+the tension. Then Anne admitted: "I felt like squaring myself with you,
+Nolla, for your hint that I was answering ads. in the _Matrimonial
+Mirror_."
+
+"Well, then, is it for a hod-carrier?" insisted the irrepressible
+Eleanor.
+
+"Almost as good; it is for a teacher to carry learning up into young
+ladies' brains at a fashionable seminary in New York."
+
+"What? never!" declared Barbara.
+
+"Of course--why not?" replied Anne.
+
+Eleanor and Polly were silent, but they thought a lot. But Barbara said:
+"Because you can never fill a position in a fashionable young ladies'
+school in New York. You know nothing of social life."
+
+"Bob, I'll have Polly dump you from the wagon if you can't be half-way
+decent to us. Ever since Polly and I discovered Old Man Montresor's gold
+mine, you've been as mean as a bear with a sore head. Now stop it, or
+I'll--I'll do something _awful_ to you!"
+
+Eleanor was angry! And she looked daggers at her sister as she spoke,
+but she knew there was nothing she could do but patiently allow Barbara
+to say unkind words to others, as was her habit.
+
+Polly now spoke. "Anne, is there anything that you'd _rather_ do than go
+East to teach school?"
+
+Anne caught her meaning and mentally thanked her, but audibly she said:
+"Not just yet, Polly. You see, my brother Paul has two years still to
+put in at college, and little mother has to be cared for, as well. This
+offer is so tempting that I could not refuse it without considering
+everything that concerns me. In two years' time, I could not only
+rejoice that Paul is through, but that because of my increased income,
+mother will have something laid by for her use in the future."
+
+"Well, then," sighed Polly, resignedly, "I'll give up my hopes of
+paradise! I did so want to go to school in a big city this year." As she
+urged the horses on their way, the young driver felt the tears well up
+in her eyes, but she refused to brush them away.
+
+Eleanor saw and understood. She quietly took her own handkerchief and
+dabbed her friend's wet eyes. Then placed her hand on her shoulder. Not
+a word was spoken.
+
+"Polly, dear, I'm not going to do a thing until after I have pondered
+this step well. I shall have to write the principal for added
+information, and before I hear again, I will know whether it is wise for
+me to accept the offer or not," exclaimed Anne.
+
+The rest of the drive was concluded in silence, each girl having much to
+think over. When the horses were turned over to the man who took Jeb's
+place in his absence, and the girls were on the porch, Mrs. Brewster
+noticed their unusual quiet.
+
+"Anything wrong, girls?" asked she.
+
+"No--only Kenneth's uncle is our Montresor, he thinks," said Eleanor,
+rocking violently back and forth in the wicker chair.
+
+This so surprised Mrs. Brewster that she began a rapid cross-examination
+until she had all the facts. However the very telling about Kenneth's
+story enabled Polly to change her thoughts of future trouble, so that
+she felt much better over the school question before very long.
+
+Anne's momentous letter was the next important topic of conversation,
+and Mrs. Brewster listened to the news with an enigmatical expression on
+her face. When Anne finished telling about it, the elder woman spoke.
+
+"I thought perhaps you would be planning to take a course in Domestic
+Science. But going to New York to continue your school teaching would
+lead me to believe that you propose making that the principal object of
+your life."
+
+"But you must remember, Mrs. Brewster, I am not alone in the world. I
+have my mother and younger brother to consider. If I fail Paul now, he
+will have to stop his college education half-way. I simply _have_ to
+keep on supplying him and mother with means, until he is through. Then
+he can help me in caring for mother," explained Anne, diffidently.
+
+"You might marry a young man who had ample means to take care of both
+your mother and brother," suggested Barbara.
+
+"Oh, Bob! you know Paul would never take money that way, when I had such
+a dreadful time in even persuading him to let me loan him his
+educational expenses from my own salary!" exclaimed Anne, flushing
+uncomfortably when the subject of her marrying a wealthy man was
+mentioned.
+
+"If your brother knows you plan to go to New York just to earn more
+money for him, he may refuse to take any aid from you," ventured Mrs.
+Brewster.
+
+"That is my only concern just now. Of course, I shall take mother with
+me to keep house for us both, but Paul must complete his studies in
+Chicago, so he must believe there was another reason for my choosing New
+York other than the mere increased salary offered me."
+
+"It seems a difficult thing for you to do--to find a plausible reason
+for going so far East," added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Now _I_ know a good one;" spoke up Eleanor, suddenly. "I am crazy to
+spend a winter in New York, but Bob won't give up her social season at
+home, and mother wouldn't think of spending the time in New York just to
+oblige me. As Anne has always been found to be so helpful to me, in
+everyway, I shall insist upon going to New York this Fall and choosing
+her as my companion while there. Naturally her mother wants to go, too,
+and so we will decide to keep house in one of those cute little
+three-room-and-kitchenette apartments. Then Anne has so much time on her
+hands that she decides to fill in by going to this seminary for certain
+hours. How's that for a plot!"
+
+"Oh, it's lovely--all but your being able to go East," replied Barbara,
+sarcastically.
+
+The others laughed at both plotter and objector, for it sounded so
+visionary. But once Eleanor had the idea in her mind she mulled it over
+and over until it really appeared feasible to her.
+
+The others talked of the mine, of Kenneth's father and the invention for
+cutting jewels, of everything that concerned any interest in their
+lives, while Eleanor sat and planned her new idea.
+
+"Now listen to me, folks--I've got everything ironed out smooth for
+Anne's going. I am expected to remain in Denver all this winter and
+attend school there. Live with Anne and her mother. These are Mother's
+orders to the doctor--and he ordered them on to Daddy. I know all about
+it, because Barbara and Mother planned a big campaign to try and marry
+Bob off sure pop this year!--"
+
+"Nolla! I _will_ not sit here quietly and listen to you tell such
+dreadful stories. You know very well that you are too delicate to live
+in Chicago where the climate does not agree with you," Barbara cried.
+
+"Tut, tut! We are all old friends here, Bob, and no one will squeal on
+you about family skeletons. Anne knows as much about this arrangement as
+you or I do; and Polly, or her mother, are not interested enough to
+repeat what I say," giggled Eleanor; then she continued her outlines:
+"Hence, it matters little whether the eager student (that's me) lives in
+Denver, New York, or Timbuctoo, as long as she is in 'safe hands' and
+out of society's way.
+
+"Now Anne Stewart and her mother have absolutely 'safe hands' for such
+as me; so there will be little argument and no difficulties in
+convincing mother or Bob to have the doctor say that I must go East with
+Anne. Convincing Dad of this need, will be the only obstacle. But I
+shall play upon the fact that he can visit me quite often in New York,
+whereas he never comes West on business. He can fly across country from
+Chicago on the Twentieth Century and be in New York in the morning.
+
+"Yes, Anne, considering all things, I believe it will be New York for my
+schooling this Winter, instead of Denver."
+
+Eleanor wagged her head wisely as she finished speaking, and her hearers
+began to wonder if she really meant what she said. Anne rather liked the
+suggestion of having Eleanor go East with her, and Polly sat mute,
+wishing some one would persuade her mother that it was the only thing to
+do for her, too.
+
+Sary came in at this point to say that supper had been waiting so long,
+that it was all sizzled up in the pan.
+
+"My goodness! I forgot we hadn't had supper!" laughed Eleanor, jumping
+up and catching Polly by the arm to whirl her away.
+
+Once out of hearing, she whispered quickly: "Don't say a word to any one
+about this New York plan of mine--if I go, you go, too; for we are a
+second 'Ruth and Naomi' you know!"
+
+Polly smiled, but she knew her friend's suggestion for her going, too,
+would have no backing from any one at _her_ home.
+
+Saturday dawned and every one at Pebbly Pit was on the lookout for the
+adventurers, as they surely would not remain on the mountain over
+another Sunday! But it was late in the afternoon when the clip-clop of
+horses' hoofs rang out over the crater of the ranch. Then the riders
+were seen passing the Cliffs, and soon they were at the door.
+
+Such a babble of voices and questions asked, would have deafened any one
+not concerned in the meeting. But every one, even Sary, had a heart
+interest in the returned scouts, and no one took the trouble to bottle
+up their rejoicing.
+
+Several farm-hands were present, so the horses were sent off to the barn
+and Jeb was allowed a rest period. Of course, the men were hungry, and
+every one turned to the well-laden table.
+
+While eating an early supper, John and Tom were called upon to give
+expert opinions about "Choko's Find" Mine.
+
+"As you must know, Tom and I did the job up well while we were up there.
+That is why we remained so long. We've got the plan worked out and we
+also took photographs of the entire surroundings so that investors can
+see exactly what the difficulties will be," explained John.
+
+"Oh, then we haven't lost it!" cried Polly and Eleanor together.
+
+"You couldn't lose it unless Old Grizzly split the whole side of the
+mountain open and washed the gold down into the bottom. But the
+land-slide makes the mining more difficult in the beginning; once
+things are going, it will make no difference, excepting that there is
+always the danger of fresh avalanches wreaking the same havoc this one
+has done," said Tom Latimer.
+
+"Well, I always had a theory that I believe will prove to divert a great
+deal of slide that does the damage, in a case like this one. And since
+looking around up on Top Notch, I'm sure my idea will work," ventured
+John.
+
+"All I can say to that is, if you have such a theory it will prove more
+valuable than Kenneth Evans' father's patent device for cutting lava
+jewels from Rainbow Cliffs!" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"What's that?" demanded John, while Tom Latimer wondered how this
+Chicago girl ever had heard of Dr. Evans' machine that his father was
+financially interested in.
+
+Then Polly and Eleanor had the "speaker's chair" and they told all about
+Kenneth, his father's patents, and Old Man Montresor's relationship to
+him.
+
+"Why then, if this lad is the direct heir to Montresor, he must inherit
+the mine!" declared John.
+
+"Not according to law, because Polly was left the claim, but we had to
+discover it all over again under a new claim, you see," explained
+Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"That will make a fine little problem in law, I'm thinking," laughed
+Tom, shaking his head.
+
+"It would if all concerned could not agree, but _we_ all intend to
+agree--Ken said so!" exclaimed Polly, emphatically.
+
+"Oh--you-all know this 'Ken' so well, eh?" teased John.
+
+"Of course! And he is the nicest boy--as nice as Jim Latimer, anyway,"
+retorted Eleanor.
+
+Every one laughed, and Tom said: "Well, after paying my kid brother such
+a left-handed compliment, I feel I must continue my work on that mine
+problem."
+
+"Give us a chance to finish our reports, won't you, before you tell us
+you gave away your interests, or launched us all in a will-contest,"
+added John, laughingly. Then he continued:
+
+"Now this is what we have to say about Choko's Find: The pyramids of
+trash now covering that area of Top Notch can be readily cleared away.
+We set fire to certain parts and opened a way to the ravine. There we
+found the old gulch literally filled in with rocks, earth and roots, so
+that we could not get through to find the cave. But we brought home bits
+of gold ore, just the same."
+
+John rolled the nuggets across the table, and the girls gazed with bated
+breath at what they believed had been buried forever under the
+land-slide.
+
+"We have much to tell you about this, so let's go to the living-room to
+talk," suggested Mr. Brewster, rising.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+"POLLY-ELEANOR COMPANY, INC."
+
+
+The girls were impatient to hear about the plans Mr. Brewster and the
+two engineers had decided upon, but Mrs. Brewster smiled knowingly, as
+if she had already been told the secret. Mr. Brewster was morose and
+silent, looking more as if he was compelled to consent to something as a
+just and fair man, rather than from preference and desire.
+
+"Now don't you girls ask too many questions if you are displeased or
+delighted at what we tell you," began John, nodding to Tom to proceed
+with his story.
+
+Having promised not to interrupt the important conference, the girls sat
+expectantly smiling at the chair-man of the meeting.
+
+"I have to preface our report on Choko's Find, by telling you-all about
+a little company that was incorporated in New York several months ago.
+Father wrote me all about it.
+
+"Dr. Evans is a very clever inventor, as you now know, and having this
+unusual device for cutting stones by machine, he called on father's law
+firm to secure a patent on it for him. Latimer Brothers make a specialty
+of patents, you know.
+
+"Well, the doctor had but little money for the costs, and father saw a
+great fortune in the invention if it was properly financed. So articles
+of agreement were drawn up, that Latimer Brothers were to pay all costs
+of getting the machine on the market, and for this they were to share in
+the stock of the company.
+
+"This was done and when the papers were ready and the shares of stock
+divided between the principals, an injunction was served on Dad by a
+tricky company in New York which claimed prior rights to the patent.
+This has held up everything so that Dr. Evans is not sure whether he
+will ever realize anything out of his invention or not. Of course, we
+are fighting the legality of Ratzger & Wriggley's injunction and claims.
+
+"Having risked all his little bank account on the outcome of this idea
+of his, the doctor now hasn't a cent to bless himself with. That is why
+Kenneth Evans was sent to work this summer, to earn his own keep.
+
+"Fortunately, Dad had a letter from Jim, who was out in the mountains
+with a government survey crew, in which it said that they were short a
+few good men and two young apprentices such as he himself was. Kenneth
+and Jim attended the same school at home, so Dad telephoned Dr. Evans
+about the opening. That is how Ken happened to come West.
+
+"Now I hear that the Courts uphold Dr. Evans in his right to the patent,
+and the company can go on with their plans. If they can find suitable
+material to mine and without too much expense for apparatus, they will
+start in at once with a close corporation. But should they find it will
+take great capital to mine the right kind of stones, the original
+members of the company may have to sell half of their rights, to get
+sufficient money to launch the work. Do you girls follow me as far as I
+have explained?"
+
+"Oh, yes, it's clear as day," replied Eleanor, impatiently.
+
+"Do you grasp the thing, Polly?" asked John.
+
+"I don't understand anything about stocks and corporations but I do
+understand what Tom has said, so far," returned Polly.
+
+"Well, then, all right; I'll proceed," said Tom.
+
+"When I first visited at Pebbly Pit with John, I saw the wonderful
+colored stones of Rainbow Cliffs and begged Mr. Brewster to allow me to
+send on samples of them to father, as I was sure they were just what Dr.
+Evans sought for his machine to cut. But I could not make my friend,
+here, see any advantage in adding more money to his bank account. So I
+had to leave without having won my plea.
+
+"But I wrote father and told him all about the great store of unmined
+stones located in plain view at the Cliffs. Later, when the injunction
+stopped all progress in the work, I almost forgot Rainbow Cliffs again.
+
+"But now that the 'Evans Jewel Cutter' is protected, and the owners are
+looking for material to manufacture, the Rainbow Cliffs are in the
+foreground again for negotiation.
+
+"Then came the surprising telegram from Oak Creek, informing John about
+the gold mine claimed by Polly. As we were told to reach Oak Creek
+without delay, we started without sending word to the folks at home
+about our leaving our summer work. And now this is what we have planned
+regarding Choko's Find.
+
+"If father's firm, Mr. Brewster, and all the friends everywhere, could
+scrape together all the money they had, it would not be sufficient to
+carry out the work at Choko's Find. The conditions are such that every
+precaution must be taken to avoid, in the future, any danger from new
+land-slides. The lay of the land where the gold is hidden, is such that
+the vein may not run deep into the mountain--it may be merely a surface
+deposit in the cave. In this case, the real vein may be hidden so deep
+that it would need the boring down into great depths to find the metal.
+All this will take time and money.
+
+"That means that Polly and Eleanor will have to sacrifice the greater
+interest in their mine to secure capital with which to work it. Or they
+can sell the claim for cash--or they can arrange to be paid a royalty on
+all the ore metal mined. Where it is possible, it is always best to
+retain a controlling share of stock in the company formed.
+
+"John and I have pictures on hand and plans and engineering reports of
+Top Notch and the claim. We also secured the specimen of gold that you
+have there. I will tell you the thrilling experiences we had in getting
+at the deposit, when I finish this plan.
+
+"To transport the ore from the mine to some station on the railroad,
+will necessitate a spur being built from Oak Creek, or a new line being
+run from the mainline at Denver over to Bear Forks. In either case, it
+will cost a mint to build and run such a railway because of the long
+tunnels that will have to be cut through the mountains, and the lack of
+other traffic over a new road.
+
+"Even a sort of switch-back railway running from the mine to the valley
+will cost us more money than we can get together. So we would have to
+take in outside capital to supply the needs. OR----"
+
+Here Tom Latimer paused to impress his hearers with what he was about to
+say. Mr. Brewster moved uneasily in his arm-chair, but every one else
+was intensely interested.
+
+"The Polly-Eleanor Company can sell certain stock in their mining
+company to Sam Brewster. He, or his company that owns and works Rainbow
+Cliffs, can furnish capital to build and work things in connection with
+the mines.
+
+"The Evans' Jewel Cutting Company will be harvesting such rich returns
+from Rainbow Cliffs, that it will be able to supply all the capital
+needed to carry out the vast projects on Top Notch. And the voting stock
+in _both_ companies will be held by interested parties who can
+appreciate the fact that neither company can take advantage of the other
+without both failing. It will be to the good of all concerned to see
+that everything connected with both mines, is done on the level and to
+the best of every one's ability.
+
+"Of course it will take a year or two before we can be ready to drill
+down through that cave for the ore, but we can start in on Rainbow
+Cliffs without any delay and begin to reap the rewards of investment at
+once. In the case of Mr. Brewster agreeing to have his Cliffs mined for
+the stones, and the Polly-Eleanor Company agreeing to combine with
+Evans' Jewel Company for mining their gold, both can erect plants on the
+same land, and use the same railroad for carrying their products to the
+outside world. That will save a great expense because the cost of
+building and maintaining railroads and buildings, will be divided by
+two."
+
+Tom finished and John eagerly asked: "What do you-all think of our great
+idea? Of course, Montresor's heirs ought to hold an interest, but should
+they be Kenneth and his mother, it will simplify matters for all."
+
+That started such a babel of voices that Sam Brewster got up and left
+the room. But no one noticed his absence, as all were too interested in
+planning for the fabulous wealth they conjured up in their thoughts.
+
+After more than an hour of animated discussion and explanation, it was
+decided to await the decision of the mechanics in the East who would
+experiment on the stones from Rainbow Cliffs. A box of the stones would
+be expressed at once, and a letter from John to Mr. Latimer would
+explain everything.
+
+"What does father say to this, mother?" asked Polly.
+
+"He says that, as the ranch is legally mine, he has no vote in the
+matter."
+
+"Oh nonsense! Even if he did deed Pebbly Pit to you for a wedding gift,
+you always do everything to please him," declared John.
+
+"Yes, but he refuses to say what he thinks is best in this matter,"
+added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Well, seeing that so much hinges on his willingness to coöperate with
+us," announced John, impatiently, "I am going to say exactly what I have
+felt to be the real cause of his disapproval of turning the Cliffs into
+money."
+
+Mrs. Brewster glanced anxiously from the window to see if her husband
+could hear what was said, but Sam Brewster had evidently wandered away
+from the porch as he was not to be seen.
+
+"Father told Tom and me, while on Top Notch, that he really had no
+personal objections to having the stones mined from Rainbow Cliffs, but
+all unsightly machinery and the riff-raff of miners that would be
+necessary in such work, must be kept out of sight of the house. He
+explained that most of the working ends of the project could be
+stationed back of the cliffs down in the Devil's Causeway, and the road
+that would have to run to Bear Forks trail for the conveyance of the
+stone, could be cut through in back of the 'Guards' and 'The Imps' of
+the cliffs.
+
+"He then said that there was but one condition he exacted from any one
+who was interested in the plan, and that was that no undue influence
+would be brought to bear upon Polly to increase her desire to leave home
+for a higher education. His consent will be willingly given, and he will
+aid us in every way to a successful issue if Polly agrees to remain at
+home and give up her plan to go away to school."
+
+As this unexpected ultimatum was given, every one gasped, and Polly
+cried: "Oh, no! Father didn't say that, did he?"
+
+John remained silent, and Polly began to cry pathetically, as her chief
+delight in having found Choko's Find, was the fact that she would have
+enough money of her own to not only go to High School, but also to go
+through one of the large women's colleges. Even if her father refused
+to finance such an educational ideal, she would have had her own income
+to draw upon.
+
+"Now wait a moment, Poll, before you lose all hope!" exclaimed John,
+quickly glancing from Anne to his mother, and then back to his sister.
+
+"I asked father if he would agree to your having a private teacher live
+at Pebbly Pit to educate you, as you craved to be. He is more than
+willing to consent to this, as it is not the education or money he
+begrudges you, but the need of your going away from home to get it. Now
+isn't that fine?"
+
+"Where can we find a teacher who will bury herself in this crater just
+to teach one girl?" demanded Polly, wiping her eyes.
+
+"W-h-y--I thought perhaps----" John stammered uncomfortably, then
+gathered courage to add: "Miss Stewart liked it at Bear Forks one year,
+and she has been teaching Eleanor for two years. She may agree to teach
+_you_ this year for a tempting salary."
+
+"Anne has had an unusual offer to teach a seminary class in New York,"
+said Mrs. Brewster, without any sign of partiality for any one or any
+plan.
+
+"Oh!" remarked John.
+
+But Tom Latimer eagerly added: "We can offer Miss Stewart a better
+salary for her time than any New York school can, if she will agree to
+stay here and help us win our way to Rainbow Cliffs."
+
+Before Anne could reply, Polly cried: "But I don't _want_ any teacher to
+live here and educate me! Can't you see that I want to go out,
+OUT--somewhere, anywhere, away from this volcanic pit where I have been
+buried for fourteen years!"
+
+Once Polly freed herself of the reticence of speaking of her own ideals
+and longings for experience, she almost volleyed forth her words, so
+that every one sat astonished at her eloquence.
+
+"When John went away to school I was awfully lonesome for he used to
+take me everywhere he went, and we had good times.
+
+"Father and mother were good--but they don't know what the girl of
+to-day craves! It isn't that we girls are brought up so differently from
+our parents, or that they get modern ideas into their heads from mixing
+with society girls or from reading of them. _It is in the air we
+breathe_--the desire to come out of swaddling clothes and take a stand
+for our individual rights! Every girl has the germ of self-expression in
+her somewhere, and if it is starved and choked by conventionalities and
+parental bonds, she is bound to find an outlet for her energy in some
+unprofitable way. If folks would only SEE that girls, to-day, are
+capable of accomplishing what the _boys_ of to-day are doing, and then
+give us a chance, there won't be so many slatterns and silly women-folk
+in the future.
+
+"I learned all I could get out of Bear Forks' school-books, but it
+wasn't half enough for me. Now I am going to go to High, or leave home
+to work somewhere. I will not stay here to eat my heart out over the
+outside world and what it is doing. I may be awfully disappointed when I
+get acquainted with folks, outside, but at least I want the opportunity
+NOW, just as my brother John has it.
+
+"Mother and father took it as a matter of course, that their boy must go
+to college and carve a career for himself. But their girl ought never to
+dream of such foibles--she must remain at home and learn to sew and cook
+and do all the household chores! If any sort of a decent rancher comes
+along who wants to marry, then I must thank him and tie myself down to
+take care of his socks and buttons, and rear a fine family!
+
+"No, _no_, NO! I tell you I just won't _do it_!" Polly fairly screamed
+out the last words and stamped her foot vehemently, as she stood
+declaring what she thought of such a life.
+
+Mrs. Brewster hid her face in a handkerchief--whether she was weeping or
+trying to hide her gratification at hearing her daughter assert her
+rights in such a positive manner, no one knew.
+
+"W-h-y--Polly Brewster! You are positively unladylike in your manner of
+speaking of marriage and a future husband!" objected Barbara, shocked.
+
+Polly turned on her, as the proverbial worm turned:
+
+"Pooh! What do _you_ know about real life! You--a silly selfish moth!
+All you can think of is money, clothes, beaus!
+
+"You can't see a spider without fainting, and you mince about the moment
+you hear John or Tom are near. You're not a woman of _to-day_! You're a
+manufactured specimen of the past generation. Thank goodness, such as
+_you_ are on the wane; and even modern men who are looking for
+mates--not helpless weights upon their backs--select them from the
+business world where girls are climbing to the top of the ladder as fast
+as conditions will permit them to.
+
+"Don't _you_ sit there with your powdered face and crimped-up hair and
+tell me I am unladylike! You never thought of being the lady your
+sister is, and certainly I wouldn't say that you can hold a candle to
+_me_! I was brought up by a lady, and I call myself as thorough a one as
+any of your society friends!"
+
+"Oh, Polly--dearest!" Eleanor squealed, running over and squeezing her
+friend in her arms so that she gasped. Then releasing her, said: "I
+never heard anything so glorious in my life! Not even the suffrage
+leader in Chicago, when she was stumping for 'Votes for Women,' was ever
+as thrilling as you!"
+
+"Polly, you are right! A girl has as good a right to her individual
+expression in life as any man has. I will champion your cause,
+henceforth, and even try to convince your father that he is
+narrow-minded in his selfishness about tying you to his heels," declared
+Anne Stewart, bravely throwing down the "glove" to every one.
+
+Eleanor now transferred her hugs and admiration to Anne, and Mrs.
+Brewster lifted her face from the screen of a handkerchief to look at
+John.
+
+Tom Latimer and John exchanged looks, then turned to Mrs. Brewster. John
+was the first to speak.
+
+"Mother, it looks as if 'Polly-Eleanor Company' are going to incorporate
+themselves in spite of all we can do to claim their shares of stock."
+
+"I haven't a doubt but that the 'Polly-Eleanor Company,' is bound to
+succeed in any venture of life," replied Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Mother, you don't blame me for wanting to get away from you?" cried
+Polly, running over to her mother.
+
+"Dearest, I would be a poor mother if I expected to have my children
+hang about my neck to remind me that I ought to be petted and worked
+for, just because I claimed the right of being their parent! Every noble
+parent is only too willing to judiciously assist a child in finding his
+or her own niche in life.
+
+"I have known for a long time that you would realize how stunting this
+ranch-life is to your unfolding aspirations. For me, it embraces all
+that I love and have, but for you two ambitious children of my younger
+days, it would be a veritable grave.
+
+"I feel exactly as Anne does about this step--try your own wings, dear
+child, and wisely select your own walk in life. No father or mother can
+live your life for you, but they can guide and warn you away from snares
+and pitfalls. When a child has cast aside its 'swaddling clothes,' as
+you said, it must stand alone.
+
+"I have argued this out with your father, many times this past year, but
+he clings fondly to the belief that you are too young to leave home; and
+he has persisted in holding you in the material concept, instead of
+realizing that you are purely mental and must feed your mental hunger
+with proper nourishment.
+
+"I had another argument with him this evening, after his return from the
+Slide. He expected to convince me that everything would go to ruin if
+the Cliffs were worked and you were allowed to go away to school. But I
+turned the tables: I convinced _him_ that he was standing in your light
+of a future glory by keeping you limited in your realization of an
+ideal. That only a family disaster and your unhappiness, must result
+from such old-fashioned views.
+
+"He finally agreed that if you and the others, here, said that a higher
+education was what his girl craved and needed, he would withdraw all
+objections--once for all. That is why he left us--to discuss and settle
+this momentous question. Polly, you have won!"
+
+Polly flung her arms about her mother's neck and wept softly: "But poor
+father! At what costs have I won?"
+
+"S-sh! Don't let any one hear you weaken now. This is the moment of
+your triumph, and you must not look back lest you be turned to a 'pillar
+of salt,'" whispered her mother.
+
+"Then father _did_ agree to have Polly go to school?" asked John,
+curiously.
+
+"Yes, if you-all agreed that it was for the best."
+
+"And are we to have the Cliffs if the stone proves valuable?" eagerly
+added Tom Latimer.
+
+"Having waived his right to keep Polly at home, he says we can turn the
+whole crater upside-down if we like," said Mrs. Brewster, smilingly.
+"But I wouldn't goad him, too far, just now. We have won such a mighty
+victory, that you haven't the faintest idea of what it means to the
+vanquished. It is doubtful if we can know anything definite about the
+Cliffs for the next two or three weeks, so let us not speak of it until
+then."
+
+"But, Mrs. Brewster, if Anne goes to New York to teach, and takes her
+mother, where will Polly stay? I've been thinking how fine it will be to
+have her live with me in Chicago," said Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"Why--Eleanor Maynard! You can't invite strangers to your mother's home!
+It may not be convenient to have any one there this winter," objected
+Barbara.
+
+"Well, don't borrow trouble, Bob! It's father's home as well as
+mother's, and I can ask a friend to stay with me if I like."
+
+"I wouldn't think of ever going to your home, Nolla dear. I'd love to
+know your father from all you tell me, but I never would stay in that
+house," declared Polly, quickly.
+
+"We have several weeks to discuss a school for Polly," remarked Mrs.
+Brewster, rising to go out and seek her husband.
+
+"I'd love to be with Anne," ventured Polly, wistfully.
+
+"Maybe you will, dear. Don't say any more about it, now, but trust to
+your dear mother's wisdom and ways. Whatever is best for you, she will
+see that it is brought about," replied Anne, thus winning a grateful
+smile from John.
+
+Barbara now went to her room, as she felt the company was not
+appreciative of her presence, and was too attentive on Polly. Polly and
+Eleanor went over to incidentally ask Tom Latimer about certain details
+in Evans' patent, and more especially what did he know about Kenneth
+Evans. As both girls were acquainted with Jim Latimer, they had not the
+same curiosity to hear any one talk about him.
+
+But John took advantage of this trio tête-à-tête to hurry Anne out of
+the room. Quite naturally, they took the path that ran about the side of
+the house, where the rose-climbers cast heavy shadows in the moonlight.
+Thence they walked, arm in arm, along the crater-trail where it led to
+the Cliffs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+JEB'S SUNDAY NIGHT OFF
+
+
+Jim Latimer and Kenneth Evans made their appearance much earlier on
+Sunday morning, than they had on the previous one. When greetings with
+his brother, and the family at Pebbly Pit were over, Jim explained: "The
+Boss lifted his ban on using the horses, when he found his men grumbling
+all week over their wretched Sunday."
+
+Of course, the two new arrivals were interested in hearing all about the
+gold mine and its present condition, not only because there might be a
+possibility that Kenneth's uncle was the Montresor who first discovered
+the vein of ore, but also because Polly and Eleanor were such good pals,
+and they deserved something big like a gold mine! Which goes to show
+that youth needs no time or preparation to discover and appreciate any
+desirable qualities of mind and soul.
+
+Barbara was in her element that Sunday, as John escorted Anne wherever
+they went, and the two younger girls had Jim and Kenneth for
+companions. So, quite naturally, Tom Latimer fell to her lot. As she had
+been carefully trained to make the most of any opportunity offered,
+especially with a rich and desirable young man for the prize, she used
+every art to captivate Tom. But the young man was sensibly educated and
+wondered why really good-looking girls should act as silly as Barbara
+did on this occasion.
+
+He felt embarrassed at having to look at her from time to time, as she
+was powdered and rouged as she would have been for a ballroom in the
+city, and poor Tom thought that, perhaps, she had some loathsome
+irruption on her face that necessitated this covering of the natural
+skin. Consequently he managed to keep his eyes turned away that the girl
+might not feel too unhappy over her trouble.
+
+But Barbara thought her cavalier was so effected that he could not look
+at her without feeling her powers of beauty and attraction; so she posed
+and minced her way as she fondly believed into Tom's plastic heart. Had
+she but known the truth!
+
+A merry family group sat down, at noon, to the delicious dinner served
+under the giant oak-tree. And Mr. Brewster, as affable as if he had not
+been tried by a family-court the night previous, asked the younger boys
+how their survey-work was progressing.
+
+"Oh fine! We have lots of fun in camp, and when we go out on a section
+the work is so interesting!" exclaimed Kenneth.
+
+"With such a large crowd of men, I suppose you two boys are considered
+more as kids who are to be teased and imposed upon, eh?" asked Tom
+Latimer, having read his brother's letters about the crew.
+
+"That's the best part of the crowd--they seem to forget that we both are
+tenderfeet and years younger than they are. Ken and I are treated
+exactly like any of the older men in the crew," replied Jim.
+
+"Yes, we are paired off with certain groups to rain-proof the canvas
+tents, to act as commissary agents, and to share in all the chores the
+others do. Just because Jim has a rich father and because I have to work
+for a living, makes no difference to them. Caste and wealth counts as
+nothing out in these wilds. It is what a fellow stands for and can prove
+that is his introduction and guarantee of manliness," added Kenneth.
+
+"Did your crew move to a new line, as you thought they would?" asked
+Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, we are now at Silver Creek, but we only have another week's work
+to do there. Then we move on to the next section which will be near
+Buffalo Park. Isn't that the place where you said Old Montresor had a
+cabin?" said Jim.
+
+"Yes, and it is a lovely spot. I've been there, and I promised Nolla I'd
+ride there with her some day," returned Polly.
+
+"Oh, I say, girls! Wouldn't it be great to have you-all ride up while we
+camped there? You could make up a party of it, couldn't you?" asked
+Kenneth, eagerly.
+
+"And we'd get Old Carew to give you a _regular_ party! The men in our
+crowd are gentlemen from different parts of the States, and they would
+help us entertain," added Jim.
+
+"I think it would be a treat, Mrs. Brewster, for all of us. John and I
+would join the picnickers," now said Tom Latimer.
+
+"Say, would you really, Tom?" cried Jim, delightedly.
+
+"Sure thing. If Mr. and Mrs. Brewster approve."
+
+John looked at his mother. "It will be dandy, Mother, if you and Dad
+will go, too."
+
+"Father and I wouldn't go, John, if Tom and you will escort the girls,"
+returned Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Oh, but we couldn't think of going, Mrs. Brewster, unless you
+chaperoned us among so many men!" exclaimed Barbara. Then when she saw
+Tom Latimer looking at her she modestly drooped her head.
+
+Tom was thinking: "Of all the empty-headed vain creatures it ever was my
+misfortune to meet, she takes the cake!"
+
+"That needn't trouble you, girls. If you will come on a Saturday and
+spend Sunday at camp with us, we will have the Boss's wife there to act
+as hostess. Mrs. Carew always spends Sundays at camp--unless the Boss
+rides down to town to visit her. Sometimes she brings the school teacher
+from Oak Creek, or other ladies who enjoy the novel life in a survey
+camp," explained Jim, enthusiastically.
+
+"Do let's go, Anne! Can't we say yes?" said Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"How long will both of you boys be here?" Anne asked of John.
+
+"We planned to wait until we hear, one way or the other, regarding the
+stones we sent to New York, and about the financing of Choko's Find.
+Perhaps Dad and Dr. Evans might even come out and look the ground over
+for themselves, before answering my letter," said John.
+
+"Then we could safely arrange to go next Sunday, or the Sunday after?"
+
+"Oh, yes, we will be home for a month, most likely."
+
+John's voice betrayed his satisfaction that such was to be the case, and
+Anne smiled faintly, because she could not control her own pleasure in
+hearing him say so. Mrs. Brewster and Tom Latimer exchanged glances of
+understanding but no one else saw them.
+
+So it was decided that if Mrs. Carew was to visit her husband over the
+following week-end, and the weather permitted, the young folks would
+form a party to ride up to Buffalo Park on Saturday. With this pleasure
+in view, the two boys went back to camp in the early afternoon, the
+distance being so far from Pebbly Pit, that it would be quite dark
+before they reached camp.
+
+After they had gone, Polly and Eleanor wandered around at a loss for
+something to do. Being Sunday, their sports were limited to a quiet
+time. So they decided to visit the corrals and see Noddy and Choko, as
+the burros had been neglected by their riders during the past few days
+of the excitement over gold.
+
+They were passing the wagon-house, when Polly caught hold of Eleanor's
+arm for silence. Both girls listened and distinctly heard a man
+speaking in dramatic tones. The voice was not recognizable, although
+Polly had not heard of any new hand having been hired.
+
+"Ef Ah wasn't shore we-all'd be happy, Ah never would be h'ar askin' fur
+yor hand an' heart." Then there was a pause.
+
+A low mumbling followed, and then the voice again cried:
+
+"Ef you-all w'arn't my match, Ah'd go away and nary trouble this ranch
+agin. But folkses kin see we-all w'ar made fer each other. Even John
+says so!" Then sounded another jumble of incoherent words.
+
+"Who under the sun is it? A couple who are in love with each other?"
+wondered Eleanor, aloud, as she turned to Polly.
+
+"Whoever it is, they are behind the wagon-shed. Let's creep up to the
+harness loft and see who it is. There isn't another woman on the farm
+beside Sary, and I'm sure I saw her in the house, when we left there."
+
+Polly led the way up the ladder to the loft, and then they crept
+carefully across the floor until she reached the wide loft-window. This
+she opened quietly and tilted the slats so they could look down in the
+yard behind the barn.
+
+There sat Jeb with a few loose pages from a pamphlet in his hands. He
+was memorizing the words, and as he did so he mumbled them.
+
+Every time he had mastered a certain paragraph, he would stand up,
+strike a pose, and declaim in an unnatural voice, to the pig-sty that
+was not more than twenty feet away from the sheds.
+
+Suddenly Polly clapped a hand over her mouth and rocked back and forth.
+Instantly Eleanor wanted to know what the joke was.
+
+"Oh, oh! I know now where Jeb got that paper book. It was advertised in
+our Farm Journal as being the most complete education on how to propose
+gracefully to a woman that man ever could find. I just bet Jeb sent for
+it, one day, when he asked me to address an envelope for him. He must be
+practicing to ask some Oak Creek girl to marry him."
+
+Both girls now smothered their laughter, for the idea of simple little
+Jeb in love with some one was too funny for words. He seemed terribly in
+earnest, however, as he stood up again and declared his love, and beat
+his breast and pretended to tear at his hair:
+
+"'Ef you-all refuse me Ah shall end mah wretched existence! What is life
+widdout love? Oh, beuchus maiden--' no, no, Ah musen't call her
+'_maiden_' er she'll knock me down," murmured Jeb, scratching his head
+in perplexity.
+
+His audience almost choked with laughter, but he suddenly brightened up
+again and said to himself: "Yeh, that's it! She'll like thet." Then he
+began again with one hand over his heart and the other tearing at the
+thin covering of hair on his head, "'Ef you-all refuse me Ah shall end
+this wretched life--' no, _no_! Ah shall end this wretched EXISTENCE!
+What is life widdout love? Oh, beau-chus _widder_, will you-all be
+mine?"
+
+As Jeb spoke his last lines, he smirked to himself and said: "Thar now,
+Jeb! That'll fetch her, er John's all wrong."
+
+Polly and Eleanor looked at each other in consternation. Who was the
+widow--and what had John to do with this proposal?
+
+Jeb was placing the little paper book in his breast pocket when the
+girls looked out again. Then he picked up the bucket of swill and ran
+over to feed the pigs. His audience, up in the loft, heard him still
+reciting various love-thrilling lines to himself, as the pigs grunted
+and snorted and ate their supper. But Eleanor said they'd better get
+away before Jeb found them.
+
+[Illustration: JEB WAS PRACTICING LOVE-MAKING FROM A BOOK.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor._        _Page 169_]
+
+Polly studied her brother's face keenly, during supper, but John seemed
+as free from guile as any babe. So after the table was cleared, she went
+up to him and whispered: "Did you tell Jeb to propose to any widow you
+know?"
+
+"Why?" John's eyes twinkled with fun.
+
+"Because he was behind the shed all afternoon, reciting impassioned
+lines he had learned in a paper book. We heard him say that that would
+fetch the widow or you wasn't as wise as you seemed to be."
+
+John laughed loudly, and merely murmured: "We ought to be on guard
+to-night, lest Jeb commit some folly. Better watch him, Polly, and see
+where he goes, eh?"
+
+"He never goes anywhere on Sunday nights. He sits on the terrace by the
+crater and smokes his pipe."
+
+"Well, he is safe there, but if you see him come by, all togged out in
+his church clothes, let me know and I'll see that he comes to no harm.
+He may be a bit off, you know," John lightly tapped his head as he
+spoke.
+
+"Oh, I hope not. Jeb is such a _good_ hand. Father would never know what
+to do without him. Perhaps we'd best tell father of your suspicions,"
+cried Polly, deeply concerned.
+
+"No, no! Don't bother father. I'll take care of Jeb. You just see that
+he keeps quiet, to-night, wherever he goes to smoke his pipe."
+
+Innocent Polly then sought for Eleanor, who had been called to the
+kitchen by Sary. Polly found her giving a plaid ribbon and a corsage
+nosegay to Sary. But it developed that the maid had higher aspirations
+than ribbon and flowers.
+
+"Miss Nolla, Ah see'd a figgered dress a-hangin' from the hook in yur
+room, one day. No one never wears it, an' Ah wuz wonderin' ef it was
+yur's, er Miss Bob's, er Miss Anne's?"
+
+"Oh, that is a striped dimity that mother must have packed by mistake.
+It happens to be one of _hers_, so we hung it back in the corner till we
+go home again."
+
+"Ah s'pose yur Maw woulden mind much ef she lent it to me fer
+to-night--eh?" hinted Sary.
+
+"I don't suppose mother will ever think of it again, as it is last
+year's style, anyway. I'll take the risk of _giving_ it to you, Sary, if
+you promise never to let Bob know where it went."
+
+"Oh, Ah shore will promise, Miss Nolla! And Ah kin tell you-all Ah'll be
+the happiest gal in the West, to-night!" Sary said, giggling like a
+veritable school-girl.
+
+Polly watched her depart with the coveted dress over her arm, then she
+turned to Eleanor. "All the help are going crazy, it seems to me!"
+
+About half an hour later, Sary was seen stealing from the kitchen door,
+and tip-toeing over the brick pathway towards the "Second-best" hammock
+that always swung behind the lilac bushes. It was a nice little retreat
+for any one wishing to take a nap on a sultry afternoon, but Polly had
+never known Sary to have a weakness for swinging.
+
+"Do you know, Nolla, if I didn't have to watch for Jeb, I'd just love to
+follow after Sary and see what she is up to," said Polly to Eleanor, as
+both girls sat alone on the porch steps.
+
+"Jeb! Why, I saw him come from the barn all dressed up in his church
+clothes. He turned down the Shrubbery Walk," replied Eleanor.
+
+"Did he have his pipe?" asked Polly, anxiously.
+
+"No, he looked around at every step as if to make sure no one was
+following him."
+
+"Dear me! I promised John I'd keep my eye on him!" cried Polly,
+distressed beyond words.
+
+"What's the matter? I can show you where he went," said Eleanor,
+comfortingly.
+
+So she led Polly to the place where Jeb had left the road and turned
+down to the shrubbery walk. The two girls walked over the soft sod that
+gave forth no sound, and quite suddenly came upon a scene that caused
+Eleanor to crush her handkerchief into her mouth to choke her laughter,
+while Polly stood speechless.
+
+Sary sat in the hammock, one foot used to propel herself gently back and
+forth. The newly-acquired striped dress was such a tight fit for her
+rubicund form, that it cracked ominously every time the wearer took a
+deep breath. But the short-coming of the two fronts over her ample bosom
+was camouflaged with the plaid ribbon and many pins. The corsage bouquet
+was tucked high under her chin where it would show most.
+
+It was not very dark as yet, so the girls could see how dreadfully white
+Sary seemed to be, and her lips were startlingly crimson. Suddenly
+Eleanor guessed the truth.
+
+"She's gone and used Bob's powder and rouge! Oh, how funny!"
+
+Then, before either one of the accidental eaves-droppers could say
+another word, Sary perked her head sideways, like a hen does when it
+hears a strange sound. She quickly frizzed up her hair by ruffing it
+backwards, and patted the ribbon on her waist-front, then gently used
+her foot again to propel the hammock back and forth.
+
+Gradually it dawned upon Polly and Eleanor what all this meant! They
+could see Jeb coming from behind the lilac bushes, some ten feet away
+from the swinger. He seemed ill at ease, and loosened his stiff collar,
+pulled down his vest, and cleared his throat several times.
+
+"Oh, Poll! He's going to propose to the 'widder'!" whispered Eleanor,
+burying her face in Polly's back to stop the spasm of laughter.
+
+Polly was too hypnotized to reply, or move, and Jeb soon was heard to
+say: "Sary, Ah cum 'cuz you-all invited me to be compny t'night."
+
+"So Ah did, Jeb. Won't you-all sit in th' hammick beside me?" came from
+Sary, coyly.
+
+"It broke thru, last season, Sary, an Ah mended it. But Ah ain't shore
+it'll hol' enny more'n you." However, Jeb moved two or three feet nearer
+the hammock.
+
+"It's a fine evenin', Jeb," suggested Sary, as seriously as if the
+weather was the subject uppermost in her mind, just then.
+
+Jeb gazed up and around as if to verify Sary's statement, then admitted,
+slowly: "Yeh, it 'pears to be fine."
+
+Silence reigned for several moments, then Sary said very sweetly
+(Eleanor whispered to Polly that she must have had a mouthful of
+honey), "Ah shore am glad to see you, Jeb. Won't you-all sit down on
+this stool?"
+
+The girls then saw that Sary had provided the three-legged milk-stool
+for her visitor. But it was too close to Sary for Jeb's peace of mind.
+He reached out very warily and caught hold of one leg of the stool, and
+pulled it towards him. Then he sat gingerly on the edge of it.
+
+But Sary was determined to carry off a captive that night, or waste all
+of her ammunition in the attempt.
+
+"Ah jes' loves to swing, but Ah cain't tech the ground easy when Ah'm
+sittin' back. Would you-all mind swingin' me, Jeb?"
+
+Jeb got up slowly from his stool and took hold of the upper end strands
+of the hammock. He pulled it back and forth a few times, while Sary
+smiled alluringly up at him. Then he cleared his throat and began to
+speak.
+
+"This world was made fur love. Oh, what woul' arth be widdout de flowers
+of love to parfume our way?" Jeb coughed.
+
+Now this was just the sort of romance Sary had always _dreamed_ of but
+never heard before, and she sighed heavily as her visitor coughed. If
+Jeb needed encouragement, she was not the one to disappoint him!
+
+He gave the hammock a strong tug as he began another line. Sary had to
+catch hold of the edges to prevent herself from being thrown backward.
+
+"Man wuz not made to live alone. Th' Good Book says so. What so glorious
+ez a sweet bride waitin' t' welcome a man after a hard day's labor? What
+man is thar what woulden give his wealth of all Crows-see-us fer love?"
+
+Jeb pronounced the unfamiliar word very carefully, but Sary had never
+heard of Croesus, so it mattered not how Jeb said it. But Polly and
+Eleanor were clasping each other tightly now, to keep from making a
+sound that would ruin the entertainment.
+
+Again Jeb cleared his throat with difficulty and pulled at the hammock
+as if he was trying to drag a whale from the deep sea. Sary uttered no
+complaint, however, even though her neck almost snapped at each sudden
+jerk. She was wise enough to realize that the momentous time had come
+for Jeb. He might never again summon courage, if he failed to-night!
+
+Without further warning, then, Jeb began his memorized lines, and as he
+progressed with the "love sonnet" he unconsciously swung the hammock
+higher and higher.
+
+"Ef Ah wuzn't shore we-all w'ar made fur each other Ah wooden be ha'r
+beggin' fur yur heart an' hand."
+
+A long and mighty pull on the hammock almost landed Sary out in the
+grass, but she clung like a vise to the hempen ropes.
+
+"Enny one kin see we-all w'ar made fur each other, oh darlin' of mah
+heart! Soul of mah soul!" Jeb coughed violently as he remembered he was
+two paragraphs ahead in his speech. Now he couldn't remember what went
+just before that "soul of my soul!" but he knew the tragic part to
+perfection, so he skipped all that went before and ended with:
+
+"Ef you-all refuse me, Ah shall end this wretched existence in life
+widdout love! Oh, beauchus maiden" (strangling as he realized he should
+have said "widder" and now utterly confounded, he said): "Oh, Sary! be
+mah widder widdout mah love--NO, Sary, be mah wife widdout my widder.
+Oh, Sary, Ah don't know what Ah----"
+
+In his frenzy, Jeb yanked on the hammock so manfully that the mended
+strands suddenly sundered and Sary was unexpectedly thrown into her
+suitor's arms.
+
+Such an unforeseen accident, however, found Sary ready with presence of
+mind to meet the emergency. She flung her powerful arms about Jeb's
+slender form and smacked him heartily on the lips. The dramatic lover
+then trembled and gasped for breath. How to get away safely was all he
+could think of. But Sary, as tenacious in her hold as "ivy on the sturdy
+oak," managed to calm her lover's fears.
+
+"Oh, Jeb! _What_ a wooer you-all do make! Ah never dreamed a man could
+talk so wonderful!" Sary sighed and placed her head down upon Jeb's
+shoulder.
+
+Now had Jeb accepted this sweet praise and been satisfied therewith, his
+wooing need not have ended so abruptly, but manlike, he wanted to hear
+added words of flattery about himself, so he sat down on the
+three-legged stool, and drew the over-willing Sary upon his knee.
+
+"Ah forgot to say half what is in mah soul, Sary," he began, as his
+lines came back to him. "Oh, Ah must tell you-all what joy you fill me
+wid, when you consent to listen to mah cause----"
+
+In leaning back to emphasize his speech with an out-flung arm, Jeb lost
+his balance, and the stool being treacherous on its three legs, promptly
+turned over and sent both lovers from ecstasy down to earth. As Sary and
+Jeb managed to get upon their feet, they thought they heard sounds of
+smothered laughter and scampering feet over the brick walk, but when
+they got from behind the lilac bushes to reconnoiter, everything between
+the kitchen and the Shrubbery Walk was silent as the tomb.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A TRIP TO BUFFALO PARK
+
+
+Word was received through Jeb, who met Jake at Oak Creek, that Mrs.
+Carew would spend the week-end at Camp to welcome the party from the
+ranch; so the young folks at Pebbly Pit eagerly prepared for the trip to
+Buffalo Park. The panniers were packed with luncheon for the riders,
+besides the cakes and home-made pies which Mrs. Brewster sent to the
+boys in camp.
+
+At dawn on Saturday morning, the party started, Mrs. Brewster watching
+them ride down the trail until they disappeared back of Rainbow Cliffs.
+Then she went back to attend to her household duties.
+
+Polly rode Noddy as usual, and Eleanor had Choko. The other four members
+of the party rode horses, but one extra burro, Nigger, was taken to
+carry the luggage. The trail from Bear Forks across the mountain-side
+was very rough, being seldom used; most riders, going to Buffalo Park,
+took the old worn trail that ran from Silver Creek.
+
+Finally, the going was found to be so steep that it was deemed best to
+attach the pack-burro to John's horse, by means of a rope. This would
+necessitate the burro following after John's horse instead of wandering
+away in the maze of forest trees.
+
+But sometimes, these little burros get stubborn when they are made to
+follow in the rear of a horse, and it was so with Nigger. He acted like
+a sulky child, and made the girls laugh at his contrary behavior. He
+seemed to have lost all individual ambition, and made John's horse drag
+him at the unusually hard places in the trail.
+
+They had been climbing steadily for two hours and hoped soon to reach
+the clearer trail that ran direct to Buffalo Park. But the trees grew so
+closely together, now, that they offered obstructions in every direction
+the horses went. Sometimes it was even necessary for the riders to
+dismount and follow after the horses to eliminate the extra width caused
+by stirrups and legs.
+
+Nigger's panniers were packed with food, cooking utensils to use while
+on the trail, and rifles. This bulky roll projected over a foot on
+either side of him, often creating a "blockade" in the narrow going
+between trees.
+
+John's horse, being unable to read blazes as easily as his rider could,
+would choose the wrong turn now and then, sulkily followed by Nigger.
+Then the horse would come to a spot impossible to pass through and would
+decide to back out. Nigger, with his clumsy pack and grouchy manner,
+stood and fairly laughed at such times. Polly and Eleanor enjoyed these
+funny experiences thoroughly; but John felt annoyed, as he wished to
+appear his best before Anne, and how can a young gallant impress his
+lady-love favorably when his horse is making a fool of itself?
+
+While Nigger and Snowball (John's horse was white) were engaged in
+disentangling themselves from one of these snarls, the other riders went
+ahead. Finding John was not immediately behind, they halted and turned
+to watch him get his two steeds straightened out and going again.
+
+All was serene once more and Snowball started briskly up the trail, but
+unfortunately, she went about a tree on one side of the trail while
+Nigger insisted upon choosing the other side. Both were suddenly yanked
+up when the tie-rope tautened about the tree, so that John was almost
+thrown out of the saddle. Neither beast would give in but tugged
+stubbornly to make the other waive his right of way, until finally, John
+had to jump down again, and compel Snowball to walk back and around the
+tree on the right side, where the burro waited.
+
+Nigger stood with neck stretched and his mouth half-open, while his eyes
+gleamed impishly. John roared at the expression on the burro's face, as
+true to a malicious grin as ever a human could produce it. Then they
+resumed the climb.
+
+But Nigger had found a new way to tantalize Snowball. He would step upon
+a stone and allow it to trip him. This would make his pack strike the
+tree on the side he rolled. Then the tree, resisting the impact, would
+slew him back again. Naturally, every time he performed this way,
+Snowball was unceremoniously yanked up too, and this sudden stopping
+interfered with John's conversation with Anne.
+
+After Polly had laughed herself weak over Nigger's clever performances,
+she called to John. "No use! You'll have to give Nig his freedom! He'll
+land Snowball in kingdom come if you keep him tied."
+
+So wise little Nigger was freed once more, and thereafter he walked as
+circumspectly as any good burro should. But the going was better, too,
+with the trail running through miles and miles of dark green forests,
+patterned here and there with golden stretches of mesa and parks.
+
+"Are you sure you know the trail, Polly?" asked John, as he gazed about
+at the unfamiliar path.
+
+"Oh, yes, I've gone this way lots of times when Mr. Montresor lived in
+the cabin where Carew's men are now camping."
+
+"Well, if it is much farther, then I say we'd best halt for something to
+eat."
+
+"I will second that motion whether it is far or near. We had best have a
+bite, as we will have to wait for the crew's dinner-time when we arrive
+in camp," added Tom Latimer.
+
+So the riders dismounted and hastily prepared a luncheon. When they were
+ready to proceed on the way, Nigger found his pack much lighter than
+before, so he, too, was delighted to have had the humans stop for lunch.
+
+It was past noon before the visitors reached Carew's Camp, but once
+there, they were given a hearty welcome by every one. Cookee had been
+mixing and stirring viands ever since the breakfast had been cleared
+away, and now he was ready to smile satisfactorily at results, for he
+was going to give these guests a rare meal that day.
+
+Mrs. Carew was a Chicago lady and, for once, Barbara was happy, as she
+found her hostess knew several people that the Maynards felt were
+exalted enough to be classed "in their set."
+
+As soon as their section master gave them the afternoon's vacation, Jim
+Latimer and Kenneth appropriated Polly and Eleanor, and the four started
+off on fresh horses from the corral, for an excursion.
+
+Jim wanted to ride to one of the peaks where they had surveyed that
+week, and show the girls the far-off desert that stretched for miles and
+miles between Buffalo Park and the Lincoln Memorial Highway.
+
+The trail was well defined, as the crew had traveled it twice a day that
+week, and had worn down cactus and sage-brush.
+
+The four finally reached the pinnacle where the gray expanse of sand
+could be seen stretching out to meet the blue sky on the horizon, and
+Jim laughingly remarked: "Ken and I came near finding a sandy grave
+there the other day."
+
+"How?" eagerly asked the girls.
+
+"Why, we were sent with our superior, to tie up a line at the edge of
+the desert down there, and having done so, one of the crew saw a fine
+little bit of water and a few trees growing about it, not more than
+half-a-mile from where we were working.
+
+"We concluded it would make an admirable place to rest and have lunch,
+and give the horses a good drink, too, at the same time. So we all
+started over the sand to enjoy the unusual oasis.
+
+"Well, we kept on going and going, but the darn old oasis seemed as far
+away as ever. Suddenly, I thought I was going queer in my head, because
+it slowly vanished like mist. I rubbed my eyes and called on Ken to
+verify the fact. Then you should have heard the men swear! Phew!"
+
+Both boys laughed as they recalled the irritation of the men who found
+they had been riding for a mirage--And lunch farther off than ever.
+
+"However, we saw a gigantic bowlder of lava and sand rear its head from
+the desert a short distance off, so we decided to make for that and see
+if there was a crevice in its side where we might find shelter from the
+baking sun.
+
+"We left the horses hobbled while we scrambled up its sides to look for
+any projection that would cast a shadow for us.
+
+"The men separated when we started to climb, but we all met at the top
+without having found any shade. The wind that blew across the desert,
+was comparatively cool, however, so we sat on the uncomfortable spikes
+of lava and planned where we might have something to eat.
+
+"Ken turned to speak to me, and a great mass of shale broke away from
+his feet and rolled down the steep sides of the crag. But he managed to
+catch himself from slipping. Then we began breaking off fragments of
+shale and tried to see who could throw it the farthest out on the
+desert. We laid wagers, and one of the party said he would go down,
+after a bit, and mark the ones that were prize-winners. That made us
+laugh as no one would ever be able to find any individual chunk of shale
+out on that wild place.
+
+"The breeze that had been blowing rather too strong, now became
+stronger, and then Prang, who was in charge of us, that day, shaded his
+eyes with a hand and stared off at the horizon. We all gazed in the same
+direction, but we were not experienced enough to know what it was he
+saw.
+
+"'My God, boys! slide down this crag as fast as you can--that's a storm
+blowing across the sands. It will hit us in a few moments. Grab the
+horses or they'll bolt and we'll all be lost on the desert!'"
+
+"Gee! didn't we get down those awful sides. Ken slid more than half-way
+down, then he lost his grasp on the side. His back and arms are all
+scraped now, from the way he rolled the rest of the way."
+
+The girls sympathized with Ken, but he laughed away the thought that he
+had been too tender to stand such a test.
+
+"Well, most of us got down and had caught our horses before the
+sand-storm struck us, but two of our crowd had to stumble through the
+terrific storm that blinded them. Had we not kept on calling and
+shouting to direct them, they would have wandered away and been buried.
+
+"It was an awful experience, but now that it is over, I'm glad we had
+it. I will have _something_ to brag about when I'm at college, this
+Fall."
+
+Ken laughed. "I'd rather not brag than to go through such a hair-raising
+time again."
+
+"Do both of you boys intend going to college?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"Yes; we've gone through school together since we were little shavers.
+And that's quite a record for boys in New York, where folks are always
+moving from one district to another," replied Jim.
+
+"I believe your brother Tom said you were going to Yale?" continued
+Eleanor.
+
+"We will, if we pass the tests. I'm sure Ken will, but I'm not so sure
+of myself."
+
+"Now--don't belittle yourself. You know you will pass," added Kenneth.
+
+"I'm sorry you both will be away from home, because Polly and I expect
+to attend school in New York this Winter," remarked Eleanor.
+
+"Me? School in New York?" cried Polly, astonished.
+
+"Why, yes, of course! Didn't you know what was in my mind when I decided
+I would like to go to New York with Anne Stewart?"
+
+"But that doesn't mean _I'm_ going there!" exclaimed Polly.
+
+"Of course you are. I don't want to go without you, so I shall scheme to
+win your folks over to my way of thinking."
+
+"Well, all I can say, is this: If you win them over to see how important
+it is for me to go to school in New York, you are a wizard--that's all!"
+declared Polly, laughingly.
+
+"Your laugh sounds dubious, but I'll show you, pretty soon."
+
+"Now, if you two girls should find yourselves in New York, we will have
+our folks meet you and pilot you through the wilderness. It's worse
+than out here on the mountains, you know," laughed Jim.
+
+"In case I don't pass for college, I won't mind so much, as long as you
+girls will be in the city to console me," added Kenneth, gallantly.
+
+They laughed. "We won't waste much time consoling any one, I can tell
+you," added Polly.
+
+"No; Polly and I are going to study some profession, you know, and begin
+business as soon as we complete our education."
+
+"What?" exclaimed Jim, surprised to hear such young girls plan for a
+business life.
+
+"Yep! Polly is just daffy over interior decorating, and since she showed
+me all her magazines and other books on it, I am crazy about it, too."
+
+"But you don't have to study _that_!" declared Kenneth.
+
+"That shows how little a man knows about it. Why, not only must a
+decorator--a real one, we mean--know all about periods in architecture
+and furnishings of all kinds, but she must know at a glance, whether an
+object is genuine antique or a counterfeit," explained Eleanor, glad to
+impress her male friends with her understanding of what is essentially a
+woman's profession.
+
+"Besides that," added Polly, "a good interior decorator must know the
+name of a painter of pictures,--whether an old master or a modern
+artist. Not an engraving or etching shown but the good decorator ought
+to be able to say who did it, and name its date.
+
+"There are lots of counterfeit antique china sold to-day, but a good
+decorator can tell instantly whether it is real antique or not.
+
+"Besides china and pictures, one must be able to name a rug--its
+qualities and value, at a glance. As for draperies and wall-hangings,
+well! It all has to be thoroughly learned," said Polly.
+
+"I always thought a man took up interior decorating just because he
+happened to have been an upholsterer or fresco painter. I never knew
+there was any studying to be done, first," said Jim.
+
+"You didn't, eh! Well then, let me tell you this much; Polly and I
+intend to use our money from the mine, to put us both through school in
+New York. Any other city would do, I suppose, only Anne Stewart will be
+there, and I never can study under any one else! So I have to attend
+class in New York," Eleanor spoke with the greatest assurance that all
+she said had already been agreed to by Polly's family.
+
+"Then when Polly and I have had a year or two with Anne, we will take a
+special course in some one of the best schools on the subject. This
+course finished, we propose going to Europe to study Italian, French,
+Spanish, and English periods and styles. If we have an extra year or so,
+to spare, we might go to Japan and Egypt, as I just adore those two
+lands."
+
+"W-h-y! Eleanor! You never mentioned a word of this to me before! Who
+told you we could go?" gasped Polly.
+
+Eleanor laughed merrily. "You big innocent! Why, _I_ just told you
+_myself_--that we were going abroad."
+
+"If I ever manage to break away from Pebbly Pit after the awful speech I
+made recently, I'll be lucky, and let New York or Europe alone!" laughed
+Polly.
+
+"You never would have had gumption to speak as you did, Polly, if it
+hadn't been for my training you. This is what I have done to you--you
+are growing to be more independent of others."
+
+Eleanor smiled self-complacently at Polly, but the latter retorted: "I
+owe you nothing on an exchange, Nolla, because you must admit that I
+have filled you up with ideas you never dreamed of before you came to
+the ranch!"
+
+"Shake, old girl!" laughed Eleanor, holding out her hand.
+
+"But about New York--girls. It would be great if you can fix it. Ken and
+I will be home every holiday, and perhaps we can run down from New
+Haven, now and then, over Sundays," remarked Jim, eagerly.
+
+Eleanor held up an assuring hand, as she nodded her wise little head
+knowingly and said: "Leave it to Nolla, boys!"
+
+They laughed and agreed that there was no one else that could arrange
+affairs any better!
+
+Polly sat mute, for she wondered if it ever would come true--what
+Eleanor had planned about Europe. In her wildest fancies she had never
+dared allow her thought to outline _such_ possibilities. But here was a
+harum-scarum friend who seemed to get everything she wanted by merely
+saying, "We must have it, you know!"
+
+"I guess we'd better be starting back to camp," suggested Kenneth,
+looking up at the sun.
+
+"Yes, it will take us fully an hour, riding down," agreed Jim.
+
+So they helped the girls into their saddles, and soon all four were
+having a good time going back to Buffalo Park.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A WILD-WEST COUNTY FAIR
+
+
+That same night while at supper, Mrs. Carew asked her guests if they had
+ever visited one of the western celebrations.
+
+"Polly says she has, but we have never seen one," replied Anne, eagerly.
+
+"Well, Oak Creek is going to have its annual fair, or celebration, two
+weeks from Monday. It generally lasts for three days, and they have all
+sorts of stunts there. You-all must be _sure_ to go."
+
+"The Boss says we can have a day off and go, too!" declared Jim.
+
+"I wish it would happen to come on the day you girls go," added Kenneth,
+anxiously.
+
+"We'll try and plan it that way. Maybe we will go to each day's show,"
+quickly said Eleanor.
+
+"Maybe you can find out from Mrs. Carew what day her husband thinks we
+can have," ventured Jim, in a whisper.
+
+Eleanor nodded; then she turned to John and told him what they wanted
+to know from Mrs. Carew.
+
+Thus it was learned that the survey Crew was to be given Tuesday _and_
+Wednesday--as it would take almost half a day to travel to Oak Creek,
+and another half day to get back to camp. The boys gave a wild hurrah
+when they heard this good news, and immediately planned to start from
+camp directly after midnight Monday so as to enjoy a full day at the
+fair.
+
+After good-bys were said, and the Pebbly Pit party were ready to start
+on the homeward trail, Jim whispered to Polly and Eleanor, "Now don't
+forget! Ken and I have a date with you two at the Fair, Tuesday and
+Wednesday."
+
+And the girls laughingly promised to make a note in their social
+calendar book.
+
+The two weeks intervening between the visit to Buffalo Park, and the
+celebration at Oak Creek, passed rapidly, for John and Tom had a new
+excursion planned for each day. Of course, Polly and Eleanor were
+members of these picnics, so they almost forgot about the fair until a
+day, or so, before the time.
+
+"We-all attend the fair, you know, and take our camp outfit with us,"
+said Mr. Brewster, at supper on Sunday evening.
+
+"Aren't there any restaurants where we can dine?" asked Barbara.
+
+"Well, there is Snake-Bill's place where you get hash piled up with your
+pie and odds or ends, all on an inch-thick dish. Then there is the Rocky
+Mountain Cafie--as every one calls it,--but ladies are not welcome,
+there. Neither of these places will appeal to you girls, Ah'm sure,"
+explained Sam Brewster.
+
+"Oh, no! They have no idea of what it is like, Sam," declared Mrs.
+Brewster, holding up both hands in horror at the very idea.
+
+"Will we start early in the morning?" now asked Eleanor, wondering if
+they would be on time to keep their engagements.
+
+"Oh, we will leave here about one or two o'clock," replied Mr. Brewster,
+nonchalantly.
+
+"One or two!" cried Barbara, aghast, thinking he meant A. M.
+
+"Yes, then we will arrive about four or five. By the time we have the
+tents pitched and everything in tip-top working order, it will be
+suppertime. There won't be so much going on the first night, you know,
+but we will be there for Tuesday's early games."
+
+"Oh, my goodness! You don't mean we shall camp over night?" exclaimed
+Barbara.
+
+"Of course! We could never travel back and forth each day, as it is a
+long ride and tough roads for the horses to pull a heavy ranch-wagon,"
+returned Mr. Brewster.
+
+"I don't see why you won't have automobiles out here! It would not cost
+much to have a Ford, or some other cheap affair, but the convenience and
+time you'd save--my!" said Barbara.
+
+"An auto! Can you see us driving a car over such awful roads as there
+are for miles around Oak Creek? To say nothing of the wild trails that
+go to Pebbly Pit and other far-off ranches," said John.
+
+"Whenever there is a rain, or in winter, the roads are impassable, you
+know, Bob," added Mrs. Brewster. "I'd love to have a car just for fun,
+but there is no pleasure in riding it around the farm where I know every
+foot of ground. And excepting on our own land, there are no decent
+roads."
+
+"I never thought of that!" admitted Barbara.
+
+"So we make the best of things, and ride to the fair in a wagon that
+will hold a village of people," concluded Polly.
+
+"I think it will be heaps of fun to camp right in town where crowds of
+other folks are camping," said Eleanor, giggling.
+
+"It is. You never know who your next-door neighbor is going to be,"
+laughed Polly. "Once, we camped right next to a horse-thief who was
+wanted by the sheriff. My, but we had an exciting time when he crawled
+into mother's bed and hid!"
+
+"Polly! You forgot to say that this happened while we were at the fair
+and he was driven from his own tent," hastily added Mrs. Brewster, while
+the others laughed heartily at Polly's omission.
+
+At these yearly events, every workhand on a ranch went to the fair,
+whether the cattle starved or not. But with Mr. Brewster's help, it was
+so planned that half of them went from Monday morning until Tuesday
+noon, and then the other half went from Tuesday noon until Wednesday
+night. In this way each side had plenty of time to spend their
+hoardings, and to drink all the "Sure Death" whisky that could be had in
+Oak Creek.
+
+The great ranch-wagon rumbled away Monday noon, and a gay party it
+carried, too. The tents were tightly rolled and tied to the sides, while
+rolls of bedding and hampers of food were stacked under the high front
+seat. Hard wooden seats were clamped to each side for the travelers to
+sit upon.
+
+Tom Latimer and John kept every one laughing, so that no one complained
+of the uncomfortable seats that seemed to grow harder the nearer the
+travelers came to Oak Creek.
+
+Then the party drew near their objective. But such a different Oak Creek
+from its usual sleepy appearance! The entire countryside, outside of the
+settlement proper, was dotted with canvas tents, and campers were
+running back and forth. Just to the right of the town stood a vast tent,
+like a circus canvas; and in line with it were several smaller ones.
+
+"That larger one is where all the exhibits are shown and where the
+contests take place, such as eating pan-cakes, shoveling coal, testing
+mining tools, and other tame games," explained John.
+
+"Do they bust the bronchos there, too?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"No, that, and the trick riding, is done out in the ring," replied Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+While the men pitched the tents and carried the folding cots from the
+wagon, Sary unpacked her meager cooking outfit, and Mrs. Brewster
+arranged the hampers in a safe place in her tent. Eleanor and Polly
+stood watching the crowds of incoming ranchers drive by, all on the
+lookout for a good camping-site.
+
+"I do hope the boys from Buffalo Park will be in time to find a place
+near us," whispered Polly.
+
+"Yes, but it looks now, as if there wouldn't be an inch of room left
+after to-night," returned Eleanor.
+
+Mr. Brewster then joined them. "Well, girls, want to go with me to have
+a look over the fair-grounds? To-morrow you will be escorted by younger
+chaps, I suppose; but they won't be able to explain things any better
+than I can."
+
+"Oh yes, Daddy! Let's go," cried Polly, eagerly.
+
+As it was all new to Eleanor, she also wanted to go, so the three found
+a way between the tents that had sprung up, since they drove in from the
+trail and had selected their own site.
+
+Every one was merry and good-natured, and many a joke was exchanged
+between people who might be master and servant at home, but at the
+Celebration, they all were equals.
+
+Mr. Brewster pointed out where the races would take place, and where the
+wild horse-breaking generally was held. He told Eleanor that a purse of
+five hundred dollars was always made up by collections, and given to the
+man who was able to tame the worst outlaw horse of the year.
+
+Then the girls were taken to the booths where refreshments were served.
+Sam Brewster ordered three ice-cream cones and three sodas. He also
+bought two boxes of candy for the girls.
+
+"Let's have ice-cream sodas instead of soda and cones," suggested
+Eleanor.
+
+"They can't mix ice-cream sodas, out here," explained Polly. "So we buy
+cones and mix our own when we want a New York drink."
+
+Eleanor laughed. "Isn't that funny! It's just as easy!"
+
+So they emptied their cones into their soda water and stirred the drink
+with a spoon. But Eleanor learned that the western people would do
+certain things their way, and no one could convince them that it was
+much easier to accomplish the task a different way.
+
+The cots were hard as rocks but every one fell asleep without complaints
+that night, and in the morning the mad babel of sounds roused the
+campers without alarm clocks. As Tuesday was a great day at the fair, no
+time was lost by stealing an extra wink. Breakfast out of the way, the
+entire party started for the Fair Grounds.
+
+"I wonder where the boys are?" whispered Polly.
+
+"We'll never find them in this mob," returned Eleanor.
+
+"They said we were to meet at the Bridal Contest--but where is that?"
+wondered Polly.
+
+"Let's ask Tom Latimer; we'll tell him Jim is going to be there at ten
+o'clock."
+
+Tom heard the girls and laughed: "But why at the Bridal Contest tent?
+Why not at the coal-heaving contest?"
+
+"Perhaps the boys thought there wouldn't be such a crowd at the Bridal,"
+ventured Polly, guilelessly.
+
+Tom and Eleanor laughed, and the former said: "Well, I'll see that you
+two get there in ample time for the Bridal."
+
+Long before ten o'clock, John and Anne had disappeared, and that left
+Tom to the sweet mercy of Barbara. He clung desperately to Polly and
+Eleanor until it was time to take them to the Bridal Contest, and then
+he begged Mrs. Brewster to take care of Barbara while he was absent with
+the girls.
+
+Mrs. Brewster understood that Tom did not care for the young lady's
+company, and she said in a low tone: "I would feel easier if I thought
+those four young people had a sensible head to look after them in this
+great multitude, Tom."
+
+Tom looked at her, but she seemed innocent of any hidden meaning; so he
+replied fervently: "If you will tell Polly this, I will be only too
+happy to be the 'head' they need."
+
+So Tom really acted as "Official Guide" that day and, incidentally, paid
+all the bills for the young celebrators. This suited Jim and Kenneth,
+all right, as they were puzzling how to make a big splash in the puddle
+before these two girls, and yet escape bankruptcy.
+
+The Bridal Contest was a strange sight. Any couple who wanted to marry
+in haste, could secure a special license at this booth and be married
+forthwith. And to every pair so married, the managers of the fair
+presented a twenty-dollar gold piece, that more than defrayed the costs
+of the ceremony. To say the Bridal Booth was a failure, would be rank
+envy and jealousy on the part of any single cow-boy or woman that
+attended the fair--and failed in securing a mate.
+
+The girls watched while three pairs were married, and in each case, the
+bride was a stranger in Oak Creek, while the groom was a newly-fledged
+rancher who needed a housekeeper worse than he needed his freedom.
+
+As the other contests were scheduled for eleven, the four young people,
+following after their Official Guide, went the rounds. Not one sight
+missed them that day, and they turned weary bodies towards the camp that
+night, thinking of but one thing--the cot-beds that awaited them.
+
+Wednesday was the day when the races took place. Not only the broncho
+busting, but horse-racing and other events of the kind. A novelty was
+offered this year, by having several Nebraska cow-boys race on steers.
+The people for twenty miles around Oak Creek, had seen bull fights, wild
+steer breaking, and all sorts of horse-racing, but never had they
+witnessed a steer race.
+
+It proved very exciting, as the men who rode the animals were gayly
+trapped out and made a great noise when the race started. Their shouting
+and wildly waving hats, added no little to the frenzy of the steers. One
+animal tripped and threw his rider, and another balked outright and
+began to stampede. Finding he could not dislodge the encumbrance that
+clung to his back, he suddenly threw himself and rolled.
+
+Every one screamed, but the rider was alert and the moment the steer
+touched the earth, he was up on his feet, bowing and smiling. A wild
+cheering greeted him, but he had no claim to the prize, as that went to
+the rider who won the race.
+
+Polly and Eleanor became well-acquainted with Jim and Kenneth during
+those two days at the fair, and when it was time to say good-by, the
+boys felt as if they were losing two old chums.
+
+"We have to ride across the desert to-morrow, you know," explained Jim,
+regretfully.
+
+"That's so! where will you work next?" asked Tom.
+
+"From Rabbitt's Ear Inn to the Highway," said Kenneth.
+
+"And when will you be back again? When can you come to Pebbly Pit again
+to visit us?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"We may not be there again this summer, as our work now leads away from
+this section. In fact, the Boss says, if the cold does not come too
+early to interfere, he wants to finish his survey all along the other
+side of the desert, this year," explained Kenneth.
+
+"Oh pshaw! then we won't have any more good times," said Eleanor,
+poutingly.
+
+"But we will when we all meet in New York," reminded Jim.
+
+Tom looked from one to the other, for here was news!
+
+"Never mind that, Tom--it's a secret with us!" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"I'm sure it must be, for John never said a word about it to me. And if
+you girls were going with Anne Stewart, he would have told me," replied
+Tom.
+
+"You know the old adage, 'Plans of mice and men go astray,' but it did
+not say 'Plans of girls and mice.' So my plan will come out fine,
+you-all wait and see!"
+
+"Yes, I reckon we _will_ wait!" laughed Polly, incredulously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+NOLLA'S PLANS DEVELOP
+
+
+The days passed joyously at Pebbly Pit, until John and Tom declared they
+must return to their work beyond Denver. They had been postponing their
+departure, because John had confided to his chum, that Anne was waiting
+to hear definitely about the school in New York City, and upon her going
+there depended many other important things.
+
+Tom smiled knowingly to himself, as he was sure one of the "many things"
+to John was his proposal to Anne. Every one felt more or less interested
+in the expectant letter, and when it finally arrived, Anne had a circle
+of anxious friends waiting to hear the verdict.
+
+"Well, I've been accepted and I am to report at the address in New York
+on September twenty-fifth," said Anne, hastily scanning the short note.
+
+"Hurrah! That means we go with you!" shouted Eleanor, catching hold of
+Anne and dancing her about.
+
+Polly looked very glum. "Anne, how does your going effect my school
+plans?"
+
+"You can talk about school some other time, Poll, but Tom and I have to
+start back to camp to-morrow, and _I_ want to know from Anne just how
+her going effects _me_?" demanded John, looking her in the eyes.
+
+Anne smiled bravely back at him and said: "Just what I told you. I must
+help Paul complete his college course, then I will be free to sign other
+agreements."
+
+"Meanwhile, I am to go on plodding through classes and camp without
+knowing whether or not I am ever going to be rewarded!" grumbled John,
+so discouraged that every one felt sorry for him.
+
+"One doesn't plod through studies or work, for mere reward. Polly says
+she wants to study for the love of it, and Eleanor wants to go into
+business for the love of _that_! It is the only way one can succeed,"
+ventured Mrs. Brewster, more to fill up an embarrassing gap in the
+conversation than for anything else.
+
+John turned sullenly and stamped away. He continued down the trail to
+the Cliffs and was soon lost to sight. The girls then coaxed Anne to
+come away with them as they had a plan to ask her about.
+
+Mrs. Brewster waited until every one was gone his or her way, then she
+ran after her son. No one knows what was said or done, then or during
+the day but that night, as they all sat at supper, John stood up and
+smiled.
+
+Jeb was just passing with a basket of newly laid eggs, and Sary was
+leaning over Mr. Brewster's back with a deep dish of milk-toast that she
+expected to place before him. John coughed significantly, and Sary
+stopped to listen.
+
+"I'm going to announce good news to you-all, to-night. I finally
+persuaded Anne to promise to be my wife, someday. So she goes to New
+York City as my fiancée, and I will study hard and do everything
+possible to be worthy of her, for she is a brave girl!"
+
+Sam Brewster half arose to congratulate the two young people, but Sary's
+dish was in the way. He bumped his head and the dish slid from her
+hands.
+
+Sary threw up both hands in dismay--there was the milk-toast spattered
+all over the ground! But a laugh from her mistress caused her to look in
+the direction the family-group were gazing. She saw Jeb standing as if
+rooted to the grass, his lower jaw sagging as he frowned at a basket of
+broken eggs upon the ground.
+
+Sary threw her inspiration into the double breach caused by maid and
+man. "Thar goes th' supper an' them eggs, but tush! Trifles don't count
+none when a man hez sech fine news ez John an' Jeb hes. Come right over
+here, Jeb, an' spring _yur_ secret now that John hes split his'n to the
+fam'ly!"
+
+Jeb scuffled his feet and sheepishly hung his head. One foot
+unconsciously stirred the yolks of the broken eggs. But Sary was not a
+woman to stand for such shyness when it cast reflections on her ardent
+manner in which she described how Jeb rose to the bait temptingly hung
+before his very nose.
+
+She forgot milk-toast and all else in this final bout with her unwilling
+lover. She hurried over and nudged him sharply in the ribs, then
+whispered in a stage tone:
+
+"G'wan now, Jeb! Spruce up an' tell 'em like-ez-how this air goin' to be
+a double trick! John an' Miss Anne, me an' you--see!"
+
+Polly and Eleanor laughed appreciatively, and Mrs. Brewster smiled for
+she had had suspicions. But Sam Brewster was so amazed, that he leaned
+back in his chair and puffed for breath. To think that Jeb could ever
+have summoned enough courage to propose to a woman--but let that woman
+be an Amazon like Sary, was past his comprehension!
+
+He could not get over it, and later, his wife confided: "I actually
+believe that Sary made this match for herself. Jeb could never have
+stood the strain of making love, had not Sary met him _more_ than
+half-way."
+
+That evening when John and Anne were talking confidentially about the
+future, John said: "Mother, I haven't a ring for Anne and I want her to
+have it before she goes to New York, so I propose going to Denver and
+buy it for her before I go back to work."
+
+"And I thought, Mrs. Brewster, that it would be a good plan to see an
+agent about renting our house for a year or two. If mother and I live in
+New York, there is no sense in closing the place when we can rent it for
+enough to pay taxes and upkeep."
+
+"I think you are perfectly right there, Anne, and the sooner you place
+it in good hands, the better. When did you think of running up to town?"
+said Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Well, you see, mother, Tom and I should have joined our men long ago,
+but one thing or another kept us on here. Now that all is settled for
+two years at least, I want to get away and plunge into work so I will
+be ready for Anne when she comes back," said John.
+
+Mrs. Brewster smiled. "Will you go to Denver to-day?"
+
+"To-night! Why, it is eight o'clock! But I could take the noon train
+when it goes back from Oak Creek, and Anne might go with me."
+
+"That's what I thought you could do, but your evident impatience made me
+wonder if you had an air-route you could travel by."
+
+John laughed, and Anne placed her arm about her future mother-in-law.
+Then the talk veered to Polly and her future education. John and his
+fiancée had a hard task in convincing Mrs. Brewster that it was best for
+Polly to accompany the Stewarts to New York, to school; but finally,
+when all three returned to the house, a resigned look was upon Mrs.
+Brewster's face. But not a word was said at that time.
+
+The next morning, every member of the family accompanied John and Anne
+to Oak Creek, and gave them a merry send-off to Denver.
+
+"It's only for a few days, you big sillies!" laughed Anne, as she leaned
+from the little car-window to answer many questions from her friends on
+the platform.
+
+"True, but think of all that can happen in a few days! Jeb may jilt
+Sary and elope with Barbara--I've seen her casting jealous eyes at Sary,
+lately! Then Tom Latimer may suddenly find he is in love with----" but
+Barbara choked further words from Eleanor at this point, by shaking her
+viciously from the rear.
+
+The others had to laugh at Eleanor's teasing, but her sister was
+furious. "I simply will not stand this treatment, so now! You can act
+like fools and farmers, but I am a _lady_!"
+
+So saying, Barbara wheeled and marched defiantly over to the box-car
+station. She entered and remained there until the train had disappeared
+around the bend. Then she came forth with a victorious look upon her
+face. No one asked her what caused the change of expression, and soon
+the incident was forgotten for the day.
+
+Tom Latimer was unusually quiet on the homeward drive, and when he had
+assisted Eleanor to alight from the great wagon, he whispered for her
+ears alone: "Who were you going to have me propose to, Nolla?"
+
+She sent him a mischievous look and whispered back "Polly."
+
+He laughed softly and pinched her arm, but she noted that the rich red
+color flushed his face suddenly, and she wondered, precociously,
+whether she had accidentally touched upon a secret spot hidden in his
+heart? The very fact of such a discovery made her defy, silently, the
+possibility of any one ever daring to confess love to _her_ Polly. "No
+indeed! Polly and she were cut out for business only."
+
+But the disquieting thought that a fine chap like Tom Latimer might be
+in love with simple wonderful little Polly, made Eleanor zealous in her
+plans for carrying her friend off to a New York school. No one knew that
+she had already started the machinery going for her own benefit, but
+they were soon to find out that this fun-loving girl was as persistent
+and persevering as one could find anywhere, when she had a pet problem
+to work out.
+
+The evening after John and Anne had gone to Mrs. Stewarts, in Denver,
+Barbara asked a favor of her host. The very manner in which she asked
+it, surprised every one at table. "Mr. Brewster, I have an important
+errand to do at Oak Creek, to-morrow, and I want you to allow Jeb to
+drive me in."
+
+"To-morrow! Why, we just got back from there."
+
+"Yes, I know, but it could not have been done to-day, so I have to go in
+to-morrow."
+
+"Jeb has to superintend the mowing of our first crops to-morrow, if it
+is clear. Maybe Tom will drive you in if it is so urgent."
+
+Barbara turned imploring eyes on Tom Latimer. Then Eleanor spoke up: "I,
+too, must go in as I expect a telegram from Chicago."
+
+Her sister scowled at her, but she seemed surprised as well. She
+stammered: "What have _you_ to wire for?"
+
+"Ah! Is that what you did? Let's see--you managed it this noon, while we
+were watching the train depart, didn't you? You were in that station
+just long enough!" exulted Eleanor, grinning at Barbara daringly.
+
+But her sister would not be drawn into an argument this time, and
+Eleanor decided that it must be something important, indeed, when Bob
+would not snap back at her. There _had_ been times at home when Barbara
+had secrets that she feared others to share, then she would keep her
+peace with Eleanor.
+
+"Unless it is a personal matter that needs your presence in Oak Creek,
+Alec Hewitt will look after it. He goes to and from the post office
+every day, and often brings our mail or messages for us," said Mrs.
+Brewster, hoping to spare the horses another hard day's work.
+
+"I have to be there myself, as I may have to decide on a very important
+personal matter," returned Barbara, slightly embarrassed.
+
+So it was settled that Tom Latimer would ride with the three girls to
+Oak Creek on the following morning. This would spare the wagon team the
+trip and at the same time take the place of any other pleasure ride that
+might have been planned.
+
+Polly was at a loss to understand why such secrecy should exist between
+these two sisters--Bob refusing to confide in Eleanor, and Nolla
+smilingly keeping her own counsel, about the important errands.
+
+As Eleanor had suspected, Barbara went directly to the box-car where the
+telegrams were received. But to the latter's disappointment, there was
+one only--and that one was for Eleanor Maynard!
+
+"Are you sure you did not get the name wrong--I am to hear surely,
+to-day, about something very urgent!" complained Barbara.
+
+"This is mine, all right, Bob, for I expected it. If you like, you can
+read it now that I know what it says," and Eleanor tendered the yellow
+sheet to her sister.
+
+Barbara snatched it and read in angry surprise:
+
+     "Your wire received. Expect me Saturday. Will visit there for a
+     week.
+
+          Love to you both,
+               FATHER"
+
+
+"How dare you ask father to come here? How do you know the Brewsters
+want him? And besides, there is no place for him to use as a
+sleeping-room!" she managed to say in her fury.
+
+Polly and Tom had been sitting outside on a truck but they could not
+help hearing Barbara's words. Polly smiled up at her companion. Then
+Eleanor was heard saying:
+
+"No need to rear up like a mad rattler, Bob. I have a nice little plan
+under way, but it now needs Daddy's persuasive powers to perfect it. I
+wired him twice this past week, but no one knew of it. If you wired for
+money or something else, he likely will bring it with him on Saturday."
+
+The very coolness of Eleanor's reply caused Barbara to lose her
+self-control and she retorted: "Pooh! I wouldn't think of asking father
+for anything. You can't patronize me this time, Eleanor Maynard. _I_ am
+waiting for word from mother! There!"
+
+"From mother! why she is in Newport for the Season."
+
+"You mean she _was_ there. _Now_ she is one of a very select party of
+the best New York society that is camping at Mrs. Van Alstynes'
+wonderful bungalow in the Muskoka Woods. And I trust _I_, too, will soon
+be a member of that circle!"
+
+"Oh, ho! So that is your little game, eh! Well, Bob, I heartily wish you
+luck. You haven't any idea how quiet and enjoyable Pebbly Pit will be
+with you away from it!" retorted Eleanor.
+
+With this parting shaft, the younger sister walked out, and found Tom
+with Polly over by the watering trough where the seven wardrobe trunks
+had offered such a fine table surface for the gamblers on the day the
+Chicago girls came to Oak Creek. As she felt sure these two friends had
+not over-heard the conversation between Barbara and herself, there was
+no need in explaining, as yet.
+
+Barbara failed to appear, however, and finally Eleanor went to the door
+to call her. Her impatient words were arrested by hearing the operator
+at the telegraph instrument, read a message aloud.
+
+     "Wire with news received. Have arranged for you. Plenty of
+     marriageable men in party. Do not oppose anything father wants.
+     Win his consent and money for visit. Nolla will be all right
+     there with Anne. Father now back at bank. Write him
+     immediately. Do not waive your rights on mine. We will fight if
+     necessary. It means a fortune for you. Wire me minute you have
+     news. Big affair on next week. MOTHER."
+
+Eleanor managed to slip away without Barbara's seeing her. And so elated
+was the elder sister over her mother's message, that she failed to find
+any omission in the telegram. But Eleanor realized that her mother did
+not mention her love for her daughter--it was all about society, money,
+and graft!
+
+But her mother's message could not throw cold water over Eleanor;
+because of the fact that her father would be with her the end of that
+very week! This was good news enough for any one, so she ran over to
+Polly, waving her message.
+
+"Just think! Daddy is coming to visit us at Pebbly Pit. Won't it be fun
+for him to sleep in the barn with John and Tom?"
+
+"Oh, he never could, Nolla!" gasped Polly.
+
+"Why not? He is no better than the boys, here!"
+
+"But--well, I'm sure father won't like him to. We must plan somewhere
+else for him," replied Polly.
+
+"I'll tell you-all a secret, if you won't tell any one. I got Daddy to
+hurry here on purpose to _meet_ John and Tom. I believe he will do
+something about the mine and the Cliffs if he hears the plans from the
+boys. You know, his bank makes big investments at times. But don't let
+Bob know this, for anything in the world!"
+
+Tom looked pleasantly surprised at the suggestion. He had forgotten all
+about Mr. Maynard's connection with a flourishing bank.
+
+"Won't it be nice to have your father meet my father," remarked Polly,
+thinking not so much of finances as of hospitality.
+
+"Yes, and I hope he won't interfere with Bob's plans to join mother in
+the North Woods. If only we could get _rid_ of her right off, what a
+fine time we could have with Dad here!" Eleanor sighed.
+
+Polly never could understand the lack of love and family pride between
+these two sisters, but then she had never seen how many families there
+are, where husband and wife have opposite tendencies and ideals; it
+inevitably followed that the children showed these antagonistic
+qualities in their behavior to each other.
+
+Having replied to their telegrams, both sisters were ready to ride back
+to the ranch. But Tom suggested that they visit the Movies where a great
+society drama was being shown. This pleased the girls, and soon they
+were following the hair-breadth escapes of an unscrupulous society
+impostor, and the wreck he had made of a young damsel's faith.
+
+As they filed from the low-ceiled, ill-smelling theater, Eleanor laughed
+and said: "That's the kind of life Bob wants! If she ever had a fortune
+of her own, she would have to fend off just such rascals. Watch me
+wasting my life trying to catch a husband--Pouf!"
+
+Tom laughed merrily for he liked the bluntness of this girl, but he was
+surprised at the flush Barbara manifested as she wondered if this astute
+sister of hers could have heard that message read: "Mother mentioned 'a
+fortune' and 'marriageable men.'" But Eleanor's expression was as
+innocent as a babe's just then.
+
+That evening after supper, Eleanor drew Polly out to the terrace, which
+was isolated at that time, and shared her plans with her.
+
+"I was afraid to let you, or any one, know what I was doing, so I just
+went ahead and did it!"
+
+Polly manifested no surprise at these words, as she expected to hear
+much more, so she patiently waited. Eleanor seemed at a loss, for once
+in her lifetime, to know how to tell her story without having it
+condemned by this upright conscientious friend.
+
+"I wrote mother just after we discovered the mine, and told her how
+unhappy Barbara was in this forgotten corner of the earth. You see, I
+wanted mother to send for her at once, and I was anxious to help Bob
+relieve us of her company. But I never dreamed that Bob was as anxious
+to get away, as we were to have her go!"
+
+"Oh, Nolla! we are not anxious to have her go--don't say that!"
+remonstrated Polly.
+
+"Well, you know what I mean--everything will be so nice with no one to
+be forever finding fault and nagging at one!"
+
+"Maybe she wouldn't nag so much if you did not tease her so! Nolla, you
+_know_ you are so clever that you have no patience with Bob's slowness
+in getting things," replied Polly, unconscious of the fact that she had
+found the very root of the trouble between the sisters.
+
+"Anyway, Bob is on the high road to a society camp in the East, and we
+will be able to go our own sweet way without her. But I brought you out
+here to confess what I did! I wired father all about the mine, and the
+Cliffs, and the Latimers and all--and also told him that the doctor
+thinks a winter in New York will harden me splendidly. I wired the
+doctor to tell him that this was true, and he _must_ tell father so.
+
+"Well, I heard from Daddy; he balked at first--said it was rank
+foolishness for any doctor to recommend the beastly climate of New York
+City in preference to the West with its dryness. I had to calm him on
+that point, and then I told him that Anne and her mother were going to
+New York and I wanted to go with them. He knows how I hate the teas, and
+bridge, and parties mother is always giving Bob, so I told him how
+wretched I always was in winter, without friends or any one to talk
+to--as mother and Bob were always too busy with social duties.
+
+"Father hates these duties as much as I do, and he says mother has no
+right to give all her time to Bob and never see me from one week's end
+to another. So he was vulnerable in that spot. When I told him how he
+could visit me in New York once a month, and spend several days going
+around with me, he just caved in. And, Polly, I am sure he will agree to
+my going with Anne.
+
+"To-day, after I got his wire, I waited till Bob was out of the way,
+then I sent a message to Anne, to tell her to be on the lookout for Dad
+who was coming here on Saturday. I said it would be so nice for him to
+ride down from Denver with John and her. And maybe John could explain
+the financing of the two companies to him.
+
+"I sent the second wire to Dad telling him to be sure and meet Anne at
+the Denver Terminal at noon, on Saturday, as she would be expecting him.
+So now I have all my irons in the fire and they're getting red-hot,
+too!"
+
+As Eleanor concluded, Polly laughed at her funny expression but
+remarked, "It would be terrible if your irons got so hot that they
+melted before you could use any one of them, wouldn't it?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+RIGGLEY & RATZGER OF NEW YORK
+
+
+Every day that week was crowded with events for the people at Pebbly
+Pit, and never had so many telegrams passed through the hands of the
+amazed agent at Oak Creek. First there were those sent by Barbara and
+Eleanor, and the replies to them. Next day the two girls telegraphed
+anew from Oak Creek, and these had replies which were forwarded by Alec
+Hewitt who passed Brewster's ranch. Following these, came a telegram
+from Anne, saying she had heard from Mr. Maynard and would meet him as
+planned. Then there came one from Mr. Latimer's office in New York to
+Tom, saying that Dr. Evans and Mr. Latimer had started for the West on
+Thursday, on the Limited. Probably they would reach Pebbly Pit on Sunday
+or Monday. Closely following that message, came one to Mr. Brewster from
+New York, signed Riggley & Ratzger, Lawyers, to the effect that "they
+had been appointed the representatives for the company that was formed
+to make jewels from lava-stone, and they would take great pleasure in
+visiting Pebbly Pit on Saturday or Sunday, in order to inspect the
+Rainbow Cliffs. They might be induced to make an offer for the ranch."
+
+The latter suggestion caused Sam Brewster to laugh as he had not done
+since he heard his Polly was determined to go to school. "What do you
+think of such sublime fools, Maw?" chuckled he, handing the telegram
+across the table as they sat on the porch.
+
+"Why, I don't understand. If Evans and Latimer are on their way here,
+why do they need representatives? Isn't Tom's father a real good lawyer
+in New York?" said she.
+
+"Sure, but the names alone give me an idea that they are crooks--listen:
+Riggley and Ratzger. Doesn't it make you think of all queer kinds of
+fish that one finds in big cities?" laughed her husband.
+
+Tom came from the barns about this time, and Mrs. Brewster turned to
+tell him the latest news about the seekers of lava-stones. In
+corroboration of his wife's words, Sam Brewster held out the telegram.
+
+Tom took it in trembling hands, for he had heard of the men whose names
+were signed to the message. Then he glanced at the signatures and that
+broke his amazed spell of silence.
+
+"Why! Mr. Brewster, how dare they plan to visit here?" he shouted, his
+face as red as a poppy.
+
+"Oh, do you know them?" wondered Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Know them? Why, man alive, _they_ are the same two rascals who served
+the injunction on father and Dr. Evans, and then they tried to steal the
+patent. They fought in Court, but lost their case. When they appealed,
+the Court sustained the first verdict, so they had no choice but to give
+up. I wonder what game they are coming here for?"
+
+Mr. Brewster considered. "Tom, I wouldn't be surprised if they came
+here, not knowing your folks are, also, coming. Maybe they hope to get
+first shot at this proposition of Rainbow Cliffs and in this way, make
+your father pay a fabulous price for the stone."
+
+"Some crooked deal like that, you may be assured. But I can't understand
+how they ever heard of Rainbow Cliffs and this ranch? There has been a
+leak, somewhere, in Dad's organization," said Tom, emphatically.
+
+"Well, let's decide now, before they come, what is best for us to do. If
+they get here before your father and Evans, we must not give them any
+idea that we expect other guests, nor must we say that we suspect them
+of foul play. We must give them rope enough with which to hang
+themselves."
+
+Here Mrs. Brewster interpolated: "We may serve all of our friends a good
+turn by receiving these strangers with the same western welcome that we
+extend to every one. But let us not give any one else here a hint of
+what we now know."
+
+Tom agreed that this was a wise plan, so no one suspected there was an
+under-current of excitement running in the elder Brewsters' and Tom's
+thoughts, during the time that must elapse before the New York
+"representatives" could arrive at Pebbly Pit.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Maynard met Anne and John in Denver, and the three took
+the noon local for Oak Creek. Polly and Eleanor were busy helping
+Barbara pack her five trunks to have them ready for the ranch-wagon to
+take to the station on Saturday, when Tom offered to drive in and meet
+the train from Denver. This done, and Tom on his way, the two girls
+wondered what next they could do until the return of the party from Oak
+Creek.
+
+"I say! Let's run to the Cliffs and watch for the first glimpse of
+Daddy," suggested Eleanor.
+
+"And I'll take some doughnuts to eat in case we get hungry," added
+Polly.
+
+Fortified with a bag of these delectable balls, the two girls hastened
+away. Barbara was all sweetness and generosity, now that she was sure of
+going to join her mother in a fashionable camp. And many fine bits of
+underwear, or dresses fell Sary's way, when Barbara went through her
+wardrobe, and discarded the things she felt would be too
+ordinary-looking in such an exclusive "set" as she was about to join.
+
+Sary refused nothing, carrying everything thrown to her, in her arms as
+carefully as if she were holding a new-born babe. On the first trip she
+made through the kitchen in order to reach her private domain, she
+stopped before Mrs. Brewster and held out the lace-trimmed underwear.
+
+"Mis Brewster, Ah never did think Ah would have sech fine troosos fer my
+marritch. When Ah married Bill Ah diden have nawthin' but a new cambric
+dress and a sun-bunnet. But this marritch will be the reel thing, what
+with all the stuff I'm k'lectin, already."
+
+"You are fortunate, Sary, to be on hand just as Miss Bob's trunks are
+cleared out," remarked her mistress.
+
+"Yeh, and d'ye know what?" Sary leaned over to whisper confidentially.
+"Yeh see Ah'm not lettin' anythin' she gives me lay around one minute,
+'cause she may change her mind. And ef she once saw _what_ a heap she is
+throwin' away, she might think Ah was gettin' too much!"
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed at Sary's wily ways, and replied: "Well, I'll
+spare you from all the work as long as you are gathering plums from
+Bob's orchard. I hope you can fill a whole trunk, Sary."
+
+But an unforeseen outgrowth of all these donations was sure to happen.
+Once Sary had watched the trunks hoisted up in the ranch wagon, and
+realized that there would be no more "pickin's" for her, she ran to her
+room and began sorting and gloating over the mass of cast-off clothing.
+And so mesmerized was she with pictures of herself adorned in the
+dresses that were made for the form half her girth that Mrs. Brewster
+found it impossible to coax her back to the kitchen.
+
+Having the Saturday's baking to do, as well as to prepare the dinner for
+extra ones that night, she went to the door to ask Polly and Eleanor to
+come in and help her. But the two girls were not in sight.
+
+There was but one hope left! She must do as clever generals did in
+battle, when the fight seems to go against them--strategy.
+
+She hurried to Sary's door which was closed and locked.
+
+"Oh Sary! I remembered something that I wished to ask you about several
+times this past week. Did Jeb give you the engagement ring yet?"
+
+Not a sound came from within for a few moments, then the key turned and
+Sary's amazed face appeared in the doorway. The floor and bed were
+covered with finery, each piece spread out full length.
+
+"Ah clean fergot all about it. Is Miss Anne got her'n?"
+
+"Oh, yes! John went to Denver with her to choose the stone."
+
+"Kin Jeb git a ring in Oak Crick, d'ye s'pose?"
+
+"Mercy no! Oak Creek hasn't any jewelry shop, you know."
+
+Sary was lost in thought for a time, and this was Mrs. Brewster's
+opportunity. "I've been wondering how it would do to hint to Jeb that it
+would make a lovely trip if he were to accompany you to Denver for a
+day, and let you select your own ring."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+The one word breathed in a scarcely audible sound plainly expressed
+Sary's ecstasy. Her great hands were loosely clasped before her as her
+eyes turned ceiling-ward.
+
+"Of course with the house full of company for a few days it will be
+impossible to think of such a thing, but Bob is going away the first of
+the week, and then John and Tom leave; next Miss Anne goes back to
+Denver to see about sending her stuff to New York, or selling what she
+really won't need, and then you will have time to take such a trip. I
+will see that Jeb realizes that it is his privilege to do this for you."
+
+"Oh, Mis Brewster, what kin Ah ever do fer you?"
+
+"Well, you can begin to repay me for my kindness by coming out to help
+me with Saturday's work. And while we are doing that I will plan with
+you what had best be said and done."
+
+Sary felt that there was a cunning here that she was not able to cope
+with, but she could not resist the temptation to talk and plan about an
+engagement ring for herself, so she bravely turned her back on the array
+of finery, and stoically followed her mistress.
+
+Meantime Polly and Eleanor climbed the cliffs and sat where they could
+see the Bear Fork's trail in the distance. Polly was sure they would
+see the great ranch-wagon the moment it came around the bend.
+
+They had not been seated there more than twenty minutes before Eleanor
+craned her neck and gazed earnestly at two dots that seemed to be
+crawling along the trail. Polly turned and gazed also.
+
+"Why, it's two horsemen! I wonder if Jim and Ken can be thinking of
+visiting us over Sunday,--because Mr. Latimer is coming, you know,"
+exclaimed Eleanor, joyfully surprised.
+
+"They wouldn't be arriving Saturday afternoon, as they wouldn't be able
+to leave camp until Sunday," added Polly.
+
+Both girls shaded their eyes with their hands but neither could make out
+the forms of the riders. They were mere specks on the white trail. But
+the girls held their breath when the horsemen turned from Bear Forks
+trail and rode in under the precipice that overhung the entrance to
+Pebbly Pit.
+
+"Whoever it is, they are coming here," said Polly.
+
+"I wonder if it could be Mr. Latimer and Dr. Evans--they may have
+arrived in Oak Creek sooner than they expected," ventured Eleanor.
+
+"We can watch better from this point than anywhere else, and when they
+pass the Rainbow Cliffs, we can see who they are," now said Polly.
+
+So they watched impatiently until the riders came from under the hanging
+walls of rock, and rode again along the top of the shale that covered a
+wide area between the ravines and the Cliffs.
+
+This great stretch of shale was very treacherous going, as on the both
+sides were deep gulches, or erosions, made by floods from thaws and
+storms. An abandoned trail ran quite close to one of these ravines but
+the land-slides of shale had compelled the people at Pebbly Pit to break
+out a new and safer trail through the middle of the field. To strange
+eyes, the old trail on the edge of the gulch, was the harder and easier
+going, but every one coming to the ranch knew the center-trail to be the
+one always used. Strangers seldom visited Pebbly Pit, and never without
+a member of the ranch family, or a neighbor to escort them.
+
+When the two horsemen reached the branching of the trails, they halted,
+and the girls saw them ponder. One man motioned with a hand at the rough
+trail running over the top of the shale in the middle of the area, but
+the other seemed to argue that the edge-trail was the best one to take.
+
+"Oh dear! I hope they won't take that slippery one!" cried Polly, in
+tense nervousness.
+
+"I wish we could yell and warn them!" exclaimed Eleanor, half-rising
+from her seat.
+
+"They'll never hear us at this distance, but we might run along the
+top-trail and beckon them to climb up there."
+
+"But, Polly, by the time we reach the shale they will be almost at the
+Rainbow Cliffs," objected Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, I know, but it seems awful to sit here and watch them ride over
+that dangerous road."
+
+"To relieve our minds, we can go down as far as possible and meet them
+when they ride out at Rainbow Cliffs," suggested Eleanor.
+
+So the two girls scrambled down from their high point of observation,
+and started along the rock-ribbed road that led past the Cliffs. They
+had not gone far along this trail, however, before Polly saw Jeb riding
+down from the corrals.
+
+"If I could only get Jeb's attention, he could ride fast and warn those
+men of their danger," Polly said, thinking aloud.
+
+"Let's both scream at the top of our lungs and see if he can hear us."
+
+So the two girls stood out on the edge of a huge bowlder and, making
+megaphones of their hands, shouted again and again. The depression made
+by the crater that lay between the Cliffs and the corral, acted as a
+hollow tube, so Jeb finally wheeled around and tried to locate the call.
+When he saw the girls, he immediately started to meet them as no one on
+the ranch would shout that way for fun.
+
+It took ten minutes for Jeb to cover the circuitous path and join the
+girls, and when they had hastily explained the cause of their concern,
+he replied: "Gosh! Ah was told to hang a sign on that flat cliff to warn
+folks offen the bad trail!"
+
+"Well, you didn't, so now race down the good trail and try to make the
+men hear you," demanded Polly.
+
+Jeb spurred his horse at that, and was soon out of sight, but Polly and
+Eleanor continued in the same direction, to see if all turned out well
+for the riders.
+
+Having reached and passed the last spur of the Rainbow Cliffs, and then
+climbing the steep ascent to the top-trail, they finally came to a rise
+whence the whole shale-field could be seen. But not a sign of horsemen
+could be seen. Jeb, riding like mad, right across the loose shale in
+reckless risk of breaking his broncho's legs, was the only man visible.
+
+Eleanor turned and looked in wonderment at Polly, but when she saw the
+look of horror on her friend's face, she caught at her arm.
+
+"Polly! What do you think has happened?"
+
+"Oh, Nolla! I fear they are down in that gulch! Most likely the shale
+started sliding under their horses' hoofs, and before they realized
+their danger, they were swept along over the top!"
+
+"Oh, mercy! Polly--never that! Why they will be killed!"
+
+Polly never said a word but watched Jeb as he reined in his horse.
+Jumping from the saddle and hobbling the animal, he very carefully
+crawled over the apparently safe surface between himself and the ravine.
+
+"Now I'm sure that's what happened, Nolla, or Jeb wouldn't try to get
+over there. He's going to see just how bad things are."
+
+"Poll, we'd better run as fast as we can, and get things ready at the
+ranch. Your father ought to know this, so he can hitch a cart to two
+strong horses and drive there to help carry the men to the house."
+
+"Nolla, I fear there will be nothing left to carry away. Once the shale
+starts to slide down that gulch, it goes like the wind and buries
+everything under its weight and bulk."
+
+"All the same, I will feel that I am doing something to help--let's go!"
+
+So Polly and her companion turned and ran back along the Rainbow Cliffs
+trail, until they reached the spot whence they had called to Jeb. They
+stopped for a moment to catch their breath, and while straining their
+eyes towards the house, saw Mr. Brewster just leaving it.
+
+His horse was waiting at the block, so both girls instantly began
+shouting to attract his attention. He had keen hearing, and turned to
+see what might be wrong in the direction of the Cliffs. When he saw the
+two girls wildly beckoning him to come, he sprang into the saddle and
+galloped the horse over the intervening space to meet them.
+
+Their story was told in a few words, and Sam Brewster immediately
+surmised who the riders were. He told the girls to go on to the house
+and tell Mrs. Brewster to be ready with emergencies, in case either of
+the travelers were found. Then he turned his horse and galloped to the
+barns where he called several of the men to help in the rescue work.
+
+Polly and Eleanor would have preferred to go back to the shale-fields
+and watch the men, but they had to go where they could be of most
+service in the case.
+
+"Where shall we put them, mother, if father brings both back to the
+house?" asked Polly.
+
+"There is only one thing we can do, and that is to prepare the cots in
+the harness-room for them. It is in times of need, like this, that I
+wish we had a large house."
+
+Down on the shale-fields, Jeb had crept to the edge of the gully and
+peered over. Far, far below, where the stream roared over the rocks and
+down waterfalls like a miniature Niagara, he saw one horse doubled up in
+an unnatural heap. He surmised at once, that it was dead. But half-way
+up he spied hoofs protruding from the shale, and to this spot he tried
+to make his way.
+
+As he thought, the rider was still entangled with the stirrups of the
+horse and could not jump free when the accident had occurred.
+
+By dint of working down, clinging like lichen to the shale surface, Jeb
+reached the animal whose hoofs stuck pathetically upward. He carefully
+scraped away the shale and exposed the head of a man. He could not say
+whether the victim was alive or dead, and he dared not dig away more
+shale, just then, or the whole side would begin to move again. Having
+cleared the head so the man could breathe, if possible, he looked
+anxiously around for the second rider. Not a sign of him was seen from
+the place where Jeb clung.
+
+Believing that one live man was worth two dead ones, Jeb returned to the
+task of unearthing the one he had found. Every slab of shale was slowly
+removed, meanwhile Jeb watched the loose sides above him for the least
+intimation that it might slide again. But so careful was he, that the
+body was uncovered without the surrounding shale being disturbed. Jeb
+felt of the man's heart and found a very slight pulsation there. He was
+alive!
+
+But how to get his feet free from the leather on the horse, and how to
+carry the big heavy fellow up that treacherous side? Jeb never lost his
+presence of mind, nor did he ever feel unduly excited over what he
+thought could not be helped; had he known what a fatalist was, he would
+have told you that that is what _he_ was.
+
+He sat perfectly still, because the unwary movement of a single muscle
+might move that mountain-side down upon him, but he could _think_ and
+what could hinder him from doing it? As if the very discovery that he
+was superior in that way, to the senseless shale all about him, made him
+master of the situation, so he smiled and patiently waited.
+
+"'Cuz Ah knows Polly and Miss Nolla'll get word to Mis'r Brews'er an'
+he'll know what to do fer us." So he sat and waited.
+
+It's all well enough to say, "Oh, he wouldn't do anything else. Any one
+could have waited!" But how many would have waited in that same
+situation, without a qualm of fear, or without doubting the simple
+assurance that the master of the ranch would know best what to do to
+help?
+
+As if to reward this faith, Jeb soon heard voices shouting back and
+forth above his head, and after a time, he saw the noose of a stout rope
+falling down in his direction.
+
+He grinned. "Ah never thought of _that_!" murmured he.
+
+"Jeb," came the deep tones of Mr. Brewster from above, "try to fix this
+safely around you, and then see if there is anything down there that you
+can do. Shout up if you want help, and we will try to let another man
+down to work with you."
+
+Jeb soon had the rope about his body, and feeling free to dig, went to
+work to pull the unconscious man out of the saddle. The side that the
+dead horse had fallen upon pinned the man's one leg down so securely
+that Jeb could not manage to extricate it without help. So he held on
+to the body he had thus far brought out from the shale, and then called
+up to his master.
+
+"Ah cain't git his left laig out from the sturrup! This dead hoss is too
+heavy fer me to shove over. Ef some one'll come down an' use a crow-bar
+Ah reckon we-all kin manage it all right."
+
+With all the tension and doubt of being of any use in this accident, Mr.
+Brewster could not help thinking of Jeb's way of asking assistance--as
+if he was in the kitchen of the house and told Sary to come downstairs
+to entertain him.
+
+Another man was lowered by means of a second rope, and as he came
+opposite the dead horse, he called a halt on the pulley above. With his
+crow-bar, he worked just as carefully as Jeb had done in loosening the
+shale about the body. But the moment Jeb found he could extract the
+crushed foot from the side that had been buried in the stone, the other
+man ceased prodding, as one little prod too many might turn the whole
+loose lava upon them again.
+
+"Lower another rope fer the stranger!" shouted the hired man. And soon
+the limp body was drawn slowly up to safety.
+
+"What about the other one, Jeb?" shouted Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Reckon he went on down, 'cuz his hoss is down thar. Shall Ah go on down
+and see?"
+
+"No! we-all can get down from the Devil's Causeway, without taking any
+risks on this loose wall. Better see if you-all can find any papers or
+wallet in the panniers of that horse."
+
+Jeb then felt and brought forth a fine leather bag shaped like a
+knap-sack. But he was not aware that most lawyers and professional men
+in cities use similar bags. Then the word was given to hoist, and both
+men were soon up beside the unconscious stranger.
+
+While Mr. Brewster used first-aid on the stranger, several men of the
+party started for the cleft back of the Cliffs from which one could get
+down in to the gulch. In fact, it was the great flood of water that ran
+from the back of the Cliffs that caused this deep washout, or gully.
+
+Having taken hold of the unknown man and suddenly turned him so that he
+hung limply over the back and shoulders of his carrier, Mr. Brewster
+started his horse across the shale, and then turned in on the Cliff
+trail. The sooner the unconscious man was treated the better, thought
+the ranch-man.
+
+Jeb and his men were left to help the others who, after having carefully
+picked a way over the shale, would search in the gulch for any signs of
+the second man.
+
+By the time the would-be rescuers reached the place where the dead horse
+was seen doubled up, moans attracted their attention to a clump of
+buffalo grass that had forced its way up beside the stream.
+
+There, almost hidden by great bowlders that had caught the drift of
+shale as it swept down from the top of the ravine, they found the second
+rider. As the horse was more than forty feet above this spot, they
+figured that the man must have shot from the saddle when all were
+precipitated over the top, and landed as if by a miracle in this
+comparatively safe niche made by the rocks.
+
+The moment the man heard human voices he tried to attract their
+attention, but they had already heard and planned how best to reach him.
+He could not move, as those limbs which had not suffered fractures, were
+rendered helpless by the weight of shale pinning them down. His chest
+was free, however, and in spite of the gashes and bruises all over his
+face and neck, he could breathe easily.
+
+"Ah reckon we-all had better carry him up the gulch to the Devil's
+Causeway, and git out by that route," suggested one of the men.
+
+"Yeh! Let's call to Jeb to go back and meet we-all at the Cliffs so's we
+kin put him acrost one of the hosses."
+
+In half an hour, therefore, Mr. Ratzger, the senior member of the law
+firm of Riggley and Ratzger, of New York, was carried in front of the
+Rainbow Cliffs and placed in Jeb's arms, while another man led Jeb's
+horse carefully towards the ranch-house.
+
+"Ah, so these are Rainbow Cliffs, are they! Shall I ever forget them?
+Had Riggley listened to my advice we both would now be sitting in our
+comfortable office-chairs in New York. But no! he must needs try to
+force gold from a stone-wall!" As Ratzger sighed, Jeb remarked
+philosophically: "Ef _you_-all'd rather be sittin' at home than a
+galavantin' round places where money kin be found, Ah b'lieves it's the
+onny reason you-all is spared whiles your friend is locooed."
+
+Ratzger had never heard the term "locooed" so he was not quite sure what
+Jeb meant. But he was thankful that he had life enough left even to
+suffer with the broken arms and legs; for a trifle like that was not to
+be scorned when he might have been done for completely even as he feared
+old Riggley was.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE VICTORY
+
+
+Serenely oblivious of all the excitement that had been caused at Pebbly
+Pit by the accident, Tom Latimer drove Mr. Maynard and the happy
+betrothed pair back to the ranch. John and Anne sat on the back seat
+while Mr. Maynard sat beside Tom. Finding that John and his fiancée
+needed no assistance from him in entertaining themselves, Tom gave his
+full attention to the banker from Chicago.
+
+Hence, by the time they reached Rainbow Cliffs, Mr. Maynard was like the
+blood-hound when he scents a new trail--he was more than anxious to join
+these energetic men in financing the vast projects so well described by
+young Latimer.
+
+At the Cliffs Mr. Maynard placed a hand on the lines in order to stop
+the horses. He gazed and gazed, as if he saw the great walls covered
+with gold dollars instead of colored stones. Then he sighed and smiled
+at Tom.
+
+"This promises to be the luckiest thing I ever did--sending Nolla to
+Pebbly Pit for her health!"
+
+"And wait until you see Nolla! My, but she is rosy and roly now. And
+besides, Mr. Maynard, she is a born financier. I _love_ to listen to her
+plan and then see her work out her own schemes. She has one on the
+carpet at present, and I verily believe she will pull it off!" exclaimed
+Tom, very much interested in his subject.
+
+"Yes, that girl of mine is worth more to me than any gold-mine or other
+treasure in the world."
+
+"Oh, really! Well, this time 'listening fools heard some good of
+themselves'," laughed a merry voice from a crevice in the wall, and
+immediately afterwards, Eleanor sprang out, with Polly close upon her
+heels.
+
+The horses were stopped until Eleanor and her father had done with their
+hugging, and then she remembered to introduce him to Polly.
+
+"The very best chum in the world, Daddy, and so we have sworn never to
+be separated--not even for money, business, or love!" cried the happy
+girl, maternally patting Polly on the head as she spoke.
+
+Eleanor sat upon her father's knee and Polly sat upon the floor of the
+wagon, as they proceeded on their way, but when John called to his
+sister and asked what had been doing in his absence, she jumped up
+suddenly and exclaimed.
+
+"Oh! we forgot all about the two men who came this morning and fell over
+the edge of the gulch!"
+
+Then followed an excited and graphic description of the two New York
+lawyers who came to Pebbly Pit to buy the Cliffs. When John heard the
+names, he whistled and looked at Tom.
+
+"Well, even providence is on your side, Polly, for those two men are the
+rascals who tried to steal Evans' patent rights in the little machine
+that cuts the jewels. So this is the way they were received at Pebbly
+Pit, eh?" Tom mused silently after that, but John and Mr. Maynard asked
+all sorts of questions until they reached the house.
+
+In these isolated mountain ranches, almost every intelligent man can set
+broken bones, and take care of minor troubles; a doctor living in a town
+ten to twenty miles away, needs plenty of time to reach a ranch, in
+cases of illness, and during that time a patient must suffer agonies or
+be helped by home-aid. Thus, Mr. Ratzger had his bones set by Mr.
+Brewster and his assistants, and was left neatly bandaged upon a cot in
+the harness-room. But the other patient seemed past the simple aid from
+the ranchers, so Jeb had to ride to Oak Creek for a doctor to come and
+try to save this life.
+
+With all the sudden advent of excitement and work, the thought of Anne's
+engagement ring had not entered into any one's mind, but once the
+household had quieted down again, and Mr. Brewster could sit on the
+porch and mop his weary brow, John smiled knowingly at his fiancée.
+
+Mrs. Brewster caught the look and interpreted it instantly: "Oh, Anne,
+dear! We never asked you to show us the symbol!"
+
+"Yes, yes, Anne! Let me look!" cried Eleanor, jumping up from the grass
+where Polly and she had thrown themselves.
+
+Anne, with an embarrassed laugh, held forth her left hand and displayed
+a beautiful solitaire. "Ahhs!" and "Ohs" and other exclamations of
+admiration pleased John and Anne mightly, and both felt that this
+mundane life was really a Paradise.
+
+With one accord it had been agreed to postpone the talk of Rainbow
+Cliffs and Choko's Find until after supper that evening. By that time
+the doctor would have arrived and expressed an opinion about the injured
+Riggley, and see if Ratzger was doing nicely under the home-treatment
+given him.
+
+"Because it makes me feel rather guilty to talk over our future plans
+about this big combination, when we know that not far off are two men so
+fearfully injured on account of this very fortune," added Mrs.
+Brewster, when she heard the business talk would not take place at once.
+
+"As long as I am here and having such a wonderful rest, I would just as
+soon wait for Latimer and Evans to put in an appearance, before we
+discuss finances," said Mr. Maynard.
+
+"We'll have enough talk left over to warm up for them," remarked Tom,
+whimsically.
+
+"And we want to get you first, Dad, and see how much money you will put
+in. When there are too many men about to talk to at once, the force of
+our arguments will be scattered," declared Eleanor, nodding her head
+wisely.
+
+Every one laughed--the first hearty laugh since the accident on the
+shale-fields. And every one felt much better for that laugh.
+
+"I tell you what, boys, isn't this girl of mine a born business-brain?"
+added Mr. Maynard fondly patting Eleanor on the head.
+
+"Sure! That's why I am going to run the business end of Polly's and my
+company, while she supplies all the ideals and plans for the work,"
+asserted Eleanor.
+
+"What's this? Something new on your old Dad?" asked her father.
+
+"Not _very_ new; only since I came here and met Polly." Eleanor
+squirmed away from Polly's warning nip on the arm, and added: "You see,
+Dad, I am bound to go with Anne when she starts for New York to
+school--that has all been settled between us, hasn't it?"
+
+Mr. Maynard smiled indulgently as if to concede any proposition to this
+child, and Eleanor continued with more assurance:
+
+"And Polly, having all her hopes of attending school in Denver blasted
+by Anne and her mother going on to New York, now has decided that the
+only thing for her to do is to go with us to New York. It is a wonderful
+opportunity for her, too, as she is as determined to take up Interior
+Decorating for a profession, as I am. And where on earth can one find
+such store-houses of valuable lore on the subject, as right in New
+York!"
+
+Mr. Brewster cleared his throat preparatory to an objection but Eleanor
+kept right on talking fast and loud in order to down him.
+
+"After figuring the whole plan out, Polly and I find that we need a few
+years more of regular school under Anne's tuition; then a few years of a
+special course of decorating in a first-rate school in New York--then,
+if we are not _too_ old, we will go abroad for a visit to the art
+galleries in Europe. But we may have to give that delightful trip up
+and turn right into work, as we must not wait until old age cripples our
+abilities. So you see----"
+
+"Nolla, let me say a word, won't you?" began Polly, seeing her father's
+expression.
+
+"No, Poll, not now! I have said all I want to tell Dad about our future
+business connections, and it may influence him somewhat in going into
+our mine company. But now that he knows just what I shall do from now
+on, we can leave them to discuss matters while we go in and look over
+your wardrobe and see what you will need before going to New York."
+
+So saying, Eleanor dragged Polly up from her seat on the grass and, by
+dint of winks and tugs, made her understand that it was best for all
+concerned if they were well out of hearing.
+
+Tom, John, and Mr. Maynard laughed heartily at Eleanor's speech and
+manner of getting Polly away from an evident discussion. Mrs. Brewster
+and Anne exchanged concerned glances, but Sam Brewster moodily stared
+for a few minutes away at Rainbow Cliffs. Then quite suddenly, and to
+the great amazement of every one present, he laughed and said, "To think
+the new woman has acquired such power that centuries of accepted habit
+is set aside and the male has to fall in line _in the rear_. Look at me!
+I have been the Great Mogul in this family and in all Oak Creek, too,
+until my baby girl begins to talk plainly and then she quietly pushes me
+out of my place and steps into it.
+
+"And look at Eleanor Maynard! Talks like an experienced business
+potentate of forty--yet she is only fourteen. Oh, I tell you what,
+friends, we are living in a strange time!" And Sam Brewster laughed
+again, a queer-sounding laugh this. Every one sat still and dreaded to
+say a word. In a few moments, he continued:
+
+"Here's a wonderful freak of nature, been standing over there for ages
+untold; and I settle down beside those Cliffs because I can see there
+will be something in them for my children in days to come. But then,
+without warning, my baby grows suddenly up and rears her head, and
+declares 'Those Cliffs must furnish me with money to go away from here.
+I am of the new order of things, and I must be well prepared to meet my
+fate!' So she packs her kit and scampers off to New York to imbibe the
+higher education for women.
+
+"Meantime, her poor lonesome father remains behind in Pebbly Pit and
+takes charge of the complete blasting of his precious Rainbow Hopes. Ah
+well! Ah trust Polly will never regret going to New York with you-all!"
+
+As Sam Brewster sighed and got up to walk away, his wife remarked
+quietly: "Any one would think, Sam, that Polly was your very own
+personal property. If you could but remember that she has a mother who
+loves her devotedly and is silently breaking her heart right now, so
+that the child may follow her own life-line without foolish barriers
+placed in her pathway!"
+
+Mr. Brewster sent a startled glance at his wife and then hurried away to
+the barns. But Mr. Maynard said fervently: "There spoke the true mother,
+Mrs. Brewster. That is what we are parents for, I firmly believe--that
+we may help the next generation to a higher and firmer foot-hold on
+progress. If only there were more mothers like you!"
+
+Then John crept over and flung his arm over his mother's shoulders.
+"Yes, Mr. Maynard--she is great. And we shall live to call her
+'blessed,' for this temporary parting from Polly will soon be a dream of
+the past, and both father and mother will laugh at this talk!"
+
+Drawing Polly into the house, Eleanor whispered: "I know just what you
+are going to say, Goody-good! You were ready to explode because you had
+not told me any such things as I pretended you had. But, don't you see,
+I had to take lots of things for granted to put the plan over in a few
+seconds? Suppose I had started out with turning to you every few moments
+for approval, where would we have ended."
+
+"That's what _you_ think, Nolla, but let me tell you this much right
+here"--and Polly planted her feet firmly and lifted her head upon her
+proud neck, until Eleanor stood admiring her independence--"I can talk
+for myself, every time! Don't ever quote me again in any thing that I
+ever said or did. You may think it is all right because you win out on
+those grounds, and simply because you never have been taught properly by
+your mother. But _I_ know better and I won't accept any victory won on
+any other basis than a clear conscience. Ask Anne Stewart whether she
+does not agree with me on this point. Now let me tell you, that much as
+I had yearned to go to New York with you-all I cannot go because you
+took my personal rights from me. I love you and I was crazy to leave
+home to go to school, but I will never consent to have any one say or
+act for me, in any way, when I am perfectly able to do so for myself."
+
+"Oh, Poll! I don't mean it that way--don't you know I only did it to
+help you out?" cried Eleanor aghast at the turn in events.
+
+"Who asked you to help me out?" demanded Polly, her blue eyes emitting
+sparks of fire.
+
+"Why--wh--y--you see I had to win your father over!"
+
+"But _who_ told you so? You know very well that it was your own pride in
+your ability to _talk_ that made you take the bit between your teeth.
+But you will learn now, that I intend driving my own steed, and will not
+allow others to whip my mount!"
+
+Eleanor was silenced as she began to review the very recent talk she had
+given out on the terrace. Polly was right!
+
+"It hurts me to tell you this, Nolla, but it is best that we have a
+clean slate from this night on. You are awfully clever and witty, too,
+but you do exaggerate something terrible! I cannot sit tamely by and
+accept all the things you say of me and our plans. Why, we scarcely said
+a dozen words about college and Europe!"
+
+"But I did it all for your sake," was all Eleanor could offer in
+self-defense.
+
+"That's just it! I _will not_ have any one say they had to tell lies to
+help me along. If I can't paddle my own canoe through the rapids, I can
+go ashore. But I will balk every time another tries to turn me from the
+course I know to be my true one. So there!"
+
+"Polly dearest! Do you mean that after all I have done to get Dad here
+and win your father's consent to your going, that you refuse to leave
+home--just because I colored my words a bit too vividly?"
+
+"You can color your words as rashly and with as vivid colors as you
+choose, Nolla, but I say that when you begin to infer that the coloring
+is of _my_ choosing and that I am in hearty sympathy with the way you
+win out in matters, then I will balk and if necessary, deny it in the
+future. I _hate_ color when it is daubed on falsely!"
+
+Eleanor stood self-conscious of her mistakes, and Polly sent her one
+sorry look and then walked into her room. Eleanor did not dare follow as
+she was too awed by her friend's honest speech. And she admired Polly
+all the more for daring to tell her the unvarnished truth about her
+proclivity to prevaricate.
+
+"It always was my weak spot," grumbled Eleanor to herself, as she walked
+slowly to the kitchen to see if Sary was there to keep her company. But
+the big cool kitchen was empty, so the girl sat down in the wooden chair
+and thought.
+
+[Illustration: "WHO ASKED YOU TO HELP ME OUT?" DEMANDED POLLY.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor_ _Page 257_]
+
+"If I had had a different training maybe I wouldn't be so ready to lie,"
+murmured Eleanor. Then, suddenly sneering at herself she added: "Poor
+fish! Can't even accept what you know is a fact without trying to blame
+it on some one else. You've scorned Bob for being such a fool, but here
+you are, ten times worse, because you have wits enough yet you pervert
+the use of them. Eleanor Maynard, I just feel as if I wanted to give you
+the biggest hiding you ever heard of!"
+
+As she knew of no way in which to inflict this punishment upon herself,
+she cried instead. From a prolonged sniffle that caused her to wipe her
+eyes on her dimity sleeves, she began to weep freely. And finally,
+heart-broken sobs shook her slender frame. By this time her eyes and
+nose were rivers of salt-water and the poor girl had no handkerchief.
+Just when she felt compelled to turn up her skirt to use the ruffle of
+her white petticoat, Anne came in.
+
+"Why, Nolla! What has happened?"
+
+"Oo-h, Anne--I lost my handkerchief!"
+
+"Is that all, darling! Here use mine--It's clean. But don't cry over a
+trifle like that. It is sure to be somewhere about the place."
+
+Before Anne could dry the flooded eyes and hold the bit of white linen
+at Eleanor's nose, the girl broke into a merry laugh--so close were
+tears and laughter in Eleanor's makeup.
+
+"Oh, oh--Anne! I didn't mean _that_ that was what made me _cry_! But I
+am so disgusted with myself--that is why I am weeping. If some one would
+only whip me soundly, I would feel _so_ much better!"
+
+"Oh, I see! you're crying because you are so selfish, eh?"
+
+Eleanor looked up astonished. "Selfish--no, I want to be thrashed, you
+know."
+
+"And because you cannot get what you think you want, you sit out here
+and weep! Oh come, Nolla! come out on the terrace and let your Dad see
+how happy you are!"
+
+The very illumination that came with Anne's unexpected words choked the
+sobs in Eleanor's throat, and she meekly followed Anne to the pump where
+cold water was dashed upon her red eye-lids. As she dried her face on a
+clean towel that hung back of the door, she thought: "Yes, sir! Even in
+howling for a licking I was fooling myself into believing I was doing
+the right thing! Oh, Nolla, Nolla! how much you have to change your old
+ways of thinking and talking before you can feel as honest and wise as
+Anne Stewart or Polly!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+COMINGS AND GOINGS
+
+
+It was very late when the doctor reached the ranch, that night, and
+having examined the still unconscious man, pronounced his opinion to the
+men who had accompanied him from the house.
+
+"It's a bad concussion on the brain, I believe, following a slight
+fracture of the skull. He has suffered internal injuries, too, from the
+slight examination I can make here. But we can do nothing for him under
+these conditions. He ought to be in a hospital in Denver where an
+operation could take place."
+
+"Would it be a risk to try and carry him there?" asked John, anxiously.
+
+"He won't suffer during the trip, if that is what you mean, as he is
+unconscious of physical pain. And the sooner he could be operated upon
+the better. He will slowly pass away if left like this," returned the
+doctor.
+
+"But to-morrow's Sunday, John, and no trains run to Denver until Monday
+noon," said Tom Latimer.
+
+"There's the morning milk-train, you know," suggested the doctor. "If I
+explained the case, they would gladly take these men on and turn them
+over to the physicians at Denver."
+
+"Then we'd have to get them in to Oak Creek to-night," added Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+"You'd have to fix up some sort of hammocks in the wagon to spare the
+poor fellows any jolts. If it can be done, I will wait and ride back
+with them," said the doctor.
+
+"We'll turn the ranch inside out and upside down in order to help in any
+way," hastily asserted Mr. Brewster. Then turning to Jeb, who stood
+watching the scene, commanded him.
+
+"Jeb, get out the truck wagon--the one with the chestnut posts on either
+side--and hook up four of our best horses. While Jeb is doing that, we
+will get the two hammocks from the girls and fix up some sort of
+mattress in each. These hammocks can swing from the posts. I'll go with
+the doctor and see that no little thing is overlooked."
+
+"John and I thought of going in, Mr. Brewster, and if three are going,
+you would not have to take this trip to-night," said Tom.
+
+"W-ee-ll I would rather not use myself up in riding all night without
+being able to do any good to any one, if you young men will go in my
+place," Sam Brewster sighed.
+
+"An' Ah'll drive the four hosses, cuz, yuh know, it's no joke seein'
+ahead of th' hosses' noses along that trail in th' dark," announced Jeb,
+in a matter-of-course tone.
+
+"Jeb, if you would! It will be a great relief to know you are
+driving--you are such a wizard with a four-in-hand," exclaimed John,
+smiling suddenly at Jeb.
+
+"Wha--Ah hed no idee you-all diden know Ah was goin' t' do th' drivin',"
+returned Jeb, surprised at the others for their lack of comprehension.
+
+It was twelve o'clock that night when all was ready and the great wagon
+lumbered past the ranch-house. The women were all grouped on the porch,
+silently praying for the safe transportation of the unfortunate schemers
+from New York.
+
+"Ah don't suppose we will really know why these men came West until
+Latimer or Evans gets here to explain," said Mr. Brewster, as the
+remaining members of the family went indoors.
+
+"Didn't you look through the papers in that leather bag?" asked Mr.
+Maynard of his host.
+
+"No, not when Ratzger came to and told us who they were. I handed the
+bag to him and felt I had no right to pry into his secrets--especially
+as he acted so fearful of the contents of the wallet."
+
+"I suppose they hired those horses from Oak Creek," ventured Mrs.
+Brewster.
+
+"Doubtless; and I told John to make sure and then ask Ratzger what had
+best be done to settle for them. If the men have ample means they can
+pay the damages, but if they haven't, I will pay for them myself,"
+explained Mr. Brewster.
+
+"I don't see why you should! You had nothing to do with their hiring,
+nor with anything connected with this accident," said Mr. Maynard.
+
+"No, but folks here-abouts stick together more or less, and if one has a
+loss, the others generally help out. Now I can spare twenty horses from
+my corral sooner than have a friend in Oak Creek think I had something
+to do with his loss of two good saddle horses."
+
+"If every one thought and acted like that, Mr. Brewster, we would bring
+in the millennium without delay," Mr. Maynard remarked.
+
+"Ah feel happy to state that Ah will never defer the coming of that
+same millennium by any trifle like a few horses given away to a less
+fortunate friend."
+
+All that evening Polly and Eleanor were as cordial and chummy as ever to
+observers, but no one knew that the two girls had changed places. Only
+Anne knew that Eleanor had been in the kitchen weeping, and even she did
+not know the cause of the tears. She fancied there had been a girlish
+quarrel between the friends but that would soon be made up again. So she
+paid no further attention to the case.
+
+Eleanor felt humbled by the frank truth spoken by Polly, and realizing
+that it was absolutely as her friend had stated, she tried to impress
+upon Polly that she was repentant and would never again do or say a
+thing that might offend. Hitherto Eleanor had taken for granted that she
+was more experienced in every way than her simple little friend of the
+ranch; and without meaning to take the upper hand, had actually assumed
+that position, until she had reached the point where Polly rebelled
+against this friendly leadership.
+
+But after the fearless speech from Polly that afternoon, Eleanor
+comprehended how far behind she really was in this warfare between
+egotism and _egoism_. She began to understand that the first expressed
+stubbornness and selfishness which eventually would result in
+unhappiness for all concerned; while egoism meant exactly what Polly was
+trying to demonstrate for herself--that upright fearless stand for
+Truth, and the sacrifice of everything that interfered with the perfect
+working out of the highest good.
+
+Hence, without meaning to do so, and in fact, never realizing that it
+was so, Polly took the lead in everything after that day. When with her
+friend, Eleanor seldom exaggerated and never took the aggressive
+attitude again. And with others, she seemed to be developing a quieter
+and more lovable disposition. But her family and friends declared it was
+due to the fact that she was out-growing her tom-boy habits.
+
+Sunday morning was far spent before the family met under the oak trees
+for their first meal. Seeing how late it was, Mrs. Brewster and Sary
+decided to have but two meals that day--a combination breakfast and
+lunch and a good dinner and supper about five o'clock. The very unusual
+break in the habits of other Sabbaths, and the various causes that led
+to such a change, kept every one lounging quietly about the house and
+porch.
+
+Mr. Maynard took advantage of the restful hours, to ask Barbara just how
+much money she needed to defray her expenses in camp, with her mother.
+And in spite of her mentioning an exorbitant sum, he silently wrote out
+the check for her.
+
+Barbara had expected rebellion and so was prepared to argue that she
+needed a new wardrobe for such a select gathering, but finding her
+father had offered no resistance, she wished she had demanded much more.
+Had she but known that the only reason he gave her what she wanted, was
+the qualm of conscience he felt. He was really glad to have his daughter
+so eager to join her mother in the East, so that he would be relieved of
+the nagging and unhappiness he was always subjected to when his wife and
+oldest daughter were with him.
+
+But there was a sub-conscious reason, too, for his ready writing of the
+check. He was as eager to have Eleanor live with Anne and her mother in
+New York, as the girl was to go there. And this unexpected plan might
+meet with various objections from his wife if she dreamed of the extra
+cost it would be. As he seldom came to an open quarrel with Mrs.
+Maynard, he considered he was placating both wife and daughter by
+extending this generous sum of money for their pleasures. Should they
+offer strenuous objections against Eleanor's plan to live in New York,
+he would have one cudgel, at least, to use against them.
+
+The sinking sun was bathing Rainbow Cliffs in a glory of color before
+the echo of the lumbering ranch-wagon was heard sounding across the
+crater. Then every one ran out upon the terrace to watch the home-coming
+of the weary boys.
+
+"Was everything all right?" anxiously asked Mrs. Brewster, thinking of
+the two poor sufferers.
+
+"Oh yes; the hammocks served splendidly, but poor Ratzger groaned
+continually because of the pain in his limbs," sighed John.
+
+"And we had an awful job carrying them from the wagon to the milk-train.
+They both are corpulent men, you know," added Tom.
+
+"The docter went along widdem, to Denver," observed Jeb. "Gosh! Ah wisht
+Ah wuz a doctor, en Ah'd have gone, too. It wuz a free ride fer him,
+yuh-know."
+
+The humor of the remark made every one smile, and Jeb gazed from one to
+the other to find out just where he had been witty.
+
+"Never mind, Jeb; you and Sary are going to Denver, you know, for that
+ring," whispered Mrs. Brewster, aside to Jeb.
+
+"It ain't the same. Sary'll tote me aroun' jest whar she wants to go, en
+Ah have t' trot behin' her like a poodle!" grumbled Jeb.
+
+Mrs. Brewster understood immediately. It was the call of freedom to the
+male who is soon to be shackled, to have one last fling. So she
+whispered back: "I'll see that you get a few days off for a nice visit
+there all by yourself. Perhaps we can arrange to have you go with the
+girls and look after their luggage on their way to New York."
+
+At this unexpected offer of bliss, even if it was lonesome, Jeb grinned
+and shuffled away to drive the horses to the barns.
+
+As Jeb had to make another trip to meet the train on Monday noon at Oak
+Creek, he was only too glad when Tom announced that he was going, too,
+to meet his father and Dr. Evans.
+
+John and Anne found so much to say to each other before the separation
+came, that they were not to be seen all that day. Polly felt sure she
+would find them seated on the Imps at the Cliffs, if she wanted to take
+the trouble to walk there. But she didn't.
+
+Mrs. Brewster and Eleanor were together, talking over many pleasant
+secrets, or at least Polly thought they must be pleasant from the
+smiling countenance on her friend. Now and then she caught such words as
+"you know all about such things, Nolla," or Eleanor might say "she will
+be on top of the heap, if I know it, Mrs. Brewster," so it was evident
+that she, Polly, was the subject of their conversation. But Polly
+herself, felt little concern about it all, as she saw the forlorn
+expression on her father's face as he went about his ranch-duties.
+Finally she decided upon taking a radical step.
+
+She went to the room where she found her meager wardrobe displayed in
+every country-like detail. So this was what Eleanor was planning--a
+conquest made with fine clothes such as she had!
+
+"Mother," she began; "I have changed my mind about going to school. I
+have decided to remain here with father and you."
+
+"Oh, Poll! You just can't!" cried Eleanor.
+
+"Why this sad countenance, daughter, if you believe you will be happier
+here than away?" countered Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Because I am as miserable as Daddy about leaving."
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed merrily, albeit she felt no joy in her soul. "Then
+the sooner we dispel this gloom by packing you off, the better. I
+haven't the slightest doubt but that you will wonder at your present
+attitude, the moment John and Tom have gone. Once let every young person
+leave us here all alone for the long solitary winter, and you will eat
+your heart out to think that you could have been so mistaken as to
+refuse this wonderful opportunity to make something of yourself and your
+wealth."
+
+Polly knew in her heart that her mother spoke the truth, but she never
+dreamed what it cost that mother to speak cheerily as she did about her
+only girl's going--in fact, almost persuading her to go. For that wise
+mother had heard the yearnings in Polly's voice the day she spoke so
+daringly of all her ambitions and of her future. And she understood that
+this transitory spell of regret was merely the contagion of Mr.
+Brewster's woe-be-gone thoughts and behavior.
+
+"I'll get after Sam, and that good and plenty!" thought Mrs. Brewster to
+herself, as she watched Polly with keen understanding.
+
+"Poll, your mother says Anne is to get every last dud you need in the
+swellest shops in New York. Because you and I will have plenty of money
+for our future, and we must dress up to our station. Your mother said
+our success in business would be influenced, to a great extent, by our
+careful consideration of apparel. She is right."
+
+"But, mother, you said to me, one time, that clothes should never occupy
+a woman's mind," Polly said, wonderingly.
+
+"I was right in saying so. I do not believe in having anything so
+perishable as dress occupying anybody's mind. But that does not mean
+that you should become careless of your appearance nor wear cheap and
+vulgar apparel. I always felt that an individual expresses his own
+position in life by the clothes he selects and wears. It is generally a
+key to one's character. You will find that any one who has slip-shod
+apparel, is careless in everything else in life, and one who dons gaudy
+attire--cheap and destructible--will soon show you how small a nature he
+has. The same with well-selected refined apparel; one garbed in the
+best, no matter how many seasons they may have to wear the articles,
+will prove reliable and conscientious in other ways.
+
+"Oh, I never dreamed this would end up in a sermon!" Mrs. Brewster
+suddenly laughed, and then she whisked from the room.
+
+The new arrivals came at sun-down, and every one was eager to welcome
+Tom's father, and his friend Dr. Evans. Both men were made to feel at
+home, and as the dinner had been kept waiting for the past half-hour,
+Sary lost no time in shouting for every one to "setdown."
+
+Smiles on every face, was the rule at that meal, and no one dreamed that
+Mrs. Brewster had given her spouse the worst "Dressing down" he had had
+since they were married. He laughingly referred to it later on, and
+confessed that now he knew where Polly got her "woman's rights" idea, so
+unexpectedly betrayed the day she stood up for herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR START OUT
+
+
+"Now let us hear all about those two strangers from New York?" Mr.
+Brewster reminded his new guests, as they strolled away from the table.
+
+"Well, it was as much a shock for us to find that they had been here and
+were now at a hospital in Denver, as it was for you to learn who they
+were," replied the doctor.
+
+"I suspected some crooked work last week, but I must say that I never
+thought they would come out here on such a meager chance," added Mr.
+Latimer. "You see, it was this way: I had a rascal employed in my office
+as clerk, but I never knew that he was in constant touch with Riggley &
+Ratzger--in fact was their stool-pigeon. He was a clerk in our offices
+just to get daily information about patents. And thus the other firm got
+hold of many tips.
+
+"When the Court upheld us in our rights, and this firm of crooks tried
+in other ways to get that valuable patent and model, this clerk Brown
+made an accurate blue-print of the drawing we always kept locked in our
+safe. Then when he heard of our success in cutting the lava-jewels from
+the material sent us from Pebbly Pit, he did everything to locate this
+ranch.
+
+"Had we wasted any time in planning to come West and meet you people
+here, I doubt not but that Riggley & Ratzger would have had a new scheme
+to hold us up. But we moved so swiftly after hearing from Kenneth and
+Tom, that they had to catch breath to keep up in the race.
+
+"I am convinced that they hurried here with no set plans about the
+future--they wanted to get a hold on this place so as to try and bar us
+from immediate work, or perhaps, to make a fortune out of us by selling
+their option to us. They never dreamed that Latimer had a son right
+here, and that there was a deeper cause for our meeting you all than
+mere business reasons. Had either of these lawyers known about Montresor
+and that mine, they would not have spent so much time and money to get
+here to outwit us.
+
+"It is fortunate that the doctor kept those letters at home where Brown
+could not read and copy them for his firm of rascals. But, to tell the
+truth, that was one reason why Dr. Evans was so anxious to meet
+you-all. We want to hear everything about the old man and that claim."
+
+As Mr. Latimer finished speaking, Dr. Evans said: "If you will pardon
+me, a moment, I have here a photograph taken of my brother-in-law just
+before he left for the Klondike. Perhaps you will recognize something in
+the face to assure us it was your Montresor."
+
+The doctor took out his large flat pocket-book and removed the
+card-photograph wrapped in tissue paper. This was passed to Sam
+Brewster, who needed but a glance to tell him that the pictured face was
+the same man that he had defended so valiantly to others.
+
+Polly ran over to her father's side and took the picture. "Oh, you dear
+old friend--it is our Old Man Montresor, sure enough, but his hair was
+white when we knew him!" she exclaimed.
+
+She impulsively kissed the senseless card, and every one smiled
+sympathetically, even though there was a suspicion of moisture in most
+eyes.
+
+"I am so glad to find that he had good friends, somewhere, even though
+he was too proud to let any one know about his relatives. And Ken! I'm
+so glad to know that he, and you people, will all come in on Choko's
+Find--or to be exact, it is Montresor's Mine," said Polly.
+
+"That's going to be a fine tangle in law, Polly," remarked Mr. Latimer.
+"You see, Montresor made you his sole heiress, so the mine is yours, not
+only by inheritance, but also by rediscovery after it was lost in the
+first land-slide.
+
+"We stopped at Simms' office to-day--that is what made us late--and
+learned, without a doubt, that the two claims are the same. As it now
+stands, Polly and her friends are claim-jumpers on the same claim that
+Montresor bequeathed to Polly a few years ago. And should you all go to
+law over the tangle, the State of Colorado would benefit, in-as-much as
+the costs of an endless suit would fill the State coffers." Mr. Latimer
+laughed at the picture of such a thrilling law-tangle for his
+unraveling.
+
+"But we are not going to law, and if that gold is mine so that no one
+else has any right to say what I can, or cannot do with it, I shall do
+what I always planned to do with it--even before Nolla and I found it
+again. I made up my mind that if ever one of dear old Montresor's
+relatives appeared I would go halves. And if they wanted the whole
+thing--then they could take it, rather than fight for it. So now I am
+going to give half to your wife, right off, Doctor, and my other half I
+will divide with the girls who were with me when we located it again."
+Polly was magnificent in her earnest generosity.
+
+"Why, Miss Polly, my wife would never accept half of it. Ken wrote
+something of what you told him, and Mrs. Evans told me to be sure to
+tell you that you _cannot_ give half away. Besides, the fact that I will
+have so many friends willing to invest money in this device of mine, is
+better than all the gold in the Rockies. The jewel-cutter is now an
+assured success, and it will turn out dollars like a sausage grinder
+turns out that toothsome breakfast meat."
+
+Every one laughed at the doctor's funny comparison, and he continued:
+"However, let us hear from Tom and the others, how they managed to get
+down into the cave if it was buried under such mountains of trash."
+
+"Oh, yes, John! You promised to tell us the moment Mr. Latimer and the
+doctor arrived," cried Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+So without preamble, John began: "When Mike had made a temporary camp
+for us on Top Notch, he tried to show Tom and me just where the cave had
+been. But none other than a clever Indian scout could ever have found
+one familiar sign anywhere. Even Mike had to hunt and dig and trail
+around, again and again, before he gave a war-whoop.
+
+"To cut it short, I will say, we found that the ravine upon which the
+cave opened, was completely filled with trash and, in fact, there were
+many feet of earth and timber on top of the ledge so that it would need
+a great deal of digging and blasting before we could hope to enter that
+cave again.
+
+"But Tom and I had not been lazy during the time Mike was seeking for
+some sign to locate the cave. And after we learned how impossible it was
+to enter the mine at that side where the girls had gone in, Tom and I
+took scientific observations with our instruments, and finally, after
+tiresome days, found a rushing river that gushed from some underground
+source.
+
+"We immediately remembered the pit Polly had told us of, and the rushing
+sound of waters she had heard when leaning over the edge of the pit, so
+we decided that here we had found the outlet.
+
+"We could not determine how far the river traveled underground from the
+pit, until it came out in the open again, but we got Mike to come with
+us, and, daring fellow that he is, he crept into the tunnel that hooded
+the stream. We tried to dissuade him from taking such a risk, but he
+grinned and said: 'Mike like fun.'
+
+"When he returned, half an hour later, he made us understand that we
+might follow quite safely. My! But that was some thrill, eh, Tom?"
+laughed John, shivering delightfully at the reminiscence.
+
+Tom laughingly admitted that it was a "hair-raiser" and John continued:
+"We managed to cling to the narrow ledge of rock that was less than a
+foot above the turbulent water, and even that must have been submerged
+most of the time, as it was damp and slippery. Mike said the recent
+land-slide had had some effect on lowering the water-line of the river
+and that was what left the rock exposed.
+
+"We crept slowly along this foot-hold and soon realized that we were
+nearing some suction-hole. Mike explained that it was the very tube that
+rose to the rocky floor where Polly knelt that day. I couldn't see where
+this journey was going to benefit us, but Mike knew.
+
+"Reaching the tube that slanted upwards, so that we could see roots and
+stubborn vines growing out of its rocky walls, we also discovered that
+we had a flat space of more than six feet square on which we were
+standing. Now Mike demonstrated what he proposed doing. All our
+threats, persuasions, and anger, left no impression. He smiled.
+
+"He made us understand that he was about to scale the wall by means of
+those roots and vines. Should he miss and fall, the rope he tied about
+his body would keep him from being swept down into the current. He gave
+us the end of the rope to fasten to our waists. When he arrived at the
+top, he would draw us up, one after the other.
+
+"He managed to land on top, but I'll have to tell you-all some other
+time, all that happened before we reached the underground cave where the
+gold was shining from walls and ceiling. It is exactly as Polly
+described it, and we picked up a number of nuggets that were found in
+the dust of ages on the stone floor, and then tried to take scientific
+observations. Tom took a flash-light of the cave, and we had it
+developed, but it was not a howling success. Still, it shows something
+of the interior.
+
+"When we got back to open air again, we noticed the vast mountain-top
+that sat down upon that gold-mine. This would have to be removed if we
+mined from the top. But I believe we can manage to work in through that
+tunnel and secure the gold by means of lifts in that tube. This is a
+matter of discussion. The gold is there and it can be gotten out, just
+so long as Old Grizzly will behave."
+
+There was a general chorus of sighs when John had concluded his story,
+and as technical matters were taken up by the men, and in this the girls
+were not interested, they wandered away to enjoy the twilight.
+
+During the days that followed, Barbara left Pebbly Pit, with no regrets
+on her part, and not very many on the part of her summer companions. She
+was not in her rightful place on a ranch, and every one was honest
+enough to admit it. But now she was going to join "her own" and she was
+happy.
+
+Tom and John were the next to leave the happy circle at the ranch. But
+not until all plans about the incorporating of the two companies were
+perfected. Each man present at that meeting, signing up liberally to
+supply the money to launch the two big enterprises.
+
+The evening before John and Tom were to go back to their engineering
+work with their old Crew, Polly and Eleanor were out on the terrace with
+Tom, talking eagerly of the plans made for mining the ore from Choko's
+Find. From this subject it was quite natural for the girls to launch
+the subject of their anticipated winter in New York City.
+
+"I suppose you two girls will see quite a little of Jim and Ken, when
+you arrive in New York," ventured Tom, wistfully (or so it seemed to
+romantic Eleanor).
+
+"They said so; Jim says New Haven is not so far from New York but that
+the two of them--I mean the boys not the cities," laughed Polly--"may be
+able to visit us every week-end. That will be great fun for us, won't
+it, Tom?"
+
+"I suppose so. I wonder if John would care for you to see so much of the
+two boys as you plan to," replied Tom, suggestively.
+
+"Oh, John won't care! Why should he?" retorted Polly.
+
+"Why _shouldn't_ he? He's your brother and you are growing up to be a
+young lady, Polly; you must think of appearances, you know," said Tom.
+
+Polly laughed merrily. "Why, Tom! One would think you were concerned
+about my future, the way you preach. Just like Daddy does."
+
+Eleanor interpreted the speech to suit herself and watched Tom's
+expression closely. Tom frowned at Polly's laugh and bit his lip to
+restrain himself from further preachings.
+
+"Besides," added Polly, in a few moments, "Jim is your own kid brother,
+and Ken is his pal. You-all say Ken is a jewel of a boy, so why should I
+worry about appearances' sake when I am with them?"
+
+Tom refused to reply to her question, and Polly quickly forgot his
+strange remark. But Eleanor thought over various little incidents of the
+past few days, and finally decided to make a radical move for Tom.
+
+"I'm going indoors, for a minute, children--will you excuse me?" said
+she, starting to leave the two alone.
+
+"With the greatest of pleasure!" declared Tom, laughingly, to Eleanor.
+
+Eleanor tossed her saucy head and winked at Tom as she ran away. Tom
+flushed and wondered just what Eleanor thought or what she had tried to
+make him understand by that wink.
+
+The moment Eleanor had gone Tom turned to Polly and said: "Shall we walk
+to the Cliffs and have a last look at the jewels in this glorious
+moonlight?"
+
+"Oh no!" cried Polly, nervously, as she glanced at Tom's facial
+expression, and thought of the tremble in his voice as he spoke.
+
+"All right, then; but I thought you would want to remember just how
+they looked, to-night. When you are in that crowded city of rush and
+hustle, it would be a pleasant memory."
+
+"Eleanor and I are going to get a snap-shot of them, to-morrow, after
+you boys are gone," explained Polly, in a matter-of-fact tone.
+
+Tom smothered a sigh and was trying to think of some other excuse to
+coax Polly away from the nearness of the house, when Mr. Maynard and Mr.
+Latimer strolled over to join the two young people. Polly turned to them
+with a smiling welcome but Tom gnashed his teeth in impatience at their
+untimely intrusion.
+
+The two men immediately began speaking of the projects for the
+incorporated companies and demanded so much of Tom's attention that
+Polly managed to glide away and go back to the house. This ended Tom's
+first attempt at romance with Polly, and it was evident that he disliked
+the interruption.
+
+After Mr. Maynard, Mr. Latimer, and Dr. Evans had gone, it was Anne
+Stewart's turn to say good-by. She was going to Denver to see that her
+mother wound up all their private affairs, and there she would await the
+coming of Eleanor and Polly.
+
+After Anne had gone, Mrs. Brewster took Polly and Eleanor to her room
+and sat down to have a confidential talk with the girls. To her surprise
+Polly found all her ranch-dresses and other apparel bundled up in a
+loose roll with a rope tied about it.
+
+"Why, mother! How can I take my clothes to New York that way?" asked
+she, having studied the bundle wonderingly for a time.
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed. "You're not. These are going to some poor
+ranchers' children over at Yellow Jacket Pass."
+
+"But, mother!" gasped Polly. "I haven't anything left to wear in New
+York!"
+
+"That's what I wish to tell you about, Polly. Now listen to what I have
+already told Eleanor who knows about these things better than we do."
+
+Then Mrs. Brewster proceeded to instruct Polly as Eleanor had suggested
+previously.
+
+"I know how foolish it appears to you, Polly, to give much thought to
+clothes, because at home on the ranch it matters so little what the
+style is. But once you are in New York, or any other large city where
+all kinds of people are to be found, your appearance makes a great
+difference. You are not to take any of your home-made ranch clothes with
+you, Polly--not even on the train after you leave Denver. I am going to
+purchase a neat tailor-made suit at Denver for you to wear, and your
+old suit I shall bring back home.
+
+"When you reach New York Anne and Eleanor have my orders to attend to
+your shopping the very first thing. I want you to go to the very best
+and most exclusive shops on Fifth Avenue above Forty-second street for
+all you need--and many accessories that you think you do not need,
+Polly.
+
+"Remember this, dear, the tag of the maker of your apparel is not the
+only important mark of an exclusive shop--the principal mark is the cut
+and style, and these high-grade shops turn out hats, coats and gowns
+which the other shops endeavor in vain to imitate. That is why one can
+be recognized in a way by the clothes they wear. And that is why I
+insist upon your having the best.
+
+"Another thing I know to be true, is this: Girls at school (and I feel
+sure the girls at your exclusive school in New York City will do so)
+judge others by the maker of their clothes. You will have no heart-aches
+if your clothes have the best maker's name inside. It sounds small,
+Polly, but it really is a serious matter when you come in contact with
+small-minded girls or adults.
+
+"Anne carries the check-book, Polly, and Eleanor carries the social
+experience in dressing as becomes a young lady of the best society. You
+must remember you are that and so you must never be ashamed of your
+apparel. When one is so clothed that one need not think of dress, or any
+apology for what they have on, one is at ease and forgets about such
+trifles. That is one good argument for having the best, Polly--one
+forgets oneself."
+
+Polly listened to her mother's wise remarks with serious expression, but
+Eleanor sat and nodded her head approvingly whenever Mrs. Brewster made
+a point that pleased the girl. When Mrs. Brewster paused for a moment,
+Eleanor spoke eagerly.
+
+"My! Won't I just make the gold from Choko's Find mine fly when I select
+the wardrobe for our Polly!"
+
+"You can't spend something you never had," laughed Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"But we _will_ have it, some day, soon," retorted Eleanor.
+
+"Well, then, I'll spend it when we get it, not till then!" exclaimed
+Polly, practically.
+
+"There speaks the logical one," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Polly will have more than enough in the bank to defray all bills while
+in New York, Nolla, without borrowing from the mine."
+
+At last came the day when Polly had to say good-by to her beloved pets
+on the ranch. Dear little Noddy followed her about and would not be
+separated from her. It was as if the burro knew her beloved mistress was
+leaving home. And so heart-broken was Polly to realize that she would
+not see her Noddy again for almost a year, that she took the woolly head
+in her arms and kissed the cold nose in a fond farewell.
+
+Eleanor stood by and dabbed her eyes with her fist at sight of such
+affection, but she had to laugh when Noddy tried to return that kiss.
+Her red tongue was long and supple and Polly was taken by surprise when
+it curled about her ear.
+
+And then at last! Well, Sary refused absolutely to be left at home when
+she found Jeb was going with the family to help Polly carry the bags.
+"What," she exclaimed to Mrs. Brewster the night before, "you-all mus'
+think Ah'm empty-headed to let Jeb go t' Denver alone. Ah've hearn say
+how gals go about them streets lookin' fer a handsome young beau!
+No-siree! Ef Jeb goes, Ah goes too!" And she went!
+
+Sary furnished endless amusement to the Brewster group as the train
+sped on its way from Oak Creek to Denver. Polly was the only one in the
+circle who paid little attention to the excited woman, for Polly had all
+she could do to keep down her own nervous excitement because of the
+wonders of the first train-ride she had ever had.
+
+"Ah d'clar' to goodness, Missus Brewster, is this business runnin'
+away?" exclaimed Sary, after the local had started from Oak Creek.
+
+Mrs. Brewster sat in front of Sary who, with Jeb, occupied the last seat
+in the coach. The chosen seat was Jeb's plan; although he did not
+explain to any one that he figured out it would be much better to be
+near the door in case one had to make a quick exit. Trains _did_ run off
+their tracks, and also there might be a collision. He had heard folks
+talking of these dreadful accidents.
+
+When Sary addressed her mistress with a tone of anxiety in her voice,
+Mrs. Brewster turned her head and smiled reassuringly as she replied:
+
+"Oh, no, Sary! The train hasn't really started to go, as yet. Wait until
+we get past these little local stations, then you shall see."
+
+"Wall, Ah don't know ez Ah wants to ride any faster. Ef the driver could
+slow up a bit we-all could enjy the country views better," said Sary.
+
+Eleanor giggled and nudged Polly but Polly turned a serious face to her
+friend. "Nolla, I think the same as Sary--I'd rather go slower."
+
+"Good gracious, Polly, are _you_ frightened, too?" exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"No, but I want to remember every inch of this grand country if I am to
+stay in New York for many months, you see."
+
+Eleanor understood, and left Polly to her silent work of impressing her
+mind with the views she wished to remember, later; Sary would provide
+enough entertainment for Eleanor during the trip to Denver.
+
+"Jeb, what you-all clutchin' at my arm like-as-how you are?" now asked
+Sary, in no weak or tender voice.
+
+"Ah ain't clutchin' nothin', Sary!" was Jeb's defense of his manhood.
+
+"Ah don't know what you call it, then. Sit up like a regular traveler,
+Jeb, and don't slump in the seat like-as-how your head wants to duck
+from some crash," declared Sary, heroically trying to lift Jeb's courage
+by gripping his coat collar and hoisting him almost out of his badly
+fitting coat.
+
+Eleanor smothered a laugh but said nothing to disturb the vaudeville she
+was enjoying. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster were talking earnestly about the
+future of their daughter.
+
+Suddenly Polly cried thrillingly: "Oh, look, everybody! We're coming to
+a torrent, and the train won't slow up!"
+
+Sary instantly turned to the window and saw what seemed to be an
+unavoidable end of all earthly things, so she half rose from the seat
+and grabbed Jeb in her ample embrace. "Ef we go, we goes together, Jeb!"
+
+Her voice, never soft and melodious, now rose above the whistle of the
+engine just as it reached the high bridge over the stream. Jeb's small
+head was completely hidden by the unexpected protection thrust upon him,
+but Eleanor had no idea of thus missing the pleasure of watching Jeb's
+face when the train should cross the bridge.
+
+"Look--look, Jeb and Sary! We're riding over the water!" she cried.
+
+Thus induced, Sary left Jeb's head to its fate and quickly sought the
+cause of Eleanor's excitement. The amazing experience of being on a
+vehicle that glided directly over a rushing stream of water while there
+was no apparent land to uphold the vehicle, held Sary and Jeb
+spell-bound.
+
+When the train reached land, once more, and was steaming along its way,
+Sary sighed audibly and whispered to Jeb: "Did you-all ever know sech
+doin's went on when one traveled?"
+
+But Jeb was too surprised to make a sound. He sat and stared from the
+small window of the car without even having heard his fiancée's words.
+
+The conductor had passed through the car many times since the Brewster
+family boarded the train, and when the last local station had been left
+behind and he had punched all the tickets of the passengers on that
+trip, he entered the car and sat upon the arm of the seat just opposite
+Sam Brewster, in order to converse with the man every one about Oak
+Creek knew so well.
+
+Having no stops to make for a long stretch, and the track running on a
+level line for many miles, the engineer increased the speed of his
+engine with corresponding results in Sary's anxiety. She stepped over
+Jeb's obstructing feet and made madly for the conductor, taking that
+worthy man quite by surprise.
+
+"See here, Mr. Boss, Ah ain't going to pay fer no ticket to ride on a
+runaway injun! It's your job to get up front and see what's ailin' this
+car. Ef it's locooed you'd better cut loose from th' injun--come along!"
+
+And before the amazed conductor or Mr. Brewster could resist or
+explain, Sary had the man by the shoulder and was actually lifting him
+along the aisle towards the door.
+
+"Hi, there, Sary! Stop that!" shouted Sam Brewster, jumping up and
+trying to rescue the poor victim from Sary's mighty hold.
+
+"Ain't it so, Mister Brewster? We-all paid good money fer this joy-ride,
+an' we-all ain't got nothin' from it but jumpin' nerves, so far!"
+
+Every one but the poor conductor laughed heartily at Sary's complaint.
+But Mr. Brewster persuaded Sary to loose her prisoner and let him
+collect his scattered senses; when the shaken man was able to once more
+think reasonably, he gave Sary one look and disappeared from that coach,
+nor did he venture his head inside the door again, until he had to take
+up all the tickets.
+
+The eventful trip finally ended when the local pulled into Denver
+station; the Brewster party lost no time in leaving the train and
+threading a way through the crowds at the waiting-room. They were to go
+directly to Anne Stewart's house where luncheon would be waiting for
+them.
+
+"Well, friends! glad to see you!" called Anne, as she welcomed the
+travelers. "Come right in and meet mother."
+
+Introductions over, Mrs. Stewart led the way to the cozy little
+dining-room where the table was ready-spread for the luncheon.
+
+"I didn't pretend to provide much, Mrs. Brewster," explained Mrs.
+Stewart, "because, you see, the house is rented furnished for two years
+and I could not leave a pan full of soiled dishes and crumbs of food
+about for my new tenant to clear away. Of course, the lady is an old
+neighbor of mine, and would understand how hurried we are to-day in
+order to get off on the afternoon train for New York; still I never like
+to do things wrong."
+
+"Now see here, Miss Stewart," declared Sary who had over-heard the
+remark, "you-all jes' go along to the cars an' leave me to do up the
+work."
+
+"No, Sary, this is your great holiday in Denver," contradicted Mrs.
+Brewster, "and Jeb wants to fit that engagement ring on your finger, you
+know; after lunch, you get away with Jeb and see the city while I do up
+the dishes and help Mrs. Stewart dress and get ready to leave."
+
+That was a merry although hurried luncheon. Immediately after the cake
+and tea were finished, Jeb and Sary started away to hunt the ring; but
+many were the admonitions sent after them as they left the door, to be
+on hand at the railway terminal to see Polly and her friends off for
+New York.
+
+Mrs. Brewster and her husband cleared away the remains of the luncheon
+while Mrs. Stewart and Anne completed their packing and dressed for the
+long trip to the East. Everything in connection with the lease and the
+inventory of furniture had been attended to before this day, so there
+were really no errands or work left to be done at the last.
+
+Finally Mrs. Stewart locked the door and gave the key to a next-door
+neighbor who had offered to keep it until the tenant called for it; then
+good-bys were said to the congregated friends of Anne and her mother's,
+and at last the party started for the station where the New York train
+was scheduled to leave at five o'clock.
+
+"Dear me, I do hope Sary and Jeb will be there on time," sighed Mrs.
+Brewster, with a worried frown.
+
+"Don't worry about them, Mah, because I'll say they have been waiting
+for us this last hour," laughed Sam Brewster.
+
+"Sary wouldn't give Jeb a moment's peace until she got that ring," added
+Anne Stewart, laughingly, "and once she had it she would never give him
+another moment's peace until she had shown it to every one of us!"
+
+"Anne's right, mother," giggled Polly, nodding her head wisely.
+
+And so it turned out. When the Brewster party reached the station in
+Denver, and before Sam Brewster could seek for his two servants Sary
+shouted so that every one at that end of the building heard her.
+
+"Here we-all be, Mr. Brewster! Jeb an' me's be'n lookin' out fer you-all
+this last hour! Come right on, and see mah ring!"
+
+Eyes turned in the direction of the voice and there stood Sary, perched
+upon one of the benches in order to look over the heads of the people
+who stood about in groups or who kept going and coming through the
+station. She was waving her hand wildly to attract the attention of her
+party. Eleanor laughed so hysterically at the sight that she could
+hardly stand, but Polly dragged her along after the others until they
+reached Sary and Jeb.
+
+"Ah d'clar' to goodness, folks! This city is one big camp, all right!"
+vouchsafed Jeb, his eyes wide enough to pop at the great adventure.
+
+"Don't you-all go talkin' of sech things, Jeb, when we-all got more
+important things to do," was Sary's scathing criticism, as she gave Jeb
+a shove to quiet him. "Here--jest you-all look at this diamond! Three
+times bigger'n Anne Stewart's! Pull off that glove, Anne, and le's see
+mine and your'n side by side!" exclaimed Sary, eagerly.
+
+Anne laughed but complied with the challenge. Two hands were compared--a
+small white hand with polished nails and with a sparkling diamond
+shining upon the third finger of the left hand, and a large-boned red
+hand with stubby nails on the fingers, but one finger displaying a great
+Rhinestone set so high that it would have been a menace had Sary tried
+to use her fist on an enemy. Jeb stood by grinning widely at the praise
+bestowed upon him for his choice of the largest stone in the department
+store.
+
+"Cost some cash, that stone, eh Jeb?" chuckled Sam Brewster.
+
+"Bet chure life, Boss!" was Jeb's snappy reply.
+
+Eleanor now pulled Sary's head down in order to whisper into her ear.
+"Sary, when you get back to Pebbly Pit, Mrs. Brewster will give you a
+pile of finery I left for your trousseau. You will be delighted to get
+the laces and other trimmings for your hope-box."
+
+"Ah, Nolla, won't ah, jest! An' when Ah comes to Noo York to see
+you-all, you won't know me in my fine togs!" was Sary's eager reply.
+
+"Oh! were you expecting to come, Sary?" Eleanor asked.
+
+"Shure thing, Nolla. Onct Ah'm married Ah'm goin' to travel every year!"
+exclaimed Sary.
+
+"New York's a long way off from here, Sary," ventured Eleanor.
+
+"Oh, Ah don't mean to say Jeb an' me'll go thar fust. Ah'm goin' to
+figger on takin' a side trip to Chicargo fust, you know. Mebbe you kin
+fix it so's we-all kin visit your maw whiles we-all stop at that town,
+Nolla. An' nex' time we-all kin go on to Noo York, like-as-how Ah said."
+
+Eleanor caught her breath at this astounding news. The picture of
+Barbara and her mother receiving Sary and Jeb proved too much for her
+risibles and she laughed merrily as she replied to Sary's announcement.
+
+"Sary, if Jeb and you _would_ honor our house with a visit, I'd tell
+Daddy to look after you-all. But you must let me know, first, so my
+father can meet you two and see that you are shown about in true style."
+
+"Nolla, that Ah will, when we-all get time to go thar. Ah says to
+mahself, jest the other day, Ah ain't never had no fun or chanct to
+better mahself, Ah says: 'Sary Dodd, when you get Jeb you plan to go
+about like-as-how Anne Stewart is doin'.' Nolla, thar ain't nuthin' like
+a bit of travel to polish folks up, is thar now?"
+
+"You're right, Sary! Just exactly right," laughed Eleanor.
+
+But Sam Brewster was now heard calling Eleanor that the train was ready
+and the gates were opened, so Sary caught Jeb by his sleeves and
+followed after the others when the entire group started for the New York
+train.
+
+One would think, to hear Sary's excited tones, that she was about to
+take the long, long journey from which there is no returning; but once
+Anne Stewart and her charges were aboard the long Pullman train, the
+ones who remained behind stood upon the platform waiting for the girls
+to find their compartments and open the windows in order to converse
+until the last moment.
+
+Sam Brewster went over to a guard and asked several questions, then he
+hurried back and said to his party: "We can go aboard for a few minutes,
+as the train will not pull out for seven or eight minutes. Do you care
+to see how Polly will be located for the trip?"
+
+With motherly concern Mrs. Brewster followed her husband, and in order
+to be experienced when that trip east was to be taken, Sary dragged Jeb
+after the Brewsters.
+
+"Wall, suh!" breathed Sary, when Eleanor demonstrated where the beds
+were hidden, and what the push buttons were for, and how the window
+shades ran up or down on springs! She could hardly believe her eyes when
+she was told about the convenience of modern traveling.
+
+"All out not going East!" came a loud call from the colored porter at
+the end of the Pullman, so Sam Brewster turned and hugged Polly until
+she almost choked.
+
+"Come out, Sary--bring your man!" ordered Sam Brewster in a harsh tone,
+madly dabbing his eyes with a fist, as he left Polly to her mother.
+
+"Jeb, Jeb! Come along--er we-all'll get taken along the trip!" cried
+Sary, excitedly, trying to force Jeb ahead of her as she stumbled out of
+the Pullman after Mr. Brewster.
+
+The sight of big Sary urging little Jeb out to safety was so funny that
+every one had to laugh in spite of tears at the parting, so that Sary
+actually accomplished a great thing--she turned the sadness at Polly's
+leaving her parents into a merry laughing scene for every one.
+
+Once the four who were to remain behind were on the platform again, the
+four in the Pullman gazed from their windows. Polly suddenly remembered
+one last order about her ranch-home.
+
+"Paw, don't you or Jeb ever forget to do for Noddy just what I would do
+if I was home," was her choking command.
+
+"No danger, Poll! Little Noddy will be my own pet charge, now. It's all
+Ah will have at the old crater to tell me about you!" called Sam
+Brewster as the conductor signaled the engineer to start the engine.
+
+At this crucial moment Jeb remembered an important letter with which he
+had been intrusted. He made a wild search in his pockets and as the
+train slowly pulled away from the Brewster group, he found it. He gazed
+distractedly at the car window where Polly's face was flattened against
+the wire-netting, then instant action possessed him. His faculties began
+to exert themselves.
+
+"Hey, there! Mister Conductor, stop that car 'cause Ah got a big fat
+letter for Polly!" Jeb shouted with all the power his small frame could
+produce in such a hurry, but the conductor heard him not.
+
+"Stop that car! Oh, jumpin' rattle-snakes--won't you-all stop that car?"
+His yearning was pitiful but the car cared naught.
+
+"Here, here, Jeb! what is the matter with you-all?" called Mr.
+Brewster, just as Jeb took a long breath and planned to sprint after the
+train.
+
+"It's a good-by letter a friend left with me for Polly, Mr. Brewster,
+an' now Ah done gone and clean forgot it!" wailed Jeb.
+
+"Too late now, Jeb. We'll change the address and send it on to her New
+York hotel. It will reach her almost as soon as she gets there,"
+explained Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Yeh! Wall now, Ah wouldn't have believed that." So Jeb placed the
+letter that Polly never received in his coat pocket and lost it that
+same evening in the excitement of catching the local out of Denver.
+
+Consequently, when the New York train pulled slowly out of the Denver
+Terminal, with Polly and her companions on board trying to get a last
+look of dear ones left on the platform of the station, the only glimpse
+to be had of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster was their squirming desperately, now
+this side, now that, of Sary's ponderous form. And Sary, who had planted
+her bulk unexpectedly in front of them, held her arm high above her
+head, and slowly waved her hand in farewell back and forth in the rays
+of the sun. But her gaze was not following the moving train. Instead it
+was riveted, like a bird hypnotized by a serpent, upon a 10 carat
+rhinestone engagement ring that sparkled from the _index_ finger of her
+red right hand.
+
+The last coach of the train vanished and the two Brewsters sighed. Then
+they saw Sary still waving her hand, oblivious of all else about her.
+Jeb stood gaping at her queer actions wondering if she might be "off in
+her head." But the smile on his master's face reassured him. As Mrs.
+Brewster murmured, "Sary, that's all!" the proud possessor of the ring
+came to earth again.
+
+But it was _not_ all! Because "Polly and Eleanor in New York" had so
+many interesting experiences in this great city that it will take
+another book to tell about them.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+This Isn't All!
+
+
+Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in
+this book?
+
+Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
+experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
+
+On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you
+will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same
+store where you got this book.
+
+
+Don't throw away the Wrapper
+
+_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But
+in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete
+catalog._
+
+
+
+
+THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES
+
+By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in
+Itself.
+
+
+A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and
+Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to
+various places in the United States, Europe and South America.
+
+     POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT
+
+     POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+     POLLY IN NEW YORK
+
+     POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD
+
+     POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE
+
+     POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE
+
+     POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA
+
+     POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST
+
+     POLLY IN ALASKA
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GIRL SCOUTS SERIES
+
+By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Author of the "Polly Brewster Books"
+
+Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated Each Volume Complete in
+Itself.
+
+Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom
+Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories
+of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with
+stirring adventures.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP
+
+This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a
+mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The
+charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of
+adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting
+summer for the girls.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS
+
+New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring
+camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton
+Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the
+girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES
+
+On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental
+Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons,
+shooting rapids, encountering a land-slide, a summer blizzard, a sand
+storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with
+unforgettable experiences.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
+
+The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New
+Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe trail, cross the Painted
+Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a
+most interesting story.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS
+
+The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California and
+incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion picture director in
+Hollywood to offer to produce a film that stars the Girl Scouts of
+America.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS
+
+Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every
+Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed
+herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that
+Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment,
+while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a
+city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that
+she left school to take entire charge of the woman's page for the
+largest daily in an important Eastern city.
+
+Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of
+these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and
+depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.
+
+BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER
+
+BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE
+
+GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD
+
+GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL
+
+JOAN: JUST GIRL
+
+JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE
+
+CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION
+
+CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+AMY BELL MARLOWE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+Charming, Fresh and Original Stories
+
+Illustrated. Wrappers printed in colors with individual design for each
+story.
+
+Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott
+and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly
+American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls
+thoroughly enjoy.
+
+     THE OLDEST OF FOUR;
+     Or, Natalie's Way Out.
+
+A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from want.
+
+     THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM;
+     Or, The Secret of the Rocks.
+
+Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.
+
+     A LITTLE MISS NOBODY;
+     Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.
+
+Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the
+mystery of her identity.
+
+     THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH;
+     Or, Alone in a Great City.
+
+A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her
+adventures make unusually good reading.
+
+     WYN'S CAMPING DAYS;
+     Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.
+
+A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of
+mystery and considerable excitement.
+
+     FRANCES OF THE RANGES;
+     Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.
+
+A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.
+
+     THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL;
+     Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.
+
+This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's
+school that has ever been written.
+
+     WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.
+
+The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old
+lighthouse keeper.
+
+     WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.
+
+Oriole visits the family of a rich ranch-man and enjoys herself immensely.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS
+
+Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
+
+THE MARJORIE BOOKS
+
+Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of
+goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will
+see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
+
+MARJORIE'S VACATION
+
+MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS
+
+MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND
+
+MARJORIE IN COMMAND
+
+MARJORIE'S MAYTIME
+
+MARJORIE AT SEACOTE
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
+
+Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a
+little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like,
+high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
+
+TWO LITTLE WOMEN
+
+TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE
+
+TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS
+
+Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks,
+their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories
+"really true" to young readers.
+
+DICK AND DOLLY
+
+DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.
+
+These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several
+bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;
+     Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;
+     Or, The 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.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;
+     Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;
+     Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+     Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
+     THELMA GOOCH
+     Every Volume Complete in Itself
+
+The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City.
+Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while
+Margy just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private
+secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called
+a "job" in a department store.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE;
+     Or, Facing the Great World.
+
+A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE;
+     Or, The Worth of a Name.
+
+The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual
+inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all the girls for
+existence.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM;
+     Or, Face to Face With a Crisis.
+
+Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with
+the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery as well as exciting
+girlish happenings.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER;
+     Or, The Girl From Bronx Park.
+
+Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose
+real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the girl really
+was comes as a tremendous surprise.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION;
+     Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm.
+
+The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks--and fall
+in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings. How they came to
+the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a queer mystery, is well
+related.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Polly and Eleanor, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Polly and Eleanor, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+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 www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Polly and Eleanor
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Illustrator: H. S. Barbour
+
+Release Date: May 11, 2008 [EBook #25419]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY AND ELEANOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, Josephine Paolucci and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 362px;">
+<img src="images/dustjacket.jpg" width="362" height="500" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p><br /><br /><br /></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 312px;">
+<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="312" height="500" alt="POLLY AND ANNE FOLLOWED THE GUIDE." title="" />
+<span class="caption">POLLY AND ANNE FOLLOWED THE GUIDE.<br />
+<i>Polly and Eleanor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Frontispiece&mdash;(Page <a href="#Page_21">21</a>)</i></span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>POLLY AND ELEANOR</h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</h2>
+
+<h4><i>Author of</i></h4>
+
+<h3>POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY IN NEW YORK, POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD,
+POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE.</h3>
+
+
+<h4>ILLUSTRATED BY</h4>
+<h2>H. S. BARBOUR</h2>
+
+
+<p class="center">
+NEW YORK<br />
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP<br />
+PUBLISHERS<br /><br />
+
+Made in the United States of America<br /><br />
+<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1922, by</span><br />
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<p>
+CHAPTER                                            <span class="tocright">PAGE,</span><br />
+<br />
+I <span class="smcap">Another Trip to Top Notch</span>                   <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></span><br />
+<br />
+II <span class="smcap">The Claim-Jumpers</span>                         <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></span><br />
+<br />
+III <span class="smcap">At Choko's Find</span>                          <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></span><br />
+<br />
+IV <span class="smcap">John and His Friend Arrive</span>                <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></span><br />
+<br />
+V <span class="smcap">Polly and Eleanor Visit the Beavers</span>        <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></span><br />
+<br />
+VI <span class="smcap">The Girls Entertain Guests</span>                <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></span><br />
+<br />
+VII <span class="smcap">Several Momentous Letters</span>               <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_122">122</a></span><br />
+<br />
+VIII <span class="smcap">Polly-Eleanor Company, Inc.</span>            <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_143">143</a></span><br />
+<br />
+IX <span class="smcap">Jeb's Sunday Night Off</span>                   <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></span><br />
+<br />
+X <span class="smcap">A Trip to Buffalo Park</span>                    <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XI <span class="smcap">A Wild-West County Fair</span>                  <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_195">195</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XII <span class="smcap">Nolla's Plans Develop</span>                   <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XIII <span class="smcap">Riggley &amp; Ratzger of New York</span>          <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XIV <span class="smcap">The Victory</span>                             <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XV <span class="smcap">Comings and Goings</span>                       <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XVI <span class="smcap">Polly and Eleanor Start Out</span>             <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></span><br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>POLLY AND ELEANOR</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>ANOTHER TRIP TO TOP NOTCH</h3>
+
+
+<p>Six intensely interested individuals sat about the supper-table in the
+living room at Pebbly Pit Ranch-house, the evening of the day they rode
+to Oak Creek to file the claim on the gold mine. Sary, the
+maid-of-all-work, had the supper ready for the weary riders when they
+returned from their trip.</p>
+
+<p>Having served the dessert, Sary went out to the barn to help Jeb, the
+foreman on the ranch, with the horses which had just come in from the
+long day's work. So the group about the table felt free to talk as they
+liked. But Polly Brewster and her friend Eleanor Maynard were almost
+talked out by the time they finished the last bit of Sary's delicious
+dessert; and Barbara Maynard tried her best to hide a yawn behind her
+hand, while Anne Stewart, the pretty teacher who was the fourth member
+in the party that spent a night<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> in the cave, was eager to continue
+planning for the future of the mine, but Nature demanded rest after the
+three days' excitement.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, Polly turned to her father and said: "I wish we could see
+John's face when he reads that telegram!"</p>
+
+<p>"If we had only dared word it plainly, there sure would be something
+queer to laugh at when John read it. But we had to cipher it, you know,"
+chuckled Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see why such foolish fear of talking about it is entertained by
+all you folks," declared Barbara, loftily.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you? Well, then, Bob, Ah'll tell you plainly that that message
+had to be camouflaged, as we are not taking any risks on having your
+claim jumped over night. If we sent a wire to John telling him plainly
+that you girls discovered a vein of gold on Top Notch Trail, every last
+rascal in Oak Creek would hit the trail before that message was
+delivered," replied Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Even as it is, I suppose every one who can read the records at Oak
+Creek will start out at once, so as to stake new claims as near to
+Montresor's Mine as possible; perhaps they'll try to pick up some
+nuggets from your claim, as well," added Mrs. Brewster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then, when word spreads around the country&mdash;and such news always
+travels like lightning&mdash;every gambler and bunco man in Wyoming and
+Colorado will be seen camping on Top Notch Trail, each trying in his own
+way to wheedle money or gold-dust from the unwary ones," laughed Mr.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"There now, Daddy! You've laughed, so I know your spell of worry is over
+with. Won't you tell us what made you so serious?" exclaimed Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah was trying to plan for the best way to avoid trouble over this
+claim; and at the same time protect our own rights, and any rights Old
+Montresor's family might have in this rediscovery. That is why Ah
+insisted upon Simms being one of our party, to-morrow; and the sheriff
+with his stalwart son, too. They are both strong, trusty men, and with
+Simms, Jeb and myself, we ought to be able to hold our own in case of an
+argument up there."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Brewster! Do you mean there is likely to be a fight, and
+<i>shooting</i>?" cried Barbara, horrified at the very idea.</p>
+
+<p>"Not so that you-all can notice it&mdash;if we get there first. But let those
+claim-jumpers camp on our grounds first, and we-all may have to use
+gun-persuasion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> to move them on to safer ground."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, I think it is going to be more fun than a movie-picture play
+in the filming!" exclaimed Eleanor, her eyes shining with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope we won't have the same kind of gun-play that we see in the
+wild-west films," hinted Anne Stewart, hitherto a listener.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you rather remain here, Anne?" asked Barbara, with an eager
+expression as if to say: "'I hope you do&mdash;then I will stay with you.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say <i>no</i>! I wouldn't miss the picnic we are going to have,
+to-morrow, for anything in Colorado!" declared Anne, emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster laughed at the young teacher's vehement tones, and then
+turned to her husband with a suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"Sam, what do you think of sending Jeb on before, in the morning, to
+tell Rattle-Snake Mike he must act as guide and cook for us while we are
+on the mountain? He is the cleverest Indian anywhere about, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Just the thing, Mary! Ah'm mighty glad you-all thought of it. Jeb can
+ride on whiles we-all branch off at Bear Forks for the Old Indian Trail.
+Then Mike and Jeb can catch up with us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that, Sam," returned Mrs. Brewster, thoughtfully.
+"I'd rather see Jeb start from here about four o'clock, so Mike and he
+can meet us at five-thirty at the school-house."</p>
+
+<p>"You must have some good reason for that," ventured Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mike may hear about this claim and leave his cabin early, so as to
+act as guide to strangers who will be glad to pay him any price just to
+get him and his wonderful scouting experience."</p>
+
+<p>"Right as usual, Mary! Ah'll run out, right now, and tell Jeb he'd
+better get to bed if he has to be up before four," exclaimed Mr.
+Brewster, starting for the bedroom over the barn where he knew Jeb would
+be.</p>
+
+<p>"And we had better go to bed, too, so we can be up and have breakfast
+out of the way before the horses are brought to the door," suggested
+Mrs. Brewster, leading the way to the front door to look at the night
+sky.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it isn't eight o'clock," complained Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"No, but even that leaves us less than eight hours' sleep. After such
+exciting days as we have been through, we need a good full night's
+rest," replied Anne.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Chances are Nolla and I won't close an eye! What, with gold mines, and
+John, and the Latimer boys, and Ken Evans coming to town&mdash;and
+claim-jumpers, and everything!" laughed Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"You mean that young stranger we met at Oak Creek?" asked Barbara,
+frigidly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes,&mdash;the one who looked so pleasant but forlorn," said Eleanor,
+sympathetically.</p>
+
+<p>"His name was Kenneth Evans, you know, Bob," explained Polly,
+innocently.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor and Anne exchanged glances and smiled, for they understood that
+Barbara meant to be condemnatory in her manner; but Polly, in her very
+guilelessness, countered the city girl's disparagement.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad we couldn't have had him come home with us," added
+Eleanor, teasingly, to Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, Nolla! By the time I get you back to Chicago you will need a
+complete training in social behavior again!" declared Barbara, frowning
+at her younger sister.</p>
+
+<p>But her remark merely called forth a merry laugh from the light-hearted
+girl. Mrs. Brewster then started the usual preparations for bed, and the
+group followed her example.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For the benefit of any one who has not been fortunate enough to become
+acquainted with our western friends, in the first book of this series,
+we will introduce you while the girls are soundly sleeping.</p>
+
+<p>Polly Brewster, a girl just past fourteen, was a true type of the
+honest, ambitious ranchers of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Her home,
+the extensive farm in the crater of an extinct volcano, was called
+Pebbly Pit because of the giant cliffs of colored stones guarding the
+entrance trail. This ranch was about eleven miles from Oak Creek, the
+mining settlement and railroad station for about a thousand inhabitants,
+where all shopping had to be done. The town was much like other rough,
+half-civilized western settlements, consisting of a post office, a bank,
+the sheriff's office, and several saloons. A general store was
+maintained in connection with the post office, and here one must buy
+anything needed for house or farm. The Brewsters, being affluent
+ranchers, ordered their clothing, house-furnishings, and many tools or
+luxuries by mail, from illustrated catalogues. But the rough road from
+the ranch to the town post office, being hard going in a heavy
+ranch-wagon, often caused the Brewsters<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> to forego a mail order on
+cosmopolitan stores rather than drive in and cart the goods home from
+Oak Creek.</p>
+
+<p>Polly had just completed her grammar course at the little Bear Forks'
+school-house where Anne Stewart had taught two years previous to this
+summer. Polly had never been elsewhere than at Oak Creek and now she
+yearned to attend High School in Denver.</p>
+
+<p>Anne Stewart lived in Denver, and for the past year had been tutoring
+Eleanor Maynard, while the girl and her older sister Barbara boarded
+with Mrs. Stewart. The Maynard girls were from Chicago, but Eleanor, who
+was fourteen, was very delicate, so the doctor had recommended a high
+altitude for her.</p>
+
+<p>Anne Stewart was helping her brother Paul through a college in Chicago,
+and during her visit to him, at the end of his first year, she met his
+friends&mdash;John Brewster who was Polly's older brother; Tom Latimer a
+promising young engineer from New York; and Pete Maynard who was a
+brother to Eleanor and Barbara. It was through this means that the
+Maynards heard of the Stewarts' home in Denver, and anxiously begged
+Anne to take the two girls into her home circle. As the salary offered
+for this privilege<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> was so munificent, the young teacher eagerly
+accepted, and then found her youngest charge a lovable and merry girl.</p>
+
+<p>The two Chicago girls had returned home for a few months, but Eleanor
+could not stand the high winds and stubborn climate of Chicago, so the
+doctor again ordered her to spend a summer in the mountains of Colorado.
+In distraction, Mr. Maynard begged Anne Stewart to arrange everything,
+and thus it was that these two society girls came, with Anne, to board
+with Polly's family at Pebbly Pit ranch.</p>
+
+<p>The Brewsters were considered very wealthy in land and cattle, to say
+nothing of the Rainbow Cliffs, for which a New York financier had
+offered them half a million dollars for part interest in mining them.
+But Sam Brewster could afford to refuse such destruction to his
+beautiful estate. Polly had never had city-made clothing, nor had she
+the slightest idea of city-ways, until the Maynard girls' advent to
+Pebbly Pit. But she had had years of thrilling experiences to her
+credit&mdash;experiences with wild-life of all kinds, of mountain-climbing,
+of adventures of other sorts, to say nothing about knowledge of farming
+and domestic animals. This outdoor life gave her abundant health,
+strength, and the beauty of a fine complexion,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> clear eyes, luxuriant
+glossy hair, and a graceful well-formed figure that was all the more
+attractive because of the charms her adolescence promised.</p>
+
+<p>That very day had been spent in Oak Creek in filing the claim to
+Montresor's Mine, and just as the party started for home, they had met
+the young stranger, Kenneth Evans, who sought Carew's Surveying Camp,
+which was known to be located near Yellow Jacket Pass. The youth was
+directed how to find Jake, the driver of Carew's wagon, and then he was
+invited to visit Pebbly Pit, on Sunday.</p>
+
+<p>As Polly and Eleanor had predicted, they were so excited over the events
+that promised such thrills on the morrow, that they slept little that
+night, but tossed and talked most of the time. However, when the call
+sounded for them all to awake and dress for the mountain trip, it found
+that these two girls were fast asleep and loath to get up.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious, Anne! My wrist watch says it's four o'clock! You don't
+suppose we have to get up at this awful hour?" complained Barbara,
+rubbing her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Anne was already up and hurriedly dressing. "Any one who is not ready to
+start when the man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> brings the horses around to the door, remains
+behind, you know."</p>
+
+<p>That brought Polly and Eleanor out of bed with a hop, as there was only
+a wooden partition between the two rooms, and Anne's words were plainly
+heard by them.</p>
+
+<p>"If there was the least thing to do if I stayed here, I'd not go again
+for anything. But I should die of ennui if I had to be entertained by
+Sary for three whole days," grumbled Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>The very idea of Sary, the "house helper," entertaining Barbara, for
+whom she felt such scorn, caused mirth in the adjoining room.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor called out: "More than likely Sary feels as glad to know that
+you're going, as we would be to have you stay behind."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, Bob! You <i>must</i> get up and dress!" now urged Anne, as she
+finished her dressing and turned to leave the room.</p>
+
+<p>The purple gleams of the western dawn shot the heavens of blue and gold,
+as Jeb brought the sturdy horses from the barn. He had given careful
+attention to the trappings and shoes of the various mounts, and finding
+each one in splendid condition, started for the house.</p>
+
+<p>An unusual hubbub came from the living-room where baskets of food and
+outfits were waiting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> The moment Jeb was hailed, however, the noisy
+girls ran out to look over their horses.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Jeb! Isn't Noddy going this time?" asked Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not ef you-all want her to keep any breath in her skin. Ain't she
+eena-most done up from that other trip?" retorted Jeb, who was the
+"general-man" on the ranch. Having been with the Brewsters since he was
+a boy of twelve, he felt that he was one of the family and he treated
+Polly as if she were a younger sister.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind Noddy, this time, Polly, but let Jeb jump into the saddle
+and start off. He'll never reach Mike's cabin if you keep on arguing
+about the burros," said Mrs. Brewster, coming out to call them to
+breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb had gone on to secure the company of Rattle-Snake Mike, and Mr.
+Brewster sat impatiently on his horse, waiting to guide the party of
+women, when all but Barbara were ready; then she came out while still
+munching her tardy breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>As the riders passed the Rainbow Cliffs, the rays of the rising sun
+gilded their peaks, and the girls exclaimed at the beauty of the stones
+as they reflected the myriad colors of a rainbow. Then on down through
+the Devil's Causeway and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> out on the Sand Trail, rode the adventurers,
+until they saw Jeb and Mike riding to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>"Mike says we-all ain't the fust ones to start up Grizzly Slide, this
+mornin'," said Jeb, the moment he was within hearing.</p>
+
+<p>"U-um! Plenty fool go by!" grunted Mike.</p>
+
+<p>Mike was an entirely new type to the city girls, and they studied him
+with interest. He was a swarthy-looking Indian; perhaps, as Mr. Brewster
+said, because he smoked himself brown. He always rode his famous Indian
+pony and carried an evil-looking gun, besides the revolvers in his belt.
+Another weapon he had, as evil but not quite so fatal to others as the
+gun&mdash;and that was his old pipe, as black as the Asiatic plague.</p>
+
+<p>Mike was a descendant of a famous Chieftain, so he seldom noticed the
+miners or common natives about Oak Creek, but he considered himself an
+equal of educated people like the Brewsters. Hence his willingness to
+act as guide for this party, after he had refused tempting offers from
+the "scorned" early that morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we'll turn off at the Forks and ride fast to meet Simms and his
+party," advised Mr. Brewster, when they reached the place where the
+trails forked.</p>
+
+<p>"Mike says there's the old Indian Trail up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> mountain, that cuts off
+half the distance to the Slide," called Jeb, from the front.</p>
+
+<p>"Him bad trail&mdash;no like Top Notch," warned the Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"Whereabouts will we hit it, Mike?" asked Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Onny Mike say&mdash;him secret Indian Trail," explained the red-man, ever
+faithful to his ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, will we pass Pine Tree where we are to meet Simms and the
+sheriff?" added Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Na! him run away from Pine Tree. But him save half-day riding."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster silently considered this possibility for a few moments,
+then turned to his wife, and said: "Mary, it seems most important just
+now for us to get to the cave before others reach it, as we must stake
+out additional claims adjoining the mine, in order to protect the rights
+of the girls. Of course, we must have Mike show us his secret trail, and
+I will go to escort the girls, but you and Jeb might ride on to Pine
+Tree to meet Simms' party. Then ride with them up along Top Notch Trail.
+We will all meet at Four Mile Blaze."</p>
+
+<p>"I was about to suggest the same plan, Sam; but I won't need Jeb with
+me. I'm so used to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> this road that I am perfectly safe. It is the Trail
+that will be hazardous to a lone rider, when once the outlaws hear of
+this strike. But I will have Mr. Simms and the other men with me, so
+everything will be safe and all right," replied Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>After a hasty good-by, Mrs. Brewster rode away, and the others in the
+party followed after Mike who led up a hitherto unknown trail to Grizzly
+Slide. It was so over-grown that no one but an Indian could ever find a
+way through; however, Mike was an adept in this line.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been wondering if this could have been the trail Mr. Montresor
+discovered the day he approached his gold mine from the valley," said
+Polly, as she followed close at Mike's heels.</p>
+
+<p>"You may have hit the nail on the head, Poll. It always has been a
+question whether Montresor was quite sane, because he insisted that he
+rode up a strange trail that was over-grown with jungle before he came
+upon the ravine that held his gold mine," added Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! Him good old scout," came from Mike.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to hear you say so, Mike, because I liked him so much!" sighed
+Polly, and tears filled her eyes at the memory of her old friend.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Patsy good scout, too. Solly dem dead," Mike added.</p>
+
+<p>Conversation now became impossible, as Mike rode far in advance for some
+reason best known to himself, and the trail was so steep and rough that
+it took each rider all his attention to keep in the saddle. However, the
+flora and fauna were so interesting that the girls endured many a jar
+and jolt for the sake of seeing them.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching Four Mile Blaze they found they had saved over half the
+distance it would have been to ride up over Top Notch Trail; and this
+pleased Mr. Brewster tremendously. He had just turned in his saddle to
+call out to the girls behind him when Mike held up a warning hand.</p>
+
+<p>Every one looked at him to see what he had discovered. He grunted
+unpleasantly, and slid from his horse. He sprawled out on the ground and
+placed his ear close to the earth. Every one sat still, waiting to hear
+the report, or cause, of this unusual behavior.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian listened attentively for a time, then got up and examined the
+trail along Top Notch, as far back as the blazed tree. There he placed
+his ear to the ground again, and listened for a longer time than at
+first. Then he got up slowly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> and crept about examining the bushes, the
+broken twigs, rocks, and even the grass.</p>
+
+<p>The girls watched him with intense interest, as Polly had told them of
+the wonderful scouting instinct Mike possessed, and now they were going
+to have it demonstrated to them. Having satisfied himself, Mike came
+over to Mr. Brewster and announced, abruptly:</p>
+
+<p>"Tree miner gone aleddy&mdash;two tenderfut comin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Three up there already! By the Great Horned Spoon! how did they do it?"
+cried Sam Brewster, aghast at the idea that perhaps they would have
+trouble when they reached Polly's mine.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe the three gone on ahead have no idea that we found gold up there.
+Maybe they are after pelts, or some other thing," said Anne Stewart.</p>
+
+<p>Mike grinned complacently, for he had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know those three are miners, Mike?" asked Polly.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian pointed to the ground where an imprint of a miner's boot was
+plainly seen. Only the miners at Oak Creek wore such spiked heels, the
+ranchers and other citizens being satisfied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> with heavy leather soles.
+The foot-print pointed towards the Slide&mdash;not away from it.</p>
+
+<p>"That's only one, Mike, and you said there were three!" exclaimed Anne,
+triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"Tree hoss go by&mdash;see." Mike pointed out three different kinds of
+horse-shoe imprints.</p>
+
+<p>"One hoss carry pack an' go lame. Two hoss all light."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know he is lame&mdash;and maybe he isn't packed," Eleanor said.</p>
+
+<p>Mike sniffed derisively, and pointed at the lighter impression of one
+hind foot. Then he showed his admiring audience how a slight rip in a
+flour-sack allowed the contents to trickle down upon the ground at each
+limp the lame horse gave.</p>
+
+<p>Mike now said to Mr. Brewster: "Dem go slow&mdash;lame hoss no go fas', mebbe
+jus' ahead."</p>
+
+<p>"If we ride on we can catch up with them!" eagerly exclaimed Anne.</p>
+
+<p>Mike shook his head and lifted a finger for silence. Then the girls
+heard a faint clip-clop of hoof-beats on the rocky trail leading along
+Top Notch.</p>
+
+<p>"Two tenderfut 'mos' catch up. We-all wait an' talkee," suggested Mike,
+settling himself in his saddle to await the riders.</p>
+
+<p>"Mike's right, because they will only follow us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> and find out where our
+claim is located, if we start on now," added Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster shook his head. "Ah reckon you-all talk sense but Ah would
+offer an amendment to your plan: to have Polly and Anne take Jeb for an
+escort and ride on at once. Let the horses have their head and get to
+the cave as soon as you can. Hold the fort until we-all join you. We-all
+will see these two men and find out what they are after."</p>
+
+<p>"Daddy, you must remember a grizzly bear lives in that cave. He may have
+been injured but he may not have died, the other night. I have my small
+rifle but Anne hasn't any weapon at all. As for Jeb&mdash;he's great on the
+farm, but for this work, huh! Then there are those three miners who are
+up ahead: they wouldn't hesitate to put two mere girls out of their way,
+if we interfered with their staking our mine or jumping our claims,"
+said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Mike smiled and expressed his opinion. "Miss'r Brooser wait wid two
+ten'erfut, an' Mike go wid leedle leddies. Ef cabe hab trouble of
+grizzle er miner, Mike shoot."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! And Ah'll wait for Simms and the others, and then come after
+you-all," agreed Mr. Brewster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I won't go with Mike if there is any danger at the cave. I didn't come
+to the Rockies to be killed!" declared Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"Daddy, you must keep Eleanor and Barbara here with you and Jeb, and
+wait for mother and the sheriff's men. Anne and I will go with Mike and
+see that our rights are protected," now said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"I have as much right to go with you, Polly, as Anne has. Why must I
+remain here with Bob?" demanded Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"I know that, Nolla, but three of us will be too many&mdash;especially as
+Anne and you have no firearms. I may need Anne to help me load but you
+can't even do that. So it will be far better for us all if you remain
+here. Mike will not have to bother over so many of us, then," explained
+Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"But everything may be safe at the cave, and all this worry about
+fighting may be a farce," argued Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"In that case Mike will leave us safely there and come back to guide
+you-all to us. Once we are safe on that ledge with a pile of dry wood in
+front of the entrance to the cave, we can defy the whole country."</p>
+
+<p>"All right! Hurry away and get on to that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> ledge before any more rascals
+steal a march on you. But be sure to send Mike back for us, the moment
+Anne and you arrive there and find everything is all right," replied
+Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>So Mike spurred his broncho along the trail, while Polly and Anne rode
+after him. Soon they disappeared around the bend where giant pines
+formed a wall on either side of the narrow going.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CLAIM-JUMPERS</h3>
+
+
+<p>The moment the three had passed out of sight, Sam Brewster jumped from
+his horse and led him over to the great tree that caused the trail to
+turn aside and run around it. He looped the reins over his arm and
+placed his hands in his coat pockets. As he leaned against the
+tree-trunk nibbling nonchalantly at a sprig of grass, a tenderfoot would
+never have dreamed that his fingers were tensely held against the
+triggers of the revolvers hidden in his pockets.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after Mr. Brewster had taken his stand where he could see the first
+appearance of any one coming up the trail, two riders approached eagerly
+scanning the large trees, in evident search of something. As they came
+to the giant tree where the rancher waited, both men started in
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"How-dy, friends? Out early this morning,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> eh?" was the greeting the two
+amazed men received from the alert man at the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh&mdash;oh, yes!" stammered one, plainly uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>"Hoh, it's Sam Brewster of Pebbly Pit, ain't it?" said the other, also
+confused in his manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are, Hank. You see, when a man has to attend to the girls'
+gold mine, he has to be up right early to forestall the plans of any
+claim-jumpers who read the records at Oak Creek, yesterday, after we
+left there. That's why I got a poss&eacute; to guard the place. I reckon, now,
+Hank, that your boss sent you-all on to help we-all up yonder, eh?"
+laughed Mr. Brewster, tantalizingly, as he recognized Hank to be the
+clerk at the filing office in Oak Creek.</p>
+
+<p>The man Hank laughed also, but a discordant note rang through his forced
+merriment. "We-all ain't claim-jumpers, Mr. Brewster, but it seemed so
+quare to find Old Montresor's Mine hed ben found again, that Ah sez to
+my pal, here, 'How'd you-all like to run up to the Slide and have a
+squint at that cave?' An' havin' a day off, he reckoned he'd enjy the
+trip. So here we-all are."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;so Ah see! Here you-all are. And Ah says to my girls and the
+poss&eacute;, says Ah:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> 'There'll be a lot of fools start off at night-fall, to
+hit this trail to the Slide just out of dern-fool curiosity to have a
+squint at Old Montresor's Mine. But human nature is human nature,
+girls,' says Ah, so when they get that squint, they may forget one of
+the Ten Commandments and want to covet their neighbor's property. And
+seeing how they have lost a good night's sleep through climbing the Top
+Notch Trail just to arrive early to have that squint, they will sort of
+feel justified in stealing an acre, or so, of gold-land. That would make
+them break another Commandment; so Ah felt it a duty, Hank, to send on a
+regiment in advance, to save the souls of such curious sightseers." Sam
+Brewster never changed a muscle of his serious face nor did his voice
+have the slightest sign of any other feeling than a reverent desire to
+help his fellow-man. But the two men knew Sam Brewster by experience as
+well as from hearsay.</p>
+
+<p>"Right-o! Hank told me what a good man you war," said the miner who
+accompanied Hank. But his shifty eyes belied the tone.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster smiled. "Yes. Ah did hate to see any one lose a good
+night's sleep and then get thus far only to be mistaken for
+claim-jumpers by the Sheriff's men up yonder. Of course, Hank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> and
+you-all aren't going to take such chances with the law."</p>
+
+<p>The miner glanced about uneasily but only saw two girls sitting on their
+horses a short distance away. Hank's face lowered, however, and he
+growled forth: "Ah don't see whose business it is whether we break the
+Sheriff's law or not."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps <i>you</i> don't see&mdash;but Ah do, Hank. And when the Sheriff says,
+'Keep the trail free from all trespassers till my poss&eacute; can take
+charge,' you know me&mdash;Ah'll see that his orders are carried out,"
+returned Mr. Brewster sternly, his pockets moving suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"You-all hain't got no orders, and thar hain't no poss&eacute; up yander,
+neither, 'cause they hain't a-comin' till after Simms leaves," exclaimed
+Hank, unguardedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! So you and your man thought you'd get a lead on the Sheriff, eh?"
+laughed Mr. Brewster. "Oh, but you are an easy tenderfoot to stuff,
+Hank! Did you-all really believe such a story would have been told at
+Oak Creek if the poss&eacute; planned to wait for morning? Why, man, that is
+just what they wanted to do&mdash;to catch a lot of rascals red-handed and
+clean Oak Creek out, once for all! How do you know that there is a real
+claim staked out up there&mdash;or whether it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> is the Sheriff's joke to land
+a ring of crooks?"</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor and Barbara were so interested in the way Mr. Brewster handled
+the two rascals without telling a direct falsehood that they sighed when
+the claim-jumpers backed their horses and withdrew to confer anxiously
+on what they had heard. But Sam Brewster interpolated with:</p>
+
+<p>"If it is curiosity that brought you-all to lose a night's rest, pass
+right along and tell the Sheriff and Bill your yarn. They will not only
+let you take a squint at what you think is a mine, but they will pay you
+to remain and help arrest all the claim-jumpers who are already on the
+way."</p>
+
+<p>Even as he spoke, Mr. Brewster saw the sly move of Hank as he tried to
+pull his gun from the holster; instantly a hand came from the rancher's
+pocket and brought to light a cocked revolver. The other man suddenly
+changed his mind when the bore of Brewster's gun was leveled so that the
+clerk could look right down into his grave if he made the slightest
+mistake in this outing of his.</p>
+
+<p>But the miner became ugly; then he saw the other hand of Sam Brewster
+come from his pocket and he knew that he was a dead rascal too, if he
+made one false step. So his expression changed to a wily smile, and he
+said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What you-all ha'r fur ef th' Sheriff's up thar guardin' th' precious
+mine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Told to warn away any foolish town-clerks who might be heading straight
+to Kingdom Come! You know Bill likes to give every chump a loop-hole to
+save himself, if possible," retorted Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"We ain't lookin' fer no argyment with Bill ner the Shuriff, so
+we-all'll mosey back an' tell others we meet. Howsomever, you-all won't
+find it so easy to git rid of curious folks when that miner-gang gits
+ha'r. Ah happen to know who and how many are plannin' to come."</p>
+
+<p>With that farewell, Hank turned his horse's head and led the way down
+the trail, slowly followed by the unwilling miner.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Brewster! hadn't we better ride after Mike and the girls before
+the miners' gang gets here?" cried Barbara, fearfully.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster laughed. "That was only a bluff of Hank's to make me ride
+along so he and his pal might follow us. I haven't the least doubt but
+that both of those cowardly rascals are hiding just out of sight where
+they can watch my every movement. Should we start to ride along towards
+the cave, they would follow and shoot us from the rear as sure as
+anything."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In spite of his making light of Hank, however, Mr. Brewster kept a wary
+eye open for an ambuscade. Nothing of moment happened, however, and Jeb
+was just saying: "Maybe we-all had best ride for the cave," when a shot
+rang out.</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" gasped he, while the two girls trembled with fear.</p>
+
+<p>"That sounded from Top Notch. It's either Simms and his party, or those
+rascals. In either case, it won't be cowardly in us to hide behind a
+clump of pines and await developments," suggested the rancher.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster stationed Eleanor behind a close growth of young pine and
+handed her a small rifle. Barbara was hidden deeper in the forest, and
+then he and Jeb took their places behind a bowlder whence they could
+watch the up-trail. With a revolver ready in each hand, they waited
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>But his wise precautions were unnecessary this time, for Bill soon rode
+up, calling loudly as he came. Sam Brewster sighed with relief to find a
+group of Oak Creek's leading citizens with the Sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>"Bill, did you-all shoot, a time back?" queried Mr. Brewster the moment
+the poss&eacute; came up.</p>
+
+<p>Bill laughed. "Ah'll explain in a minute. You-all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> see it wa'r this way:
+After you-all left for home, yesterday, it wa'r found how some low-down
+sneaks got wind of this claim and planned to ride up at once. It looked
+a lot like claim-jumpin', so we-all got together mighty quick and rode
+after them to spare the Lord any trouble in judgin' 'em. Also, we-all
+reckoned to save your party any nonsense over the gold, 'specially as
+thar wa'r four gals in it."</p>
+
+<p>"But three rascals got a lead on you," interrupted Sam.</p>
+
+<p>"Yeh, three are at large somewhere, Ah reckon; but two of the worst ones
+out of that five are back yonder. Hank Johnson and his jail-bird pal are
+down on Four Mile Blaze. When we get the other three, we'll rid Oak
+Crick of five of its worst citizens."</p>
+
+<p>"Rattle-Snake Mike came up with us, Bill. We rode up the Indian
+Trail&mdash;that's how we got here so soon. But Mike went on to the cave with
+Polly and her friend. They'll guard their claim, all right, unless those
+three interfere," said Mr. Brewster, with an anxious note in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah reckon we'd better make for that cave, then! Thar may be some work
+cut out fer us thar," whispered Bill, seeing the two city girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> now
+ride out from cover and come over to join the group.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Mrs. Brewster?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"This is Bill's party&mdash;they left Oak Creek last night," explained Mr.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Then where is Simms and your wife?" asked Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"You see it will take the others much longer to ride up from Lone Pine
+than it took us to climb the trappers' trail, so they can't possibly
+arrive for some time yet. We-all just got here, and we left Oak Creek at
+midnight," explained one of the men, encouraging the two girls.</p>
+
+<p>"But we-all stopped on the way and cooked breakfast and fed our hosses.
+Simms and his party will ride right up and ought to be ha'r pritty soon,
+now," said Bill.</p>
+
+<p>"How about leavin' some one here at Four Mile Blaze to direct the Simms'
+party, while we-all ride on with Sam to hunt those three claim-jumpers,"
+suggested one of the poss&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>"Barbara and I will wait here with Jeb if you leave us each with a gun,"
+offered Eleanor, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara gasped at the very idea, but Eleanor added:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We don't want to be mixed up in a fight with rascals, and we are safer
+here than up there."</p>
+
+<p>"The gal's right, Sam. They'd onny be in the road if we-all have to
+chase them men," said Bill.</p>
+
+<p>"But they can't shoot! Why give them any guns?" asked Mr. Brewster,
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I just bet I could kill you at forty paces, if you were a claim-jumper
+and looked at me the way Hank looked at you!" declared Eleanor,
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>The men laughed, and Bill wagged his head approvingly. "Ah say, Sam, let
+the gals take a crack at the Four Mile tree&mdash;and see."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, even the sight of guns will make the villains respect us, even if
+we can't shoot!" added Barbara, who felt that the lesser of the two
+dangers would be to remain with Eleanor and Jeb where they now were.</p>
+
+<p>After many instructions and warnings had been given to Jeb and the two
+city girls, Mr. Brewster spurred his horse on to ride after his
+companions who were already up the trail. But he had not far to go.</p>
+
+<p>At the bend of the trail, where there was a small clearing, he saw the
+men standing up in their stirrups, intent on something ahead. He urged
+his horse up to join them, and just before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> reaching the group, he
+called out: "What's wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>The horses were tossing their heads, pawing the ground, and acting
+restive. Bill turned half-way around in the saddle and replied:
+"D'you-all smell anything, Sam?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster noticed then, that the men held faces up and were sniffing
+in different directions. He then sniffed carefully himself and
+exclaimed: "Smells like smoke."</p>
+
+<p>But even as he spoke, the thought reached him: "A forest fire!" His face
+went white and he murmured a prayer to himself for Polly and Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"Yeh, Sam. Comin' down from the Slide," was all Bill said.</p>
+
+<p>"My Gawd, men! what shall we do?" cried one of the poss&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>"We-all must ship them two gals an' Jeb down trail, right away, and then
+the rest of us'll ride up to see if anything kin be done to stop it.
+Mebbe it hain't got a headway yet," replied Bill.</p>
+
+<p>But the two girls were now seen riding up the trail as fast as their
+horses could travel. Barbara rode first and Eleanor after her, shouting
+aloud in a frantic voice. The men waited fearfully to hear what new
+trouble assailed them.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara almost ran down Mr. Brewster's horse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> in her blind fear, and
+when questioned, could not speak. Eleanor then rode up and looked so
+angry that she could scarcely explain.</p>
+
+<p>"Bob declared she heard noises behind us and on one side, and then,
+without giving me or Jeb any warning, she started her horse at a run, to
+come and meet you men. She cried that it would be safer with a crowd
+than alone with only Jeb and me and the rifles we knew nothing about. I
+had to ride after her to see that she reached you safely. Now I'll go
+back and keep guard again."</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, Nolla! Although you are a brave little girl, it will be of no use
+to keep guard now. Jeb and you will have to ride down Top Notch Trail as
+fast as you can, and meet Simms who is coming up with Mrs. Brewster.
+Send Simms and the men on to help us, but you three women take Jeb and
+go right on down. There's a forest fire." Mr. Brewster added the last
+portentous words in an awed voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my goodness! Will we be hurt?" cried Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>But Eleanor thought not of herself. She immediately cried: "Are Polly
+and Anne safe?"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly&mdash;whar's she?" demanded Bill, suddenly realizing that the girl was
+not one of the party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She went to the cave with Mike to watch there, in case any
+claim-jumpers tried to stake their ground," groaned Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the cave far from here?" added Bill, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not as far as Top Notch Trail," replied Eleanor, seeing a possible way
+for her to get to Polly and Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"But some one ought to send Simms on to us and then ride on down trail
+to signal the forest-rangers' lookout so's they could come and help
+fight the fire," said another man.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't Bob and I join Polly and Anne in the cave where we will be safe
+from any fire, and you send Jeb down to signal Simms and the
+forest-rangers?" asked Eleanor excitedly, seeing how urgent was the need
+for instant action.</p>
+
+<p>"All right; take this young man for protection, and get to the cave as
+quick as you can. You gals wait in the cave till you-all hear from us
+again. Send Mike down trail to Jeb to hurry Simms and then escort Mrs.
+Brewster home. We're ridin' up yander to work," ordered Bill,
+authoritatively.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor turned her horse's head to a faint trail that she was sure would
+bring them to the cave. Barbara and the cow-boy followed, while Bill
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> his men urged the horses to their utmost up the steep Slide.</p>
+
+<p>"Thar's one good thing about this fire&mdash;it seems to be comin' down, and
+it don't travel near so quick that way, like-as-how it do when it goes
+upward. Mebbe we-all kin choke it in its first stages," explained Bill.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor and her two followers now reached the end of the little erosion
+made by a storm. Then the city girl found it really was no trail at all.
+They sat their horses looking helplessly about while Barbara began to
+whimper with fear.</p>
+
+<p>Even courageous Eleanor began to quail at what would befall them if they
+were lost, when Mike suddenly appeared in the distance, climbing the
+steep slope before them. His broncho came on recklessly through the
+bushes and wild undergrowth until he was within speaking distance then
+he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Mike hear shoots! Gals in cabe alle-right. Mike smell fire. He go see
+who burn. Fin' tree bad miner&mdash;One gone happy hunting-groun',&mdash;two sleep
+f'm much fire-water. Tree hosses hobble on down trail." As he spoke he
+acted his words so that it was plain that he had found the three
+claim-jumpers who were dead drunk, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> their mounts which were trying
+to break away in sheer fear of the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Mike, Bill and Mr. Brewster said you were to leave us in the cave, if
+it is safe there, and then ride down trail to meet Jeb and go on to stop
+Simms' party. Warn the lookout on the forest-ranger's post and then come
+back to us, but Jeb is to ride home with the Missus!" exclaimed Eleanor,
+excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>Mike frowned. "Indian no like squaw job!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what I was going to say, Mike. Now if you will put us on
+the right trail, we three can find the way to the cave. We will stay
+there with the other girls, and let you do as you think best, <i>after</i>
+you send Jeb away to meet Simms," said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Mike mus' tell Boss and Bill 'bout fire. Him eat down-hill, udder side
+Slide. No burn dis side."</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, the Indian was leading the way to the trail that would bring
+the girls out at the ravine where the cave was. Once on the right trail,
+the youth whom Bill had sent with the girls, said he could keep to it
+without going astray.</p>
+
+<p>Mike waited but a moment to assure himself that they would be safe along
+the trail, then he started his horse up the steep side. His keen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> Indian
+scout habits now stood him in good stead. He soon had the Sheriff's
+party tracked and was riding after them. His young broncho galloped
+along until the group of men bound for the Slide, were hailed by a
+war-whoop.</p>
+
+<p>Bill turned and saw the Indian close behind. He called a halt, and when
+the party stopped, the messenger was already in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire up lodge-pole pine side. Eatin' down&mdash;dat way!" cried Mike, waving
+a hand at the side of the mountain away from them and the cave.</p>
+
+<p>"Mike go see an' fin' tree miner. Dey hab big fight&mdash;two shoot one. Him
+dead. Udders drunk&mdash;gone 'sleep. Hosses tie up."</p>
+
+<p>"Mike, you lead! Men fall in&mdash;we-all fight the fire first, then find the
+drunken miners and arrest them for manslaughter," ordered Bill, and thus
+the poss&eacute; rode away.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>AT CHOKO'S FIND</h3>
+
+
+<p>After losing the trail many times only to stumble into it again and
+again, and then slipping, sliding, or jolting down the steep side of the
+mountain where the timber-line ended near the cliff, Eleanor finally
+recognized the ravine where the cave was located.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank heavens! We're almost there," she cried, trying to find the
+easiest way down to the ledge.</p>
+
+<p>Polly and Anne were sitting before the entrance to the cave, when they
+heard shouts and saw three weary riders coming along the rocky ledge
+that led to their refuge.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;it's Nolla and Bob and a man!" exclaimed Polly, jumping up to run
+and meet the girls.</p>
+
+<p>"What's wrong&mdash;any one hurt?" cried Anne, the moment she saw the faces
+of the girls.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor then told about the forest-fire, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> where the men were. The
+more recent excitement had quite driven the story of Hank and his
+claim-jumpers from her mind. But Polly anxiously asked for her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes&mdash;Simms and the party hadn't arrived when we left Four Mile
+Blaze. But they will be all right, as Mike is gone to meet them. Then
+your mother and Jeb will ride back to warn the forest-rangers about the
+fire," explained Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, Bob. Don't you remember, Mike said he would have to tell
+Polly's father about the drunken men and the fire, first," Eleanor
+corrected her sister.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm not worrying about mother because she knows too much to run
+into unnecessary danger; but father always wants to save everybody and
+everything from disaster, and so takes his life in his hands, over and
+over again," Polly worried.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Brewster'll be all right with Bill around, Miss Polly," said the
+young man who had accompanied the city girls. "No one is allowed to run
+any risks for nuthin', when the Sheriff is there to stop 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"I just hope Bill <i>will</i> keep father in bounds!" declared Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Very little smoke reached the ravine, which was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> on the opposite side of
+the mountain from that where the fire raged, so the girls knew not how
+matters fared until late in the afternoon. Then, to their great relief,
+Mr. Brewster shouted a signal from the lodge-pole pine forest.</p>
+
+<p>Polly gave an answering call, and then ran along the dangerous ledge
+until she reached the place where the pine trees had been blown down the
+day of the blizzard. Here she could see the dim outlines of several
+riders as they waited for some evidence that they were on the right
+trail.</p>
+
+<p>Before Polly could climb the slope to wave her hat, she saw Mike riding
+up behind the party and then go on before them down the trail leading to
+the cave.</p>
+
+<p>Polly was kept busy with answering the girls who stood at the cave
+entrance, and in calling to her parents and friends who were approaching
+as fast as the down-trail would permit. When they rode near enough for
+Polly to see their faces, she recognized her mother and Jeb in the
+party; she thought they expressed great concern over something that must
+have happened to the party&mdash;or perhaps something that might happen.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Polly, you've had all day to dig the gold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> out of your mine; got
+it tied in bags for us to lug home?" called Mr. Simms, jocularly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Simms, you needn't worry over that gold as long as there is
+something worse to trouble you. What is it?" answered Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha, ha! Poll must be feeling lonesome; when she talks like this,
+it's a sure sign she needs jolly company," replied the lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe she thought we were chewed up by the grizzlies," added Mr.
+Brewster, forcing a gayety similar to that of Mr. Simms.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter with you men? Is there any danger from the fire?"
+demanded Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, the fire's burning over the down-slope on the other side. You know
+it won't come this way," returned Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then&mdash;where are the other men? Did those drunken miners shoot any
+one?" persisted the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't bother with questions, Polly. Let us get some supper before we
+think of anything else," advised her mother.</p>
+
+<p>Mike was soon busy unpacking the outfit for cooking, and Mrs. Brewster
+joined him to give any assistance he might need. Polly went over to her
+father to try and get more satisfactory information<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> from him, regarding
+that day's experiences.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you say the miners who came up ahead of us to-day were in Bill's
+custody, Daddy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah didn't say anything; but now Ah'll <i>tell</i> you-all that they are
+shipped safely to a place where they can do no harm."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Did Bill go down the Trail with them?" continued Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Bill's man went down-trail to watch in case of any new trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"See here, father! Out with your secret! What are you-all keeping from
+me?" asked Polly, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious, Poll! Can't a man feel riled after such a wearing day
+and with nothing to eat, without his women-folks asking plaguey
+questions?" cried Mr. Brewster, testily.</p>
+
+<p>Polly was silenced for the moment, but she went out to the ledge where
+her mother was helping Mike, and there she began again.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, I know something unusual concerns you-all, so you may as well
+confide in me."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon the men are vexed because we lost all this day hunting up
+those wretched miners who must have accidentally set the fire going on
+the other side," was all the reply Polly received.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mike glanced up to look covertly at Mrs. Brewster and the inquisitive
+girl caught his expression.</p>
+
+<p>"Even Mike is laughing at the poor way in which you are fencing with me.
+Now treat me as if I were sensible&mdash;not like a baby, or like Bob!"
+demanded Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, to tell the truth, Polly, I'm afraid to tell you everything. If
+those girls know they will go clean daffy," sighed Mrs. Brewster,
+passing her hand over a troubled brow.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother! Did I go daffy when that blizzard carried Choko over the
+ledge&mdash;and what did I do up on Grizzly when the snow and ice covered the
+trail? Did I lose my nerve?"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Mr. Simms called out to Mike: "'Most done cookin', Mike?
+Ah want you-all to go with me to ketch a grizzly afore it is too dark to
+see him. Ah promised mah wife she should have a bear-skin rug this
+trip."</p>
+
+<p>Mike looked at Mrs. Brewster who nodded for him to go. She calmly took
+the ladle and continued stirring the soup that the Indian had been
+attending to, then Mike hurried after Simms.</p>
+
+<p>"There now&mdash;I know it is something serious and it is much better for me
+to <i>know</i> what may happen than to have it come upon me like a
+thunder-bolt," said Polly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, keep on stirring this broth while I busy myself over the
+rest of the supper, and I'll tell you. Don't exclaim, or show any shock.
+It is important for us to keep cool," advised Mrs. Brewster, as she
+toasted some dry bread over the embers.</p>
+
+<p>"I wasn't present when this occurred but father told me. The men found
+the miner who had been shot, and down the slope further on, they saw the
+forms of the other two. But the panic-stricken horses that had been
+hobbled and left to graze, were so frightened at the clouds of smoke and
+crackling fire, that a few of the men had to lead them back to a clear
+place. There they were tied securely to some trees.</p>
+
+<p>"Your father, Bill, and one of his men, jumped down the steep sides
+where the fire was raging, and began to beat out the flames. They could
+see the two drunken miners just beyond the fire-line down the trail, but
+they seemed so overcome with whisky and smoke that they failed to
+respond to any shouts from the men, or to the fear of the on-driving
+fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Our men had beaten out the ground-fire half-way to the miners, when a
+terrific rumbling sounded, as from a distance behind them. Bill's man
+was far in advance of the other two rescuers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> and perhaps, the
+crackling on the ground and the raging fire in the trees overhead,
+deafened him to this other portentous sound.</p>
+
+<p>"Father, however, felt that it meant something more terrible than a
+fire, so he shouted to Bill and tried to warn the man. But a fit of
+coughing from inhaling the smoke, cut his call short. Bill then cried,
+'Go on back, Sam&mdash;I'll get my man!'</p>
+
+<p>"So your father managed to force his way back towards the Top Trail.
+There he saw a great white cloud swooping down from the peak of Grizzly
+Slide. He turned, screamed at Bill and waved his arms to warn them out
+of the track of the avalanche, if possible. Bill and his man saw this
+new danger and turned to climb back to safety.</p>
+
+<p>"Father was leading, Bill a short distance behind him, and the man not
+far in the rear, when the first two heard a scream. They turned and saw
+the horse had stumbled and fallen. He tried to scramble to his feet
+before the onrush of the half-frozen earth and rock and snow could reach
+him, but it caught and whirled him away on its crest.</p>
+
+<p>"Father and Bill were thrown down with the shaking of the ground caused
+by the terrific slide, and several times they were almost sucked into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>
+the vortex caused by the overwhelming ever-growing stream. Had it not
+been for Mike who had heard the rumble and knew what it meant, both Bill
+and father would have been lost. But Mike threw out a rope that father
+caught and quickly wound about himself, while Bill clutched on to
+father's legs. Thus Mike dragged them up to the tree where he had bound
+himself. The horses are gone!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster seemed overcome at the recital of the awful ordeal the men
+had passed through, but Polly said encouragingly:</p>
+
+<p>"Don't take on so, mother! 'All's well that ends well' and father and
+Bill are safe, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but this isn't all, Polly! Mike says when Grizzly starts an
+avalanche like that first one, the very force of its tearing away keeps
+on breaking away the ice-fields all around the peak. Another slide may
+come at any moment and pour down this side, you see. The men who had
+taken care of the horses when the others were fighting the fire were
+left stationed at the timber-line to watch. If they notice the faintest
+sign of another serious break on the peak, they are to signal a lookout
+left on the crest of this slope. And they in turn must warn Bill's son
+who was left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> sitting on top of this ledge. That is where Simms and Mike
+have gone now. There must have been a signal from Bill's boy to Simms."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster looked at her daughter to see if she could bear the rest
+of the story. Finding Polly as calm as she herself was, she continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Father said the experience Simms and he went through was mere child's
+play to what it might be should Grizzly loosen up and send down a slide
+on this side of the peak. Of course, the fire and smoke added to the
+horror on the other side, but the actual avalanche was not as tremendous
+because the slope was partly protected by the abrupt drop of thousands
+of feet from the peak to the valley, down which the greater flood must
+have rushed.</p>
+
+<p>"This side is on the direct down-slope from the peak, with nothing to
+break a snow-slide, or to carry off the bulk of the d&eacute;bris.</p>
+
+<p>"This morning, when I rode up with Simms' party, we met two old trappers
+who were coming down. They had passed Old Grizzly Slide yesterday, and
+they said there must have been an awful thaw going on under the
+surface-ice of the Slide, as the yawning chasm where you discovered the
+crevice the other day was frightful. It made even their courageous
+spirits tremble at sight of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> it. But they turned again and rode up with
+us, as they said they could be useful to Bill. They are up on Top Notch
+now, scouting for the first symptoms of a slide."</p>
+
+<p>Polly turned white as she heard the story, but she still had control of
+her voice, so she whispered: "Why don't we-all start down-trail
+to-night? Why lose time cooking supper, and have the men up there
+watching for the trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mike says we are safer in this cave than on the trail. It is impossible
+to go down the Indian trail at night, and Top Notch Trail is bad enough
+in the daytime, so that in the dark it is forbidding. He says this cave
+is high enough up on the ledge and near enough to the crest to escape
+most of the drift. The trash will be swept clear over the entrance and
+down into the ravine, while any snow or ice that might lodge up on the
+ledge before the cave will soon melt again. Then we can get away, when
+all is over."</p>
+
+<p>Polly said nothing, but she was thinking seriously. Mrs. Brewster was
+grateful that her daughter could bear such awesome news without a
+tremor. So the two completed the supper, and were ready to serve it,
+when Sam Brewster rode down the ledge.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, Daddy! Just in time for a bowl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> of hot soup!" called Polly,
+gayly waving a ladle.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother admired the self-control the girl showed over any fear or
+danger, and followed the brave example set her. "Yes, Sam, if Simms
+wants to chase a bear in the twilight, let him! You will do far better
+to enjoy the supper."</p>
+
+<p>So they sat down to eat toasted bread and soup, while Polly talked
+vivaciously and caused many a laugh from the unsuspecting girls. As the
+meager supper was almost finished, however, Mr. Brewster mentioned in a
+casual tone: "Girls, Ah expect John and his friends early to-morrow, you
+know. Mike is going down to meet them."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! And won't we have exciting adventures to tell him!" exclaimed
+Anne, thinking only of John and his coming.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Brewster is going down with Mike, to meet the boys. So we-all
+thought you gals would like to ride down, too, instead of sitting up in
+front of this cave all day and night," continued Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how foolish! to kill the horses with all that climbing! Up to-day,
+down to-morrow, and up again the next day! No horse could stand that!"
+declared Anne, amazed at her host's suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ah've been thinking you-all had best<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> stay down, once you get
+there. This is no sort of life for women-folk, anyway. When John and Tom
+Latimer get here they can look after your mining interests better than
+you can yourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Mr. Brewster, you haven't even seen the hole inside of that cave,
+where I followed after Polly the day we discovered the gold!" exclaimed
+Eleanor, greatly disappointed in Polly's father.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah haven't had time, Nolla. What with the doings of the claim-jumpers
+and everything, Ah've had a full day. Besides, it looks as if we-all are
+going to have <i>some</i> time up here, and Ah'd feel a heap easier if you
+women were safe at home."</p>
+
+<p>"Are there signs of other claim-jumpers coming up, Mr. Brewster?" asked
+Eleanor, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"From what our scouts report, up on the Trail, we're going to have such
+a time, if we remain here, that we may not have another good opportunity
+to escape with our lives," returned the distracted man.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear me! Can't we start now? I never want to see any claim-jumpers
+again!" cried Barbara, wringing her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep quiet, Bob! We'll do just as Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> Brewster says, but your
+whimpering won't help any," said Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, girls, I'm so eager to see John again, that I'm willing to ride
+down with Mike and mother," said Polly, acting her part perfectly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Polly! I don't want to go and leave the gold mine, but I want you
+to stay with me," cried Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness me, Nolla! Don't you s'pose we can ride up again when the
+danger blows over? A lot of good the mine would do either one of us if a
+dozen claim-jumpers put lead through us all at one time!" laughed Polly,
+but feeling far from humorous.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I'll just <i>have</i> to go, if all the rest of you do!" cried
+Eleanor, stamping her foot angrily.</p>
+
+<p>So, after much arguing and explaining, it was decided that every one
+should be ready to start down-trail at the earliest streak of daylight.</p>
+
+<p>That night the girls and Mrs. Brewster slept on the pine-beds&mdash;or at
+least the city girls slept, while Polly and her mother rested even as
+they waited for the first warning call from the guard, who sat by the
+fire that was started to keep away the wild beasts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The hours passed without any new signals, and at three o'clock Mike
+called out that he was ready to start. The girls demurred about getting
+up at that hour, but Polly was too energetic to give them any peace. So,
+shortly after three, the entire party started down Indian Trail,
+traveling as swiftly as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"Now see here! why do all you men come down, too? I thought it was only
+the womenfolk who had to get out of the way!" exclaimed Eleanor,
+wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"If, any claim-jumpers are about to stake out our land up there who is
+there left to stop them?" added Anne, suspiciously, when she saw the
+deep concern on every man's face as he rode single file down the path.</p>
+
+<p>"Wall, now, seem' as we-all are well along the way down, Ah may as well
+tell you-all: thar hain't goin' to be no danger of any claim-jumpers
+staking your land if Old Grizzly knows anything about it. Thar war a
+turrible avalanche yesterday and a leetle one at suppertime; it looks
+like-es-how anuther powerful one will hit the trail any moment. That's
+why we-all air runnin' away as fast as our hosses kin go," explained
+Bill.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Tell Mike to hurry!" cried Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"No fear but what we-all are as crazy to git<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> down as you kin be, young
+leddy," said Bill, soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>After four hours' hard traveling, the riders came to a small park where
+Mike said they could rest and cook their breakfast, and feed the horses.
+From a certain spot on the clearing on this mountain-side, the peak of
+Old Grizzly Slide could be seen opposite them, dazzling in the sunshine.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the old rascal is still up there," declared Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"But you-all can't say how soon its skirts will whisk and send down the
+trash that always ruins a forest," added Bill.</p>
+
+<p>Even as he spoke, a strange sight was presented to the group who were
+admiring the sparkling peak. A great mist seemed to rise suddenly from
+its pinnacle, spreading out and obscuring the sun for a time. Then an
+ominous rumble echoed along the crest, and rolled down the slopes. The
+mist was suddenly sucked down by some tremendous force, and then a
+mighty tremor shook the ground where the escaped riders stood.</p>
+
+<p>The horses seemed to know instinctively that there was some upheaval of
+nature taking place, for they quivered along their sensitive nerves and
+nosed the air questioningly. Several of the highbred animals pulled at
+their halters and, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> drawn-back lips, snapped viciously at the air
+as if to warn away the destruction.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh! Will it hit us?" wailed Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we are safe on this opposite up-trail now. But a few hours delay in
+getting away this morning and we would have been caught in the drift,"
+said Sam Brewster, wiping beads of cold perspiration from his brow.</p>
+
+<p>"Daddy, you don't think that avalanche was on the side of our gold mine,
+do you?" asked Polly, plaintively.</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty close to Choko's Find, Polly dear," said her father.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! Gol' all gone dis time!" added Mike, dramatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! don't say that, Mike!" wailed Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not <i>our gold mine</i>!" added Eleanor, with gasping breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe no! Mike t'ink yes."</p>
+
+<p>There fell a silence at that, and each one looked at the other, while
+the same thought passed through their minds: "If that slide buried
+Choko's Find again, where would they all have been had they remained in
+the cave?"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>JOHN AND HIS FRIEND ARRIVE</h3>
+
+
+<p>Nothing could have been done to avert the catastrophe on Grizzly Slide,
+so the adventurers finished their breakfast in silence. Mrs. Brewster
+seemed the only one who appeared grateful for their safety. Doubtless,
+the others felt a certain <i>sense</i> of thanks but they were so disturbed
+over the evident loss of the mine again, that it was paramount with
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Having packed the camp dishes, Mike started on the trail again, silently
+followed by the rest. Not until they reached Bear Forks where the roads
+separated, was anything more said about the mine.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb can accompany the ladies to Pebbly Pit, while Ah ride on to Oak
+Creek to meet the train that will bring John and his friends. It doesn't
+look as if we-all can use their knowledge now, but we may as well talk
+things over seeing that like-as-how they will have had the long trip
+here," ventured Mr. Brewster, thoughtfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We-all ought to make up a crowd to go up and try to find Haywuth's
+body. Mebbe it will show when the snow's melted from the slope," added
+Bill.</p>
+
+<p>"Sam, why don't you-all plan while on your ride to Oak Creek, to take
+Top Notch Trail the same time John and Tom take the expert up? The
+larger the party the less danger of accident, you know," suggested Mrs.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we going with them, mother?" Polly said, in a pleading tone.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, child! Aren't you cured with what happened this time?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Lightning never strikes in the same place twice,' Mrs. Brewster," said
+Eleanor, hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>"And you know, Maw, such a terrible slide has not occurred here-abouts
+in twenty years," quickly added Polly, dropping back into her ranch
+vernacular in her anxiety. "It may be another twenty years before such
+another slide happens."</p>
+
+<p>"And we can get all the gold out of the cave that we need in a short
+time," Barbara reminded them.</p>
+
+<p>This made the men laugh, as the girl's words showed how little she
+really understood the situation up on the peak.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we can talk things over better when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> boys are present to
+advise us. Meantime, you-all ride home and rest up. Ah'll bring the boys
+along about night-fall," said Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>The inhabitants of Oak Creek had felt the trembling of the ground caused
+by the huge land-slide on Grizzly, and knowing that so many of their
+prominent citizens were there at the time, they were grouped about the
+public house anxiously talking over the chances for escape that might be
+had on the mountain-top.</p>
+
+<p>At first sight of the returned men, a wild welcome rang out, not only
+from the families who feared their men-folks might never return, but
+also from the citizens who were genuinely glad to see Bill and his
+poss&eacute;, and Simms and his boy, safely back.</p>
+
+<p>After having had his hand shaken as if it were a pump-handle, Sam
+Brewster continued on to the station to await the train from Denver. As
+he sat on the edge of the horse-trough thinking over the recent
+thrilling experiences, he suddenly realized that if Polly had lost her
+mine again, she might also lose her desire to go away to school in the
+Fall. This seemed a happy thought, for he sat beaming at the old box-car
+until the whistle announced the over-due local.</p>
+
+<p>Two handsome young men jumped from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> rear platform the moment the
+train slowed down, and soon Mr. Brewster had one of them by both hands
+giving him a hearty welcome.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Dad, try your muscle on Tom's arm. Mine has had enough for one
+day," laughed John, placing an arm affectionately over his father's
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>With a young man on either side explaining why the expert was not with
+them, Sam Brewster walked down the street towards Simms' office. Both
+young men were eagerly talking so the older man had not told them about
+the avalanche.</p>
+
+<p>"I was saying to John, what a different town this will be the moment we
+begin operations on Polly's claim," said Tom Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>"As the train pulled in I tried to look at the station and streets
+through future glasses&mdash;seeing the rows of fine store-buildings and the
+thrift that always follows on the heels of a rich find," added John.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll drop in Simms' office, boys, as I have to borrow his horses. I
+came on to meet you without bringing any mounts," said Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>Both young men laughed heartily at this admission, and Tom said
+teasingly: "I suppose you were so excited over Polly's discovery of gold
+that you clean forgot we were city chaps who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> are not overfond of hiking
+over these trails."</p>
+
+<p>Simms was talking to the coroner about the witnesses to the death of
+Bill's man, and the newly arrived young engineers heard him say: "Sam
+Brewster was the other one who escaped that death."</p>
+
+<p>"What's he talking about, Dad?" whispered John, anxiously, as he watched
+the officer take notes.</p>
+
+<p>Then in as few words as possible, the boys were told all about the
+land-slide on Grizzly that had, most likely, buried Choko's Find under
+tons and tons of d&eacute;bris&mdash;maybe, hid it completely again for all time.</p>
+
+<p>They sat in Simms' office talking over the plans for the morrow when a
+large party was to go up Top Notch. As they sat arranging who would be
+the best men to take, John interrupted the conversation:</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't that Jeb riding along the road with two led horses?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure enough! Your mother must have remembered I had but one mount, and
+so Jeb was hurried here with extra horses for you," replied Mr.
+Brewster, running to the door and hailing his man.</p>
+
+<p>On the way to Pebbly Pit, Tom rode alongside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> Mr. Brewster while John
+rode beside Jeb. The two latter riders had much to say to each other,
+for John had been Jeb's particular charge when the hired man first went
+to work at Pebbly Pit. Now John was a head taller than his erstwhile
+guardian, even if he was much the younger.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb acted very morose and absentminded; instead of giving sensible
+replies to John's questions about the avalanche, he would mutter and say
+inconsequent things. Finally John said:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it must have been a narrow escape, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just it, John. Ef Ah don't run away from Pebbly Pit she'll git
+me!" returned Jeb, greatly troubled.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm talking about that land-slide&mdash;what do <i>you</i> mean?" laughed John,
+beginning to understand that Jeb was worried over something other than
+the Grizzly experience.</p>
+
+<p>"Wh&mdash;y&mdash;Ah'm meanin' that widder! It's leap-year, you know."</p>
+
+<p>John had never heard about Sary, so he was unprepared to offer any
+advice, but he thought best to agree in everything with Jeb, concerning
+this particular one, and all "widders" in general.</p>
+
+<p>"Ye-es&mdash;siree! That Sary kin ketch any man she starts out to trap. Ef
+she laid eyes on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> enny of them farm-hands at Pebbly Pit, like-as-how she
+has on <i>me</i>, they'd roll right over and eat from her han's. But, you
+see, John, Ah ain't a marryin' man, so Ah wants to escape."</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, I have a plan! Suppose we get Tom to flirt with Sary and then let
+her understand she is fickle, so that you won't consider her for a
+mate," whispered John, thinking of the fun he could have by playing this
+joke on his friend.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb gave John a scornful look that meant volumes. "D'ye think Sary would
+fall fer it? Ah tells you-all she ain't no fule. She kin see straight,
+an' she knows Tom Latimer ain't in her class."</p>
+
+<p>Thus trying to plan for Jeb's peace and happiness, the two found they
+had reached the Rainbow Cliffs. Tom and Mr. Brewster were looking over
+the beautiful shining walls, and Tom sighed:</p>
+
+<p>"You wouldn't have to waste one regret on Polly's loss of the gold mine,
+if you would but consent to let us sell a bit of these walls."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Ah'm</i> not worryin' over her loss of gold, Tom; it's glad Ah am that it
+turned out so. Now she won't coax to go away to some big school where Ah
+can't see her for six months."</p>
+
+<p>Tom Latimer turned about in the saddle and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> sent Sam Brewster a keen
+look and thought: "<i>So that</i> is why he won't consent to these stones
+being mined and sold!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the four men rode up the wide trail that ran from the Cliffs to the
+house where they found a group of girls and women eagerly awaiting them.
+Polly ran down the road and caught hold of her brother's stirrup in her
+impatience to welcome him. John laughed and jumped from his horse, then
+gave his sister the kiss and hug she expected.</p>
+
+<p>Anne Stewart stood on the porch watching this little by-play, and when
+the brother and sister slowly walked along, arm linked in arm, she
+smiled and sighed, then turned to greet Tom Latimer. But she did not see
+Mrs. Brewster's watchful eye quickly turn away from her when <i>she</i>
+turned from watching John.</p>
+
+<p>As Tom Latimer was known to the Maynard girls and Anne, having met them
+at the College Prom the past year, he was warmly welcomed by them as
+well as by the Brewsters. Barbara felt an especial interest in him, as
+he was "one of her set" in society, and he had been invited to her home
+when her brother entertained a few of his college friends.</p>
+
+<p>Polly now brought her brother up and introduced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> him to Eleanor and
+Barbara, but Anne was not there.</p>
+
+<p>"Wh-y&mdash;where did Anne go? She was here this minute?" cried Polly,
+looking around in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster had seen Anne steal away and she understood the reason.
+Now she quickly diverted attention by saying: "Of course you boys have
+heard about the awful land-slide?"</p>
+
+<p>As it was so recent an event, it instantly absorbed all. Then Mr.
+Brewster told about the plans to ride up the Trail on the morrow and
+ascertain just how much damage had been done. John seemed to be as
+excited a talker as any one, but his mother saw him send many a
+searching glance around for some one he had not found.</p>
+
+<p>She managed to reach his side without attracting the attention of the
+others, and slyly whispered: "Anne Stewart went out towards the Cliffs a
+moment ago. I saw her leave by the back pathway."</p>
+
+<p>Then while every one was trying to make out the cloud-draped peak of
+Grizzly Slide, having had their attention directed to it by an
+exclamation from Mrs. Brewster, John backed away and ran behind the
+kitchen to the path that led to the Cliffs and Anne.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Jeb found it necessary to fill the wood-box in the kitchen, and it was
+just after John had passed there that he stumbled up the stone walk.
+Sary stood in the doorway grinning sympathetically as she watched John
+dash away after Anne Stewart, when Jeb said:</p>
+
+<p>"Lem'me get by wid this load of wood."</p>
+
+<p>She smirked and said: "Ah, Jeb! Thar's nuthin' in the wurruld like young
+love, ain't it?"</p>
+
+<p>Now Sary's would-be bewitching leer and her dangerous proximity to him,
+frightened Jeb worse than any Rocky Mountain avalanche ever, so that he
+forgot he held an armful of wood. He suddenly went lax in the muscles,
+dropped the wood, and turned to flee to his hay-loft where no Sary dared
+follow without a chaperone.</p>
+
+<p>One stick of the wood fell upon Sary's toe, and not having "feet of
+brass or clay," she uttered a yelp of pain. Jeb never stopped to inquire
+what had caused that cry&mdash;whether of baffled love or shooting pains in a
+toe.</p>
+
+<p>Sary limped over to a wooden chair and sitting there with her foot held
+tenderly in both hands, she rocked back and forth, threatening, in an
+undertone, all males but Jeb in particular.</p>
+
+<p>"You-all jes' wait! Don't think Sary Dodd's a fule&mdash;cuz she hain't!
+Ah'll git you yit, so run<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> away an' make-out like-es-how you are free
+and not lookin' to any female in pertickler!"</p>
+
+<p>Having thus unburdened her soul of its wrath against Jeb, the cook
+limped over to the stove to hang the kettle over the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Supper was late that night, but no one noticed it. Sary had perfected a
+scheme she was going to try on Jeb, some day, soon, so she was all
+smiles and patience when the family gathered about the table.</p>
+
+<p>"I see you set the table in the living-room, mother," remarked John,
+approvingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we have wrought many changes this summer, John, but the best of all
+is the one whereby we eat out-of-doors when it is good weather. To-night
+we will eat here as it is too dark under the old oak," explained Mrs.
+Brewster, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>Plans were now discussed for the trip to Top Notch the following
+morning, and it was decided that Jeb should go for Mike early, and
+secure his services as before.</p>
+
+<p>"If such a crowd of men are going, I don't see why the owners of the
+mine can't go, too. We are as safe there, as here," grumbled Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Because we are going to make a three days' trip of this, Poll, and
+women-folk would not feel comfortable with such a lot of mixed men,"
+explained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> John, pulling his sister's hair, lovingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Polly and I are as good riders as any one of you, and seeing it
+is <i>our</i> mine, we ought to have <i>some</i>thing to say about it," added
+Eleanor, poutingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you-all have forgotten that we invited that nice young
+stranger and his friend, Jim Latimer, over to spend this Sunday with
+us," now ventured Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's so! The boy Kenneth who looks like Montresor!" Anne now
+added, understanding Mrs. Brewster's idea and abetting it.</p>
+
+<p>"Kenneth Evans! Is it <i>this</i> Sunday he is coming?" asked Eleanor
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"We might be back on time for that; this is only Friday night, you
+know," persisted Polly, clinging to the hope of riding to Top Notch.</p>
+
+<p>"No girl or woman is going&mdash;let that end the argument!" now said Mr.
+Brewster, with finality.</p>
+
+<p>There was silence for a moment, then Polly laughingly said to Eleanor:
+"Nolla, you and I will ride over to visit some old friends of mine
+to-morrow. We will take our lunch and spend the day with them. As it is
+half-way on the Bear Forks road we might as well ride with our boys when
+they go."</p>
+
+<p>"Polly, we plan to leave here before dawn so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> we can be on the climb
+when day breaks. Nolla and you will please remember to be fast asleep at
+that time. Good-night!"</p>
+
+<p>With these words, Sam Brewster got up and started to go to his room, but
+Polly would not allow her daddy to leave her in that frame of mind. So
+she ran over and jumped up to throw her arms about his neck in her usual
+fashion. What she whispered in his ear no one knew but he smiled and
+nodded his head in meek acquiescence.</p>
+
+<p>"Poll&mdash;did he say we might go?" whispered Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;he won't give in that far, but he said we could ride with them as
+far as Bear Forks, if we were up in time. I'm bound to wake up, so now
+I'm going right to bed," said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>But Polly and Eleanor did not wake up in the morning until seven
+o'clock. The riders were far up along the trail by that time, so the
+girls had to make the best of the day.</p>
+
+<p>When the men riders were well along the trail, Jeb motioned to Mr.
+Brewster that he wished to speak with him, so they permitted their
+horses to slow up and drop behind for a time.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah'm thinkin', Mis'r Brewster, thet Ah'll have to give notice that Ah'm
+quittin' your ranch. Not what Ah've got any kick comin' about the
+fam'ly&mdash;thar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> never w'ar a nicer one. But Ah've got ta save mahself."</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb!" gasped Sam Brewster in unbelief. "You <i>couldn't</i> leave us! Why,
+man, you're one of the family."</p>
+
+<p>"Yeh, Ah knows all that, Mis'r Brewster, but Ah jus' dasent stay where a
+female badgers my peace o' mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what is wrong, Jeb, and Ah'll fix it if Ah can," anxiously
+promised Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb gazed wildly about for some one to explain for him, and in gazing,
+his eye rested on John. Big splendid John who had only been a little
+shaver when he went to Pebbly Pit to work.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh John! Cain't you-all drop back and tell your Paw what ails me?"
+shouted Jeb, certain that John, who had been to college, could do
+anything.</p>
+
+<p>John dropped behind his companions, and Sam Brewster hurriedly explained
+that Jeb seemed to have a queer belief that he would be done for if he
+remained at Pebbly Pit.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, did Jeb bother you about that story, Dad? Here, you ride on in my
+place, and let me get this thing straightened out."</p>
+
+<p>Alone with Jeb, John said persuasively: "Now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> tell me all about it,
+Jeb&mdash;begin from the beginning."</p>
+
+<p>"Wall, seein' es how you-all is in love, mebbe you-all kin understand
+about this love-stuff.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, yuh see, John, when that Sary Dodd come to Pebbly Pit es a widder,
+to help housework, she never cast an eye around fer a likely 'second'
+until that derned old dance at the school-house. It wuz that time when
+she perked up in all that borrered finery that she landed a rich ole
+bachelor-rancher on her ticket to dinner. But he gave one look and run.
+He never showed up again that night.</p>
+
+<p>"Seein' like-es-how her partner vamoosed, she grabbed me to do the Grand
+March with her. Mebbe it w'ar the way Ah danced, that took her fancy.
+But whatever it w'ar, she's ben locooed after me sence that night.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, John, yuh know Sary ain't no prize-winner fer looks, en Ah knows a
+good looker when Ah seez one, cuz Ah hev sat and seen lots of pritty
+gals on the movie sheet in Oak Crick. Gosh! Some of them peaches Ah
+see'd would make yuh leave a stiddy job like Pebbly Pit. So Ah saved and
+<i>saved</i> till now Ah've got a tidy bit laid by fer some pritty gal, like
+them in the Movies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ef Sary Dodd knew Ah had money saved! Phew! She'd get at it whar Ah hid
+it in a hole under the barn-rafters, then she'd hold it out to tempt me,
+like-es-how yuh lead a balky cow to be milked. But that is one thing
+Sary <i>don't</i> know!"</p>
+
+<p>John laughed loud and long at the picture Jeb graphically sketched of
+Sary and himself, but the orator cared nothing for John's laughing. He
+was too concerned over his freedom.</p>
+
+<p>"Sary's got some good points&mdash;yuh've got to hand it to her, even ef she
+hain't got a figger like Miss Anne's, and hair like Miss Polly's. But
+she can cook! Gosh, <i>cain't</i> she cook and clean. So ef it w'ar a
+housekeeper er a business partner Ah wanted, Ah coulden pick a better
+one than Sary Dodd.</p>
+
+<p>"But yuh unnerstand me, John, don't yuh, when Ah says Ah wants something
+pritty sittin' afore the pianner to sing to me, or dressin' up in finery
+like Miss Bob's and playin' a lady? Ah've ben a hired man and worked on
+a ranch all mah life, but now Ah've got a bit saved up Ah kin go to the
+city and pick th' gal Ah wants.</p>
+
+<p>"And lem'me tell yuh, John! In the Movies them gals what looks so pritty
+make <i>fine</i> farm-wives. Gosh, but one city gal with yaller curls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> hadn't
+a cent to live on when she met a feller what owned a little ranch in
+Arizony. They hooked up and she was that happy on the farm! She churned
+the butter and fed chickens and did all the chores. And he looked after
+the stock. Evenin's she played and sang fer him and he sat in a big
+arm-chair and smiled at her.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the kind of wife Ah wants, John&mdash;and how kin Ah sit and listen
+to Sary sing? Mebbe she kin <i>churn</i> better'n that one I saw in the
+Movies, but Ah bet a plugged penny that she cain't play a pianner!"</p>
+
+<p>Jeb's tone was so emphatic at the last accusation of Sary's
+short-comings, that John almost rolled from his horse with laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Now Jeb had said all that he had to say, so he waited patiently for John
+to get over his spasm of laughter. Then he looked at him as if to ask
+what had he to say about such positive evidence as he had brought forth,
+regarding the Movie girl making the best kind of a rancher's wife?</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jeb! How I love your innocence!" gasped John, wiping his eyes on
+the back of his hand. "I shall certainly sue the Movies for betraying
+your trust and faith in womankind. For they sure did more than amuse you
+for your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> dime. You took for a solid fact, all the silly mush you saw on
+the screen as real life. But, it was <i>reel</i> life, Jeb, spelled with two
+'e's' instead of the genuine r-e-a-l way.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, how'd you like to spend every nickel you've saved, on a girl with
+dyed hair, belladonna eyes, painted lips you could never kiss, blackened
+eye-lashes and eye-brows, and goodness only knows what else she puts on
+and takes off to look pretty in the pictures?"</p>
+
+<p>Jeb listened with loose jaw and wide-opened eyes to this strange
+description of all the lady-loves he knew on the screen.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Jeb, these blonde Movie beauties have a different husband every
+few months. The ones who play star-leads make the biggest splash in the
+puddles, but the little ones try to mimic the big stars and get into all
+sorts of trouble. I haven't heard of but two or three who could treat a
+good husband decently. As for sitting at home playing and singing for
+you&mdash;ha, ha, ha! It costs about five hundred dollars each evening to
+entertain one of them.</p>
+
+<p>"Churn? Did you say she looked so cute in a big bungalow apron churning
+the butter on a vine-clad porch? Didn't the porch open right out on a
+little pasture and tidy barnyard, where her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> devoted husband could stand
+admiring her? Was it a dear little one-and-a-half story vine-clad house
+painted white, with green wooden shutters?"</p>
+
+<p>"Uh, huh! Just so! Did you see that gal, John?" eagerly asked Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, the Movies use that same little house and painted scenery for
+every farm-picture they make. Sometimes a deserted wife hangs to the
+post of the porch and plans to kill herself. Or sometimes it is the
+husband who hears how his head man ran away with his foolish little
+wife. But, Jeb, never believe anything you see in the Movies, for they
+have turned more heads than you can count, by their subtle ways.
+Everything always ends right in the Movies, but it is seldom so in real
+life.</p>
+
+<p>"Now do you want my best advice, Jeb?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah shore do, John, cuz you-all knows what's what!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then listen, Jeb, and think things over well before you leave Pebbly
+Pit and take your money away to spend on a pretty Movie gal.</p>
+
+<p>"You say that Sary is a right smart cook and houseworker. You admit that
+she is thrifty, and will save that money you've got hidden away in the
+barn.</p>
+
+<p>"Now look at that good-fer-nothing Bill Dodd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> she married! In less than
+a year she had him working on a ranch that she saved up for. Didn't she
+keep him at it until it was most paid up? If he hadn't gone with the
+flu, that ranch'd been paid for in another year.</p>
+
+<p>"Sary isn't so feeble, neither. She can save twenty more ranches before
+she cripples up. Any man who has ambition would make no mistake in
+choosing Sary. Now I believe Sary would make a big man of you, Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>"She may not dye her hair or paint her face, but she's got a square
+look, and we-all know what sound stock she comes of. There isn't a
+better family in all Colorado than the Morson's. And Sary Morson is all
+there! She has sterling qualities that will last after beauty and
+singing is worn thread-bare.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course she isn't anything like Anne Stewart&mdash;there never was any
+girl like her! But you make a big mistake if you go away to find a
+pretty girl, all dolled up like the Movie Queens, for your wife. She'd
+take all your money and laugh at you the next moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I've lived in big cities, Jeb, and seen a lot of the ways of pretty
+girls who dress up and pose for the boys, but not one of that kind is
+worth a shake. Take it from me, Jeb, you'd be happy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> and contented if
+you had a ranch of your own, and a sensible wife to make you toe the
+mark. You're too easy for any other sort, Jeb, although you figure that
+you need an ideal. Not so, my man!"</p>
+
+<p>Jeb heaved a mighty sigh as if he was passing on his rainbow dreams
+forever. Then he turned sorrowful eyes on John.</p>
+
+<p>"Wall, Ah cain't fergit that pooty gal in a hurry, even when Sary heaves
+in sight wid a heaped plate of puddin' fer me. Ah s'pose Ah'll hev to
+let <i>her</i> marry me, er git out to onct. Sence yuh've ben talkin', Ah
+have a sort of weakenin' fer her capable ways, and shore ez shootin',
+she'll grab the first chanst Ah gives her to know the wust, because this
+is leap-year."</p>
+
+<p>John shouted with laughter again, and Tom Latimer turned back his horse
+to ask what the joke was about.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing that concerns little boys like you, Tom," laughed John, as he
+winked at his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"But I feel sure I can be of help to Jeb as well as to you, John,"
+insisted Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Mis'r Tom. It's all over," sighed Jeb, in a funereal tone. "Ah've
+made up mah mind to take the med'cine, er beat it!"</p>
+
+<p>With that, Jeb spurred his horse on and joined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> his master, leaving John
+to merely hint at the great trouble that almost disrupted the household
+at Pebbly Pit. "Now, thank Heavens, I have saved the ranch from ruin,
+and united two hearts that ought to beat as one, hereafter!"</p>
+
+<p>Tom laughed. "I'm glad you confessed to your profession. I'll be wary of
+your match-making, in the future."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have to find matches before you can make them," laughed John.</p>
+
+<p>"You are so blind that you only see one pretty girl at Pebbly Pit,
+whereas there are four!" exclaimed Tom, smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Four! Anne Stewart is one, and Miss Maynard may <i>consider</i> herself
+lovely enough for a match&mdash;I don't. But mother and Sary will never
+consent to your including them in your match-making."</p>
+
+<p>"Hah! I thought so! You are so blind over Anne Stewart, that you fail to
+see how your own little sister is growing up to be a stunning miss. Why,
+she will be a beauty at twenty, for she is on the high-way there
+already."</p>
+
+<p>"Tom!" gasped John. "Wh-y&mdash;Polly is only a child!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what all brothers think of their pretty sisters. Some day, a
+fine young fellow will think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> differently, and you'll want to club him.
+But the trouble is, that Polly will think exactly as the handsome man
+thinks, and she will not listen to her big brother's advice to remain a
+little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides Polly, there is Eleanor Maynard. She, too, is a fine girl and
+will grow to wonderful womanhood. Now, John, take more notice of your
+'little' sister, for she is what we boys call a 'peach.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha, ha! I've never heard you say so much about a girl in my life!
+If I didn't <i>know</i> better, I'd say you were half-way in love with Polly,
+yourself. But I know what a quitter you are whenever there is a girl in
+the party," laughed John.</p>
+
+<p>Tom flushed slightly but made no reply. Before John could tease him any
+further, the party reached Four Mile Blaze. Mike tolled off the riders,
+and warned each one to give strictest attention to the going as one
+misstep meant a crippled horse or a serious accident.</p>
+
+<p>From there on, the men rode through the lodge-pole forest to avoid the
+great mass of d&eacute;bris formed of rocks, earth, and torn-up trees that
+obstructed the old trail. Simms felt sure his man had escaped in some
+miraculous manner, after the avalanche swept him from his feet. But
+seeing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> the mountains of wood-trash that were washed down from the peak
+and piled up everywhere, he lost faith.</p>
+
+<p>Still he and his men were bound to make the most of the least hope, so
+they sought thoroughly over the side where the two miners had been
+discovered, that day. Nothing but trees, rocks, and earth piled in
+toppling heaps on the steep slope of the mountain were seen, however.</p>
+
+<p>While Simms and Bill sought over every foot of ground for their missing
+friend, Mike led Sam Brewster and his two engineers, down the opposite
+slope, to a blaze that told them they were going towards the cave. But
+the nearer they came to the claim, the greater was the destruction of
+the forest. Finally they could see where the ledge had been, but so
+massed up was the trash that had been swept down and over the side, that
+it was impossible to reach the ravine.</p>
+
+<p>Mike chuckled: "Him unner alla trees on Grizzly Sly&mdash;him yaller insides
+safe nuff!"</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, Mike," laughed John. "If the gold is in that spot it is
+safe enough for a long time to come."</p>
+
+<p>"I think this slide was the luckiest thing that ever happened to the
+girls," ventured Tom Latimer, thoughtfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why?" anxiously demanded Mr. Brewster, visions of his darling being
+carried away to school uppermost in his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"When we are ready to bore for the gold, this trash will be an easy
+thing to burn and clear away. Meantime, it keeps off all claim-jumpers
+or thieves who need a little hard yellow metal."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must admit that it is a tough proposition to mine here," said
+Mr. Brewster. "A land-slide is apt to happen any moment and bury all the
+apparatus. All previous efforts will be wiped out and you must begin all
+over again. Then consider the difficulty of transportation, from this
+peak down the long trail, and over miles of rough country to the Oak
+Creek railway."</p>
+
+<p>"Hoh! a mere bagatelle, Mr. Brewster, when gold weighs in the other
+scale. Why, men will dig through the earth for gold! See what happened
+in Alaska. Once men found gold to be had for the pain and privation they
+would be forced to endure, they gladly gave up home, loved
+ones,&mdash;all&mdash;for the lust of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"And see what that drive did for Alaska. Railroads opened, cities
+founded, people settled there, and all because men fought with odds
+against finding buried gold!"</p>
+
+<p>"We wouldn't have to worry over this out-of-the-way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> mine if father
+would consent to have his cliffs utilized," hinted John.</p>
+
+<p>"Not with my consent!" retorted Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, come on, Mike. Let's pitch camp and get something to eat," said
+John, resignedly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not that I have any silly sentiment over the cliffs, my
+boys&mdash;don't mistake me there. But I have a serious reason for refusing
+to coin money out of that beauty&mdash;at least for a few years to come."</p>
+
+<p>"If I guess the truth about it, will you admit it to me some day?"
+quizzed Tom Latimer, his eyes twinkling.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir! Not even to my wife&mdash;it's <i>my</i> secret!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVERS</h3>
+
+
+<p>After breakfast the four girls asked each other what there was to do.
+They had had so much excitement all week, that the simple life palled on
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"It's exactly like drinking milk after you have been kept on spice-beer
+for a long time," laughed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Nolla and I have an invitation to spend the day with friends of
+mine. We can ride over there any time," said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then for goodness' sake, come on! I'll be asleep again if we don't do
+something," exclaimed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'll saddle Noddy and you can have Choko. We will have to
+harness them ourselves now that Jeb is away, and the other hands are
+working on the ranch."</p>
+
+<p>"You're not going far, are you?" asked Anne, suspiciously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Polly laughed. "Not as far as we went yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster had been told where Polly planned to take Eleanor, and she
+smiled approvingly. A nice luncheon was packed up and placed in the
+panniers of the burros, and the three grownups stood and watched the two
+girls ride down the trail to Rainbow Cliff.</p>
+
+<p>As they went, Eleanor said: "Did you mention the name of your friends? I
+forgot, if you have."</p>
+
+<p>Polly laughed. "Maybe I told you, but I don't remember now. Anyway, you
+wouldn't know them if I did tell you their names."</p>
+
+<p>"But what do you call them when you address them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I always call the old one 'Grandfather,' but he has a large family that
+I never bother with. <i>He</i> is our friend.</p>
+
+<p>"This family lives and does queer things that no city folks ever dream
+of," added Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Something like that Halsey woman, eh?" laughed Eleanor, who had heard
+from Sary about the disobedient children.</p>
+
+<p>"The Beavers are too polite to force their company on us. And as we may
+not care to eat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> as they do, I decided to bring lunch, which we can
+enjoy by ourselves," explained Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Noddy and Choko now reached the trail leading up the pine-tipped crest
+of the mountain back of Pebbly Pit, and were soon climbing through a
+veritable wilderness of sage-brush and aspens.</p>
+
+<p>"My, what a place to live in!" said Eleanor, surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not far, now," returned Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after this, Polly turned Noddy from the old trail and plunged
+into a thicket of aspens.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious! How can they ever find their own home?" wondered
+Eleanor, gazing at the closely growing aspen trees.</p>
+
+<p>"They know everything! And Noddy knows the way by this time, too, as I
+like to come here and spend the day. Besides there are blazes on the
+large trees to guide one."</p>
+
+<p>Noddy came out of the aspen grove after a time and then followed a
+mountain-stream up-trail for half a mile or so, before turning to look
+at her rider.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you wise little Noddy. How did you know I wanted to stop here?"
+laughed Polly, patting the burro affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>Noddy flicked back her long ears in approval<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> of such words and petting,
+but Eleanor's cry made the burro listen intently.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly! What a dreadful place to live in! Surely no one exists in this
+lonesome wilderness, do they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Beaver is clearing away the aspens just as fast as he can, but as
+soon as they are all cut down, he will move the whole family to some
+other dense grove, as they live on aspens, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"What&mdash;what! I didn't understand you!" cried Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Polly laughed as she pointed to a pond made by a dam crudely built
+across the stream. It was rough and queer looking, but it answered its
+purpose very well.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor saw half a dozen conical shaped huts built of mud in a row
+across the dam, then she stared at both sides of the stream, up and
+down, but no other habitation could she see. On the opposite bank
+several large trees had been felled and a quantity of aspens had been
+cut down and piled in confusion on the edge of the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Do your ranchers live near here?" asked she.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't say they were ranchers, Nolla."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, woodcutters, or what you call them!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," laughed Polly, "they are woodcutters and live in those mud huts."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" cried Eleanor again.</p>
+
+<p>"S-sh! Not so loud or you will frighten them away!"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly&mdash;impossible! What <i>do</i> you mean anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>"The beavers live there until the family grows too large, then they
+either build another story to the house, or start a new colony where
+aspens can be had in plenty. As there are so many young aspens here in
+perfect security, for the beavers, Grandfather Beaver remains here."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Polly! You mean they are <i>real beavers</i>!" gasped Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I knew you would love to see them at work, but we have to keep
+very quiet if we want them to come out."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me about them&mdash;quick&mdash;before we have to go away," begged Eleanor,
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"We won't have to go, but we have to keep quiet. You see they must have
+been cutting aspens over there, when they heard us coming and so they
+made a dive for safety. They are now hiding in the huts."</p>
+
+<p>"What can we do to coax them out again?"</p>
+
+<p>"We'll lead the burros to the park to graze,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> and we'll come back and
+sit quietly on this rock to watch for them."</p>
+
+<p>So the two burros were taken to a small nearby clearing where buffalo
+grass offered a juicy repast for them. Having hobbled them to keep them
+from straying, Polly led the way back to the beaver-dam.</p>
+
+<p>"If you were over there to examine those cut aspens you would find each
+one about eighteen inches long and about one and a half inches thick.
+The beavers always build near an aspen grove, as it is their food, but
+not finding a grove near the water, they have to swim up or down until
+they reach what they need. That is why you find their huts on water,"
+explained Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"But I've heard they are water animals."</p>
+
+<p>Before Polly could reply, a sleek head bobbed up from the water near one
+of the huts and Eleanor gasped with surprise. The beaver swam to the
+opposite bank where the trees had been cut down. He climbed quickly out
+of the stream and started to roll a heavy log over the ground until it
+splashed down into the pond. He then jumped after it and continued
+rolling and pushing it along till he reached the dam. Instantly, more
+beavers came out from the huts and assisted in towing the log to their
+dam of aspens.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh, Polly!" whispered Eleanor in excited astonishment, but Polly
+held her finger over her lips in warning.</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe they plan to build a new dam further up-stream, Nolla. If
+that is so, we will have something worth while to watch for during the
+next few days. Just now they are repairing the old houses for the
+Winter, and that log is to be a bulwark about which green cuttings of
+willow and young aspens can be woven as a partial strainer for the
+water. The d&eacute;bris that thus collects in the chinks between the cuttings,
+makes the dam firmer and yet more flexible than a solid structure
+would."</p>
+
+<p>Just then, the sound of a falling tree made Eleanor jump and look across
+the stream.</p>
+
+<p>"Other industrious beavers cutting down another tree," explained Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"How do they ever do it, Poll?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you watch, you will see that beaver go to work."</p>
+
+<p>Not one beaver appeared, but four that hurried to the bank and moved the
+newly cut tree into the water. One of the four dragged the tree with its
+branches still on, into the mid-stream where, catching a heavy branch
+between his teeth, he steered it to the row of huts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Directly back of the first one, swam the other three, each dragging a
+section of tree to deposit on the dam, where an old beaver was hard at
+work. As soon as the first beaver reached the huts, the old fellow gave
+a peculiar call that brought out a score or more of workers. They all
+went to their tasks as if drilled by a master.</p>
+
+<p>"My old Grandfather is not there this morning, or that other boss would
+not be taking his place," whispered Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor had been using her eyes to good advantage and now called to
+Polly anxiously. "Look a'there, Polly! Those beavers are eating the
+tree!"</p>
+
+<p>"They're not eating it but are cutting it down. Now you watch and you
+will see how they do it."</p>
+
+<p>The tree in question, stood on the shore and was about six inches in
+diameter and about sixteen feet in height. The boss of another group of
+beavers tested the tree by placing his fore-paws against the trunk and
+spreading out his hind legs as a bracer. He sat upon his tail and took a
+deliberate bite from the bark. No wonder Eleanor thought he was eating
+the tree!</p>
+
+<p>After gnawing at one side, he thumped the ground with his extended tail
+and ran away. Other beavers took his place and began cutting in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> much
+the same manner. Then the boss beaver, who was superintending the work,
+pushed the workers away and showed them how to work in a better way.
+This done, the boss thumped the ground with his tail&mdash;just as a
+policeman strikes the walk with his night-club&mdash;and the cutters went
+back to work.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the boss thumped the ground repeatedly and the cutters ran to a
+safe distance. A moment later, the tree began swaying and crashed down
+into the pond. It had been so cut and planned that labor and time would
+be saved by throwing it directly into the stream.</p>
+
+<p>It was towed down into the general harvest-pile and left for other
+colonists to saw into required shape and length for the additions to
+their huts.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this, a number of beavers came forth and swam to the extreme
+upper end of the pond. Here they climbed up on the bank and disappeared
+from sight in the aspen-covered forest.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are they going?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll soon find out!" declared Polly.</p>
+
+<p>As Polly spoke, a beaver swam along the bank and scrambled out quite
+near the spot where the two girls sat quietly watching. He sniffed and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>
+then plunged back to hurry to the huts where he must have reported the
+result of his trip. Immediately after, the boss commanded him to lead
+the way, and both returned to the place for a thorough investigation.</p>
+
+<p>The scout brought his boss up the bank and sniffed. Polly and Eleanor
+were quivering with excitement, as they saw the beavers making for the
+trail.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see what is wrong?" whispered Polly, cocking her rifle in case of
+emergency.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't do that!" cried Eleanor, catching hold of Polly's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop! Let go&mdash;that is how accidents happen. You drag on one's arm and
+the trigger, all ready to fire, is pulled accidentally. I know what I am
+about, so you need have no concern."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor felt chagrined and meekly followed Polly after this. They crept
+through the woods without making a sound.</p>
+
+<p>The two beavers reached the clearing where Noddy and Choko were grazing,
+and the moment the boss saw the burros, he turned and snapped at the
+foolish scout that had brought him this journey for naught! But the
+subdued laughter from the girls made the beavers rush pell-mell into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>
+the pond to wonder whether burros could laugh like that!</p>
+
+<p>On the way back to their rock of observation, Polly said, "Beavers are
+slow and awkward on land so that the agile panther, the alert wildcat,
+or wolves and bears, form a constant menace to them. Because of their
+unwieldy and short legs, they cannot escape quickly, but in water they
+are wonderful swimmers, so, water being necessary to their safety, they
+build their huts on the dams that will not bear up other wild animals.
+If their dams were constructed solidly, the beavers would soon be
+extinct, as forest savages would crawl over and glut on the helpless
+prey."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you say we could follow those other ones that went up-stream?"
+asked Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, come on," replied Polly, leading the way for some distance before
+seeing a sign of a beaver again. Then suddenly, she clutched hold of
+Eleanor's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, there's Grandfather, hard at work!"</p>
+
+<p>"Where&mdash;which?" cried Eleanor, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"The one with a limp and a twisted back!"</p>
+
+<p>The girls had reached a place where the stream widened and here they
+found a great number of beavers at work. Some cutting, some dragging,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>
+others swimming with aspens, willows and alders, and all ordered about
+by an old crippled beaver.</p>
+
+<p>But despite his twisted back and decided halt in gait, he moved about
+quicker than the others, showing them where to place, how to saw, when
+to cut the aspens, and other important details of construction.</p>
+
+<p>"There are a lot of pines, Polly&mdash;why doesn't he use them?"</p>
+
+<p>"A beaver doesn't like the smelly, pitchy wood, so they never cut them
+unless they have to clear a roadway from an aspen grove to the stream of
+water."</p>
+
+<p>"Then they ought to use all those trees already down. There are lots
+that have been felled by forest fires, I guess."</p>
+
+<p>"There again they show their wisdom," explained Polly. "A beaver never
+cuts dead wood as it dulls and injures his teeth. And dead wood does not
+last like live trees, either."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment, Grandfather Beaver seemed to sniff a familiar as well as
+a doubtful presence. He lifted his nose high and thumped his tail for an
+assistant. Leaving commands with this beaver, the Grandfather went into
+the stream and swam away.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor was sorry to lose sight of him, but almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> before she could
+speak, the old fellow rose laboriously from the water just in front of
+her. He waited, sniffing anxiously, but found a stranger with his
+friend, so he half-slid back into the stream.</p>
+
+<p>Polly made strange sounds and ran down towards him. To Eleanor's
+amazement the old fellow actually expressed joy at seeing a friend. He
+emitted peculiar sounds and Polly stood a few feet away uttering queer
+sounds, too. Then he sent her a look of love&mdash;if there ever was one&mdash;and
+after this welcome he slid back into the water to continue the work as
+overseer.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly Brewster&mdash;I never in all my life!" gasped Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Polly laughed as she watched her beaver join the workers and scold them
+for laziness while he was absent visiting a friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's get the burros, now, and I'll show you a place where we can lunch
+while I tell you how Grandfather and I got to know each other so well,"
+suggested Polly.</p>
+
+<p>As the girls rode along the up-trail, Polly told the story.</p>
+
+<p><a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>"A few years ago, while out adventuring, I found this colony of
+beavers. I wanted father<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> to come with me and see them, but he was too
+busy that year.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> A true story.</p></div>
+
+<p>"The following Summer, however, he came and we sat on the same rock
+where you and I sat to-day.</p>
+
+<p>"We had to wait for ten minutes or more, before a beaver came out of his
+hut in the dam. It was not as large or strong a dam, then, as now. The
+beaver was anxious to reach a spot in the aspen grove where we could
+hear the other beavers at work.</p>
+
+<p>"To reach the grove, he had to come up out of the stream and cross some
+land to the other pond. Just as he climbed up from the water, he sniffed
+danger. He was directly opposite us and we could see everything very
+plainly.</p>
+
+<p>"Father lifted his rifle slowly and very carefully, and I looked
+intently to see what it was that he saw.</p>
+
+<p>"On a bough of a tree almost directly over the beaver, I saw a lithe
+serpentine thing twitching as if a snake was trying to curl up. But I
+knew it wasn't a snake. It must be the long tail of a panther who was
+crouching for a leap, but I could not distinguish a body back of the
+foliage of the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"The beaver stood uncertain of action for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> moment, and as he turned to
+dive again to safety, the mountain-lion sprang. At the same instant,
+father pulled the trigger. But the panther landed almost on top of the
+beaver's back, while the shot must have grazed his head, making him rage
+furiously.</p>
+
+<p>"The beaver, who was on the verge of the stream, fought valiantly with
+teeth and his powerful strength, but the lion had the upper hold on him.
+Slowly the two squirmed and rolled, the beaver trying to drag his enemy
+into the stream, and the panther fighting to keep his prey on land.</p>
+
+<p>"'Father&mdash;shoot&mdash;shoot! Even if you kill the beaver!' I yelled, as I
+closed my eyes from the awful sight.</p>
+
+<p>"But daddy already had taken aim and even as I spoke, he pulled the
+trigger. This time his shot took effect for we saw the beast loose his
+hold on the beaver and roll over writhing in agony.</p>
+
+<p>"Father rushed along the bank and crept over the beaver-dam to the other
+side. Then he put the lion out of pain with a third shot, and stooped to
+examine the beaver.</p>
+
+<p>"We always take a doctor's pocket-case when going on a trip, and father
+now took it out, so I knew the beaver was not dead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Poll, try to come over here and bring a pan, sheath-knife, and some
+hartshorn from the pack.'</p>
+
+<p>"I did as I was told, and stood helping father when the beaver came
+too&mdash;after getting a big whiff of hartshorn. We washed the torn flesh
+with water, and father poured on something from a bottle that made the
+old fellow squirm, but he sensed that we were helping him and he offered
+no resistance.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Nolla, when we were done with our surgical work, you just ought
+to have seen that beaver's gratitude shining from his round eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"When he had recovered sufficiently to start for home, father swam
+beside him. And it was well he did for the poor fellow could not have
+made it alone. Father towed him across the pond and left him on the dam.
+There, the boss (for he was the boss of the colony) made a strange sound
+and instantly, a score of beavers came out.</p>
+
+<p>"Meantime, father had left him alone while I stood a distance away and
+watched the scene eagerly. As many beavers as could get near him,
+managed to roll and push him up on the dam where he lay stretched out.</p>
+
+<p>"Father did not think the poor thing would recover, but I thought he
+would, so we went back the next day, but he had disappeared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We wished we could find out in some way, whether our friend was
+recovering or whether he had died and was buried by his family. So
+father decided to creep out on the dam and investigate. I went, too, and
+no sooner had we tried to make the same queer sound the Grandfather had
+made that day, than a beaver poked his nose out of a hut and sniffed.
+Quickly he disappeared again, but in a few moments, he came out and
+stood quite close to us making queer sounds at us. He was not afraid, so
+we took it that he was reporting on the health of our friend.</p>
+
+<p>"We did not see Grandfather again that Summer, so early last Spring I
+went to visit my colony, and there was my friend, bossing things as
+usual. But his back was crooked and he had to walk with a lame twist, so
+I suppose that lion injured his backbone.</p>
+
+<p>"I made a queer sound and he listened. He recognized me and swam over to
+thump his tail on the ground in front of my rock. I was so delighted
+that I rushed home and brought father over. Then you should have seen
+that beaver! He squirmed, and barked, and thumped his tail. It was like
+the meeting of a long-lost friend. Father was so impressed by the
+incident that he went to Denver and secured permission from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>
+Government Land Survey Office to establish a permanent reserve here for
+the beavers. Now they have law protection and may rest unmolested by
+hunters or trappers."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Polly! It's just like a fairy tale, but much more interesting. What
+became of the nasty panther?" cried Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"He's stretched on our living-room floor&mdash;that skin by the fire-place.
+We had an awful time lugging the beast home, but I was determined to
+walk on his head every chance I got, so we swung him on a pole and
+managed to induce the horses to be reasonable about the dead creature."</p>
+
+<p>By the time Polly had concluded her story, the burros reached the bluff
+where the girls camped and prepared luncheon. This day of closer
+intimacy for the two girls, sealed a life-long friendship between them.
+Neither girl had ever had a chum of her own age, and now they found so
+much to admire and respect in each other that their companionship
+continued without the usual envy, quarrels or jealousies so common in
+school life between school-mates.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 315px;">
+<img src="images/facing-098.jpg" width="315" height="500" alt="THE PANTHER WAS ABOUT TO LEAP UPON THE BEAVER." title="" />
+<span class="caption">THE PANTHER WAS ABOUT TO LEAP UPON THE BEAVER.<br />
+
+<i>Polly and Eleanor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</i></span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE GIRLS ENTERTAIN GUESTS</h3>
+
+
+<p>During the absence of Polly and Eleanor from Pebbly Pit, that Saturday,
+Mrs. Brewster made preparations for the entertainment of the young
+visitors who were expected on the morrow. So many days that week had
+been wasted in riding about the country that the pantry was almost bare.
+Chickens were killed and dressed, pies baked, and other delectable
+viands made ready for Sunday's dinner and tea.</p>
+
+<p>No word had come from the scouting party on Grizzly Slide, but Mrs.
+Brewster said she had no idea of hearing from them until they had
+completed their investigations and returned home. Polly and Eleanor were
+well tired out when they reached the house, after their visit to the
+beavers, and made no demur when early bed was suggested to them.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday was a glorious day and the girls bustled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> around rearranging the
+living-room, and seeing that the hammock with its cushions and the
+wicker porch chairs, were invitingly placed. Their own appearance had
+been seriously discussed so that both girls felt suitably dressed when
+the time came for the young surveyors to arrive.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor had loaned Polly one of her prettiest organdies, and had
+arranged her really beautiful hair becomingly. Silk stockings now
+encased Polly's shapely limbs, and her new low shoes looked twice as
+well with the sheen of silk above them.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor wore a dress similar to the one Polly had on, and tried to
+appear as like her as possible, so that no unfair advantage should arise
+from appearances. Barbara smiled scornfully at what she considered
+"childishness" in Eleanor. "Why should she want to have Polly look as
+well as she could? And why bother, anyway, to dress up for a nobody like
+Kenneth Evans? Of course, it would be all right for Jim Latimer&mdash;if he
+were at home&mdash;but not in the wilderness. Chances were that the boys
+would wear everyday working clothes." But all her "cold water" failed to
+dampen the spirits of the girls.</p>
+
+<p>The hour for the boys' expected appearance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> came and went but no sound
+of horse-hoof was heard echoing from the rocky trail that led past the
+Cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>"Why! It is now eleven, and they were to be here at ten-thirty,"
+remarked Eleanor, hearing the old clock strike the hour.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure that that foolish-looking boy understood he was to tell
+Jim about coming here Sunday?" asked Barbara, feeling rather pleased
+that the girls felt fidgety over the nonappearance of their company.</p>
+
+<p>"He wasn't foolish-looking at all! In fact I never saw such a fine head
+with such intelligence as he had," retorted Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, Nolla, let's walk down to the Cliffs and sit up on the
+'Guards' where we can see the trail all the way to Bear Forks,"
+suggested Polly, jumping up from the chair.</p>
+
+<p>"All right! we may meet them before we get there," added Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"You two certainly are acting silly over a mere boy you know nothing
+about!" snapped Barbara, who felt peeved at losing the targets for her
+sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p>The only reply given this parting shot was a merry laugh. Both girls
+skipped blithely along<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> the path and were soon out of sight where the
+roadway ran behind the steep banks of the terrace.</p>
+
+<p>"Now that we are out of the way of Bob's eyes and tongue, let's go
+slower or we'll spoil our shoes," said Eleanor, stopping to see if any
+dust showed on her shiny toes.</p>
+
+<p>"And we won't climb the high Guards, but just sit on the ledge nearest
+the trail," added Polly.</p>
+
+<p>The Sunday dinner hour at Pebbly Pit was usually at one o'clock, so
+everything was ready and waiting just before that time. But no visitors
+appeared, and Mrs. Brewster sent Anne down the road to see if the girls
+and boys were visiting the Causeway and other unusual features of
+Rainbow Cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Anne! Are you alone?" called Eleanor, when she saw the messenger
+coming from the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;are you?" returned Anne, shading her eyes from the sun, as she
+looked up at the ledge.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on up," Polly called, leaning over the rocks.</p>
+
+<p>Anne soon joined them and looked around. "Where do you suppose those
+boys can be?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what we want to know. I'm sure we were plain enough in
+telling that boy that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> was to come over with Jim Latimer for
+Sunday&mdash;weren't we?" demanded Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought it was plain enough, but Bob declares that the boy was too
+stupid to understand a simple invitation. She is in her glory because
+every one is disappointed," said Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't let her see me feeling bad for anything!" exclaimed Polly,
+stiffly. "But I do wish they would come, because I wanted to find out if
+he ever knew <i>any one</i> like our Old Man Montresor."</p>
+
+<p>"Look! See way over there&mdash;out on the Bear Forks road?" now exclaimed
+Eleanor, pointing away towards the distant trail.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure enough!" breathed Anne, with relief.</p>
+
+<p>"But there are three, and we only expected two. Who can the other one
+be?" added Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they are not our company, at all, but some ranchers riding that
+way," suggested Eleanor, fearfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Ranchers seldom ride that trail, and never on Sundays. Now look!" said
+Polly.</p>
+
+<p>The three horses had stopped and soon, one rider was seen going along
+the trail to Oak Creek, while the other two turned in at the gulch trail
+and disappeared under the giant over-hanging rocks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Eleanor, waving her sun-hat wildly about her head.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon our company is coming, after all," said Polly, smiling with
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll run back and tell your mother, Polly, as it will be at least half
+an hour before they can reach the house," said Anne, happy also that
+Barbara was to be silently contradicted.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't dally around here, girls, when your company joins you," advised
+Anne, turning around, after she had started down the cliff-side.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we'd better go back with you&mdash;mother can be the first to say
+how-dy to them," ventured Polly, looking like a stage-struck amateur at
+her first appearance before the public.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Polly Brewster! Don't you go back on <i>me</i>! I wouldn't have
+Bob watching us meet those boys and then laughing at us afterwards, for
+anything in the world! We'll stay right <i>here</i> and get acquainted before
+we go to the house to be teased and made to feel uncomfortable,"
+declared Eleanor, who knew her sister only too well.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess Eleanor's right, Polly; it struck me that that nice young boy
+was rather shy with strangers, so you will be doing him a great favor if
+you get acquainted here and then bring him to the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> to meet the
+rest of us," admitted Anne, then she ran down the steep sides of the
+rocks.</p>
+
+<p>Now and then the waiting girls had glimpses of the two riders as they
+rode along the winding trail past the Cliffs. And Jim Latimer also
+caught a glimpse of the girls as he happened to pause, to point out the
+Rainbow rocks to his friend. Instantly he pulled off his wide sombrero
+and waved it gayly at his young hostesses. Then both boys spurred their
+horses eagerly onward.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor and Jim felt perfectly at ease as they met and shook hands, but
+it was evident that Polly and Kenneth Evans were not accustomed to
+social ways or behavior, for both acted rather awkward at this meeting.
+However, Eleanor generally fitted into any breach, and now she
+unconsciously steered the would-be friendly craft of the four past the
+reefs of self-consciousness into the haven of youthful reciprocity.</p>
+
+<p>"We thought you were <i>never</i> coming&mdash;it's past one o'clock you know, and
+we looked for you at eleven," said she, catching Jim by the sleeve and
+leading the way to the road where the two horses were waiting.</p>
+
+<p>"We expected to be here at half-past ten, or eleven at the latest, but
+it is a long story to tell, and we ought to explain to your mother at
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> same time," replied Jim, throwing the bridle over his arm and
+starting to walk beside Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Naturally, Kenneth and Polly followed, but Eleanor turned around every
+other moment to include them in her vivacious conversation about the
+land-slide and the fears that Choko's Find was lost.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but say! What a ripping chance we missed, Ken, by not being one of
+the party on the Slide, eh?" cried Jim, enviously.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to be one of the party up there now. Just fancy the
+opportunities one would have for seeing how much he knows about
+engineering," replied Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe we can fix it so mother'll allow us to show you the way up. I'd
+love to go again," ventured Polly, enthusiastically, as she forgot
+herself in the absorbing subject of the gold mine.</p>
+
+<p>"Ken and I have to be back at camp to-night! That's the worst of being
+hired!" grumbled Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"It's that, or being fired!" retorted Kenneth, laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>Youth needs little to laugh at, so the four took this little speech as a
+cue to laugh loud and long. It attracted Barbara's attention. She had
+been trying to read, but now she got up to frown at the gay young people
+she saw climbing the road<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> to the house. Anne also heard the laughter
+and hurriedly called to Mrs. Brewster: "They're almost here&mdash;come right
+out."</p>
+
+<p>So the visitors found a pleasant welcome awaiting them as they reached
+the porch. Immediately after greeting the ladies, the boys apologized
+for their lateness. Jim then acted as spokesman.</p>
+
+<p>"We feared we would not be able to be here, at all, as the Boss of our
+Crew forbid any one taking out a horse to-day. Jake has charge of the
+horses, you know, and he was instructed not to pass one mount.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe the boys weren't furious! as we always take Sundays to ride to
+Oak Creek. It's the only off day we get. But Carew said we had a long
+move to make to-morrow, and his horses had to be fresh for the trip.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! I felt like thundering about camp, as I had looked forward to this
+visit ever since Ken told me about how he met you folks, and all. Now we
+both were all fixed ready to make an early start in the morning, and
+there would be no horses!</p>
+
+<p>"Ken and I stole out late last night and tried to bribe Jake with
+goodies, then with money, and lastly I remembered tobacco! I agreed to
+hand over a big bag of Cut Plug and a tin box of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> cigarettes if he would
+loan us his two wagon-horses. These he could use as they were not
+included in the ban on the crew horses.</p>
+
+<p>"But Jake is a wily fellow and wanted to see our tobacco first. He knew
+that neither of us used it and he doubted our having any!"</p>
+
+<p>Jim chuckled at this, and Ken smiled sympathetically. The ladies also
+smiled as an interested audience will. Then the narrator continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Ken and I knew where Jake kept the store of tobacco that he always sold
+to the other surveyors, so we fixed up a little scheme. We left more
+than enough money to pay for what we took and then hurried back to Jake
+with the gift of tobacco.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could have seen him scratch his head in bewilderment when he
+saw us hand over the star brand of tobacco he kept in stock! Still he
+refused to say whether we could start early in the morning, and then I
+got good and mad. If it wasn't for Ken, here, kicking me in the ribs,
+I'd have spilled the beans!"</p>
+
+<p>Every one laughed at Jim's slangy way of describing his interview with
+Jake, but he was full of his subject and would not be laughed out of
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p>"Ken and I were getting ready to go to sleep,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> when Jake crept under our
+tent flap and pulled my foot to attract attention.</p>
+
+<p>"There were three other surveyors in our tent, and Jake did not wish
+them to hear what was going on. The lights were out, so we were not seen
+as we slid under the canvas and joined the driver over by the trees
+where no one could hear us whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"'You fresh boys!' was the first thing Jake said.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he laughed deep down in his throat, and said; 'Ah kin bet on you
+boys, ef Ah lets you-all have mah team to-morrer,&mdash;you-all shore will
+come back in time?'</p>
+
+<p>"I eagerly promised everything, and he added: 'Ah sold a lot of tobakker
+to some one Ah don't know, but it doesn't matter who the smoker is, 'cuz
+now Ah got mah money and tobakker, too! It's 'cuz that feller is so
+smart that Ah feels shore the Boss won't get wind of mah hosses bein'
+lent. 'Course Ah hez a right to use mah waggin-team ef Ah likes, but
+Carew is strick and might get on his high-boss ef he learned Ah sent two
+of his men on an errent.'</p>
+
+<p>"I was so sure no one would ever know we rode the horses if he would
+<i>only</i> loan them to us, that I agreed to anything.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he said: 'Wall, now, Ah left one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> the crew's tripods over at
+Bear Forks line to-day when Ford took an observation. Ah've got'ta go
+fer it to-morrer&mdash;er find some good-natured feller who will go fer me.
+Ah've got'ta get a heap of work done, to-morrer, and it looks well-nigh
+impossible fer me to get that tripod!'</p>
+
+<p>"I caught on at once, and turned to Ken and said: 'Why, Jake, I will get
+that tripod for you. But I'd hate to walk so far as Bear Forks line, all
+alone, you know.'</p>
+
+<p>"That made Jake laugh softly and he said: 'Ef you-all will find that
+tripod fer me, Ah'll lend you-all the hosses fer the day.'</p>
+
+<p>"So that is how we got away from camp, but we have been hunting
+everywhere for that old tripod and haven't seen a shadow of it. While
+looking for it along the line that Ford surveyed this week, we lost our
+way and had to have that rancher show us the way back to Bear Forks
+trail. That's why we are so late."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now that you are here, suppose you brush up and get ready for
+dinner. I've had it waiting this hour and a half," said Mrs. Brewster,
+leading the way over to the pump.</p>
+
+<p>"And maybe we aren't ready to do justice to your cooking! We haven't had
+a crumb since supper last night, because we dared not ask the cook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> for
+sandwiches, and we left camp before breakfast-time. Jake said we might
+not be permitted to hunt up his tripod for him if any one learned he was
+giving us his horses for the trip," explained Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you poor boys! Do hurry, then, and join us at table over under the
+oak, yonder!" exclaimed Mrs. Brewster, hasting to bring out towels and
+brushes for her young visitors.</p>
+
+<p>The dinner was a great success, both from a culinary and also from the
+social points of view. While thoroughly enjoying the home-cooking, the
+boys talked of their work and adventures in the mountains. Jim had been
+with the survey crew all summer, but Kenneth had but just arrived. So
+Jim had a store-house filled with recent thrilling experiences and
+escapes.</p>
+
+<p>Close-up encounters with bears, rattle-snakes, and land-slides, were
+passed off as mere trifles by him. But the problems of getting enough
+good things to eat, now and then a dance at some school-house, or
+finding a pretty girl one could talk to&mdash;these were awful!</p>
+
+<p>When dinner was out of the way, the four young people started to walk to
+Rainbow Cliffs, as that was the show-spot of all the countryside. Having
+so many unique features and winding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> walks made it a delightful place
+for quiet little chats or t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;tes.</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw anything like those great masses of color," said Kenneth,
+as they drew near the sparkling walls.</p>
+
+<p>"I told Ken when we rode past here to-day, that Tom wanted your father
+to sell out the cliffs on a royalty basis, but he refused to. Now that
+Tom is here again with John, and the gold mine is caved in with that
+land-slide, maybe he will listen, eh?" asked Jim, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Polly shook her head. "I don't believe he will, but we can't find out
+why he is so stubborn about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Jim, I don't believe our gold mine has caved in, at all. It's only
+temporarily buried, up there. If there is any way it can be located
+again, I'm going to insist upon having it worked!" declared Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Why? You don't need the money," laughed Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know what I need!" retorted Eleanor. "Polly and I need money
+this Fall, as we are going to go away to school together&mdash;somewhere. And
+she can't go unless she has her own money, 'cause her father won't
+consent to her leaving home, but her mother will&mdash;so she will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> have to
+have her own money to get away with, see?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't see that that will work," Kenneth interpolated.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? If Mr. Brewster finds Polly is going, anyway, he will soon
+enough give his consent," argued Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"I never said I would go away to school with you, Nolla, although I
+should like it better than going alone. And I'm sure I couldn't <i>think</i>
+of leaving home if Daddy objected to it," said Polly seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I know you won't, but a lot of money of your very own will
+help coax him to our way of thinking," explained Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to think your mine will turn out money in time for you to
+spend it this Fall," ventured Kenneth, amusedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, of course it will, if we can get at it through that land-slide,"
+returned she.</p>
+
+<p>"Other mines take from one to ten years to prepare for and operate. If
+you do the thing right, and have engineers plan for the apparatus to
+work the ore, you won't be spending that gold this year," added Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"No! Then what good will it do Polly or me? I have a fine idea that I
+want to perfect right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> away, and it needs money. I haven't even told
+Polly a word of it, as I must see how much money we get from the mine
+before I mention it."</p>
+
+<p>"But once your mine begins to pay it will keep on paying for ever so
+long. You can plan to spend all the money you can possibly use, if the
+mine has any kind of vein in it," said Kenneth, soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe in taking a 'bird in the hand instead of the one in the
+bush,' and here is a fortune right on this wall!" said Jim, pointing at
+the jeweled cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>He picked up a handful of the colored lava-stones and showed them to
+Kenneth. "Do you know, Ken, that I wouldn't be one bit surprised but
+what that new patent your father got out for cutting rare gems would
+work on these to some good."</p>
+
+<p>"I never thought of that! Maybe it would. If only he could come here to
+investigate and try his machine on the jewels."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not send him a small box-full of the stones and let him experiment
+on them with the model he has in father's office?" asked Jim, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"If Polly will give us some&mdash;I will send them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> on with a letter of
+explanation," returned Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course! Take all you want. Every one is welcome to them," said
+Polly, breaking off a cluster of fresh stones from the wall.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you talking about, Jim? I heard Bob say something about a new
+patented machine that would make millions out of these Cliffs, but what
+do <i>you</i> mean?" asked Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess we were both speaking of the same idea," replied Jim. "You see,
+my father is financing the wonderful patent Ken's father invented. Dr.
+Evans is a great inventor, and every once in a while he has a big idea.
+That was how he planned the vacuum sweepers, and the self-stop on the
+victrolas. He has lots of unusual patents granted him, and now he has
+this idea patented.</p>
+
+<p>"He can cut a stone so that it surpasses any hand-cut jewel for facets
+and beauty, by merely dropping the material into the feeder on the
+machine and letting it cut out the jewel in a few moments. The size of
+stone wanted can be regulated by a screw. And the small bits of refuse
+left after making large jewels, can be cut into sparkling chips.</p>
+
+<p>"My father and Uncle George incorporated the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> company that is financing
+this cutting machine. Now they can try out this lava and see if it is
+hard enough to cut brilliantly."</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't it be lovely to have Ken's father use these lava jewels in his
+company, and let Nolla and me have the royalty to send us to school?"
+ventured Polly, wistfully, looking at the distant peak where her gold
+mine seemed lost for the present.</p>
+
+<p>Jim and his friend were selecting the finest specimen of the lava as
+Polly spoke, so they made no reply. Her eyes traveled along the Top
+Notch Trail and finally came back to the Cliffs at home. She watched the
+boys gather the stones and suddenly remembered Kenneth's likeness to
+Montresor.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Kenneth! I 'most forgot to ask you something!" cried she.</p>
+
+<p>Ken stood up and looked at her with a broad smile. As he waited thus,
+she was struck by the singular look that was so like her old friend's.</p>
+
+<p>"That gold mine we told you boys about, was first found and staked by a
+white-haired man who called himself Montresor. He lost it again in just
+the same way as we did&mdash;a land-slide buried it and his stakes, and no
+one could locate it again.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he died and left his claim to me. I always believed he had one,
+but every one else<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> laughed at him and said he was crazy. Father was
+good to him after the mine was lost, and took his part when folks
+jeered. When he died, Daddy paid for the funeral and has the certificate
+where he is buried. But we never learned who he was, except the fact
+that he came from the East, although we advertised a lot.</p>
+
+<p>"Just the day you arrived in Oak Creek, Mr. Simms, our lawyer, read a
+letter which Old Man Montresor left. It was written to a wife and child,
+but there was no name or address on it. Then I heard how father spent
+lots of money trying to identify the dear old man and trace his
+relatives but to no account.</p>
+
+<p>"When we first saw you, we-all were impressed with your resemblance to
+our old friend. So now I want to ask you if there ever was any one in
+your family who went to the Klondike and was reported lost there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wh-y, ye-es, there is some such story in our family, but I do not know
+the exact truth about it. And we seldom discussed it as mother always
+felt badly afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>"As far as I can understand it, my mother's only brother Peter was a
+clever mining engineer in the East, but he was too ambitious to be
+contented with his income. Mother says it was his wife who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> wanted to
+spend money like water, who finally urged him to try his luck in
+Alaska&mdash;and he left home to seek wealth in the Klondike.</p>
+
+<p>"He placed all the money he had in the bank for his family, and left
+Aunt Ada and my Cousin Gail with sufficient to live on if they were
+economical. But my Aunt was not content with a simple home and a meager
+income, and thought to add to her comfort and wealth by starting a fine
+boarding-house.</p>
+
+<p>"She knew nothing about the business, however, and soon lost all the
+money she had been left with and then she ran in debt. When her
+investment was sold out, she came to us for help. She and Cousin Gail
+lived with us for two years; then Aunt Ada had pneumonia and died. She
+begged us to adopt Gail as she had never heard from Uncle after he wrote
+to her to send him money to get out of Nome. But she had none, so she
+never told mother about this letter; we would have helped poor Uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"As it was a year since he wrote that letter, and he was in wretched
+health while in the far North, mother felt sure that he had succumbed to
+the cold and his discouragement. Aunt Ada left a note in which she said
+that Gail and I were to share<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> like brother and sister in anything Uncle
+Peter left us.</p>
+
+<p>"But mother always laughed at the idea that there would be any wealth
+coming to us from the Klondike. She said the only precious legacy we
+could claim in the gold-fields of Alaska was the untiring energy and
+earnestness Uncle was sure to use wherever he went or whatever he did.
+But she wrote to the postmaster at Nome and received word that her
+brother was dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Gail was always delicate, and a year after her mother died, she, too,
+took sick and was gone in a week's time. So mother tried to forget her
+dear brother after these sad experiences, and it is only at rare
+intervals that any one mentions his name to her."</p>
+
+<p>When Kenneth finished telling his story, Polly asked eagerly: "But you
+haven't told us your uncle's name&mdash;nor your mother's maiden name. Was it
+Montresor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! Just a plain New England name&mdash;mother is called Priscilla
+Amesbury, and my uncle was Peter Amesbury. I never heard of a Montresor
+in our family, either. But that doesn't say the old gentleman couldn't
+have chosen an assumed name, you know."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Eleanor and Polly were plainly disappointed that the names of the
+Klondike uncle and the hero of Polly's life, were not the same. Jim
+laughed when he saw the girls' evident regret.</p>
+
+<p>"Any one would think you two girls were anxious to share your gold-mine
+with the heir of old Montresor. Now what is there to hinder me from
+claiming the old man as <i>my</i> uncle and telling you he is a twin-brother
+of my father's? That will make me the heir to that mine."</p>
+
+<p>"We wouldn't believe you, because you haven't one bit of resemblance to
+this friend Polly knew, but Kenneth has. That is why it may turn out
+that Montresor really was his uncle," said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>As the sun went down back of Rainbow Cliffs, the two boys regretfully
+said good-by. Mrs. Brewster planned for them to come and spend the
+following Sunday at Pebbly Pit with John and Tom there, provided the
+crew was not too far removed for the trip.</p>
+
+<p>The boys promised to send word by mail, as Jake rode to Oak Creek two or
+three times a week, and could mail a note from them if they were to be
+within riding distance.</p>
+
+<p>"We might even find a way to lose the valuable transit and then have to
+come and hunt for it,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> laughed Kenneth, as they got into their saddles
+for the return ride.</p>
+
+<p>"But you didn't find the tripod! What will Jake say?" asked Polly,
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll let you know next Sunday," laughed both the boys.</p>
+
+<p>That night when Jake smuggled his two horses back to the corral with the
+crew's mounts, he turned to the boys and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Whar did you-all leave it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Leave what?" asked Jim, wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, mah tripod, yuh coyote!" grinned Jake, winking at Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! Well, Jake, I had to leave it at Pebbly Pit because it was so
+heavy, but I'll go back for it next Sunday!"</p>
+
+<p>"Nah, yuh won't, eider&mdash;some one else brought in th' tripod and ha'r it
+'tis!" With that Jake displayed the article wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"Who found it? No one could take a horse," exclaimed Jim, perplexed.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jake leaned over and whispered in his ear: "The Boss hisself! He
+rode to Yaller Jacket to spend Sunda' with his wife, yuh know, an' what
+shoul' he do but come acrost the tripod whar Ah left it fer you boys to
+pick up! Mebbe Ah didn't get hail on Pagoda!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on
+Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.
+Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to
+investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could
+be worked&mdash;providing it was found again. But in such a dreadful
+wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile
+of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a
+tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine? And
+with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the
+land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to
+remain to mark the place?</p>
+
+<p>Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so
+on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> into
+Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.</p>
+
+<p>This would be a break in the dull routine of waiting impatiently for
+news from the Peak, and all four of the girls willingly complied with
+the order. Two strong horses were hitched to the ranch-wagon, and the
+gay party drove away, leaving Mrs. Brewster waving her hand as they
+rumbled down the road past the Cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>The colored stones reminded Polly of Kenneth's story, and she turned to
+Eleanor and said: "I wonder if he wrote home to ask his mother about her
+brother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even if he did it will be fully a fortnight before he can have an
+answer. But we ought to get a letter to-day, telling us whether the boys
+are coming over Sunday, or not," replied Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know; I thought we'd stop at the post office first of all,"
+answered Polly.</p>
+
+<p>The girls enjoyed the wonderful drive along the trail that ran to Oak
+Creek, and having reached their destination, left the team tied to the
+post in front of Mr. Simms' office, for they purposed having a good
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Anne and Barbara went to the store where they could buy candy, while
+Polly and Eleanor ran to the post office. To their surprised delight,
+they found Kenneth Evans there. He was reading a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> telegram and did not
+see the girls until he had finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh&mdash;hullo! I never expected to see you here," exclaimed he, seemingly
+too excited to remember that he had not met them since Sunday.</p>
+
+<p>"I wired mother last Monday&mdash;sent it in by Jake, you know. And told her
+to reply so I could get her answer to-day. The Boss let me off because I
+finished my work on the old line yesterday. So I came to town myself for
+the message."</p>
+
+<p>Kenneth acted so elated that Polly and Eleanor wondered what news he had
+received to make his eyes sparkle like stars and his face to flush in a
+way that made him positively handsome.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't it great, though? And just think, if it hadn't been for you
+girls, I never would have known it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Known what? What have we done that is so great?" asked Eleanor,
+laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the mine, don't you know!"</p>
+
+<p>"What about it?" cried both girls at once, thinking that news of some
+moment from the engineers had reached Oak Creek before they arrived
+there.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the mine&mdash;you know, my uncle's mine!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your uncle's!" again the girls gasped in astonishment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Of course&mdash;didn't Polly tell me all about her old friend Montresor?
+Here, read my mother's night letter to me." And Kenneth placed the
+yellow sheet in Eleanor's hand.</p>
+
+<p>She read aloud to anxious Polly: "One branch of family has a
+Montresor&mdash;two generations back the name was used as surname. Brother
+was christened Peter Miles Montresor Amesbury. Disliked name Montresor,
+dropped it when young. Every one forgot about it. Am sending letter with
+photograph of Peter. Show Polly. Wire results. Father may come west.
+Love, Mother."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh! how wonderful!" cried Polly, catching Kenneth's hands
+delightedly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad, too, Ken, but I shall have to contest any of your claims to
+my mine," laughed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Your father ought to be told about the land-slide. Maybe he is coming
+west to look over the claim, but he won't be able to see anything,"
+remarked Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think Dad plans to come west to look at your Cliffs. I told him
+in my telegram just what they were, and sent on the box of jewels. When
+he gets them he will try out his invention and if it cuts them properly,
+then he may come here to see your family."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh! You didn't waste any time attending to things, did you?" said
+Eleanor, with keen amusement at Kenneth's business methods.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I never waste time on <i>anything</i> that's worth while. And, by the
+way, Jim and I are coming over to Pebbly Pit again on Sunday&mdash;your
+mother invited us, you know."</p>
+
+<p>Both girls laughed, and they caught the youth up. "Ah, you must think
+Pebbly Pit is worth while, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I do! You don't suppose I'd ride 'way over there if I was bored,
+do you?" replied Kenneth, earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor laughed this time, but Polly felt he was in too serious a mood
+for laughter. So she said: "I'm glad you liked us. We'll tell mother you
+are coming again. That is one reason we drove to Oak Creek&mdash;to get the
+letter."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid it will be our only chance to see you-all again, as our crew
+moves from Brushy Creek to Silver Creek, and after that we go to Buffalo
+Park. The Boss says we will have about three weeks' work there, and then
+go across the desert to work along the Lincoln Highway, until we reach
+the other lines, completed last year by Carew's men.</p>
+
+<p>"He doesn't know whether we shall be dismissed then, or sent on to tie
+up a few other little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> jobs before the summer ends. However, it looks as
+if Jim and I will be too far away to ride over for the day then. It will
+take us a day and night to cross the desert and over several mountain
+peaks to reach you."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor listened delightedly to this innocent youth, and as he concluded
+she squealed with amusement: "Oh, don't you love it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Love what?" asked Kenneth, never having heard this extravagant
+expression so favored by city misses.</p>
+
+<p>"Love <i>you</i>, of course!" retorted Eleanor, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>Polly frowned at this admission, and Kenneth blushed, for he had never
+before been told so publicly that a pretty girl loved him! Eleanor
+doubled over laughing, and gasped: "Oh, you two adorable babes!"</p>
+
+<p>Further conversation was made impossible now, by Barbara and Anne coming
+in. They immediately joined the three young people, and Anne asked: "Did
+you get the mail, Nolla?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, we never thought of it. Ken has such an exciting telegram that we
+forgot everything else."</p>
+
+<p>Anne waited to hear no more, but went to the window and inquired for her
+mail and for that of the family at Pebbly Pit. A bulky package was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>
+handed out, and caused Polly to exclaim at its size.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I never knew so many letters to come at one time."</p>
+
+<p>"That's because no one's been here to get it for more than a week,"
+returned Anne.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara had not forgotten the yellow sheet in Kenneth's hand, however,
+and now asked what the news was that had so thrilled the girls.</p>
+
+<p>She was given the telegram to read, and having mastered the contents she
+looked daggers at poor Kenneth; "I suppose you will expect my sister to
+share her mine with you, now."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor instantly interpolated: "Your sister wouldn't think of keeping a
+mine that belongs to some one else. I'm thankful we had the use of it
+that night when the panther and bear wanted to get at us. And again the
+day of the avalanche! I'm much obliged to Ken for his cave hotel!"</p>
+
+<p>Barbara sneered unpleasantly and walked away. Kenneth said nothing, but
+when she had gone he turned to the girls and said: "We were thinking
+more of knowing for a certainty whether Uncle Peter was still alive, or
+whether your Montresor is my mother's brother. I almost forgot there was
+gold in that mine."</p>
+
+<p>The girls assured him that that was exactly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> what they believed he was
+anxious to know, and that the gold was the least of all things to be
+considered.</p>
+
+<p>Having spent two hours in the Moving Picture Hall, and completing all
+the shopping, the girls started back to Pebbly Pit. Kenneth Evans had
+said good-by and gone on his way, so there was now no side interest for
+Polly and Eleanor as they drove the obedient horses homeward.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara and Anne were reading their letters, and the two younger girls
+on the front seat whispered confidences to each other. Anne suddenly
+exclaimed, as she finished reading a type-written letter:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all things! How did they hear of <i>me</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor half turned around and asked: "What's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mother inclosed a letter that came from New York. She thought it might
+be important, so she slipped it inside the one she was just going to
+mail to me," murmured Anne, vaguely, studying the dense forest as they
+drove past.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's nothing to wonder about," said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Anne glanced at the letter again: "No, but the contents is."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it's one of those proposals of marriage&mdash;you know; the kind where
+a lonely bachelor, rich, well-bred, perfect in every respect (except his
+bald head, glass eye, toothless gums, and palsy) wishes acquaintance
+with sweet young miss&mdash;object matrimony!" Eleanor said, jokingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Eleanor Maynard! How very unladylike of you!" cried her sister, shocked
+at her levity.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm only saying what you can read in the paper any day," argued
+Eleanor, still laughing at her joke.</p>
+
+<p>"This <i>is</i> a proposal, but not that kind. It comes from a well-known
+gentleman in New York City," said Anne.</p>
+
+<p>Polly was so astonished that she pulled in the horses and suddenly
+halted them without being aware of it. Eleanor and she turned square
+about and gazed at Anne questioningly. Barbara couldn't say anything as
+she was at sea for words.</p>
+
+<p>"For goodness' sake!" exclaimed Eleanor, at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Wh-y&mdash;I wanted to live with you in Denver this winter!" complained
+Polly. Then remembering John and his evident preference for Anne, she
+added severely: "Does John know about this man?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Anne laughed gayly. "No, and that is the only thing that makes me feel
+unhappy. I'd accept at once, if New York wasn't so far away, or if I had
+never met John."</p>
+
+<p>Although Anne spoke in a jocular tone when mentioning John, she blushed
+most bewitchingly at her acknowledgment.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor had been keenly studying Anne's face, and now she exclaimed:
+"Ha! you didn't tell us what <i>sort</i> of a proposal! It may be a mason who
+wants to hire you to carry a hod up the ladders."</p>
+
+<p>As the very idea was so ridiculous, every one laughed, and that broke
+the tension. Then Anne admitted: "I felt like squaring myself with you,
+Nolla, for your hint that I was answering ads. in the <i>Matrimonial
+Mirror</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, is it for a hod-carrier?" insisted the irrepressible
+Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Almost as good; it is for a teacher to carry learning up into young
+ladies' brains at a fashionable seminary in New York."</p>
+
+<p>"What? never!" declared Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course&mdash;why not?" replied Anne.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor and Polly were silent, but they thought a lot. But Barbara said:
+"Because you can never fill a position in a fashionable young ladies'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>
+school in New York. You know nothing of social life."</p>
+
+<p>"Bob, I'll have Polly dump you from the wagon if you can't be half-way
+decent to us. Ever since Polly and I discovered Old Man Montresor's gold
+mine, you've been as mean as a bear with a sore head. Now stop it, or
+I'll&mdash;I'll do something <i>awful</i> to you!"</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor was angry! And she looked daggers at her sister as she spoke,
+but she knew there was nothing she could do but patiently allow Barbara
+to say unkind words to others, as was her habit.</p>
+
+<p>Polly now spoke. "Anne, is there anything that you'd <i>rather</i> do than go
+East to teach school?"</p>
+
+<p>Anne caught her meaning and mentally thanked her, but audibly she said:
+"Not just yet, Polly. You see, my brother Paul has two years still to
+put in at college, and little mother has to be cared for, as well. This
+offer is so tempting that I could not refuse it without considering
+everything that concerns me. In two years' time, I could not only
+rejoice that Paul is through, but that because of my increased income,
+mother will have something laid by for her use in the future."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then," sighed Polly, resignedly, "I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> give up my hopes of
+paradise! I did so want to go to school in a big city this year." As she
+urged the horses on their way, the young driver felt the tears well up
+in her eyes, but she refused to brush them away.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor saw and understood. She quietly took her own handkerchief and
+dabbed her friend's wet eyes. Then placed her hand on her shoulder. Not
+a word was spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly, dear, I'm not going to do a thing until after I have pondered
+this step well. I shall have to write the principal for added
+information, and before I hear again, I will know whether it is wise for
+me to accept the offer or not," exclaimed Anne.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the drive was concluded in silence, each girl having much to
+think over. When the horses were turned over to the man who took Jeb's
+place in his absence, and the girls were on the porch, Mrs. Brewster
+noticed their unusual quiet.</p>
+
+<p>"Anything wrong, girls?" asked she.</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;only Kenneth's uncle is our Montresor, he thinks," said Eleanor,
+rocking violently back and forth in the wicker chair.</p>
+
+<p>This so surprised Mrs. Brewster that she began a rapid cross-examination
+until she had all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> facts. However the very telling about Kenneth's
+story enabled Polly to change her thoughts of future trouble, so that
+she felt much better over the school question before very long.</p>
+
+<p>Anne's momentous letter was the next important topic of conversation,
+and Mrs. Brewster listened to the news with an enigmatical expression on
+her face. When Anne finished telling about it, the elder woman spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought perhaps you would be planning to take a course in Domestic
+Science. But going to New York to continue your school teaching would
+lead me to believe that you propose making that the principal object of
+your life."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must remember, Mrs. Brewster, I am not alone in the world. I
+have my mother and younger brother to consider. If I fail Paul now, he
+will have to stop his college education half-way. I simply <i>have</i> to
+keep on supplying him and mother with means, until he is through. Then
+he can help me in caring for mother," explained Anne, diffidently.</p>
+
+<p>"You might marry a young man who had ample means to take care of both
+your mother and brother," suggested Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Bob! you know Paul would never take money that way, when I had such
+a dreadful time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> in even persuading him to let me loan him his
+educational expenses from my own salary!" exclaimed Anne, flushing
+uncomfortably when the subject of her marrying a wealthy man was
+mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>"If your brother knows you plan to go to New York just to earn more
+money for him, he may refuse to take any aid from you," ventured Mrs.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"That is my only concern just now. Of course, I shall take mother with
+me to keep house for us both, but Paul must complete his studies in
+Chicago, so he must believe there was another reason for my choosing New
+York other than the mere increased salary offered me."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems a difficult thing for you to do&mdash;to find a plausible reason
+for going so far East," added Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Now <i>I</i> know a good one;" spoke up Eleanor, suddenly. "I am crazy to
+spend a winter in New York, but Bob won't give up her social season at
+home, and mother wouldn't think of spending the time in New York just to
+oblige me. As Anne has always been found to be so helpful to me, in
+everyway, I shall insist upon going to New York this Fall and choosing
+her as my companion while there. Naturally her mother wants<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> to go, too,
+and so we will decide to keep house in one of those cute little
+three-room-and-kitchenette apartments. Then Anne has so much time on her
+hands that she decides to fill in by going to this seminary for certain
+hours. How's that for a plot!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's lovely&mdash;all but your being able to go East," replied Barbara,
+sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p>The others laughed at both plotter and objector, for it sounded so
+visionary. But once Eleanor had the idea in her mind she mulled it over
+and over until it really appeared feasible to her.</p>
+
+<p>The others talked of the mine, of Kenneth's father and the invention for
+cutting jewels, of everything that concerned any interest in their
+lives, while Eleanor sat and planned her new idea.</p>
+
+<p>"Now listen to me, folks&mdash;I've got everything ironed out smooth for
+Anne's going. I am expected to remain in Denver all this winter and
+attend school there. Live with Anne and her mother. These are Mother's
+orders to the doctor&mdash;and he ordered them on to Daddy. I know all about
+it, because Barbara and Mother planned a big campaign to try and marry
+Bob off sure pop this year!&mdash;"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nolla! I <i>will</i> not sit here quietly and listen to you tell such
+dreadful stories. You know very well that you are too delicate to live
+in Chicago where the climate does not agree with you," Barbara cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Tut, tut! We are all old friends here, Bob, and no one will squeal on
+you about family skeletons. Anne knows as much about this arrangement as
+you or I do; and Polly, or her mother, are not interested enough to
+repeat what I say," giggled Eleanor; then she continued her outlines:
+"Hence, it matters little whether the eager student (that's me) lives in
+Denver, New York, or Timbuctoo, as long as she is in 'safe hands' and
+out of society's way.</p>
+
+<p>"Now Anne Stewart and her mother have absolutely 'safe hands' for such
+as me; so there will be little argument and no difficulties in
+convincing mother or Bob to have the doctor say that I must go East with
+Anne. Convincing Dad of this need, will be the only obstacle. But I
+shall play upon the fact that he can visit me quite often in New York,
+whereas he never comes West on business. He can fly across country from
+Chicago on the Twentieth Century and be in New York in the morning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Anne, considering all things, I believe it will be New York for my
+schooling this Winter, instead of Denver."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor wagged her head wisely as she finished speaking, and her hearers
+began to wonder if she really meant what she said. Anne rather liked the
+suggestion of having Eleanor go East with her, and Polly sat mute,
+wishing some one would persuade her mother that it was the only thing to
+do for her, too.</p>
+
+<p>Sary came in at this point to say that supper had been waiting so long,
+that it was all sizzled up in the pan.</p>
+
+<p>"My goodness! I forgot we hadn't had supper!" laughed Eleanor, jumping
+up and catching Polly by the arm to whirl her away.</p>
+
+<p>Once out of hearing, she whispered quickly: "Don't say a word to any one
+about this New York plan of mine&mdash;if I go, you go, too; for we are a
+second 'Ruth and Naomi' you know!"</p>
+
+<p>Polly smiled, but she knew her friend's suggestion for her going, too,
+would have no backing from any one at <i>her</i> home.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday dawned and every one at Pebbly Pit was on the lookout for the
+adventurers, as they surely would not remain on the mountain over
+another Sunday! But it was late in the afternoon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> when the clip-clop of
+horses' hoofs rang out over the crater of the ranch. Then the riders
+were seen passing the Cliffs, and soon they were at the door.</p>
+
+<p>Such a babble of voices and questions asked, would have deafened any one
+not concerned in the meeting. But every one, even Sary, had a heart
+interest in the returned scouts, and no one took the trouble to bottle
+up their rejoicing.</p>
+
+<p>Several farm-hands were present, so the horses were sent off to the barn
+and Jeb was allowed a rest period. Of course, the men were hungry, and
+every one turned to the well-laden table.</p>
+
+<p>While eating an early supper, John and Tom were called upon to give
+expert opinions about "Choko's Find" Mine.</p>
+
+<p>"As you must know, Tom and I did the job up well while we were up there.
+That is why we remained so long. We've got the plan worked out and we
+also took photographs of the entire surroundings so that investors can
+see exactly what the difficulties will be," explained John.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then we haven't lost it!" cried Polly and Eleanor together.</p>
+
+<p>"You couldn't lose it unless Old Grizzly split the whole side of the
+mountain open and washed the gold down into the bottom. But the
+land-slide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> makes the mining more difficult in the beginning; once
+things are going, it will make no difference, excepting that there is
+always the danger of fresh avalanches wreaking the same havoc this one
+has done," said Tom Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I always had a theory that I believe will prove to divert a great
+deal of slide that does the damage, in a case like this one. And since
+looking around up on Top Notch, I'm sure my idea will work," ventured
+John.</p>
+
+<p>"All I can say to that is, if you have such a theory it will prove more
+valuable than Kenneth Evans' father's patent device for cutting lava
+jewels from Rainbow Cliffs!" laughed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" demanded John, while Tom Latimer wondered how this
+Chicago girl ever had heard of Dr. Evans' machine that his father was
+financially interested in.</p>
+
+<p>Then Polly and Eleanor had the "speaker's chair" and they told all about
+Kenneth, his father's patents, and Old Man Montresor's relationship to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why then, if this lad is the direct heir to Montresor, he must inherit
+the mine!" declared John.</p>
+
+<p>"Not according to law, because Polly was left the claim, but we had to
+discover it all over again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> under a new claim, you see," explained
+Eleanor, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"That will make a fine little problem in law, I'm thinking," laughed
+Tom, shaking his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It would if all concerned could not agree, but <i>we</i> all intend to
+agree&mdash;Ken said so!" exclaimed Polly, emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh&mdash;you-all know this 'Ken' so well, eh?" teased John.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course! And he is the nicest boy&mdash;as nice as Jim Latimer, anyway,"
+retorted Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Every one laughed, and Tom said: "Well, after paying my kid brother such
+a left-handed compliment, I feel I must continue my work on that mine
+problem."</p>
+
+<p>"Give us a chance to finish our reports, won't you, before you tell us
+you gave away your interests, or launched us all in a will-contest,"
+added John, laughingly. Then he continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is what we have to say about Choko's Find: The pyramids of
+trash now covering that area of Top Notch can be readily cleared away.
+We set fire to certain parts and opened a way to the ravine. There we
+found the old gulch literally filled in with rocks, earth and roots, so
+that we could not get through to find the cave. But we brought home bits
+of gold ore, just the same."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>John rolled the nuggets across the table, and the girls gazed with bated
+breath at what they believed had been buried forever under the
+land-slide.</p>
+
+<p>"We have much to tell you about this, so let's go to the living-room to
+talk," suggested Mr. Brewster, rising.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>"POLLY-ELEANOR COMPANY, INC."</h3>
+
+
+<p>The girls were impatient to hear about the plans Mr. Brewster and the
+two engineers had decided upon, but Mrs. Brewster smiled knowingly, as
+if she had already been told the secret. Mr. Brewster was morose and
+silent, looking more as if he was compelled to consent to something as a
+just and fair man, rather than from preference and desire.</p>
+
+<p>"Now don't you girls ask too many questions if you are displeased or
+delighted at what we tell you," began John, nodding to Tom to proceed
+with his story.</p>
+
+<p>Having promised not to interrupt the important conference, the girls sat
+expectantly smiling at the chair-man of the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>"I have to preface our report on Choko's Find, by telling you-all about
+a little company that was incorporated in New York several months ago.
+Father wrote me all about it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Evans is a very clever inventor, as you now know, and having this
+unusual device for cutting stones by machine, he called on father's law
+firm to secure a patent on it for him. Latimer Brothers make a specialty
+of patents, you know.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the doctor had but little money for the costs, and father saw a
+great fortune in the invention if it was properly financed. So articles
+of agreement were drawn up, that Latimer Brothers were to pay all costs
+of getting the machine on the market, and for this they were to share in
+the stock of the company.</p>
+
+<p>"This was done and when the papers were ready and the shares of stock
+divided between the principals, an injunction was served on Dad by a
+tricky company in New York which claimed prior rights to the patent.
+This has held up everything so that Dr. Evans is not sure whether he
+will ever realize anything out of his invention or not. Of course, we
+are fighting the legality of Ratzger &amp; Wriggley's injunction and claims.</p>
+
+<p>"Having risked all his little bank account on the outcome of this idea
+of his, the doctor now hasn't a cent to bless himself with. That is why
+Kenneth Evans was sent to work this summer, to earn his own keep.</p>
+
+<p>"Fortunately, Dad had a letter from Jim, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> was out in the mountains
+with a government survey crew, in which it said that they were short a
+few good men and two young apprentices such as he himself was. Kenneth
+and Jim attended the same school at home, so Dad telephoned Dr. Evans
+about the opening. That is how Ken happened to come West.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I hear that the Courts uphold Dr. Evans in his right to the patent,
+and the company can go on with their plans. If they can find suitable
+material to mine and without too much expense for apparatus, they will
+start in at once with a close corporation. But should they find it will
+take great capital to mine the right kind of stones, the original
+members of the company may have to sell half of their rights, to get
+sufficient money to launch the work. Do you girls follow me as far as I
+have explained?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, it's clear as day," replied Eleanor, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you grasp the thing, Polly?" asked John.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand anything about stocks and corporations but I do
+understand what Tom has said, so far," returned Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, all right; I'll proceed," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"When I first visited at Pebbly Pit with John, I saw the wonderful
+colored stones of Rainbow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> Cliffs and begged Mr. Brewster to allow me to
+send on samples of them to father, as I was sure they were just what Dr.
+Evans sought for his machine to cut. But I could not make my friend,
+here, see any advantage in adding more money to his bank account. So I
+had to leave without having won my plea.</p>
+
+<p>"But I wrote father and told him all about the great store of unmined
+stones located in plain view at the Cliffs. Later, when the injunction
+stopped all progress in the work, I almost forgot Rainbow Cliffs again.</p>
+
+<p>"But now that the 'Evans Jewel Cutter' is protected, and the owners are
+looking for material to manufacture, the Rainbow Cliffs are in the
+foreground again for negotiation.</p>
+
+<p>"Then came the surprising telegram from Oak Creek, informing John about
+the gold mine claimed by Polly. As we were told to reach Oak Creek
+without delay, we started without sending word to the folks at home
+about our leaving our summer work. And now this is what we have planned
+regarding Choko's Find.</p>
+
+<p>"If father's firm, Mr. Brewster, and all the friends everywhere, could
+scrape together all the money they had, it would not be sufficient to
+carry out the work at Choko's Find. The conditions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> are such that every
+precaution must be taken to avoid, in the future, any danger from new
+land-slides. The lay of the land where the gold is hidden, is such that
+the vein may not run deep into the mountain&mdash;it may be merely a surface
+deposit in the cave. In this case, the real vein may be hidden so deep
+that it would need the boring down into great depths to find the metal.
+All this will take time and money.</p>
+
+<p>"That means that Polly and Eleanor will have to sacrifice the greater
+interest in their mine to secure capital with which to work it. Or they
+can sell the claim for cash&mdash;or they can arrange to be paid a royalty on
+all the ore metal mined. Where it is possible, it is always best to
+retain a controlling share of stock in the company formed.</p>
+
+<p>"John and I have pictures on hand and plans and engineering reports of
+Top Notch and the claim. We also secured the specimen of gold that you
+have there. I will tell you the thrilling experiences we had in getting
+at the deposit, when I finish this plan.</p>
+
+<p>"To transport the ore from the mine to some station on the railroad,
+will necessitate a spur being built from Oak Creek, or a new line being
+run from the mainline at Denver over to Bear Forks. In either case, it
+will cost a mint to build<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> and run such a railway because of the long
+tunnels that will have to be cut through the mountains, and the lack of
+other traffic over a new road.</p>
+
+<p>"Even a sort of switch-back railway running from the mine to the valley
+will cost us more money than we can get together. So we would have to
+take in outside capital to supply the needs. OR&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Here Tom Latimer paused to impress his hearers with what he was about to
+say. Mr. Brewster moved uneasily in his arm-chair, but every one else
+was intensely interested.</p>
+
+<p>"The Polly-Eleanor Company can sell certain stock in their mining
+company to Sam Brewster. He, or his company that owns and works Rainbow
+Cliffs, can furnish capital to build and work things in connection with
+the mines.</p>
+
+<p>"The Evans' Jewel Cutting Company will be harvesting such rich returns
+from Rainbow Cliffs, that it will be able to supply all the capital
+needed to carry out the vast projects on Top Notch. And the voting stock
+in <i>both</i> companies will be held by interested parties who can
+appreciate the fact that neither company can take advantage of the other
+without both failing. It will be to the good of all concerned to see
+that everything connected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> with both mines, is done on the level and to
+the best of every one's ability.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it will take a year or two before we can be ready to drill
+down through that cave for the ore, but we can start in on Rainbow
+Cliffs without any delay and begin to reap the rewards of investment at
+once. In the case of Mr. Brewster agreeing to have his Cliffs mined for
+the stones, and the Polly-Eleanor Company agreeing to combine with
+Evans' Jewel Company for mining their gold, both can erect plants on the
+same land, and use the same railroad for carrying their products to the
+outside world. That will save a great expense because the cost of
+building and maintaining railroads and buildings, will be divided by
+two."</p>
+
+<p>Tom finished and John eagerly asked: "What do you-all think of our great
+idea? Of course, Montresor's heirs ought to hold an interest, but should
+they be Kenneth and his mother, it will simplify matters for all."</p>
+
+<p>That started such a babel of voices that Sam Brewster got up and left
+the room. But no one noticed his absence, as all were too interested in
+planning for the fabulous wealth they conjured up in their thoughts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After more than an hour of animated discussion and explanation, it was
+decided to await the decision of the mechanics in the East who would
+experiment on the stones from Rainbow Cliffs. A box of the stones would
+be expressed at once, and a letter from John to Mr. Latimer would
+explain everything.</p>
+
+<p>"What does father say to this, mother?" asked Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"He says that, as the ranch is legally mine, he has no vote in the
+matter."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh nonsense! Even if he did deed Pebbly Pit to you for a wedding gift,
+you always do everything to please him," declared John.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but he refuses to say what he thinks is best in this matter,"
+added Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, seeing that so much hinges on his willingness to co&ouml;perate with
+us," announced John, impatiently, "I am going to say exactly what I have
+felt to be the real cause of his disapproval of turning the Cliffs into
+money."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster glanced anxiously from the window to see if her husband
+could hear what was said, but Sam Brewster had evidently wandered away
+from the porch as he was not to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Father told Tom and me, while on Top Notch, that he really had no
+personal objections to having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> the stones mined from Rainbow Cliffs, but
+all unsightly machinery and the riff-raff of miners that would be
+necessary in such work, must be kept out of sight of the house. He
+explained that most of the working ends of the project could be
+stationed back of the cliffs down in the Devil's Causeway, and the road
+that would have to run to Bear Forks trail for the conveyance of the
+stone, could be cut through in back of the 'Guards' and 'The Imps' of
+the cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>"He then said that there was but one condition he exacted from any one
+who was interested in the plan, and that was that no undue influence
+would be brought to bear upon Polly to increase her desire to leave home
+for a higher education. His consent will be willingly given, and he will
+aid us in every way to a successful issue if Polly agrees to remain at
+home and give up her plan to go away to school."</p>
+
+<p>As this unexpected ultimatum was given, every one gasped, and Polly
+cried: "Oh, no! Father didn't say that, did he?"</p>
+
+<p>John remained silent, and Polly began to cry pathetically, as her chief
+delight in having found Choko's Find, was the fact that she would have
+enough money of her own to not only go to High School, but also to go
+through one of the large<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> women's colleges. Even if her father refused
+to finance such an educational ideal, she would have had her own income
+to draw upon.</p>
+
+<p>"Now wait a moment, Poll, before you lose all hope!" exclaimed John,
+quickly glancing from Anne to his mother, and then back to his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"I asked father if he would agree to your having a private teacher live
+at Pebbly Pit to educate you, as you craved to be. He is more than
+willing to consent to this, as it is not the education or money he
+begrudges you, but the need of your going away from home to get it. Now
+isn't that fine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Where can we find a teacher who will bury herself in this crater just
+to teach one girl?" demanded Polly, wiping her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"W-h-y&mdash;I thought perhaps&mdash;&mdash;" John stammered uncomfortably, then
+gathered courage to add: "Miss Stewart liked it at Bear Forks one year,
+and she has been teaching Eleanor for two years. She may agree to teach
+<i>you</i> this year for a tempting salary."</p>
+
+<p>"Anne has had an unusual offer to teach a seminary class in New York,"
+said Mrs. Brewster, without any sign of partiality for any one or any
+plan.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" remarked John.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But Tom Latimer eagerly added: "We can offer Miss Stewart a better
+salary for her time than any New York school can, if she will agree to
+stay here and help us win our way to Rainbow Cliffs."</p>
+
+<p>Before Anne could reply, Polly cried: "But I don't <i>want</i> any teacher to
+live here and educate me! Can't you see that I want to go out,
+OUT&mdash;somewhere, anywhere, away from this volcanic pit where I have been
+buried for fourteen years!"</p>
+
+<p>Once Polly freed herself of the reticence of speaking of her own ideals
+and longings for experience, she almost volleyed forth her words, so
+that every one sat astonished at her eloquence.</p>
+
+<p>"When John went away to school I was awfully lonesome for he used to
+take me everywhere he went, and we had good times.</p>
+
+<p>"Father and mother were good&mdash;but they don't know what the girl of
+to-day craves! It isn't that we girls are brought up so differently from
+our parents, or that they get modern ideas into their heads from mixing
+with society girls or from reading of them. <i>It is in the air we
+breathe</i>&mdash;the desire to come out of swaddling clothes and take a stand
+for our individual rights! Every girl has the germ of self-expression in
+her somewhere, and if it is starved and choked by conventionalities<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> and
+parental bonds, she is bound to find an outlet for her energy in some
+unprofitable way. If folks would only SEE that girls, to-day, are
+capable of accomplishing what the <i>boys</i> of to-day are doing, and then
+give us a chance, there won't be so many slatterns and silly women-folk
+in the future.</p>
+
+<p>"I learned all I could get out of Bear Forks' school-books, but it
+wasn't half enough for me. Now I am going to go to High, or leave home
+to work somewhere. I will not stay here to eat my heart out over the
+outside world and what it is doing. I may be awfully disappointed when I
+get acquainted with folks, outside, but at least I want the opportunity
+NOW, just as my brother John has it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother and father took it as a matter of course, that their boy must go
+to college and carve a career for himself. But their girl ought never to
+dream of such foibles&mdash;she must remain at home and learn to sew and cook
+and do all the household chores! If any sort of a decent rancher comes
+along who wants to marry, then I must thank him and tie myself down to
+take care of his socks and buttons, and rear a fine family!</p>
+
+<p>"No, <i>no</i>, NO! I tell you I just won't <i>do it</i>!" Polly fairly screamed
+out the last words and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> stamped her foot vehemently, as she stood
+declaring what she thought of such a life.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster hid her face in a handkerchief&mdash;whether she was weeping or
+trying to hide her gratification at hearing her daughter assert her
+rights in such a positive manner, no one knew.</p>
+
+<p>"W-h-y&mdash;Polly Brewster! You are positively unladylike in your manner of
+speaking of marriage and a future husband!" objected Barbara, shocked.</p>
+
+<p>Polly turned on her, as the proverbial worm turned:</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! What do <i>you</i> know about real life! You&mdash;a silly selfish moth!
+All you can think of is money, clothes, beaus!</p>
+
+<p>"You can't see a spider without fainting, and you mince about the moment
+you hear John or Tom are near. You're not a woman of <i>to-day</i>! You're a
+manufactured specimen of the past generation. Thank goodness, such as
+<i>you</i> are on the wane; and even modern men who are looking for
+mates&mdash;not helpless weights upon their backs&mdash;select them from the
+business world where girls are climbing to the top of the ladder as fast
+as conditions will permit them to.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't <i>you</i> sit there with your powdered face and crimped-up hair and
+tell me I am unladylike! You never thought of being the lady your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>
+sister is, and certainly I wouldn't say that you can hold a candle to
+<i>me</i>! I was brought up by a lady, and I call myself as thorough a one as
+any of your society friends!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Polly&mdash;dearest!" Eleanor squealed, running over and squeezing her
+friend in her arms so that she gasped. Then releasing her, said: "I
+never heard anything so glorious in my life! Not even the suffrage
+leader in Chicago, when she was stumping for 'Votes for Women,' was ever
+as thrilling as you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly, you are right! A girl has as good a right to her individual
+expression in life as any man has. I will champion your cause,
+henceforth, and even try to convince your father that he is
+narrow-minded in his selfishness about tying you to his heels," declared
+Anne Stewart, bravely throwing down the "glove" to every one.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor now transferred her hugs and admiration to Anne, and Mrs.
+Brewster lifted her face from the screen of a handkerchief to look at
+John.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Latimer and John exchanged looks, then turned to Mrs. Brewster. John
+was the first to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, it looks as if 'Polly-Eleanor Company' are going to incorporate
+themselves in spite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> of all we can do to claim their shares of stock."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't a doubt but that the 'Polly-Eleanor Company,' is bound to
+succeed in any venture of life," replied Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, you don't blame me for wanting to get away from you?" cried
+Polly, running over to her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Dearest, I would be a poor mother if I expected to have my children
+hang about my neck to remind me that I ought to be petted and worked
+for, just because I claimed the right of being their parent! Every noble
+parent is only too willing to judiciously assist a child in finding his
+or her own niche in life.</p>
+
+<p>"I have known for a long time that you would realize how stunting this
+ranch-life is to your unfolding aspirations. For me, it embraces all
+that I love and have, but for you two ambitious children of my younger
+days, it would be a veritable grave.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel exactly as Anne does about this step&mdash;try your own wings, dear
+child, and wisely select your own walk in life. No father or mother can
+live your life for you, but they can guide and warn you away from snares
+and pitfalls. When a child has cast aside its 'swaddling clothes,' as
+you said, it must stand alone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have argued this out with your father, many times this past year, but
+he clings fondly to the belief that you are too young to leave home; and
+he has persisted in holding you in the material concept, instead of
+realizing that you are purely mental and must feed your mental hunger
+with proper nourishment.</p>
+
+<p>"I had another argument with him this evening, after his return from the
+Slide. He expected to convince me that everything would go to ruin if
+the Cliffs were worked and you were allowed to go away to school. But I
+turned the tables: I convinced <i>him</i> that he was standing in your light
+of a future glory by keeping you limited in your realization of an
+ideal. That only a family disaster and your unhappiness, must result
+from such old-fashioned views.</p>
+
+<p>"He finally agreed that if you and the others, here, said that a higher
+education was what his girl craved and needed, he would withdraw all
+objections&mdash;once for all. That is why he left us&mdash;to discuss and settle
+this momentous question. Polly, you have won!"</p>
+
+<p>Polly flung her arms about her mother's neck and wept softly: "But poor
+father! At what costs have I won?"</p>
+
+<p>"S-sh! Don't let any one hear you weaken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> now. This is the moment of
+your triumph, and you must not look back lest you be turned to a 'pillar
+of salt,'" whispered her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Then father <i>did</i> agree to have Polly go to school?" asked John,
+curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you-all agreed that it was for the best."</p>
+
+<p>"And are we to have the Cliffs if the stone proves valuable?" eagerly
+added Tom Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>"Having waived his right to keep Polly at home, he says we can turn the
+whole crater upside-down if we like," said Mrs. Brewster, smilingly.
+"But I wouldn't goad him, too far, just now. We have won such a mighty
+victory, that you haven't the faintest idea of what it means to the
+vanquished. It is doubtful if we can know anything definite about the
+Cliffs for the next two or three weeks, so let us not speak of it until
+then."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Mrs. Brewster, if Anne goes to New York to teach, and takes her
+mother, where will Polly stay? I've been thinking how fine it will be to
+have her live with me in Chicago," said Eleanor, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;Eleanor Maynard! You can't invite strangers to your mother's home!
+It may not be convenient to have any one there this winter," objected
+Barbara.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, don't borrow trouble, Bob! It's father's home as well as
+mother's, and I can ask a friend to stay with me if I like."</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't think of ever going to your home, Nolla dear. I'd love to
+know your father from all you tell me, but I never would stay in that
+house," declared Polly, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"We have several weeks to discuss a school for Polly," remarked Mrs.
+Brewster, rising to go out and seek her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd love to be with Anne," ventured Polly, wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you will, dear. Don't say any more about it, now, but trust to
+your dear mother's wisdom and ways. Whatever is best for you, she will
+see that it is brought about," replied Anne, thus winning a grateful
+smile from John.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara now went to her room, as she felt the company was not
+appreciative of her presence, and was too attentive on Polly. Polly and
+Eleanor went over to incidentally ask Tom Latimer about certain details
+in Evans' patent, and more especially what did he know about Kenneth
+Evans. As both girls were acquainted with Jim Latimer, they had not the
+same curiosity to hear any one talk about him.</p>
+
+<p>But John took advantage of this trio t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> to hurry Anne out of
+the room. Quite naturally, they took the path that ran about the side of
+the house, where the rose-climbers cast heavy shadows in the moonlight.
+Thence they walked, arm in arm, along the crater-trail where it led to
+the Cliffs.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>JEB'S SUNDAY NIGHT OFF</h3>
+
+
+<p>Jim Latimer and Kenneth Evans made their appearance much earlier on
+Sunday morning, than they had on the previous one. When greetings with
+his brother, and the family at Pebbly Pit were over, Jim explained: "The
+Boss lifted his ban on using the horses, when he found his men grumbling
+all week over their wretched Sunday."</p>
+
+<p>Of course, the two new arrivals were interested in hearing all about the
+gold mine and its present condition, not only because there might be a
+possibility that Kenneth's uncle was the Montresor who first discovered
+the vein of ore, but also because Polly and Eleanor were such good pals,
+and they deserved something big like a gold mine! Which goes to show
+that youth needs no time or preparation to discover and appreciate any
+desirable qualities of mind and soul.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara was in her element that Sunday, as John escorted Anne wherever
+they went, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> two younger girls had Jim and Kenneth for
+companions. So, quite naturally, Tom Latimer fell to her lot. As she had
+been carefully trained to make the most of any opportunity offered,
+especially with a rich and desirable young man for the prize, she used
+every art to captivate Tom. But the young man was sensibly educated and
+wondered why really good-looking girls should act as silly as Barbara
+did on this occasion.</p>
+
+<p>He felt embarrassed at having to look at her from time to time, as she
+was powdered and rouged as she would have been for a ballroom in the
+city, and poor Tom thought that, perhaps, she had some loathsome
+irruption on her face that necessitated this covering of the natural
+skin. Consequently he managed to keep his eyes turned away that the girl
+might not feel too unhappy over her trouble.</p>
+
+<p>But Barbara thought her cavalier was so effected that he could not look
+at her without feeling her powers of beauty and attraction; so she posed
+and minced her way as she fondly believed into Tom's plastic heart. Had
+she but known the truth!</p>
+
+<p>A merry family group sat down, at noon, to the delicious dinner served
+under the giant oak-tree. And Mr. Brewster, as affable as if he had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>
+been tried by a family-court the night previous, asked the younger boys
+how their survey-work was progressing.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh fine! We have lots of fun in camp, and when we go out on a section
+the work is so interesting!" exclaimed Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"With such a large crowd of men, I suppose you two boys are considered
+more as kids who are to be teased and imposed upon, eh?" asked Tom
+Latimer, having read his brother's letters about the crew.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the best part of the crowd&mdash;they seem to forget that we both are
+tenderfeet and years younger than they are. Ken and I are treated
+exactly like any of the older men in the crew," replied Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we are paired off with certain groups to rain-proof the canvas
+tents, to act as commissary agents, and to share in all the chores the
+others do. Just because Jim has a rich father and because I have to work
+for a living, makes no difference to them. Caste and wealth counts as
+nothing out in these wilds. It is what a fellow stands for and can prove
+that is his introduction and guarantee of manliness," added Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"Did your crew move to a new line, as you thought they would?" asked
+Eleanor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we are now at Silver Creek, but we only have another week's work
+to do there. Then we move on to the next section which will be near
+Buffalo Park. Isn't that the place where you said Old Montresor had a
+cabin?" said Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and it is a lovely spot. I've been there, and I promised Nolla I'd
+ride there with her some day," returned Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I say, girls! Wouldn't it be great to have you-all ride up while we
+camped there? You could make up a party of it, couldn't you?" asked
+Kenneth, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"And we'd get Old Carew to give you a <i>regular</i> party! The men in our
+crowd are gentlemen from different parts of the States, and they would
+help us entertain," added Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it would be a treat, Mrs. Brewster, for all of us. John and I
+would join the picnickers," now said Tom Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, would you really, Tom?" cried Jim, delightedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure thing. If Mr. and Mrs. Brewster approve."</p>
+
+<p>John looked at his mother. "It will be dandy, Mother, if you and Dad
+will go, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Father and I wouldn't go, John, if Tom and you will escort the girls,"
+returned Mrs. Brewster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but we couldn't think of going, Mrs. Brewster, unless you
+chaperoned us among so many men!" exclaimed Barbara. Then when she saw
+Tom Latimer looking at her she modestly drooped her head.</p>
+
+<p>Tom was thinking: "Of all the empty-headed vain creatures it ever was my
+misfortune to meet, she takes the cake!"</p>
+
+<p>"That needn't trouble you, girls. If you will come on a Saturday and
+spend Sunday at camp with us, we will have the Boss's wife there to act
+as hostess. Mrs. Carew always spends Sundays at camp&mdash;unless the Boss
+rides down to town to visit her. Sometimes she brings the school teacher
+from Oak Creek, or other ladies who enjoy the novel life in a survey
+camp," explained Jim, enthusiastically.</p>
+
+<p>"Do let's go, Anne! Can't we say yes?" said Eleanor, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"How long will both of you boys be here?" Anne asked of John.</p>
+
+<p>"We planned to wait until we hear, one way or the other, regarding the
+stones we sent to New York, and about the financing of Choko's Find.
+Perhaps Dad and Dr. Evans might even come out and look the ground over
+for themselves, before answering my letter," said John.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then we could safely arrange to go next Sunday, or the Sunday after?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, we will be home for a month, most likely."</p>
+
+<p>John's voice betrayed his satisfaction that such was to be the case, and
+Anne smiled faintly, because she could not control her own pleasure in
+hearing him say so. Mrs. Brewster and Tom Latimer exchanged glances of
+understanding but no one else saw them.</p>
+
+<p>So it was decided that if Mrs. Carew was to visit her husband over the
+following week-end, and the weather permitted, the young folks would
+form a party to ride up to Buffalo Park on Saturday. With this pleasure
+in view, the two boys went back to camp in the early afternoon, the
+distance being so far from Pebbly Pit, that it would be quite dark
+before they reached camp.</p>
+
+<p>After they had gone, Polly and Eleanor wandered around at a loss for
+something to do. Being Sunday, their sports were limited to a quiet
+time. So they decided to visit the corrals and see Noddy and Choko, as
+the burros had been neglected by their riders during the past few days
+of the excitement over gold.</p>
+
+<p>They were passing the wagon-house, when Polly caught hold of Eleanor's
+arm for silence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> Both girls listened and distinctly heard a man
+speaking in dramatic tones. The voice was not recognizable, although
+Polly had not heard of any new hand having been hired.</p>
+
+<p>"Ef Ah wasn't shore we-all'd be happy, Ah never would be h'ar askin' fur
+yor hand an' heart." Then there was a pause.</p>
+
+<p>A low mumbling followed, and then the voice again cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Ef you-all w'arn't my match, Ah'd go away and nary trouble this ranch
+agin. But folkses kin see we-all w'ar made fer each other. Even John
+says so!" Then sounded another jumble of incoherent words.</p>
+
+<p>"Who under the sun is it? A couple who are in love with each other?"
+wondered Eleanor, aloud, as she turned to Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Whoever it is, they are behind the wagon-shed. Let's creep up to the
+harness loft and see who it is. There isn't another woman on the farm
+beside Sary, and I'm sure I saw her in the house, when we left there."</p>
+
+<p>Polly led the way up the ladder to the loft, and then they crept
+carefully across the floor until she reached the wide loft-window. This
+she opened quietly and tilted the slats so they could look down in the
+yard behind the barn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>There sat Jeb with a few loose pages from a pamphlet in his hands. He
+was memorizing the words, and as he did so he mumbled them.</p>
+
+<p>Every time he had mastered a certain paragraph, he would stand up,
+strike a pose, and declaim in an unnatural voice, to the pig-sty that
+was not more than twenty feet away from the sheds.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Polly clapped a hand over her mouth and rocked back and forth.
+Instantly Eleanor wanted to know what the joke was.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh! I know now where Jeb got that paper book. It was advertised in
+our Farm Journal as being the most complete education on how to propose
+gracefully to a woman that man ever could find. I just bet Jeb sent for
+it, one day, when he asked me to address an envelope for him. He must be
+practicing to ask some Oak Creek girl to marry him."</p>
+
+<p>Both girls now smothered their laughter, for the idea of simple little
+Jeb in love with some one was too funny for words. He seemed terribly in
+earnest, however, as he stood up again and declared his love, and beat
+his breast and pretended to tear at his hair:</p>
+
+<p>"'Ef you-all refuse me Ah shall end mah wretched existence! What is life
+widdout love?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> Oh, beuchus maiden&mdash;' no, no, Ah musen't call her
+'<i>maiden</i>' er she'll knock me down," murmured Jeb, scratching his head
+in perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>His audience almost choked with laughter, but he suddenly brightened up
+again and said to himself: "Yeh, that's it! She'll like thet." Then he
+began again with one hand over his heart and the other tearing at the
+thin covering of hair on his head, "'Ef you-all refuse me Ah shall end
+this wretched life&mdash;' no, <i>no</i>! Ah shall end this wretched <span class="smcap">existence</span>!
+What is life widdout love? Oh, beau-chus <i>widder</i>, will you-all be
+mine?"</p>
+
+<p>As Jeb spoke his last lines, he smirked to himself and said: "Thar now,
+Jeb! That'll fetch her, er John's all wrong."</p>
+
+<p>Polly and Eleanor looked at each other in consternation. Who was the
+widow&mdash;and what had John to do with this proposal?</p>
+
+<p>Jeb was placing the little paper book in his breast pocket when the
+girls looked out again. Then he picked up the bucket of swill and ran
+over to feed the pigs. His audience, up in the loft, heard him still
+reciting various love-thrilling lines to himself, as the pigs grunted
+and snorted and ate their supper. But Eleanor said they'd better get
+away before Jeb found them.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;">
+<img src="images/facing-170.jpg" width="319" height="500" alt="JEB WAS PRACTICING LOVE-MAKING FROM A BOOK." title="" />
+<span class="caption">JEB WAS PRACTICING LOVE-MAKING FROM A BOOK.<br />
+
+<i>Polly and Eleanor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page <a href="#Page_169">169</a></i></span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>Polly studied her brother's face keenly, during supper, but John seemed
+as free from guile as any babe. So after the table was cleared, she went
+up to him and whispered: "Did you tell Jeb to propose to any widow you
+know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" John's eyes twinkled with fun.</p>
+
+<p>"Because he was behind the shed all afternoon, reciting impassioned
+lines he had learned in a paper book. We heard him say that that would
+fetch the widow or you wasn't as wise as you seemed to be."</p>
+
+<p>John laughed loudly, and merely murmured: "We ought to be on guard
+to-night, lest Jeb commit some folly. Better watch him, Polly, and see
+where he goes, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"He never goes anywhere on Sunday nights. He sits on the terrace by the
+crater and smokes his pipe."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he is safe there, but if you see him come by, all togged out in
+his church clothes, let me know and I'll see that he comes to no harm.
+He may be a bit off, you know," John lightly tapped his head as he
+spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope not. Jeb is such a <i>good</i> hand. Father would never know what
+to do without him. Perhaps we'd best tell father of your suspicions,"
+cried Polly, deeply concerned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, no! Don't bother father. I'll take care of Jeb. You just see that
+he keeps quiet, to-night, wherever he goes to smoke his pipe."</p>
+
+<p>Innocent Polly then sought for Eleanor, who had been called to the
+kitchen by Sary. Polly found her giving a plaid ribbon and a corsage
+nosegay to Sary. But it developed that the maid had higher aspirations
+than ribbon and flowers.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Nolla, Ah see'd a figgered dress a-hangin' from the hook in yur
+room, one day. No one never wears it, an' Ah wuz wonderin' ef it was
+yur's, er Miss Bob's, er Miss Anne's?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that is a striped dimity that mother must have packed by mistake.
+It happens to be one of <i>hers</i>, so we hung it back in the corner till we
+go home again."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah s'pose yur Maw woulden mind much ef she lent it to me fer
+to-night&mdash;eh?" hinted Sary.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose mother will ever think of it again, as it is last
+year's style, anyway. I'll take the risk of <i>giving</i> it to you, Sary, if
+you promise never to let Bob know where it went."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Ah shore will promise, Miss Nolla! And Ah kin tell you-all Ah'll be
+the happiest gal in the West, to-night!" Sary said, giggling like a
+veritable school-girl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Polly watched her depart with the coveted dress over her arm, then she
+turned to Eleanor. "All the help are going crazy, it seems to me!"</p>
+
+<p>About half an hour later, Sary was seen stealing from the kitchen door,
+and tip-toeing over the brick pathway towards the "Second-best" hammock
+that always swung behind the lilac bushes. It was a nice little retreat
+for any one wishing to take a nap on a sultry afternoon, but Polly had
+never known Sary to have a weakness for swinging.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Nolla, if I didn't have to watch for Jeb, I'd just love to
+follow after Sary and see what she is up to," said Polly to Eleanor, as
+both girls sat alone on the porch steps.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb! Why, I saw him come from the barn all dressed up in his church
+clothes. He turned down the Shrubbery Walk," replied Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Did he have his pipe?" asked Polly, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he looked around at every step as if to make sure no one was
+following him."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me! I promised John I'd keep my eye on him!" cried Polly,
+distressed beyond words.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter? I can show you where he went," said Eleanor,
+comfortingly.</p>
+
+<p>So she led Polly to the place where Jeb had left the road and turned
+down to the shrubbery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> walk. The two girls walked over the soft sod that
+gave forth no sound, and quite suddenly came upon a scene that caused
+Eleanor to crush her handkerchief into her mouth to choke her laughter,
+while Polly stood speechless.</p>
+
+<p>Sary sat in the hammock, one foot used to propel herself gently back and
+forth. The newly-acquired striped dress was such a tight fit for her
+rubicund form, that it cracked ominously every time the wearer took a
+deep breath. But the short-coming of the two fronts over her ample bosom
+was camouflaged with the plaid ribbon and many pins. The corsage bouquet
+was tucked high under her chin where it would show most.</p>
+
+<p>It was not very dark as yet, so the girls could see how dreadfully white
+Sary seemed to be, and her lips were startlingly crimson. Suddenly
+Eleanor guessed the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"She's gone and used Bob's powder and rouge! Oh, how funny!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, before either one of the accidental eaves-droppers could say
+another word, Sary perked her head sideways, like a hen does when it
+hears a strange sound. She quickly frizzed up her hair by ruffing it
+backwards, and patted the ribbon on her waist-front, then gently used
+her foot again to propel the hammock back and forth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Gradually it dawned upon Polly and Eleanor what all this meant! They
+could see Jeb coming from behind the lilac bushes, some ten feet away
+from the swinger. He seemed ill at ease, and loosened his stiff collar,
+pulled down his vest, and cleared his throat several times.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Poll! He's going to propose to the 'widder'!" whispered Eleanor,
+burying her face in Polly's back to stop the spasm of laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Polly was too hypnotized to reply, or move, and Jeb soon was heard to
+say: "Sary, Ah cum 'cuz you-all invited me to be compny t'night."</p>
+
+<p>"So Ah did, Jeb. Won't you-all sit in th' hammick beside me?" came from
+Sary, coyly.</p>
+
+<p>"It broke thru, last season, Sary, an Ah mended it. But Ah ain't shore
+it'll hol' enny more'n you." However, Jeb moved two or three feet nearer
+the hammock.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a fine evenin', Jeb," suggested Sary, as seriously as if the
+weather was the subject uppermost in her mind, just then.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb gazed up and around as if to verify Sary's statement, then admitted,
+slowly: "Yeh, it 'pears to be fine."</p>
+
+<p>Silence reigned for several moments, then Sary said very sweetly
+(Eleanor whispered to Polly that she must have had a mouthful of
+honey),<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> "Ah shore am glad to see you, Jeb. Won't you-all sit down on
+this stool?"</p>
+
+<p>The girls then saw that Sary had provided the three-legged milk-stool
+for her visitor. But it was too close to Sary for Jeb's peace of mind.
+He reached out very warily and caught hold of one leg of the stool, and
+pulled it towards him. Then he sat gingerly on the edge of it.</p>
+
+<p>But Sary was determined to carry off a captive that night, or waste all
+of her ammunition in the attempt.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah jes' loves to swing, but Ah cain't tech the ground easy when Ah'm
+sittin' back. Would you-all mind swingin' me, Jeb?"</p>
+
+<p>Jeb got up slowly from his stool and took hold of the upper end strands
+of the hammock. He pulled it back and forth a few times, while Sary
+smiled alluringly up at him. Then he cleared his throat and began to
+speak.</p>
+
+<p>"This world was made fur love. Oh, what woul' arth be widdout de flowers
+of love to parfume our way?" Jeb coughed.</p>
+
+<p>Now this was just the sort of romance Sary had always <i>dreamed</i> of but
+never heard before, and she sighed heavily as her visitor coughed. If
+Jeb needed encouragement, she was not the one to disappoint him!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He gave the hammock a strong tug as he began another line. Sary had to
+catch hold of the edges to prevent herself from being thrown backward.</p>
+
+<p>"Man wuz not made to live alone. Th' Good Book says so. What so glorious
+ez a sweet bride waitin' t' welcome a man after a hard day's labor? What
+man is thar what woulden give his wealth of all Crows-see-us fer love?"</p>
+
+<p>Jeb pronounced the unfamiliar word very carefully, but Sary had never
+heard of Cr&oelig;sus, so it mattered not how Jeb said it. But Polly and
+Eleanor were clasping each other tightly now, to keep from making a
+sound that would ruin the entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>Again Jeb cleared his throat with difficulty and pulled at the hammock
+as if he was trying to drag a whale from the deep sea. Sary uttered no
+complaint, however, even though her neck almost snapped at each sudden
+jerk. She was wise enough to realize that the momentous time had come
+for Jeb. He might never again summon courage, if he failed to-night!</p>
+
+<p>Without further warning, then, Jeb began his memorized lines, and as he
+progressed with the "love sonnet" he unconsciously swung the hammock
+higher and higher.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ef Ah wuzn't shore we-all w'ar made fur each other Ah wooden be ha'r
+beggin' fur yur heart an' hand."</p>
+
+<p>A long and mighty pull on the hammock almost landed Sary out in the
+grass, but she clung like a vise to the hempen ropes.</p>
+
+<p>"Enny one kin see we-all w'ar made fur each other, oh darlin' of mah
+heart! Soul of mah soul!" Jeb coughed violently as he remembered he was
+two paragraphs ahead in his speech. Now he couldn't remember what went
+just before that "soul of my soul!" but he knew the tragic part to
+perfection, so he skipped all that went before and ended with:</p>
+
+<p>"Ef you-all refuse me, Ah shall end this wretched existence in life
+widdout love! Oh, beauchus maiden" (strangling as he realized he should
+have said "widder" and now utterly confounded, he said): "Oh, Sary! be
+mah widder widdout mah love&mdash;NO, Sary, be mah wife widdout my widder.
+Oh, Sary, Ah don't know what Ah&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>In his frenzy, Jeb yanked on the hammock so manfully that the mended
+strands suddenly sundered and Sary was unexpectedly thrown into her
+suitor's arms.</p>
+
+<p>Such an unforeseen accident, however, found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> Sary ready with presence of
+mind to meet the emergency. She flung her powerful arms about Jeb's
+slender form and smacked him heartily on the lips. The dramatic lover
+then trembled and gasped for breath. How to get away safely was all he
+could think of. But Sary, as tenacious in her hold as "ivy on the sturdy
+oak," managed to calm her lover's fears.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jeb! <i>What</i> a wooer you-all do make! Ah never dreamed a man could
+talk so wonderful!" Sary sighed and placed her head down upon Jeb's
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>Now had Jeb accepted this sweet praise and been satisfied therewith, his
+wooing need not have ended so abruptly, but manlike, he wanted to hear
+added words of flattery about himself, so he sat down on the
+three-legged stool, and drew the over-willing Sary upon his knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah forgot to say half what is in mah soul, Sary," he began, as his
+lines came back to him. "Oh, Ah must tell you-all what joy you fill me
+wid, when you consent to listen to mah cause&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>In leaning back to emphasize his speech with an out-flung arm, Jeb lost
+his balance, and the stool being treacherous on its three legs, promptly
+turned over and sent both lovers from ecstasy down to earth. As Sary and
+Jeb managed to get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> upon their feet, they thought they heard sounds of
+smothered laughter and scampering feet over the brick walk, but when
+they got from behind the lilac bushes to reconnoiter, everything between
+the kitchen and the Shrubbery Walk was silent as the tomb.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>A TRIP TO BUFFALO PARK</h3>
+
+
+<p>Word was received through Jeb, who met Jake at Oak Creek, that Mrs.
+Carew would spend the week-end at Camp to welcome the party from the
+ranch; so the young folks at Pebbly Pit eagerly prepared for the trip to
+Buffalo Park. The panniers were packed with luncheon for the riders,
+besides the cakes and home-made pies which Mrs. Brewster sent to the
+boys in camp.</p>
+
+<p>At dawn on Saturday morning, the party started, Mrs. Brewster watching
+them ride down the trail until they disappeared back of Rainbow Cliffs.
+Then she went back to attend to her household duties.</p>
+
+<p>Polly rode Noddy as usual, and Eleanor had Choko. The other four members
+of the party rode horses, but one extra burro, Nigger, was taken to
+carry the luggage. The trail from Bear Forks across the mountain-side
+was very rough,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> being seldom used; most riders, going to Buffalo Park,
+took the old worn trail that ran from Silver Creek.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, the going was found to be so steep that it was deemed best to
+attach the pack-burro to John's horse, by means of a rope. This would
+necessitate the burro following after John's horse instead of wandering
+away in the maze of forest trees.</p>
+
+<p>But sometimes, these little burros get stubborn when they are made to
+follow in the rear of a horse, and it was so with Nigger. He acted like
+a sulky child, and made the girls laugh at his contrary behavior. He
+seemed to have lost all individual ambition, and made John's horse drag
+him at the unusually hard places in the trail.</p>
+
+<p>They had been climbing steadily for two hours and hoped soon to reach
+the clearer trail that ran direct to Buffalo Park. But the trees grew so
+closely together, now, that they offered obstructions in every direction
+the horses went. Sometimes it was even necessary for the riders to
+dismount and follow after the horses to eliminate the extra width caused
+by stirrups and legs.</p>
+
+<p>Nigger's panniers were packed with food, cooking utensils to use while
+on the trail, and rifles. This bulky roll projected over a foot on
+either<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> side of him, often creating a "blockade" in the narrow going
+between trees.</p>
+
+<p>John's horse, being unable to read blazes as easily as his rider could,
+would choose the wrong turn now and then, sulkily followed by Nigger.
+Then the horse would come to a spot impossible to pass through and would
+decide to back out. Nigger, with his clumsy pack and grouchy manner,
+stood and fairly laughed at such times. Polly and Eleanor enjoyed these
+funny experiences thoroughly; but John felt annoyed, as he wished to
+appear his best before Anne, and how can a young gallant impress his
+lady-love favorably when his horse is making a fool of itself?</p>
+
+<p>While Nigger and Snowball (John's horse was white) were engaged in
+disentangling themselves from one of these snarls, the other riders went
+ahead. Finding John was not immediately behind, they halted and turned
+to watch him get his two steeds straightened out and going again.</p>
+
+<p>All was serene once more and Snowball started briskly up the trail, but
+unfortunately, she went about a tree on one side of the trail while
+Nigger insisted upon choosing the other side. Both were suddenly yanked
+up when the tie-rope tautened about the tree, so that John was almost
+thrown out of the saddle. Neither beast would give in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> but tugged
+stubbornly to make the other waive his right of way, until finally, John
+had to jump down again, and compel Snowball to walk back and around the
+tree on the right side, where the burro waited.</p>
+
+<p>Nigger stood with neck stretched and his mouth half-open, while his eyes
+gleamed impishly. John roared at the expression on the burro's face, as
+true to a malicious grin as ever a human could produce it. Then they
+resumed the climb.</p>
+
+<p>But Nigger had found a new way to tantalize Snowball. He would step upon
+a stone and allow it to trip him. This would make his pack strike the
+tree on the side he rolled. Then the tree, resisting the impact, would
+slew him back again. Naturally, every time he performed this way,
+Snowball was unceremoniously yanked up too, and this sudden stopping
+interfered with John's conversation with Anne.</p>
+
+<p>After Polly had laughed herself weak over Nigger's clever performances,
+she called to John. "No use! You'll have to give Nig his freedom! He'll
+land Snowball in kingdom come if you keep him tied."</p>
+
+<p>So wise little Nigger was freed once more, and thereafter he walked as
+circumspectly as any good burro should. But the going was better, too,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
+with the trail running through miles and miles of dark green forests,
+patterned here and there with golden stretches of mesa and parks.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure you know the trail, Polly?" asked John, as he gazed about
+at the unfamiliar path.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I've gone this way lots of times when Mr. Montresor lived in
+the cabin where Carew's men are now camping."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if it is much farther, then I say we'd best halt for something to
+eat."</p>
+
+<p>"I will second that motion whether it is far or near. We had best have a
+bite, as we will have to wait for the crew's dinner-time when we arrive
+in camp," added Tom Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>So the riders dismounted and hastily prepared a luncheon. When they were
+ready to proceed on the way, Nigger found his pack much lighter than
+before, so he, too, was delighted to have had the humans stop for lunch.</p>
+
+<p>It was past noon before the visitors reached Carew's Camp, but once
+there, they were given a hearty welcome by every one. Cookee had been
+mixing and stirring viands ever since the breakfast had been cleared
+away, and now he was ready to smile satisfactorily at results, for he
+was going to give these guests a rare meal that day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Carew was a Chicago lady and, for once, Barbara was happy, as she
+found her hostess knew several people that the Maynards felt were
+exalted enough to be classed "in their set."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as their section master gave them the afternoon's vacation, Jim
+Latimer and Kenneth appropriated Polly and Eleanor, and the four started
+off on fresh horses from the corral, for an excursion.</p>
+
+<p>Jim wanted to ride to one of the peaks where they had surveyed that
+week, and show the girls the far-off desert that stretched for miles and
+miles between Buffalo Park and the Lincoln Memorial Highway.</p>
+
+<p>The trail was well defined, as the crew had traveled it twice a day that
+week, and had worn down cactus and sage-brush.</p>
+
+<p>The four finally reached the pinnacle where the gray expanse of sand
+could be seen stretching out to meet the blue sky on the horizon, and
+Jim laughingly remarked: "Ken and I came near finding a sandy grave
+there the other day."</p>
+
+<p>"How?" eagerly asked the girls.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, we were sent with our superior, to tie up a line at the edge of
+the desert down there, and having done so, one of the crew saw a fine
+little bit of water and a few trees growing about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> it, not more than
+half-a-mile from where we were working.</p>
+
+<p>"We concluded it would make an admirable place to rest and have lunch,
+and give the horses a good drink, too, at the same time. So we all
+started over the sand to enjoy the unusual oasis.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we kept on going and going, but the darn old oasis seemed as far
+away as ever. Suddenly, I thought I was going queer in my head, because
+it slowly vanished like mist. I rubbed my eyes and called on Ken to
+verify the fact. Then you should have heard the men swear! Phew!"</p>
+
+<p>Both boys laughed as they recalled the irritation of the men who found
+they had been riding for a mirage&mdash;And lunch farther off than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"However, we saw a gigantic bowlder of lava and sand rear its head from
+the desert a short distance off, so we decided to make for that and see
+if there was a crevice in its side where we might find shelter from the
+baking sun.</p>
+
+<p>"We left the horses hobbled while we scrambled up its sides to look for
+any projection that would cast a shadow for us.</p>
+
+<p>"The men separated when we started to climb, but we all met at the top
+without having found any shade. The wind that blew across the desert,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>
+was comparatively cool, however, so we sat on the uncomfortable spikes
+of lava and planned where we might have something to eat.</p>
+
+<p>"Ken turned to speak to me, and a great mass of shale broke away from
+his feet and rolled down the steep sides of the crag. But he managed to
+catch himself from slipping. Then we began breaking off fragments of
+shale and tried to see who could throw it the farthest out on the
+desert. We laid wagers, and one of the party said he would go down,
+after a bit, and mark the ones that were prize-winners. That made us
+laugh as no one would ever be able to find any individual chunk of shale
+out on that wild place.</p>
+
+<p>"The breeze that had been blowing rather too strong, now became
+stronger, and then Prang, who was in charge of us, that day, shaded his
+eyes with a hand and stared off at the horizon. We all gazed in the same
+direction, but we were not experienced enough to know what it was he
+saw.</p>
+
+<p>"'My God, boys! slide down this crag as fast as you can&mdash;that's a storm
+blowing across the sands. It will hit us in a few moments. Grab the
+horses or they'll bolt and we'll all be lost on the desert!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! didn't we get down those awful sides.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> Ken slid more than half-way
+down, then he lost his grasp on the side. His back and arms are all
+scraped now, from the way he rolled the rest of the way."</p>
+
+<p>The girls sympathized with Ken, but he laughed away the thought that he
+had been too tender to stand such a test.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, most of us got down and had caught our horses before the
+sand-storm struck us, but two of our crowd had to stumble through the
+terrific storm that blinded them. Had we not kept on calling and
+shouting to direct them, they would have wandered away and been buried.</p>
+
+<p>"It was an awful experience, but now that it is over, I'm glad we had
+it. I will have <i>something</i> to brag about when I'm at college, this
+Fall."</p>
+
+<p>Ken laughed. "I'd rather not brag than to go through such a hair-raising
+time again."</p>
+
+<p>"Do both of you boys intend going to college?" asked Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; we've gone through school together since we were little shavers.
+And that's quite a record for boys in New York, where folks are always
+moving from one district to another," replied Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe your brother Tom said you were going to Yale?" continued
+Eleanor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We will, if we pass the tests. I'm sure Ken will, but I'm not so sure
+of myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Now&mdash;don't belittle yourself. You know you will pass," added Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry you both will be away from home, because Polly and I expect
+to attend school in New York this Winter," remarked Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Me? School in New York?" cried Polly, astonished.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, of course! Didn't you know what was in my mind when I decided
+I would like to go to New York with Anne Stewart?"</p>
+
+<p>"But that doesn't mean <i>I'm</i> going there!" exclaimed Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you are. I don't want to go without you, so I shall scheme to
+win your folks over to my way of thinking."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all I can say, is this: If you win them over to see how important
+it is for me to go to school in New York, you are a wizard&mdash;that's all!"
+declared Polly, laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Your laugh sounds dubious, but I'll show you, pretty soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if you two girls should find yourselves in New York, we will have
+our folks meet you and pilot you through the wilderness. It's worse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>
+than out here on the mountains, you know," laughed Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"In case I don't pass for college, I won't mind so much, as long as you
+girls will be in the city to console me," added Kenneth, gallantly.</p>
+
+<p>They laughed. "We won't waste much time consoling any one, I can tell
+you," added Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"No; Polly and I are going to study some profession, you know, and begin
+business as soon as we complete our education."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" exclaimed Jim, surprised to hear such young girls plan for a
+business life.</p>
+
+<p>"Yep! Polly is just daffy over interior decorating, and since she showed
+me all her magazines and other books on it, I am crazy about it, too."</p>
+
+<p>"But you don't have to study <i>that</i>!" declared Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"That shows how little a man knows about it. Why, not only must a
+decorator&mdash;a real one, we mean&mdash;know all about periods in architecture
+and furnishings of all kinds, but she must know at a glance, whether an
+object is genuine antique or a counterfeit," explained Eleanor, glad to
+impress her male friends with her understanding of what is essentially a
+woman's profession.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides that," added Polly, "a good interior<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> decorator must know the
+name of a painter of pictures,&mdash;whether an old master or a modern
+artist. Not an engraving or etching shown but the good decorator ought
+to be able to say who did it, and name its date.</p>
+
+<p>"There are lots of counterfeit antique china sold to-day, but a good
+decorator can tell instantly whether it is real antique or not.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides china and pictures, one must be able to name a rug&mdash;its
+qualities and value, at a glance. As for draperies and wall-hangings,
+well! It all has to be thoroughly learned," said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"I always thought a man took up interior decorating just because he
+happened to have been an upholsterer or fresco painter. I never knew
+there was any studying to be done, first," said Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't, eh! Well then, let me tell you this much; Polly and I
+intend to use our money from the mine, to put us both through school in
+New York. Any other city would do, I suppose, only Anne Stewart will be
+there, and I never can study under any one else! So I have to attend
+class in New York," Eleanor spoke with the greatest assurance that all
+she said had already been agreed to by Polly's family.</p>
+
+<p>"Then when Polly and I have had a year or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> two with Anne, we will take a
+special course in some one of the best schools on the subject. This
+course finished, we propose going to Europe to study Italian, French,
+Spanish, and English periods and styles. If we have an extra year or so,
+to spare, we might go to Japan and Egypt, as I just adore those two
+lands."</p>
+
+<p>"W-h-y! Eleanor! You never mentioned a word of this to me before! Who
+told you we could go?" gasped Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor laughed merrily. "You big innocent! Why, <i>I</i> just told you
+<i>myself</i>&mdash;that we were going abroad."</p>
+
+<p>"If I ever manage to break away from Pebbly Pit after the awful speech I
+made recently, I'll be lucky, and let New York or Europe alone!" laughed
+Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"You never would have had gumption to speak as you did, Polly, if it
+hadn't been for my training you. This is what I have done to you&mdash;you
+are growing to be more independent of others."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor smiled self-complacently at Polly, but the latter retorted: "I
+owe you nothing on an exchange, Nolla, because you must admit that I
+have filled you up with ideas you never dreamed of before you came to
+the ranch!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Shake, old girl!" laughed Eleanor, holding out her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"But about New York&mdash;girls. It would be great if you can fix it. Ken and
+I will be home every holiday, and perhaps we can run down from New
+Haven, now and then, over Sundays," remarked Jim, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor held up an assuring hand, as she nodded her wise little head
+knowingly and said: "Leave it to Nolla, boys!"</p>
+
+<p>They laughed and agreed that there was no one else that could arrange
+affairs any better!</p>
+
+<p>Polly sat mute, for she wondered if it ever would come true&mdash;what
+Eleanor had planned about Europe. In her wildest fancies she had never
+dared allow her thought to outline <i>such</i> possibilities. But here was a
+harum-scarum friend who seemed to get everything she wanted by merely
+saying, "We must have it, you know!"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess we'd better be starting back to camp," suggested Kenneth,
+looking up at the sun.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it will take us fully an hour, riding down," agreed Jim.</p>
+
+<p>So they helped the girls into their saddles, and soon all four were
+having a good time going back to Buffalo Park.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>A WILD-WEST COUNTY FAIR</h3>
+
+
+<p>That same night while at supper, Mrs. Carew asked her guests if they had
+ever visited one of the western celebrations.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly says she has, but we have never seen one," replied Anne, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Oak Creek is going to have its annual fair, or celebration, two
+weeks from Monday. It generally lasts for three days, and they have all
+sorts of stunts there. You-all must be <i>sure</i> to go."</p>
+
+<p>"The Boss says we can have a day off and go, too!" declared Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish it would happen to come on the day you girls go," added Kenneth,
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll try and plan it that way. Maybe we will go to each day's show,"
+quickly said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you can find out from Mrs. Carew what day her husband thinks we
+can have," ventured Jim, in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor nodded; then she turned to John and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> told him what they wanted
+to know from Mrs. Carew.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was learned that the survey Crew was to be given Tuesday <i>and</i>
+Wednesday&mdash;as it would take almost half a day to travel to Oak Creek,
+and another half day to get back to camp. The boys gave a wild hurrah
+when they heard this good news, and immediately planned to start from
+camp directly after midnight Monday so as to enjoy a full day at the
+fair.</p>
+
+<p>After good-bys were said, and the Pebbly Pit party were ready to start
+on the homeward trail, Jim whispered to Polly and Eleanor, "Now don't
+forget! Ken and I have a date with you two at the Fair, Tuesday and
+Wednesday."</p>
+
+<p>And the girls laughingly promised to make a note in their social
+calendar book.</p>
+
+<p>The two weeks intervening between the visit to Buffalo Park, and the
+celebration at Oak Creek, passed rapidly, for John and Tom had a new
+excursion planned for each day. Of course, Polly and Eleanor were
+members of these picnics, so they almost forgot about the fair until a
+day, or so, before the time.</p>
+
+<p>"We-all attend the fair, you know, and take our camp outfit with us,"
+said Mr. Brewster, at supper on Sunday evening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Aren't there any restaurants where we can dine?" asked Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there is Snake-Bill's place where you get hash piled up with your
+pie and odds or ends, all on an inch-thick dish. Then there is the Rocky
+Mountain Cafie&mdash;as every one calls it,&mdash;but ladies are not welcome,
+there. Neither of these places will appeal to you girls, Ah'm sure,"
+explained Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no! They have no idea of what it is like, Sam," declared Mrs.
+Brewster, holding up both hands in horror at the very idea.</p>
+
+<p>"Will we start early in the morning?" now asked Eleanor, wondering if
+they would be on time to keep their engagements.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we will leave here about one or two o'clock," replied Mr. Brewster,
+nonchalantly.</p>
+
+<p>"One or two!" cried Barbara, aghast, thinking he meant A. M.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, then we will arrive about four or five. By the time we have the
+tents pitched and everything in tip-top working order, it will be
+suppertime. There won't be so much going on the first night, you know,
+but we will be there for Tuesday's early games."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my goodness! You don't mean we shall camp over night?" exclaimed
+Barbara.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Of course! We could never travel back and forth each day, as it is a
+long ride and tough roads for the horses to pull a heavy ranch-wagon,"
+returned Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why you won't have automobiles out here! It would not cost
+much to have a Ford, or some other cheap affair, but the convenience and
+time you'd save&mdash;my!" said Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"An auto! Can you see us driving a car over such awful roads as there
+are for miles around Oak Creek? To say nothing of the wild trails that
+go to Pebbly Pit and other far-off ranches," said John.</p>
+
+<p>"Whenever there is a rain, or in winter, the roads are impassable, you
+know, Bob," added Mrs. Brewster. "I'd love to have a car just for fun,
+but there is no pleasure in riding it around the farm where I know every
+foot of ground. And excepting on our own land, there are no decent
+roads."</p>
+
+<p>"I never thought of that!" admitted Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"So we make the best of things, and ride to the fair in a wagon that
+will hold a village of people," concluded Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it will be heaps of fun to camp right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> in town where crowds of
+other folks are camping," said Eleanor, giggling.</p>
+
+<p>"It is. You never know who your next-door neighbor is going to be,"
+laughed Polly. "Once, we camped right next to a horse-thief who was
+wanted by the sheriff. My, but we had an exciting time when he crawled
+into mother's bed and hid!"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly! You forgot to say that this happened while we were at the fair
+and he was driven from his own tent," hastily added Mrs. Brewster, while
+the others laughed heartily at Polly's omission.</p>
+
+<p>At these yearly events, every workhand on a ranch went to the fair,
+whether the cattle starved or not. But with Mr. Brewster's help, it was
+so planned that half of them went from Monday morning until Tuesday
+noon, and then the other half went from Tuesday noon until Wednesday
+night. In this way each side had plenty of time to spend their
+hoardings, and to drink all the "Sure Death" whisky that could be had in
+Oak Creek.</p>
+
+<p>The great ranch-wagon rumbled away Monday noon, and a gay party it
+carried, too. The tents were tightly rolled and tied to the sides, while
+rolls of bedding and hampers of food were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> stacked under the high front
+seat. Hard wooden seats were clamped to each side for the travelers to
+sit upon.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Latimer and John kept every one laughing, so that no one complained
+of the uncomfortable seats that seemed to grow harder the nearer the
+travelers came to Oak Creek.</p>
+
+<p>Then the party drew near their objective. But such a different Oak Creek
+from its usual sleepy appearance! The entire countryside, outside of the
+settlement proper, was dotted with canvas tents, and campers were
+running back and forth. Just to the right of the town stood a vast tent,
+like a circus canvas; and in line with it were several smaller ones.</p>
+
+<p>"That larger one is where all the exhibits are shown and where the
+contests take place, such as eating pan-cakes, shoveling coal, testing
+mining tools, and other tame games," explained John.</p>
+
+<p>"Do they bust the bronchos there, too?" asked Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"No, that, and the trick riding, is done out in the ring," replied Mr.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>While the men pitched the tents and carried the folding cots from the
+wagon, Sary unpacked her meager cooking outfit, and Mrs. Brewster
+arranged the hampers in a safe place in her tent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> Eleanor and Polly
+stood watching the crowds of incoming ranchers drive by, all on the
+lookout for a good camping-site.</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope the boys from Buffalo Park will be in time to find a place
+near us," whispered Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but it looks now, as if there wouldn't be an inch of room left
+after to-night," returned Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster then joined them. "Well, girls, want to go with me to have
+a look over the fair-grounds? To-morrow you will be escorted by younger
+chaps, I suppose; but they won't be able to explain things any better
+than I can."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, Daddy! Let's go," cried Polly, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>As it was all new to Eleanor, she also wanted to go, so the three found
+a way between the tents that had sprung up, since they drove in from the
+trail and had selected their own site.</p>
+
+<p>Every one was merry and good-natured, and many a joke was exchanged
+between people who might be master and servant at home, but at the
+Celebration, they all were equals.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster pointed out where the races would take place, and where the
+wild horse-breaking generally was held. He told Eleanor that a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> purse of
+five hundred dollars was always made up by collections, and given to the
+man who was able to tame the worst outlaw horse of the year.</p>
+
+<p>Then the girls were taken to the booths where refreshments were served.
+Sam Brewster ordered three ice-cream cones and three sodas. He also
+bought two boxes of candy for the girls.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's have ice-cream sodas instead of soda and cones," suggested
+Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"They can't mix ice-cream sodas, out here," explained Polly. "So we buy
+cones and mix our own when we want a New York drink."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor laughed. "Isn't that funny! It's just as easy!"</p>
+
+<p>So they emptied their cones into their soda water and stirred the drink
+with a spoon. But Eleanor learned that the western people would do
+certain things their way, and no one could convince them that it was
+much easier to accomplish the task a different way.</p>
+
+<p>The cots were hard as rocks but every one fell asleep without complaints
+that night, and in the morning the mad babel of sounds roused the
+campers without alarm clocks. As Tuesday was a great day at the fair, no
+time was lost by stealing an extra wink. Breakfast out of the way, the
+entire party started for the Fair Grounds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I wonder where the boys are?" whispered Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll never find them in this mob," returned Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"They said we were to meet at the Bridal Contest&mdash;but where is that?"
+wondered Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's ask Tom Latimer; we'll tell him Jim is going to be there at ten
+o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>Tom heard the girls and laughed: "But why at the Bridal Contest tent?
+Why not at the coal-heaving contest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps the boys thought there wouldn't be such a crowd at the Bridal,"
+ventured Polly, guilelessly.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Eleanor laughed, and the former said: "Well, I'll see that you
+two get there in ample time for the Bridal."</p>
+
+<p>Long before ten o'clock, John and Anne had disappeared, and that left
+Tom to the sweet mercy of Barbara. He clung desperately to Polly and
+Eleanor until it was time to take them to the Bridal Contest, and then
+he begged Mrs. Brewster to take care of Barbara while he was absent with
+the girls.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster understood that Tom did not care for the young lady's
+company, and she said in a low tone: "I would feel easier if I thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>
+those four young people had a sensible head to look after them in this
+great multitude, Tom."</p>
+
+<p>Tom looked at her, but she seemed innocent of any hidden meaning; so he
+replied fervently: "If you will tell Polly this, I will be only too
+happy to be the 'head' they need."</p>
+
+<p>So Tom really acted as "Official Guide" that day and, incidentally, paid
+all the bills for the young celebrators. This suited Jim and Kenneth,
+all right, as they were puzzling how to make a big splash in the puddle
+before these two girls, and yet escape bankruptcy.</p>
+
+<p>The Bridal Contest was a strange sight. Any couple who wanted to marry
+in haste, could secure a special license at this booth and be married
+forthwith. And to every pair so married, the managers of the fair
+presented a twenty-dollar gold piece, that more than defrayed the costs
+of the ceremony. To say the Bridal Booth was a failure, would be rank
+envy and jealousy on the part of any single cow-boy or woman that
+attended the fair&mdash;and failed in securing a mate.</p>
+
+<p>The girls watched while three pairs were married, and in each case, the
+bride was a stranger in Oak Creek, while the groom was a newly-fledged
+rancher who needed a housekeeper worse than he needed his freedom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As the other contests were scheduled for eleven, the four young people,
+following after their Official Guide, went the rounds. Not one sight
+missed them that day, and they turned weary bodies towards the camp that
+night, thinking of but one thing&mdash;the cot-beds that awaited them.</p>
+
+<p>Wednesday was the day when the races took place. Not only the broncho
+busting, but horse-racing and other events of the kind. A novelty was
+offered this year, by having several Nebraska cow-boys race on steers.
+The people for twenty miles around Oak Creek, had seen bull fights, wild
+steer breaking, and all sorts of horse-racing, but never had they
+witnessed a steer race.</p>
+
+<p>It proved very exciting, as the men who rode the animals were gayly
+trapped out and made a great noise when the race started. Their shouting
+and wildly waving hats, added no little to the frenzy of the steers. One
+animal tripped and threw his rider, and another balked outright and
+began to stampede. Finding he could not dislodge the encumbrance that
+clung to his back, he suddenly threw himself and rolled.</p>
+
+<p>Every one screamed, but the rider was alert and the moment the steer
+touched the earth, he was up on his feet, bowing and smiling. A wild
+cheering greeted him, but he had no claim to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> prize, as that went to
+the rider who won the race.</p>
+
+<p>Polly and Eleanor became well-acquainted with Jim and Kenneth during
+those two days at the fair, and when it was time to say good-by, the
+boys felt as if they were losing two old chums.</p>
+
+<p>"We have to ride across the desert to-morrow, you know," explained Jim,
+regretfully.</p>
+
+<p>"That's so! where will you work next?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"From Rabbitt's Ear Inn to the Highway," said Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"And when will you be back again? When can you come to Pebbly Pit again
+to visit us?" asked Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"We may not be there again this summer, as our work now leads away from
+this section. In fact, the Boss says, if the cold does not come too
+early to interfere, he wants to finish his survey all along the other
+side of the desert, this year," explained Kenneth.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh pshaw! then we won't have any more good times," said Eleanor,
+poutingly.</p>
+
+<p>"But we will when we all meet in New York," reminded Jim.</p>
+
+<p>Tom looked from one to the other, for here was news!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never mind that, Tom&mdash;it's a secret with us!" laughed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure it must be, for John never said a word about it to me. And if
+you girls were going with Anne Stewart, he would have told me," replied
+Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"You know the old adage, 'Plans of mice and men go astray,' but it did
+not say 'Plans of girls and mice.' So my plan will come out fine,
+you-all wait and see!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I reckon we <i>will</i> wait!" laughed Polly, incredulously.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>NOLLA'S PLANS DEVELOP</h3>
+
+
+<p>The days passed joyously at Pebbly Pit, until John and Tom declared they
+must return to their work beyond Denver. They had been postponing their
+departure, because John had confided to his chum, that Anne was waiting
+to hear definitely about the school in New York City, and upon her going
+there depended many other important things.</p>
+
+<p>Tom smiled knowingly to himself, as he was sure one of the "many things"
+to John was his proposal to Anne. Every one felt more or less interested
+in the expectant letter, and when it finally arrived, Anne had a circle
+of anxious friends waiting to hear the verdict.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've been accepted and I am to report at the address in New York
+on September twenty-fifth," said Anne, hastily scanning the short note.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! That means we go with you!" shouted Eleanor, catching hold of
+Anne and dancing her about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Polly looked very glum. "Anne, how does your going effect my school
+plans?"</p>
+
+<p>"You can talk about school some other time, Poll, but Tom and I have to
+start back to camp to-morrow, and <i>I</i> want to know from Anne just how
+her going effects <i>me</i>?" demanded John, looking her in the eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Anne smiled bravely back at him and said: "Just what I told you. I must
+help Paul complete his college course, then I will be free to sign other
+agreements."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanwhile, I am to go on plodding through classes and camp without
+knowing whether or not I am ever going to be rewarded!" grumbled John,
+so discouraged that every one felt sorry for him.</p>
+
+<p>"One doesn't plod through studies or work, for mere reward. Polly says
+she wants to study for the love of it, and Eleanor wants to go into
+business for the love of <i>that</i>! It is the only way one can succeed,"
+ventured Mrs. Brewster, more to fill up an embarrassing gap in the
+conversation than for anything else.</p>
+
+<p>John turned sullenly and stamped away. He continued down the trail to
+the Cliffs and was soon lost to sight. The girls then coaxed Anne to
+come away with them as they had a plan to ask her about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster waited until every one was gone his or her way, then she
+ran after her son. No one knows what was said or done, then or during
+the day but that night, as they all sat at supper, John stood up and
+smiled.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb was just passing with a basket of newly laid eggs, and Sary was
+leaning over Mr. Brewster's back with a deep dish of milk-toast that she
+expected to place before him. John coughed significantly, and Sary
+stopped to listen.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to announce good news to you-all, to-night. I finally
+persuaded Anne to promise to be my wife, someday. So she goes to New
+York City as my fianc&eacute;e, and I will study hard and do everything
+possible to be worthy of her, for she is a brave girl!"</p>
+
+<p>Sam Brewster half arose to congratulate the two young people, but Sary's
+dish was in the way. He bumped his head and the dish slid from her
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>Sary threw up both hands in dismay&mdash;there was the milk-toast spattered
+all over the ground! But a laugh from her mistress caused her to look in
+the direction the family-group were gazing. She saw Jeb standing as if
+rooted to the grass, his lower jaw sagging as he frowned at a basket of
+broken eggs upon the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Sary threw her inspiration into the double breach caused by maid and
+man. "Thar goes th' supper an' them eggs, but tush! Trifles don't count
+none when a man hez sech fine news ez John an' Jeb hes. Come right over
+here, Jeb, an' spring <i>yur</i> secret now that John hes split his'n to the
+fam'ly!"</p>
+
+<p>Jeb scuffled his feet and sheepishly hung his head. One foot
+unconsciously stirred the yolks of the broken eggs. But Sary was not a
+woman to stand for such shyness when it cast reflections on her ardent
+manner in which she described how Jeb rose to the bait temptingly hung
+before his very nose.</p>
+
+<p>She forgot milk-toast and all else in this final bout with her unwilling
+lover. She hurried over and nudged him sharply in the ribs, then
+whispered in a stage tone:</p>
+
+<p>"G'wan now, Jeb! Spruce up an' tell 'em like-ez-how this air goin' to be
+a double trick! John an' Miss Anne, me an' you&mdash;see!"</p>
+
+<p>Polly and Eleanor laughed appreciatively, and Mrs. Brewster smiled for
+she had had suspicions. But Sam Brewster was so amazed, that he leaned
+back in his chair and puffed for breath. To think that Jeb could ever
+have summoned enough courage to propose to a woman&mdash;but let that woman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>
+be an Amazon like Sary, was past his comprehension!</p>
+
+<p>He could not get over it, and later, his wife confided: "I actually
+believe that Sary made this match for herself. Jeb could never have
+stood the strain of making love, had not Sary met him <i>more</i> than
+half-way."</p>
+
+<p>That evening when John and Anne were talking confidentially about the
+future, John said: "Mother, I haven't a ring for Anne and I want her to
+have it before she goes to New York, so I propose going to Denver and
+buy it for her before I go back to work."</p>
+
+<p>"And I thought, Mrs. Brewster, that it would be a good plan to see an
+agent about renting our house for a year or two. If mother and I live in
+New York, there is no sense in closing the place when we can rent it for
+enough to pay taxes and upkeep."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are perfectly right there, Anne, and the sooner you place
+it in good hands, the better. When did you think of running up to town?"
+said Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, mother, Tom and I should have joined our men long ago,
+but one thing or another kept us on here. Now that all is settled for
+two years at least, I want to get away and plunge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> into work so I will
+be ready for Anne when she comes back," said John.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster smiled. "Will you go to Denver to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"To-night! Why, it is eight o'clock! But I could take the noon train
+when it goes back from Oak Creek, and Anne might go with me."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I thought you could do, but your evident impatience made me
+wonder if you had an air-route you could travel by."</p>
+
+<p>John laughed, and Anne placed her arm about her future mother-in-law.
+Then the talk veered to Polly and her future education. John and his
+fianc&eacute;e had a hard task in convincing Mrs. Brewster that it was best for
+Polly to accompany the Stewarts to New York, to school; but finally,
+when all three returned to the house, a resigned look was upon Mrs.
+Brewster's face. But not a word was said at that time.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, every member of the family accompanied John and Anne
+to Oak Creek, and gave them a merry send-off to Denver.</p>
+
+<p>"It's only for a few days, you big sillies!" laughed Anne, as she leaned
+from the little car-window to answer many questions from her friends on
+the platform.</p>
+
+<p>"True, but think of all that can happen in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> few days! Jeb may jilt
+Sary and elope with Barbara&mdash;I've seen her casting jealous eyes at Sary,
+lately! Then Tom Latimer may suddenly find he is in love with&mdash;&mdash;" but
+Barbara choked further words from Eleanor at this point, by shaking her
+viciously from the rear.</p>
+
+<p>The others had to laugh at Eleanor's teasing, but her sister was
+furious. "I simply will not stand this treatment, so now! You can act
+like fools and farmers, but I am a <i>lady</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Barbara wheeled and marched defiantly over to the box-car
+station. She entered and remained there until the train had disappeared
+around the bend. Then she came forth with a victorious look upon her
+face. No one asked her what caused the change of expression, and soon
+the incident was forgotten for the day.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Latimer was unusually quiet on the homeward drive, and when he had
+assisted Eleanor to alight from the great wagon, he whispered for her
+ears alone: "Who were you going to have me propose to, Nolla?"</p>
+
+<p>She sent him a mischievous look and whispered back "Polly."</p>
+
+<p>He laughed softly and pinched her arm, but she noted that the rich red
+color flushed his face suddenly, and she wondered, precociously,
+whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> she had accidentally touched upon a secret spot hidden in his
+heart? The very fact of such a discovery made her defy, silently, the
+possibility of any one ever daring to confess love to <i>her</i> Polly. "No
+indeed! Polly and she were cut out for business only."</p>
+
+<p>But the disquieting thought that a fine chap like Tom Latimer might be
+in love with simple wonderful little Polly, made Eleanor zealous in her
+plans for carrying her friend off to a New York school. No one knew that
+she had already started the machinery going for her own benefit, but
+they were soon to find out that this fun-loving girl was as persistent
+and persevering as one could find anywhere, when she had a pet problem
+to work out.</p>
+
+<p>The evening after John and Anne had gone to Mrs. Stewarts, in Denver,
+Barbara asked a favor of her host. The very manner in which she asked
+it, surprised every one at table. "Mr. Brewster, I have an important
+errand to do at Oak Creek, to-morrow, and I want you to allow Jeb to
+drive me in."</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow! Why, we just got back from there."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know, but it could not have been done to-day, so I have to go in
+to-morrow."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Jeb has to superintend the mowing of our first crops to-morrow, if it
+is clear. Maybe Tom will drive you in if it is so urgent."</p>
+
+<p>Barbara turned imploring eyes on Tom Latimer. Then Eleanor spoke up: "I,
+too, must go in as I expect a telegram from Chicago."</p>
+
+<p>Her sister scowled at her, but she seemed surprised as well. She
+stammered: "What have <i>you</i> to wire for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Is that what you did? Let's see&mdash;you managed it this noon, while we
+were watching the train depart, didn't you? You were in that station
+just long enough!" exulted Eleanor, grinning at Barbara daringly.</p>
+
+<p>But her sister would not be drawn into an argument this time, and
+Eleanor decided that it must be something important, indeed, when Bob
+would not snap back at her. There <i>had</i> been times at home when Barbara
+had secrets that she feared others to share, then she would keep her
+peace with Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Unless it is a personal matter that needs your presence in Oak Creek,
+Alec Hewitt will look after it. He goes to and from the post office
+every day, and often brings our mail or messages for us," said Mrs.
+Brewster, hoping to spare the horses another hard day's work.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have to be there myself, as I may have to decide on a very important
+personal matter," returned Barbara, slightly embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>So it was settled that Tom Latimer would ride with the three girls to
+Oak Creek on the following morning. This would spare the wagon team the
+trip and at the same time take the place of any other pleasure ride that
+might have been planned.</p>
+
+<p>Polly was at a loss to understand why such secrecy should exist between
+these two sisters&mdash;Bob refusing to confide in Eleanor, and Nolla
+smilingly keeping her own counsel, about the important errands.</p>
+
+<p>As Eleanor had suspected, Barbara went directly to the box-car where the
+telegrams were received. But to the latter's disappointment, there was
+one only&mdash;and that one was for Eleanor Maynard!</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure you did not get the name wrong&mdash;I am to hear surely,
+to-day, about something very urgent!" complained Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>"This is mine, all right, Bob, for I expected it. If you like, you can
+read it now that I know what it says," and Eleanor tendered the yellow
+sheet to her sister.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara snatched it and read in angry surprise:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Your wire received. Expect me Saturday. Will visit there for a
+week.</p></div>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Love to you both,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 10em;"><span class="smcap">Father</span>"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"How dare you ask father to come here? How do you know the Brewsters
+want him? And besides, there is no place for him to use as a
+sleeping-room!" she managed to say in her fury.</p>
+
+<p>Polly and Tom had been sitting outside on a truck but they could not
+help hearing Barbara's words. Polly smiled up at her companion. Then
+Eleanor was heard saying:</p>
+
+<p>"No need to rear up like a mad rattler, Bob. I have a nice little plan
+under way, but it now needs Daddy's persuasive powers to perfect it. I
+wired him twice this past week, but no one knew of it. If you wired for
+money or something else, he likely will bring it with him on Saturday."</p>
+
+<p>The very coolness of Eleanor's reply caused Barbara to lose her
+self-control and she retorted: "Pooh! I wouldn't think of asking father
+for anything. You can't patronize me this time, Eleanor Maynard. <i>I</i> am
+waiting for word from mother! There!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"From mother! why she is in Newport for the Season."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean she <i>was</i> there. <i>Now</i> she is one of a very select party of
+the best New York society that is camping at Mrs. Van Alstynes'
+wonderful bungalow in the Muskoka Woods. And I trust <i>I</i>, too, will soon
+be a member of that circle!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, ho! So that is your little game, eh! Well, Bob, I heartily wish you
+luck. You haven't any idea how quiet and enjoyable Pebbly Pit will be
+with you away from it!" retorted Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>With this parting shaft, the younger sister walked out, and found Tom
+with Polly over by the watering trough where the seven wardrobe trunks
+had offered such a fine table surface for the gamblers on the day the
+Chicago girls came to Oak Creek. As she felt sure these two friends had
+not over-heard the conversation between Barbara and herself, there was
+no need in explaining, as yet.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara failed to appear, however, and finally Eleanor went to the door
+to call her. Her impatient words were arrested by hearing the operator
+at the telegraph instrument, read a message aloud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Wire with news received. Have arranged for you. Plenty of
+marriageable men in party. Do not oppose anything father wants.
+Win his consent and money for visit. Nolla will be all right
+there with Anne. Father now back at bank. Write him
+immediately. Do not waive your rights on mine. We will fight if
+necessary. It means a fortune for you. Wire me minute you have
+news. Big affair on next week. <span class="smcap">Mother.</span>"</p></div>
+
+<p>Eleanor managed to slip away without Barbara's seeing her. And so elated
+was the elder sister over her mother's message, that she failed to find
+any omission in the telegram. But Eleanor realized that her mother did
+not mention her love for her daughter&mdash;it was all about society, money,
+and graft!</p>
+
+<p>But her mother's message could not throw cold water over Eleanor;
+because of the fact that her father would be with her the end of that
+very week! This was good news enough for any one, so she ran over to
+Polly, waving her message.</p>
+
+<p>"Just think! Daddy is coming to visit us at Pebbly Pit. Won't it be fun
+for him to sleep in the barn with John and Tom?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he never could, Nolla!" gasped Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? He is no better than the boys, here!"</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;well, I'm sure father won't like him to. We must plan somewhere
+else for him," replied Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you-all a secret, if you won't tell any one. I got Daddy to
+hurry here on purpose to <i>meet</i> John and Tom. I believe he will do
+something about the mine and the Cliffs if he hears the plans from the
+boys. You know, his bank makes big investments at times. But don't let
+Bob know this, for anything in the world!"</p>
+
+<p>Tom looked pleasantly surprised at the suggestion. He had forgotten all
+about Mr. Maynard's connection with a flourishing bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't it be nice to have your father meet my father," remarked Polly,
+thinking not so much of finances as of hospitality.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I hope he won't interfere with Bob's plans to join mother in
+the North Woods. If only we could get <i>rid</i> of her right off, what a
+fine time we could have with Dad here!" Eleanor sighed.</p>
+
+<p>Polly never could understand the lack of love and family pride between
+these two sisters, but then she had never seen how many families there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>
+are, where husband and wife have opposite tendencies and ideals; it
+inevitably followed that the children showed these antagonistic
+qualities in their behavior to each other.</p>
+
+<p>Having replied to their telegrams, both sisters were ready to ride back
+to the ranch. But Tom suggested that they visit the Movies where a great
+society drama was being shown. This pleased the girls, and soon they
+were following the hair-breadth escapes of an unscrupulous society
+impostor, and the wreck he had made of a young damsel's faith.</p>
+
+<p>As they filed from the low-ceiled, ill-smelling theater, Eleanor laughed
+and said: "That's the kind of life Bob wants! If she ever had a fortune
+of her own, she would have to fend off just such rascals. Watch me
+wasting my life trying to catch a husband&mdash;Pouf!"</p>
+
+<p>Tom laughed merrily for he liked the bluntness of this girl, but he was
+surprised at the flush Barbara manifested as she wondered if this astute
+sister of hers could have heard that message read: "Mother mentioned 'a
+fortune' and 'marriageable men.'" But Eleanor's expression was as
+innocent as a babe's just then.</p>
+
+<p>That evening after supper, Eleanor drew Polly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> out to the terrace, which
+was isolated at that time, and shared her plans with her.</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid to let you, or any one, know what I was doing, so I just
+went ahead and did it!"</p>
+
+<p>Polly manifested no surprise at these words, as she expected to hear
+much more, so she patiently waited. Eleanor seemed at a loss, for once
+in her lifetime, to know how to tell her story without having it
+condemned by this upright conscientious friend.</p>
+
+<p>"I wrote mother just after we discovered the mine, and told her how
+unhappy Barbara was in this forgotten corner of the earth. You see, I
+wanted mother to send for her at once, and I was anxious to help Bob
+relieve us of her company. But I never dreamed that Bob was as anxious
+to get away, as we were to have her go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Nolla! we are not anxious to have her go&mdash;don't say that!"
+remonstrated Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you know what I mean&mdash;everything will be so nice with no one to
+be forever finding fault and nagging at one!"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe she wouldn't nag so much if you did not tease her so! Nolla, you
+<i>know</i> you are so clever that you have no patience with Bob's slowness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>
+in getting things," replied Polly, unconscious of the fact that she had
+found the very root of the trouble between the sisters.</p>
+
+<p>"Anyway, Bob is on the high road to a society camp in the East, and we
+will be able to go our own sweet way without her. But I brought you out
+here to confess what I did! I wired father all about the mine, and the
+Cliffs, and the Latimers and all&mdash;and also told him that the doctor
+thinks a winter in New York will harden me splendidly. I wired the
+doctor to tell him that this was true, and he <i>must</i> tell father so.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I heard from Daddy; he balked at first&mdash;said it was rank
+foolishness for any doctor to recommend the beastly climate of New York
+City in preference to the West with its dryness. I had to calm him on
+that point, and then I told him that Anne and her mother were going to
+New York and I wanted to go with them. He knows how I hate the teas, and
+bridge, and parties mother is always giving Bob, so I told him how
+wretched I always was in winter, without friends or any one to talk
+to&mdash;as mother and Bob were always too busy with social duties.</p>
+
+<p>"Father hates these duties as much as I do, and he says mother has no
+right to give all her time to Bob and never see me from one week's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> end
+to another. So he was vulnerable in that spot. When I told him how he
+could visit me in New York once a month, and spend several days going
+around with me, he just caved in. And, Polly, I am sure he will agree to
+my going with Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day, after I got his wire, I waited till Bob was out of the way,
+then I sent a message to Anne, to tell her to be on the lookout for Dad
+who was coming here on Saturday. I said it would be so nice for him to
+ride down from Denver with John and her. And maybe John could explain
+the financing of the two companies to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I sent the second wire to Dad telling him to be sure and meet Anne at
+the Denver Terminal at noon, on Saturday, as she would be expecting him.
+So now I have all my irons in the fire and they're getting red-hot,
+too!"</p>
+
+<p>As Eleanor concluded, Polly laughed at her funny expression but
+remarked, "It would be terrible if your irons got so hot that they
+melted before you could use any one of them, wouldn't it?"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>RIGGLEY &amp; RATZGER OF NEW YORK</h3>
+
+
+<p>Every day that week was crowded with events for the people at Pebbly
+Pit, and never had so many telegrams passed through the hands of the
+amazed agent at Oak Creek. First there were those sent by Barbara and
+Eleanor, and the replies to them. Next day the two girls telegraphed
+anew from Oak Creek, and these had replies which were forwarded by Alec
+Hewitt who passed Brewster's ranch. Following these, came a telegram
+from Anne, saying she had heard from Mr. Maynard and would meet him as
+planned. Then there came one from Mr. Latimer's office in New York to
+Tom, saying that Dr. Evans and Mr. Latimer had started for the West on
+Thursday, on the Limited. Probably they would reach Pebbly Pit on Sunday
+or Monday. Closely following that message, came one to Mr. Brewster from
+New York, signed Riggley &amp; Ratzger, Lawyers, to the effect that "they
+had been appointed the representatives<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> for the company that was formed
+to make jewels from lava-stone, and they would take great pleasure in
+visiting Pebbly Pit on Saturday or Sunday, in order to inspect the
+Rainbow Cliffs. They might be induced to make an offer for the ranch."</p>
+
+<p>The latter suggestion caused Sam Brewster to laugh as he had not done
+since he heard his Polly was determined to go to school. "What do you
+think of such sublime fools, Maw?" chuckled he, handing the telegram
+across the table as they sat on the porch.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I don't understand. If Evans and Latimer are on their way here,
+why do they need representatives? Isn't Tom's father a real good lawyer
+in New York?" said she.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, but the names alone give me an idea that they are crooks&mdash;listen:
+Riggley and Ratzger. Doesn't it make you think of all queer kinds of
+fish that one finds in big cities?" laughed her husband.</p>
+
+<p>Tom came from the barns about this time, and Mrs. Brewster turned to
+tell him the latest news about the seekers of lava-stones. In
+corroboration of his wife's words, Sam Brewster held out the telegram.</p>
+
+<p>Tom took it in trembling hands, for he had heard of the men whose names
+were signed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> the message. Then he glanced at the signatures and that
+broke his amazed spell of silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Why! Mr. Brewster, how dare they plan to visit here?" he shouted, his
+face as red as a poppy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do you know them?" wondered Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Know them? Why, man alive, <i>they</i> are the same two rascals who served
+the injunction on father and Dr. Evans, and then they tried to steal the
+patent. They fought in Court, but lost their case. When they appealed,
+the Court sustained the first verdict, so they had no choice but to give
+up. I wonder what game they are coming here for?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster considered. "Tom, I wouldn't be surprised if they came
+here, not knowing your folks are, also, coming. Maybe they hope to get
+first shot at this proposition of Rainbow Cliffs and in this way, make
+your father pay a fabulous price for the stone."</p>
+
+<p>"Some crooked deal like that, you may be assured. But I can't understand
+how they ever heard of Rainbow Cliffs and this ranch? There has been a
+leak, somewhere, in Dad's organization," said Tom, emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's decide now, before they come, what is best for us to do. If
+they get here before your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> father and Evans, we must not give them any
+idea that we expect other guests, nor must we say that we suspect them
+of foul play. We must give them rope enough with which to hang
+themselves."</p>
+
+<p>Here Mrs. Brewster interpolated: "We may serve all of our friends a good
+turn by receiving these strangers with the same western welcome that we
+extend to every one. But let us not give any one else here a hint of
+what we now know."</p>
+
+<p>Tom agreed that this was a wise plan, so no one suspected there was an
+under-current of excitement running in the elder Brewsters' and Tom's
+thoughts, during the time that must elapse before the New York
+"representatives" could arrive at Pebbly Pit.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Maynard met Anne and John in Denver, and the three took
+the noon local for Oak Creek. Polly and Eleanor were busy helping
+Barbara pack her five trunks to have them ready for the ranch-wagon to
+take to the station on Saturday, when Tom offered to drive in and meet
+the train from Denver. This done, and Tom on his way, the two girls
+wondered what next they could do until the return of the party from Oak
+Creek.</p>
+
+<p>"I say! Let's run to the Cliffs and watch for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> the first glimpse of
+Daddy," suggested Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'll take some doughnuts to eat in case we get hungry," added
+Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Fortified with a bag of these delectable balls, the two girls hastened
+away. Barbara was all sweetness and generosity, now that she was sure of
+going to join her mother in a fashionable camp. And many fine bits of
+underwear, or dresses fell Sary's way, when Barbara went through her
+wardrobe, and discarded the things she felt would be too
+ordinary-looking in such an exclusive "set" as she was about to join.</p>
+
+<p>Sary refused nothing, carrying everything thrown to her, in her arms as
+carefully as if she were holding a new-born babe. On the first trip she
+made through the kitchen in order to reach her private domain, she
+stopped before Mrs. Brewster and held out the lace-trimmed underwear.</p>
+
+<p>"Mis Brewster, Ah never did think Ah would have sech fine troosos fer my
+marritch. When Ah married Bill Ah diden have nawthin' but a new cambric
+dress and a sun-bunnet. But this marritch will be the reel thing, what
+with all the stuff I'm k'lectin, already."</p>
+
+<p>"You are fortunate, Sary, to be on hand just as Miss Bob's trunks are
+cleared out," remarked her mistress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yeh, and d'ye know what?" Sary leaned over to whisper confidentially.
+"Yeh see Ah'm not lettin' anythin' she gives me lay around one minute,
+'cause she may change her mind. And ef she once saw <i>what</i> a heap she is
+throwin' away, she might think Ah was gettin' too much!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster laughed at Sary's wily ways, and replied: "Well, I'll
+spare you from all the work as long as you are gathering plums from
+Bob's orchard. I hope you can fill a whole trunk, Sary."</p>
+
+<p>But an unforeseen outgrowth of all these donations was sure to happen.
+Once Sary had watched the trunks hoisted up in the ranch wagon, and
+realized that there would be no more "pickin's" for her, she ran to her
+room and began sorting and gloating over the mass of cast-off clothing.
+And so mesmerized was she with pictures of herself adorned in the
+dresses that were made for the form half her girth that Mrs. Brewster
+found it impossible to coax her back to the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>Having the Saturday's baking to do, as well as to prepare the dinner for
+extra ones that night, she went to the door to ask Polly and Eleanor to
+come in and help her. But the two girls were not in sight.</p>
+
+<p>There was but one hope left! She must do as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> clever generals did in
+battle, when the fight seems to go against them&mdash;strategy.</p>
+
+<p>She hurried to Sary's door which was closed and locked.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh Sary! I remembered something that I wished to ask you about several
+times this past week. Did Jeb give you the engagement ring yet?"</p>
+
+<p>Not a sound came from within for a few moments, then the key turned and
+Sary's amazed face appeared in the doorway. The floor and bed were
+covered with finery, each piece spread out full length.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah clean fergot all about it. Is Miss Anne got her'n?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! John went to Denver with her to choose the stone."</p>
+
+<p>"Kin Jeb git a ring in Oak Crick, d'ye s'pose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy no! Oak Creek hasn't any jewelry shop, you know."</p>
+
+<p>Sary was lost in thought for a time, and this was Mrs. Brewster's
+opportunity. "I've been wondering how it would do to hint to Jeb that it
+would make a lovely trip if he were to accompany you to Denver for a
+day, and let you select your own ring."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The one word breathed in a scarcely audible sound plainly expressed
+Sary's ecstasy. Her great hands were loosely clasped before her as her
+eyes turned ceiling-ward.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course with the house full of company for a few days it will be
+impossible to think of such a thing, but Bob is going away the first of
+the week, and then John and Tom leave; next Miss Anne goes back to
+Denver to see about sending her stuff to New York, or selling what she
+really won't need, and then you will have time to take such a trip. I
+will see that Jeb realizes that it is his privilege to do this for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mis Brewster, what kin Ah ever do fer you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you can begin to repay me for my kindness by coming out to help
+me with Saturday's work. And while we are doing that I will plan with
+you what had best be said and done."</p>
+
+<p>Sary felt that there was a cunning here that she was not able to cope
+with, but she could not resist the temptation to talk and plan about an
+engagement ring for herself, so she bravely turned her back on the array
+of finery, and stoically followed her mistress.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime Polly and Eleanor climbed the cliffs and sat where they could
+see the Bear Fork's trail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> in the distance. Polly was sure they would
+see the great ranch-wagon the moment it came around the bend.</p>
+
+<p>They had not been seated there more than twenty minutes before Eleanor
+craned her neck and gazed earnestly at two dots that seemed to be
+crawling along the trail. Polly turned and gazed also.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's two horsemen! I wonder if Jim and Ken can be thinking of
+visiting us over Sunday,&mdash;because Mr. Latimer is coming, you know,"
+exclaimed Eleanor, joyfully surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"They wouldn't be arriving Saturday afternoon, as they wouldn't be able
+to leave camp until Sunday," added Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Both girls shaded their eyes with their hands but neither could make out
+the forms of the riders. They were mere specks on the white trail. But
+the girls held their breath when the horsemen turned from Bear Forks
+trail and rode in under the precipice that overhung the entrance to
+Pebbly Pit.</p>
+
+<p>"Whoever it is, they are coming here," said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if it could be Mr. Latimer and Dr. Evans&mdash;they may have
+arrived in Oak Creek sooner than they expected," ventured Eleanor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We can watch better from this point than anywhere else, and when they
+pass the Rainbow Cliffs, we can see who they are," now said Polly.</p>
+
+<p>So they watched impatiently until the riders came from under the hanging
+walls of rock, and rode again along the top of the shale that covered a
+wide area between the ravines and the Cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>This great stretch of shale was very treacherous going, as on the both
+sides were deep gulches, or erosions, made by floods from thaws and
+storms. An abandoned trail ran quite close to one of these ravines but
+the land-slides of shale had compelled the people at Pebbly Pit to break
+out a new and safer trail through the middle of the field. To strange
+eyes, the old trail on the edge of the gulch, was the harder and easier
+going, but every one coming to the ranch knew the center-trail to be the
+one always used. Strangers seldom visited Pebbly Pit, and never without
+a member of the ranch family, or a neighbor to escort them.</p>
+
+<p>When the two horsemen reached the branching of the trails, they halted,
+and the girls saw them ponder. One man motioned with a hand at the rough
+trail running over the top of the shale in the middle of the area, but
+the other seemed to argue that the edge-trail was the best one to take.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear! I hope they won't take that slippery one!" cried Polly, in
+tense nervousness.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could yell and warn them!" exclaimed Eleanor, half-rising
+from her seat.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll never hear us at this distance, but we might run along the
+top-trail and beckon them to climb up there."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Polly, by the time we reach the shale they will be almost at the
+Rainbow Cliffs," objected Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know, but it seems awful to sit here and watch them ride over
+that dangerous road."</p>
+
+<p>"To relieve our minds, we can go down as far as possible and meet them
+when they ride out at Rainbow Cliffs," suggested Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>So the two girls scrambled down from their high point of observation,
+and started along the rock-ribbed road that led past the Cliffs. They
+had not gone far along this trail, however, before Polly saw Jeb riding
+down from the corrals.</p>
+
+<p>"If I could only get Jeb's attention, he could ride fast and warn those
+men of their danger," Polly said, thinking aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's both scream at the top of our lungs and see if he can hear us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So the two girls stood out on the edge of a huge bowlder and, making
+megaphones of their hands, shouted again and again. The depression made
+by the crater that lay between the Cliffs and the corral, acted as a
+hollow tube, so Jeb finally wheeled around and tried to locate the call.
+When he saw the girls, he immediately started to meet them as no one on
+the ranch would shout that way for fun.</p>
+
+<p>It took ten minutes for Jeb to cover the circuitous path and join the
+girls, and when they had hastily explained the cause of their concern,
+he replied: "Gosh! Ah was told to hang a sign on that flat cliff to warn
+folks offen the bad trail!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you didn't, so now race down the good trail and try to make the
+men hear you," demanded Polly.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb spurred his horse at that, and was soon out of sight, but Polly and
+Eleanor continued in the same direction, to see if all turned out well
+for the riders.</p>
+
+<p>Having reached and passed the last spur of the Rainbow Cliffs, and then
+climbing the steep ascent to the top-trail, they finally came to a rise
+whence the whole shale-field could be seen. But not a sign of horsemen
+could be seen. Jeb, riding like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> mad, right across the loose shale in
+reckless risk of breaking his broncho's legs, was the only man visible.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor turned and looked in wonderment at Polly, but when she saw the
+look of horror on her friend's face, she caught at her arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly! What do you think has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Nolla! I fear they are down in that gulch! Most likely the shale
+started sliding under their horses' hoofs, and before they realized
+their danger, they were swept along over the top!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mercy! Polly&mdash;never that! Why they will be killed!"</p>
+
+<p>Polly never said a word but watched Jeb as he reined in his horse.
+Jumping from the saddle and hobbling the animal, he very carefully
+crawled over the apparently safe surface between himself and the ravine.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'm sure that's what happened, Nolla, or Jeb wouldn't try to get
+over there. He's going to see just how bad things are."</p>
+
+<p>"Poll, we'd better run as fast as we can, and get things ready at the
+ranch. Your father ought to know this, so he can hitch a cart to two
+strong horses and drive there to help carry the men to the house."</p>
+
+<p>"Nolla, I fear there will be nothing left to carry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> away. Once the shale
+starts to slide down that gulch, it goes like the wind and buries
+everything under its weight and bulk."</p>
+
+<p>"All the same, I will feel that I am doing something to help&mdash;let's go!"</p>
+
+<p>So Polly and her companion turned and ran back along the Rainbow Cliffs
+trail, until they reached the spot whence they had called to Jeb. They
+stopped for a moment to catch their breath, and while straining their
+eyes towards the house, saw Mr. Brewster just leaving it.</p>
+
+<p>His horse was waiting at the block, so both girls instantly began
+shouting to attract his attention. He had keen hearing, and turned to
+see what might be wrong in the direction of the Cliffs. When he saw the
+two girls wildly beckoning him to come, he sprang into the saddle and
+galloped the horse over the intervening space to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>Their story was told in a few words, and Sam Brewster immediately
+surmised who the riders were. He told the girls to go on to the house
+and tell Mrs. Brewster to be ready with emergencies, in case either of
+the travelers were found. Then he turned his horse and galloped to the
+barns where he called several of the men to help in the rescue work.</p>
+
+<p>Polly and Eleanor would have preferred to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> back to the shale-fields
+and watch the men, but they had to go where they could be of most
+service in the case.</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall we put them, mother, if father brings both back to the
+house?" asked Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"There is only one thing we can do, and that is to prepare the cots in
+the harness-room for them. It is in times of need, like this, that I
+wish we had a large house."</p>
+
+<p>Down on the shale-fields, Jeb had crept to the edge of the gully and
+peered over. Far, far below, where the stream roared over the rocks and
+down waterfalls like a miniature Niagara, he saw one horse doubled up in
+an unnatural heap. He surmised at once, that it was dead. But half-way
+up he spied hoofs protruding from the shale, and to this spot he tried
+to make his way.</p>
+
+<p>As he thought, the rider was still entangled with the stirrups of the
+horse and could not jump free when the accident had occurred.</p>
+
+<p>By dint of working down, clinging like lichen to the shale surface, Jeb
+reached the animal whose hoofs stuck pathetically upward. He carefully
+scraped away the shale and exposed the head of a man. He could not say
+whether the victim was alive or dead, and he dared not dig away more
+shale, just then, or the whole side would begin to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> move again. Having
+cleared the head so the man could breathe, if possible, he looked
+anxiously around for the second rider. Not a sign of him was seen from
+the place where Jeb clung.</p>
+
+<p>Believing that one live man was worth two dead ones, Jeb returned to the
+task of unearthing the one he had found. Every slab of shale was slowly
+removed, meanwhile Jeb watched the loose sides above him for the least
+intimation that it might slide again. But so careful was he, that the
+body was uncovered without the surrounding shale being disturbed. Jeb
+felt of the man's heart and found a very slight pulsation there. He was
+alive!</p>
+
+<p>But how to get his feet free from the leather on the horse, and how to
+carry the big heavy fellow up that treacherous side? Jeb never lost his
+presence of mind, nor did he ever feel unduly excited over what he
+thought could not be helped; had he known what a fatalist was, he would
+have told you that that is what <i>he</i> was.</p>
+
+<p>He sat perfectly still, because the unwary movement of a single muscle
+might move that mountain-side down upon him, but he could <i>think</i> and
+what could hinder him from doing it? As if the very discovery that he
+was superior in that way, to the senseless shale all about him, made him
+master of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> the situation, so he smiled and patiently waited.</p>
+
+<p>"'Cuz Ah knows Polly and Miss Nolla'll get word to Mis'r Brews'er an'
+he'll know what to do fer us." So he sat and waited.</p>
+
+<p>It's all well enough to say, "Oh, he wouldn't do anything else. Any one
+could have waited!" But how many would have waited in that same
+situation, without a qualm of fear, or without doubting the simple
+assurance that the master of the ranch would know best what to do to
+help?</p>
+
+<p>As if to reward this faith, Jeb soon heard voices shouting back and
+forth above his head, and after a time, he saw the noose of a stout rope
+falling down in his direction.</p>
+
+<p>He grinned. "Ah never thought of <i>that</i>!" murmured he.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb," came the deep tones of Mr. Brewster from above, "try to fix this
+safely around you, and then see if there is anything down there that you
+can do. Shout up if you want help, and we will try to let another man
+down to work with you."</p>
+
+<p>Jeb soon had the rope about his body, and feeling free to dig, went to
+work to pull the unconscious man out of the saddle. The side that the
+dead horse had fallen upon pinned the man's one leg down so securely
+that Jeb could not manage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> to extricate it without help. So he held on
+to the body he had thus far brought out from the shale, and then called
+up to his master.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah cain't git his left laig out from the sturrup! This dead hoss is too
+heavy fer me to shove over. Ef some one'll come down an' use a crow-bar
+Ah reckon we-all kin manage it all right."</p>
+
+<p>With all the tension and doubt of being of any use in this accident, Mr.
+Brewster could not help thinking of Jeb's way of asking assistance&mdash;as
+if he was in the kitchen of the house and told Sary to come downstairs
+to entertain him.</p>
+
+<p>Another man was lowered by means of a second rope, and as he came
+opposite the dead horse, he called a halt on the pulley above. With his
+crow-bar, he worked just as carefully as Jeb had done in loosening the
+shale about the body. But the moment Jeb found he could extract the
+crushed foot from the side that had been buried in the stone, the other
+man ceased prodding, as one little prod too many might turn the whole
+loose lava upon them again.</p>
+
+<p>"Lower another rope fer the stranger!" shouted the hired man. And soon
+the limp body was drawn slowly up to safety.</p>
+
+<p>"What about the other one, Jeb?" shouted Mr. Brewster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Reckon he went on down, 'cuz his hoss is down thar. Shall Ah go on down
+and see?"</p>
+
+<p>"No! we-all can get down from the Devil's Causeway, without taking any
+risks on this loose wall. Better see if you-all can find any papers or
+wallet in the panniers of that horse."</p>
+
+<p>Jeb then felt and brought forth a fine leather bag shaped like a
+knap-sack. But he was not aware that most lawyers and professional men
+in cities use similar bags. Then the word was given to hoist, and both
+men were soon up beside the unconscious stranger.</p>
+
+<p>While Mr. Brewster used first-aid on the stranger, several men of the
+party started for the cleft back of the Cliffs from which one could get
+down in to the gulch. In fact, it was the great flood of water that ran
+from the back of the Cliffs that caused this deep washout, or gully.</p>
+
+<p>Having taken hold of the unknown man and suddenly turned him so that he
+hung limply over the back and shoulders of his carrier, Mr. Brewster
+started his horse across the shale, and then turned in on the Cliff
+trail. The sooner the unconscious man was treated the better, thought
+the ranch-man.</p>
+
+<p>Jeb and his men were left to help the others who, after having carefully
+picked a way over the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> shale, would search in the gulch for any signs of
+the second man.</p>
+
+<p>By the time the would-be rescuers reached the place where the dead horse
+was seen doubled up, moans attracted their attention to a clump of
+buffalo grass that had forced its way up beside the stream.</p>
+
+<p>There, almost hidden by great bowlders that had caught the drift of
+shale as it swept down from the top of the ravine, they found the second
+rider. As the horse was more than forty feet above this spot, they
+figured that the man must have shot from the saddle when all were
+precipitated over the top, and landed as if by a miracle in this
+comparatively safe niche made by the rocks.</p>
+
+<p>The moment the man heard human voices he tried to attract their
+attention, but they had already heard and planned how best to reach him.
+He could not move, as those limbs which had not suffered fractures, were
+rendered helpless by the weight of shale pinning them down. His chest
+was free, however, and in spite of the gashes and bruises all over his
+face and neck, he could breathe easily.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah reckon we-all had better carry him up the gulch to the Devil's
+Causeway, and git out by that route," suggested one of the men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yeh! Let's call to Jeb to go back and meet we-all at the Cliffs so's we
+kin put him acrost one of the hosses."</p>
+
+<p>In half an hour, therefore, Mr. Ratzger, the senior member of the law
+firm of Riggley and Ratzger, of New York, was carried in front of the
+Rainbow Cliffs and placed in Jeb's arms, while another man led Jeb's
+horse carefully towards the ranch-house.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, so these are Rainbow Cliffs, are they! Shall I ever forget them?
+Had Riggley listened to my advice we both would now be sitting in our
+comfortable office-chairs in New York. But no! he must needs try to
+force gold from a stone-wall!" As Ratzger sighed, Jeb remarked
+philosophically: "Ef <i>you</i>-all'd rather be sittin' at home than a
+galavantin' round places where money kin be found, Ah b'lieves it's the
+onny reason you-all is spared whiles your friend is locooed."</p>
+
+<p>Ratzger had never heard the term "locooed" so he was not quite sure what
+Jeb meant. But he was thankful that he had life enough left even to
+suffer with the broken arms and legs; for a trifle like that was not to
+be scorned when he might have been done for completely even as he feared
+old Riggley was.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VICTORY</h3>
+
+
+<p>Serenely oblivious of all the excitement that had been caused at Pebbly
+Pit by the accident, Tom Latimer drove Mr. Maynard and the happy
+betrothed pair back to the ranch. John and Anne sat on the back seat
+while Mr. Maynard sat beside Tom. Finding that John and his fianc&eacute;e
+needed no assistance from him in entertaining themselves, Tom gave his
+full attention to the banker from Chicago.</p>
+
+<p>Hence, by the time they reached Rainbow Cliffs, Mr. Maynard was like the
+blood-hound when he scents a new trail&mdash;he was more than anxious to join
+these energetic men in financing the vast projects so well described by
+young Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>At the Cliffs Mr. Maynard placed a hand on the lines in order to stop
+the horses. He gazed and gazed, as if he saw the great walls covered
+with gold dollars instead of colored stones. Then he sighed and smiled
+at Tom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This promises to be the luckiest thing I ever did&mdash;sending Nolla to
+Pebbly Pit for her health!"</p>
+
+<p>"And wait until you see Nolla! My, but she is rosy and roly now. And
+besides, Mr. Maynard, she is a born financier. I <i>love</i> to listen to her
+plan and then see her work out her own schemes. She has one on the
+carpet at present, and I verily believe she will pull it off!" exclaimed
+Tom, very much interested in his subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that girl of mine is worth more to me than any gold-mine or other
+treasure in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, really! Well, this time 'listening fools heard some good of
+themselves'," laughed a merry voice from a crevice in the wall, and
+immediately afterwards, Eleanor sprang out, with Polly close upon her
+heels.</p>
+
+<p>The horses were stopped until Eleanor and her father had done with their
+hugging, and then she remembered to introduce him to Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"The very best chum in the world, Daddy, and so we have sworn never to
+be separated&mdash;not even for money, business, or love!" cried the happy
+girl, maternally patting Polly on the head as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor sat upon her father's knee and Polly sat upon the floor of the
+wagon, as they proceeded on their way, but when John called to his
+sister<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> and asked what had been doing in his absence, she jumped up
+suddenly and exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! we forgot all about the two men who came this morning and fell over
+the edge of the gulch!"</p>
+
+<p>Then followed an excited and graphic description of the two New York
+lawyers who came to Pebbly Pit to buy the Cliffs. When John heard the
+names, he whistled and looked at Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, even providence is on your side, Polly, for those two men are the
+rascals who tried to steal Evans' patent rights in the little machine
+that cuts the jewels. So this is the way they were received at Pebbly
+Pit, eh?" Tom mused silently after that, but John and Mr. Maynard asked
+all sorts of questions until they reached the house.</p>
+
+<p>In these isolated mountain ranches, almost every intelligent man can set
+broken bones, and take care of minor troubles; a doctor living in a town
+ten to twenty miles away, needs plenty of time to reach a ranch, in
+cases of illness, and during that time a patient must suffer agonies or
+be helped by home-aid. Thus, Mr. Ratzger had his bones set by Mr.
+Brewster and his assistants, and was left neatly bandaged upon a cot in
+the harness-room. But the other patient seemed past the simple aid from
+the ranchers, so Jeb had to ride to Oak Creek for a doctor to come and
+try to save this life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>With all the sudden advent of excitement and work, the thought of Anne's
+engagement ring had not entered into any one's mind, but once the
+household had quieted down again, and Mr. Brewster could sit on the
+porch and mop his weary brow, John smiled knowingly at his fianc&eacute;e.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster caught the look and interpreted it instantly: "Oh, Anne,
+dear! We never asked you to show us the symbol!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, Anne! Let me look!" cried Eleanor, jumping up from the grass
+where Polly and she had thrown themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Anne, with an embarrassed laugh, held forth her left hand and displayed
+a beautiful solitaire. "Ahhs!" and "Ohs" and other exclamations of
+admiration pleased John and Anne mightly, and both felt that this
+mundane life was really a Paradise.</p>
+
+<p>With one accord it had been agreed to postpone the talk of Rainbow
+Cliffs and Choko's Find until after supper that evening. By that time
+the doctor would have arrived and expressed an opinion about the injured
+Riggley, and see if Ratzger was doing nicely under the home-treatment
+given him.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it makes me feel rather guilty to talk over our future plans
+about this big combination, when we know that not far off are two men so
+fearfully<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> injured on account of this very fortune," added Mrs.
+Brewster, when she heard the business talk would not take place at once.</p>
+
+<p>"As long as I am here and having such a wonderful rest, I would just as
+soon wait for Latimer and Evans to put in an appearance, before we
+discuss finances," said Mr. Maynard.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have enough talk left over to warm up for them," remarked Tom,
+whimsically.</p>
+
+<p>"And we want to get you first, Dad, and see how much money you will put
+in. When there are too many men about to talk to at once, the force of
+our arguments will be scattered," declared Eleanor, nodding her head
+wisely.</p>
+
+<p>Every one laughed&mdash;the first hearty laugh since the accident on the
+shale-fields. And every one felt much better for that laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you what, boys, isn't this girl of mine a born business-brain?"
+added Mr. Maynard fondly patting Eleanor on the head.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure! That's why I am going to run the business end of Polly's and my
+company, while she supplies all the ideals and plans for the work,"
+asserted Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"What's this? Something new on your old Dad?" asked her father.</p>
+
+<p>"Not <i>very</i> new; only since I came here and met<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> Polly." Eleanor
+squirmed away from Polly's warning nip on the arm, and added: "You see,
+Dad, I am bound to go with Anne when she starts for New York to
+school&mdash;that has all been settled between us, hasn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Maynard smiled indulgently as if to concede any proposition to this
+child, and Eleanor continued with more assurance:</p>
+
+<p>"And Polly, having all her hopes of attending school in Denver blasted
+by Anne and her mother going on to New York, now has decided that the
+only thing for her to do is to go with us to New York. It is a wonderful
+opportunity for her, too, as she is as determined to take up Interior
+Decorating for a profession, as I am. And where on earth can one find
+such store-houses of valuable lore on the subject, as right in New
+York!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster cleared his throat preparatory to an objection but Eleanor
+kept right on talking fast and loud in order to down him.</p>
+
+<p>"After figuring the whole plan out, Polly and I find that we need a few
+years more of regular school under Anne's tuition; then a few years of a
+special course of decorating in a first-rate school in New York&mdash;then,
+if we are not <i>too</i> old, we will go abroad for a visit to the art
+galleries in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> Europe. But we may have to give that delightful trip up
+and turn right into work, as we must not wait until old age cripples our
+abilities. So you see&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Nolla, let me say a word, won't you?" began Polly, seeing her father's
+expression.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Poll, not now! I have said all I want to tell Dad about our future
+business connections, and it may influence him somewhat in going into
+our mine company. But now that he knows just what I shall do from now
+on, we can leave them to discuss matters while we go in and look over
+your wardrobe and see what you will need before going to New York."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Eleanor dragged Polly up from her seat on the grass and, by
+dint of winks and tugs, made her understand that it was best for all
+concerned if they were well out of hearing.</p>
+
+<p>Tom, John, and Mr. Maynard laughed heartily at Eleanor's speech and
+manner of getting Polly away from an evident discussion. Mrs. Brewster
+and Anne exchanged concerned glances, but Sam Brewster moodily stared
+for a few minutes away at Rainbow Cliffs. Then quite suddenly, and to
+the great amazement of every one present, he laughed and said, "To think
+the new woman has acquired such power that centuries of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> accepted habit
+is set aside and the male has to fall in line <i>in the rear</i>. Look at me!
+I have been the Great Mogul in this family and in all Oak Creek, too,
+until my baby girl begins to talk plainly and then she quietly pushes me
+out of my place and steps into it.</p>
+
+<p>"And look at Eleanor Maynard! Talks like an experienced business
+potentate of forty&mdash;yet she is only fourteen. Oh, I tell you what,
+friends, we are living in a strange time!" And Sam Brewster laughed
+again, a queer-sounding laugh this. Every one sat still and dreaded to
+say a word. In a few moments, he continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Here's a wonderful freak of nature, been standing over there for ages
+untold; and I settle down beside those Cliffs because I can see there
+will be something in them for my children in days to come. But then,
+without warning, my baby grows suddenly up and rears her head, and
+declares 'Those Cliffs must furnish me with money to go away from here.
+I am of the new order of things, and I must be well prepared to meet my
+fate!' So she packs her kit and scampers off to New York to imbibe the
+higher education for women.</p>
+
+<p>"Meantime, her poor lonesome father remains behind in Pebbly Pit and
+takes charge of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> the complete blasting of his precious Rainbow Hopes. Ah
+well! Ah trust Polly will never regret going to New York with you-all!"</p>
+
+<p>As Sam Brewster sighed and got up to walk away, his wife remarked
+quietly: "Any one would think, Sam, that Polly was your very own
+personal property. If you could but remember that she has a mother who
+loves her devotedly and is silently breaking her heart right now, so
+that the child may follow her own life-line without foolish barriers
+placed in her pathway!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Brewster sent a startled glance at his wife and then hurried away to
+the barns. But Mr. Maynard said fervently: "There spoke the true mother,
+Mrs. Brewster. That is what we are parents for, I firmly believe&mdash;that
+we may help the next generation to a higher and firmer foot-hold on
+progress. If only there were more mothers like you!"</p>
+
+<p>Then John crept over and flung his arm over his mother's shoulders.
+"Yes, Mr. Maynard&mdash;she is great. And we shall live to call her
+'blessed,' for this temporary parting from Polly will soon be a dream of
+the past, and both father and mother will laugh at this talk!"</p>
+
+<p>Drawing Polly into the house, Eleanor whispered: "I know just what you
+are going to say,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> Goody-good! You were ready to explode because you had
+not told me any such things as I pretended you had. But, don't you see,
+I had to take lots of things for granted to put the plan over in a few
+seconds? Suppose I had started out with turning to you every few moments
+for approval, where would we have ended."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what <i>you</i> think, Nolla, but let me tell you this much right
+here"&mdash;and Polly planted her feet firmly and lifted her head upon her
+proud neck, until Eleanor stood admiring her independence&mdash;"I can talk
+for myself, every time! Don't ever quote me again in any thing that I
+ever said or did. You may think it is all right because you win out on
+those grounds, and simply because you never have been taught properly by
+your mother. But <i>I</i> know better and I won't accept any victory won on
+any other basis than a clear conscience. Ask Anne Stewart whether she
+does not agree with me on this point. Now let me tell you, that much as
+I had yearned to go to New York with you-all I cannot go because you
+took my personal rights from me. I love you and I was crazy to leave
+home to go to school, but I will never consent to have any one say or
+act for me, in any way, when I am perfectly able to do so for myself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Poll! I don't mean it that way&mdash;don't you know I only did it to
+help you out?" cried Eleanor aghast at the turn in events.</p>
+
+<p>"Who asked you to help me out?" demanded Polly, her blue eyes emitting
+sparks of fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;wh&mdash;y&mdash;you see I had to win your father over!"</p>
+
+<p>"But <i>who</i> told you so? You know very well that it was your own pride in
+your ability to <i>talk</i> that made you take the bit between your teeth.
+But you will learn now, that I intend driving my own steed, and will not
+allow others to whip my mount!"</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor was silenced as she began to review the very recent talk she had
+given out on the terrace. Polly was right!</p>
+
+<p>"It hurts me to tell you this, Nolla, but it is best that we have a
+clean slate from this night on. You are awfully clever and witty, too,
+but you do exaggerate something terrible! I cannot sit tamely by and
+accept all the things you say of me and our plans. Why, we scarcely said
+a dozen words about college and Europe!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I did it all for your sake," was all Eleanor could offer in
+self-defense.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just it! I <i>will not</i> have any one say they had to tell lies to
+help me along. If I can't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> paddle my own canoe through the rapids, I can
+go ashore. But I will balk every time another tries to turn me from the
+course I know to be my true one. So there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly dearest! Do you mean that after all I have done to get Dad here
+and win your father's consent to your going, that you refuse to leave
+home&mdash;just because I colored my words a bit too vividly?"</p>
+
+<p>"You can color your words as rashly and with as vivid colors as you
+choose, Nolla, but I say that when you begin to infer that the coloring
+is of <i>my</i> choosing and that I am in hearty sympathy with the way you
+win out in matters, then I will balk and if necessary, deny it in the
+future. I <i>hate</i> color when it is daubed on falsely!"</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor stood self-conscious of her mistakes, and Polly sent her one
+sorry look and then walked into her room. Eleanor did not dare follow as
+she was too awed by her friend's honest speech. And she admired Polly
+all the more for daring to tell her the unvarnished truth about her
+proclivity to prevaricate.</p>
+
+<p>"It always was my weak spot," grumbled Eleanor to herself, as she walked
+slowly to the kitchen to see if Sary was there to keep her company. But
+the big cool kitchen was empty, so the girl sat down in the wooden chair
+and thought.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/facing-258.jpg" width="500" height="315" alt="&quot;WHO ASKED YOU TO HELP ME OUT?&quot; DEMANDED POLLY." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;WHO ASKED YOU TO HELP ME OUT?&quot; DEMANDED POLLY.<br />
+
+<i>Polly and Eleanor &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page <a href="#Page_257">257</a></i></span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>If I had had a different training maybe I wouldn't be so ready to lie,"
+murmured Eleanor. Then, suddenly sneering at herself she added: "Poor
+fish! Can't even accept what you know is a fact without trying to blame
+it on some one else. You've scorned Bob for being such a fool, but here
+you are, ten times worse, because you have wits enough yet you pervert
+the use of them. Eleanor Maynard, I just feel as if I wanted to give you
+the biggest hiding you ever heard of!"</p>
+
+<p>As she knew of no way in which to inflict this punishment upon herself,
+she cried instead. From a prolonged sniffle that caused her to wipe her
+eyes on her dimity sleeves, she began to weep freely. And finally,
+heart-broken sobs shook her slender frame. By this time her eyes and
+nose were rivers of salt-water and the poor girl had no handkerchief.
+Just when she felt compelled to turn up her skirt to use the ruffle of
+her white petticoat, Anne came in.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Nolla! What has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oo-h, Anne&mdash;I lost my handkerchief!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all, darling! Here use mine&mdash;It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> clean. But don't cry over a
+trifle like that. It is sure to be somewhere about the place."</p>
+
+<p>Before Anne could dry the flooded eyes and hold the bit of white linen
+at Eleanor's nose, the girl broke into a merry laugh&mdash;so close were
+tears and laughter in Eleanor's makeup.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh&mdash;Anne! I didn't mean <i>that</i> that was what made me <i>cry</i>! But I
+am so disgusted with myself&mdash;that is why I am weeping. If some one would
+only whip me soundly, I would feel <i>so</i> much better!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see! you're crying because you are so selfish, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor looked up astonished. "Selfish&mdash;no, I want to be thrashed, you
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"And because you cannot get what you think you want, you sit out here
+and weep! Oh come, Nolla! come out on the terrace and let your Dad see
+how happy you are!"</p>
+
+<p>The very illumination that came with Anne's unexpected words choked the
+sobs in Eleanor's throat, and she meekly followed Anne to the pump where
+cold water was dashed upon her red eye-lids. As she dried her face on a
+clean towel that hung back of the door, she thought: "Yes, sir! Even in
+howling for a licking I was fooling myself into believing I was doing
+the right thing!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> Oh, Nolla, Nolla! how much you have to change your old
+ways of thinking and talking before you can feel as honest and wise as
+Anne Stewart or Polly!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>COMINGS AND GOINGS</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was very late when the doctor reached the ranch, that night, and
+having examined the still unconscious man, pronounced his opinion to the
+men who had accompanied him from the house.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a bad concussion on the brain, I believe, following a slight
+fracture of the skull. He has suffered internal injuries, too, from the
+slight examination I can make here. But we can do nothing for him under
+these conditions. He ought to be in a hospital in Denver where an
+operation could take place."</p>
+
+<p>"Would it be a risk to try and carry him there?" asked John, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"He won't suffer during the trip, if that is what you mean, as he is
+unconscious of physical pain. And the sooner he could be operated upon
+the better. He will slowly pass away if left like this," returned the
+doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"But to-morrow's Sunday, John, and no trains<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> run to Denver until Monday
+noon," said Tom Latimer.</p>
+
+<p>"There's the morning milk-train, you know," suggested the doctor. "If I
+explained the case, they would gladly take these men on and turn them
+over to the physicians at Denver."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'd have to get them in to Oak Creek to-night," added Mr.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"You'd have to fix up some sort of hammocks in the wagon to spare the
+poor fellows any jolts. If it can be done, I will wait and ride back
+with them," said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll turn the ranch inside out and upside down in order to help in any
+way," hastily asserted Mr. Brewster. Then turning to Jeb, who stood
+watching the scene, commanded him.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, get out the truck wagon&mdash;the one with the chestnut posts on either
+side&mdash;and hook up four of our best horses. While Jeb is doing that, we
+will get the two hammocks from the girls and fix up some sort of
+mattress in each. These hammocks can swing from the posts. I'll go with
+the doctor and see that no little thing is overlooked."</p>
+
+<p>"John and I thought of going in, Mr. Brewster, and if three are going,
+you would not have to take this trip to-night," said Tom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"W-ee-ll I would rather not use myself up in riding all night without
+being able to do any good to any one, if you young men will go in my
+place," Sam Brewster sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"An' Ah'll drive the four hosses, cuz, yuh know, it's no joke seein'
+ahead of th' hosses' noses along that trail in th' dark," announced Jeb,
+in a matter-of-course tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, if you would! It will be a great relief to know you are
+driving&mdash;you are such a wizard with a four-in-hand," exclaimed John,
+smiling suddenly at Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>"Wha&mdash;Ah hed no idee you-all diden know Ah was goin' t' do th' drivin',"
+returned Jeb, surprised at the others for their lack of comprehension.</p>
+
+<p>It was twelve o'clock that night when all was ready and the great wagon
+lumbered past the ranch-house. The women were all grouped on the porch,
+silently praying for the safe transportation of the unfortunate schemers
+from New York.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah don't suppose we will really know why these men came West until
+Latimer or Evans gets here to explain," said Mr. Brewster, as the
+remaining members of the family went indoors.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you look through the papers in that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> leather bag?" asked Mr.
+Maynard of his host.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not when Ratzger came to and told us who they were. I handed the
+bag to him and felt I had no right to pry into his secrets&mdash;especially
+as he acted so fearful of the contents of the wallet."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose they hired those horses from Oak Creek," ventured Mrs.
+Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Doubtless; and I told John to make sure and then ask Ratzger what had
+best be done to settle for them. If the men have ample means they can
+pay the damages, but if they haven't, I will pay for them myself,"
+explained Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why you should! You had nothing to do with their hiring,
+nor with anything connected with this accident," said Mr. Maynard.</p>
+
+<p>"No, but folks here-abouts stick together more or less, and if one has a
+loss, the others generally help out. Now I can spare twenty horses from
+my corral sooner than have a friend in Oak Creek think I had something
+to do with his loss of two good saddle horses."</p>
+
+<p>"If every one thought and acted like that, Mr. Brewster, we would bring
+in the millennium without delay," Mr. Maynard remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah feel happy to state that Ah will never defer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> the coming of that
+same millennium by any trifle like a few horses given away to a less
+fortunate friend."</p>
+
+<p>All that evening Polly and Eleanor were as cordial and chummy as ever to
+observers, but no one knew that the two girls had changed places. Only
+Anne knew that Eleanor had been in the kitchen weeping, and even she did
+not know the cause of the tears. She fancied there had been a girlish
+quarrel between the friends but that would soon be made up again. So she
+paid no further attention to the case.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor felt humbled by the frank truth spoken by Polly, and realizing
+that it was absolutely as her friend had stated, she tried to impress
+upon Polly that she was repentant and would never again do or say a
+thing that might offend. Hitherto Eleanor had taken for granted that she
+was more experienced in every way than her simple little friend of the
+ranch; and without meaning to take the upper hand, had actually assumed
+that position, until she had reached the point where Polly rebelled
+against this friendly leadership.</p>
+
+<p>But after the fearless speech from Polly that afternoon, Eleanor
+comprehended how far behind she really was in this warfare between
+egotism<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> and <i>egoism</i>. She began to understand that the first expressed
+stubbornness and selfishness which eventually would result in
+unhappiness for all concerned; while egoism meant exactly what Polly was
+trying to demonstrate for herself&mdash;that upright fearless stand for
+Truth, and the sacrifice of everything that interfered with the perfect
+working out of the highest good.</p>
+
+<p>Hence, without meaning to do so, and in fact, never realizing that it
+was so, Polly took the lead in everything after that day. When with her
+friend, Eleanor seldom exaggerated and never took the aggressive
+attitude again. And with others, she seemed to be developing a quieter
+and more lovable disposition. But her family and friends declared it was
+due to the fact that she was out-growing her tom-boy habits.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday morning was far spent before the family met under the oak trees
+for their first meal. Seeing how late it was, Mrs. Brewster and Sary
+decided to have but two meals that day&mdash;a combination breakfast and
+lunch and a good dinner and supper about five o'clock. The very unusual
+break in the habits of other Sabbaths, and the various causes that led
+to such a change, kept every one lounging quietly about the house and
+porch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Maynard took advantage of the restful hours, to ask Barbara just how
+much money she needed to defray her expenses in camp, with her mother.
+And in spite of her mentioning an exorbitant sum, he silently wrote out
+the check for her.</p>
+
+<p>Barbara had expected rebellion and so was prepared to argue that she
+needed a new wardrobe for such a select gathering, but finding her
+father had offered no resistance, she wished she had demanded much more.
+Had she but known that the only reason he gave her what she wanted, was
+the qualm of conscience he felt. He was really glad to have his daughter
+so eager to join her mother in the East, so that he would be relieved of
+the nagging and unhappiness he was always subjected to when his wife and
+oldest daughter were with him.</p>
+
+<p>But there was a sub-conscious reason, too, for his ready writing of the
+check. He was as eager to have Eleanor live with Anne and her mother in
+New York, as the girl was to go there. And this unexpected plan might
+meet with various objections from his wife if she dreamed of the extra
+cost it would be. As he seldom came to an open quarrel with Mrs.
+Maynard, he considered he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> placating both wife and daughter by
+extending this generous sum of money for their pleasures. Should they
+offer strenuous objections against Eleanor's plan to live in New York,
+he would have one cudgel, at least, to use against them.</p>
+
+<p>The sinking sun was bathing Rainbow Cliffs in a glory of color before
+the echo of the lumbering ranch-wagon was heard sounding across the
+crater. Then every one ran out upon the terrace to watch the home-coming
+of the weary boys.</p>
+
+<p>"Was everything all right?" anxiously asked Mrs. Brewster, thinking of
+the two poor sufferers.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; the hammocks served splendidly, but poor Ratzger groaned
+continually because of the pain in his limbs," sighed John.</p>
+
+<p>"And we had an awful job carrying them from the wagon to the milk-train.
+They both are corpulent men, you know," added Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"The docter went along widdem, to Denver," observed Jeb. "Gosh! Ah wisht
+Ah wuz a doctor, en Ah'd have gone, too. It wuz a free ride fer him,
+yuh-know."</p>
+
+<p>The humor of the remark made every one smile, and Jeb gazed from one to
+the other to find out just where he had been witty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Jeb; you and Sary are going to Denver, you know, for that
+ring," whispered Mrs. Brewster, aside to Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't the same. Sary'll tote me aroun' jest whar she wants to go, en
+Ah have t' trot behin' her like a poodle!" grumbled Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster understood immediately. It was the call of freedom to the
+male who is soon to be shackled, to have one last fling. So she
+whispered back: "I'll see that you get a few days off for a nice visit
+there all by yourself. Perhaps we can arrange to have you go with the
+girls and look after their luggage on their way to New York."</p>
+
+<p>At this unexpected offer of bliss, even if it was lonesome, Jeb grinned
+and shuffled away to drive the horses to the barns.</p>
+
+<p>As Jeb had to make another trip to meet the train on Monday noon at Oak
+Creek, he was only too glad when Tom announced that he was going, too,
+to meet his father and Dr. Evans.</p>
+
+<p>John and Anne found so much to say to each other before the separation
+came, that they were not to be seen all that day. Polly felt sure she
+would find them seated on the Imps at the Cliffs, if she wanted to take
+the trouble to walk there. But she didn't.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster and Eleanor were together, talking over many pleasant
+secrets, or at least Polly thought they must be pleasant from the
+smiling countenance on her friend. Now and then she caught such words as
+"you know all about such things, Nolla," or Eleanor might say "she will
+be on top of the heap, if I know it, Mrs. Brewster," so it was evident
+that she, Polly, was the subject of their conversation. But Polly
+herself, felt little concern about it all, as she saw the forlorn
+expression on her father's face as he went about his ranch-duties.
+Finally she decided upon taking a radical step.</p>
+
+<p>She went to the room where she found her meager wardrobe displayed in
+every country-like detail. So this was what Eleanor was planning&mdash;a
+conquest made with fine clothes such as she had!</p>
+
+<p>"Mother," she began; "I have changed my mind about going to school. I
+have decided to remain here with father and you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Poll! You just can't!" cried Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Why this sad countenance, daughter, if you believe you will be happier
+here than away?" countered Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I am as miserable as Daddy about leaving."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster laughed merrily, albeit she felt no joy in her soul. "Then
+the sooner we dispel this gloom by packing you off, the better. I
+haven't the slightest doubt but that you will wonder at your present
+attitude, the moment John and Tom have gone. Once let every young person
+leave us here all alone for the long solitary winter, and you will eat
+your heart out to think that you could have been so mistaken as to
+refuse this wonderful opportunity to make something of yourself and your
+wealth."</p>
+
+<p>Polly knew in her heart that her mother spoke the truth, but she never
+dreamed what it cost that mother to speak cheerily as she did about her
+only girl's going&mdash;in fact, almost persuading her to go. For that wise
+mother had heard the yearnings in Polly's voice the day she spoke so
+daringly of all her ambitions and of her future. And she understood that
+this transitory spell of regret was merely the contagion of Mr.
+Brewster's woe-be-gone thoughts and behavior.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get after Sam, and that good and plenty!" thought Mrs. Brewster to
+herself, as she watched Polly with keen understanding.</p>
+
+<p>"Poll, your mother says Anne is to get every last dud you need in the
+swellest shops in New York. Because you and I will have plenty of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> money
+for our future, and we must dress up to our station. Your mother said
+our success in business would be influenced, to a great extent, by our
+careful consideration of apparel. She is right."</p>
+
+<p>"But, mother, you said to me, one time, that clothes should never occupy
+a woman's mind," Polly said, wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I was right in saying so. I do not believe in having anything so
+perishable as dress occupying anybody's mind. But that does not mean
+that you should become careless of your appearance nor wear cheap and
+vulgar apparel. I always felt that an individual expresses his own
+position in life by the clothes he selects and wears. It is generally a
+key to one's character. You will find that any one who has slip-shod
+apparel, is careless in everything else in life, and one who dons gaudy
+attire&mdash;cheap and destructible&mdash;will soon show you how small a nature he
+has. The same with well-selected refined apparel; one garbed in the
+best, no matter how many seasons they may have to wear the articles,
+will prove reliable and conscientious in other ways.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I never dreamed this would end up in a sermon!" Mrs. Brewster
+suddenly laughed, and then she whisked from the room.</p>
+
+<p>The new arrivals came at sun-down, and every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> one was eager to welcome
+Tom's father, and his friend Dr. Evans. Both men were made to feel at
+home, and as the dinner had been kept waiting for the past half-hour,
+Sary lost no time in shouting for every one to "setdown."</p>
+
+<p>Smiles on every face, was the rule at that meal, and no one dreamed that
+Mrs. Brewster had given her spouse the worst "Dressing down" he had had
+since they were married. He laughingly referred to it later on, and
+confessed that now he knew where Polly got her "woman's rights" idea, so
+unexpectedly betrayed the day she stood up for herself.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>POLLY AND ELEANOR START OUT</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Now let us hear all about those two strangers from New York?" Mr.
+Brewster reminded his new guests, as they strolled away from the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it was as much a shock for us to find that they had been here and
+were now at a hospital in Denver, as it was for you to learn who they
+were," replied the doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"I suspected some crooked work last week, but I must say that I never
+thought they would come out here on such a meager chance," added Mr.
+Latimer. "You see, it was this way: I had a rascal employed in my office
+as clerk, but I never knew that he was in constant touch with Riggley &amp;
+Ratzger&mdash;in fact was their stool-pigeon. He was a clerk in our offices
+just to get daily information about patents. And thus the other firm got
+hold of many tips.</p>
+
+<p>"When the Court upheld us in our rights, and this firm of crooks tried
+in other ways to get that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> valuable patent and model, this clerk Brown
+made an accurate blue-print of the drawing we always kept locked in our
+safe. Then when he heard of our success in cutting the lava-jewels from
+the material sent us from Pebbly Pit, he did everything to locate this
+ranch.</p>
+
+<p>"Had we wasted any time in planning to come West and meet you people
+here, I doubt not but that Riggley &amp; Ratzger would have had a new scheme
+to hold us up. But we moved so swiftly after hearing from Kenneth and
+Tom, that they had to catch breath to keep up in the race.</p>
+
+<p>"I am convinced that they hurried here with no set plans about the
+future&mdash;they wanted to get a hold on this place so as to try and bar us
+from immediate work, or perhaps, to make a fortune out of us by selling
+their option to us. They never dreamed that Latimer had a son right
+here, and that there was a deeper cause for our meeting you all than
+mere business reasons. Had either of these lawyers known about Montresor
+and that mine, they would not have spent so much time and money to get
+here to outwit us.</p>
+
+<p>"It is fortunate that the doctor kept those letters at home where Brown
+could not read and copy them for his firm of rascals. But, to tell the
+truth, that was one reason why Dr. Evans was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> so anxious to meet
+you-all. We want to hear everything about the old man and that claim."</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Latimer finished speaking, Dr. Evans said: "If you will pardon
+me, a moment, I have here a photograph taken of my brother-in-law just
+before he left for the Klondike. Perhaps you will recognize something in
+the face to assure us it was your Montresor."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor took out his large flat pocket-book and removed the
+card-photograph wrapped in tissue paper. This was passed to Sam
+Brewster, who needed but a glance to tell him that the pictured face was
+the same man that he had defended so valiantly to others.</p>
+
+<p>Polly ran over to her father's side and took the picture. "Oh, you dear
+old friend&mdash;it is our Old Man Montresor, sure enough, but his hair was
+white when we knew him!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>She impulsively kissed the senseless card, and every one smiled
+sympathetically, even though there was a suspicion of moisture in most
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad to find that he had good friends, somewhere, even though
+he was too proud to let any one know about his relatives. And Ken! I'm
+so glad to know that he, and you people, will all come in on Choko's
+Find&mdash;or to be exact, it is Montresor's Mine," said Polly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's going to be a fine tangle in law, Polly," remarked Mr. Latimer.
+"You see, Montresor made you his sole heiress, so the mine is yours, not
+only by inheritance, but also by rediscovery after it was lost in the
+first land-slide.</p>
+
+<p>"We stopped at Simms' office to-day&mdash;that is what made us late&mdash;and
+learned, without a doubt, that the two claims are the same. As it now
+stands, Polly and her friends are claim-jumpers on the same claim that
+Montresor bequeathed to Polly a few years ago. And should you all go to
+law over the tangle, the State of Colorado would benefit, in-as-much as
+the costs of an endless suit would fill the State coffers." Mr. Latimer
+laughed at the picture of such a thrilling law-tangle for his
+unraveling.</p>
+
+<p>"But we are not going to law, and if that gold is mine so that no one
+else has any right to say what I can, or cannot do with it, I shall do
+what I always planned to do with it&mdash;even before Nolla and I found it
+again. I made up my mind that if ever one of dear old Montresor's
+relatives appeared I would go halves. And if they wanted the whole
+thing&mdash;then they could take it, rather than fight for it. So now I am
+going to give half to your wife, right off, Doctor, and my other half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> I
+will divide with the girls who were with me when we located it again."
+Polly was magnificent in her earnest generosity.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Miss Polly, my wife would never accept half of it. Ken wrote
+something of what you told him, and Mrs. Evans told me to be sure to
+tell you that you <i>cannot</i> give half away. Besides, the fact that I will
+have so many friends willing to invest money in this device of mine, is
+better than all the gold in the Rockies. The jewel-cutter is now an
+assured success, and it will turn out dollars like a sausage grinder
+turns out that toothsome breakfast meat."</p>
+
+<p>Every one laughed at the doctor's funny comparison, and he continued:
+"However, let us hear from Tom and the others, how they managed to get
+down into the cave if it was buried under such mountains of trash."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, John! You promised to tell us the moment Mr. Latimer and the
+doctor arrived," cried Eleanor, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>So without preamble, John began: "When Mike had made a temporary camp
+for us on Top Notch, he tried to show Tom and me just where the cave had
+been. But none other than a clever Indian scout could ever have found
+one familiar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> sign anywhere. Even Mike had to hunt and dig and trail
+around, again and again, before he gave a war-whoop.</p>
+
+<p>"To cut it short, I will say, we found that the ravine upon which the
+cave opened, was completely filled with trash and, in fact, there were
+many feet of earth and timber on top of the ledge so that it would need
+a great deal of digging and blasting before we could hope to enter that
+cave again.</p>
+
+<p>"But Tom and I had not been lazy during the time Mike was seeking for
+some sign to locate the cave. And after we learned how impossible it was
+to enter the mine at that side where the girls had gone in, Tom and I
+took scientific observations with our instruments, and finally, after
+tiresome days, found a rushing river that gushed from some underground
+source.</p>
+
+<p>"We immediately remembered the pit Polly had told us of, and the rushing
+sound of waters she had heard when leaning over the edge of the pit, so
+we decided that here we had found the outlet.</p>
+
+<p>"We could not determine how far the river traveled underground from the
+pit, until it came out in the open again, but we got Mike to come with
+us, and, daring fellow that he is, he crept into the tunnel that hooded
+the stream. We tried to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> dissuade him from taking such a risk, but he
+grinned and said: 'Mike like fun.'</p>
+
+<p>"When he returned, half an hour later, he made us understand that we
+might follow quite safely. My! But that was some thrill, eh, Tom?"
+laughed John, shivering delightfully at the reminiscence.</p>
+
+<p>Tom laughingly admitted that it was a "hair-raiser" and John continued:
+"We managed to cling to the narrow ledge of rock that was less than a
+foot above the turbulent water, and even that must have been submerged
+most of the time, as it was damp and slippery. Mike said the recent
+land-slide had had some effect on lowering the water-line of the river
+and that was what left the rock exposed.</p>
+
+<p>"We crept slowly along this foot-hold and soon realized that we were
+nearing some suction-hole. Mike explained that it was the very tube that
+rose to the rocky floor where Polly knelt that day. I couldn't see where
+this journey was going to benefit us, but Mike knew.</p>
+
+<p>"Reaching the tube that slanted upwards, so that we could see roots and
+stubborn vines growing out of its rocky walls, we also discovered that
+we had a flat space of more than six feet square on which we were
+standing. Now Mike demonstrated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> what he proposed doing. All our
+threats, persuasions, and anger, left no impression. He smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"He made us understand that he was about to scale the wall by means of
+those roots and vines. Should he miss and fall, the rope he tied about
+his body would keep him from being swept down into the current. He gave
+us the end of the rope to fasten to our waists. When he arrived at the
+top, he would draw us up, one after the other.</p>
+
+<p>"He managed to land on top, but I'll have to tell you-all some other
+time, all that happened before we reached the underground cave where the
+gold was shining from walls and ceiling. It is exactly as Polly
+described it, and we picked up a number of nuggets that were found in
+the dust of ages on the stone floor, and then tried to take scientific
+observations. Tom took a flash-light of the cave, and we had it
+developed, but it was not a howling success. Still, it shows something
+of the interior.</p>
+
+<p>"When we got back to open air again, we noticed the vast mountain-top
+that sat down upon that gold-mine. This would have to be removed if we
+mined from the top. But I believe we can manage to work in through that
+tunnel and secure the gold by means of lifts in that tube. This is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> a
+matter of discussion. The gold is there and it can be gotten out, just
+so long as Old Grizzly will behave."</p>
+
+<p>There was a general chorus of sighs when John had concluded his story,
+and as technical matters were taken up by the men, and in this the girls
+were not interested, they wandered away to enjoy the twilight.</p>
+
+<p>During the days that followed, Barbara left Pebbly Pit, with no regrets
+on her part, and not very many on the part of her summer companions. She
+was not in her rightful place on a ranch, and every one was honest
+enough to admit it. But now she was going to join "her own" and she was
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and John were the next to leave the happy circle at the ranch. But
+not until all plans about the incorporating of the two companies were
+perfected. Each man present at that meeting, signing up liberally to
+supply the money to launch the two big enterprises.</p>
+
+<p>The evening before John and Tom were to go back to their engineering
+work with their old Crew, Polly and Eleanor were out on the terrace with
+Tom, talking eagerly of the plans made for mining the ore from Choko's
+Find. From this subject it was quite natural for the girls to launch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>
+the subject of their anticipated winter in New York City.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you two girls will see quite a little of Jim and Ken, when
+you arrive in New York," ventured Tom, wistfully (or so it seemed to
+romantic Eleanor).</p>
+
+<p>"They said so; Jim says New Haven is not so far from New York but that
+the two of them&mdash;I mean the boys not the cities," laughed Polly&mdash;"may be
+able to visit us every week-end. That will be great fun for us, won't
+it, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so. I wonder if John would care for you to see so much of the
+two boys as you plan to," replied Tom, suggestively.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, John won't care! Why should he?" retorted Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why <i>shouldn't</i> he? He's your brother and you are growing up to be a
+young lady, Polly; you must think of appearances, you know," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>Polly laughed merrily. "Why, Tom! One would think you were concerned
+about my future, the way you preach. Just like Daddy does."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor interpreted the speech to suit herself and watched Tom's
+expression closely. Tom frowned at Polly's laugh and bit his lip to
+restrain himself from further preachings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Besides," added Polly, in a few moments, "Jim is your own kid brother,
+and Ken is his pal. You-all say Ken is a jewel of a boy, so why should I
+worry about appearances' sake when I am with them?"</p>
+
+<p>Tom refused to reply to her question, and Polly quickly forgot his
+strange remark. But Eleanor thought over various little incidents of the
+past few days, and finally decided to make a radical move for Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going indoors, for a minute, children&mdash;will you excuse me?" said
+she, starting to leave the two alone.</p>
+
+<p>"With the greatest of pleasure!" declared Tom, laughingly, to Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor tossed her saucy head and winked at Tom as she ran away. Tom
+flushed and wondered just what Eleanor thought or what she had tried to
+make him understand by that wink.</p>
+
+<p>The moment Eleanor had gone Tom turned to Polly and said: "Shall we walk
+to the Cliffs and have a last look at the jewels in this glorious
+moonlight?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no!" cried Polly, nervously, as she glanced at Tom's facial
+expression, and thought of the tremble in his voice as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, then; but I thought you would want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> to remember just how
+they looked, to-night. When you are in that crowded city of rush and
+hustle, it would be a pleasant memory."</p>
+
+<p>"Eleanor and I are going to get a snap-shot of them, to-morrow, after
+you boys are gone," explained Polly, in a matter-of-fact tone.</p>
+
+<p>Tom smothered a sigh and was trying to think of some other excuse to
+coax Polly away from the nearness of the house, when Mr. Maynard and Mr.
+Latimer strolled over to join the two young people. Polly turned to them
+with a smiling welcome but Tom gnashed his teeth in impatience at their
+untimely intrusion.</p>
+
+<p>The two men immediately began speaking of the projects for the
+incorporated companies and demanded so much of Tom's attention that
+Polly managed to glide away and go back to the house. This ended Tom's
+first attempt at romance with Polly, and it was evident that he disliked
+the interruption.</p>
+
+<p>After Mr. Maynard, Mr. Latimer, and Dr. Evans had gone, it was Anne
+Stewart's turn to say good-by. She was going to Denver to see that her
+mother wound up all their private affairs, and there she would await the
+coming of Eleanor and Polly.</p>
+
+<p>After Anne had gone, Mrs. Brewster took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> Polly and Eleanor to her room
+and sat down to have a confidential talk with the girls. To her surprise
+Polly found all her ranch-dresses and other apparel bundled up in a
+loose roll with a rope tied about it.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, mother! How can I take my clothes to New York that way?" asked
+she, having studied the bundle wonderingly for a time.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster laughed. "You're not. These are going to some poor
+ranchers' children over at Yellow Jacket Pass."</p>
+
+<p>"But, mother!" gasped Polly. "I haven't anything left to wear in New
+York!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I wish to tell you about, Polly. Now listen to what I have
+already told Eleanor who knows about these things better than we do."</p>
+
+<p>Then Mrs. Brewster proceeded to instruct Polly as Eleanor had suggested
+previously.</p>
+
+<p>"I know how foolish it appears to you, Polly, to give much thought to
+clothes, because at home on the ranch it matters so little what the
+style is. But once you are in New York, or any other large city where
+all kinds of people are to be found, your appearance makes a great
+difference. You are not to take any of your home-made ranch clothes with
+you, Polly&mdash;not even on the train after you leave Denver. I am going to
+purchase a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> neat tailor-made suit at Denver for you to wear, and your
+old suit I shall bring back home.</p>
+
+<p>"When you reach New York Anne and Eleanor have my orders to attend to
+your shopping the very first thing. I want you to go to the very best
+and most exclusive shops on Fifth Avenue above Forty-second street for
+all you need&mdash;and many accessories that you think you do not need,
+Polly.</p>
+
+<p>"Remember this, dear, the tag of the maker of your apparel is not the
+only important mark of an exclusive shop&mdash;the principal mark is the cut
+and style, and these high-grade shops turn out hats, coats and gowns
+which the other shops endeavor in vain to imitate. That is why one can
+be recognized in a way by the clothes they wear. And that is why I
+insist upon your having the best.</p>
+
+<p>"Another thing I know to be true, is this: Girls at school (and I feel
+sure the girls at your exclusive school in New York City will do so)
+judge others by the maker of their clothes. You will have no heart-aches
+if your clothes have the best maker's name inside. It sounds small,
+Polly, but it really is a serious matter when you come in contact with
+small-minded girls or adults.</p>
+
+<p>"Anne carries the check-book, Polly, and Eleanor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> carries the social
+experience in dressing as becomes a young lady of the best society. You
+must remember you are that and so you must never be ashamed of your
+apparel. When one is so clothed that one need not think of dress, or any
+apology for what they have on, one is at ease and forgets about such
+trifles. That is one good argument for having the best, Polly&mdash;one
+forgets oneself."</p>
+
+<p>Polly listened to her mother's wise remarks with serious expression, but
+Eleanor sat and nodded her head approvingly whenever Mrs. Brewster made
+a point that pleased the girl. When Mrs. Brewster paused for a moment,
+Eleanor spoke eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"My! Won't I just make the gold from Choko's Find mine fly when I select
+the wardrobe for our Polly!"</p>
+
+<p>"You can't spend something you never had," laughed Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"But we <i>will</i> have it, some day, soon," retorted Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, I'll spend it when we get it, not till then!" exclaimed
+Polly, practically.</p>
+
+<p>"There speaks the logical one," laughed Eleanor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Polly will have more than enough in the bank to defray all bills while
+in New York, Nolla, without borrowing from the mine."</p>
+
+<p>At last came the day when Polly had to say good-by to her beloved pets
+on the ranch. Dear little Noddy followed her about and would not be
+separated from her. It was as if the burro knew her beloved mistress was
+leaving home. And so heart-broken was Polly to realize that she would
+not see her Noddy again for almost a year, that she took the woolly head
+in her arms and kissed the cold nose in a fond farewell.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor stood by and dabbed her eyes with her fist at sight of such
+affection, but she had to laugh when Noddy tried to return that kiss.
+Her red tongue was long and supple and Polly was taken by surprise when
+it curled about her ear.</p>
+
+<p>And then at last! Well, Sary refused absolutely to be left at home when
+she found Jeb was going with the family to help Polly carry the bags.
+"What," she exclaimed to Mrs. Brewster the night before, "you-all mus'
+think Ah'm empty-headed to let Jeb go t' Denver alone. Ah've hearn say
+how gals go about them streets lookin' fer a handsome young beau!
+No-siree! Ef Jeb goes, Ah goes too!" And she went!</p>
+
+<p>Sary furnished endless amusement to the Brewster<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> group as the train
+sped on its way from Oak Creek to Denver. Polly was the only one in the
+circle who paid little attention to the excited woman, for Polly had all
+she could do to keep down her own nervous excitement because of the
+wonders of the first train-ride she had ever had.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah d'clar' to goodness, Missus Brewster, is this business runnin'
+away?" exclaimed Sary, after the local had started from Oak Creek.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster sat in front of Sary who, with Jeb, occupied the last seat
+in the coach. The chosen seat was Jeb's plan; although he did not
+explain to any one that he figured out it would be much better to be
+near the door in case one had to make a quick exit. Trains <i>did</i> run off
+their tracks, and also there might be a collision. He had heard folks
+talking of these dreadful accidents.</p>
+
+<p>When Sary addressed her mistress with a tone of anxiety in her voice,
+Mrs. Brewster turned her head and smiled reassuringly as she replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, Sary! The train hasn't really started to go, as yet. Wait until
+we get past these little local stations, then you shall see."</p>
+
+<p>"Wall, Ah don't know ez Ah wants to ride any faster. Ef the driver could
+slow up a bit we-all could enjy the country views better," said Sary.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Eleanor giggled and nudged Polly but Polly turned a serious face to her
+friend. "Nolla, I think the same as Sary&mdash;I'd rather go slower."</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious, Polly, are <i>you</i> frightened, too?" exclaimed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"No, but I want to remember every inch of this grand country if I am to
+stay in New York for many months, you see."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor understood, and left Polly to her silent work of impressing her
+mind with the views she wished to remember, later; Sary would provide
+enough entertainment for Eleanor during the trip to Denver.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, what you-all clutchin' at my arm like-as-how you are?" now asked
+Sary, in no weak or tender voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ain't clutchin' nothin', Sary!" was Jeb's defense of his manhood.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah don't know what you call it, then. Sit up like a regular traveler,
+Jeb, and don't slump in the seat like-as-how your head wants to duck
+from some crash," declared Sary, heroically trying to lift Jeb's courage
+by gripping his coat collar and hoisting him almost out of his badly
+fitting coat.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor smothered a laugh but said nothing to disturb the vaudeville she
+was enjoying. Mr. and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> Mrs. Brewster were talking earnestly about the
+future of their daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Polly cried thrillingly: "Oh, look, everybody! We're coming to
+a torrent, and the train won't slow up!"</p>
+
+<p>Sary instantly turned to the window and saw what seemed to be an
+unavoidable end of all earthly things, so she half rose from the seat
+and grabbed Jeb in her ample embrace. "Ef we go, we goes together, Jeb!"</p>
+
+<p>Her voice, never soft and melodious, now rose above the whistle of the
+engine just as it reached the high bridge over the stream. Jeb's small
+head was completely hidden by the unexpected protection thrust upon him,
+but Eleanor had no idea of thus missing the pleasure of watching Jeb's
+face when the train should cross the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Look&mdash;look, Jeb and Sary! We're riding over the water!" she cried.</p>
+
+<p>Thus induced, Sary left Jeb's head to its fate and quickly sought the
+cause of Eleanor's excitement. The amazing experience of being on a
+vehicle that glided directly over a rushing stream of water while there
+was no apparent land to uphold the vehicle, held Sary and Jeb
+spell-bound.</p>
+
+<p>When the train reached land, once more, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> was steaming along its way,
+Sary sighed audibly and whispered to Jeb: "Did you-all ever know sech
+doin's went on when one traveled?"</p>
+
+<p>But Jeb was too surprised to make a sound. He sat and stared from the
+small window of the car without even having heard his fianc&eacute;e's words.</p>
+
+<p>The conductor had passed through the car many times since the Brewster
+family boarded the train, and when the last local station had been left
+behind and he had punched all the tickets of the passengers on that
+trip, he entered the car and sat upon the arm of the seat just opposite
+Sam Brewster, in order to converse with the man every one about Oak
+Creek knew so well.</p>
+
+<p>Having no stops to make for a long stretch, and the track running on a
+level line for many miles, the engineer increased the speed of his
+engine with corresponding results in Sary's anxiety. She stepped over
+Jeb's obstructing feet and made madly for the conductor, taking that
+worthy man quite by surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Mr. Boss, Ah ain't going to pay fer no ticket to ride on a
+runaway injun! It's your job to get up front and see what's ailin' this
+car. Ef it's locooed you'd better cut loose from th' injun&mdash;come along!"</p>
+
+<p>And before the amazed conductor or Mr. Brewster<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> could resist or
+explain, Sary had the man by the shoulder and was actually lifting him
+along the aisle towards the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, there, Sary! Stop that!" shouted Sam Brewster, jumping up and
+trying to rescue the poor victim from Sary's mighty hold.</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't it so, Mister Brewster? We-all paid good money fer this joy-ride,
+an' we-all ain't got nothin' from it but jumpin' nerves, so far!"</p>
+
+<p>Every one but the poor conductor laughed heartily at Sary's complaint.
+But Mr. Brewster persuaded Sary to loose her prisoner and let him
+collect his scattered senses; when the shaken man was able to once more
+think reasonably, he gave Sary one look and disappeared from that coach,
+nor did he venture his head inside the door again, until he had to take
+up all the tickets.</p>
+
+<p>The eventful trip finally ended when the local pulled into Denver
+station; the Brewster party lost no time in leaving the train and
+threading a way through the crowds at the waiting-room. They were to go
+directly to Anne Stewart's house where luncheon would be waiting for
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, friends! glad to see you!" called Anne, as she welcomed the
+travelers. "Come right in and meet mother."</p>
+
+<p>Introductions over, Mrs. Stewart led the way to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> the cozy little
+dining-room where the table was ready-spread for the luncheon.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't pretend to provide much, Mrs. Brewster," explained Mrs.
+Stewart, "because, you see, the house is rented furnished for two years
+and I could not leave a pan full of soiled dishes and crumbs of food
+about for my new tenant to clear away. Of course, the lady is an old
+neighbor of mine, and would understand how hurried we are to-day in
+order to get off on the afternoon train for New York; still I never like
+to do things wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"Now see here, Miss Stewart," declared Sary who had over-heard the
+remark, "you-all jes' go along to the cars an' leave me to do up the
+work."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Sary, this is your great holiday in Denver," contradicted Mrs.
+Brewster, "and Jeb wants to fit that engagement ring on your finger, you
+know; after lunch, you get away with Jeb and see the city while I do up
+the dishes and help Mrs. Stewart dress and get ready to leave."</p>
+
+<p>That was a merry although hurried luncheon. Immediately after the cake
+and tea were finished, Jeb and Sary started away to hunt the ring; but
+many were the admonitions sent after them as they left the door, to be
+on hand at the railway<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> terminal to see Polly and her friends off for
+New York.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brewster and her husband cleared away the remains of the luncheon
+while Mrs. Stewart and Anne completed their packing and dressed for the
+long trip to the East. Everything in connection with the lease and the
+inventory of furniture had been attended to before this day, so there
+were really no errands or work left to be done at the last.</p>
+
+<p>Finally Mrs. Stewart locked the door and gave the key to a next-door
+neighbor who had offered to keep it until the tenant called for it; then
+good-bys were said to the congregated friends of Anne and her mother's,
+and at last the party started for the station where the New York train
+was scheduled to leave at five o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, I do hope Sary and Jeb will be there on time," sighed Mrs.
+Brewster, with a worried frown.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry about them, Mah, because I'll say they have been waiting
+for us this last hour," laughed Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Sary wouldn't give Jeb a moment's peace until she got that ring," added
+Anne Stewart, laughingly, "and once she had it she would never give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> him
+another moment's peace until she had shown it to every one of us!"</p>
+
+<p>"Anne's right, mother," giggled Polly, nodding her head wisely.</p>
+
+<p>And so it turned out. When the Brewster party reached the station in
+Denver, and before Sam Brewster could seek for his two servants Sary
+shouted so that every one at that end of the building heard her.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we-all be, Mr. Brewster! Jeb an' me's be'n lookin' out fer you-all
+this last hour! Come right on, and see mah ring!"</p>
+
+<p>Eyes turned in the direction of the voice and there stood Sary, perched
+upon one of the benches in order to look over the heads of the people
+who stood about in groups or who kept going and coming through the
+station. She was waving her hand wildly to attract the attention of her
+party. Eleanor laughed so hysterically at the sight that she could
+hardly stand, but Polly dragged her along after the others until they
+reached Sary and Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah d'clar' to goodness, folks! This city is one big camp, all right!"
+vouchsafed Jeb, his eyes wide enough to pop at the great adventure.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you-all go talkin' of sech things, Jeb, when we-all got more
+important things to do,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> was Sary's scathing criticism, as she gave Jeb
+a shove to quiet him. "Here&mdash;jest you-all look at this diamond! Three
+times bigger'n Anne Stewart's! Pull off that glove, Anne, and le's see
+mine and your'n side by side!" exclaimed Sary, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Anne laughed but complied with the challenge. Two hands were compared&mdash;a
+small white hand with polished nails and with a sparkling diamond
+shining upon the third finger of the left hand, and a large-boned red
+hand with stubby nails on the fingers, but one finger displaying a great
+Rhinestone set so high that it would have been a menace had Sary tried
+to use her fist on an enemy. Jeb stood by grinning widely at the praise
+bestowed upon him for his choice of the largest stone in the department
+store.</p>
+
+<p>"Cost some cash, that stone, eh Jeb?" chuckled Sam Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Bet chure life, Boss!" was Jeb's snappy reply.</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor now pulled Sary's head down in order to whisper into her ear.
+"Sary, when you get back to Pebbly Pit, Mrs. Brewster will give you a
+pile of finery I left for your trousseau. You will be delighted to get
+the laces and other trimmings for your hope-box."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Nolla, won't ah, jest! An' when Ah<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> comes to Noo York to see
+you-all, you won't know me in my fine togs!" was Sary's eager reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! were you expecting to come, Sary?" Eleanor asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Shure thing, Nolla. Onct Ah'm married Ah'm goin' to travel every year!"
+exclaimed Sary.</p>
+
+<p>"New York's a long way off from here, Sary," ventured Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Ah don't mean to say Jeb an' me'll go thar fust. Ah'm goin' to
+figger on takin' a side trip to Chicargo fust, you know. Mebbe you kin
+fix it so's we-all kin visit your maw whiles we-all stop at that town,
+Nolla. An' nex' time we-all kin go on to Noo York, like-as-how Ah said."</p>
+
+<p>Eleanor caught her breath at this astounding news. The picture of
+Barbara and her mother receiving Sary and Jeb proved too much for her
+risibles and she laughed merrily as she replied to Sary's announcement.</p>
+
+<p>"Sary, if Jeb and you <i>would</i> honor our house with a visit, I'd tell
+Daddy to look after you-all. But you must let me know, first, so my
+father can meet you two and see that you are shown about in true style."</p>
+
+<p>"Nolla, that Ah will, when we-all get time to go thar. Ah says to
+mahself, jest the other day, Ah ain't never had no fun or chanct to
+better mahself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> Ah says: 'Sary Dodd, when you get Jeb you plan to go
+about like-as-how Anne Stewart is doin'.' Nolla, thar ain't nuthin' like
+a bit of travel to polish folks up, is thar now?"</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, Sary! Just exactly right," laughed Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>But Sam Brewster was now heard calling Eleanor that the train was ready
+and the gates were opened, so Sary caught Jeb by his sleeves and
+followed after the others when the entire group started for the New York
+train.</p>
+
+<p>One would think, to hear Sary's excited tones, that she was about to
+take the long, long journey from which there is no returning; but once
+Anne Stewart and her charges were aboard the long Pullman train, the
+ones who remained behind stood upon the platform waiting for the girls
+to find their compartments and open the windows in order to converse
+until the last moment.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Brewster went over to a guard and asked several questions, then he
+hurried back and said to his party: "We can go aboard for a few minutes,
+as the train will not pull out for seven or eight minutes. Do you care
+to see how Polly will be located for the trip?"</p>
+
+<p>With motherly concern Mrs. Brewster followed her husband, and in order
+to be experienced when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> that trip east was to be taken, Sary dragged Jeb
+after the Brewsters.</p>
+
+<p>"Wall, suh!" breathed Sary, when Eleanor demonstrated where the beds
+were hidden, and what the push buttons were for, and how the window
+shades ran up or down on springs! She could hardly believe her eyes when
+she was told about the convenience of modern traveling.</p>
+
+<p>"All out not going East!" came a loud call from the colored porter at
+the end of the Pullman, so Sam Brewster turned and hugged Polly until
+she almost choked.</p>
+
+<p>"Come out, Sary&mdash;bring your man!" ordered Sam Brewster in a harsh tone,
+madly dabbing his eyes with a fist, as he left Polly to her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeb, Jeb! Come along&mdash;er we-all'll get taken along the trip!" cried
+Sary, excitedly, trying to force Jeb ahead of her as she stumbled out of
+the Pullman after Mr. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>The sight of big Sary urging little Jeb out to safety was so funny that
+every one had to laugh in spite of tears at the parting, so that Sary
+actually accomplished a great thing&mdash;she turned the sadness at Polly's
+leaving her parents into a merry laughing scene for every one.</p>
+
+<p>Once the four who were to remain behind were on the platform again, the
+four in the Pullman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> gazed from their windows. Polly suddenly remembered
+one last order about her ranch-home.</p>
+
+<p>"Paw, don't you or Jeb ever forget to do for Noddy just what I would do
+if I was home," was her choking command.</p>
+
+<p>"No danger, Poll! Little Noddy will be my own pet charge, now. It's all
+Ah will have at the old crater to tell me about you!" called Sam
+Brewster as the conductor signaled the engineer to start the engine.</p>
+
+<p>At this crucial moment Jeb remembered an important letter with which he
+had been intrusted. He made a wild search in his pockets and as the
+train slowly pulled away from the Brewster group, he found it. He gazed
+distractedly at the car window where Polly's face was flattened against
+the wire-netting, then instant action possessed him. His faculties began
+to exert themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, there! Mister Conductor, stop that car 'cause Ah got a big fat
+letter for Polly!" Jeb shouted with all the power his small frame could
+produce in such a hurry, but the conductor heard him not.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop that car! Oh, jumpin' rattle-snakes&mdash;won't you-all stop that car?"
+His yearning was pitiful but the car cared naught.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, here, Jeb! what is the matter with you-all?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> called Mr.
+Brewster, just as Jeb took a long breath and planned to sprint after the
+train.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a good-by letter a friend left with me for Polly, Mr. Brewster,
+an' now Ah done gone and clean forgot it!" wailed Jeb.</p>
+
+<p>"Too late now, Jeb. We'll change the address and send it on to her New
+York hotel. It will reach her almost as soon as she gets there,"
+explained Mrs. Brewster.</p>
+
+<p>"Yeh! Wall now, Ah wouldn't have believed that." So Jeb placed the
+letter that Polly never received in his coat pocket and lost it that
+same evening in the excitement of catching the local out of Denver.</p>
+
+<p>Consequently, when the New York train pulled slowly out of the Denver
+Terminal, with Polly and her companions on board trying to get a last
+look of dear ones left on the platform of the station, the only glimpse
+to be had of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster was their squirming desperately, now
+this side, now that, of Sary's ponderous form. And Sary, who had planted
+her bulk unexpectedly in front of them, held her arm high above her
+head, and slowly waved her hand in farewell back and forth in the rays
+of the sun. But her gaze was not following the moving train. Instead it
+was riveted, like a bird hypnotized by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> a serpent, upon a 10 carat
+rhinestone engagement ring that sparkled from the <i>index</i> finger of her
+red right hand.</p>
+
+<p>The last coach of the train vanished and the two Brewsters sighed. Then
+they saw Sary still waving her hand, oblivious of all else about her.
+Jeb stood gaping at her queer actions wondering if she might be "off in
+her head." But the smile on his master's face reassured him. As Mrs.
+Brewster murmured, "Sary, that's all!" the proud possessor of the ring
+came to earth again.</p>
+
+<p>But it was <i>not</i> all! Because "Polly and Eleanor in New York" had so
+many interesting experiences in this great city that it will take
+another book to tell about them.</p>
+
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>>This Isn't All!</h2>
+
+
+<p>Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in
+this book?</p>
+
+<p>Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
+experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?</p>
+
+<p>On the <i>reverse side</i> of the wrapper which comes with this book, you
+will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same
+store where you got this book.</p>
+
+
+<p>Don't throw away the Wrapper</p>
+
+<p><i>Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But
+in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete
+catalog.</i></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES</h2>
+
+<h3>By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</h3>
+
+<p>Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in
+Itself.</p>
+
+
+<p>A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and
+Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to
+various places in the United States, Europe and South America.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY AND ELEANOR</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY IN NEW YORK</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">POLLY IN ALASKA</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>GIRL SCOUTS SERIES</h2>
+
+<h3>By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</h3>
+
+<h4>Author of the "Polly Brewster Books"</h4>
+
+<p>Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated Each Volume Complete in
+Itself.</p>
+
+<p>Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom
+Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories
+of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with
+stirring adventures.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a
+mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The
+charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of
+adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting
+summer for the girls.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring
+camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton
+Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the
+girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental
+Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons,
+shooting rapids, encountering a land-slide, a summer blizzard, a sand
+storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with
+unforgettable experiences.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New
+Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe trail, cross the Painted
+Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a
+most interesting story.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California and
+incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion picture director in
+Hollywood to offer to produce a film that stars the Girl Scouts of
+America.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p><span class="smcap">GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS</h2>
+
+<p>Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every
+Volume Complete in Itself.</p>
+
+<p>Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed
+herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that
+Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment,
+while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a
+city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that
+she left school to take entire charge of the woman's page for the
+largest daily in an important Eastern city.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of
+these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and
+depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.</p>
+
+<p>BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER</p>
+
+<p>BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE</p>
+
+<p>GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD</p>
+
+<p>GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL</p>
+
+<p>JOAN: JUST GIRL</p>
+
+<p>JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE</p>
+
+<p>CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION</p>
+
+<p>CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class="smcap">Amy Bell Marlowe's Books for Girls</span></h2>
+
+<h4>Charming, Fresh and Original Stories</h4>
+
+<p>Illustrated. Wrappers printed in colors with individual design for each
+story.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott
+and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly
+American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls
+thoroughly enjoy.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OLDEST OF FOUR;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Natalie's Way Out.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from want.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Secret of the Rocks.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">A LITTLE MISS NOBODY;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the
+mystery of her identity.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Alone in a Great City.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her
+adventures make unusually good reading.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">WYN'S CAMPING DAYS;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of
+mystery and considerable excitement.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">FRANCES OF THE RANGES;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's
+school that has ever been written.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old
+lighthouse keeper.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>Oriole visits the family of a rich ranch-man and enjoys herself immensely.
+</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS</h2>
+
+<p>Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</p>
+
+<h4>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</h4>
+
+<p>Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of
+goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will
+see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.</p>
+
+<p>MARJORIE'S VACATION</p>
+
+<p>MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS</p>
+
+<p>MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND</p>
+
+<p>MARJORIE IN COMMAND</p>
+
+<p>MARJORIE'S MAYTIME</p>
+
+<p>MARJORIE AT SEACOTE</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<h4>THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</h4>
+
+<p>Introducing Dorinda Fayre&mdash;a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a
+little slow, and Dorothy Rose&mdash;a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like,
+high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.</p>
+
+<p>TWO LITTLE WOMEN</p>
+
+<p>TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE</p>
+
+<p>TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<h4>THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS</h4>
+
+<p>Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks,
+their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories
+"really true" to young readers.</p>
+
+<p>DICK AND DOLLY</p>
+
+<p>DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h2>
+
+<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3>
+
+<h4>Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.</h4>
+
+<p>Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.</p>
+
+<p>These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several
+bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Wintering in the Sunny South.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, A Cave and What it Contained.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, A Wreck and A Rescue.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p><span class="smcap">GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS</h2>
+
+<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THELMA GOOCH</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Every Volume Complete in Itself</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City.
+Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while
+Margy just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private
+secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called
+a "job" in a department store.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Facing the Great World.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Worth of a Name.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual
+inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all the girls for
+existence.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, Face to Face With a Crisis.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with
+the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery as well as exciting
+girlish happenings.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Girl From Bronx Park.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose
+real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the girl really
+was comes as a tremendous surprise.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm.</span><br /></p>
+
+<p>The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks&mdash;and fall
+in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings. How they came to
+the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a queer mystery, is well
+related.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
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@@ -0,0 +1,8137 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Polly and Eleanor, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+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 www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Polly and Eleanor
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Illustrator: H. S. Barbour
+
+Release Date: May 11, 2008 [EBook #25419]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY AND ELEANOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, Josephine Paolucci and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: POLLY AND ANNE FOLLOWED THE GUIDE.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor._    _Frontispiece--(Page 21)_]
+
+
+
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+BY
+
+LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+_Author of_
+
+POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY IN NEW YORK, POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD,
+POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE.
+
+ILLUSTRATED BY
+H. S. BARBOUR
+
+     NEW YORK
+     GROSSET & DUNLAP
+     PUBLISHERS
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+     COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY
+     GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                    PAGE
+
+I ANOTHER TRIP TO TOP NOTCH                   1
+
+II THE CLAIM-JUMPERS                         22
+
+III AT CHOKO'S FIND                          38
+
+IV JOHN AND HIS FRIEND ARRIVE                55
+
+V POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVERS        81
+
+VI THE GIRLS ENTERTAIN GUESTS                99
+
+VII SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS               122
+
+VIII POLLY-ELEANOR COMPANY, INC.            143
+
+IX JEB'S SUNDAY NIGHT OFF                   162
+
+X A TRIP TO BUFFALO PARK                    181
+
+XI A WILD-WEST COUNTY FAIR                  195
+
+XII NOLLA'S PLANS DEVELOP                   208
+
+XIII RIGGLEY & RATZGER OF NEW YORK          226
+
+XIV THE VICTORY                             247
+
+XV COMINGS AND GOINGS                       262
+
+XVI POLLY AND ELEANOR START OUT             275
+
+
+
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ANOTHER TRIP TO TOP NOTCH
+
+
+Six intensely interested individuals sat about the supper-table in the
+living room at Pebbly Pit Ranch-house, the evening of the day they rode
+to Oak Creek to file the claim on the gold mine. Sary, the
+maid-of-all-work, had the supper ready for the weary riders when they
+returned from their trip.
+
+Having served the dessert, Sary went out to the barn to help Jeb, the
+foreman on the ranch, with the horses which had just come in from the
+long day's work. So the group about the table felt free to talk as they
+liked. But Polly Brewster and her friend Eleanor Maynard were almost
+talked out by the time they finished the last bit of Sary's delicious
+dessert; and Barbara Maynard tried her best to hide a yawn behind her
+hand, while Anne Stewart, the pretty teacher who was the fourth member
+in the party that spent a night in the cave, was eager to continue
+planning for the future of the mine, but Nature demanded rest after the
+three days' excitement.
+
+Finally, Polly turned to her father and said: "I wish we could see
+John's face when he reads that telegram!"
+
+"If we had only dared word it plainly, there sure would be something
+queer to laugh at when John read it. But we had to cipher it, you know,"
+chuckled Sam Brewster.
+
+"I can't see why such foolish fear of talking about it is entertained by
+all you folks," declared Barbara, loftily.
+
+"Can't you? Well, then, Bob, Ah'll tell you plainly that that message
+had to be camouflaged, as we are not taking any risks on having your
+claim jumped over night. If we sent a wire to John telling him plainly
+that you girls discovered a vein of gold on Top Notch Trail, every last
+rascal in Oak Creek would hit the trail before that message was
+delivered," replied Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Even as it is, I suppose every one who can read the records at Oak
+Creek will start out at once, so as to stake new claims as near to
+Montresor's Mine as possible; perhaps they'll try to pick up some
+nuggets from your claim, as well," added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Then, when word spreads around the country--and such news always
+travels like lightning--every gambler and bunco man in Wyoming and
+Colorado will be seen camping on Top Notch Trail, each trying in his own
+way to wheedle money or gold-dust from the unwary ones," laughed Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+"There now, Daddy! You've laughed, so I know your spell of worry is over
+with. Won't you tell us what made you so serious?" exclaimed Polly.
+
+"Ah was trying to plan for the best way to avoid trouble over this
+claim; and at the same time protect our own rights, and any rights Old
+Montresor's family might have in this rediscovery. That is why Ah
+insisted upon Simms being one of our party, to-morrow; and the sheriff
+with his stalwart son, too. They are both strong, trusty men, and with
+Simms, Jeb and myself, we ought to be able to hold our own in case of an
+argument up there."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Brewster! Do you mean there is likely to be a fight, and
+_shooting_?" cried Barbara, horrified at the very idea.
+
+"Not so that you-all can notice it--if we get there first. But let those
+claim-jumpers camp on our grounds first, and we-all may have to use
+gun-persuasion to move them on to safer ground."
+
+"Dear me, I think it is going to be more fun than a movie-picture play
+in the filming!" exclaimed Eleanor, her eyes shining with excitement.
+
+"I hope we won't have the same kind of gun-play that we see in the
+wild-west films," hinted Anne Stewart, hitherto a listener.
+
+"Would you rather remain here, Anne?" asked Barbara, with an eager
+expression as if to say: "'I hope you do--then I will stay with you.'"
+
+"I should say _no_! I wouldn't miss the picnic we are going to have,
+to-morrow, for anything in Colorado!" declared Anne, emphatically.
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed at the young teacher's vehement tones, and then
+turned to her husband with a suggestion.
+
+"Sam, what do you think of sending Jeb on before, in the morning, to
+tell Rattle-Snake Mike he must act as guide and cook for us while we are
+on the mountain? He is the cleverest Indian anywhere about, you know."
+
+"Just the thing, Mary! Ah'm mighty glad you-all thought of it. Jeb can
+ride on whiles we-all branch off at Bear Forks for the Old Indian Trail.
+Then Mike and Jeb can catch up with us."
+
+"I don't know about that, Sam," returned Mrs. Brewster, thoughtfully.
+"I'd rather see Jeb start from here about four o'clock, so Mike and he
+can meet us at five-thirty at the school-house."
+
+"You must have some good reason for that," ventured Polly.
+
+"Yes, Mike may hear about this claim and leave his cabin early, so as to
+act as guide to strangers who will be glad to pay him any price just to
+get him and his wonderful scouting experience."
+
+"Right as usual, Mary! Ah'll run out, right now, and tell Jeb he'd
+better get to bed if he has to be up before four," exclaimed Mr.
+Brewster, starting for the bedroom over the barn where he knew Jeb would
+be.
+
+"And we had better go to bed, too, so we can be up and have breakfast
+out of the way before the horses are brought to the door," suggested
+Mrs. Brewster, leading the way to the front door to look at the night
+sky.
+
+"Why, it isn't eight o'clock," complained Barbara.
+
+"No, but even that leaves us less than eight hours' sleep. After such
+exciting days as we have been through, we need a good full night's
+rest," replied Anne.
+
+"Chances are Nolla and I won't close an eye! What, with gold mines, and
+John, and the Latimer boys, and Ken Evans coming to town--and
+claim-jumpers, and everything!" laughed Polly.
+
+"You mean that young stranger we met at Oak Creek?" asked Barbara,
+frigidly.
+
+"Yes,--the one who looked so pleasant but forlorn," said Eleanor,
+sympathetically.
+
+"His name was Kenneth Evans, you know, Bob," explained Polly,
+innocently.
+
+Eleanor and Anne exchanged glances and smiled, for they understood that
+Barbara meant to be condemnatory in her manner; but Polly, in her very
+guilelessness, countered the city girl's disparagement.
+
+"It's too bad we couldn't have had him come home with us," added
+Eleanor, teasingly, to Barbara.
+
+"Dear me, Nolla! By the time I get you back to Chicago you will need a
+complete training in social behavior again!" declared Barbara, frowning
+at her younger sister.
+
+But her remark merely called forth a merry laugh from the light-hearted
+girl. Mrs. Brewster then started the usual preparations for bed, and the
+group followed her example.
+
+For the benefit of any one who has not been fortunate enough to become
+acquainted with our western friends, in the first book of this series,
+we will introduce you while the girls are soundly sleeping.
+
+Polly Brewster, a girl just past fourteen, was a true type of the
+honest, ambitious ranchers of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Her home,
+the extensive farm in the crater of an extinct volcano, was called
+Pebbly Pit because of the giant cliffs of colored stones guarding the
+entrance trail. This ranch was about eleven miles from Oak Creek, the
+mining settlement and railroad station for about a thousand inhabitants,
+where all shopping had to be done. The town was much like other rough,
+half-civilized western settlements, consisting of a post office, a bank,
+the sheriff's office, and several saloons. A general store was
+maintained in connection with the post office, and here one must buy
+anything needed for house or farm. The Brewsters, being affluent
+ranchers, ordered their clothing, house-furnishings, and many tools or
+luxuries by mail, from illustrated catalogues. But the rough road from
+the ranch to the town post office, being hard going in a heavy
+ranch-wagon, often caused the Brewsters to forego a mail order on
+cosmopolitan stores rather than drive in and cart the goods home from
+Oak Creek.
+
+Polly had just completed her grammar course at the little Bear Forks'
+school-house where Anne Stewart had taught two years previous to this
+summer. Polly had never been elsewhere than at Oak Creek and now she
+yearned to attend High School in Denver.
+
+Anne Stewart lived in Denver, and for the past year had been tutoring
+Eleanor Maynard, while the girl and her older sister Barbara boarded
+with Mrs. Stewart. The Maynard girls were from Chicago, but Eleanor, who
+was fourteen, was very delicate, so the doctor had recommended a high
+altitude for her.
+
+Anne Stewart was helping her brother Paul through a college in Chicago,
+and during her visit to him, at the end of his first year, she met his
+friends--John Brewster who was Polly's older brother; Tom Latimer a
+promising young engineer from New York; and Pete Maynard who was a
+brother to Eleanor and Barbara. It was through this means that the
+Maynards heard of the Stewarts' home in Denver, and anxiously begged
+Anne to take the two girls into her home circle. As the salary offered
+for this privilege was so munificent, the young teacher eagerly
+accepted, and then found her youngest charge a lovable and merry girl.
+
+The two Chicago girls had returned home for a few months, but Eleanor
+could not stand the high winds and stubborn climate of Chicago, so the
+doctor again ordered her to spend a summer in the mountains of Colorado.
+In distraction, Mr. Maynard begged Anne Stewart to arrange everything,
+and thus it was that these two society girls came, with Anne, to board
+with Polly's family at Pebbly Pit ranch.
+
+The Brewsters were considered very wealthy in land and cattle, to say
+nothing of the Rainbow Cliffs, for which a New York financier had
+offered them half a million dollars for part interest in mining them.
+But Sam Brewster could afford to refuse such destruction to his
+beautiful estate. Polly had never had city-made clothing, nor had she
+the slightest idea of city-ways, until the Maynard girls' advent to
+Pebbly Pit. But she had had years of thrilling experiences to her
+credit--experiences with wild-life of all kinds, of mountain-climbing,
+of adventures of other sorts, to say nothing about knowledge of farming
+and domestic animals. This outdoor life gave her abundant health,
+strength, and the beauty of a fine complexion, clear eyes, luxuriant
+glossy hair, and a graceful well-formed figure that was all the more
+attractive because of the charms her adolescence promised.
+
+That very day had been spent in Oak Creek in filing the claim to
+Montresor's Mine, and just as the party started for home, they had met
+the young stranger, Kenneth Evans, who sought Carew's Surveying Camp,
+which was known to be located near Yellow Jacket Pass. The youth was
+directed how to find Jake, the driver of Carew's wagon, and then he was
+invited to visit Pebbly Pit, on Sunday.
+
+As Polly and Eleanor had predicted, they were so excited over the events
+that promised such thrills on the morrow, that they slept little that
+night, but tossed and talked most of the time. However, when the call
+sounded for them all to awake and dress for the mountain trip, it found
+that these two girls were fast asleep and loath to get up.
+
+"Good gracious, Anne! My wrist watch says it's four o'clock! You don't
+suppose we have to get up at this awful hour?" complained Barbara,
+rubbing her eyes.
+
+Anne was already up and hurriedly dressing. "Any one who is not ready to
+start when the man brings the horses around to the door, remains
+behind, you know."
+
+That brought Polly and Eleanor out of bed with a hop, as there was only
+a wooden partition between the two rooms, and Anne's words were plainly
+heard by them.
+
+"If there was the least thing to do if I stayed here, I'd not go again
+for anything. But I should die of ennui if I had to be entertained by
+Sary for three whole days," grumbled Barbara.
+
+The very idea of Sary, the "house helper," entertaining Barbara, for
+whom she felt such scorn, caused mirth in the adjoining room.
+
+Eleanor called out: "More than likely Sary feels as glad to know that
+you're going, as we would be to have you stay behind."
+
+"Come, come, Bob! You _must_ get up and dress!" now urged Anne, as she
+finished her dressing and turned to leave the room.
+
+The purple gleams of the western dawn shot the heavens of blue and gold,
+as Jeb brought the sturdy horses from the barn. He had given careful
+attention to the trappings and shoes of the various mounts, and finding
+each one in splendid condition, started for the house.
+
+An unusual hubbub came from the living-room where baskets of food and
+outfits were waiting. The moment Jeb was hailed, however, the noisy
+girls ran out to look over their horses.
+
+"Why, Jeb! Isn't Noddy going this time?" asked Polly.
+
+"Not ef you-all want her to keep any breath in her skin. Ain't she
+eena-most done up from that other trip?" retorted Jeb, who was the
+"general-man" on the ranch. Having been with the Brewsters since he was
+a boy of twelve, he felt that he was one of the family and he treated
+Polly as if she were a younger sister.
+
+"Never mind Noddy, this time, Polly, but let Jeb jump into the saddle
+and start off. He'll never reach Mike's cabin if you keep on arguing
+about the burros," said Mrs. Brewster, coming out to call them to
+breakfast.
+
+Jeb had gone on to secure the company of Rattle-Snake Mike, and Mr.
+Brewster sat impatiently on his horse, waiting to guide the party of
+women, when all but Barbara were ready; then she came out while still
+munching her tardy breakfast.
+
+As the riders passed the Rainbow Cliffs, the rays of the rising sun
+gilded their peaks, and the girls exclaimed at the beauty of the stones
+as they reflected the myriad colors of a rainbow. Then on down through
+the Devil's Causeway and out on the Sand Trail, rode the adventurers,
+until they saw Jeb and Mike riding to meet them.
+
+"Mike says we-all ain't the fust ones to start up Grizzly Slide, this
+mornin'," said Jeb, the moment he was within hearing.
+
+"U-um! Plenty fool go by!" grunted Mike.
+
+Mike was an entirely new type to the city girls, and they studied him
+with interest. He was a swarthy-looking Indian; perhaps, as Mr. Brewster
+said, because he smoked himself brown. He always rode his famous Indian
+pony and carried an evil-looking gun, besides the revolvers in his belt.
+Another weapon he had, as evil but not quite so fatal to others as the
+gun--and that was his old pipe, as black as the Asiatic plague.
+
+Mike was a descendant of a famous Chieftain, so he seldom noticed the
+miners or common natives about Oak Creek, but he considered himself an
+equal of educated people like the Brewsters. Hence his willingness to
+act as guide for this party, after he had refused tempting offers from
+the "scorned" early that morning.
+
+"Now we'll turn off at the Forks and ride fast to meet Simms and his
+party," advised Mr. Brewster, when they reached the place where the
+trails forked.
+
+"Mike says there's the old Indian Trail up the mountain, that cuts off
+half the distance to the Slide," called Jeb, from the front.
+
+"Him bad trail--no like Top Notch," warned the Indian.
+
+"Whereabouts will we hit it, Mike?" asked Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Onny Mike say--him secret Indian Trail," explained the red-man, ever
+faithful to his ancestors.
+
+"Well, will we pass Pine Tree where we are to meet Simms and the
+sheriff?" added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Na! him run away from Pine Tree. But him save half-day riding."
+
+Mr. Brewster silently considered this possibility for a few moments,
+then turned to his wife, and said: "Mary, it seems most important just
+now for us to get to the cave before others reach it, as we must stake
+out additional claims adjoining the mine, in order to protect the rights
+of the girls. Of course, we must have Mike show us his secret trail, and
+I will go to escort the girls, but you and Jeb might ride on to Pine
+Tree to meet Simms' party. Then ride with them up along Top Notch Trail.
+We will all meet at Four Mile Blaze."
+
+"I was about to suggest the same plan, Sam; but I won't need Jeb with
+me. I'm so used to this road that I am perfectly safe. It is the Trail
+that will be hazardous to a lone rider, when once the outlaws hear of
+this strike. But I will have Mr. Simms and the other men with me, so
+everything will be safe and all right," replied Mrs. Brewster.
+
+After a hasty good-by, Mrs. Brewster rode away, and the others in the
+party followed after Mike who led up a hitherto unknown trail to Grizzly
+Slide. It was so over-grown that no one but an Indian could ever find a
+way through; however, Mike was an adept in this line.
+
+"I have been wondering if this could have been the trail Mr. Montresor
+discovered the day he approached his gold mine from the valley," said
+Polly, as she followed close at Mike's heels.
+
+"You may have hit the nail on the head, Poll. It always has been a
+question whether Montresor was quite sane, because he insisted that he
+rode up a strange trail that was over-grown with jungle before he came
+upon the ravine that held his gold mine," added Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Humph! Him good old scout," came from Mike.
+
+"I'm glad to hear you say so, Mike, because I liked him so much!" sighed
+Polly, and tears filled her eyes at the memory of her old friend.
+
+"Patsy good scout, too. Solly dem dead," Mike added.
+
+Conversation now became impossible, as Mike rode far in advance for some
+reason best known to himself, and the trail was so steep and rough that
+it took each rider all his attention to keep in the saddle. However, the
+flora and fauna were so interesting that the girls endured many a jar
+and jolt for the sake of seeing them.
+
+Reaching Four Mile Blaze they found they had saved over half the
+distance it would have been to ride up over Top Notch Trail; and this
+pleased Mr. Brewster tremendously. He had just turned in his saddle to
+call out to the girls behind him when Mike held up a warning hand.
+
+Every one looked at him to see what he had discovered. He grunted
+unpleasantly, and slid from his horse. He sprawled out on the ground and
+placed his ear close to the earth. Every one sat still, waiting to hear
+the report, or cause, of this unusual behavior.
+
+The Indian listened attentively for a time, then got up and examined the
+trail along Top Notch, as far back as the blazed tree. There he placed
+his ear to the ground again, and listened for a longer time than at
+first. Then he got up slowly and crept about examining the bushes, the
+broken twigs, rocks, and even the grass.
+
+The girls watched him with intense interest, as Polly had told them of
+the wonderful scouting instinct Mike possessed, and now they were going
+to have it demonstrated to them. Having satisfied himself, Mike came
+over to Mr. Brewster and announced, abruptly:
+
+"Tree miner gone aleddy--two tenderfut comin'."
+
+"Three up there already! By the Great Horned Spoon! how did they do it?"
+cried Sam Brewster, aghast at the idea that perhaps they would have
+trouble when they reached Polly's mine.
+
+"Maybe the three gone on ahead have no idea that we found gold up there.
+Maybe they are after pelts, or some other thing," said Anne Stewart.
+
+Mike grinned complacently, for he had spoken.
+
+"How do you know those three are miners, Mike?" asked Polly.
+
+The Indian pointed to the ground where an imprint of a miner's boot was
+plainly seen. Only the miners at Oak Creek wore such spiked heels, the
+ranchers and other citizens being satisfied with heavy leather soles.
+The foot-print pointed towards the Slide--not away from it.
+
+"That's only one, Mike, and you said there were three!" exclaimed Anne,
+triumphantly.
+
+"Tree hoss go by--see." Mike pointed out three different kinds of
+horse-shoe imprints.
+
+"One hoss carry pack an' go lame. Two hoss all light."
+
+"How do you know he is lame--and maybe he isn't packed," Eleanor said.
+
+Mike sniffed derisively, and pointed at the lighter impression of one
+hind foot. Then he showed his admiring audience how a slight rip in a
+flour-sack allowed the contents to trickle down upon the ground at each
+limp the lame horse gave.
+
+Mike now said to Mr. Brewster: "Dem go slow--lame hoss no go fas', mebbe
+jus' ahead."
+
+"If we ride on we can catch up with them!" eagerly exclaimed Anne.
+
+Mike shook his head and lifted a finger for silence. Then the girls
+heard a faint clip-clop of hoof-beats on the rocky trail leading along
+Top Notch.
+
+"Two tenderfut 'mos' catch up. We-all wait an' talkee," suggested Mike,
+settling himself in his saddle to await the riders.
+
+"Mike's right, because they will only follow us and find out where our
+claim is located, if we start on now," added Polly.
+
+Mr. Brewster shook his head. "Ah reckon you-all talk sense but Ah would
+offer an amendment to your plan: to have Polly and Anne take Jeb for an
+escort and ride on at once. Let the horses have their head and get to
+the cave as soon as you can. Hold the fort until we-all join you. We-all
+will see these two men and find out what they are after."
+
+"Daddy, you must remember a grizzly bear lives in that cave. He may have
+been injured but he may not have died, the other night. I have my small
+rifle but Anne hasn't any weapon at all. As for Jeb--he's great on the
+farm, but for this work, huh! Then there are those three miners who are
+up ahead: they wouldn't hesitate to put two mere girls out of their way,
+if we interfered with their staking our mine or jumping our claims,"
+said Polly.
+
+Mike smiled and expressed his opinion. "Miss'r Brooser wait wid two
+ten'erfut, an' Mike go wid leedle leddies. Ef cabe hab trouble of
+grizzle er miner, Mike shoot."
+
+"Good! And Ah'll wait for Simms and the others, and then come after
+you-all," agreed Mr. Brewster.
+
+"I won't go with Mike if there is any danger at the cave. I didn't come
+to the Rockies to be killed!" declared Barbara.
+
+"Daddy, you must keep Eleanor and Barbara here with you and Jeb, and
+wait for mother and the sheriff's men. Anne and I will go with Mike and
+see that our rights are protected," now said Polly.
+
+"I have as much right to go with you, Polly, as Anne has. Why must I
+remain here with Bob?" demanded Eleanor.
+
+"I know that, Nolla, but three of us will be too many--especially as
+Anne and you have no firearms. I may need Anne to help me load but you
+can't even do that. So it will be far better for us all if you remain
+here. Mike will not have to bother over so many of us, then," explained
+Polly.
+
+"But everything may be safe at the cave, and all this worry about
+fighting may be a farce," argued Eleanor.
+
+"In that case Mike will leave us safely there and come back to guide
+you-all to us. Once we are safe on that ledge with a pile of dry wood in
+front of the entrance to the cave, we can defy the whole country."
+
+"All right! Hurry away and get on to that ledge before any more rascals
+steal a march on you. But be sure to send Mike back for us, the moment
+Anne and you arrive there and find everything is all right," replied
+Eleanor.
+
+So Mike spurred his broncho along the trail, while Polly and Anne rode
+after him. Soon they disappeared around the bend where giant pines
+formed a wall on either side of the narrow going.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CLAIM-JUMPERS
+
+
+The moment the three had passed out of sight, Sam Brewster jumped from
+his horse and led him over to the great tree that caused the trail to
+turn aside and run around it. He looped the reins over his arm and
+placed his hands in his coat pockets. As he leaned against the
+tree-trunk nibbling nonchalantly at a sprig of grass, a tenderfoot would
+never have dreamed that his fingers were tensely held against the
+triggers of the revolvers hidden in his pockets.
+
+Soon after Mr. Brewster had taken his stand where he could see the first
+appearance of any one coming up the trail, two riders approached eagerly
+scanning the large trees, in evident search of something. As they came
+to the giant tree where the rancher waited, both men started in
+surprise.
+
+"How-dy, friends? Out early this morning, eh?" was the greeting the two
+amazed men received from the alert man at the tree.
+
+"Oh--oh, yes!" stammered one, plainly uneasy.
+
+"Hoh, it's Sam Brewster of Pebbly Pit, ain't it?" said the other, also
+confused in his manner.
+
+"Right you are, Hank. You see, when a man has to attend to the girls'
+gold mine, he has to be up right early to forestall the plans of any
+claim-jumpers who read the records at Oak Creek, yesterday, after we
+left there. That's why I got a posse to guard the place. I reckon, now,
+Hank, that your boss sent you-all on to help we-all up yonder, eh?"
+laughed Mr. Brewster, tantalizingly, as he recognized Hank to be the
+clerk at the filing office in Oak Creek.
+
+The man Hank laughed also, but a discordant note rang through his forced
+merriment. "We-all ain't claim-jumpers, Mr. Brewster, but it seemed so
+quare to find Old Montresor's Mine hed ben found again, that Ah sez to
+my pal, here, 'How'd you-all like to run up to the Slide and have a
+squint at that cave?' An' havin' a day off, he reckoned he'd enjy the
+trip. So here we-all are."
+
+"Yes--so Ah see! Here you-all are. And Ah says to my girls and the
+posse, says Ah: 'There'll be a lot of fools start off at night-fall, to
+hit this trail to the Slide just out of dern-fool curiosity to have a
+squint at Old Montresor's Mine. But human nature is human nature,
+girls,' says Ah, so when they get that squint, they may forget one of
+the Ten Commandments and want to covet their neighbor's property. And
+seeing how they have lost a good night's sleep through climbing the Top
+Notch Trail just to arrive early to have that squint, they will sort of
+feel justified in stealing an acre, or so, of gold-land. That would make
+them break another Commandment; so Ah felt it a duty, Hank, to send on a
+regiment in advance, to save the souls of such curious sightseers." Sam
+Brewster never changed a muscle of his serious face nor did his voice
+have the slightest sign of any other feeling than a reverent desire to
+help his fellow-man. But the two men knew Sam Brewster by experience as
+well as from hearsay.
+
+"Right-o! Hank told me what a good man you war," said the miner who
+accompanied Hank. But his shifty eyes belied the tone.
+
+Mr. Brewster smiled. "Yes. Ah did hate to see any one lose a good
+night's sleep and then get thus far only to be mistaken for
+claim-jumpers by the Sheriff's men up yonder. Of course, Hank and
+you-all aren't going to take such chances with the law."
+
+The miner glanced about uneasily but only saw two girls sitting on their
+horses a short distance away. Hank's face lowered, however, and he
+growled forth: "Ah don't see whose business it is whether we break the
+Sheriff's law or not."
+
+"Perhaps _you_ don't see--but Ah do, Hank. And when the Sheriff says,
+'Keep the trail free from all trespassers till my posse can take
+charge,' you know me--Ah'll see that his orders are carried out,"
+returned Mr. Brewster sternly, his pockets moving suspiciously.
+
+"You-all hain't got no orders, and thar hain't no posse up yander,
+neither, 'cause they hain't a-comin' till after Simms leaves," exclaimed
+Hank, unguardedly.
+
+"Ah! So you and your man thought you'd get a lead on the Sheriff, eh?"
+laughed Mr. Brewster. "Oh, but you are an easy tenderfoot to stuff,
+Hank! Did you-all really believe such a story would have been told at
+Oak Creek if the posse planned to wait for morning? Why, man, that is
+just what they wanted to do--to catch a lot of rascals red-handed and
+clean Oak Creek out, once for all! How do you know that there is a real
+claim staked out up there--or whether it is the Sheriff's joke to land
+a ring of crooks?"
+
+Eleanor and Barbara were so interested in the way Mr. Brewster handled
+the two rascals without telling a direct falsehood that they sighed when
+the claim-jumpers backed their horses and withdrew to confer anxiously
+on what they had heard. But Sam Brewster interpolated with:
+
+"If it is curiosity that brought you-all to lose a night's rest, pass
+right along and tell the Sheriff and Bill your yarn. They will not only
+let you take a squint at what you think is a mine, but they will pay you
+to remain and help arrest all the claim-jumpers who are already on the
+way."
+
+Even as he spoke, Mr. Brewster saw the sly move of Hank as he tried to
+pull his gun from the holster; instantly a hand came from the rancher's
+pocket and brought to light a cocked revolver. The other man suddenly
+changed his mind when the bore of Brewster's gun was leveled so that the
+clerk could look right down into his grave if he made the slightest
+mistake in this outing of his.
+
+But the miner became ugly; then he saw the other hand of Sam Brewster
+come from his pocket and he knew that he was a dead rascal too, if he
+made one false step. So his expression changed to a wily smile, and he
+said:
+
+"What you-all ha'r fur ef th' Sheriff's up thar guardin' th' precious
+mine?"
+
+"Told to warn away any foolish town-clerks who might be heading straight
+to Kingdom Come! You know Bill likes to give every chump a loop-hole to
+save himself, if possible," retorted Mr. Brewster.
+
+"We ain't lookin' fer no argyment with Bill ner the Shuriff, so
+we-all'll mosey back an' tell others we meet. Howsomever, you-all won't
+find it so easy to git rid of curious folks when that miner-gang gits
+ha'r. Ah happen to know who and how many are plannin' to come."
+
+With that farewell, Hank turned his horse's head and led the way down
+the trail, slowly followed by the unwilling miner.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Brewster! hadn't we better ride after Mike and the girls before
+the miners' gang gets here?" cried Barbara, fearfully.
+
+Mr. Brewster laughed. "That was only a bluff of Hank's to make me ride
+along so he and his pal might follow us. I haven't the least doubt but
+that both of those cowardly rascals are hiding just out of sight where
+they can watch my every movement. Should we start to ride along towards
+the cave, they would follow and shoot us from the rear as sure as
+anything."
+
+In spite of his making light of Hank, however, Mr. Brewster kept a wary
+eye open for an ambuscade. Nothing of moment happened, however, and Jeb
+was just saying: "Maybe we-all had best ride for the cave," when a shot
+rang out.
+
+"Well!" gasped he, while the two girls trembled with fear.
+
+"That sounded from Top Notch. It's either Simms and his party, or those
+rascals. In either case, it won't be cowardly in us to hide behind a
+clump of pines and await developments," suggested the rancher.
+
+Mr. Brewster stationed Eleanor behind a close growth of young pine and
+handed her a small rifle. Barbara was hidden deeper in the forest, and
+then he and Jeb took their places behind a bowlder whence they could
+watch the up-trail. With a revolver ready in each hand, they waited
+anxiously.
+
+But his wise precautions were unnecessary this time, for Bill soon rode
+up, calling loudly as he came. Sam Brewster sighed with relief to find a
+group of Oak Creek's leading citizens with the Sheriff.
+
+"Bill, did you-all shoot, a time back?" queried Mr. Brewster the moment
+the posse came up.
+
+Bill laughed. "Ah'll explain in a minute. You-all see it wa'r this way:
+After you-all left for home, yesterday, it wa'r found how some low-down
+sneaks got wind of this claim and planned to ride up at once. It looked
+a lot like claim-jumpin', so we-all got together mighty quick and rode
+after them to spare the Lord any trouble in judgin' 'em. Also, we-all
+reckoned to save your party any nonsense over the gold, 'specially as
+thar wa'r four gals in it."
+
+"But three rascals got a lead on you," interrupted Sam.
+
+"Yeh, three are at large somewhere, Ah reckon; but two of the worst ones
+out of that five are back yonder. Hank Johnson and his jail-bird pal are
+down on Four Mile Blaze. When we get the other three, we'll rid Oak
+Crick of five of its worst citizens."
+
+"Rattle-Snake Mike came up with us, Bill. We rode up the Indian
+Trail--that's how we got here so soon. But Mike went on to the cave with
+Polly and her friend. They'll guard their claim, all right, unless those
+three interfere," said Mr. Brewster, with an anxious note in his voice.
+
+"Ah reckon we'd better make for that cave, then! Thar may be some work
+cut out fer us thar," whispered Bill, seeing the two city girls now
+ride out from cover and come over to join the group.
+
+"Where's Mrs. Brewster?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"This is Bill's party--they left Oak Creek last night," explained Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+"Then where is Simms and your wife?" asked Barbara.
+
+"You see it will take the others much longer to ride up from Lone Pine
+than it took us to climb the trappers' trail, so they can't possibly
+arrive for some time yet. We-all just got here, and we left Oak Creek at
+midnight," explained one of the men, encouraging the two girls.
+
+"But we-all stopped on the way and cooked breakfast and fed our hosses.
+Simms and his party will ride right up and ought to be ha'r pritty soon,
+now," said Bill.
+
+"How about leavin' some one here at Four Mile Blaze to direct the Simms'
+party, while we-all ride on with Sam to hunt those three claim-jumpers,"
+suggested one of the posse.
+
+"Barbara and I will wait here with Jeb if you leave us each with a gun,"
+offered Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+Barbara gasped at the very idea, but Eleanor added:
+
+"We don't want to be mixed up in a fight with rascals, and we are safer
+here than up there."
+
+"The gal's right, Sam. They'd onny be in the road if we-all have to
+chase them men," said Bill.
+
+"But they can't shoot! Why give them any guns?" asked Mr. Brewster,
+anxiously.
+
+"I just bet I could kill you at forty paces, if you were a claim-jumper
+and looked at me the way Hank looked at you!" declared Eleanor,
+emphatically.
+
+The men laughed, and Bill wagged his head approvingly. "Ah say, Sam, let
+the gals take a crack at the Four Mile tree--and see."
+
+"Well, even the sight of guns will make the villains respect us, even if
+we can't shoot!" added Barbara, who felt that the lesser of the two
+dangers would be to remain with Eleanor and Jeb where they now were.
+
+After many instructions and warnings had been given to Jeb and the two
+city girls, Mr. Brewster spurred his horse on to ride after his
+companions who were already up the trail. But he had not far to go.
+
+At the bend of the trail, where there was a small clearing, he saw the
+men standing up in their stirrups, intent on something ahead. He urged
+his horse up to join them, and just before reaching the group, he
+called out: "What's wrong?"
+
+The horses were tossing their heads, pawing the ground, and acting
+restive. Bill turned half-way around in the saddle and replied:
+"D'you-all smell anything, Sam?"
+
+Mr. Brewster noticed then, that the men held faces up and were sniffing
+in different directions. He then sniffed carefully himself and
+exclaimed: "Smells like smoke."
+
+But even as he spoke, the thought reached him: "A forest fire!" His face
+went white and he murmured a prayer to himself for Polly and Anne.
+
+"Yeh, Sam. Comin' down from the Slide," was all Bill said.
+
+"My Gawd, men! what shall we do?" cried one of the posse.
+
+"We-all must ship them two gals an' Jeb down trail, right away, and then
+the rest of us'll ride up to see if anything kin be done to stop it.
+Mebbe it hain't got a headway yet," replied Bill.
+
+But the two girls were now seen riding up the trail as fast as their
+horses could travel. Barbara rode first and Eleanor after her, shouting
+aloud in a frantic voice. The men waited fearfully to hear what new
+trouble assailed them.
+
+Barbara almost ran down Mr. Brewster's horse in her blind fear, and
+when questioned, could not speak. Eleanor then rode up and looked so
+angry that she could scarcely explain.
+
+"Bob declared she heard noises behind us and on one side, and then,
+without giving me or Jeb any warning, she started her horse at a run, to
+come and meet you men. She cried that it would be safer with a crowd
+than alone with only Jeb and me and the rifles we knew nothing about. I
+had to ride after her to see that she reached you safely. Now I'll go
+back and keep guard again."
+
+"Stop, Nolla! Although you are a brave little girl, it will be of no use
+to keep guard now. Jeb and you will have to ride down Top Notch Trail as
+fast as you can, and meet Simms who is coming up with Mrs. Brewster.
+Send Simms and the men on to help us, but you three women take Jeb and
+go right on down. There's a forest fire." Mr. Brewster added the last
+portentous words in an awed voice.
+
+"Oh, my goodness! Will we be hurt?" cried Barbara.
+
+But Eleanor thought not of herself. She immediately cried: "Are Polly
+and Anne safe?"
+
+"Polly--whar's she?" demanded Bill, suddenly realizing that the girl was
+not one of the party.
+
+"She went to the cave with Mike to watch there, in case any
+claim-jumpers tried to stake their ground," groaned Sam Brewster.
+
+"Is the cave far from here?" added Bill, quickly.
+
+"Not as far as Top Notch Trail," replied Eleanor, seeing a possible way
+for her to get to Polly and Anne.
+
+"But some one ought to send Simms on to us and then ride on down trail
+to signal the forest-rangers' lookout so's they could come and help
+fight the fire," said another man.
+
+"Can't Bob and I join Polly and Anne in the cave where we will be safe
+from any fire, and you send Jeb down to signal Simms and the
+forest-rangers?" asked Eleanor excitedly, seeing how urgent was the need
+for instant action.
+
+"All right; take this young man for protection, and get to the cave as
+quick as you can. You gals wait in the cave till you-all hear from us
+again. Send Mike down trail to Jeb to hurry Simms and then escort Mrs.
+Brewster home. We're ridin' up yander to work," ordered Bill,
+authoritatively.
+
+Eleanor turned her horse's head to a faint trail that she was sure would
+bring them to the cave. Barbara and the cow-boy followed, while Bill
+and his men urged the horses to their utmost up the steep Slide.
+
+"Thar's one good thing about this fire--it seems to be comin' down, and
+it don't travel near so quick that way, like-as-how it do when it goes
+upward. Mebbe we-all kin choke it in its first stages," explained Bill.
+
+Eleanor and her two followers now reached the end of the little erosion
+made by a storm. Then the city girl found it really was no trail at all.
+They sat their horses looking helplessly about while Barbara began to
+whimper with fear.
+
+Even courageous Eleanor began to quail at what would befall them if they
+were lost, when Mike suddenly appeared in the distance, climbing the
+steep slope before them. His broncho came on recklessly through the
+bushes and wild undergrowth until he was within speaking distance then
+he shouted:
+
+"Mike hear shoots! Gals in cabe alle-right. Mike smell fire. He go see
+who burn. Fin' tree bad miner--One gone happy hunting-groun',--two sleep
+f'm much fire-water. Tree hosses hobble on down trail." As he spoke he
+acted his words so that it was plain that he had found the three
+claim-jumpers who were dead drunk, and their mounts which were trying
+to break away in sheer fear of the fire.
+
+"Mike, Bill and Mr. Brewster said you were to leave us in the cave, if
+it is safe there, and then ride down trail to meet Jeb and go on to stop
+Simms' party. Warn the lookout on the forest-ranger's post and then come
+back to us, but Jeb is to ride home with the Missus!" exclaimed Eleanor,
+excitedly.
+
+Mike frowned. "Indian no like squaw job!"
+
+"That's just what I was going to say, Mike. Now if you will put us on
+the right trail, we three can find the way to the cave. We will stay
+there with the other girls, and let you do as you think best, _after_
+you send Jeb away to meet Simms," said Eleanor.
+
+"Mike mus' tell Boss and Bill 'bout fire. Him eat down-hill, udder side
+Slide. No burn dis side."
+
+Meantime, the Indian was leading the way to the trail that would bring
+the girls out at the ravine where the cave was. Once on the right trail,
+the youth whom Bill had sent with the girls, said he could keep to it
+without going astray.
+
+Mike waited but a moment to assure himself that they would be safe along
+the trail, then he started his horse up the steep side. His keen Indian
+scout habits now stood him in good stead. He soon had the Sheriff's
+party tracked and was riding after them. His young broncho galloped
+along until the group of men bound for the Slide, were hailed by a
+war-whoop.
+
+Bill turned and saw the Indian close behind. He called a halt, and when
+the party stopped, the messenger was already in their midst.
+
+"Fire up lodge-pole pine side. Eatin' down--dat way!" cried Mike, waving
+a hand at the side of the mountain away from them and the cave.
+
+"Mike go see an' fin' tree miner. Dey hab big fight--two shoot one. Him
+dead. Udders drunk--gone 'sleep. Hosses tie up."
+
+"Mike, you lead! Men fall in--we-all fight the fire first, then find the
+drunken miners and arrest them for manslaughter," ordered Bill, and thus
+the posse rode away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AT CHOKO'S FIND
+
+
+After losing the trail many times only to stumble into it again and
+again, and then slipping, sliding, or jolting down the steep side of the
+mountain where the timber-line ended near the cliff, Eleanor finally
+recognized the ravine where the cave was located.
+
+"Oh, thank heavens! We're almost there," she cried, trying to find the
+easiest way down to the ledge.
+
+Polly and Anne were sitting before the entrance to the cave, when they
+heard shouts and saw three weary riders coming along the rocky ledge
+that led to their refuge.
+
+"Why--it's Nolla and Bob and a man!" exclaimed Polly, jumping up to run
+and meet the girls.
+
+"What's wrong--any one hurt?" cried Anne, the moment she saw the faces
+of the girls.
+
+Eleanor then told about the forest-fire, and where the men were. The
+more recent excitement had quite driven the story of Hank and his
+claim-jumpers from her mind. But Polly anxiously asked for her mother.
+
+"Oh, yes--Simms and the party hadn't arrived when we left Four Mile
+Blaze. But they will be all right, as Mike is gone to meet them. Then
+your mother and Jeb will ride back to warn the forest-rangers about the
+fire," explained Barbara.
+
+"Why, no, Bob. Don't you remember, Mike said he would have to tell
+Polly's father about the drunken men and the fire, first," Eleanor
+corrected her sister.
+
+"Well, I'm not worrying about mother because she knows too much to run
+into unnecessary danger; but father always wants to save everybody and
+everything from disaster, and so takes his life in his hands, over and
+over again," Polly worried.
+
+"Mr. Brewster'll be all right with Bill around, Miss Polly," said the
+young man who had accompanied the city girls. "No one is allowed to run
+any risks for nuthin', when the Sheriff is there to stop 'em."
+
+"I just hope Bill _will_ keep father in bounds!" declared Polly.
+
+Very little smoke reached the ravine, which was on the opposite side of
+the mountain from that where the fire raged, so the girls knew not how
+matters fared until late in the afternoon. Then, to their great relief,
+Mr. Brewster shouted a signal from the lodge-pole pine forest.
+
+Polly gave an answering call, and then ran along the dangerous ledge
+until she reached the place where the pine trees had been blown down the
+day of the blizzard. Here she could see the dim outlines of several
+riders as they waited for some evidence that they were on the right
+trail.
+
+Before Polly could climb the slope to wave her hat, she saw Mike riding
+up behind the party and then go on before them down the trail leading to
+the cave.
+
+Polly was kept busy with answering the girls who stood at the cave
+entrance, and in calling to her parents and friends who were approaching
+as fast as the down-trail would permit. When they rode near enough for
+Polly to see their faces, she recognized her mother and Jeb in the
+party; she thought they expressed great concern over something that must
+have happened to the party--or perhaps something that might happen.
+
+"Well, Polly, you've had all day to dig the gold out of your mine; got
+it tied in bags for us to lug home?" called Mr. Simms, jocularly.
+
+"Mr. Simms, you needn't worry over that gold as long as there is
+something worse to trouble you. What is it?" answered Polly.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! Poll must be feeling lonesome; when she talks like this,
+it's a sure sign she needs jolly company," replied the lawyer.
+
+"Maybe she thought we were chewed up by the grizzlies," added Mr.
+Brewster, forcing a gayety similar to that of Mr. Simms.
+
+"What's the matter with you men? Is there any danger from the fire?"
+demanded Polly.
+
+"No, the fire's burning over the down-slope on the other side. You know
+it won't come this way," returned Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Well, then--where are the other men? Did those drunken miners shoot any
+one?" persisted the girl.
+
+"Don't bother with questions, Polly. Let us get some supper before we
+think of anything else," advised her mother.
+
+Mike was soon busy unpacking the outfit for cooking, and Mrs. Brewster
+joined him to give any assistance he might need. Polly went over to her
+father to try and get more satisfactory information from him, regarding
+that day's experiences.
+
+"Did you say the miners who came up ahead of us to-day were in Bill's
+custody, Daddy?"
+
+"Ah didn't say anything; but now Ah'll _tell_ you-all that they are
+shipped safely to a place where they can do no harm."
+
+"Oh! Did Bill go down the Trail with them?" continued Polly.
+
+"No, Bill's man went down-trail to watch in case of any new trouble."
+
+"See here, father! Out with your secret! What are you-all keeping from
+me?" asked Polly, anxiously.
+
+"Good gracious, Poll! Can't a man feel riled after such a wearing day
+and with nothing to eat, without his women-folks asking plaguey
+questions?" cried Mr. Brewster, testily.
+
+Polly was silenced for the moment, but she went out to the ledge where
+her mother was helping Mike, and there she began again.
+
+"Mother, I know something unusual concerns you-all, so you may as well
+confide in me."
+
+"I reckon the men are vexed because we lost all this day hunting up
+those wretched miners who must have accidentally set the fire going on
+the other side," was all the reply Polly received.
+
+Mike glanced up to look covertly at Mrs. Brewster and the inquisitive
+girl caught his expression.
+
+"Even Mike is laughing at the poor way in which you are fencing with me.
+Now treat me as if I were sensible--not like a baby, or like Bob!"
+demanded Polly.
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, Polly, I'm afraid to tell you everything. If
+those girls know they will go clean daffy," sighed Mrs. Brewster,
+passing her hand over a troubled brow.
+
+"Mother! Did I go daffy when that blizzard carried Choko over the
+ledge--and what did I do up on Grizzly when the snow and ice covered the
+trail? Did I lose my nerve?"
+
+At that moment Mr. Simms called out to Mike: "'Most done cookin', Mike?
+Ah want you-all to go with me to ketch a grizzly afore it is too dark to
+see him. Ah promised mah wife she should have a bear-skin rug this
+trip."
+
+Mike looked at Mrs. Brewster who nodded for him to go. She calmly took
+the ladle and continued stirring the soup that the Indian had been
+attending to, then Mike hurried after Simms.
+
+"There now--I know it is something serious and it is much better for me
+to _know_ what may happen than to have it come upon me like a
+thunder-bolt," said Polly.
+
+"Well, then, keep on stirring this broth while I busy myself over the
+rest of the supper, and I'll tell you. Don't exclaim, or show any shock.
+It is important for us to keep cool," advised Mrs. Brewster, as she
+toasted some dry bread over the embers.
+
+"I wasn't present when this occurred but father told me. The men found
+the miner who had been shot, and down the slope further on, they saw the
+forms of the other two. But the panic-stricken horses that had been
+hobbled and left to graze, were so frightened at the clouds of smoke and
+crackling fire, that a few of the men had to lead them back to a clear
+place. There they were tied securely to some trees.
+
+"Your father, Bill, and one of his men, jumped down the steep sides
+where the fire was raging, and began to beat out the flames. They could
+see the two drunken miners just beyond the fire-line down the trail, but
+they seemed so overcome with whisky and smoke that they failed to
+respond to any shouts from the men, or to the fear of the on-driving
+fire.
+
+"Our men had beaten out the ground-fire half-way to the miners, when a
+terrific rumbling sounded, as from a distance behind them. Bill's man
+was far in advance of the other two rescuers, and perhaps, the
+crackling on the ground and the raging fire in the trees overhead,
+deafened him to this other portentous sound.
+
+"Father, however, felt that it meant something more terrible than a
+fire, so he shouted to Bill and tried to warn the man. But a fit of
+coughing from inhaling the smoke, cut his call short. Bill then cried,
+'Go on back, Sam--I'll get my man!'
+
+"So your father managed to force his way back towards the Top Trail.
+There he saw a great white cloud swooping down from the peak of Grizzly
+Slide. He turned, screamed at Bill and waved his arms to warn them out
+of the track of the avalanche, if possible. Bill and his man saw this
+new danger and turned to climb back to safety.
+
+"Father was leading, Bill a short distance behind him, and the man not
+far in the rear, when the first two heard a scream. They turned and saw
+the horse had stumbled and fallen. He tried to scramble to his feet
+before the onrush of the half-frozen earth and rock and snow could reach
+him, but it caught and whirled him away on its crest.
+
+"Father and Bill were thrown down with the shaking of the ground caused
+by the terrific slide, and several times they were almost sucked into
+the vortex caused by the overwhelming ever-growing stream. Had it not
+been for Mike who had heard the rumble and knew what it meant, both Bill
+and father would have been lost. But Mike threw out a rope that father
+caught and quickly wound about himself, while Bill clutched on to
+father's legs. Thus Mike dragged them up to the tree where he had bound
+himself. The horses are gone!"
+
+Mrs. Brewster seemed overcome at the recital of the awful ordeal the men
+had passed through, but Polly said encouragingly:
+
+"Don't take on so, mother! 'All's well that ends well' and father and
+Bill are safe, you know."
+
+"Oh, but this isn't all, Polly! Mike says when Grizzly starts an
+avalanche like that first one, the very force of its tearing away keeps
+on breaking away the ice-fields all around the peak. Another slide may
+come at any moment and pour down this side, you see. The men who had
+taken care of the horses when the others were fighting the fire were
+left stationed at the timber-line to watch. If they notice the faintest
+sign of another serious break on the peak, they are to signal a lookout
+left on the crest of this slope. And they in turn must warn Bill's son
+who was left sitting on top of this ledge. That is where Simms and Mike
+have gone now. There must have been a signal from Bill's boy to Simms."
+
+Mrs. Brewster looked at her daughter to see if she could bear the rest
+of the story. Finding Polly as calm as she herself was, she continued:
+
+"Father said the experience Simms and he went through was mere child's
+play to what it might be should Grizzly loosen up and send down a slide
+on this side of the peak. Of course, the fire and smoke added to the
+horror on the other side, but the actual avalanche was not as tremendous
+because the slope was partly protected by the abrupt drop of thousands
+of feet from the peak to the valley, down which the greater flood must
+have rushed.
+
+"This side is on the direct down-slope from the peak, with nothing to
+break a snow-slide, or to carry off the bulk of the debris.
+
+"This morning, when I rode up with Simms' party, we met two old trappers
+who were coming down. They had passed Old Grizzly Slide yesterday, and
+they said there must have been an awful thaw going on under the
+surface-ice of the Slide, as the yawning chasm where you discovered the
+crevice the other day was frightful. It made even their courageous
+spirits tremble at sight of it. But they turned again and rode up with
+us, as they said they could be useful to Bill. They are up on Top Notch
+now, scouting for the first symptoms of a slide."
+
+Polly turned white as she heard the story, but she still had control of
+her voice, so she whispered: "Why don't we-all start down-trail
+to-night? Why lose time cooking supper, and have the men up there
+watching for the trouble?"
+
+"Mike says we are safer in this cave than on the trail. It is impossible
+to go down the Indian trail at night, and Top Notch Trail is bad enough
+in the daytime, so that in the dark it is forbidding. He says this cave
+is high enough up on the ledge and near enough to the crest to escape
+most of the drift. The trash will be swept clear over the entrance and
+down into the ravine, while any snow or ice that might lodge up on the
+ledge before the cave will soon melt again. Then we can get away, when
+all is over."
+
+Polly said nothing, but she was thinking seriously. Mrs. Brewster was
+grateful that her daughter could bear such awesome news without a
+tremor. So the two completed the supper, and were ready to serve it,
+when Sam Brewster rode down the ledge.
+
+"Come on, Daddy! Just in time for a bowl of hot soup!" called Polly,
+gayly waving a ladle.
+
+Her mother admired the self-control the girl showed over any fear or
+danger, and followed the brave example set her. "Yes, Sam, if Simms
+wants to chase a bear in the twilight, let him! You will do far better
+to enjoy the supper."
+
+So they sat down to eat toasted bread and soup, while Polly talked
+vivaciously and caused many a laugh from the unsuspecting girls. As the
+meager supper was almost finished, however, Mr. Brewster mentioned in a
+casual tone: "Girls, Ah expect John and his friends early to-morrow, you
+know. Mike is going down to meet them."
+
+"Oh, yes! And won't we have exciting adventures to tell him!" exclaimed
+Anne, thinking only of John and his coming.
+
+"Mrs. Brewster is going down with Mike, to meet the boys. So we-all
+thought you gals would like to ride down, too, instead of sitting up in
+front of this cave all day and night," continued Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Why, how foolish! to kill the horses with all that climbing! Up to-day,
+down to-morrow, and up again the next day! No horse could stand that!"
+declared Anne, amazed at her host's suggestion.
+
+"Well, Ah've been thinking you-all had best stay down, once you get
+there. This is no sort of life for women-folk, anyway. When John and Tom
+Latimer get here they can look after your mining interests better than
+you can yourselves."
+
+"But, Mr. Brewster, you haven't even seen the hole inside of that cave,
+where I followed after Polly the day we discovered the gold!" exclaimed
+Eleanor, greatly disappointed in Polly's father.
+
+"Ah haven't had time, Nolla. What with the doings of the claim-jumpers
+and everything, Ah've had a full day. Besides, it looks as if we-all are
+going to have _some_ time up here, and Ah'd feel a heap easier if you
+women were safe at home."
+
+"Are there signs of other claim-jumpers coming up, Mr. Brewster?" asked
+Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"From what our scouts report, up on the Trail, we're going to have such
+a time, if we remain here, that we may not have another good opportunity
+to escape with our lives," returned the distracted man.
+
+"Oh dear me! Can't we start now? I never want to see any claim-jumpers
+again!" cried Barbara, wringing her hands.
+
+"Keep quiet, Bob! We'll do just as Mr. Brewster says, but your
+whimpering won't help any," said Anne.
+
+"Well, girls, I'm so eager to see John again, that I'm willing to ride
+down with Mike and mother," said Polly, acting her part perfectly.
+
+"Oh, Polly! I don't want to go and leave the gold mine, but I want you
+to stay with me," cried Eleanor.
+
+"Goodness me, Nolla! Don't you s'pose we can ride up again when the
+danger blows over? A lot of good the mine would do either one of us if a
+dozen claim-jumpers put lead through us all at one time!" laughed Polly,
+but feeling far from humorous.
+
+"I suppose I'll just _have_ to go, if all the rest of you do!" cried
+Eleanor, stamping her foot angrily.
+
+So, after much arguing and explaining, it was decided that every one
+should be ready to start down-trail at the earliest streak of daylight.
+
+That night the girls and Mrs. Brewster slept on the pine-beds--or at
+least the city girls slept, while Polly and her mother rested even as
+they waited for the first warning call from the guard, who sat by the
+fire that was started to keep away the wild beasts.
+
+The hours passed without any new signals, and at three o'clock Mike
+called out that he was ready to start. The girls demurred about getting
+up at that hour, but Polly was too energetic to give them any peace. So,
+shortly after three, the entire party started down Indian Trail,
+traveling as swiftly as possible.
+
+"Now see here! why do all you men come down, too? I thought it was only
+the womenfolk who had to get out of the way!" exclaimed Eleanor,
+wonderingly.
+
+"If, any claim-jumpers are about to stake out our land up there who is
+there left to stop them?" added Anne, suspiciously, when she saw the
+deep concern on every man's face as he rode single file down the path.
+
+"Wall, now, seem' as we-all are well along the way down, Ah may as well
+tell you-all: thar hain't goin' to be no danger of any claim-jumpers
+staking your land if Old Grizzly knows anything about it. Thar war a
+turrible avalanche yesterday and a leetle one at suppertime; it looks
+like-es-how anuther powerful one will hit the trail any moment. That's
+why we-all air runnin' away as fast as our hosses kin go," explained
+Bill.
+
+"Oh! Tell Mike to hurry!" cried Barbara.
+
+"No fear but what we-all are as crazy to git down as you kin be, young
+leddy," said Bill, soothingly.
+
+After four hours' hard traveling, the riders came to a small park where
+Mike said they could rest and cook their breakfast, and feed the horses.
+From a certain spot on the clearing on this mountain-side, the peak of
+Old Grizzly Slide could be seen opposite them, dazzling in the sunshine.
+
+"Well, the old rascal is still up there," declared Anne.
+
+"But you-all can't say how soon its skirts will whisk and send down the
+trash that always ruins a forest," added Bill.
+
+Even as he spoke, a strange sight was presented to the group who were
+admiring the sparkling peak. A great mist seemed to rise suddenly from
+its pinnacle, spreading out and obscuring the sun for a time. Then an
+ominous rumble echoed along the crest, and rolled down the slopes. The
+mist was suddenly sucked down by some tremendous force, and then a
+mighty tremor shook the ground where the escaped riders stood.
+
+The horses seemed to know instinctively that there was some upheaval of
+nature taking place, for they quivered along their sensitive nerves and
+nosed the air questioningly. Several of the highbred animals pulled at
+their halters and, with drawn-back lips, snapped viciously at the air
+as if to warn away the destruction.
+
+"Oh, oh! Will it hit us?" wailed Barbara.
+
+"No, we are safe on this opposite up-trail now. But a few hours delay in
+getting away this morning and we would have been caught in the drift,"
+said Sam Brewster, wiping beads of cold perspiration from his brow.
+
+"Daddy, you don't think that avalanche was on the side of our gold mine,
+do you?" asked Polly, plaintively.
+
+"Pretty close to Choko's Find, Polly dear," said her father.
+
+"Humph! Gol' all gone dis time!" added Mike, dramatically.
+
+"Oh no! don't say that, Mike!" wailed Polly.
+
+"Not _our gold mine_!" added Eleanor, with gasping breath.
+
+"Mebbe no! Mike t'ink yes."
+
+There fell a silence at that, and each one looked at the other, while
+the same thought passed through their minds: "If that slide buried
+Choko's Find again, where would they all have been had they remained in
+the cave?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+JOHN AND HIS FRIEND ARRIVE
+
+
+Nothing could have been done to avert the catastrophe on Grizzly Slide,
+so the adventurers finished their breakfast in silence. Mrs. Brewster
+seemed the only one who appeared grateful for their safety. Doubtless,
+the others felt a certain _sense_ of thanks but they were so disturbed
+over the evident loss of the mine again, that it was paramount with
+them.
+
+Having packed the camp dishes, Mike started on the trail again, silently
+followed by the rest. Not until they reached Bear Forks where the roads
+separated, was anything more said about the mine.
+
+"Jeb can accompany the ladies to Pebbly Pit, while Ah ride on to Oak
+Creek to meet the train that will bring John and his friends. It doesn't
+look as if we-all can use their knowledge now, but we may as well talk
+things over seeing that like-as-how they will have had the long trip
+here," ventured Mr. Brewster, thoughtfully.
+
+"We-all ought to make up a crowd to go up and try to find Haywuth's
+body. Mebbe it will show when the snow's melted from the slope," added
+Bill.
+
+"Sam, why don't you-all plan while on your ride to Oak Creek, to take
+Top Notch Trail the same time John and Tom take the expert up? The
+larger the party the less danger of accident, you know," suggested Mrs.
+Brewster.
+
+"Are we going with them, mother?" Polly said, in a pleading tone.
+
+"No, indeed, child! Aren't you cured with what happened this time?"
+
+"'Lightning never strikes in the same place twice,' Mrs. Brewster," said
+Eleanor, hopefully.
+
+"And you know, Maw, such a terrible slide has not occurred here-abouts
+in twenty years," quickly added Polly, dropping back into her ranch
+vernacular in her anxiety. "It may be another twenty years before such
+another slide happens."
+
+"And we can get all the gold out of the cave that we need in a short
+time," Barbara reminded them.
+
+This made the men laugh, as the girl's words showed how little she
+really understood the situation up on the peak.
+
+"Well, we can talk things over better when the boys are present to
+advise us. Meantime, you-all ride home and rest up. Ah'll bring the boys
+along about night-fall," said Mr. Brewster.
+
+The inhabitants of Oak Creek had felt the trembling of the ground caused
+by the huge land-slide on Grizzly, and knowing that so many of their
+prominent citizens were there at the time, they were grouped about the
+public house anxiously talking over the chances for escape that might be
+had on the mountain-top.
+
+At first sight of the returned men, a wild welcome rang out, not only
+from the families who feared their men-folks might never return, but
+also from the citizens who were genuinely glad to see Bill and his
+posse, and Simms and his boy, safely back.
+
+After having had his hand shaken as if it were a pump-handle, Sam
+Brewster continued on to the station to await the train from Denver. As
+he sat on the edge of the horse-trough thinking over the recent
+thrilling experiences, he suddenly realized that if Polly had lost her
+mine again, she might also lose her desire to go away to school in the
+Fall. This seemed a happy thought, for he sat beaming at the old box-car
+until the whistle announced the over-due local.
+
+Two handsome young men jumped from the rear platform the moment the
+train slowed down, and soon Mr. Brewster had one of them by both hands
+giving him a hearty welcome.
+
+"Now, Dad, try your muscle on Tom's arm. Mine has had enough for one
+day," laughed John, placing an arm affectionately over his father's
+shoulder.
+
+With a young man on either side explaining why the expert was not with
+them, Sam Brewster walked down the street towards Simms' office. Both
+young men were eagerly talking so the older man had not told them about
+the avalanche.
+
+"I was saying to John, what a different town this will be the moment we
+begin operations on Polly's claim," said Tom Latimer.
+
+"As the train pulled in I tried to look at the station and streets
+through future glasses--seeing the rows of fine store-buildings and the
+thrift that always follows on the heels of a rich find," added John.
+
+"We'll drop in Simms' office, boys, as I have to borrow his horses. I
+came on to meet you without bringing any mounts," said Mr. Brewster.
+
+Both young men laughed heartily at this admission, and Tom said
+teasingly: "I suppose you were so excited over Polly's discovery of gold
+that you clean forgot we were city chaps who are not overfond of hiking
+over these trails."
+
+Simms was talking to the coroner about the witnesses to the death of
+Bill's man, and the newly arrived young engineers heard him say: "Sam
+Brewster was the other one who escaped that death."
+
+"What's he talking about, Dad?" whispered John, anxiously, as he watched
+the officer take notes.
+
+Then in as few words as possible, the boys were told all about the
+land-slide on Grizzly that had, most likely, buried Choko's Find under
+tons and tons of debris--maybe, hid it completely again for all time.
+
+They sat in Simms' office talking over the plans for the morrow when a
+large party was to go up Top Notch. As they sat arranging who would be
+the best men to take, John interrupted the conversation:
+
+"Isn't that Jeb riding along the road with two led horses?"
+
+"Sure enough! Your mother must have remembered I had but one mount, and
+so Jeb was hurried here with extra horses for you," replied Mr.
+Brewster, running to the door and hailing his man.
+
+On the way to Pebbly Pit, Tom rode alongside Mr. Brewster while John
+rode beside Jeb. The two latter riders had much to say to each other,
+for John had been Jeb's particular charge when the hired man first went
+to work at Pebbly Pit. Now John was a head taller than his erstwhile
+guardian, even if he was much the younger.
+
+Jeb acted very morose and absentminded; instead of giving sensible
+replies to John's questions about the avalanche, he would mutter and say
+inconsequent things. Finally John said:
+
+"Well, it must have been a narrow escape, anyway."
+
+"That's just it, John. Ef Ah don't run away from Pebbly Pit she'll git
+me!" returned Jeb, greatly troubled.
+
+"I'm talking about that land-slide--what do _you_ mean?" laughed John,
+beginning to understand that Jeb was worried over something other than
+the Grizzly experience.
+
+"Wh--y--Ah'm meanin' that widder! It's leap-year, you know."
+
+John had never heard about Sary, so he was unprepared to offer any
+advice, but he thought best to agree in everything with Jeb, concerning
+this particular one, and all "widders" in general.
+
+"Ye-es--siree! That Sary kin ketch any man she starts out to trap. Ef
+she laid eyes on enny of them farm-hands at Pebbly Pit, like-as-how she
+has on _me_, they'd roll right over and eat from her han's. But, you
+see, John, Ah ain't a marryin' man, so Ah wants to escape."
+
+"Jeb, I have a plan! Suppose we get Tom to flirt with Sary and then let
+her understand she is fickle, so that you won't consider her for a
+mate," whispered John, thinking of the fun he could have by playing this
+joke on his friend.
+
+Jeb gave John a scornful look that meant volumes. "D'ye think Sary would
+fall fer it? Ah tells you-all she ain't no fule. She kin see straight,
+an' she knows Tom Latimer ain't in her class."
+
+Thus trying to plan for Jeb's peace and happiness, the two found they
+had reached the Rainbow Cliffs. Tom and Mr. Brewster were looking over
+the beautiful shining walls, and Tom sighed:
+
+"You wouldn't have to waste one regret on Polly's loss of the gold mine,
+if you would but consent to let us sell a bit of these walls."
+
+"_Ah'm_ not worryin' over her loss of gold, Tom; it's glad Ah am that it
+turned out so. Now she won't coax to go away to some big school where Ah
+can't see her for six months."
+
+Tom Latimer turned about in the saddle and sent Sam Brewster a keen
+look and thought: "_So that_ is why he won't consent to these stones
+being mined and sold!"
+
+Then the four men rode up the wide trail that ran from the Cliffs to the
+house where they found a group of girls and women eagerly awaiting them.
+Polly ran down the road and caught hold of her brother's stirrup in her
+impatience to welcome him. John laughed and jumped from his horse, then
+gave his sister the kiss and hug she expected.
+
+Anne Stewart stood on the porch watching this little by-play, and when
+the brother and sister slowly walked along, arm linked in arm, she
+smiled and sighed, then turned to greet Tom Latimer. But she did not see
+Mrs. Brewster's watchful eye quickly turn away from her when _she_
+turned from watching John.
+
+As Tom Latimer was known to the Maynard girls and Anne, having met them
+at the College Prom the past year, he was warmly welcomed by them as
+well as by the Brewsters. Barbara felt an especial interest in him, as
+he was "one of her set" in society, and he had been invited to her home
+when her brother entertained a few of his college friends.
+
+Polly now brought her brother up and introduced him to Eleanor and
+Barbara, but Anne was not there.
+
+"Wh-y--where did Anne go? She was here this minute?" cried Polly,
+looking around in amazement.
+
+Mrs. Brewster had seen Anne steal away and she understood the reason.
+Now she quickly diverted attention by saying: "Of course you boys have
+heard about the awful land-slide?"
+
+As it was so recent an event, it instantly absorbed all. Then Mr.
+Brewster told about the plans to ride up the Trail on the morrow and
+ascertain just how much damage had been done. John seemed to be as
+excited a talker as any one, but his mother saw him send many a
+searching glance around for some one he had not found.
+
+She managed to reach his side without attracting the attention of the
+others, and slyly whispered: "Anne Stewart went out towards the Cliffs a
+moment ago. I saw her leave by the back pathway."
+
+Then while every one was trying to make out the cloud-draped peak of
+Grizzly Slide, having had their attention directed to it by an
+exclamation from Mrs. Brewster, John backed away and ran behind the
+kitchen to the path that led to the Cliffs and Anne.
+
+Jeb found it necessary to fill the wood-box in the kitchen, and it was
+just after John had passed there that he stumbled up the stone walk.
+Sary stood in the doorway grinning sympathetically as she watched John
+dash away after Anne Stewart, when Jeb said:
+
+"Lem'me get by wid this load of wood."
+
+She smirked and said: "Ah, Jeb! Thar's nuthin' in the wurruld like young
+love, ain't it?"
+
+Now Sary's would-be bewitching leer and her dangerous proximity to him,
+frightened Jeb worse than any Rocky Mountain avalanche ever, so that he
+forgot he held an armful of wood. He suddenly went lax in the muscles,
+dropped the wood, and turned to flee to his hay-loft where no Sary dared
+follow without a chaperone.
+
+One stick of the wood fell upon Sary's toe, and not having "feet of
+brass or clay," she uttered a yelp of pain. Jeb never stopped to inquire
+what had caused that cry--whether of baffled love or shooting pains in a
+toe.
+
+Sary limped over to a wooden chair and sitting there with her foot held
+tenderly in both hands, she rocked back and forth, threatening, in an
+undertone, all males but Jeb in particular.
+
+"You-all jes' wait! Don't think Sary Dodd's a fule--cuz she hain't!
+Ah'll git you yit, so run away an' make-out like-es-how you are free
+and not lookin' to any female in pertickler!"
+
+Having thus unburdened her soul of its wrath against Jeb, the cook
+limped over to the stove to hang the kettle over the fire.
+
+Supper was late that night, but no one noticed it. Sary had perfected a
+scheme she was going to try on Jeb, some day, soon, so she was all
+smiles and patience when the family gathered about the table.
+
+"I see you set the table in the living-room, mother," remarked John,
+approvingly.
+
+"Oh, we have wrought many changes this summer, John, but the best of all
+is the one whereby we eat out-of-doors when it is good weather. To-night
+we will eat here as it is too dark under the old oak," explained Mrs.
+Brewster, smiling.
+
+Plans were now discussed for the trip to Top Notch the following
+morning, and it was decided that Jeb should go for Mike early, and
+secure his services as before.
+
+"If such a crowd of men are going, I don't see why the owners of the
+mine can't go, too. We are as safe there, as here," grumbled Polly.
+
+"Because we are going to make a three days' trip of this, Poll, and
+women-folk would not feel comfortable with such a lot of mixed men,"
+explained John, pulling his sister's hair, lovingly.
+
+"Well, Polly and I are as good riders as any one of you, and seeing it
+is _our_ mine, we ought to have _some_thing to say about it," added
+Eleanor, poutingly.
+
+"I suppose you-all have forgotten that we invited that nice young
+stranger and his friend, Jim Latimer, over to spend this Sunday with
+us," now ventured Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Oh, that's so! The boy Kenneth who looks like Montresor!" Anne now
+added, understanding Mrs. Brewster's idea and abetting it.
+
+"Kenneth Evans! Is it _this_ Sunday he is coming?" asked Eleanor
+eagerly.
+
+"We might be back on time for that; this is only Friday night, you
+know," persisted Polly, clinging to the hope of riding to Top Notch.
+
+"No girl or woman is going--let that end the argument!" now said Mr.
+Brewster, with finality.
+
+There was silence for a moment, then Polly laughingly said to Eleanor:
+"Nolla, you and I will ride over to visit some old friends of mine
+to-morrow. We will take our lunch and spend the day with them. As it is
+half-way on the Bear Forks road we might as well ride with our boys when
+they go."
+
+"Polly, we plan to leave here before dawn so we can be on the climb
+when day breaks. Nolla and you will please remember to be fast asleep at
+that time. Good-night!"
+
+With these words, Sam Brewster got up and started to go to his room, but
+Polly would not allow her daddy to leave her in that frame of mind. So
+she ran over and jumped up to throw her arms about his neck in her usual
+fashion. What she whispered in his ear no one knew but he smiled and
+nodded his head in meek acquiescence.
+
+"Poll--did he say we might go?" whispered Eleanor.
+
+"No--he won't give in that far, but he said we could ride with them as
+far as Bear Forks, if we were up in time. I'm bound to wake up, so now
+I'm going right to bed," said Polly.
+
+But Polly and Eleanor did not wake up in the morning until seven
+o'clock. The riders were far up along the trail by that time, so the
+girls had to make the best of the day.
+
+When the men riders were well along the trail, Jeb motioned to Mr.
+Brewster that he wished to speak with him, so they permitted their
+horses to slow up and drop behind for a time.
+
+"Ah'm thinkin', Mis'r Brewster, thet Ah'll have to give notice that Ah'm
+quittin' your ranch. Not what Ah've got any kick comin' about the
+fam'ly--thar never w'ar a nicer one. But Ah've got ta save mahself."
+
+"Jeb!" gasped Sam Brewster in unbelief. "You _couldn't_ leave us! Why,
+man, you're one of the family."
+
+"Yeh, Ah knows all that, Mis'r Brewster, but Ah jus' dasent stay where a
+female badgers my peace o' mind."
+
+"Tell me what is wrong, Jeb, and Ah'll fix it if Ah can," anxiously
+promised Sam Brewster.
+
+Jeb gazed wildly about for some one to explain for him, and in gazing,
+his eye rested on John. Big splendid John who had only been a little
+shaver when he went to Pebbly Pit to work.
+
+"Oh John! Cain't you-all drop back and tell your Paw what ails me?"
+shouted Jeb, certain that John, who had been to college, could do
+anything.
+
+John dropped behind his companions, and Sam Brewster hurriedly explained
+that Jeb seemed to have a queer belief that he would be done for if he
+remained at Pebbly Pit.
+
+"Oh, did Jeb bother you about that story, Dad? Here, you ride on in my
+place, and let me get this thing straightened out."
+
+Alone with Jeb, John said persuasively: "Now tell me all about it,
+Jeb--begin from the beginning."
+
+"Wall, seein' es how you-all is in love, mebbe you-all kin understand
+about this love-stuff.
+
+"Now, yuh see, John, when that Sary Dodd come to Pebbly Pit es a widder,
+to help housework, she never cast an eye around fer a likely 'second'
+until that derned old dance at the school-house. It wuz that time when
+she perked up in all that borrered finery that she landed a rich ole
+bachelor-rancher on her ticket to dinner. But he gave one look and run.
+He never showed up again that night.
+
+"Seein' like-es-how her partner vamoosed, she grabbed me to do the Grand
+March with her. Mebbe it w'ar the way Ah danced, that took her fancy.
+But whatever it w'ar, she's ben locooed after me sence that night.
+
+"Now, John, yuh know Sary ain't no prize-winner fer looks, en Ah knows a
+good looker when Ah seez one, cuz Ah hev sat and seen lots of pritty
+gals on the movie sheet in Oak Crick. Gosh! Some of them peaches Ah
+see'd would make yuh leave a stiddy job like Pebbly Pit. So Ah saved and
+_saved_ till now Ah've got a tidy bit laid by fer some pritty gal, like
+them in the Movies.
+
+"Ef Sary Dodd knew Ah had money saved! Phew! She'd get at it whar Ah hid
+it in a hole under the barn-rafters, then she'd hold it out to tempt me,
+like-es-how yuh lead a balky cow to be milked. But that is one thing
+Sary _don't_ know!"
+
+John laughed loud and long at the picture Jeb graphically sketched of
+Sary and himself, but the orator cared nothing for John's laughing. He
+was too concerned over his freedom.
+
+"Sary's got some good points--yuh've got to hand it to her, even ef she
+hain't got a figger like Miss Anne's, and hair like Miss Polly's. But
+she can cook! Gosh, _cain't_ she cook and clean. So ef it w'ar a
+housekeeper er a business partner Ah wanted, Ah coulden pick a better
+one than Sary Dodd.
+
+"But yuh unnerstand me, John, don't yuh, when Ah says Ah wants something
+pritty sittin' afore the pianner to sing to me, or dressin' up in finery
+like Miss Bob's and playin' a lady? Ah've ben a hired man and worked on
+a ranch all mah life, but now Ah've got a bit saved up Ah kin go to the
+city and pick th' gal Ah wants.
+
+"And lem'me tell yuh, John! In the Movies them gals what looks so pritty
+make _fine_ farm-wives. Gosh, but one city gal with yaller curls hadn't
+a cent to live on when she met a feller what owned a little ranch in
+Arizony. They hooked up and she was that happy on the farm! She churned
+the butter and fed chickens and did all the chores. And he looked after
+the stock. Evenin's she played and sang fer him and he sat in a big
+arm-chair and smiled at her.
+
+"That's the kind of wife Ah wants, John--and how kin Ah sit and listen
+to Sary sing? Mebbe she kin _churn_ better'n that one I saw in the
+Movies, but Ah bet a plugged penny that she cain't play a pianner!"
+
+Jeb's tone was so emphatic at the last accusation of Sary's
+short-comings, that John almost rolled from his horse with laughter.
+
+Now Jeb had said all that he had to say, so he waited patiently for John
+to get over his spasm of laughter. Then he looked at him as if to ask
+what had he to say about such positive evidence as he had brought forth,
+regarding the Movie girl making the best kind of a rancher's wife?
+
+"Oh, Jeb! How I love your innocence!" gasped John, wiping his eyes on
+the back of his hand. "I shall certainly sue the Movies for betraying
+your trust and faith in womankind. For they sure did more than amuse you
+for your dime. You took for a solid fact, all the silly mush you saw on
+the screen as real life. But, it was _reel_ life, Jeb, spelled with two
+'e's' instead of the genuine r-e-a-l way.
+
+"Jeb, how'd you like to spend every nickel you've saved, on a girl with
+dyed hair, belladonna eyes, painted lips you could never kiss, blackened
+eye-lashes and eye-brows, and goodness only knows what else she puts on
+and takes off to look pretty in the pictures?"
+
+Jeb listened with loose jaw and wide-opened eyes to this strange
+description of all the lady-loves he knew on the screen.
+
+"Why, Jeb, these blonde Movie beauties have a different husband every
+few months. The ones who play star-leads make the biggest splash in the
+puddles, but the little ones try to mimic the big stars and get into all
+sorts of trouble. I haven't heard of but two or three who could treat a
+good husband decently. As for sitting at home playing and singing for
+you--ha, ha, ha! It costs about five hundred dollars each evening to
+entertain one of them.
+
+"Churn? Did you say she looked so cute in a big bungalow apron churning
+the butter on a vine-clad porch? Didn't the porch open right out on a
+little pasture and tidy barnyard, where her devoted husband could stand
+admiring her? Was it a dear little one-and-a-half story vine-clad house
+painted white, with green wooden shutters?"
+
+"Uh, huh! Just so! Did you see that gal, John?" eagerly asked Jeb.
+
+"Jeb, the Movies use that same little house and painted scenery for
+every farm-picture they make. Sometimes a deserted wife hangs to the
+post of the porch and plans to kill herself. Or sometimes it is the
+husband who hears how his head man ran away with his foolish little
+wife. But, Jeb, never believe anything you see in the Movies, for they
+have turned more heads than you can count, by their subtle ways.
+Everything always ends right in the Movies, but it is seldom so in real
+life.
+
+"Now do you want my best advice, Jeb?"
+
+"Ah shore do, John, cuz you-all knows what's what!"
+
+"Then listen, Jeb, and think things over well before you leave Pebbly
+Pit and take your money away to spend on a pretty Movie gal.
+
+"You say that Sary is a right smart cook and houseworker. You admit that
+she is thrifty, and will save that money you've got hidden away in the
+barn.
+
+"Now look at that good-fer-nothing Bill Dodd she married! In less than
+a year she had him working on a ranch that she saved up for. Didn't she
+keep him at it until it was most paid up? If he hadn't gone with the
+flu, that ranch'd been paid for in another year.
+
+"Sary isn't so feeble, neither. She can save twenty more ranches before
+she cripples up. Any man who has ambition would make no mistake in
+choosing Sary. Now I believe Sary would make a big man of you, Jeb.
+
+"She may not dye her hair or paint her face, but she's got a square
+look, and we-all know what sound stock she comes of. There isn't a
+better family in all Colorado than the Morson's. And Sary Morson is all
+there! She has sterling qualities that will last after beauty and
+singing is worn thread-bare.
+
+"Of course she isn't anything like Anne Stewart--there never was any
+girl like her! But you make a big mistake if you go away to find a
+pretty girl, all dolled up like the Movie Queens, for your wife. She'd
+take all your money and laugh at you the next moment.
+
+"I've lived in big cities, Jeb, and seen a lot of the ways of pretty
+girls who dress up and pose for the boys, but not one of that kind is
+worth a shake. Take it from me, Jeb, you'd be happy and contented if
+you had a ranch of your own, and a sensible wife to make you toe the
+mark. You're too easy for any other sort, Jeb, although you figure that
+you need an ideal. Not so, my man!"
+
+Jeb heaved a mighty sigh as if he was passing on his rainbow dreams
+forever. Then he turned sorrowful eyes on John.
+
+"Wall, Ah cain't fergit that pooty gal in a hurry, even when Sary heaves
+in sight wid a heaped plate of puddin' fer me. Ah s'pose Ah'll hev to
+let _her_ marry me, er git out to onct. Sence yuh've ben talkin', Ah
+have a sort of weakenin' fer her capable ways, and shore ez shootin',
+she'll grab the first chanst Ah gives her to know the wust, because this
+is leap-year."
+
+John shouted with laughter again, and Tom Latimer turned back his horse
+to ask what the joke was about.
+
+"Nothing that concerns little boys like you, Tom," laughed John, as he
+winked at his friend.
+
+"But I feel sure I can be of help to Jeb as well as to you, John,"
+insisted Tom.
+
+"No, Mis'r Tom. It's all over," sighed Jeb, in a funereal tone. "Ah've
+made up mah mind to take the med'cine, er beat it!"
+
+With that, Jeb spurred his horse on and joined his master, leaving John
+to merely hint at the great trouble that almost disrupted the household
+at Pebbly Pit. "Now, thank Heavens, I have saved the ranch from ruin,
+and united two hearts that ought to beat as one, hereafter!"
+
+Tom laughed. "I'm glad you confessed to your profession. I'll be wary of
+your match-making, in the future."
+
+"But you have to find matches before you can make them," laughed John.
+
+"You are so blind that you only see one pretty girl at Pebbly Pit,
+whereas there are four!" exclaimed Tom, smilingly.
+
+"Four! Anne Stewart is one, and Miss Maynard may _consider_ herself
+lovely enough for a match--I don't. But mother and Sary will never
+consent to your including them in your match-making."
+
+"Hah! I thought so! You are so blind over Anne Stewart, that you fail to
+see how your own little sister is growing up to be a stunning miss. Why,
+she will be a beauty at twenty, for she is on the high-way there
+already."
+
+"Tom!" gasped John. "Wh-y--Polly is only a child!"
+
+"That's what all brothers think of their pretty sisters. Some day, a
+fine young fellow will think differently, and you'll want to club him.
+But the trouble is, that Polly will think exactly as the handsome man
+thinks, and she will not listen to her big brother's advice to remain a
+little girl.
+
+"Besides Polly, there is Eleanor Maynard. She, too, is a fine girl and
+will grow to wonderful womanhood. Now, John, take more notice of your
+'little' sister, for she is what we boys call a 'peach.'"
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! I've never heard you say so much about a girl in my life!
+If I didn't _know_ better, I'd say you were half-way in love with Polly,
+yourself. But I know what a quitter you are whenever there is a girl in
+the party," laughed John.
+
+Tom flushed slightly but made no reply. Before John could tease him any
+further, the party reached Four Mile Blaze. Mike tolled off the riders,
+and warned each one to give strictest attention to the going as one
+misstep meant a crippled horse or a serious accident.
+
+From there on, the men rode through the lodge-pole forest to avoid the
+great mass of debris formed of rocks, earth, and torn-up trees that
+obstructed the old trail. Simms felt sure his man had escaped in some
+miraculous manner, after the avalanche swept him from his feet. But
+seeing the mountains of wood-trash that were washed down from the peak
+and piled up everywhere, he lost faith.
+
+Still he and his men were bound to make the most of the least hope, so
+they sought thoroughly over the side where the two miners had been
+discovered, that day. Nothing but trees, rocks, and earth piled in
+toppling heaps on the steep slope of the mountain were seen, however.
+
+While Simms and Bill sought over every foot of ground for their missing
+friend, Mike led Sam Brewster and his two engineers, down the opposite
+slope, to a blaze that told them they were going towards the cave. But
+the nearer they came to the claim, the greater was the destruction of
+the forest. Finally they could see where the ledge had been, but so
+massed up was the trash that had been swept down and over the side, that
+it was impossible to reach the ravine.
+
+Mike chuckled: "Him unner alla trees on Grizzly Sly--him yaller insides
+safe nuff!"
+
+"You're right, Mike," laughed John. "If the gold is in that spot it is
+safe enough for a long time to come."
+
+"I think this slide was the luckiest thing that ever happened to the
+girls," ventured Tom Latimer, thoughtfully.
+
+"Why?" anxiously demanded Mr. Brewster, visions of his darling being
+carried away to school uppermost in his mind.
+
+"When we are ready to bore for the gold, this trash will be an easy
+thing to burn and clear away. Meantime, it keeps off all claim-jumpers
+or thieves who need a little hard yellow metal."
+
+"But you must admit that it is a tough proposition to mine here," said
+Mr. Brewster. "A land-slide is apt to happen any moment and bury all the
+apparatus. All previous efforts will be wiped out and you must begin all
+over again. Then consider the difficulty of transportation, from this
+peak down the long trail, and over miles of rough country to the Oak
+Creek railway."
+
+"Hoh! a mere bagatelle, Mr. Brewster, when gold weighs in the other
+scale. Why, men will dig through the earth for gold! See what happened
+in Alaska. Once men found gold to be had for the pain and privation they
+would be forced to endure, they gladly gave up home, loved
+ones,--all--for the lust of gold.
+
+"And see what that drive did for Alaska. Railroads opened, cities
+founded, people settled there, and all because men fought with odds
+against finding buried gold!"
+
+"We wouldn't have to worry over this out-of-the-way mine if father
+would consent to have his cliffs utilized," hinted John.
+
+"Not with my consent!" retorted Sam Brewster.
+
+"Well, come on, Mike. Let's pitch camp and get something to eat," said
+John, resignedly.
+
+"It's not that I have any silly sentiment over the cliffs, my
+boys--don't mistake me there. But I have a serious reason for refusing
+to coin money out of that beauty--at least for a few years to come."
+
+"If I guess the truth about it, will you admit it to me some day?"
+quizzed Tom Latimer, his eyes twinkling.
+
+"No, sir! Not even to my wife--it's _my_ secret!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVERS
+
+
+After breakfast the four girls asked each other what there was to do.
+They had had so much excitement all week, that the simple life palled on
+them.
+
+"It's exactly like drinking milk after you have been kept on spice-beer
+for a long time," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Well, Nolla and I have an invitation to spend the day with friends of
+mine. We can ride over there any time," said Polly.
+
+"Then for goodness' sake, come on! I'll be asleep again if we don't do
+something," exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"All right, I'll saddle Noddy and you can have Choko. We will have to
+harness them ourselves now that Jeb is away, and the other hands are
+working on the ranch."
+
+"You're not going far, are you?" asked Anne, suspiciously.
+
+Polly laughed. "Not as far as we went yesterday."
+
+Mrs. Brewster had been told where Polly planned to take Eleanor, and she
+smiled approvingly. A nice luncheon was packed up and placed in the
+panniers of the burros, and the three grownups stood and watched the two
+girls ride down the trail to Rainbow Cliff.
+
+As they went, Eleanor said: "Did you mention the name of your friends? I
+forgot, if you have."
+
+Polly laughed. "Maybe I told you, but I don't remember now. Anyway, you
+wouldn't know them if I did tell you their names."
+
+"But what do you call them when you address them?"
+
+"I always call the old one 'Grandfather,' but he has a large family that
+I never bother with. _He_ is our friend.
+
+"This family lives and does queer things that no city folks ever dream
+of," added Polly.
+
+"Something like that Halsey woman, eh?" laughed Eleanor, who had heard
+from Sary about the disobedient children.
+
+"The Beavers are too polite to force their company on us. And as we may
+not care to eat as they do, I decided to bring lunch, which we can
+enjoy by ourselves," explained Polly.
+
+Noddy and Choko now reached the trail leading up the pine-tipped crest
+of the mountain back of Pebbly Pit, and were soon climbing through a
+veritable wilderness of sage-brush and aspens.
+
+"My, what a place to live in!" said Eleanor, surprised.
+
+"It's not far, now," returned Polly.
+
+Shortly after this, Polly turned Noddy from the old trail and plunged
+into a thicket of aspens.
+
+"Good gracious! How can they ever find their own home?" wondered
+Eleanor, gazing at the closely growing aspen trees.
+
+"They know everything! And Noddy knows the way by this time, too, as I
+like to come here and spend the day. Besides there are blazes on the
+large trees to guide one."
+
+Noddy came out of the aspen grove after a time and then followed a
+mountain-stream up-trail for half a mile or so, before turning to look
+at her rider.
+
+"Oh, you wise little Noddy. How did you know I wanted to stop here?"
+laughed Polly, patting the burro affectionately.
+
+Noddy flicked back her long ears in approval of such words and petting,
+but Eleanor's cry made the burro listen intently.
+
+"Polly! What a dreadful place to live in! Surely no one exists in this
+lonesome wilderness, do they?"
+
+"Mr. Beaver is clearing away the aspens just as fast as he can, but as
+soon as they are all cut down, he will move the whole family to some
+other dense grove, as they live on aspens, you know."
+
+"What--what! I didn't understand you!" cried Eleanor.
+
+Polly laughed as she pointed to a pond made by a dam crudely built
+across the stream. It was rough and queer looking, but it answered its
+purpose very well.
+
+Eleanor saw half a dozen conical shaped huts built of mud in a row
+across the dam, then she stared at both sides of the stream, up and
+down, but no other habitation could she see. On the opposite bank
+several large trees had been felled and a quantity of aspens had been
+cut down and piled in confusion on the edge of the water.
+
+"Do your ranchers live near here?" asked she.
+
+"I didn't say they were ranchers, Nolla."
+
+"Well, woodcutters, or what you call them!"
+
+"Yes," laughed Polly, "they are woodcutters and live in those mud huts."
+
+"What?" cried Eleanor again.
+
+"S-sh! Not so loud or you will frighten them away!"
+
+"Polly--impossible! What _do_ you mean anyway?"
+
+"The beavers live there until the family grows too large, then they
+either build another story to the house, or start a new colony where
+aspens can be had in plenty. As there are so many young aspens here in
+perfect security, for the beavers, Grandfather Beaver remains here."
+
+"Oh, Polly! You mean they are _real beavers_!" gasped Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, and I knew you would love to see them at work, but we have to keep
+very quiet if we want them to come out."
+
+"Tell me about them--quick--before we have to go away," begged Eleanor,
+eagerly.
+
+"We won't have to go, but we have to keep quiet. You see they must have
+been cutting aspens over there, when they heard us coming and so they
+made a dive for safety. They are now hiding in the huts."
+
+"What can we do to coax them out again?"
+
+"We'll lead the burros to the park to graze, and we'll come back and
+sit quietly on this rock to watch for them."
+
+So the two burros were taken to a small nearby clearing where buffalo
+grass offered a juicy repast for them. Having hobbled them to keep them
+from straying, Polly led the way back to the beaver-dam.
+
+"If you were over there to examine those cut aspens you would find each
+one about eighteen inches long and about one and a half inches thick.
+The beavers always build near an aspen grove, as it is their food, but
+not finding a grove near the water, they have to swim up or down until
+they reach what they need. That is why you find their huts on water,"
+explained Polly.
+
+"But I've heard they are water animals."
+
+Before Polly could reply, a sleek head bobbed up from the water near one
+of the huts and Eleanor gasped with surprise. The beaver swam to the
+opposite bank where the trees had been cut down. He climbed quickly out
+of the stream and started to roll a heavy log over the ground until it
+splashed down into the pond. He then jumped after it and continued
+rolling and pushing it along till he reached the dam. Instantly, more
+beavers came out from the huts and assisted in towing the log to their
+dam of aspens.
+
+"Oh, oh, Polly!" whispered Eleanor in excited astonishment, but Polly
+held her finger over her lips in warning.
+
+"I do believe they plan to build a new dam further up-stream, Nolla. If
+that is so, we will have something worth while to watch for during the
+next few days. Just now they are repairing the old houses for the
+Winter, and that log is to be a bulwark about which green cuttings of
+willow and young aspens can be woven as a partial strainer for the
+water. The debris that thus collects in the chinks between the cuttings,
+makes the dam firmer and yet more flexible than a solid structure
+would."
+
+Just then, the sound of a falling tree made Eleanor jump and look across
+the stream.
+
+"Other industrious beavers cutting down another tree," explained Polly.
+
+"How do they ever do it, Poll?"
+
+"If you watch, you will see that beaver go to work."
+
+Not one beaver appeared, but four that hurried to the bank and moved the
+newly cut tree into the water. One of the four dragged the tree with its
+branches still on, into the mid-stream where, catching a heavy branch
+between his teeth, he steered it to the row of huts.
+
+Directly back of the first one, swam the other three, each dragging a
+section of tree to deposit on the dam, where an old beaver was hard at
+work. As soon as the first beaver reached the huts, the old fellow gave
+a peculiar call that brought out a score or more of workers. They all
+went to their tasks as if drilled by a master.
+
+"My old Grandfather is not there this morning, or that other boss would
+not be taking his place," whispered Polly.
+
+Eleanor had been using her eyes to good advantage and now called to
+Polly anxiously. "Look a'there, Polly! Those beavers are eating the
+tree!"
+
+"They're not eating it but are cutting it down. Now you watch and you
+will see how they do it."
+
+The tree in question, stood on the shore and was about six inches in
+diameter and about sixteen feet in height. The boss of another group of
+beavers tested the tree by placing his fore-paws against the trunk and
+spreading out his hind legs as a bracer. He sat upon his tail and took a
+deliberate bite from the bark. No wonder Eleanor thought he was eating
+the tree!
+
+After gnawing at one side, he thumped the ground with his extended tail
+and ran away. Other beavers took his place and began cutting in much
+the same manner. Then the boss beaver, who was superintending the work,
+pushed the workers away and showed them how to work in a better way.
+This done, the boss thumped the ground with his tail--just as a
+policeman strikes the walk with his night-club--and the cutters went
+back to work.
+
+Suddenly the boss thumped the ground repeatedly and the cutters ran to a
+safe distance. A moment later, the tree began swaying and crashed down
+into the pond. It had been so cut and planned that labor and time would
+be saved by throwing it directly into the stream.
+
+It was towed down into the general harvest-pile and left for other
+colonists to saw into required shape and length for the additions to
+their huts.
+
+Soon after this, a number of beavers came forth and swam to the extreme
+upper end of the pond. Here they climbed up on the bank and disappeared
+from sight in the aspen-covered forest.
+
+"Where are they going?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"We'll soon find out!" declared Polly.
+
+As Polly spoke, a beaver swam along the bank and scrambled out quite
+near the spot where the two girls sat quietly watching. He sniffed and
+then plunged back to hurry to the huts where he must have reported the
+result of his trip. Immediately after, the boss commanded him to lead
+the way, and both returned to the place for a thorough investigation.
+
+The scout brought his boss up the bank and sniffed. Polly and Eleanor
+were quivering with excitement, as they saw the beavers making for the
+trail.
+
+"Let's see what is wrong?" whispered Polly, cocking her rifle in case of
+emergency.
+
+"Oh, don't do that!" cried Eleanor, catching hold of Polly's arm.
+
+"Stop! Let go--that is how accidents happen. You drag on one's arm and
+the trigger, all ready to fire, is pulled accidentally. I know what I am
+about, so you need have no concern."
+
+Eleanor felt chagrined and meekly followed Polly after this. They crept
+through the woods without making a sound.
+
+The two beavers reached the clearing where Noddy and Choko were grazing,
+and the moment the boss saw the burros, he turned and snapped at the
+foolish scout that had brought him this journey for naught! But the
+subdued laughter from the girls made the beavers rush pell-mell into
+the pond to wonder whether burros could laugh like that!
+
+On the way back to their rock of observation, Polly said, "Beavers are
+slow and awkward on land so that the agile panther, the alert wildcat,
+or wolves and bears, form a constant menace to them. Because of their
+unwieldy and short legs, they cannot escape quickly, but in water they
+are wonderful swimmers, so, water being necessary to their safety, they
+build their huts on the dams that will not bear up other wild animals.
+If their dams were constructed solidly, the beavers would soon be
+extinct, as forest savages would crawl over and glut on the helpless
+prey."
+
+"Didn't you say we could follow those other ones that went up-stream?"
+asked Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, come on," replied Polly, leading the way for some distance before
+seeing a sign of a beaver again. Then suddenly, she clutched hold of
+Eleanor's arm.
+
+"Ah, there's Grandfather, hard at work!"
+
+"Where--which?" cried Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"The one with a limp and a twisted back!"
+
+The girls had reached a place where the stream widened and here they
+found a great number of beavers at work. Some cutting, some dragging,
+others swimming with aspens, willows and alders, and all ordered about
+by an old crippled beaver.
+
+But despite his twisted back and decided halt in gait, he moved about
+quicker than the others, showing them where to place, how to saw, when
+to cut the aspens, and other important details of construction.
+
+"There are a lot of pines, Polly--why doesn't he use them?"
+
+"A beaver doesn't like the smelly, pitchy wood, so they never cut them
+unless they have to clear a roadway from an aspen grove to the stream of
+water."
+
+"Then they ought to use all those trees already down. There are lots
+that have been felled by forest fires, I guess."
+
+"There again they show their wisdom," explained Polly. "A beaver never
+cuts dead wood as it dulls and injures his teeth. And dead wood does not
+last like live trees, either."
+
+At this moment, Grandfather Beaver seemed to sniff a familiar as well as
+a doubtful presence. He lifted his nose high and thumped his tail for an
+assistant. Leaving commands with this beaver, the Grandfather went into
+the stream and swam away.
+
+Eleanor was sorry to lose sight of him, but almost before she could
+speak, the old fellow rose laboriously from the water just in front of
+her. He waited, sniffing anxiously, but found a stranger with his
+friend, so he half-slid back into the stream.
+
+Polly made strange sounds and ran down towards him. To Eleanor's
+amazement the old fellow actually expressed joy at seeing a friend. He
+emitted peculiar sounds and Polly stood a few feet away uttering queer
+sounds, too. Then he sent her a look of love--if there ever was one--and
+after this welcome he slid back into the water to continue the work as
+overseer.
+
+"Polly Brewster--I never in all my life!" gasped Eleanor.
+
+Polly laughed as she watched her beaver join the workers and scold them
+for laziness while he was absent visiting a friend.
+
+"Let's get the burros, now, and I'll show you a place where we can lunch
+while I tell you how Grandfather and I got to know each other so well,"
+suggested Polly.
+
+As the girls rode along the up-trail, Polly told the story.
+
+[A]"A few years ago, while out adventuring, I found this colony of
+beavers. I wanted father to come with me and see them, but he was too
+busy that year.
+
+[Footnote A: A true story.]
+
+"The following Summer, however, he came and we sat on the same rock
+where you and I sat to-day.
+
+"We had to wait for ten minutes or more, before a beaver came out of his
+hut in the dam. It was not as large or strong a dam, then, as now. The
+beaver was anxious to reach a spot in the aspen grove where we could
+hear the other beavers at work.
+
+"To reach the grove, he had to come up out of the stream and cross some
+land to the other pond. Just as he climbed up from the water, he sniffed
+danger. He was directly opposite us and we could see everything very
+plainly.
+
+"Father lifted his rifle slowly and very carefully, and I looked
+intently to see what it was that he saw.
+
+"On a bough of a tree almost directly over the beaver, I saw a lithe
+serpentine thing twitching as if a snake was trying to curl up. But I
+knew it wasn't a snake. It must be the long tail of a panther who was
+crouching for a leap, but I could not distinguish a body back of the
+foliage of the tree.
+
+"The beaver stood uncertain of action for a moment, and as he turned to
+dive again to safety, the mountain-lion sprang. At the same instant,
+father pulled the trigger. But the panther landed almost on top of the
+beaver's back, while the shot must have grazed his head, making him rage
+furiously.
+
+"The beaver, who was on the verge of the stream, fought valiantly with
+teeth and his powerful strength, but the lion had the upper hold on him.
+Slowly the two squirmed and rolled, the beaver trying to drag his enemy
+into the stream, and the panther fighting to keep his prey on land.
+
+"'Father--shoot--shoot! Even if you kill the beaver!' I yelled, as I
+closed my eyes from the awful sight.
+
+"But daddy already had taken aim and even as I spoke, he pulled the
+trigger. This time his shot took effect for we saw the beast loose his
+hold on the beaver and roll over writhing in agony.
+
+"Father rushed along the bank and crept over the beaver-dam to the other
+side. Then he put the lion out of pain with a third shot, and stooped to
+examine the beaver.
+
+"We always take a doctor's pocket-case when going on a trip, and father
+now took it out, so I knew the beaver was not dead.
+
+"'Poll, try to come over here and bring a pan, sheath-knife, and some
+hartshorn from the pack.'
+
+"I did as I was told, and stood helping father when the beaver came
+too--after getting a big whiff of hartshorn. We washed the torn flesh
+with water, and father poured on something from a bottle that made the
+old fellow squirm, but he sensed that we were helping him and he offered
+no resistance.
+
+"Well, Nolla, when we were done with our surgical work, you just ought
+to have seen that beaver's gratitude shining from his round eyes.
+
+"When he had recovered sufficiently to start for home, father swam
+beside him. And it was well he did for the poor fellow could not have
+made it alone. Father towed him across the pond and left him on the dam.
+There, the boss (for he was the boss of the colony) made a strange sound
+and instantly, a score of beavers came out.
+
+"Meantime, father had left him alone while I stood a distance away and
+watched the scene eagerly. As many beavers as could get near him,
+managed to roll and push him up on the dam where he lay stretched out.
+
+"Father did not think the poor thing would recover, but I thought he
+would, so we went back the next day, but he had disappeared.
+
+"We wished we could find out in some way, whether our friend was
+recovering or whether he had died and was buried by his family. So
+father decided to creep out on the dam and investigate. I went, too, and
+no sooner had we tried to make the same queer sound the Grandfather had
+made that day, than a beaver poked his nose out of a hut and sniffed.
+Quickly he disappeared again, but in a few moments, he came out and
+stood quite close to us making queer sounds at us. He was not afraid, so
+we took it that he was reporting on the health of our friend.
+
+"We did not see Grandfather again that Summer, so early last Spring I
+went to visit my colony, and there was my friend, bossing things as
+usual. But his back was crooked and he had to walk with a lame twist, so
+I suppose that lion injured his backbone.
+
+"I made a queer sound and he listened. He recognized me and swam over to
+thump his tail on the ground in front of my rock. I was so delighted
+that I rushed home and brought father over. Then you should have seen
+that beaver! He squirmed, and barked, and thumped his tail. It was like
+the meeting of a long-lost friend. Father was so impressed by the
+incident that he went to Denver and secured permission from the
+Government Land Survey Office to establish a permanent reserve here for
+the beavers. Now they have law protection and may rest unmolested by
+hunters or trappers."
+
+"Oh, Polly! It's just like a fairy tale, but much more interesting. What
+became of the nasty panther?" cried Eleanor.
+
+"He's stretched on our living-room floor--that skin by the fire-place.
+We had an awful time lugging the beast home, but I was determined to
+walk on his head every chance I got, so we swung him on a pole and
+managed to induce the horses to be reasonable about the dead creature."
+
+By the time Polly had concluded her story, the burros reached the bluff
+where the girls camped and prepared luncheon. This day of closer
+intimacy for the two girls, sealed a life-long friendship between them.
+Neither girl had ever had a chum of her own age, and now they found so
+much to admire and respect in each other that their companionship
+continued without the usual envy, quarrels or jealousies so common in
+school life between school-mates.
+
+[Illustration: THE PANTHER WAS ABOUT TO LEAP UPON THE BEAVER.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor._     _Page 94._]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE GIRLS ENTERTAIN GUESTS
+
+
+During the absence of Polly and Eleanor from Pebbly Pit, that Saturday,
+Mrs. Brewster made preparations for the entertainment of the young
+visitors who were expected on the morrow. So many days that week had
+been wasted in riding about the country that the pantry was almost bare.
+Chickens were killed and dressed, pies baked, and other delectable
+viands made ready for Sunday's dinner and tea.
+
+No word had come from the scouting party on Grizzly Slide, but Mrs.
+Brewster said she had no idea of hearing from them until they had
+completed their investigations and returned home. Polly and Eleanor were
+well tired out when they reached the house, after their visit to the
+beavers, and made no demur when early bed was suggested to them.
+
+Sunday was a glorious day and the girls bustled around rearranging the
+living-room, and seeing that the hammock with its cushions and the
+wicker porch chairs, were invitingly placed. Their own appearance had
+been seriously discussed so that both girls felt suitably dressed when
+the time came for the young surveyors to arrive.
+
+Eleanor had loaned Polly one of her prettiest organdies, and had
+arranged her really beautiful hair becomingly. Silk stockings now
+encased Polly's shapely limbs, and her new low shoes looked twice as
+well with the sheen of silk above them.
+
+Eleanor wore a dress similar to the one Polly had on, and tried to
+appear as like her as possible, so that no unfair advantage should arise
+from appearances. Barbara smiled scornfully at what she considered
+"childishness" in Eleanor. "Why should she want to have Polly look as
+well as she could? And why bother, anyway, to dress up for a nobody like
+Kenneth Evans? Of course, it would be all right for Jim Latimer--if he
+were at home--but not in the wilderness. Chances were that the boys
+would wear everyday working clothes." But all her "cold water" failed to
+dampen the spirits of the girls.
+
+The hour for the boys' expected appearance came and went but no sound
+of horse-hoof was heard echoing from the rocky trail that led past the
+Cliffs.
+
+"Why! It is now eleven, and they were to be here at ten-thirty,"
+remarked Eleanor, hearing the old clock strike the hour.
+
+"Are you sure that that foolish-looking boy understood he was to tell
+Jim about coming here Sunday?" asked Barbara, feeling rather pleased
+that the girls felt fidgety over the nonappearance of their company.
+
+"He wasn't foolish-looking at all! In fact I never saw such a fine head
+with such intelligence as he had," retorted Eleanor.
+
+"Come on, Nolla, let's walk down to the Cliffs and sit up on the
+'Guards' where we can see the trail all the way to Bear Forks,"
+suggested Polly, jumping up from the chair.
+
+"All right! we may meet them before we get there," added Eleanor.
+
+"You two certainly are acting silly over a mere boy you know nothing
+about!" snapped Barbara, who felt peeved at losing the targets for her
+sarcasm.
+
+The only reply given this parting shot was a merry laugh. Both girls
+skipped blithely along the path and were soon out of sight where the
+roadway ran behind the steep banks of the terrace.
+
+"Now that we are out of the way of Bob's eyes and tongue, let's go
+slower or we'll spoil our shoes," said Eleanor, stopping to see if any
+dust showed on her shiny toes.
+
+"And we won't climb the high Guards, but just sit on the ledge nearest
+the trail," added Polly.
+
+The Sunday dinner hour at Pebbly Pit was usually at one o'clock, so
+everything was ready and waiting just before that time. But no visitors
+appeared, and Mrs. Brewster sent Anne down the road to see if the girls
+and boys were visiting the Causeway and other unusual features of
+Rainbow Cliffs.
+
+"Oh, Anne! Are you alone?" called Eleanor, when she saw the messenger
+coming from the house.
+
+"Yes--are you?" returned Anne, shading her eyes from the sun, as she
+looked up at the ledge.
+
+"Come on up," Polly called, leaning over the rocks.
+
+Anne soon joined them and looked around. "Where do you suppose those
+boys can be?"
+
+"That's just what we want to know. I'm sure we were plain enough in
+telling that boy that he was to come over with Jim Latimer for
+Sunday--weren't we?" demanded Eleanor.
+
+"I thought it was plain enough, but Bob declares that the boy was too
+stupid to understand a simple invitation. She is in her glory because
+every one is disappointed," said Anne.
+
+"I wouldn't let her see me feeling bad for anything!" exclaimed Polly,
+stiffly. "But I do wish they would come, because I wanted to find out if
+he ever knew _any one_ like our Old Man Montresor."
+
+"Look! See way over there--out on the Bear Forks road?" now exclaimed
+Eleanor, pointing away towards the distant trail.
+
+"Sure enough!" breathed Anne, with relief.
+
+"But there are three, and we only expected two. Who can the other one
+be?" added Polly.
+
+"Maybe they are not our company, at all, but some ranchers riding that
+way," suggested Eleanor, fearfully.
+
+"Ranchers seldom ride that trail, and never on Sundays. Now look!" said
+Polly.
+
+The three horses had stopped and soon, one rider was seen going along
+the trail to Oak Creek, while the other two turned in at the gulch trail
+and disappeared under the giant over-hanging rocks.
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Eleanor, waving her sun-hat wildly about her head.
+
+"I reckon our company is coming, after all," said Polly, smiling with
+satisfaction.
+
+"I'll run back and tell your mother, Polly, as it will be at least half
+an hour before they can reach the house," said Anne, happy also that
+Barbara was to be silently contradicted.
+
+"Don't dally around here, girls, when your company joins you," advised
+Anne, turning around, after she had started down the cliff-side.
+
+"I reckon we'd better go back with you--mother can be the first to say
+how-dy to them," ventured Polly, looking like a stage-struck amateur at
+her first appearance before the public.
+
+"See here, Polly Brewster! Don't you go back on _me_! I wouldn't have
+Bob watching us meet those boys and then laughing at us afterwards, for
+anything in the world! We'll stay right _here_ and get acquainted before
+we go to the house to be teased and made to feel uncomfortable,"
+declared Eleanor, who knew her sister only too well.
+
+"I guess Eleanor's right, Polly; it struck me that that nice young boy
+was rather shy with strangers, so you will be doing him a great favor if
+you get acquainted here and then bring him to the house to meet the
+rest of us," admitted Anne, then she ran down the steep sides of the
+rocks.
+
+Now and then the waiting girls had glimpses of the two riders as they
+rode along the winding trail past the Cliffs. And Jim Latimer also
+caught a glimpse of the girls as he happened to pause, to point out the
+Rainbow rocks to his friend. Instantly he pulled off his wide sombrero
+and waved it gayly at his young hostesses. Then both boys spurred their
+horses eagerly onward.
+
+Eleanor and Jim felt perfectly at ease as they met and shook hands, but
+it was evident that Polly and Kenneth Evans were not accustomed to
+social ways or behavior, for both acted rather awkward at this meeting.
+However, Eleanor generally fitted into any breach, and now she
+unconsciously steered the would-be friendly craft of the four past the
+reefs of self-consciousness into the haven of youthful reciprocity.
+
+"We thought you were _never_ coming--it's past one o'clock you know, and
+we looked for you at eleven," said she, catching Jim by the sleeve and
+leading the way to the road where the two horses were waiting.
+
+"We expected to be here at half-past ten, or eleven at the latest, but
+it is a long story to tell, and we ought to explain to your mother at
+the same time," replied Jim, throwing the bridle over his arm and
+starting to walk beside Eleanor.
+
+Naturally, Kenneth and Polly followed, but Eleanor turned around every
+other moment to include them in her vivacious conversation about the
+land-slide and the fears that Choko's Find was lost.
+
+"Oh, but say! What a ripping chance we missed, Ken, by not being one of
+the party on the Slide, eh?" cried Jim, enviously.
+
+"I'd like to be one of the party up there now. Just fancy the
+opportunities one would have for seeing how much he knows about
+engineering," replied Kenneth.
+
+"Maybe we can fix it so mother'll allow us to show you the way up. I'd
+love to go again," ventured Polly, enthusiastically, as she forgot
+herself in the absorbing subject of the gold mine.
+
+"Ken and I have to be back at camp to-night! That's the worst of being
+hired!" grumbled Jim.
+
+"It's that, or being fired!" retorted Kenneth, laughingly.
+
+Youth needs little to laugh at, so the four took this little speech as a
+cue to laugh loud and long. It attracted Barbara's attention. She had
+been trying to read, but now she got up to frown at the gay young people
+she saw climbing the road to the house. Anne also heard the laughter
+and hurriedly called to Mrs. Brewster: "They're almost here--come right
+out."
+
+So the visitors found a pleasant welcome awaiting them as they reached
+the porch. Immediately after greeting the ladies, the boys apologized
+for their lateness. Jim then acted as spokesman.
+
+"We feared we would not be able to be here, at all, as the Boss of our
+Crew forbid any one taking out a horse to-day. Jake has charge of the
+horses, you know, and he was instructed not to pass one mount.
+
+"Maybe the boys weren't furious! as we always take Sundays to ride to
+Oak Creek. It's the only off day we get. But Carew said we had a long
+move to make to-morrow, and his horses had to be fresh for the trip.
+
+"Gee! I felt like thundering about camp, as I had looked forward to this
+visit ever since Ken told me about how he met you folks, and all. Now we
+both were all fixed ready to make an early start in the morning, and
+there would be no horses!
+
+"Ken and I stole out late last night and tried to bribe Jake with
+goodies, then with money, and lastly I remembered tobacco! I agreed to
+hand over a big bag of Cut Plug and a tin box of cigarettes if he would
+loan us his two wagon-horses. These he could use as they were not
+included in the ban on the crew horses.
+
+"But Jake is a wily fellow and wanted to see our tobacco first. He knew
+that neither of us used it and he doubted our having any!"
+
+Jim chuckled at this, and Ken smiled sympathetically. The ladies also
+smiled as an interested audience will. Then the narrator continued:
+
+"Ken and I knew where Jake kept the store of tobacco that he always sold
+to the other surveyors, so we fixed up a little scheme. We left more
+than enough money to pay for what we took and then hurried back to Jake
+with the gift of tobacco.
+
+"I wish you could have seen him scratch his head in bewilderment when he
+saw us hand over the star brand of tobacco he kept in stock! Still he
+refused to say whether we could start early in the morning, and then I
+got good and mad. If it wasn't for Ken, here, kicking me in the ribs,
+I'd have spilled the beans!"
+
+Every one laughed at Jim's slangy way of describing his interview with
+Jake, but he was full of his subject and would not be laughed out of
+countenance.
+
+"Ken and I were getting ready to go to sleep, when Jake crept under our
+tent flap and pulled my foot to attract attention.
+
+"There were three other surveyors in our tent, and Jake did not wish
+them to hear what was going on. The lights were out, so we were not seen
+as we slid under the canvas and joined the driver over by the trees
+where no one could hear us whisper.
+
+"'You fresh boys!' was the first thing Jake said.
+
+"Then he laughed deep down in his throat, and said; 'Ah kin bet on you
+boys, ef Ah lets you-all have mah team to-morrer,--you-all shore will
+come back in time?'
+
+"I eagerly promised everything, and he added: 'Ah sold a lot of tobakker
+to some one Ah don't know, but it doesn't matter who the smoker is, 'cuz
+now Ah got mah money and tobakker, too! It's 'cuz that feller is so
+smart that Ah feels shore the Boss won't get wind of mah hosses bein'
+lent. 'Course Ah hez a right to use mah waggin-team ef Ah likes, but
+Carew is strick and might get on his high-boss ef he learned Ah sent two
+of his men on an errent.'
+
+"I was so sure no one would ever know we rode the horses if he would
+_only_ loan them to us, that I agreed to anything.
+
+"Then he said: 'Wall, now, Ah left one of the crew's tripods over at
+Bear Forks line to-day when Ford took an observation. Ah've got'ta go
+fer it to-morrer--er find some good-natured feller who will go fer me.
+Ah've got'ta get a heap of work done, to-morrer, and it looks well-nigh
+impossible fer me to get that tripod!'
+
+"I caught on at once, and turned to Ken and said: 'Why, Jake, I will get
+that tripod for you. But I'd hate to walk so far as Bear Forks line, all
+alone, you know.'
+
+"That made Jake laugh softly and he said: 'Ef you-all will find that
+tripod fer me, Ah'll lend you-all the hosses fer the day.'
+
+"So that is how we got away from camp, but we have been hunting
+everywhere for that old tripod and haven't seen a shadow of it. While
+looking for it along the line that Ford surveyed this week, we lost our
+way and had to have that rancher show us the way back to Bear Forks
+trail. That's why we are so late."
+
+"Well, now that you are here, suppose you brush up and get ready for
+dinner. I've had it waiting this hour and a half," said Mrs. Brewster,
+leading the way over to the pump.
+
+"And maybe we aren't ready to do justice to your cooking! We haven't had
+a crumb since supper last night, because we dared not ask the cook for
+sandwiches, and we left camp before breakfast-time. Jake said we might
+not be permitted to hunt up his tripod for him if any one learned he was
+giving us his horses for the trip," explained Kenneth.
+
+"Oh, you poor boys! Do hurry, then, and join us at table over under the
+oak, yonder!" exclaimed Mrs. Brewster, hasting to bring out towels and
+brushes for her young visitors.
+
+The dinner was a great success, both from a culinary and also from the
+social points of view. While thoroughly enjoying the home-cooking, the
+boys talked of their work and adventures in the mountains. Jim had been
+with the survey crew all summer, but Kenneth had but just arrived. So
+Jim had a store-house filled with recent thrilling experiences and
+escapes.
+
+Close-up encounters with bears, rattle-snakes, and land-slides, were
+passed off as mere trifles by him. But the problems of getting enough
+good things to eat, now and then a dance at some school-house, or
+finding a pretty girl one could talk to--these were awful!
+
+When dinner was out of the way, the four young people started to walk to
+Rainbow Cliffs, as that was the show-spot of all the countryside. Having
+so many unique features and winding walks made it a delightful place
+for quiet little chats or tete-a-tetes.
+
+"I never saw anything like those great masses of color," said Kenneth,
+as they drew near the sparkling walls.
+
+"I told Ken when we rode past here to-day, that Tom wanted your father
+to sell out the cliffs on a royalty basis, but he refused to. Now that
+Tom is here again with John, and the gold mine is caved in with that
+land-slide, maybe he will listen, eh?" asked Jim, eagerly.
+
+Polly shook her head. "I don't believe he will, but we can't find out
+why he is so stubborn about it."
+
+"Jim, I don't believe our gold mine has caved in, at all. It's only
+temporarily buried, up there. If there is any way it can be located
+again, I'm going to insist upon having it worked!" declared Eleanor.
+
+"Why? You don't need the money," laughed Jim.
+
+"How do you know what I need!" retorted Eleanor. "Polly and I need money
+this Fall, as we are going to go away to school together--somewhere. And
+she can't go unless she has her own money, 'cause her father won't
+consent to her leaving home, but her mother will--so she will have to
+have her own money to get away with, see?"
+
+"No, I don't see that that will work," Kenneth interpolated.
+
+"Why not? If Mr. Brewster finds Polly is going, anyway, he will soon
+enough give his consent," argued Eleanor.
+
+"I never said I would go away to school with you, Nolla, although I
+should like it better than going alone. And I'm sure I couldn't _think_
+of leaving home if Daddy objected to it," said Polly seriously.
+
+"Oh, well, I know you won't, but a lot of money of your very own will
+help coax him to our way of thinking," explained Eleanor.
+
+"You seem to think your mine will turn out money in time for you to
+spend it this Fall," ventured Kenneth, amusedly.
+
+"Why, of course it will, if we can get at it through that land-slide,"
+returned she.
+
+"Other mines take from one to ten years to prepare for and operate. If
+you do the thing right, and have engineers plan for the apparatus to
+work the ore, you won't be spending that gold this year," added Jim.
+
+"No! Then what good will it do Polly or me? I have a fine idea that I
+want to perfect right away, and it needs money. I haven't even told
+Polly a word of it, as I must see how much money we get from the mine
+before I mention it."
+
+"But once your mine begins to pay it will keep on paying for ever so
+long. You can plan to spend all the money you can possibly use, if the
+mine has any kind of vein in it," said Kenneth, soothingly.
+
+"I believe in taking a 'bird in the hand instead of the one in the
+bush,' and here is a fortune right on this wall!" said Jim, pointing at
+the jeweled cliffs.
+
+He picked up a handful of the colored lava-stones and showed them to
+Kenneth. "Do you know, Ken, that I wouldn't be one bit surprised but
+what that new patent your father got out for cutting rare gems would
+work on these to some good."
+
+"I never thought of that! Maybe it would. If only he could come here to
+investigate and try his machine on the jewels."
+
+"Why not send him a small box-full of the stones and let him experiment
+on them with the model he has in father's office?" asked Jim, eagerly.
+
+"If Polly will give us some--I will send them on with a letter of
+explanation," returned Kenneth.
+
+"Of course! Take all you want. Every one is welcome to them," said
+Polly, breaking off a cluster of fresh stones from the wall.
+
+"What are you talking about, Jim? I heard Bob say something about a new
+patented machine that would make millions out of these Cliffs, but what
+do _you_ mean?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"I guess we were both speaking of the same idea," replied Jim. "You see,
+my father is financing the wonderful patent Ken's father invented. Dr.
+Evans is a great inventor, and every once in a while he has a big idea.
+That was how he planned the vacuum sweepers, and the self-stop on the
+victrolas. He has lots of unusual patents granted him, and now he has
+this idea patented.
+
+"He can cut a stone so that it surpasses any hand-cut jewel for facets
+and beauty, by merely dropping the material into the feeder on the
+machine and letting it cut out the jewel in a few moments. The size of
+stone wanted can be regulated by a screw. And the small bits of refuse
+left after making large jewels, can be cut into sparkling chips.
+
+"My father and Uncle George incorporated the company that is financing
+this cutting machine. Now they can try out this lava and see if it is
+hard enough to cut brilliantly."
+
+"Wouldn't it be lovely to have Ken's father use these lava jewels in his
+company, and let Nolla and me have the royalty to send us to school?"
+ventured Polly, wistfully, looking at the distant peak where her gold
+mine seemed lost for the present.
+
+Jim and his friend were selecting the finest specimen of the lava as
+Polly spoke, so they made no reply. Her eyes traveled along the Top
+Notch Trail and finally came back to the Cliffs at home. She watched the
+boys gather the stones and suddenly remembered Kenneth's likeness to
+Montresor.
+
+"Oh, Kenneth! I 'most forgot to ask you something!" cried she.
+
+Ken stood up and looked at her with a broad smile. As he waited thus,
+she was struck by the singular look that was so like her old friend's.
+
+"That gold mine we told you boys about, was first found and staked by a
+white-haired man who called himself Montresor. He lost it again in just
+the same way as we did--a land-slide buried it and his stakes, and no
+one could locate it again.
+
+"Then he died and left his claim to me. I always believed he had one,
+but every one else laughed at him and said he was crazy. Father was
+good to him after the mine was lost, and took his part when folks
+jeered. When he died, Daddy paid for the funeral and has the certificate
+where he is buried. But we never learned who he was, except the fact
+that he came from the East, although we advertised a lot.
+
+"Just the day you arrived in Oak Creek, Mr. Simms, our lawyer, read a
+letter which Old Man Montresor left. It was written to a wife and child,
+but there was no name or address on it. Then I heard how father spent
+lots of money trying to identify the dear old man and trace his
+relatives but to no account.
+
+"When we first saw you, we-all were impressed with your resemblance to
+our old friend. So now I want to ask you if there ever was any one in
+your family who went to the Klondike and was reported lost there?"
+
+"Wh-y, ye-es, there is some such story in our family, but I do not know
+the exact truth about it. And we seldom discussed it as mother always
+felt badly afterwards.
+
+"As far as I can understand it, my mother's only brother Peter was a
+clever mining engineer in the East, but he was too ambitious to be
+contented with his income. Mother says it was his wife who wanted to
+spend money like water, who finally urged him to try his luck in
+Alaska--and he left home to seek wealth in the Klondike.
+
+"He placed all the money he had in the bank for his family, and left
+Aunt Ada and my Cousin Gail with sufficient to live on if they were
+economical. But my Aunt was not content with a simple home and a meager
+income, and thought to add to her comfort and wealth by starting a fine
+boarding-house.
+
+"She knew nothing about the business, however, and soon lost all the
+money she had been left with and then she ran in debt. When her
+investment was sold out, she came to us for help. She and Cousin Gail
+lived with us for two years; then Aunt Ada had pneumonia and died. She
+begged us to adopt Gail as she had never heard from Uncle after he wrote
+to her to send him money to get out of Nome. But she had none, so she
+never told mother about this letter; we would have helped poor Uncle.
+
+"As it was a year since he wrote that letter, and he was in wretched
+health while in the far North, mother felt sure that he had succumbed to
+the cold and his discouragement. Aunt Ada left a note in which she said
+that Gail and I were to share like brother and sister in anything Uncle
+Peter left us.
+
+"But mother always laughed at the idea that there would be any wealth
+coming to us from the Klondike. She said the only precious legacy we
+could claim in the gold-fields of Alaska was the untiring energy and
+earnestness Uncle was sure to use wherever he went or whatever he did.
+But she wrote to the postmaster at Nome and received word that her
+brother was dead.
+
+"Gail was always delicate, and a year after her mother died, she, too,
+took sick and was gone in a week's time. So mother tried to forget her
+dear brother after these sad experiences, and it is only at rare
+intervals that any one mentions his name to her."
+
+When Kenneth finished telling his story, Polly asked eagerly: "But you
+haven't told us your uncle's name--nor your mother's maiden name. Was it
+Montresor?"
+
+"Oh no! Just a plain New England name--mother is called Priscilla
+Amesbury, and my uncle was Peter Amesbury. I never heard of a Montresor
+in our family, either. But that doesn't say the old gentleman couldn't
+have chosen an assumed name, you know."
+
+Eleanor and Polly were plainly disappointed that the names of the
+Klondike uncle and the hero of Polly's life, were not the same. Jim
+laughed when he saw the girls' evident regret.
+
+"Any one would think you two girls were anxious to share your gold-mine
+with the heir of old Montresor. Now what is there to hinder me from
+claiming the old man as _my_ uncle and telling you he is a twin-brother
+of my father's? That will make me the heir to that mine."
+
+"We wouldn't believe you, because you haven't one bit of resemblance to
+this friend Polly knew, but Kenneth has. That is why it may turn out
+that Montresor really was his uncle," said Eleanor.
+
+As the sun went down back of Rainbow Cliffs, the two boys regretfully
+said good-by. Mrs. Brewster planned for them to come and spend the
+following Sunday at Pebbly Pit with John and Tom there, provided the
+crew was not too far removed for the trip.
+
+The boys promised to send word by mail, as Jake rode to Oak Creek two or
+three times a week, and could mail a note from them if they were to be
+within riding distance.
+
+"We might even find a way to lose the valuable transit and then have to
+come and hunt for it," laughed Kenneth, as they got into their saddles
+for the return ride.
+
+"But you didn't find the tripod! What will Jake say?" asked Polly,
+anxiously.
+
+"We'll let you know next Sunday," laughed both the boys.
+
+That night when Jake smuggled his two horses back to the corral with the
+crew's mounts, he turned to the boys and said:
+
+"Whar did you-all leave it?"
+
+"Leave what?" asked Jim, wonderingly.
+
+"Why, mah tripod, yuh coyote!" grinned Jake, winking at Kenneth.
+
+"Oh, yes! Well, Jake, I had to leave it at Pebbly Pit because it was so
+heavy, but I'll go back for it next Sunday!"
+
+"Nah, yuh won't, eider--some one else brought in th' tripod and ha'r it
+'tis!" With that Jake displayed the article wanted.
+
+"Who found it? No one could take a horse," exclaimed Jim, perplexed.
+
+Then Jake leaned over and whispered in his ear: "The Boss hisself! He
+rode to Yaller Jacket to spend Sunda' with his wife, yuh know, an' what
+shoul' he do but come acrost the tripod whar Ah left it fer you boys to
+pick up! Mebbe Ah didn't get hail on Pagoda!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS
+
+
+Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on
+Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.
+Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to
+investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could
+be worked--providing it was found again. But in such a dreadful
+wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile
+of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a
+tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine? And
+with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the
+land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to
+remain to mark the place?
+
+Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so
+on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into
+Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.
+
+This would be a break in the dull routine of waiting impatiently for
+news from the Peak, and all four of the girls willingly complied with
+the order. Two strong horses were hitched to the ranch-wagon, and the
+gay party drove away, leaving Mrs. Brewster waving her hand as they
+rumbled down the road past the Cliffs.
+
+The colored stones reminded Polly of Kenneth's story, and she turned to
+Eleanor and said: "I wonder if he wrote home to ask his mother about her
+brother?"
+
+"Even if he did it will be fully a fortnight before he can have an
+answer. But we ought to get a letter to-day, telling us whether the boys
+are coming over Sunday, or not," replied Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, I know; I thought we'd stop at the post office first of all,"
+answered Polly.
+
+The girls enjoyed the wonderful drive along the trail that ran to Oak
+Creek, and having reached their destination, left the team tied to the
+post in front of Mr. Simms' office, for they purposed having a good
+time.
+
+Anne and Barbara went to the store where they could buy candy, while
+Polly and Eleanor ran to the post office. To their surprised delight,
+they found Kenneth Evans there. He was reading a telegram and did not
+see the girls until he had finished.
+
+"Oh--hullo! I never expected to see you here," exclaimed he, seemingly
+too excited to remember that he had not met them since Sunday.
+
+"I wired mother last Monday--sent it in by Jake, you know. And told her
+to reply so I could get her answer to-day. The Boss let me off because I
+finished my work on the old line yesterday. So I came to town myself for
+the message."
+
+Kenneth acted so elated that Polly and Eleanor wondered what news he had
+received to make his eyes sparkle like stars and his face to flush in a
+way that made him positively handsome.
+
+"Isn't it great, though? And just think, if it hadn't been for you
+girls, I never would have known it!"
+
+"Known what? What have we done that is so great?" asked Eleanor,
+laughingly.
+
+"Why, the mine, don't you know!"
+
+"What about it?" cried both girls at once, thinking that news of some
+moment from the engineers had reached Oak Creek before they arrived
+there.
+
+"Why, the mine--you know, my uncle's mine!"
+
+"Your uncle's!" again the girls gasped in astonishment.
+
+"Of course--didn't Polly tell me all about her old friend Montresor?
+Here, read my mother's night letter to me." And Kenneth placed the
+yellow sheet in Eleanor's hand.
+
+She read aloud to anxious Polly: "One branch of family has a
+Montresor--two generations back the name was used as surname. Brother
+was christened Peter Miles Montresor Amesbury. Disliked name Montresor,
+dropped it when young. Every one forgot about it. Am sending letter with
+photograph of Peter. Show Polly. Wire results. Father may come west.
+Love, Mother."
+
+"Oh, oh! how wonderful!" cried Polly, catching Kenneth's hands
+delightedly.
+
+"I'm glad, too, Ken, but I shall have to contest any of your claims to
+my mine," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Your father ought to be told about the land-slide. Maybe he is coming
+west to look over the claim, but he won't be able to see anything,"
+remarked Polly.
+
+"No, I think Dad plans to come west to look at your Cliffs. I told him
+in my telegram just what they were, and sent on the box of jewels. When
+he gets them he will try out his invention and if it cuts them properly,
+then he may come here to see your family."
+
+"Oh! You didn't waste any time attending to things, did you?" said
+Eleanor, with keen amusement at Kenneth's business methods.
+
+"No, I never waste time on _anything_ that's worth while. And, by the
+way, Jim and I are coming over to Pebbly Pit again on Sunday--your
+mother invited us, you know."
+
+Both girls laughed, and they caught the youth up. "Ah, you must think
+Pebbly Pit is worth while, then?"
+
+"Why, I do! You don't suppose I'd ride 'way over there if I was bored,
+do you?" replied Kenneth, earnestly.
+
+Eleanor laughed this time, but Polly felt he was in too serious a mood
+for laughter. So she said: "I'm glad you liked us. We'll tell mother you
+are coming again. That is one reason we drove to Oak Creek--to get the
+letter."
+
+"I'm afraid it will be our only chance to see you-all again, as our crew
+moves from Brushy Creek to Silver Creek, and after that we go to Buffalo
+Park. The Boss says we will have about three weeks' work there, and then
+go across the desert to work along the Lincoln Highway, until we reach
+the other lines, completed last year by Carew's men.
+
+"He doesn't know whether we shall be dismissed then, or sent on to tie
+up a few other little jobs before the summer ends. However, it looks as
+if Jim and I will be too far away to ride over for the day then. It will
+take us a day and night to cross the desert and over several mountain
+peaks to reach you."
+
+Eleanor listened delightedly to this innocent youth, and as he concluded
+she squealed with amusement: "Oh, don't you love it!"
+
+"Love what?" asked Kenneth, never having heard this extravagant
+expression so favored by city misses.
+
+"Love _you_, of course!" retorted Eleanor, laughing.
+
+Polly frowned at this admission, and Kenneth blushed, for he had never
+before been told so publicly that a pretty girl loved him! Eleanor
+doubled over laughing, and gasped: "Oh, you two adorable babes!"
+
+Further conversation was made impossible now, by Barbara and Anne coming
+in. They immediately joined the three young people, and Anne asked: "Did
+you get the mail, Nolla?"
+
+"No, we never thought of it. Ken has such an exciting telegram that we
+forgot everything else."
+
+Anne waited to hear no more, but went to the window and inquired for her
+mail and for that of the family at Pebbly Pit. A bulky package was
+handed out, and caused Polly to exclaim at its size.
+
+"Why, I never knew so many letters to come at one time."
+
+"That's because no one's been here to get it for more than a week,"
+returned Anne.
+
+Barbara had not forgotten the yellow sheet in Kenneth's hand, however,
+and now asked what the news was that had so thrilled the girls.
+
+She was given the telegram to read, and having mastered the contents she
+looked daggers at poor Kenneth; "I suppose you will expect my sister to
+share her mine with you, now."
+
+Eleanor instantly interpolated: "Your sister wouldn't think of keeping a
+mine that belongs to some one else. I'm thankful we had the use of it
+that night when the panther and bear wanted to get at us. And again the
+day of the avalanche! I'm much obliged to Ken for his cave hotel!"
+
+Barbara sneered unpleasantly and walked away. Kenneth said nothing, but
+when she had gone he turned to the girls and said: "We were thinking
+more of knowing for a certainty whether Uncle Peter was still alive, or
+whether your Montresor is my mother's brother. I almost forgot there was
+gold in that mine."
+
+The girls assured him that that was exactly what they believed he was
+anxious to know, and that the gold was the least of all things to be
+considered.
+
+Having spent two hours in the Moving Picture Hall, and completing all
+the shopping, the girls started back to Pebbly Pit. Kenneth Evans had
+said good-by and gone on his way, so there was now no side interest for
+Polly and Eleanor as they drove the obedient horses homeward.
+
+Barbara and Anne were reading their letters, and the two younger girls
+on the front seat whispered confidences to each other. Anne suddenly
+exclaimed, as she finished reading a type-written letter:
+
+"Well, of all things! How did they hear of _me_?"
+
+Eleanor half turned around and asked: "What's the matter?"
+
+"Mother inclosed a letter that came from New York. She thought it might
+be important, so she slipped it inside the one she was just going to
+mail to me," murmured Anne, vaguely, studying the dense forest as they
+drove past.
+
+"Well, that's nothing to wonder about," said Eleanor.
+
+Anne glanced at the letter again: "No, but the contents is."
+
+"Maybe it's one of those proposals of marriage--you know; the kind where
+a lonely bachelor, rich, well-bred, perfect in every respect (except his
+bald head, glass eye, toothless gums, and palsy) wishes acquaintance
+with sweet young miss--object matrimony!" Eleanor said, jokingly.
+
+"Eleanor Maynard! How very unladylike of you!" cried her sister, shocked
+at her levity.
+
+"I'm only saying what you can read in the paper any day," argued
+Eleanor, still laughing at her joke.
+
+"This _is_ a proposal, but not that kind. It comes from a well-known
+gentleman in New York City," said Anne.
+
+Polly was so astonished that she pulled in the horses and suddenly
+halted them without being aware of it. Eleanor and she turned square
+about and gazed at Anne questioningly. Barbara couldn't say anything as
+she was at sea for words.
+
+"For goodness' sake!" exclaimed Eleanor, at last.
+
+"Wh-y--I wanted to live with you in Denver this winter!" complained
+Polly. Then remembering John and his evident preference for Anne, she
+added severely: "Does John know about this man?"
+
+Anne laughed gayly. "No, and that is the only thing that makes me feel
+unhappy. I'd accept at once, if New York wasn't so far away, or if I had
+never met John."
+
+Although Anne spoke in a jocular tone when mentioning John, she blushed
+most bewitchingly at her acknowledgment.
+
+Eleanor had been keenly studying Anne's face, and now she exclaimed:
+"Ha! you didn't tell us what _sort_ of a proposal! It may be a mason who
+wants to hire you to carry a hod up the ladders."
+
+As the very idea was so ridiculous, every one laughed, and that broke
+the tension. Then Anne admitted: "I felt like squaring myself with you,
+Nolla, for your hint that I was answering ads. in the _Matrimonial
+Mirror_."
+
+"Well, then, is it for a hod-carrier?" insisted the irrepressible
+Eleanor.
+
+"Almost as good; it is for a teacher to carry learning up into young
+ladies' brains at a fashionable seminary in New York."
+
+"What? never!" declared Barbara.
+
+"Of course--why not?" replied Anne.
+
+Eleanor and Polly were silent, but they thought a lot. But Barbara said:
+"Because you can never fill a position in a fashionable young ladies'
+school in New York. You know nothing of social life."
+
+"Bob, I'll have Polly dump you from the wagon if you can't be half-way
+decent to us. Ever since Polly and I discovered Old Man Montresor's gold
+mine, you've been as mean as a bear with a sore head. Now stop it, or
+I'll--I'll do something _awful_ to you!"
+
+Eleanor was angry! And she looked daggers at her sister as she spoke,
+but she knew there was nothing she could do but patiently allow Barbara
+to say unkind words to others, as was her habit.
+
+Polly now spoke. "Anne, is there anything that you'd _rather_ do than go
+East to teach school?"
+
+Anne caught her meaning and mentally thanked her, but audibly she said:
+"Not just yet, Polly. You see, my brother Paul has two years still to
+put in at college, and little mother has to be cared for, as well. This
+offer is so tempting that I could not refuse it without considering
+everything that concerns me. In two years' time, I could not only
+rejoice that Paul is through, but that because of my increased income,
+mother will have something laid by for her use in the future."
+
+"Well, then," sighed Polly, resignedly, "I'll give up my hopes of
+paradise! I did so want to go to school in a big city this year." As she
+urged the horses on their way, the young driver felt the tears well up
+in her eyes, but she refused to brush them away.
+
+Eleanor saw and understood. She quietly took her own handkerchief and
+dabbed her friend's wet eyes. Then placed her hand on her shoulder. Not
+a word was spoken.
+
+"Polly, dear, I'm not going to do a thing until after I have pondered
+this step well. I shall have to write the principal for added
+information, and before I hear again, I will know whether it is wise for
+me to accept the offer or not," exclaimed Anne.
+
+The rest of the drive was concluded in silence, each girl having much to
+think over. When the horses were turned over to the man who took Jeb's
+place in his absence, and the girls were on the porch, Mrs. Brewster
+noticed their unusual quiet.
+
+"Anything wrong, girls?" asked she.
+
+"No--only Kenneth's uncle is our Montresor, he thinks," said Eleanor,
+rocking violently back and forth in the wicker chair.
+
+This so surprised Mrs. Brewster that she began a rapid cross-examination
+until she had all the facts. However the very telling about Kenneth's
+story enabled Polly to change her thoughts of future trouble, so that
+she felt much better over the school question before very long.
+
+Anne's momentous letter was the next important topic of conversation,
+and Mrs. Brewster listened to the news with an enigmatical expression on
+her face. When Anne finished telling about it, the elder woman spoke.
+
+"I thought perhaps you would be planning to take a course in Domestic
+Science. But going to New York to continue your school teaching would
+lead me to believe that you propose making that the principal object of
+your life."
+
+"But you must remember, Mrs. Brewster, I am not alone in the world. I
+have my mother and younger brother to consider. If I fail Paul now, he
+will have to stop his college education half-way. I simply _have_ to
+keep on supplying him and mother with means, until he is through. Then
+he can help me in caring for mother," explained Anne, diffidently.
+
+"You might marry a young man who had ample means to take care of both
+your mother and brother," suggested Barbara.
+
+"Oh, Bob! you know Paul would never take money that way, when I had such
+a dreadful time in even persuading him to let me loan him his
+educational expenses from my own salary!" exclaimed Anne, flushing
+uncomfortably when the subject of her marrying a wealthy man was
+mentioned.
+
+"If your brother knows you plan to go to New York just to earn more
+money for him, he may refuse to take any aid from you," ventured Mrs.
+Brewster.
+
+"That is my only concern just now. Of course, I shall take mother with
+me to keep house for us both, but Paul must complete his studies in
+Chicago, so he must believe there was another reason for my choosing New
+York other than the mere increased salary offered me."
+
+"It seems a difficult thing for you to do--to find a plausible reason
+for going so far East," added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Now _I_ know a good one;" spoke up Eleanor, suddenly. "I am crazy to
+spend a winter in New York, but Bob won't give up her social season at
+home, and mother wouldn't think of spending the time in New York just to
+oblige me. As Anne has always been found to be so helpful to me, in
+everyway, I shall insist upon going to New York this Fall and choosing
+her as my companion while there. Naturally her mother wants to go, too,
+and so we will decide to keep house in one of those cute little
+three-room-and-kitchenette apartments. Then Anne has so much time on her
+hands that she decides to fill in by going to this seminary for certain
+hours. How's that for a plot!"
+
+"Oh, it's lovely--all but your being able to go East," replied Barbara,
+sarcastically.
+
+The others laughed at both plotter and objector, for it sounded so
+visionary. But once Eleanor had the idea in her mind she mulled it over
+and over until it really appeared feasible to her.
+
+The others talked of the mine, of Kenneth's father and the invention for
+cutting jewels, of everything that concerned any interest in their
+lives, while Eleanor sat and planned her new idea.
+
+"Now listen to me, folks--I've got everything ironed out smooth for
+Anne's going. I am expected to remain in Denver all this winter and
+attend school there. Live with Anne and her mother. These are Mother's
+orders to the doctor--and he ordered them on to Daddy. I know all about
+it, because Barbara and Mother planned a big campaign to try and marry
+Bob off sure pop this year!--"
+
+"Nolla! I _will_ not sit here quietly and listen to you tell such
+dreadful stories. You know very well that you are too delicate to live
+in Chicago where the climate does not agree with you," Barbara cried.
+
+"Tut, tut! We are all old friends here, Bob, and no one will squeal on
+you about family skeletons. Anne knows as much about this arrangement as
+you or I do; and Polly, or her mother, are not interested enough to
+repeat what I say," giggled Eleanor; then she continued her outlines:
+"Hence, it matters little whether the eager student (that's me) lives in
+Denver, New York, or Timbuctoo, as long as she is in 'safe hands' and
+out of society's way.
+
+"Now Anne Stewart and her mother have absolutely 'safe hands' for such
+as me; so there will be little argument and no difficulties in
+convincing mother or Bob to have the doctor say that I must go East with
+Anne. Convincing Dad of this need, will be the only obstacle. But I
+shall play upon the fact that he can visit me quite often in New York,
+whereas he never comes West on business. He can fly across country from
+Chicago on the Twentieth Century and be in New York in the morning.
+
+"Yes, Anne, considering all things, I believe it will be New York for my
+schooling this Winter, instead of Denver."
+
+Eleanor wagged her head wisely as she finished speaking, and her hearers
+began to wonder if she really meant what she said. Anne rather liked the
+suggestion of having Eleanor go East with her, and Polly sat mute,
+wishing some one would persuade her mother that it was the only thing to
+do for her, too.
+
+Sary came in at this point to say that supper had been waiting so long,
+that it was all sizzled up in the pan.
+
+"My goodness! I forgot we hadn't had supper!" laughed Eleanor, jumping
+up and catching Polly by the arm to whirl her away.
+
+Once out of hearing, she whispered quickly: "Don't say a word to any one
+about this New York plan of mine--if I go, you go, too; for we are a
+second 'Ruth and Naomi' you know!"
+
+Polly smiled, but she knew her friend's suggestion for her going, too,
+would have no backing from any one at _her_ home.
+
+Saturday dawned and every one at Pebbly Pit was on the lookout for the
+adventurers, as they surely would not remain on the mountain over
+another Sunday! But it was late in the afternoon when the clip-clop of
+horses' hoofs rang out over the crater of the ranch. Then the riders
+were seen passing the Cliffs, and soon they were at the door.
+
+Such a babble of voices and questions asked, would have deafened any one
+not concerned in the meeting. But every one, even Sary, had a heart
+interest in the returned scouts, and no one took the trouble to bottle
+up their rejoicing.
+
+Several farm-hands were present, so the horses were sent off to the barn
+and Jeb was allowed a rest period. Of course, the men were hungry, and
+every one turned to the well-laden table.
+
+While eating an early supper, John and Tom were called upon to give
+expert opinions about "Choko's Find" Mine.
+
+"As you must know, Tom and I did the job up well while we were up there.
+That is why we remained so long. We've got the plan worked out and we
+also took photographs of the entire surroundings so that investors can
+see exactly what the difficulties will be," explained John.
+
+"Oh, then we haven't lost it!" cried Polly and Eleanor together.
+
+"You couldn't lose it unless Old Grizzly split the whole side of the
+mountain open and washed the gold down into the bottom. But the
+land-slide makes the mining more difficult in the beginning; once
+things are going, it will make no difference, excepting that there is
+always the danger of fresh avalanches wreaking the same havoc this one
+has done," said Tom Latimer.
+
+"Well, I always had a theory that I believe will prove to divert a great
+deal of slide that does the damage, in a case like this one. And since
+looking around up on Top Notch, I'm sure my idea will work," ventured
+John.
+
+"All I can say to that is, if you have such a theory it will prove more
+valuable than Kenneth Evans' father's patent device for cutting lava
+jewels from Rainbow Cliffs!" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"What's that?" demanded John, while Tom Latimer wondered how this
+Chicago girl ever had heard of Dr. Evans' machine that his father was
+financially interested in.
+
+Then Polly and Eleanor had the "speaker's chair" and they told all about
+Kenneth, his father's patents, and Old Man Montresor's relationship to
+him.
+
+"Why then, if this lad is the direct heir to Montresor, he must inherit
+the mine!" declared John.
+
+"Not according to law, because Polly was left the claim, but we had to
+discover it all over again under a new claim, you see," explained
+Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"That will make a fine little problem in law, I'm thinking," laughed
+Tom, shaking his head.
+
+"It would if all concerned could not agree, but _we_ all intend to
+agree--Ken said so!" exclaimed Polly, emphatically.
+
+"Oh--you-all know this 'Ken' so well, eh?" teased John.
+
+"Of course! And he is the nicest boy--as nice as Jim Latimer, anyway,"
+retorted Eleanor.
+
+Every one laughed, and Tom said: "Well, after paying my kid brother such
+a left-handed compliment, I feel I must continue my work on that mine
+problem."
+
+"Give us a chance to finish our reports, won't you, before you tell us
+you gave away your interests, or launched us all in a will-contest,"
+added John, laughingly. Then he continued:
+
+"Now this is what we have to say about Choko's Find: The pyramids of
+trash now covering that area of Top Notch can be readily cleared away.
+We set fire to certain parts and opened a way to the ravine. There we
+found the old gulch literally filled in with rocks, earth and roots, so
+that we could not get through to find the cave. But we brought home bits
+of gold ore, just the same."
+
+John rolled the nuggets across the table, and the girls gazed with bated
+breath at what they believed had been buried forever under the
+land-slide.
+
+"We have much to tell you about this, so let's go to the living-room to
+talk," suggested Mr. Brewster, rising.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+"POLLY-ELEANOR COMPANY, INC."
+
+
+The girls were impatient to hear about the plans Mr. Brewster and the
+two engineers had decided upon, but Mrs. Brewster smiled knowingly, as
+if she had already been told the secret. Mr. Brewster was morose and
+silent, looking more as if he was compelled to consent to something as a
+just and fair man, rather than from preference and desire.
+
+"Now don't you girls ask too many questions if you are displeased or
+delighted at what we tell you," began John, nodding to Tom to proceed
+with his story.
+
+Having promised not to interrupt the important conference, the girls sat
+expectantly smiling at the chair-man of the meeting.
+
+"I have to preface our report on Choko's Find, by telling you-all about
+a little company that was incorporated in New York several months ago.
+Father wrote me all about it.
+
+"Dr. Evans is a very clever inventor, as you now know, and having this
+unusual device for cutting stones by machine, he called on father's law
+firm to secure a patent on it for him. Latimer Brothers make a specialty
+of patents, you know.
+
+"Well, the doctor had but little money for the costs, and father saw a
+great fortune in the invention if it was properly financed. So articles
+of agreement were drawn up, that Latimer Brothers were to pay all costs
+of getting the machine on the market, and for this they were to share in
+the stock of the company.
+
+"This was done and when the papers were ready and the shares of stock
+divided between the principals, an injunction was served on Dad by a
+tricky company in New York which claimed prior rights to the patent.
+This has held up everything so that Dr. Evans is not sure whether he
+will ever realize anything out of his invention or not. Of course, we
+are fighting the legality of Ratzger & Wriggley's injunction and claims.
+
+"Having risked all his little bank account on the outcome of this idea
+of his, the doctor now hasn't a cent to bless himself with. That is why
+Kenneth Evans was sent to work this summer, to earn his own keep.
+
+"Fortunately, Dad had a letter from Jim, who was out in the mountains
+with a government survey crew, in which it said that they were short a
+few good men and two young apprentices such as he himself was. Kenneth
+and Jim attended the same school at home, so Dad telephoned Dr. Evans
+about the opening. That is how Ken happened to come West.
+
+"Now I hear that the Courts uphold Dr. Evans in his right to the patent,
+and the company can go on with their plans. If they can find suitable
+material to mine and without too much expense for apparatus, they will
+start in at once with a close corporation. But should they find it will
+take great capital to mine the right kind of stones, the original
+members of the company may have to sell half of their rights, to get
+sufficient money to launch the work. Do you girls follow me as far as I
+have explained?"
+
+"Oh, yes, it's clear as day," replied Eleanor, impatiently.
+
+"Do you grasp the thing, Polly?" asked John.
+
+"I don't understand anything about stocks and corporations but I do
+understand what Tom has said, so far," returned Polly.
+
+"Well, then, all right; I'll proceed," said Tom.
+
+"When I first visited at Pebbly Pit with John, I saw the wonderful
+colored stones of Rainbow Cliffs and begged Mr. Brewster to allow me to
+send on samples of them to father, as I was sure they were just what Dr.
+Evans sought for his machine to cut. But I could not make my friend,
+here, see any advantage in adding more money to his bank account. So I
+had to leave without having won my plea.
+
+"But I wrote father and told him all about the great store of unmined
+stones located in plain view at the Cliffs. Later, when the injunction
+stopped all progress in the work, I almost forgot Rainbow Cliffs again.
+
+"But now that the 'Evans Jewel Cutter' is protected, and the owners are
+looking for material to manufacture, the Rainbow Cliffs are in the
+foreground again for negotiation.
+
+"Then came the surprising telegram from Oak Creek, informing John about
+the gold mine claimed by Polly. As we were told to reach Oak Creek
+without delay, we started without sending word to the folks at home
+about our leaving our summer work. And now this is what we have planned
+regarding Choko's Find.
+
+"If father's firm, Mr. Brewster, and all the friends everywhere, could
+scrape together all the money they had, it would not be sufficient to
+carry out the work at Choko's Find. The conditions are such that every
+precaution must be taken to avoid, in the future, any danger from new
+land-slides. The lay of the land where the gold is hidden, is such that
+the vein may not run deep into the mountain--it may be merely a surface
+deposit in the cave. In this case, the real vein may be hidden so deep
+that it would need the boring down into great depths to find the metal.
+All this will take time and money.
+
+"That means that Polly and Eleanor will have to sacrifice the greater
+interest in their mine to secure capital with which to work it. Or they
+can sell the claim for cash--or they can arrange to be paid a royalty on
+all the ore metal mined. Where it is possible, it is always best to
+retain a controlling share of stock in the company formed.
+
+"John and I have pictures on hand and plans and engineering reports of
+Top Notch and the claim. We also secured the specimen of gold that you
+have there. I will tell you the thrilling experiences we had in getting
+at the deposit, when I finish this plan.
+
+"To transport the ore from the mine to some station on the railroad,
+will necessitate a spur being built from Oak Creek, or a new line being
+run from the mainline at Denver over to Bear Forks. In either case, it
+will cost a mint to build and run such a railway because of the long
+tunnels that will have to be cut through the mountains, and the lack of
+other traffic over a new road.
+
+"Even a sort of switch-back railway running from the mine to the valley
+will cost us more money than we can get together. So we would have to
+take in outside capital to supply the needs. OR----"
+
+Here Tom Latimer paused to impress his hearers with what he was about to
+say. Mr. Brewster moved uneasily in his arm-chair, but every one else
+was intensely interested.
+
+"The Polly-Eleanor Company can sell certain stock in their mining
+company to Sam Brewster. He, or his company that owns and works Rainbow
+Cliffs, can furnish capital to build and work things in connection with
+the mines.
+
+"The Evans' Jewel Cutting Company will be harvesting such rich returns
+from Rainbow Cliffs, that it will be able to supply all the capital
+needed to carry out the vast projects on Top Notch. And the voting stock
+in _both_ companies will be held by interested parties who can
+appreciate the fact that neither company can take advantage of the other
+without both failing. It will be to the good of all concerned to see
+that everything connected with both mines, is done on the level and to
+the best of every one's ability.
+
+"Of course it will take a year or two before we can be ready to drill
+down through that cave for the ore, but we can start in on Rainbow
+Cliffs without any delay and begin to reap the rewards of investment at
+once. In the case of Mr. Brewster agreeing to have his Cliffs mined for
+the stones, and the Polly-Eleanor Company agreeing to combine with
+Evans' Jewel Company for mining their gold, both can erect plants on the
+same land, and use the same railroad for carrying their products to the
+outside world. That will save a great expense because the cost of
+building and maintaining railroads and buildings, will be divided by
+two."
+
+Tom finished and John eagerly asked: "What do you-all think of our great
+idea? Of course, Montresor's heirs ought to hold an interest, but should
+they be Kenneth and his mother, it will simplify matters for all."
+
+That started such a babel of voices that Sam Brewster got up and left
+the room. But no one noticed his absence, as all were too interested in
+planning for the fabulous wealth they conjured up in their thoughts.
+
+After more than an hour of animated discussion and explanation, it was
+decided to await the decision of the mechanics in the East who would
+experiment on the stones from Rainbow Cliffs. A box of the stones would
+be expressed at once, and a letter from John to Mr. Latimer would
+explain everything.
+
+"What does father say to this, mother?" asked Polly.
+
+"He says that, as the ranch is legally mine, he has no vote in the
+matter."
+
+"Oh nonsense! Even if he did deed Pebbly Pit to you for a wedding gift,
+you always do everything to please him," declared John.
+
+"Yes, but he refuses to say what he thinks is best in this matter,"
+added Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Well, seeing that so much hinges on his willingness to cooeperate with
+us," announced John, impatiently, "I am going to say exactly what I have
+felt to be the real cause of his disapproval of turning the Cliffs into
+money."
+
+Mrs. Brewster glanced anxiously from the window to see if her husband
+could hear what was said, but Sam Brewster had evidently wandered away
+from the porch as he was not to be seen.
+
+"Father told Tom and me, while on Top Notch, that he really had no
+personal objections to having the stones mined from Rainbow Cliffs, but
+all unsightly machinery and the riff-raff of miners that would be
+necessary in such work, must be kept out of sight of the house. He
+explained that most of the working ends of the project could be
+stationed back of the cliffs down in the Devil's Causeway, and the road
+that would have to run to Bear Forks trail for the conveyance of the
+stone, could be cut through in back of the 'Guards' and 'The Imps' of
+the cliffs.
+
+"He then said that there was but one condition he exacted from any one
+who was interested in the plan, and that was that no undue influence
+would be brought to bear upon Polly to increase her desire to leave home
+for a higher education. His consent will be willingly given, and he will
+aid us in every way to a successful issue if Polly agrees to remain at
+home and give up her plan to go away to school."
+
+As this unexpected ultimatum was given, every one gasped, and Polly
+cried: "Oh, no! Father didn't say that, did he?"
+
+John remained silent, and Polly began to cry pathetically, as her chief
+delight in having found Choko's Find, was the fact that she would have
+enough money of her own to not only go to High School, but also to go
+through one of the large women's colleges. Even if her father refused
+to finance such an educational ideal, she would have had her own income
+to draw upon.
+
+"Now wait a moment, Poll, before you lose all hope!" exclaimed John,
+quickly glancing from Anne to his mother, and then back to his sister.
+
+"I asked father if he would agree to your having a private teacher live
+at Pebbly Pit to educate you, as you craved to be. He is more than
+willing to consent to this, as it is not the education or money he
+begrudges you, but the need of your going away from home to get it. Now
+isn't that fine?"
+
+"Where can we find a teacher who will bury herself in this crater just
+to teach one girl?" demanded Polly, wiping her eyes.
+
+"W-h-y--I thought perhaps----" John stammered uncomfortably, then
+gathered courage to add: "Miss Stewart liked it at Bear Forks one year,
+and she has been teaching Eleanor for two years. She may agree to teach
+_you_ this year for a tempting salary."
+
+"Anne has had an unusual offer to teach a seminary class in New York,"
+said Mrs. Brewster, without any sign of partiality for any one or any
+plan.
+
+"Oh!" remarked John.
+
+But Tom Latimer eagerly added: "We can offer Miss Stewart a better
+salary for her time than any New York school can, if she will agree to
+stay here and help us win our way to Rainbow Cliffs."
+
+Before Anne could reply, Polly cried: "But I don't _want_ any teacher to
+live here and educate me! Can't you see that I want to go out,
+OUT--somewhere, anywhere, away from this volcanic pit where I have been
+buried for fourteen years!"
+
+Once Polly freed herself of the reticence of speaking of her own ideals
+and longings for experience, she almost volleyed forth her words, so
+that every one sat astonished at her eloquence.
+
+"When John went away to school I was awfully lonesome for he used to
+take me everywhere he went, and we had good times.
+
+"Father and mother were good--but they don't know what the girl of
+to-day craves! It isn't that we girls are brought up so differently from
+our parents, or that they get modern ideas into their heads from mixing
+with society girls or from reading of them. _It is in the air we
+breathe_--the desire to come out of swaddling clothes and take a stand
+for our individual rights! Every girl has the germ of self-expression in
+her somewhere, and if it is starved and choked by conventionalities and
+parental bonds, she is bound to find an outlet for her energy in some
+unprofitable way. If folks would only SEE that girls, to-day, are
+capable of accomplishing what the _boys_ of to-day are doing, and then
+give us a chance, there won't be so many slatterns and silly women-folk
+in the future.
+
+"I learned all I could get out of Bear Forks' school-books, but it
+wasn't half enough for me. Now I am going to go to High, or leave home
+to work somewhere. I will not stay here to eat my heart out over the
+outside world and what it is doing. I may be awfully disappointed when I
+get acquainted with folks, outside, but at least I want the opportunity
+NOW, just as my brother John has it.
+
+"Mother and father took it as a matter of course, that their boy must go
+to college and carve a career for himself. But their girl ought never to
+dream of such foibles--she must remain at home and learn to sew and cook
+and do all the household chores! If any sort of a decent rancher comes
+along who wants to marry, then I must thank him and tie myself down to
+take care of his socks and buttons, and rear a fine family!
+
+"No, _no_, NO! I tell you I just won't _do it_!" Polly fairly screamed
+out the last words and stamped her foot vehemently, as she stood
+declaring what she thought of such a life.
+
+Mrs. Brewster hid her face in a handkerchief--whether she was weeping or
+trying to hide her gratification at hearing her daughter assert her
+rights in such a positive manner, no one knew.
+
+"W-h-y--Polly Brewster! You are positively unladylike in your manner of
+speaking of marriage and a future husband!" objected Barbara, shocked.
+
+Polly turned on her, as the proverbial worm turned:
+
+"Pooh! What do _you_ know about real life! You--a silly selfish moth!
+All you can think of is money, clothes, beaus!
+
+"You can't see a spider without fainting, and you mince about the moment
+you hear John or Tom are near. You're not a woman of _to-day_! You're a
+manufactured specimen of the past generation. Thank goodness, such as
+_you_ are on the wane; and even modern men who are looking for
+mates--not helpless weights upon their backs--select them from the
+business world where girls are climbing to the top of the ladder as fast
+as conditions will permit them to.
+
+"Don't _you_ sit there with your powdered face and crimped-up hair and
+tell me I am unladylike! You never thought of being the lady your
+sister is, and certainly I wouldn't say that you can hold a candle to
+_me_! I was brought up by a lady, and I call myself as thorough a one as
+any of your society friends!"
+
+"Oh, Polly--dearest!" Eleanor squealed, running over and squeezing her
+friend in her arms so that she gasped. Then releasing her, said: "I
+never heard anything so glorious in my life! Not even the suffrage
+leader in Chicago, when she was stumping for 'Votes for Women,' was ever
+as thrilling as you!"
+
+"Polly, you are right! A girl has as good a right to her individual
+expression in life as any man has. I will champion your cause,
+henceforth, and even try to convince your father that he is
+narrow-minded in his selfishness about tying you to his heels," declared
+Anne Stewart, bravely throwing down the "glove" to every one.
+
+Eleanor now transferred her hugs and admiration to Anne, and Mrs.
+Brewster lifted her face from the screen of a handkerchief to look at
+John.
+
+Tom Latimer and John exchanged looks, then turned to Mrs. Brewster. John
+was the first to speak.
+
+"Mother, it looks as if 'Polly-Eleanor Company' are going to incorporate
+themselves in spite of all we can do to claim their shares of stock."
+
+"I haven't a doubt but that the 'Polly-Eleanor Company,' is bound to
+succeed in any venture of life," replied Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Mother, you don't blame me for wanting to get away from you?" cried
+Polly, running over to her mother.
+
+"Dearest, I would be a poor mother if I expected to have my children
+hang about my neck to remind me that I ought to be petted and worked
+for, just because I claimed the right of being their parent! Every noble
+parent is only too willing to judiciously assist a child in finding his
+or her own niche in life.
+
+"I have known for a long time that you would realize how stunting this
+ranch-life is to your unfolding aspirations. For me, it embraces all
+that I love and have, but for you two ambitious children of my younger
+days, it would be a veritable grave.
+
+"I feel exactly as Anne does about this step--try your own wings, dear
+child, and wisely select your own walk in life. No father or mother can
+live your life for you, but they can guide and warn you away from snares
+and pitfalls. When a child has cast aside its 'swaddling clothes,' as
+you said, it must stand alone.
+
+"I have argued this out with your father, many times this past year, but
+he clings fondly to the belief that you are too young to leave home; and
+he has persisted in holding you in the material concept, instead of
+realizing that you are purely mental and must feed your mental hunger
+with proper nourishment.
+
+"I had another argument with him this evening, after his return from the
+Slide. He expected to convince me that everything would go to ruin if
+the Cliffs were worked and you were allowed to go away to school. But I
+turned the tables: I convinced _him_ that he was standing in your light
+of a future glory by keeping you limited in your realization of an
+ideal. That only a family disaster and your unhappiness, must result
+from such old-fashioned views.
+
+"He finally agreed that if you and the others, here, said that a higher
+education was what his girl craved and needed, he would withdraw all
+objections--once for all. That is why he left us--to discuss and settle
+this momentous question. Polly, you have won!"
+
+Polly flung her arms about her mother's neck and wept softly: "But poor
+father! At what costs have I won?"
+
+"S-sh! Don't let any one hear you weaken now. This is the moment of
+your triumph, and you must not look back lest you be turned to a 'pillar
+of salt,'" whispered her mother.
+
+"Then father _did_ agree to have Polly go to school?" asked John,
+curiously.
+
+"Yes, if you-all agreed that it was for the best."
+
+"And are we to have the Cliffs if the stone proves valuable?" eagerly
+added Tom Latimer.
+
+"Having waived his right to keep Polly at home, he says we can turn the
+whole crater upside-down if we like," said Mrs. Brewster, smilingly.
+"But I wouldn't goad him, too far, just now. We have won such a mighty
+victory, that you haven't the faintest idea of what it means to the
+vanquished. It is doubtful if we can know anything definite about the
+Cliffs for the next two or three weeks, so let us not speak of it until
+then."
+
+"But, Mrs. Brewster, if Anne goes to New York to teach, and takes her
+mother, where will Polly stay? I've been thinking how fine it will be to
+have her live with me in Chicago," said Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"Why--Eleanor Maynard! You can't invite strangers to your mother's home!
+It may not be convenient to have any one there this winter," objected
+Barbara.
+
+"Well, don't borrow trouble, Bob! It's father's home as well as
+mother's, and I can ask a friend to stay with me if I like."
+
+"I wouldn't think of ever going to your home, Nolla dear. I'd love to
+know your father from all you tell me, but I never would stay in that
+house," declared Polly, quickly.
+
+"We have several weeks to discuss a school for Polly," remarked Mrs.
+Brewster, rising to go out and seek her husband.
+
+"I'd love to be with Anne," ventured Polly, wistfully.
+
+"Maybe you will, dear. Don't say any more about it, now, but trust to
+your dear mother's wisdom and ways. Whatever is best for you, she will
+see that it is brought about," replied Anne, thus winning a grateful
+smile from John.
+
+Barbara now went to her room, as she felt the company was not
+appreciative of her presence, and was too attentive on Polly. Polly and
+Eleanor went over to incidentally ask Tom Latimer about certain details
+in Evans' patent, and more especially what did he know about Kenneth
+Evans. As both girls were acquainted with Jim Latimer, they had not the
+same curiosity to hear any one talk about him.
+
+But John took advantage of this trio tete-a-tete to hurry Anne out of
+the room. Quite naturally, they took the path that ran about the side of
+the house, where the rose-climbers cast heavy shadows in the moonlight.
+Thence they walked, arm in arm, along the crater-trail where it led to
+the Cliffs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+JEB'S SUNDAY NIGHT OFF
+
+
+Jim Latimer and Kenneth Evans made their appearance much earlier on
+Sunday morning, than they had on the previous one. When greetings with
+his brother, and the family at Pebbly Pit were over, Jim explained: "The
+Boss lifted his ban on using the horses, when he found his men grumbling
+all week over their wretched Sunday."
+
+Of course, the two new arrivals were interested in hearing all about the
+gold mine and its present condition, not only because there might be a
+possibility that Kenneth's uncle was the Montresor who first discovered
+the vein of ore, but also because Polly and Eleanor were such good pals,
+and they deserved something big like a gold mine! Which goes to show
+that youth needs no time or preparation to discover and appreciate any
+desirable qualities of mind and soul.
+
+Barbara was in her element that Sunday, as John escorted Anne wherever
+they went, and the two younger girls had Jim and Kenneth for
+companions. So, quite naturally, Tom Latimer fell to her lot. As she had
+been carefully trained to make the most of any opportunity offered,
+especially with a rich and desirable young man for the prize, she used
+every art to captivate Tom. But the young man was sensibly educated and
+wondered why really good-looking girls should act as silly as Barbara
+did on this occasion.
+
+He felt embarrassed at having to look at her from time to time, as she
+was powdered and rouged as she would have been for a ballroom in the
+city, and poor Tom thought that, perhaps, she had some loathsome
+irruption on her face that necessitated this covering of the natural
+skin. Consequently he managed to keep his eyes turned away that the girl
+might not feel too unhappy over her trouble.
+
+But Barbara thought her cavalier was so effected that he could not look
+at her without feeling her powers of beauty and attraction; so she posed
+and minced her way as she fondly believed into Tom's plastic heart. Had
+she but known the truth!
+
+A merry family group sat down, at noon, to the delicious dinner served
+under the giant oak-tree. And Mr. Brewster, as affable as if he had not
+been tried by a family-court the night previous, asked the younger boys
+how their survey-work was progressing.
+
+"Oh fine! We have lots of fun in camp, and when we go out on a section
+the work is so interesting!" exclaimed Kenneth.
+
+"With such a large crowd of men, I suppose you two boys are considered
+more as kids who are to be teased and imposed upon, eh?" asked Tom
+Latimer, having read his brother's letters about the crew.
+
+"That's the best part of the crowd--they seem to forget that we both are
+tenderfeet and years younger than they are. Ken and I are treated
+exactly like any of the older men in the crew," replied Jim.
+
+"Yes, we are paired off with certain groups to rain-proof the canvas
+tents, to act as commissary agents, and to share in all the chores the
+others do. Just because Jim has a rich father and because I have to work
+for a living, makes no difference to them. Caste and wealth counts as
+nothing out in these wilds. It is what a fellow stands for and can prove
+that is his introduction and guarantee of manliness," added Kenneth.
+
+"Did your crew move to a new line, as you thought they would?" asked
+Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, we are now at Silver Creek, but we only have another week's work
+to do there. Then we move on to the next section which will be near
+Buffalo Park. Isn't that the place where you said Old Montresor had a
+cabin?" said Jim.
+
+"Yes, and it is a lovely spot. I've been there, and I promised Nolla I'd
+ride there with her some day," returned Polly.
+
+"Oh, I say, girls! Wouldn't it be great to have you-all ride up while we
+camped there? You could make up a party of it, couldn't you?" asked
+Kenneth, eagerly.
+
+"And we'd get Old Carew to give you a _regular_ party! The men in our
+crowd are gentlemen from different parts of the States, and they would
+help us entertain," added Jim.
+
+"I think it would be a treat, Mrs. Brewster, for all of us. John and I
+would join the picnickers," now said Tom Latimer.
+
+"Say, would you really, Tom?" cried Jim, delightedly.
+
+"Sure thing. If Mr. and Mrs. Brewster approve."
+
+John looked at his mother. "It will be dandy, Mother, if you and Dad
+will go, too."
+
+"Father and I wouldn't go, John, if Tom and you will escort the girls,"
+returned Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Oh, but we couldn't think of going, Mrs. Brewster, unless you
+chaperoned us among so many men!" exclaimed Barbara. Then when she saw
+Tom Latimer looking at her she modestly drooped her head.
+
+Tom was thinking: "Of all the empty-headed vain creatures it ever was my
+misfortune to meet, she takes the cake!"
+
+"That needn't trouble you, girls. If you will come on a Saturday and
+spend Sunday at camp with us, we will have the Boss's wife there to act
+as hostess. Mrs. Carew always spends Sundays at camp--unless the Boss
+rides down to town to visit her. Sometimes she brings the school teacher
+from Oak Creek, or other ladies who enjoy the novel life in a survey
+camp," explained Jim, enthusiastically.
+
+"Do let's go, Anne! Can't we say yes?" said Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"How long will both of you boys be here?" Anne asked of John.
+
+"We planned to wait until we hear, one way or the other, regarding the
+stones we sent to New York, and about the financing of Choko's Find.
+Perhaps Dad and Dr. Evans might even come out and look the ground over
+for themselves, before answering my letter," said John.
+
+"Then we could safely arrange to go next Sunday, or the Sunday after?"
+
+"Oh, yes, we will be home for a month, most likely."
+
+John's voice betrayed his satisfaction that such was to be the case, and
+Anne smiled faintly, because she could not control her own pleasure in
+hearing him say so. Mrs. Brewster and Tom Latimer exchanged glances of
+understanding but no one else saw them.
+
+So it was decided that if Mrs. Carew was to visit her husband over the
+following week-end, and the weather permitted, the young folks would
+form a party to ride up to Buffalo Park on Saturday. With this pleasure
+in view, the two boys went back to camp in the early afternoon, the
+distance being so far from Pebbly Pit, that it would be quite dark
+before they reached camp.
+
+After they had gone, Polly and Eleanor wandered around at a loss for
+something to do. Being Sunday, their sports were limited to a quiet
+time. So they decided to visit the corrals and see Noddy and Choko, as
+the burros had been neglected by their riders during the past few days
+of the excitement over gold.
+
+They were passing the wagon-house, when Polly caught hold of Eleanor's
+arm for silence. Both girls listened and distinctly heard a man
+speaking in dramatic tones. The voice was not recognizable, although
+Polly had not heard of any new hand having been hired.
+
+"Ef Ah wasn't shore we-all'd be happy, Ah never would be h'ar askin' fur
+yor hand an' heart." Then there was a pause.
+
+A low mumbling followed, and then the voice again cried:
+
+"Ef you-all w'arn't my match, Ah'd go away and nary trouble this ranch
+agin. But folkses kin see we-all w'ar made fer each other. Even John
+says so!" Then sounded another jumble of incoherent words.
+
+"Who under the sun is it? A couple who are in love with each other?"
+wondered Eleanor, aloud, as she turned to Polly.
+
+"Whoever it is, they are behind the wagon-shed. Let's creep up to the
+harness loft and see who it is. There isn't another woman on the farm
+beside Sary, and I'm sure I saw her in the house, when we left there."
+
+Polly led the way up the ladder to the loft, and then they crept
+carefully across the floor until she reached the wide loft-window. This
+she opened quietly and tilted the slats so they could look down in the
+yard behind the barn.
+
+There sat Jeb with a few loose pages from a pamphlet in his hands. He
+was memorizing the words, and as he did so he mumbled them.
+
+Every time he had mastered a certain paragraph, he would stand up,
+strike a pose, and declaim in an unnatural voice, to the pig-sty that
+was not more than twenty feet away from the sheds.
+
+Suddenly Polly clapped a hand over her mouth and rocked back and forth.
+Instantly Eleanor wanted to know what the joke was.
+
+"Oh, oh! I know now where Jeb got that paper book. It was advertised in
+our Farm Journal as being the most complete education on how to propose
+gracefully to a woman that man ever could find. I just bet Jeb sent for
+it, one day, when he asked me to address an envelope for him. He must be
+practicing to ask some Oak Creek girl to marry him."
+
+Both girls now smothered their laughter, for the idea of simple little
+Jeb in love with some one was too funny for words. He seemed terribly in
+earnest, however, as he stood up again and declared his love, and beat
+his breast and pretended to tear at his hair:
+
+"'Ef you-all refuse me Ah shall end mah wretched existence! What is life
+widdout love? Oh, beuchus maiden--' no, no, Ah musen't call her
+'_maiden_' er she'll knock me down," murmured Jeb, scratching his head
+in perplexity.
+
+His audience almost choked with laughter, but he suddenly brightened up
+again and said to himself: "Yeh, that's it! She'll like thet." Then he
+began again with one hand over his heart and the other tearing at the
+thin covering of hair on his head, "'Ef you-all refuse me Ah shall end
+this wretched life--' no, _no_! Ah shall end this wretched EXISTENCE!
+What is life widdout love? Oh, beau-chus _widder_, will you-all be
+mine?"
+
+As Jeb spoke his last lines, he smirked to himself and said: "Thar now,
+Jeb! That'll fetch her, er John's all wrong."
+
+Polly and Eleanor looked at each other in consternation. Who was the
+widow--and what had John to do with this proposal?
+
+Jeb was placing the little paper book in his breast pocket when the
+girls looked out again. Then he picked up the bucket of swill and ran
+over to feed the pigs. His audience, up in the loft, heard him still
+reciting various love-thrilling lines to himself, as the pigs grunted
+and snorted and ate their supper. But Eleanor said they'd better get
+away before Jeb found them.
+
+[Illustration: JEB WAS PRACTICING LOVE-MAKING FROM A BOOK.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor._        _Page 169_]
+
+Polly studied her brother's face keenly, during supper, but John seemed
+as free from guile as any babe. So after the table was cleared, she went
+up to him and whispered: "Did you tell Jeb to propose to any widow you
+know?"
+
+"Why?" John's eyes twinkled with fun.
+
+"Because he was behind the shed all afternoon, reciting impassioned
+lines he had learned in a paper book. We heard him say that that would
+fetch the widow or you wasn't as wise as you seemed to be."
+
+John laughed loudly, and merely murmured: "We ought to be on guard
+to-night, lest Jeb commit some folly. Better watch him, Polly, and see
+where he goes, eh?"
+
+"He never goes anywhere on Sunday nights. He sits on the terrace by the
+crater and smokes his pipe."
+
+"Well, he is safe there, but if you see him come by, all togged out in
+his church clothes, let me know and I'll see that he comes to no harm.
+He may be a bit off, you know," John lightly tapped his head as he
+spoke.
+
+"Oh, I hope not. Jeb is such a _good_ hand. Father would never know what
+to do without him. Perhaps we'd best tell father of your suspicions,"
+cried Polly, deeply concerned.
+
+"No, no! Don't bother father. I'll take care of Jeb. You just see that
+he keeps quiet, to-night, wherever he goes to smoke his pipe."
+
+Innocent Polly then sought for Eleanor, who had been called to the
+kitchen by Sary. Polly found her giving a plaid ribbon and a corsage
+nosegay to Sary. But it developed that the maid had higher aspirations
+than ribbon and flowers.
+
+"Miss Nolla, Ah see'd a figgered dress a-hangin' from the hook in yur
+room, one day. No one never wears it, an' Ah wuz wonderin' ef it was
+yur's, er Miss Bob's, er Miss Anne's?"
+
+"Oh, that is a striped dimity that mother must have packed by mistake.
+It happens to be one of _hers_, so we hung it back in the corner till we
+go home again."
+
+"Ah s'pose yur Maw woulden mind much ef she lent it to me fer
+to-night--eh?" hinted Sary.
+
+"I don't suppose mother will ever think of it again, as it is last
+year's style, anyway. I'll take the risk of _giving_ it to you, Sary, if
+you promise never to let Bob know where it went."
+
+"Oh, Ah shore will promise, Miss Nolla! And Ah kin tell you-all Ah'll be
+the happiest gal in the West, to-night!" Sary said, giggling like a
+veritable school-girl.
+
+Polly watched her depart with the coveted dress over her arm, then she
+turned to Eleanor. "All the help are going crazy, it seems to me!"
+
+About half an hour later, Sary was seen stealing from the kitchen door,
+and tip-toeing over the brick pathway towards the "Second-best" hammock
+that always swung behind the lilac bushes. It was a nice little retreat
+for any one wishing to take a nap on a sultry afternoon, but Polly had
+never known Sary to have a weakness for swinging.
+
+"Do you know, Nolla, if I didn't have to watch for Jeb, I'd just love to
+follow after Sary and see what she is up to," said Polly to Eleanor, as
+both girls sat alone on the porch steps.
+
+"Jeb! Why, I saw him come from the barn all dressed up in his church
+clothes. He turned down the Shrubbery Walk," replied Eleanor.
+
+"Did he have his pipe?" asked Polly, anxiously.
+
+"No, he looked around at every step as if to make sure no one was
+following him."
+
+"Dear me! I promised John I'd keep my eye on him!" cried Polly,
+distressed beyond words.
+
+"What's the matter? I can show you where he went," said Eleanor,
+comfortingly.
+
+So she led Polly to the place where Jeb had left the road and turned
+down to the shrubbery walk. The two girls walked over the soft sod that
+gave forth no sound, and quite suddenly came upon a scene that caused
+Eleanor to crush her handkerchief into her mouth to choke her laughter,
+while Polly stood speechless.
+
+Sary sat in the hammock, one foot used to propel herself gently back and
+forth. The newly-acquired striped dress was such a tight fit for her
+rubicund form, that it cracked ominously every time the wearer took a
+deep breath. But the short-coming of the two fronts over her ample bosom
+was camouflaged with the plaid ribbon and many pins. The corsage bouquet
+was tucked high under her chin where it would show most.
+
+It was not very dark as yet, so the girls could see how dreadfully white
+Sary seemed to be, and her lips were startlingly crimson. Suddenly
+Eleanor guessed the truth.
+
+"She's gone and used Bob's powder and rouge! Oh, how funny!"
+
+Then, before either one of the accidental eaves-droppers could say
+another word, Sary perked her head sideways, like a hen does when it
+hears a strange sound. She quickly frizzed up her hair by ruffing it
+backwards, and patted the ribbon on her waist-front, then gently used
+her foot again to propel the hammock back and forth.
+
+Gradually it dawned upon Polly and Eleanor what all this meant! They
+could see Jeb coming from behind the lilac bushes, some ten feet away
+from the swinger. He seemed ill at ease, and loosened his stiff collar,
+pulled down his vest, and cleared his throat several times.
+
+"Oh, Poll! He's going to propose to the 'widder'!" whispered Eleanor,
+burying her face in Polly's back to stop the spasm of laughter.
+
+Polly was too hypnotized to reply, or move, and Jeb soon was heard to
+say: "Sary, Ah cum 'cuz you-all invited me to be compny t'night."
+
+"So Ah did, Jeb. Won't you-all sit in th' hammick beside me?" came from
+Sary, coyly.
+
+"It broke thru, last season, Sary, an Ah mended it. But Ah ain't shore
+it'll hol' enny more'n you." However, Jeb moved two or three feet nearer
+the hammock.
+
+"It's a fine evenin', Jeb," suggested Sary, as seriously as if the
+weather was the subject uppermost in her mind, just then.
+
+Jeb gazed up and around as if to verify Sary's statement, then admitted,
+slowly: "Yeh, it 'pears to be fine."
+
+Silence reigned for several moments, then Sary said very sweetly
+(Eleanor whispered to Polly that she must have had a mouthful of
+honey), "Ah shore am glad to see you, Jeb. Won't you-all sit down on
+this stool?"
+
+The girls then saw that Sary had provided the three-legged milk-stool
+for her visitor. But it was too close to Sary for Jeb's peace of mind.
+He reached out very warily and caught hold of one leg of the stool, and
+pulled it towards him. Then he sat gingerly on the edge of it.
+
+But Sary was determined to carry off a captive that night, or waste all
+of her ammunition in the attempt.
+
+"Ah jes' loves to swing, but Ah cain't tech the ground easy when Ah'm
+sittin' back. Would you-all mind swingin' me, Jeb?"
+
+Jeb got up slowly from his stool and took hold of the upper end strands
+of the hammock. He pulled it back and forth a few times, while Sary
+smiled alluringly up at him. Then he cleared his throat and began to
+speak.
+
+"This world was made fur love. Oh, what woul' arth be widdout de flowers
+of love to parfume our way?" Jeb coughed.
+
+Now this was just the sort of romance Sary had always _dreamed_ of but
+never heard before, and she sighed heavily as her visitor coughed. If
+Jeb needed encouragement, she was not the one to disappoint him!
+
+He gave the hammock a strong tug as he began another line. Sary had to
+catch hold of the edges to prevent herself from being thrown backward.
+
+"Man wuz not made to live alone. Th' Good Book says so. What so glorious
+ez a sweet bride waitin' t' welcome a man after a hard day's labor? What
+man is thar what woulden give his wealth of all Crows-see-us fer love?"
+
+Jeb pronounced the unfamiliar word very carefully, but Sary had never
+heard of Croesus, so it mattered not how Jeb said it. But Polly and
+Eleanor were clasping each other tightly now, to keep from making a
+sound that would ruin the entertainment.
+
+Again Jeb cleared his throat with difficulty and pulled at the hammock
+as if he was trying to drag a whale from the deep sea. Sary uttered no
+complaint, however, even though her neck almost snapped at each sudden
+jerk. She was wise enough to realize that the momentous time had come
+for Jeb. He might never again summon courage, if he failed to-night!
+
+Without further warning, then, Jeb began his memorized lines, and as he
+progressed with the "love sonnet" he unconsciously swung the hammock
+higher and higher.
+
+"Ef Ah wuzn't shore we-all w'ar made fur each other Ah wooden be ha'r
+beggin' fur yur heart an' hand."
+
+A long and mighty pull on the hammock almost landed Sary out in the
+grass, but she clung like a vise to the hempen ropes.
+
+"Enny one kin see we-all w'ar made fur each other, oh darlin' of mah
+heart! Soul of mah soul!" Jeb coughed violently as he remembered he was
+two paragraphs ahead in his speech. Now he couldn't remember what went
+just before that "soul of my soul!" but he knew the tragic part to
+perfection, so he skipped all that went before and ended with:
+
+"Ef you-all refuse me, Ah shall end this wretched existence in life
+widdout love! Oh, beauchus maiden" (strangling as he realized he should
+have said "widder" and now utterly confounded, he said): "Oh, Sary! be
+mah widder widdout mah love--NO, Sary, be mah wife widdout my widder.
+Oh, Sary, Ah don't know what Ah----"
+
+In his frenzy, Jeb yanked on the hammock so manfully that the mended
+strands suddenly sundered and Sary was unexpectedly thrown into her
+suitor's arms.
+
+Such an unforeseen accident, however, found Sary ready with presence of
+mind to meet the emergency. She flung her powerful arms about Jeb's
+slender form and smacked him heartily on the lips. The dramatic lover
+then trembled and gasped for breath. How to get away safely was all he
+could think of. But Sary, as tenacious in her hold as "ivy on the sturdy
+oak," managed to calm her lover's fears.
+
+"Oh, Jeb! _What_ a wooer you-all do make! Ah never dreamed a man could
+talk so wonderful!" Sary sighed and placed her head down upon Jeb's
+shoulder.
+
+Now had Jeb accepted this sweet praise and been satisfied therewith, his
+wooing need not have ended so abruptly, but manlike, he wanted to hear
+added words of flattery about himself, so he sat down on the
+three-legged stool, and drew the over-willing Sary upon his knee.
+
+"Ah forgot to say half what is in mah soul, Sary," he began, as his
+lines came back to him. "Oh, Ah must tell you-all what joy you fill me
+wid, when you consent to listen to mah cause----"
+
+In leaning back to emphasize his speech with an out-flung arm, Jeb lost
+his balance, and the stool being treacherous on its three legs, promptly
+turned over and sent both lovers from ecstasy down to earth. As Sary and
+Jeb managed to get upon their feet, they thought they heard sounds of
+smothered laughter and scampering feet over the brick walk, but when
+they got from behind the lilac bushes to reconnoiter, everything between
+the kitchen and the Shrubbery Walk was silent as the tomb.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A TRIP TO BUFFALO PARK
+
+
+Word was received through Jeb, who met Jake at Oak Creek, that Mrs.
+Carew would spend the week-end at Camp to welcome the party from the
+ranch; so the young folks at Pebbly Pit eagerly prepared for the trip to
+Buffalo Park. The panniers were packed with luncheon for the riders,
+besides the cakes and home-made pies which Mrs. Brewster sent to the
+boys in camp.
+
+At dawn on Saturday morning, the party started, Mrs. Brewster watching
+them ride down the trail until they disappeared back of Rainbow Cliffs.
+Then she went back to attend to her household duties.
+
+Polly rode Noddy as usual, and Eleanor had Choko. The other four members
+of the party rode horses, but one extra burro, Nigger, was taken to
+carry the luggage. The trail from Bear Forks across the mountain-side
+was very rough, being seldom used; most riders, going to Buffalo Park,
+took the old worn trail that ran from Silver Creek.
+
+Finally, the going was found to be so steep that it was deemed best to
+attach the pack-burro to John's horse, by means of a rope. This would
+necessitate the burro following after John's horse instead of wandering
+away in the maze of forest trees.
+
+But sometimes, these little burros get stubborn when they are made to
+follow in the rear of a horse, and it was so with Nigger. He acted like
+a sulky child, and made the girls laugh at his contrary behavior. He
+seemed to have lost all individual ambition, and made John's horse drag
+him at the unusually hard places in the trail.
+
+They had been climbing steadily for two hours and hoped soon to reach
+the clearer trail that ran direct to Buffalo Park. But the trees grew so
+closely together, now, that they offered obstructions in every direction
+the horses went. Sometimes it was even necessary for the riders to
+dismount and follow after the horses to eliminate the extra width caused
+by stirrups and legs.
+
+Nigger's panniers were packed with food, cooking utensils to use while
+on the trail, and rifles. This bulky roll projected over a foot on
+either side of him, often creating a "blockade" in the narrow going
+between trees.
+
+John's horse, being unable to read blazes as easily as his rider could,
+would choose the wrong turn now and then, sulkily followed by Nigger.
+Then the horse would come to a spot impossible to pass through and would
+decide to back out. Nigger, with his clumsy pack and grouchy manner,
+stood and fairly laughed at such times. Polly and Eleanor enjoyed these
+funny experiences thoroughly; but John felt annoyed, as he wished to
+appear his best before Anne, and how can a young gallant impress his
+lady-love favorably when his horse is making a fool of itself?
+
+While Nigger and Snowball (John's horse was white) were engaged in
+disentangling themselves from one of these snarls, the other riders went
+ahead. Finding John was not immediately behind, they halted and turned
+to watch him get his two steeds straightened out and going again.
+
+All was serene once more and Snowball started briskly up the trail, but
+unfortunately, she went about a tree on one side of the trail while
+Nigger insisted upon choosing the other side. Both were suddenly yanked
+up when the tie-rope tautened about the tree, so that John was almost
+thrown out of the saddle. Neither beast would give in but tugged
+stubbornly to make the other waive his right of way, until finally, John
+had to jump down again, and compel Snowball to walk back and around the
+tree on the right side, where the burro waited.
+
+Nigger stood with neck stretched and his mouth half-open, while his eyes
+gleamed impishly. John roared at the expression on the burro's face, as
+true to a malicious grin as ever a human could produce it. Then they
+resumed the climb.
+
+But Nigger had found a new way to tantalize Snowball. He would step upon
+a stone and allow it to trip him. This would make his pack strike the
+tree on the side he rolled. Then the tree, resisting the impact, would
+slew him back again. Naturally, every time he performed this way,
+Snowball was unceremoniously yanked up too, and this sudden stopping
+interfered with John's conversation with Anne.
+
+After Polly had laughed herself weak over Nigger's clever performances,
+she called to John. "No use! You'll have to give Nig his freedom! He'll
+land Snowball in kingdom come if you keep him tied."
+
+So wise little Nigger was freed once more, and thereafter he walked as
+circumspectly as any good burro should. But the going was better, too,
+with the trail running through miles and miles of dark green forests,
+patterned here and there with golden stretches of mesa and parks.
+
+"Are you sure you know the trail, Polly?" asked John, as he gazed about
+at the unfamiliar path.
+
+"Oh, yes, I've gone this way lots of times when Mr. Montresor lived in
+the cabin where Carew's men are now camping."
+
+"Well, if it is much farther, then I say we'd best halt for something to
+eat."
+
+"I will second that motion whether it is far or near. We had best have a
+bite, as we will have to wait for the crew's dinner-time when we arrive
+in camp," added Tom Latimer.
+
+So the riders dismounted and hastily prepared a luncheon. When they were
+ready to proceed on the way, Nigger found his pack much lighter than
+before, so he, too, was delighted to have had the humans stop for lunch.
+
+It was past noon before the visitors reached Carew's Camp, but once
+there, they were given a hearty welcome by every one. Cookee had been
+mixing and stirring viands ever since the breakfast had been cleared
+away, and now he was ready to smile satisfactorily at results, for he
+was going to give these guests a rare meal that day.
+
+Mrs. Carew was a Chicago lady and, for once, Barbara was happy, as she
+found her hostess knew several people that the Maynards felt were
+exalted enough to be classed "in their set."
+
+As soon as their section master gave them the afternoon's vacation, Jim
+Latimer and Kenneth appropriated Polly and Eleanor, and the four started
+off on fresh horses from the corral, for an excursion.
+
+Jim wanted to ride to one of the peaks where they had surveyed that
+week, and show the girls the far-off desert that stretched for miles and
+miles between Buffalo Park and the Lincoln Memorial Highway.
+
+The trail was well defined, as the crew had traveled it twice a day that
+week, and had worn down cactus and sage-brush.
+
+The four finally reached the pinnacle where the gray expanse of sand
+could be seen stretching out to meet the blue sky on the horizon, and
+Jim laughingly remarked: "Ken and I came near finding a sandy grave
+there the other day."
+
+"How?" eagerly asked the girls.
+
+"Why, we were sent with our superior, to tie up a line at the edge of
+the desert down there, and having done so, one of the crew saw a fine
+little bit of water and a few trees growing about it, not more than
+half-a-mile from where we were working.
+
+"We concluded it would make an admirable place to rest and have lunch,
+and give the horses a good drink, too, at the same time. So we all
+started over the sand to enjoy the unusual oasis.
+
+"Well, we kept on going and going, but the darn old oasis seemed as far
+away as ever. Suddenly, I thought I was going queer in my head, because
+it slowly vanished like mist. I rubbed my eyes and called on Ken to
+verify the fact. Then you should have heard the men swear! Phew!"
+
+Both boys laughed as they recalled the irritation of the men who found
+they had been riding for a mirage--And lunch farther off than ever.
+
+"However, we saw a gigantic bowlder of lava and sand rear its head from
+the desert a short distance off, so we decided to make for that and see
+if there was a crevice in its side where we might find shelter from the
+baking sun.
+
+"We left the horses hobbled while we scrambled up its sides to look for
+any projection that would cast a shadow for us.
+
+"The men separated when we started to climb, but we all met at the top
+without having found any shade. The wind that blew across the desert,
+was comparatively cool, however, so we sat on the uncomfortable spikes
+of lava and planned where we might have something to eat.
+
+"Ken turned to speak to me, and a great mass of shale broke away from
+his feet and rolled down the steep sides of the crag. But he managed to
+catch himself from slipping. Then we began breaking off fragments of
+shale and tried to see who could throw it the farthest out on the
+desert. We laid wagers, and one of the party said he would go down,
+after a bit, and mark the ones that were prize-winners. That made us
+laugh as no one would ever be able to find any individual chunk of shale
+out on that wild place.
+
+"The breeze that had been blowing rather too strong, now became
+stronger, and then Prang, who was in charge of us, that day, shaded his
+eyes with a hand and stared off at the horizon. We all gazed in the same
+direction, but we were not experienced enough to know what it was he
+saw.
+
+"'My God, boys! slide down this crag as fast as you can--that's a storm
+blowing across the sands. It will hit us in a few moments. Grab the
+horses or they'll bolt and we'll all be lost on the desert!'"
+
+"Gee! didn't we get down those awful sides. Ken slid more than half-way
+down, then he lost his grasp on the side. His back and arms are all
+scraped now, from the way he rolled the rest of the way."
+
+The girls sympathized with Ken, but he laughed away the thought that he
+had been too tender to stand such a test.
+
+"Well, most of us got down and had caught our horses before the
+sand-storm struck us, but two of our crowd had to stumble through the
+terrific storm that blinded them. Had we not kept on calling and
+shouting to direct them, they would have wandered away and been buried.
+
+"It was an awful experience, but now that it is over, I'm glad we had
+it. I will have _something_ to brag about when I'm at college, this
+Fall."
+
+Ken laughed. "I'd rather not brag than to go through such a hair-raising
+time again."
+
+"Do both of you boys intend going to college?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"Yes; we've gone through school together since we were little shavers.
+And that's quite a record for boys in New York, where folks are always
+moving from one district to another," replied Jim.
+
+"I believe your brother Tom said you were going to Yale?" continued
+Eleanor.
+
+"We will, if we pass the tests. I'm sure Ken will, but I'm not so sure
+of myself."
+
+"Now--don't belittle yourself. You know you will pass," added Kenneth.
+
+"I'm sorry you both will be away from home, because Polly and I expect
+to attend school in New York this Winter," remarked Eleanor.
+
+"Me? School in New York?" cried Polly, astonished.
+
+"Why, yes, of course! Didn't you know what was in my mind when I decided
+I would like to go to New York with Anne Stewart?"
+
+"But that doesn't mean _I'm_ going there!" exclaimed Polly.
+
+"Of course you are. I don't want to go without you, so I shall scheme to
+win your folks over to my way of thinking."
+
+"Well, all I can say, is this: If you win them over to see how important
+it is for me to go to school in New York, you are a wizard--that's all!"
+declared Polly, laughingly.
+
+"Your laugh sounds dubious, but I'll show you, pretty soon."
+
+"Now, if you two girls should find yourselves in New York, we will have
+our folks meet you and pilot you through the wilderness. It's worse
+than out here on the mountains, you know," laughed Jim.
+
+"In case I don't pass for college, I won't mind so much, as long as you
+girls will be in the city to console me," added Kenneth, gallantly.
+
+They laughed. "We won't waste much time consoling any one, I can tell
+you," added Polly.
+
+"No; Polly and I are going to study some profession, you know, and begin
+business as soon as we complete our education."
+
+"What?" exclaimed Jim, surprised to hear such young girls plan for a
+business life.
+
+"Yep! Polly is just daffy over interior decorating, and since she showed
+me all her magazines and other books on it, I am crazy about it, too."
+
+"But you don't have to study _that_!" declared Kenneth.
+
+"That shows how little a man knows about it. Why, not only must a
+decorator--a real one, we mean--know all about periods in architecture
+and furnishings of all kinds, but she must know at a glance, whether an
+object is genuine antique or a counterfeit," explained Eleanor, glad to
+impress her male friends with her understanding of what is essentially a
+woman's profession.
+
+"Besides that," added Polly, "a good interior decorator must know the
+name of a painter of pictures,--whether an old master or a modern
+artist. Not an engraving or etching shown but the good decorator ought
+to be able to say who did it, and name its date.
+
+"There are lots of counterfeit antique china sold to-day, but a good
+decorator can tell instantly whether it is real antique or not.
+
+"Besides china and pictures, one must be able to name a rug--its
+qualities and value, at a glance. As for draperies and wall-hangings,
+well! It all has to be thoroughly learned," said Polly.
+
+"I always thought a man took up interior decorating just because he
+happened to have been an upholsterer or fresco painter. I never knew
+there was any studying to be done, first," said Jim.
+
+"You didn't, eh! Well then, let me tell you this much; Polly and I
+intend to use our money from the mine, to put us both through school in
+New York. Any other city would do, I suppose, only Anne Stewart will be
+there, and I never can study under any one else! So I have to attend
+class in New York," Eleanor spoke with the greatest assurance that all
+she said had already been agreed to by Polly's family.
+
+"Then when Polly and I have had a year or two with Anne, we will take a
+special course in some one of the best schools on the subject. This
+course finished, we propose going to Europe to study Italian, French,
+Spanish, and English periods and styles. If we have an extra year or so,
+to spare, we might go to Japan and Egypt, as I just adore those two
+lands."
+
+"W-h-y! Eleanor! You never mentioned a word of this to me before! Who
+told you we could go?" gasped Polly.
+
+Eleanor laughed merrily. "You big innocent! Why, _I_ just told you
+_myself_--that we were going abroad."
+
+"If I ever manage to break away from Pebbly Pit after the awful speech I
+made recently, I'll be lucky, and let New York or Europe alone!" laughed
+Polly.
+
+"You never would have had gumption to speak as you did, Polly, if it
+hadn't been for my training you. This is what I have done to you--you
+are growing to be more independent of others."
+
+Eleanor smiled self-complacently at Polly, but the latter retorted: "I
+owe you nothing on an exchange, Nolla, because you must admit that I
+have filled you up with ideas you never dreamed of before you came to
+the ranch!"
+
+"Shake, old girl!" laughed Eleanor, holding out her hand.
+
+"But about New York--girls. It would be great if you can fix it. Ken and
+I will be home every holiday, and perhaps we can run down from New
+Haven, now and then, over Sundays," remarked Jim, eagerly.
+
+Eleanor held up an assuring hand, as she nodded her wise little head
+knowingly and said: "Leave it to Nolla, boys!"
+
+They laughed and agreed that there was no one else that could arrange
+affairs any better!
+
+Polly sat mute, for she wondered if it ever would come true--what
+Eleanor had planned about Europe. In her wildest fancies she had never
+dared allow her thought to outline _such_ possibilities. But here was a
+harum-scarum friend who seemed to get everything she wanted by merely
+saying, "We must have it, you know!"
+
+"I guess we'd better be starting back to camp," suggested Kenneth,
+looking up at the sun.
+
+"Yes, it will take us fully an hour, riding down," agreed Jim.
+
+So they helped the girls into their saddles, and soon all four were
+having a good time going back to Buffalo Park.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A WILD-WEST COUNTY FAIR
+
+
+That same night while at supper, Mrs. Carew asked her guests if they had
+ever visited one of the western celebrations.
+
+"Polly says she has, but we have never seen one," replied Anne, eagerly.
+
+"Well, Oak Creek is going to have its annual fair, or celebration, two
+weeks from Monday. It generally lasts for three days, and they have all
+sorts of stunts there. You-all must be _sure_ to go."
+
+"The Boss says we can have a day off and go, too!" declared Jim.
+
+"I wish it would happen to come on the day you girls go," added Kenneth,
+anxiously.
+
+"We'll try and plan it that way. Maybe we will go to each day's show,"
+quickly said Eleanor.
+
+"Maybe you can find out from Mrs. Carew what day her husband thinks we
+can have," ventured Jim, in a whisper.
+
+Eleanor nodded; then she turned to John and told him what they wanted
+to know from Mrs. Carew.
+
+Thus it was learned that the survey Crew was to be given Tuesday _and_
+Wednesday--as it would take almost half a day to travel to Oak Creek,
+and another half day to get back to camp. The boys gave a wild hurrah
+when they heard this good news, and immediately planned to start from
+camp directly after midnight Monday so as to enjoy a full day at the
+fair.
+
+After good-bys were said, and the Pebbly Pit party were ready to start
+on the homeward trail, Jim whispered to Polly and Eleanor, "Now don't
+forget! Ken and I have a date with you two at the Fair, Tuesday and
+Wednesday."
+
+And the girls laughingly promised to make a note in their social
+calendar book.
+
+The two weeks intervening between the visit to Buffalo Park, and the
+celebration at Oak Creek, passed rapidly, for John and Tom had a new
+excursion planned for each day. Of course, Polly and Eleanor were
+members of these picnics, so they almost forgot about the fair until a
+day, or so, before the time.
+
+"We-all attend the fair, you know, and take our camp outfit with us,"
+said Mr. Brewster, at supper on Sunday evening.
+
+"Aren't there any restaurants where we can dine?" asked Barbara.
+
+"Well, there is Snake-Bill's place where you get hash piled up with your
+pie and odds or ends, all on an inch-thick dish. Then there is the Rocky
+Mountain Cafie--as every one calls it,--but ladies are not welcome,
+there. Neither of these places will appeal to you girls, Ah'm sure,"
+explained Sam Brewster.
+
+"Oh, no! They have no idea of what it is like, Sam," declared Mrs.
+Brewster, holding up both hands in horror at the very idea.
+
+"Will we start early in the morning?" now asked Eleanor, wondering if
+they would be on time to keep their engagements.
+
+"Oh, we will leave here about one or two o'clock," replied Mr. Brewster,
+nonchalantly.
+
+"One or two!" cried Barbara, aghast, thinking he meant A. M.
+
+"Yes, then we will arrive about four or five. By the time we have the
+tents pitched and everything in tip-top working order, it will be
+suppertime. There won't be so much going on the first night, you know,
+but we will be there for Tuesday's early games."
+
+"Oh, my goodness! You don't mean we shall camp over night?" exclaimed
+Barbara.
+
+"Of course! We could never travel back and forth each day, as it is a
+long ride and tough roads for the horses to pull a heavy ranch-wagon,"
+returned Mr. Brewster.
+
+"I don't see why you won't have automobiles out here! It would not cost
+much to have a Ford, or some other cheap affair, but the convenience and
+time you'd save--my!" said Barbara.
+
+"An auto! Can you see us driving a car over such awful roads as there
+are for miles around Oak Creek? To say nothing of the wild trails that
+go to Pebbly Pit and other far-off ranches," said John.
+
+"Whenever there is a rain, or in winter, the roads are impassable, you
+know, Bob," added Mrs. Brewster. "I'd love to have a car just for fun,
+but there is no pleasure in riding it around the farm where I know every
+foot of ground. And excepting on our own land, there are no decent
+roads."
+
+"I never thought of that!" admitted Barbara.
+
+"So we make the best of things, and ride to the fair in a wagon that
+will hold a village of people," concluded Polly.
+
+"I think it will be heaps of fun to camp right in town where crowds of
+other folks are camping," said Eleanor, giggling.
+
+"It is. You never know who your next-door neighbor is going to be,"
+laughed Polly. "Once, we camped right next to a horse-thief who was
+wanted by the sheriff. My, but we had an exciting time when he crawled
+into mother's bed and hid!"
+
+"Polly! You forgot to say that this happened while we were at the fair
+and he was driven from his own tent," hastily added Mrs. Brewster, while
+the others laughed heartily at Polly's omission.
+
+At these yearly events, every workhand on a ranch went to the fair,
+whether the cattle starved or not. But with Mr. Brewster's help, it was
+so planned that half of them went from Monday morning until Tuesday
+noon, and then the other half went from Tuesday noon until Wednesday
+night. In this way each side had plenty of time to spend their
+hoardings, and to drink all the "Sure Death" whisky that could be had in
+Oak Creek.
+
+The great ranch-wagon rumbled away Monday noon, and a gay party it
+carried, too. The tents were tightly rolled and tied to the sides, while
+rolls of bedding and hampers of food were stacked under the high front
+seat. Hard wooden seats were clamped to each side for the travelers to
+sit upon.
+
+Tom Latimer and John kept every one laughing, so that no one complained
+of the uncomfortable seats that seemed to grow harder the nearer the
+travelers came to Oak Creek.
+
+Then the party drew near their objective. But such a different Oak Creek
+from its usual sleepy appearance! The entire countryside, outside of the
+settlement proper, was dotted with canvas tents, and campers were
+running back and forth. Just to the right of the town stood a vast tent,
+like a circus canvas; and in line with it were several smaller ones.
+
+"That larger one is where all the exhibits are shown and where the
+contests take place, such as eating pan-cakes, shoveling coal, testing
+mining tools, and other tame games," explained John.
+
+"Do they bust the bronchos there, too?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"No, that, and the trick riding, is done out in the ring," replied Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+While the men pitched the tents and carried the folding cots from the
+wagon, Sary unpacked her meager cooking outfit, and Mrs. Brewster
+arranged the hampers in a safe place in her tent. Eleanor and Polly
+stood watching the crowds of incoming ranchers drive by, all on the
+lookout for a good camping-site.
+
+"I do hope the boys from Buffalo Park will be in time to find a place
+near us," whispered Polly.
+
+"Yes, but it looks now, as if there wouldn't be an inch of room left
+after to-night," returned Eleanor.
+
+Mr. Brewster then joined them. "Well, girls, want to go with me to have
+a look over the fair-grounds? To-morrow you will be escorted by younger
+chaps, I suppose; but they won't be able to explain things any better
+than I can."
+
+"Oh yes, Daddy! Let's go," cried Polly, eagerly.
+
+As it was all new to Eleanor, she also wanted to go, so the three found
+a way between the tents that had sprung up, since they drove in from the
+trail and had selected their own site.
+
+Every one was merry and good-natured, and many a joke was exchanged
+between people who might be master and servant at home, but at the
+Celebration, they all were equals.
+
+Mr. Brewster pointed out where the races would take place, and where the
+wild horse-breaking generally was held. He told Eleanor that a purse of
+five hundred dollars was always made up by collections, and given to the
+man who was able to tame the worst outlaw horse of the year.
+
+Then the girls were taken to the booths where refreshments were served.
+Sam Brewster ordered three ice-cream cones and three sodas. He also
+bought two boxes of candy for the girls.
+
+"Let's have ice-cream sodas instead of soda and cones," suggested
+Eleanor.
+
+"They can't mix ice-cream sodas, out here," explained Polly. "So we buy
+cones and mix our own when we want a New York drink."
+
+Eleanor laughed. "Isn't that funny! It's just as easy!"
+
+So they emptied their cones into their soda water and stirred the drink
+with a spoon. But Eleanor learned that the western people would do
+certain things their way, and no one could convince them that it was
+much easier to accomplish the task a different way.
+
+The cots were hard as rocks but every one fell asleep without complaints
+that night, and in the morning the mad babel of sounds roused the
+campers without alarm clocks. As Tuesday was a great day at the fair, no
+time was lost by stealing an extra wink. Breakfast out of the way, the
+entire party started for the Fair Grounds.
+
+"I wonder where the boys are?" whispered Polly.
+
+"We'll never find them in this mob," returned Eleanor.
+
+"They said we were to meet at the Bridal Contest--but where is that?"
+wondered Polly.
+
+"Let's ask Tom Latimer; we'll tell him Jim is going to be there at ten
+o'clock."
+
+Tom heard the girls and laughed: "But why at the Bridal Contest tent?
+Why not at the coal-heaving contest?"
+
+"Perhaps the boys thought there wouldn't be such a crowd at the Bridal,"
+ventured Polly, guilelessly.
+
+Tom and Eleanor laughed, and the former said: "Well, I'll see that you
+two get there in ample time for the Bridal."
+
+Long before ten o'clock, John and Anne had disappeared, and that left
+Tom to the sweet mercy of Barbara. He clung desperately to Polly and
+Eleanor until it was time to take them to the Bridal Contest, and then
+he begged Mrs. Brewster to take care of Barbara while he was absent with
+the girls.
+
+Mrs. Brewster understood that Tom did not care for the young lady's
+company, and she said in a low tone: "I would feel easier if I thought
+those four young people had a sensible head to look after them in this
+great multitude, Tom."
+
+Tom looked at her, but she seemed innocent of any hidden meaning; so he
+replied fervently: "If you will tell Polly this, I will be only too
+happy to be the 'head' they need."
+
+So Tom really acted as "Official Guide" that day and, incidentally, paid
+all the bills for the young celebrators. This suited Jim and Kenneth,
+all right, as they were puzzling how to make a big splash in the puddle
+before these two girls, and yet escape bankruptcy.
+
+The Bridal Contest was a strange sight. Any couple who wanted to marry
+in haste, could secure a special license at this booth and be married
+forthwith. And to every pair so married, the managers of the fair
+presented a twenty-dollar gold piece, that more than defrayed the costs
+of the ceremony. To say the Bridal Booth was a failure, would be rank
+envy and jealousy on the part of any single cow-boy or woman that
+attended the fair--and failed in securing a mate.
+
+The girls watched while three pairs were married, and in each case, the
+bride was a stranger in Oak Creek, while the groom was a newly-fledged
+rancher who needed a housekeeper worse than he needed his freedom.
+
+As the other contests were scheduled for eleven, the four young people,
+following after their Official Guide, went the rounds. Not one sight
+missed them that day, and they turned weary bodies towards the camp that
+night, thinking of but one thing--the cot-beds that awaited them.
+
+Wednesday was the day when the races took place. Not only the broncho
+busting, but horse-racing and other events of the kind. A novelty was
+offered this year, by having several Nebraska cow-boys race on steers.
+The people for twenty miles around Oak Creek, had seen bull fights, wild
+steer breaking, and all sorts of horse-racing, but never had they
+witnessed a steer race.
+
+It proved very exciting, as the men who rode the animals were gayly
+trapped out and made a great noise when the race started. Their shouting
+and wildly waving hats, added no little to the frenzy of the steers. One
+animal tripped and threw his rider, and another balked outright and
+began to stampede. Finding he could not dislodge the encumbrance that
+clung to his back, he suddenly threw himself and rolled.
+
+Every one screamed, but the rider was alert and the moment the steer
+touched the earth, he was up on his feet, bowing and smiling. A wild
+cheering greeted him, but he had no claim to the prize, as that went to
+the rider who won the race.
+
+Polly and Eleanor became well-acquainted with Jim and Kenneth during
+those two days at the fair, and when it was time to say good-by, the
+boys felt as if they were losing two old chums.
+
+"We have to ride across the desert to-morrow, you know," explained Jim,
+regretfully.
+
+"That's so! where will you work next?" asked Tom.
+
+"From Rabbitt's Ear Inn to the Highway," said Kenneth.
+
+"And when will you be back again? When can you come to Pebbly Pit again
+to visit us?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"We may not be there again this summer, as our work now leads away from
+this section. In fact, the Boss says, if the cold does not come too
+early to interfere, he wants to finish his survey all along the other
+side of the desert, this year," explained Kenneth.
+
+"Oh pshaw! then we won't have any more good times," said Eleanor,
+poutingly.
+
+"But we will when we all meet in New York," reminded Jim.
+
+Tom looked from one to the other, for here was news!
+
+"Never mind that, Tom--it's a secret with us!" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"I'm sure it must be, for John never said a word about it to me. And if
+you girls were going with Anne Stewart, he would have told me," replied
+Tom.
+
+"You know the old adage, 'Plans of mice and men go astray,' but it did
+not say 'Plans of girls and mice.' So my plan will come out fine,
+you-all wait and see!"
+
+"Yes, I reckon we _will_ wait!" laughed Polly, incredulously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+NOLLA'S PLANS DEVELOP
+
+
+The days passed joyously at Pebbly Pit, until John and Tom declared they
+must return to their work beyond Denver. They had been postponing their
+departure, because John had confided to his chum, that Anne was waiting
+to hear definitely about the school in New York City, and upon her going
+there depended many other important things.
+
+Tom smiled knowingly to himself, as he was sure one of the "many things"
+to John was his proposal to Anne. Every one felt more or less interested
+in the expectant letter, and when it finally arrived, Anne had a circle
+of anxious friends waiting to hear the verdict.
+
+"Well, I've been accepted and I am to report at the address in New York
+on September twenty-fifth," said Anne, hastily scanning the short note.
+
+"Hurrah! That means we go with you!" shouted Eleanor, catching hold of
+Anne and dancing her about.
+
+Polly looked very glum. "Anne, how does your going effect my school
+plans?"
+
+"You can talk about school some other time, Poll, but Tom and I have to
+start back to camp to-morrow, and _I_ want to know from Anne just how
+her going effects _me_?" demanded John, looking her in the eyes.
+
+Anne smiled bravely back at him and said: "Just what I told you. I must
+help Paul complete his college course, then I will be free to sign other
+agreements."
+
+"Meanwhile, I am to go on plodding through classes and camp without
+knowing whether or not I am ever going to be rewarded!" grumbled John,
+so discouraged that every one felt sorry for him.
+
+"One doesn't plod through studies or work, for mere reward. Polly says
+she wants to study for the love of it, and Eleanor wants to go into
+business for the love of _that_! It is the only way one can succeed,"
+ventured Mrs. Brewster, more to fill up an embarrassing gap in the
+conversation than for anything else.
+
+John turned sullenly and stamped away. He continued down the trail to
+the Cliffs and was soon lost to sight. The girls then coaxed Anne to
+come away with them as they had a plan to ask her about.
+
+Mrs. Brewster waited until every one was gone his or her way, then she
+ran after her son. No one knows what was said or done, then or during
+the day but that night, as they all sat at supper, John stood up and
+smiled.
+
+Jeb was just passing with a basket of newly laid eggs, and Sary was
+leaning over Mr. Brewster's back with a deep dish of milk-toast that she
+expected to place before him. John coughed significantly, and Sary
+stopped to listen.
+
+"I'm going to announce good news to you-all, to-night. I finally
+persuaded Anne to promise to be my wife, someday. So she goes to New
+York City as my fiancee, and I will study hard and do everything
+possible to be worthy of her, for she is a brave girl!"
+
+Sam Brewster half arose to congratulate the two young people, but Sary's
+dish was in the way. He bumped his head and the dish slid from her
+hands.
+
+Sary threw up both hands in dismay--there was the milk-toast spattered
+all over the ground! But a laugh from her mistress caused her to look in
+the direction the family-group were gazing. She saw Jeb standing as if
+rooted to the grass, his lower jaw sagging as he frowned at a basket of
+broken eggs upon the ground.
+
+Sary threw her inspiration into the double breach caused by maid and
+man. "Thar goes th' supper an' them eggs, but tush! Trifles don't count
+none when a man hez sech fine news ez John an' Jeb hes. Come right over
+here, Jeb, an' spring _yur_ secret now that John hes split his'n to the
+fam'ly!"
+
+Jeb scuffled his feet and sheepishly hung his head. One foot
+unconsciously stirred the yolks of the broken eggs. But Sary was not a
+woman to stand for such shyness when it cast reflections on her ardent
+manner in which she described how Jeb rose to the bait temptingly hung
+before his very nose.
+
+She forgot milk-toast and all else in this final bout with her unwilling
+lover. She hurried over and nudged him sharply in the ribs, then
+whispered in a stage tone:
+
+"G'wan now, Jeb! Spruce up an' tell 'em like-ez-how this air goin' to be
+a double trick! John an' Miss Anne, me an' you--see!"
+
+Polly and Eleanor laughed appreciatively, and Mrs. Brewster smiled for
+she had had suspicions. But Sam Brewster was so amazed, that he leaned
+back in his chair and puffed for breath. To think that Jeb could ever
+have summoned enough courage to propose to a woman--but let that woman
+be an Amazon like Sary, was past his comprehension!
+
+He could not get over it, and later, his wife confided: "I actually
+believe that Sary made this match for herself. Jeb could never have
+stood the strain of making love, had not Sary met him _more_ than
+half-way."
+
+That evening when John and Anne were talking confidentially about the
+future, John said: "Mother, I haven't a ring for Anne and I want her to
+have it before she goes to New York, so I propose going to Denver and
+buy it for her before I go back to work."
+
+"And I thought, Mrs. Brewster, that it would be a good plan to see an
+agent about renting our house for a year or two. If mother and I live in
+New York, there is no sense in closing the place when we can rent it for
+enough to pay taxes and upkeep."
+
+"I think you are perfectly right there, Anne, and the sooner you place
+it in good hands, the better. When did you think of running up to town?"
+said Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Well, you see, mother, Tom and I should have joined our men long ago,
+but one thing or another kept us on here. Now that all is settled for
+two years at least, I want to get away and plunge into work so I will
+be ready for Anne when she comes back," said John.
+
+Mrs. Brewster smiled. "Will you go to Denver to-day?"
+
+"To-night! Why, it is eight o'clock! But I could take the noon train
+when it goes back from Oak Creek, and Anne might go with me."
+
+"That's what I thought you could do, but your evident impatience made me
+wonder if you had an air-route you could travel by."
+
+John laughed, and Anne placed her arm about her future mother-in-law.
+Then the talk veered to Polly and her future education. John and his
+fiancee had a hard task in convincing Mrs. Brewster that it was best for
+Polly to accompany the Stewarts to New York, to school; but finally,
+when all three returned to the house, a resigned look was upon Mrs.
+Brewster's face. But not a word was said at that time.
+
+The next morning, every member of the family accompanied John and Anne
+to Oak Creek, and gave them a merry send-off to Denver.
+
+"It's only for a few days, you big sillies!" laughed Anne, as she leaned
+from the little car-window to answer many questions from her friends on
+the platform.
+
+"True, but think of all that can happen in a few days! Jeb may jilt
+Sary and elope with Barbara--I've seen her casting jealous eyes at Sary,
+lately! Then Tom Latimer may suddenly find he is in love with----" but
+Barbara choked further words from Eleanor at this point, by shaking her
+viciously from the rear.
+
+The others had to laugh at Eleanor's teasing, but her sister was
+furious. "I simply will not stand this treatment, so now! You can act
+like fools and farmers, but I am a _lady_!"
+
+So saying, Barbara wheeled and marched defiantly over to the box-car
+station. She entered and remained there until the train had disappeared
+around the bend. Then she came forth with a victorious look upon her
+face. No one asked her what caused the change of expression, and soon
+the incident was forgotten for the day.
+
+Tom Latimer was unusually quiet on the homeward drive, and when he had
+assisted Eleanor to alight from the great wagon, he whispered for her
+ears alone: "Who were you going to have me propose to, Nolla?"
+
+She sent him a mischievous look and whispered back "Polly."
+
+He laughed softly and pinched her arm, but she noted that the rich red
+color flushed his face suddenly, and she wondered, precociously,
+whether she had accidentally touched upon a secret spot hidden in his
+heart? The very fact of such a discovery made her defy, silently, the
+possibility of any one ever daring to confess love to _her_ Polly. "No
+indeed! Polly and she were cut out for business only."
+
+But the disquieting thought that a fine chap like Tom Latimer might be
+in love with simple wonderful little Polly, made Eleanor zealous in her
+plans for carrying her friend off to a New York school. No one knew that
+she had already started the machinery going for her own benefit, but
+they were soon to find out that this fun-loving girl was as persistent
+and persevering as one could find anywhere, when she had a pet problem
+to work out.
+
+The evening after John and Anne had gone to Mrs. Stewarts, in Denver,
+Barbara asked a favor of her host. The very manner in which she asked
+it, surprised every one at table. "Mr. Brewster, I have an important
+errand to do at Oak Creek, to-morrow, and I want you to allow Jeb to
+drive me in."
+
+"To-morrow! Why, we just got back from there."
+
+"Yes, I know, but it could not have been done to-day, so I have to go in
+to-morrow."
+
+"Jeb has to superintend the mowing of our first crops to-morrow, if it
+is clear. Maybe Tom will drive you in if it is so urgent."
+
+Barbara turned imploring eyes on Tom Latimer. Then Eleanor spoke up: "I,
+too, must go in as I expect a telegram from Chicago."
+
+Her sister scowled at her, but she seemed surprised as well. She
+stammered: "What have _you_ to wire for?"
+
+"Ah! Is that what you did? Let's see--you managed it this noon, while we
+were watching the train depart, didn't you? You were in that station
+just long enough!" exulted Eleanor, grinning at Barbara daringly.
+
+But her sister would not be drawn into an argument this time, and
+Eleanor decided that it must be something important, indeed, when Bob
+would not snap back at her. There _had_ been times at home when Barbara
+had secrets that she feared others to share, then she would keep her
+peace with Eleanor.
+
+"Unless it is a personal matter that needs your presence in Oak Creek,
+Alec Hewitt will look after it. He goes to and from the post office
+every day, and often brings our mail or messages for us," said Mrs.
+Brewster, hoping to spare the horses another hard day's work.
+
+"I have to be there myself, as I may have to decide on a very important
+personal matter," returned Barbara, slightly embarrassed.
+
+So it was settled that Tom Latimer would ride with the three girls to
+Oak Creek on the following morning. This would spare the wagon team the
+trip and at the same time take the place of any other pleasure ride that
+might have been planned.
+
+Polly was at a loss to understand why such secrecy should exist between
+these two sisters--Bob refusing to confide in Eleanor, and Nolla
+smilingly keeping her own counsel, about the important errands.
+
+As Eleanor had suspected, Barbara went directly to the box-car where the
+telegrams were received. But to the latter's disappointment, there was
+one only--and that one was for Eleanor Maynard!
+
+"Are you sure you did not get the name wrong--I am to hear surely,
+to-day, about something very urgent!" complained Barbara.
+
+"This is mine, all right, Bob, for I expected it. If you like, you can
+read it now that I know what it says," and Eleanor tendered the yellow
+sheet to her sister.
+
+Barbara snatched it and read in angry surprise:
+
+     "Your wire received. Expect me Saturday. Will visit there for a
+     week.
+
+          Love to you both,
+               FATHER"
+
+
+"How dare you ask father to come here? How do you know the Brewsters
+want him? And besides, there is no place for him to use as a
+sleeping-room!" she managed to say in her fury.
+
+Polly and Tom had been sitting outside on a truck but they could not
+help hearing Barbara's words. Polly smiled up at her companion. Then
+Eleanor was heard saying:
+
+"No need to rear up like a mad rattler, Bob. I have a nice little plan
+under way, but it now needs Daddy's persuasive powers to perfect it. I
+wired him twice this past week, but no one knew of it. If you wired for
+money or something else, he likely will bring it with him on Saturday."
+
+The very coolness of Eleanor's reply caused Barbara to lose her
+self-control and she retorted: "Pooh! I wouldn't think of asking father
+for anything. You can't patronize me this time, Eleanor Maynard. _I_ am
+waiting for word from mother! There!"
+
+"From mother! why she is in Newport for the Season."
+
+"You mean she _was_ there. _Now_ she is one of a very select party of
+the best New York society that is camping at Mrs. Van Alstynes'
+wonderful bungalow in the Muskoka Woods. And I trust _I_, too, will soon
+be a member of that circle!"
+
+"Oh, ho! So that is your little game, eh! Well, Bob, I heartily wish you
+luck. You haven't any idea how quiet and enjoyable Pebbly Pit will be
+with you away from it!" retorted Eleanor.
+
+With this parting shaft, the younger sister walked out, and found Tom
+with Polly over by the watering trough where the seven wardrobe trunks
+had offered such a fine table surface for the gamblers on the day the
+Chicago girls came to Oak Creek. As she felt sure these two friends had
+not over-heard the conversation between Barbara and herself, there was
+no need in explaining, as yet.
+
+Barbara failed to appear, however, and finally Eleanor went to the door
+to call her. Her impatient words were arrested by hearing the operator
+at the telegraph instrument, read a message aloud.
+
+     "Wire with news received. Have arranged for you. Plenty of
+     marriageable men in party. Do not oppose anything father wants.
+     Win his consent and money for visit. Nolla will be all right
+     there with Anne. Father now back at bank. Write him
+     immediately. Do not waive your rights on mine. We will fight if
+     necessary. It means a fortune for you. Wire me minute you have
+     news. Big affair on next week. MOTHER."
+
+Eleanor managed to slip away without Barbara's seeing her. And so elated
+was the elder sister over her mother's message, that she failed to find
+any omission in the telegram. But Eleanor realized that her mother did
+not mention her love for her daughter--it was all about society, money,
+and graft!
+
+But her mother's message could not throw cold water over Eleanor;
+because of the fact that her father would be with her the end of that
+very week! This was good news enough for any one, so she ran over to
+Polly, waving her message.
+
+"Just think! Daddy is coming to visit us at Pebbly Pit. Won't it be fun
+for him to sleep in the barn with John and Tom?"
+
+"Oh, he never could, Nolla!" gasped Polly.
+
+"Why not? He is no better than the boys, here!"
+
+"But--well, I'm sure father won't like him to. We must plan somewhere
+else for him," replied Polly.
+
+"I'll tell you-all a secret, if you won't tell any one. I got Daddy to
+hurry here on purpose to _meet_ John and Tom. I believe he will do
+something about the mine and the Cliffs if he hears the plans from the
+boys. You know, his bank makes big investments at times. But don't let
+Bob know this, for anything in the world!"
+
+Tom looked pleasantly surprised at the suggestion. He had forgotten all
+about Mr. Maynard's connection with a flourishing bank.
+
+"Won't it be nice to have your father meet my father," remarked Polly,
+thinking not so much of finances as of hospitality.
+
+"Yes, and I hope he won't interfere with Bob's plans to join mother in
+the North Woods. If only we could get _rid_ of her right off, what a
+fine time we could have with Dad here!" Eleanor sighed.
+
+Polly never could understand the lack of love and family pride between
+these two sisters, but then she had never seen how many families there
+are, where husband and wife have opposite tendencies and ideals; it
+inevitably followed that the children showed these antagonistic
+qualities in their behavior to each other.
+
+Having replied to their telegrams, both sisters were ready to ride back
+to the ranch. But Tom suggested that they visit the Movies where a great
+society drama was being shown. This pleased the girls, and soon they
+were following the hair-breadth escapes of an unscrupulous society
+impostor, and the wreck he had made of a young damsel's faith.
+
+As they filed from the low-ceiled, ill-smelling theater, Eleanor laughed
+and said: "That's the kind of life Bob wants! If she ever had a fortune
+of her own, she would have to fend off just such rascals. Watch me
+wasting my life trying to catch a husband--Pouf!"
+
+Tom laughed merrily for he liked the bluntness of this girl, but he was
+surprised at the flush Barbara manifested as she wondered if this astute
+sister of hers could have heard that message read: "Mother mentioned 'a
+fortune' and 'marriageable men.'" But Eleanor's expression was as
+innocent as a babe's just then.
+
+That evening after supper, Eleanor drew Polly out to the terrace, which
+was isolated at that time, and shared her plans with her.
+
+"I was afraid to let you, or any one, know what I was doing, so I just
+went ahead and did it!"
+
+Polly manifested no surprise at these words, as she expected to hear
+much more, so she patiently waited. Eleanor seemed at a loss, for once
+in her lifetime, to know how to tell her story without having it
+condemned by this upright conscientious friend.
+
+"I wrote mother just after we discovered the mine, and told her how
+unhappy Barbara was in this forgotten corner of the earth. You see, I
+wanted mother to send for her at once, and I was anxious to help Bob
+relieve us of her company. But I never dreamed that Bob was as anxious
+to get away, as we were to have her go!"
+
+"Oh, Nolla! we are not anxious to have her go--don't say that!"
+remonstrated Polly.
+
+"Well, you know what I mean--everything will be so nice with no one to
+be forever finding fault and nagging at one!"
+
+"Maybe she wouldn't nag so much if you did not tease her so! Nolla, you
+_know_ you are so clever that you have no patience with Bob's slowness
+in getting things," replied Polly, unconscious of the fact that she had
+found the very root of the trouble between the sisters.
+
+"Anyway, Bob is on the high road to a society camp in the East, and we
+will be able to go our own sweet way without her. But I brought you out
+here to confess what I did! I wired father all about the mine, and the
+Cliffs, and the Latimers and all--and also told him that the doctor
+thinks a winter in New York will harden me splendidly. I wired the
+doctor to tell him that this was true, and he _must_ tell father so.
+
+"Well, I heard from Daddy; he balked at first--said it was rank
+foolishness for any doctor to recommend the beastly climate of New York
+City in preference to the West with its dryness. I had to calm him on
+that point, and then I told him that Anne and her mother were going to
+New York and I wanted to go with them. He knows how I hate the teas, and
+bridge, and parties mother is always giving Bob, so I told him how
+wretched I always was in winter, without friends or any one to talk
+to--as mother and Bob were always too busy with social duties.
+
+"Father hates these duties as much as I do, and he says mother has no
+right to give all her time to Bob and never see me from one week's end
+to another. So he was vulnerable in that spot. When I told him how he
+could visit me in New York once a month, and spend several days going
+around with me, he just caved in. And, Polly, I am sure he will agree to
+my going with Anne.
+
+"To-day, after I got his wire, I waited till Bob was out of the way,
+then I sent a message to Anne, to tell her to be on the lookout for Dad
+who was coming here on Saturday. I said it would be so nice for him to
+ride down from Denver with John and her. And maybe John could explain
+the financing of the two companies to him.
+
+"I sent the second wire to Dad telling him to be sure and meet Anne at
+the Denver Terminal at noon, on Saturday, as she would be expecting him.
+So now I have all my irons in the fire and they're getting red-hot,
+too!"
+
+As Eleanor concluded, Polly laughed at her funny expression but
+remarked, "It would be terrible if your irons got so hot that they
+melted before you could use any one of them, wouldn't it?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+RIGGLEY & RATZGER OF NEW YORK
+
+
+Every day that week was crowded with events for the people at Pebbly
+Pit, and never had so many telegrams passed through the hands of the
+amazed agent at Oak Creek. First there were those sent by Barbara and
+Eleanor, and the replies to them. Next day the two girls telegraphed
+anew from Oak Creek, and these had replies which were forwarded by Alec
+Hewitt who passed Brewster's ranch. Following these, came a telegram
+from Anne, saying she had heard from Mr. Maynard and would meet him as
+planned. Then there came one from Mr. Latimer's office in New York to
+Tom, saying that Dr. Evans and Mr. Latimer had started for the West on
+Thursday, on the Limited. Probably they would reach Pebbly Pit on Sunday
+or Monday. Closely following that message, came one to Mr. Brewster from
+New York, signed Riggley & Ratzger, Lawyers, to the effect that "they
+had been appointed the representatives for the company that was formed
+to make jewels from lava-stone, and they would take great pleasure in
+visiting Pebbly Pit on Saturday or Sunday, in order to inspect the
+Rainbow Cliffs. They might be induced to make an offer for the ranch."
+
+The latter suggestion caused Sam Brewster to laugh as he had not done
+since he heard his Polly was determined to go to school. "What do you
+think of such sublime fools, Maw?" chuckled he, handing the telegram
+across the table as they sat on the porch.
+
+"Why, I don't understand. If Evans and Latimer are on their way here,
+why do they need representatives? Isn't Tom's father a real good lawyer
+in New York?" said she.
+
+"Sure, but the names alone give me an idea that they are crooks--listen:
+Riggley and Ratzger. Doesn't it make you think of all queer kinds of
+fish that one finds in big cities?" laughed her husband.
+
+Tom came from the barns about this time, and Mrs. Brewster turned to
+tell him the latest news about the seekers of lava-stones. In
+corroboration of his wife's words, Sam Brewster held out the telegram.
+
+Tom took it in trembling hands, for he had heard of the men whose names
+were signed to the message. Then he glanced at the signatures and that
+broke his amazed spell of silence.
+
+"Why! Mr. Brewster, how dare they plan to visit here?" he shouted, his
+face as red as a poppy.
+
+"Oh, do you know them?" wondered Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Know them? Why, man alive, _they_ are the same two rascals who served
+the injunction on father and Dr. Evans, and then they tried to steal the
+patent. They fought in Court, but lost their case. When they appealed,
+the Court sustained the first verdict, so they had no choice but to give
+up. I wonder what game they are coming here for?"
+
+Mr. Brewster considered. "Tom, I wouldn't be surprised if they came
+here, not knowing your folks are, also, coming. Maybe they hope to get
+first shot at this proposition of Rainbow Cliffs and in this way, make
+your father pay a fabulous price for the stone."
+
+"Some crooked deal like that, you may be assured. But I can't understand
+how they ever heard of Rainbow Cliffs and this ranch? There has been a
+leak, somewhere, in Dad's organization," said Tom, emphatically.
+
+"Well, let's decide now, before they come, what is best for us to do. If
+they get here before your father and Evans, we must not give them any
+idea that we expect other guests, nor must we say that we suspect them
+of foul play. We must give them rope enough with which to hang
+themselves."
+
+Here Mrs. Brewster interpolated: "We may serve all of our friends a good
+turn by receiving these strangers with the same western welcome that we
+extend to every one. But let us not give any one else here a hint of
+what we now know."
+
+Tom agreed that this was a wise plan, so no one suspected there was an
+under-current of excitement running in the elder Brewsters' and Tom's
+thoughts, during the time that must elapse before the New York
+"representatives" could arrive at Pebbly Pit.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Maynard met Anne and John in Denver, and the three took
+the noon local for Oak Creek. Polly and Eleanor were busy helping
+Barbara pack her five trunks to have them ready for the ranch-wagon to
+take to the station on Saturday, when Tom offered to drive in and meet
+the train from Denver. This done, and Tom on his way, the two girls
+wondered what next they could do until the return of the party from Oak
+Creek.
+
+"I say! Let's run to the Cliffs and watch for the first glimpse of
+Daddy," suggested Eleanor.
+
+"And I'll take some doughnuts to eat in case we get hungry," added
+Polly.
+
+Fortified with a bag of these delectable balls, the two girls hastened
+away. Barbara was all sweetness and generosity, now that she was sure of
+going to join her mother in a fashionable camp. And many fine bits of
+underwear, or dresses fell Sary's way, when Barbara went through her
+wardrobe, and discarded the things she felt would be too
+ordinary-looking in such an exclusive "set" as she was about to join.
+
+Sary refused nothing, carrying everything thrown to her, in her arms as
+carefully as if she were holding a new-born babe. On the first trip she
+made through the kitchen in order to reach her private domain, she
+stopped before Mrs. Brewster and held out the lace-trimmed underwear.
+
+"Mis Brewster, Ah never did think Ah would have sech fine troosos fer my
+marritch. When Ah married Bill Ah diden have nawthin' but a new cambric
+dress and a sun-bunnet. But this marritch will be the reel thing, what
+with all the stuff I'm k'lectin, already."
+
+"You are fortunate, Sary, to be on hand just as Miss Bob's trunks are
+cleared out," remarked her mistress.
+
+"Yeh, and d'ye know what?" Sary leaned over to whisper confidentially.
+"Yeh see Ah'm not lettin' anythin' she gives me lay around one minute,
+'cause she may change her mind. And ef she once saw _what_ a heap she is
+throwin' away, she might think Ah was gettin' too much!"
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed at Sary's wily ways, and replied: "Well, I'll
+spare you from all the work as long as you are gathering plums from
+Bob's orchard. I hope you can fill a whole trunk, Sary."
+
+But an unforeseen outgrowth of all these donations was sure to happen.
+Once Sary had watched the trunks hoisted up in the ranch wagon, and
+realized that there would be no more "pickin's" for her, she ran to her
+room and began sorting and gloating over the mass of cast-off clothing.
+And so mesmerized was she with pictures of herself adorned in the
+dresses that were made for the form half her girth that Mrs. Brewster
+found it impossible to coax her back to the kitchen.
+
+Having the Saturday's baking to do, as well as to prepare the dinner for
+extra ones that night, she went to the door to ask Polly and Eleanor to
+come in and help her. But the two girls were not in sight.
+
+There was but one hope left! She must do as clever generals did in
+battle, when the fight seems to go against them--strategy.
+
+She hurried to Sary's door which was closed and locked.
+
+"Oh Sary! I remembered something that I wished to ask you about several
+times this past week. Did Jeb give you the engagement ring yet?"
+
+Not a sound came from within for a few moments, then the key turned and
+Sary's amazed face appeared in the doorway. The floor and bed were
+covered with finery, each piece spread out full length.
+
+"Ah clean fergot all about it. Is Miss Anne got her'n?"
+
+"Oh, yes! John went to Denver with her to choose the stone."
+
+"Kin Jeb git a ring in Oak Crick, d'ye s'pose?"
+
+"Mercy no! Oak Creek hasn't any jewelry shop, you know."
+
+Sary was lost in thought for a time, and this was Mrs. Brewster's
+opportunity. "I've been wondering how it would do to hint to Jeb that it
+would make a lovely trip if he were to accompany you to Denver for a
+day, and let you select your own ring."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+The one word breathed in a scarcely audible sound plainly expressed
+Sary's ecstasy. Her great hands were loosely clasped before her as her
+eyes turned ceiling-ward.
+
+"Of course with the house full of company for a few days it will be
+impossible to think of such a thing, but Bob is going away the first of
+the week, and then John and Tom leave; next Miss Anne goes back to
+Denver to see about sending her stuff to New York, or selling what she
+really won't need, and then you will have time to take such a trip. I
+will see that Jeb realizes that it is his privilege to do this for you."
+
+"Oh, Mis Brewster, what kin Ah ever do fer you?"
+
+"Well, you can begin to repay me for my kindness by coming out to help
+me with Saturday's work. And while we are doing that I will plan with
+you what had best be said and done."
+
+Sary felt that there was a cunning here that she was not able to cope
+with, but she could not resist the temptation to talk and plan about an
+engagement ring for herself, so she bravely turned her back on the array
+of finery, and stoically followed her mistress.
+
+Meantime Polly and Eleanor climbed the cliffs and sat where they could
+see the Bear Fork's trail in the distance. Polly was sure they would
+see the great ranch-wagon the moment it came around the bend.
+
+They had not been seated there more than twenty minutes before Eleanor
+craned her neck and gazed earnestly at two dots that seemed to be
+crawling along the trail. Polly turned and gazed also.
+
+"Why, it's two horsemen! I wonder if Jim and Ken can be thinking of
+visiting us over Sunday,--because Mr. Latimer is coming, you know,"
+exclaimed Eleanor, joyfully surprised.
+
+"They wouldn't be arriving Saturday afternoon, as they wouldn't be able
+to leave camp until Sunday," added Polly.
+
+Both girls shaded their eyes with their hands but neither could make out
+the forms of the riders. They were mere specks on the white trail. But
+the girls held their breath when the horsemen turned from Bear Forks
+trail and rode in under the precipice that overhung the entrance to
+Pebbly Pit.
+
+"Whoever it is, they are coming here," said Polly.
+
+"I wonder if it could be Mr. Latimer and Dr. Evans--they may have
+arrived in Oak Creek sooner than they expected," ventured Eleanor.
+
+"We can watch better from this point than anywhere else, and when they
+pass the Rainbow Cliffs, we can see who they are," now said Polly.
+
+So they watched impatiently until the riders came from under the hanging
+walls of rock, and rode again along the top of the shale that covered a
+wide area between the ravines and the Cliffs.
+
+This great stretch of shale was very treacherous going, as on the both
+sides were deep gulches, or erosions, made by floods from thaws and
+storms. An abandoned trail ran quite close to one of these ravines but
+the land-slides of shale had compelled the people at Pebbly Pit to break
+out a new and safer trail through the middle of the field. To strange
+eyes, the old trail on the edge of the gulch, was the harder and easier
+going, but every one coming to the ranch knew the center-trail to be the
+one always used. Strangers seldom visited Pebbly Pit, and never without
+a member of the ranch family, or a neighbor to escort them.
+
+When the two horsemen reached the branching of the trails, they halted,
+and the girls saw them ponder. One man motioned with a hand at the rough
+trail running over the top of the shale in the middle of the area, but
+the other seemed to argue that the edge-trail was the best one to take.
+
+"Oh dear! I hope they won't take that slippery one!" cried Polly, in
+tense nervousness.
+
+"I wish we could yell and warn them!" exclaimed Eleanor, half-rising
+from her seat.
+
+"They'll never hear us at this distance, but we might run along the
+top-trail and beckon them to climb up there."
+
+"But, Polly, by the time we reach the shale they will be almost at the
+Rainbow Cliffs," objected Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, I know, but it seems awful to sit here and watch them ride over
+that dangerous road."
+
+"To relieve our minds, we can go down as far as possible and meet them
+when they ride out at Rainbow Cliffs," suggested Eleanor.
+
+So the two girls scrambled down from their high point of observation,
+and started along the rock-ribbed road that led past the Cliffs. They
+had not gone far along this trail, however, before Polly saw Jeb riding
+down from the corrals.
+
+"If I could only get Jeb's attention, he could ride fast and warn those
+men of their danger," Polly said, thinking aloud.
+
+"Let's both scream at the top of our lungs and see if he can hear us."
+
+So the two girls stood out on the edge of a huge bowlder and, making
+megaphones of their hands, shouted again and again. The depression made
+by the crater that lay between the Cliffs and the corral, acted as a
+hollow tube, so Jeb finally wheeled around and tried to locate the call.
+When he saw the girls, he immediately started to meet them as no one on
+the ranch would shout that way for fun.
+
+It took ten minutes for Jeb to cover the circuitous path and join the
+girls, and when they had hastily explained the cause of their concern,
+he replied: "Gosh! Ah was told to hang a sign on that flat cliff to warn
+folks offen the bad trail!"
+
+"Well, you didn't, so now race down the good trail and try to make the
+men hear you," demanded Polly.
+
+Jeb spurred his horse at that, and was soon out of sight, but Polly and
+Eleanor continued in the same direction, to see if all turned out well
+for the riders.
+
+Having reached and passed the last spur of the Rainbow Cliffs, and then
+climbing the steep ascent to the top-trail, they finally came to a rise
+whence the whole shale-field could be seen. But not a sign of horsemen
+could be seen. Jeb, riding like mad, right across the loose shale in
+reckless risk of breaking his broncho's legs, was the only man visible.
+
+Eleanor turned and looked in wonderment at Polly, but when she saw the
+look of horror on her friend's face, she caught at her arm.
+
+"Polly! What do you think has happened?"
+
+"Oh, Nolla! I fear they are down in that gulch! Most likely the shale
+started sliding under their horses' hoofs, and before they realized
+their danger, they were swept along over the top!"
+
+"Oh, mercy! Polly--never that! Why they will be killed!"
+
+Polly never said a word but watched Jeb as he reined in his horse.
+Jumping from the saddle and hobbling the animal, he very carefully
+crawled over the apparently safe surface between himself and the ravine.
+
+"Now I'm sure that's what happened, Nolla, or Jeb wouldn't try to get
+over there. He's going to see just how bad things are."
+
+"Poll, we'd better run as fast as we can, and get things ready at the
+ranch. Your father ought to know this, so he can hitch a cart to two
+strong horses and drive there to help carry the men to the house."
+
+"Nolla, I fear there will be nothing left to carry away. Once the shale
+starts to slide down that gulch, it goes like the wind and buries
+everything under its weight and bulk."
+
+"All the same, I will feel that I am doing something to help--let's go!"
+
+So Polly and her companion turned and ran back along the Rainbow Cliffs
+trail, until they reached the spot whence they had called to Jeb. They
+stopped for a moment to catch their breath, and while straining their
+eyes towards the house, saw Mr. Brewster just leaving it.
+
+His horse was waiting at the block, so both girls instantly began
+shouting to attract his attention. He had keen hearing, and turned to
+see what might be wrong in the direction of the Cliffs. When he saw the
+two girls wildly beckoning him to come, he sprang into the saddle and
+galloped the horse over the intervening space to meet them.
+
+Their story was told in a few words, and Sam Brewster immediately
+surmised who the riders were. He told the girls to go on to the house
+and tell Mrs. Brewster to be ready with emergencies, in case either of
+the travelers were found. Then he turned his horse and galloped to the
+barns where he called several of the men to help in the rescue work.
+
+Polly and Eleanor would have preferred to go back to the shale-fields
+and watch the men, but they had to go where they could be of most
+service in the case.
+
+"Where shall we put them, mother, if father brings both back to the
+house?" asked Polly.
+
+"There is only one thing we can do, and that is to prepare the cots in
+the harness-room for them. It is in times of need, like this, that I
+wish we had a large house."
+
+Down on the shale-fields, Jeb had crept to the edge of the gully and
+peered over. Far, far below, where the stream roared over the rocks and
+down waterfalls like a miniature Niagara, he saw one horse doubled up in
+an unnatural heap. He surmised at once, that it was dead. But half-way
+up he spied hoofs protruding from the shale, and to this spot he tried
+to make his way.
+
+As he thought, the rider was still entangled with the stirrups of the
+horse and could not jump free when the accident had occurred.
+
+By dint of working down, clinging like lichen to the shale surface, Jeb
+reached the animal whose hoofs stuck pathetically upward. He carefully
+scraped away the shale and exposed the head of a man. He could not say
+whether the victim was alive or dead, and he dared not dig away more
+shale, just then, or the whole side would begin to move again. Having
+cleared the head so the man could breathe, if possible, he looked
+anxiously around for the second rider. Not a sign of him was seen from
+the place where Jeb clung.
+
+Believing that one live man was worth two dead ones, Jeb returned to the
+task of unearthing the one he had found. Every slab of shale was slowly
+removed, meanwhile Jeb watched the loose sides above him for the least
+intimation that it might slide again. But so careful was he, that the
+body was uncovered without the surrounding shale being disturbed. Jeb
+felt of the man's heart and found a very slight pulsation there. He was
+alive!
+
+But how to get his feet free from the leather on the horse, and how to
+carry the big heavy fellow up that treacherous side? Jeb never lost his
+presence of mind, nor did he ever feel unduly excited over what he
+thought could not be helped; had he known what a fatalist was, he would
+have told you that that is what _he_ was.
+
+He sat perfectly still, because the unwary movement of a single muscle
+might move that mountain-side down upon him, but he could _think_ and
+what could hinder him from doing it? As if the very discovery that he
+was superior in that way, to the senseless shale all about him, made him
+master of the situation, so he smiled and patiently waited.
+
+"'Cuz Ah knows Polly and Miss Nolla'll get word to Mis'r Brews'er an'
+he'll know what to do fer us." So he sat and waited.
+
+It's all well enough to say, "Oh, he wouldn't do anything else. Any one
+could have waited!" But how many would have waited in that same
+situation, without a qualm of fear, or without doubting the simple
+assurance that the master of the ranch would know best what to do to
+help?
+
+As if to reward this faith, Jeb soon heard voices shouting back and
+forth above his head, and after a time, he saw the noose of a stout rope
+falling down in his direction.
+
+He grinned. "Ah never thought of _that_!" murmured he.
+
+"Jeb," came the deep tones of Mr. Brewster from above, "try to fix this
+safely around you, and then see if there is anything down there that you
+can do. Shout up if you want help, and we will try to let another man
+down to work with you."
+
+Jeb soon had the rope about his body, and feeling free to dig, went to
+work to pull the unconscious man out of the saddle. The side that the
+dead horse had fallen upon pinned the man's one leg down so securely
+that Jeb could not manage to extricate it without help. So he held on
+to the body he had thus far brought out from the shale, and then called
+up to his master.
+
+"Ah cain't git his left laig out from the sturrup! This dead hoss is too
+heavy fer me to shove over. Ef some one'll come down an' use a crow-bar
+Ah reckon we-all kin manage it all right."
+
+With all the tension and doubt of being of any use in this accident, Mr.
+Brewster could not help thinking of Jeb's way of asking assistance--as
+if he was in the kitchen of the house and told Sary to come downstairs
+to entertain him.
+
+Another man was lowered by means of a second rope, and as he came
+opposite the dead horse, he called a halt on the pulley above. With his
+crow-bar, he worked just as carefully as Jeb had done in loosening the
+shale about the body. But the moment Jeb found he could extract the
+crushed foot from the side that had been buried in the stone, the other
+man ceased prodding, as one little prod too many might turn the whole
+loose lava upon them again.
+
+"Lower another rope fer the stranger!" shouted the hired man. And soon
+the limp body was drawn slowly up to safety.
+
+"What about the other one, Jeb?" shouted Mr. Brewster.
+
+"Reckon he went on down, 'cuz his hoss is down thar. Shall Ah go on down
+and see?"
+
+"No! we-all can get down from the Devil's Causeway, without taking any
+risks on this loose wall. Better see if you-all can find any papers or
+wallet in the panniers of that horse."
+
+Jeb then felt and brought forth a fine leather bag shaped like a
+knap-sack. But he was not aware that most lawyers and professional men
+in cities use similar bags. Then the word was given to hoist, and both
+men were soon up beside the unconscious stranger.
+
+While Mr. Brewster used first-aid on the stranger, several men of the
+party started for the cleft back of the Cliffs from which one could get
+down in to the gulch. In fact, it was the great flood of water that ran
+from the back of the Cliffs that caused this deep washout, or gully.
+
+Having taken hold of the unknown man and suddenly turned him so that he
+hung limply over the back and shoulders of his carrier, Mr. Brewster
+started his horse across the shale, and then turned in on the Cliff
+trail. The sooner the unconscious man was treated the better, thought
+the ranch-man.
+
+Jeb and his men were left to help the others who, after having carefully
+picked a way over the shale, would search in the gulch for any signs of
+the second man.
+
+By the time the would-be rescuers reached the place where the dead horse
+was seen doubled up, moans attracted their attention to a clump of
+buffalo grass that had forced its way up beside the stream.
+
+There, almost hidden by great bowlders that had caught the drift of
+shale as it swept down from the top of the ravine, they found the second
+rider. As the horse was more than forty feet above this spot, they
+figured that the man must have shot from the saddle when all were
+precipitated over the top, and landed as if by a miracle in this
+comparatively safe niche made by the rocks.
+
+The moment the man heard human voices he tried to attract their
+attention, but they had already heard and planned how best to reach him.
+He could not move, as those limbs which had not suffered fractures, were
+rendered helpless by the weight of shale pinning them down. His chest
+was free, however, and in spite of the gashes and bruises all over his
+face and neck, he could breathe easily.
+
+"Ah reckon we-all had better carry him up the gulch to the Devil's
+Causeway, and git out by that route," suggested one of the men.
+
+"Yeh! Let's call to Jeb to go back and meet we-all at the Cliffs so's we
+kin put him acrost one of the hosses."
+
+In half an hour, therefore, Mr. Ratzger, the senior member of the law
+firm of Riggley and Ratzger, of New York, was carried in front of the
+Rainbow Cliffs and placed in Jeb's arms, while another man led Jeb's
+horse carefully towards the ranch-house.
+
+"Ah, so these are Rainbow Cliffs, are they! Shall I ever forget them?
+Had Riggley listened to my advice we both would now be sitting in our
+comfortable office-chairs in New York. But no! he must needs try to
+force gold from a stone-wall!" As Ratzger sighed, Jeb remarked
+philosophically: "Ef _you_-all'd rather be sittin' at home than a
+galavantin' round places where money kin be found, Ah b'lieves it's the
+onny reason you-all is spared whiles your friend is locooed."
+
+Ratzger had never heard the term "locooed" so he was not quite sure what
+Jeb meant. But he was thankful that he had life enough left even to
+suffer with the broken arms and legs; for a trifle like that was not to
+be scorned when he might have been done for completely even as he feared
+old Riggley was.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE VICTORY
+
+
+Serenely oblivious of all the excitement that had been caused at Pebbly
+Pit by the accident, Tom Latimer drove Mr. Maynard and the happy
+betrothed pair back to the ranch. John and Anne sat on the back seat
+while Mr. Maynard sat beside Tom. Finding that John and his fiancee
+needed no assistance from him in entertaining themselves, Tom gave his
+full attention to the banker from Chicago.
+
+Hence, by the time they reached Rainbow Cliffs, Mr. Maynard was like the
+blood-hound when he scents a new trail--he was more than anxious to join
+these energetic men in financing the vast projects so well described by
+young Latimer.
+
+At the Cliffs Mr. Maynard placed a hand on the lines in order to stop
+the horses. He gazed and gazed, as if he saw the great walls covered
+with gold dollars instead of colored stones. Then he sighed and smiled
+at Tom.
+
+"This promises to be the luckiest thing I ever did--sending Nolla to
+Pebbly Pit for her health!"
+
+"And wait until you see Nolla! My, but she is rosy and roly now. And
+besides, Mr. Maynard, she is a born financier. I _love_ to listen to her
+plan and then see her work out her own schemes. She has one on the
+carpet at present, and I verily believe she will pull it off!" exclaimed
+Tom, very much interested in his subject.
+
+"Yes, that girl of mine is worth more to me than any gold-mine or other
+treasure in the world."
+
+"Oh, really! Well, this time 'listening fools heard some good of
+themselves'," laughed a merry voice from a crevice in the wall, and
+immediately afterwards, Eleanor sprang out, with Polly close upon her
+heels.
+
+The horses were stopped until Eleanor and her father had done with their
+hugging, and then she remembered to introduce him to Polly.
+
+"The very best chum in the world, Daddy, and so we have sworn never to
+be separated--not even for money, business, or love!" cried the happy
+girl, maternally patting Polly on the head as she spoke.
+
+Eleanor sat upon her father's knee and Polly sat upon the floor of the
+wagon, as they proceeded on their way, but when John called to his
+sister and asked what had been doing in his absence, she jumped up
+suddenly and exclaimed.
+
+"Oh! we forgot all about the two men who came this morning and fell over
+the edge of the gulch!"
+
+Then followed an excited and graphic description of the two New York
+lawyers who came to Pebbly Pit to buy the Cliffs. When John heard the
+names, he whistled and looked at Tom.
+
+"Well, even providence is on your side, Polly, for those two men are the
+rascals who tried to steal Evans' patent rights in the little machine
+that cuts the jewels. So this is the way they were received at Pebbly
+Pit, eh?" Tom mused silently after that, but John and Mr. Maynard asked
+all sorts of questions until they reached the house.
+
+In these isolated mountain ranches, almost every intelligent man can set
+broken bones, and take care of minor troubles; a doctor living in a town
+ten to twenty miles away, needs plenty of time to reach a ranch, in
+cases of illness, and during that time a patient must suffer agonies or
+be helped by home-aid. Thus, Mr. Ratzger had his bones set by Mr.
+Brewster and his assistants, and was left neatly bandaged upon a cot in
+the harness-room. But the other patient seemed past the simple aid from
+the ranchers, so Jeb had to ride to Oak Creek for a doctor to come and
+try to save this life.
+
+With all the sudden advent of excitement and work, the thought of Anne's
+engagement ring had not entered into any one's mind, but once the
+household had quieted down again, and Mr. Brewster could sit on the
+porch and mop his weary brow, John smiled knowingly at his fiancee.
+
+Mrs. Brewster caught the look and interpreted it instantly: "Oh, Anne,
+dear! We never asked you to show us the symbol!"
+
+"Yes, yes, Anne! Let me look!" cried Eleanor, jumping up from the grass
+where Polly and she had thrown themselves.
+
+Anne, with an embarrassed laugh, held forth her left hand and displayed
+a beautiful solitaire. "Ahhs!" and "Ohs" and other exclamations of
+admiration pleased John and Anne mightly, and both felt that this
+mundane life was really a Paradise.
+
+With one accord it had been agreed to postpone the talk of Rainbow
+Cliffs and Choko's Find until after supper that evening. By that time
+the doctor would have arrived and expressed an opinion about the injured
+Riggley, and see if Ratzger was doing nicely under the home-treatment
+given him.
+
+"Because it makes me feel rather guilty to talk over our future plans
+about this big combination, when we know that not far off are two men so
+fearfully injured on account of this very fortune," added Mrs.
+Brewster, when she heard the business talk would not take place at once.
+
+"As long as I am here and having such a wonderful rest, I would just as
+soon wait for Latimer and Evans to put in an appearance, before we
+discuss finances," said Mr. Maynard.
+
+"We'll have enough talk left over to warm up for them," remarked Tom,
+whimsically.
+
+"And we want to get you first, Dad, and see how much money you will put
+in. When there are too many men about to talk to at once, the force of
+our arguments will be scattered," declared Eleanor, nodding her head
+wisely.
+
+Every one laughed--the first hearty laugh since the accident on the
+shale-fields. And every one felt much better for that laugh.
+
+"I tell you what, boys, isn't this girl of mine a born business-brain?"
+added Mr. Maynard fondly patting Eleanor on the head.
+
+"Sure! That's why I am going to run the business end of Polly's and my
+company, while she supplies all the ideals and plans for the work,"
+asserted Eleanor.
+
+"What's this? Something new on your old Dad?" asked her father.
+
+"Not _very_ new; only since I came here and met Polly." Eleanor
+squirmed away from Polly's warning nip on the arm, and added: "You see,
+Dad, I am bound to go with Anne when she starts for New York to
+school--that has all been settled between us, hasn't it?"
+
+Mr. Maynard smiled indulgently as if to concede any proposition to this
+child, and Eleanor continued with more assurance:
+
+"And Polly, having all her hopes of attending school in Denver blasted
+by Anne and her mother going on to New York, now has decided that the
+only thing for her to do is to go with us to New York. It is a wonderful
+opportunity for her, too, as she is as determined to take up Interior
+Decorating for a profession, as I am. And where on earth can one find
+such store-houses of valuable lore on the subject, as right in New
+York!"
+
+Mr. Brewster cleared his throat preparatory to an objection but Eleanor
+kept right on talking fast and loud in order to down him.
+
+"After figuring the whole plan out, Polly and I find that we need a few
+years more of regular school under Anne's tuition; then a few years of a
+special course of decorating in a first-rate school in New York--then,
+if we are not _too_ old, we will go abroad for a visit to the art
+galleries in Europe. But we may have to give that delightful trip up
+and turn right into work, as we must not wait until old age cripples our
+abilities. So you see----"
+
+"Nolla, let me say a word, won't you?" began Polly, seeing her father's
+expression.
+
+"No, Poll, not now! I have said all I want to tell Dad about our future
+business connections, and it may influence him somewhat in going into
+our mine company. But now that he knows just what I shall do from now
+on, we can leave them to discuss matters while we go in and look over
+your wardrobe and see what you will need before going to New York."
+
+So saying, Eleanor dragged Polly up from her seat on the grass and, by
+dint of winks and tugs, made her understand that it was best for all
+concerned if they were well out of hearing.
+
+Tom, John, and Mr. Maynard laughed heartily at Eleanor's speech and
+manner of getting Polly away from an evident discussion. Mrs. Brewster
+and Anne exchanged concerned glances, but Sam Brewster moodily stared
+for a few minutes away at Rainbow Cliffs. Then quite suddenly, and to
+the great amazement of every one present, he laughed and said, "To think
+the new woman has acquired such power that centuries of accepted habit
+is set aside and the male has to fall in line _in the rear_. Look at me!
+I have been the Great Mogul in this family and in all Oak Creek, too,
+until my baby girl begins to talk plainly and then she quietly pushes me
+out of my place and steps into it.
+
+"And look at Eleanor Maynard! Talks like an experienced business
+potentate of forty--yet she is only fourteen. Oh, I tell you what,
+friends, we are living in a strange time!" And Sam Brewster laughed
+again, a queer-sounding laugh this. Every one sat still and dreaded to
+say a word. In a few moments, he continued:
+
+"Here's a wonderful freak of nature, been standing over there for ages
+untold; and I settle down beside those Cliffs because I can see there
+will be something in them for my children in days to come. But then,
+without warning, my baby grows suddenly up and rears her head, and
+declares 'Those Cliffs must furnish me with money to go away from here.
+I am of the new order of things, and I must be well prepared to meet my
+fate!' So she packs her kit and scampers off to New York to imbibe the
+higher education for women.
+
+"Meantime, her poor lonesome father remains behind in Pebbly Pit and
+takes charge of the complete blasting of his precious Rainbow Hopes. Ah
+well! Ah trust Polly will never regret going to New York with you-all!"
+
+As Sam Brewster sighed and got up to walk away, his wife remarked
+quietly: "Any one would think, Sam, that Polly was your very own
+personal property. If you could but remember that she has a mother who
+loves her devotedly and is silently breaking her heart right now, so
+that the child may follow her own life-line without foolish barriers
+placed in her pathway!"
+
+Mr. Brewster sent a startled glance at his wife and then hurried away to
+the barns. But Mr. Maynard said fervently: "There spoke the true mother,
+Mrs. Brewster. That is what we are parents for, I firmly believe--that
+we may help the next generation to a higher and firmer foot-hold on
+progress. If only there were more mothers like you!"
+
+Then John crept over and flung his arm over his mother's shoulders.
+"Yes, Mr. Maynard--she is great. And we shall live to call her
+'blessed,' for this temporary parting from Polly will soon be a dream of
+the past, and both father and mother will laugh at this talk!"
+
+Drawing Polly into the house, Eleanor whispered: "I know just what you
+are going to say, Goody-good! You were ready to explode because you had
+not told me any such things as I pretended you had. But, don't you see,
+I had to take lots of things for granted to put the plan over in a few
+seconds? Suppose I had started out with turning to you every few moments
+for approval, where would we have ended."
+
+"That's what _you_ think, Nolla, but let me tell you this much right
+here"--and Polly planted her feet firmly and lifted her head upon her
+proud neck, until Eleanor stood admiring her independence--"I can talk
+for myself, every time! Don't ever quote me again in any thing that I
+ever said or did. You may think it is all right because you win out on
+those grounds, and simply because you never have been taught properly by
+your mother. But _I_ know better and I won't accept any victory won on
+any other basis than a clear conscience. Ask Anne Stewart whether she
+does not agree with me on this point. Now let me tell you, that much as
+I had yearned to go to New York with you-all I cannot go because you
+took my personal rights from me. I love you and I was crazy to leave
+home to go to school, but I will never consent to have any one say or
+act for me, in any way, when I am perfectly able to do so for myself."
+
+"Oh, Poll! I don't mean it that way--don't you know I only did it to
+help you out?" cried Eleanor aghast at the turn in events.
+
+"Who asked you to help me out?" demanded Polly, her blue eyes emitting
+sparks of fire.
+
+"Why--wh--y--you see I had to win your father over!"
+
+"But _who_ told you so? You know very well that it was your own pride in
+your ability to _talk_ that made you take the bit between your teeth.
+But you will learn now, that I intend driving my own steed, and will not
+allow others to whip my mount!"
+
+Eleanor was silenced as she began to review the very recent talk she had
+given out on the terrace. Polly was right!
+
+"It hurts me to tell you this, Nolla, but it is best that we have a
+clean slate from this night on. You are awfully clever and witty, too,
+but you do exaggerate something terrible! I cannot sit tamely by and
+accept all the things you say of me and our plans. Why, we scarcely said
+a dozen words about college and Europe!"
+
+"But I did it all for your sake," was all Eleanor could offer in
+self-defense.
+
+"That's just it! I _will not_ have any one say they had to tell lies to
+help me along. If I can't paddle my own canoe through the rapids, I can
+go ashore. But I will balk every time another tries to turn me from the
+course I know to be my true one. So there!"
+
+"Polly dearest! Do you mean that after all I have done to get Dad here
+and win your father's consent to your going, that you refuse to leave
+home--just because I colored my words a bit too vividly?"
+
+"You can color your words as rashly and with as vivid colors as you
+choose, Nolla, but I say that when you begin to infer that the coloring
+is of _my_ choosing and that I am in hearty sympathy with the way you
+win out in matters, then I will balk and if necessary, deny it in the
+future. I _hate_ color when it is daubed on falsely!"
+
+Eleanor stood self-conscious of her mistakes, and Polly sent her one
+sorry look and then walked into her room. Eleanor did not dare follow as
+she was too awed by her friend's honest speech. And she admired Polly
+all the more for daring to tell her the unvarnished truth about her
+proclivity to prevaricate.
+
+"It always was my weak spot," grumbled Eleanor to herself, as she walked
+slowly to the kitchen to see if Sary was there to keep her company. But
+the big cool kitchen was empty, so the girl sat down in the wooden chair
+and thought.
+
+[Illustration: "WHO ASKED YOU TO HELP ME OUT?" DEMANDED POLLY.
+
+_Polly and Eleanor_ _Page 257_]
+
+"If I had had a different training maybe I wouldn't be so ready to lie,"
+murmured Eleanor. Then, suddenly sneering at herself she added: "Poor
+fish! Can't even accept what you know is a fact without trying to blame
+it on some one else. You've scorned Bob for being such a fool, but here
+you are, ten times worse, because you have wits enough yet you pervert
+the use of them. Eleanor Maynard, I just feel as if I wanted to give you
+the biggest hiding you ever heard of!"
+
+As she knew of no way in which to inflict this punishment upon herself,
+she cried instead. From a prolonged sniffle that caused her to wipe her
+eyes on her dimity sleeves, she began to weep freely. And finally,
+heart-broken sobs shook her slender frame. By this time her eyes and
+nose were rivers of salt-water and the poor girl had no handkerchief.
+Just when she felt compelled to turn up her skirt to use the ruffle of
+her white petticoat, Anne came in.
+
+"Why, Nolla! What has happened?"
+
+"Oo-h, Anne--I lost my handkerchief!"
+
+"Is that all, darling! Here use mine--It's clean. But don't cry over a
+trifle like that. It is sure to be somewhere about the place."
+
+Before Anne could dry the flooded eyes and hold the bit of white linen
+at Eleanor's nose, the girl broke into a merry laugh--so close were
+tears and laughter in Eleanor's makeup.
+
+"Oh, oh--Anne! I didn't mean _that_ that was what made me _cry_! But I
+am so disgusted with myself--that is why I am weeping. If some one would
+only whip me soundly, I would feel _so_ much better!"
+
+"Oh, I see! you're crying because you are so selfish, eh?"
+
+Eleanor looked up astonished. "Selfish--no, I want to be thrashed, you
+know."
+
+"And because you cannot get what you think you want, you sit out here
+and weep! Oh come, Nolla! come out on the terrace and let your Dad see
+how happy you are!"
+
+The very illumination that came with Anne's unexpected words choked the
+sobs in Eleanor's throat, and she meekly followed Anne to the pump where
+cold water was dashed upon her red eye-lids. As she dried her face on a
+clean towel that hung back of the door, she thought: "Yes, sir! Even in
+howling for a licking I was fooling myself into believing I was doing
+the right thing! Oh, Nolla, Nolla! how much you have to change your old
+ways of thinking and talking before you can feel as honest and wise as
+Anne Stewart or Polly!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+COMINGS AND GOINGS
+
+
+It was very late when the doctor reached the ranch, that night, and
+having examined the still unconscious man, pronounced his opinion to the
+men who had accompanied him from the house.
+
+"It's a bad concussion on the brain, I believe, following a slight
+fracture of the skull. He has suffered internal injuries, too, from the
+slight examination I can make here. But we can do nothing for him under
+these conditions. He ought to be in a hospital in Denver where an
+operation could take place."
+
+"Would it be a risk to try and carry him there?" asked John, anxiously.
+
+"He won't suffer during the trip, if that is what you mean, as he is
+unconscious of physical pain. And the sooner he could be operated upon
+the better. He will slowly pass away if left like this," returned the
+doctor.
+
+"But to-morrow's Sunday, John, and no trains run to Denver until Monday
+noon," said Tom Latimer.
+
+"There's the morning milk-train, you know," suggested the doctor. "If I
+explained the case, they would gladly take these men on and turn them
+over to the physicians at Denver."
+
+"Then we'd have to get them in to Oak Creek to-night," added Mr.
+Brewster.
+
+"You'd have to fix up some sort of hammocks in the wagon to spare the
+poor fellows any jolts. If it can be done, I will wait and ride back
+with them," said the doctor.
+
+"We'll turn the ranch inside out and upside down in order to help in any
+way," hastily asserted Mr. Brewster. Then turning to Jeb, who stood
+watching the scene, commanded him.
+
+"Jeb, get out the truck wagon--the one with the chestnut posts on either
+side--and hook up four of our best horses. While Jeb is doing that, we
+will get the two hammocks from the girls and fix up some sort of
+mattress in each. These hammocks can swing from the posts. I'll go with
+the doctor and see that no little thing is overlooked."
+
+"John and I thought of going in, Mr. Brewster, and if three are going,
+you would not have to take this trip to-night," said Tom.
+
+"W-ee-ll I would rather not use myself up in riding all night without
+being able to do any good to any one, if you young men will go in my
+place," Sam Brewster sighed.
+
+"An' Ah'll drive the four hosses, cuz, yuh know, it's no joke seein'
+ahead of th' hosses' noses along that trail in th' dark," announced Jeb,
+in a matter-of-course tone.
+
+"Jeb, if you would! It will be a great relief to know you are
+driving--you are such a wizard with a four-in-hand," exclaimed John,
+smiling suddenly at Jeb.
+
+"Wha--Ah hed no idee you-all diden know Ah was goin' t' do th' drivin',"
+returned Jeb, surprised at the others for their lack of comprehension.
+
+It was twelve o'clock that night when all was ready and the great wagon
+lumbered past the ranch-house. The women were all grouped on the porch,
+silently praying for the safe transportation of the unfortunate schemers
+from New York.
+
+"Ah don't suppose we will really know why these men came West until
+Latimer or Evans gets here to explain," said Mr. Brewster, as the
+remaining members of the family went indoors.
+
+"Didn't you look through the papers in that leather bag?" asked Mr.
+Maynard of his host.
+
+"No, not when Ratzger came to and told us who they were. I handed the
+bag to him and felt I had no right to pry into his secrets--especially
+as he acted so fearful of the contents of the wallet."
+
+"I suppose they hired those horses from Oak Creek," ventured Mrs.
+Brewster.
+
+"Doubtless; and I told John to make sure and then ask Ratzger what had
+best be done to settle for them. If the men have ample means they can
+pay the damages, but if they haven't, I will pay for them myself,"
+explained Mr. Brewster.
+
+"I don't see why you should! You had nothing to do with their hiring,
+nor with anything connected with this accident," said Mr. Maynard.
+
+"No, but folks here-abouts stick together more or less, and if one has a
+loss, the others generally help out. Now I can spare twenty horses from
+my corral sooner than have a friend in Oak Creek think I had something
+to do with his loss of two good saddle horses."
+
+"If every one thought and acted like that, Mr. Brewster, we would bring
+in the millennium without delay," Mr. Maynard remarked.
+
+"Ah feel happy to state that Ah will never defer the coming of that
+same millennium by any trifle like a few horses given away to a less
+fortunate friend."
+
+All that evening Polly and Eleanor were as cordial and chummy as ever to
+observers, but no one knew that the two girls had changed places. Only
+Anne knew that Eleanor had been in the kitchen weeping, and even she did
+not know the cause of the tears. She fancied there had been a girlish
+quarrel between the friends but that would soon be made up again. So she
+paid no further attention to the case.
+
+Eleanor felt humbled by the frank truth spoken by Polly, and realizing
+that it was absolutely as her friend had stated, she tried to impress
+upon Polly that she was repentant and would never again do or say a
+thing that might offend. Hitherto Eleanor had taken for granted that she
+was more experienced in every way than her simple little friend of the
+ranch; and without meaning to take the upper hand, had actually assumed
+that position, until she had reached the point where Polly rebelled
+against this friendly leadership.
+
+But after the fearless speech from Polly that afternoon, Eleanor
+comprehended how far behind she really was in this warfare between
+egotism and _egoism_. She began to understand that the first expressed
+stubbornness and selfishness which eventually would result in
+unhappiness for all concerned; while egoism meant exactly what Polly was
+trying to demonstrate for herself--that upright fearless stand for
+Truth, and the sacrifice of everything that interfered with the perfect
+working out of the highest good.
+
+Hence, without meaning to do so, and in fact, never realizing that it
+was so, Polly took the lead in everything after that day. When with her
+friend, Eleanor seldom exaggerated and never took the aggressive
+attitude again. And with others, she seemed to be developing a quieter
+and more lovable disposition. But her family and friends declared it was
+due to the fact that she was out-growing her tom-boy habits.
+
+Sunday morning was far spent before the family met under the oak trees
+for their first meal. Seeing how late it was, Mrs. Brewster and Sary
+decided to have but two meals that day--a combination breakfast and
+lunch and a good dinner and supper about five o'clock. The very unusual
+break in the habits of other Sabbaths, and the various causes that led
+to such a change, kept every one lounging quietly about the house and
+porch.
+
+Mr. Maynard took advantage of the restful hours, to ask Barbara just how
+much money she needed to defray her expenses in camp, with her mother.
+And in spite of her mentioning an exorbitant sum, he silently wrote out
+the check for her.
+
+Barbara had expected rebellion and so was prepared to argue that she
+needed a new wardrobe for such a select gathering, but finding her
+father had offered no resistance, she wished she had demanded much more.
+Had she but known that the only reason he gave her what she wanted, was
+the qualm of conscience he felt. He was really glad to have his daughter
+so eager to join her mother in the East, so that he would be relieved of
+the nagging and unhappiness he was always subjected to when his wife and
+oldest daughter were with him.
+
+But there was a sub-conscious reason, too, for his ready writing of the
+check. He was as eager to have Eleanor live with Anne and her mother in
+New York, as the girl was to go there. And this unexpected plan might
+meet with various objections from his wife if she dreamed of the extra
+cost it would be. As he seldom came to an open quarrel with Mrs.
+Maynard, he considered he was placating both wife and daughter by
+extending this generous sum of money for their pleasures. Should they
+offer strenuous objections against Eleanor's plan to live in New York,
+he would have one cudgel, at least, to use against them.
+
+The sinking sun was bathing Rainbow Cliffs in a glory of color before
+the echo of the lumbering ranch-wagon was heard sounding across the
+crater. Then every one ran out upon the terrace to watch the home-coming
+of the weary boys.
+
+"Was everything all right?" anxiously asked Mrs. Brewster, thinking of
+the two poor sufferers.
+
+"Oh yes; the hammocks served splendidly, but poor Ratzger groaned
+continually because of the pain in his limbs," sighed John.
+
+"And we had an awful job carrying them from the wagon to the milk-train.
+They both are corpulent men, you know," added Tom.
+
+"The docter went along widdem, to Denver," observed Jeb. "Gosh! Ah wisht
+Ah wuz a doctor, en Ah'd have gone, too. It wuz a free ride fer him,
+yuh-know."
+
+The humor of the remark made every one smile, and Jeb gazed from one to
+the other to find out just where he had been witty.
+
+"Never mind, Jeb; you and Sary are going to Denver, you know, for that
+ring," whispered Mrs. Brewster, aside to Jeb.
+
+"It ain't the same. Sary'll tote me aroun' jest whar she wants to go, en
+Ah have t' trot behin' her like a poodle!" grumbled Jeb.
+
+Mrs. Brewster understood immediately. It was the call of freedom to the
+male who is soon to be shackled, to have one last fling. So she
+whispered back: "I'll see that you get a few days off for a nice visit
+there all by yourself. Perhaps we can arrange to have you go with the
+girls and look after their luggage on their way to New York."
+
+At this unexpected offer of bliss, even if it was lonesome, Jeb grinned
+and shuffled away to drive the horses to the barns.
+
+As Jeb had to make another trip to meet the train on Monday noon at Oak
+Creek, he was only too glad when Tom announced that he was going, too,
+to meet his father and Dr. Evans.
+
+John and Anne found so much to say to each other before the separation
+came, that they were not to be seen all that day. Polly felt sure she
+would find them seated on the Imps at the Cliffs, if she wanted to take
+the trouble to walk there. But she didn't.
+
+Mrs. Brewster and Eleanor were together, talking over many pleasant
+secrets, or at least Polly thought they must be pleasant from the
+smiling countenance on her friend. Now and then she caught such words as
+"you know all about such things, Nolla," or Eleanor might say "she will
+be on top of the heap, if I know it, Mrs. Brewster," so it was evident
+that she, Polly, was the subject of their conversation. But Polly
+herself, felt little concern about it all, as she saw the forlorn
+expression on her father's face as he went about his ranch-duties.
+Finally she decided upon taking a radical step.
+
+She went to the room where she found her meager wardrobe displayed in
+every country-like detail. So this was what Eleanor was planning--a
+conquest made with fine clothes such as she had!
+
+"Mother," she began; "I have changed my mind about going to school. I
+have decided to remain here with father and you."
+
+"Oh, Poll! You just can't!" cried Eleanor.
+
+"Why this sad countenance, daughter, if you believe you will be happier
+here than away?" countered Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Because I am as miserable as Daddy about leaving."
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed merrily, albeit she felt no joy in her soul. "Then
+the sooner we dispel this gloom by packing you off, the better. I
+haven't the slightest doubt but that you will wonder at your present
+attitude, the moment John and Tom have gone. Once let every young person
+leave us here all alone for the long solitary winter, and you will eat
+your heart out to think that you could have been so mistaken as to
+refuse this wonderful opportunity to make something of yourself and your
+wealth."
+
+Polly knew in her heart that her mother spoke the truth, but she never
+dreamed what it cost that mother to speak cheerily as she did about her
+only girl's going--in fact, almost persuading her to go. For that wise
+mother had heard the yearnings in Polly's voice the day she spoke so
+daringly of all her ambitions and of her future. And she understood that
+this transitory spell of regret was merely the contagion of Mr.
+Brewster's woe-be-gone thoughts and behavior.
+
+"I'll get after Sam, and that good and plenty!" thought Mrs. Brewster to
+herself, as she watched Polly with keen understanding.
+
+"Poll, your mother says Anne is to get every last dud you need in the
+swellest shops in New York. Because you and I will have plenty of money
+for our future, and we must dress up to our station. Your mother said
+our success in business would be influenced, to a great extent, by our
+careful consideration of apparel. She is right."
+
+"But, mother, you said to me, one time, that clothes should never occupy
+a woman's mind," Polly said, wonderingly.
+
+"I was right in saying so. I do not believe in having anything so
+perishable as dress occupying anybody's mind. But that does not mean
+that you should become careless of your appearance nor wear cheap and
+vulgar apparel. I always felt that an individual expresses his own
+position in life by the clothes he selects and wears. It is generally a
+key to one's character. You will find that any one who has slip-shod
+apparel, is careless in everything else in life, and one who dons gaudy
+attire--cheap and destructible--will soon show you how small a nature he
+has. The same with well-selected refined apparel; one garbed in the
+best, no matter how many seasons they may have to wear the articles,
+will prove reliable and conscientious in other ways.
+
+"Oh, I never dreamed this would end up in a sermon!" Mrs. Brewster
+suddenly laughed, and then she whisked from the room.
+
+The new arrivals came at sun-down, and every one was eager to welcome
+Tom's father, and his friend Dr. Evans. Both men were made to feel at
+home, and as the dinner had been kept waiting for the past half-hour,
+Sary lost no time in shouting for every one to "setdown."
+
+Smiles on every face, was the rule at that meal, and no one dreamed that
+Mrs. Brewster had given her spouse the worst "Dressing down" he had had
+since they were married. He laughingly referred to it later on, and
+confessed that now he knew where Polly got her "woman's rights" idea, so
+unexpectedly betrayed the day she stood up for herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR START OUT
+
+
+"Now let us hear all about those two strangers from New York?" Mr.
+Brewster reminded his new guests, as they strolled away from the table.
+
+"Well, it was as much a shock for us to find that they had been here and
+were now at a hospital in Denver, as it was for you to learn who they
+were," replied the doctor.
+
+"I suspected some crooked work last week, but I must say that I never
+thought they would come out here on such a meager chance," added Mr.
+Latimer. "You see, it was this way: I had a rascal employed in my office
+as clerk, but I never knew that he was in constant touch with Riggley &
+Ratzger--in fact was their stool-pigeon. He was a clerk in our offices
+just to get daily information about patents. And thus the other firm got
+hold of many tips.
+
+"When the Court upheld us in our rights, and this firm of crooks tried
+in other ways to get that valuable patent and model, this clerk Brown
+made an accurate blue-print of the drawing we always kept locked in our
+safe. Then when he heard of our success in cutting the lava-jewels from
+the material sent us from Pebbly Pit, he did everything to locate this
+ranch.
+
+"Had we wasted any time in planning to come West and meet you people
+here, I doubt not but that Riggley & Ratzger would have had a new scheme
+to hold us up. But we moved so swiftly after hearing from Kenneth and
+Tom, that they had to catch breath to keep up in the race.
+
+"I am convinced that they hurried here with no set plans about the
+future--they wanted to get a hold on this place so as to try and bar us
+from immediate work, or perhaps, to make a fortune out of us by selling
+their option to us. They never dreamed that Latimer had a son right
+here, and that there was a deeper cause for our meeting you all than
+mere business reasons. Had either of these lawyers known about Montresor
+and that mine, they would not have spent so much time and money to get
+here to outwit us.
+
+"It is fortunate that the doctor kept those letters at home where Brown
+could not read and copy them for his firm of rascals. But, to tell the
+truth, that was one reason why Dr. Evans was so anxious to meet
+you-all. We want to hear everything about the old man and that claim."
+
+As Mr. Latimer finished speaking, Dr. Evans said: "If you will pardon
+me, a moment, I have here a photograph taken of my brother-in-law just
+before he left for the Klondike. Perhaps you will recognize something in
+the face to assure us it was your Montresor."
+
+The doctor took out his large flat pocket-book and removed the
+card-photograph wrapped in tissue paper. This was passed to Sam
+Brewster, who needed but a glance to tell him that the pictured face was
+the same man that he had defended so valiantly to others.
+
+Polly ran over to her father's side and took the picture. "Oh, you dear
+old friend--it is our Old Man Montresor, sure enough, but his hair was
+white when we knew him!" she exclaimed.
+
+She impulsively kissed the senseless card, and every one smiled
+sympathetically, even though there was a suspicion of moisture in most
+eyes.
+
+"I am so glad to find that he had good friends, somewhere, even though
+he was too proud to let any one know about his relatives. And Ken! I'm
+so glad to know that he, and you people, will all come in on Choko's
+Find--or to be exact, it is Montresor's Mine," said Polly.
+
+"That's going to be a fine tangle in law, Polly," remarked Mr. Latimer.
+"You see, Montresor made you his sole heiress, so the mine is yours, not
+only by inheritance, but also by rediscovery after it was lost in the
+first land-slide.
+
+"We stopped at Simms' office to-day--that is what made us late--and
+learned, without a doubt, that the two claims are the same. As it now
+stands, Polly and her friends are claim-jumpers on the same claim that
+Montresor bequeathed to Polly a few years ago. And should you all go to
+law over the tangle, the State of Colorado would benefit, in-as-much as
+the costs of an endless suit would fill the State coffers." Mr. Latimer
+laughed at the picture of such a thrilling law-tangle for his
+unraveling.
+
+"But we are not going to law, and if that gold is mine so that no one
+else has any right to say what I can, or cannot do with it, I shall do
+what I always planned to do with it--even before Nolla and I found it
+again. I made up my mind that if ever one of dear old Montresor's
+relatives appeared I would go halves. And if they wanted the whole
+thing--then they could take it, rather than fight for it. So now I am
+going to give half to your wife, right off, Doctor, and my other half I
+will divide with the girls who were with me when we located it again."
+Polly was magnificent in her earnest generosity.
+
+"Why, Miss Polly, my wife would never accept half of it. Ken wrote
+something of what you told him, and Mrs. Evans told me to be sure to
+tell you that you _cannot_ give half away. Besides, the fact that I will
+have so many friends willing to invest money in this device of mine, is
+better than all the gold in the Rockies. The jewel-cutter is now an
+assured success, and it will turn out dollars like a sausage grinder
+turns out that toothsome breakfast meat."
+
+Every one laughed at the doctor's funny comparison, and he continued:
+"However, let us hear from Tom and the others, how they managed to get
+down into the cave if it was buried under such mountains of trash."
+
+"Oh, yes, John! You promised to tell us the moment Mr. Latimer and the
+doctor arrived," cried Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+So without preamble, John began: "When Mike had made a temporary camp
+for us on Top Notch, he tried to show Tom and me just where the cave had
+been. But none other than a clever Indian scout could ever have found
+one familiar sign anywhere. Even Mike had to hunt and dig and trail
+around, again and again, before he gave a war-whoop.
+
+"To cut it short, I will say, we found that the ravine upon which the
+cave opened, was completely filled with trash and, in fact, there were
+many feet of earth and timber on top of the ledge so that it would need
+a great deal of digging and blasting before we could hope to enter that
+cave again.
+
+"But Tom and I had not been lazy during the time Mike was seeking for
+some sign to locate the cave. And after we learned how impossible it was
+to enter the mine at that side where the girls had gone in, Tom and I
+took scientific observations with our instruments, and finally, after
+tiresome days, found a rushing river that gushed from some underground
+source.
+
+"We immediately remembered the pit Polly had told us of, and the rushing
+sound of waters she had heard when leaning over the edge of the pit, so
+we decided that here we had found the outlet.
+
+"We could not determine how far the river traveled underground from the
+pit, until it came out in the open again, but we got Mike to come with
+us, and, daring fellow that he is, he crept into the tunnel that hooded
+the stream. We tried to dissuade him from taking such a risk, but he
+grinned and said: 'Mike like fun.'
+
+"When he returned, half an hour later, he made us understand that we
+might follow quite safely. My! But that was some thrill, eh, Tom?"
+laughed John, shivering delightfully at the reminiscence.
+
+Tom laughingly admitted that it was a "hair-raiser" and John continued:
+"We managed to cling to the narrow ledge of rock that was less than a
+foot above the turbulent water, and even that must have been submerged
+most of the time, as it was damp and slippery. Mike said the recent
+land-slide had had some effect on lowering the water-line of the river
+and that was what left the rock exposed.
+
+"We crept slowly along this foot-hold and soon realized that we were
+nearing some suction-hole. Mike explained that it was the very tube that
+rose to the rocky floor where Polly knelt that day. I couldn't see where
+this journey was going to benefit us, but Mike knew.
+
+"Reaching the tube that slanted upwards, so that we could see roots and
+stubborn vines growing out of its rocky walls, we also discovered that
+we had a flat space of more than six feet square on which we were
+standing. Now Mike demonstrated what he proposed doing. All our
+threats, persuasions, and anger, left no impression. He smiled.
+
+"He made us understand that he was about to scale the wall by means of
+those roots and vines. Should he miss and fall, the rope he tied about
+his body would keep him from being swept down into the current. He gave
+us the end of the rope to fasten to our waists. When he arrived at the
+top, he would draw us up, one after the other.
+
+"He managed to land on top, but I'll have to tell you-all some other
+time, all that happened before we reached the underground cave where the
+gold was shining from walls and ceiling. It is exactly as Polly
+described it, and we picked up a number of nuggets that were found in
+the dust of ages on the stone floor, and then tried to take scientific
+observations. Tom took a flash-light of the cave, and we had it
+developed, but it was not a howling success. Still, it shows something
+of the interior.
+
+"When we got back to open air again, we noticed the vast mountain-top
+that sat down upon that gold-mine. This would have to be removed if we
+mined from the top. But I believe we can manage to work in through that
+tunnel and secure the gold by means of lifts in that tube. This is a
+matter of discussion. The gold is there and it can be gotten out, just
+so long as Old Grizzly will behave."
+
+There was a general chorus of sighs when John had concluded his story,
+and as technical matters were taken up by the men, and in this the girls
+were not interested, they wandered away to enjoy the twilight.
+
+During the days that followed, Barbara left Pebbly Pit, with no regrets
+on her part, and not very many on the part of her summer companions. She
+was not in her rightful place on a ranch, and every one was honest
+enough to admit it. But now she was going to join "her own" and she was
+happy.
+
+Tom and John were the next to leave the happy circle at the ranch. But
+not until all plans about the incorporating of the two companies were
+perfected. Each man present at that meeting, signing up liberally to
+supply the money to launch the two big enterprises.
+
+The evening before John and Tom were to go back to their engineering
+work with their old Crew, Polly and Eleanor were out on the terrace with
+Tom, talking eagerly of the plans made for mining the ore from Choko's
+Find. From this subject it was quite natural for the girls to launch
+the subject of their anticipated winter in New York City.
+
+"I suppose you two girls will see quite a little of Jim and Ken, when
+you arrive in New York," ventured Tom, wistfully (or so it seemed to
+romantic Eleanor).
+
+"They said so; Jim says New Haven is not so far from New York but that
+the two of them--I mean the boys not the cities," laughed Polly--"may be
+able to visit us every week-end. That will be great fun for us, won't
+it, Tom?"
+
+"I suppose so. I wonder if John would care for you to see so much of the
+two boys as you plan to," replied Tom, suggestively.
+
+"Oh, John won't care! Why should he?" retorted Polly.
+
+"Why _shouldn't_ he? He's your brother and you are growing up to be a
+young lady, Polly; you must think of appearances, you know," said Tom.
+
+Polly laughed merrily. "Why, Tom! One would think you were concerned
+about my future, the way you preach. Just like Daddy does."
+
+Eleanor interpreted the speech to suit herself and watched Tom's
+expression closely. Tom frowned at Polly's laugh and bit his lip to
+restrain himself from further preachings.
+
+"Besides," added Polly, in a few moments, "Jim is your own kid brother,
+and Ken is his pal. You-all say Ken is a jewel of a boy, so why should I
+worry about appearances' sake when I am with them?"
+
+Tom refused to reply to her question, and Polly quickly forgot his
+strange remark. But Eleanor thought over various little incidents of the
+past few days, and finally decided to make a radical move for Tom.
+
+"I'm going indoors, for a minute, children--will you excuse me?" said
+she, starting to leave the two alone.
+
+"With the greatest of pleasure!" declared Tom, laughingly, to Eleanor.
+
+Eleanor tossed her saucy head and winked at Tom as she ran away. Tom
+flushed and wondered just what Eleanor thought or what she had tried to
+make him understand by that wink.
+
+The moment Eleanor had gone Tom turned to Polly and said: "Shall we walk
+to the Cliffs and have a last look at the jewels in this glorious
+moonlight?"
+
+"Oh no!" cried Polly, nervously, as she glanced at Tom's facial
+expression, and thought of the tremble in his voice as he spoke.
+
+"All right, then; but I thought you would want to remember just how
+they looked, to-night. When you are in that crowded city of rush and
+hustle, it would be a pleasant memory."
+
+"Eleanor and I are going to get a snap-shot of them, to-morrow, after
+you boys are gone," explained Polly, in a matter-of-fact tone.
+
+Tom smothered a sigh and was trying to think of some other excuse to
+coax Polly away from the nearness of the house, when Mr. Maynard and Mr.
+Latimer strolled over to join the two young people. Polly turned to them
+with a smiling welcome but Tom gnashed his teeth in impatience at their
+untimely intrusion.
+
+The two men immediately began speaking of the projects for the
+incorporated companies and demanded so much of Tom's attention that
+Polly managed to glide away and go back to the house. This ended Tom's
+first attempt at romance with Polly, and it was evident that he disliked
+the interruption.
+
+After Mr. Maynard, Mr. Latimer, and Dr. Evans had gone, it was Anne
+Stewart's turn to say good-by. She was going to Denver to see that her
+mother wound up all their private affairs, and there she would await the
+coming of Eleanor and Polly.
+
+After Anne had gone, Mrs. Brewster took Polly and Eleanor to her room
+and sat down to have a confidential talk with the girls. To her surprise
+Polly found all her ranch-dresses and other apparel bundled up in a
+loose roll with a rope tied about it.
+
+"Why, mother! How can I take my clothes to New York that way?" asked
+she, having studied the bundle wonderingly for a time.
+
+Mrs. Brewster laughed. "You're not. These are going to some poor
+ranchers' children over at Yellow Jacket Pass."
+
+"But, mother!" gasped Polly. "I haven't anything left to wear in New
+York!"
+
+"That's what I wish to tell you about, Polly. Now listen to what I have
+already told Eleanor who knows about these things better than we do."
+
+Then Mrs. Brewster proceeded to instruct Polly as Eleanor had suggested
+previously.
+
+"I know how foolish it appears to you, Polly, to give much thought to
+clothes, because at home on the ranch it matters so little what the
+style is. But once you are in New York, or any other large city where
+all kinds of people are to be found, your appearance makes a great
+difference. You are not to take any of your home-made ranch clothes with
+you, Polly--not even on the train after you leave Denver. I am going to
+purchase a neat tailor-made suit at Denver for you to wear, and your
+old suit I shall bring back home.
+
+"When you reach New York Anne and Eleanor have my orders to attend to
+your shopping the very first thing. I want you to go to the very best
+and most exclusive shops on Fifth Avenue above Forty-second street for
+all you need--and many accessories that you think you do not need,
+Polly.
+
+"Remember this, dear, the tag of the maker of your apparel is not the
+only important mark of an exclusive shop--the principal mark is the cut
+and style, and these high-grade shops turn out hats, coats and gowns
+which the other shops endeavor in vain to imitate. That is why one can
+be recognized in a way by the clothes they wear. And that is why I
+insist upon your having the best.
+
+"Another thing I know to be true, is this: Girls at school (and I feel
+sure the girls at your exclusive school in New York City will do so)
+judge others by the maker of their clothes. You will have no heart-aches
+if your clothes have the best maker's name inside. It sounds small,
+Polly, but it really is a serious matter when you come in contact with
+small-minded girls or adults.
+
+"Anne carries the check-book, Polly, and Eleanor carries the social
+experience in dressing as becomes a young lady of the best society. You
+must remember you are that and so you must never be ashamed of your
+apparel. When one is so clothed that one need not think of dress, or any
+apology for what they have on, one is at ease and forgets about such
+trifles. That is one good argument for having the best, Polly--one
+forgets oneself."
+
+Polly listened to her mother's wise remarks with serious expression, but
+Eleanor sat and nodded her head approvingly whenever Mrs. Brewster made
+a point that pleased the girl. When Mrs. Brewster paused for a moment,
+Eleanor spoke eagerly.
+
+"My! Won't I just make the gold from Choko's Find mine fly when I select
+the wardrobe for our Polly!"
+
+"You can't spend something you never had," laughed Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"But we _will_ have it, some day, soon," retorted Eleanor.
+
+"Well, then, I'll spend it when we get it, not till then!" exclaimed
+Polly, practically.
+
+"There speaks the logical one," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Polly will have more than enough in the bank to defray all bills while
+in New York, Nolla, without borrowing from the mine."
+
+At last came the day when Polly had to say good-by to her beloved pets
+on the ranch. Dear little Noddy followed her about and would not be
+separated from her. It was as if the burro knew her beloved mistress was
+leaving home. And so heart-broken was Polly to realize that she would
+not see her Noddy again for almost a year, that she took the woolly head
+in her arms and kissed the cold nose in a fond farewell.
+
+Eleanor stood by and dabbed her eyes with her fist at sight of such
+affection, but she had to laugh when Noddy tried to return that kiss.
+Her red tongue was long and supple and Polly was taken by surprise when
+it curled about her ear.
+
+And then at last! Well, Sary refused absolutely to be left at home when
+she found Jeb was going with the family to help Polly carry the bags.
+"What," she exclaimed to Mrs. Brewster the night before, "you-all mus'
+think Ah'm empty-headed to let Jeb go t' Denver alone. Ah've hearn say
+how gals go about them streets lookin' fer a handsome young beau!
+No-siree! Ef Jeb goes, Ah goes too!" And she went!
+
+Sary furnished endless amusement to the Brewster group as the train
+sped on its way from Oak Creek to Denver. Polly was the only one in the
+circle who paid little attention to the excited woman, for Polly had all
+she could do to keep down her own nervous excitement because of the
+wonders of the first train-ride she had ever had.
+
+"Ah d'clar' to goodness, Missus Brewster, is this business runnin'
+away?" exclaimed Sary, after the local had started from Oak Creek.
+
+Mrs. Brewster sat in front of Sary who, with Jeb, occupied the last seat
+in the coach. The chosen seat was Jeb's plan; although he did not
+explain to any one that he figured out it would be much better to be
+near the door in case one had to make a quick exit. Trains _did_ run off
+their tracks, and also there might be a collision. He had heard folks
+talking of these dreadful accidents.
+
+When Sary addressed her mistress with a tone of anxiety in her voice,
+Mrs. Brewster turned her head and smiled reassuringly as she replied:
+
+"Oh, no, Sary! The train hasn't really started to go, as yet. Wait until
+we get past these little local stations, then you shall see."
+
+"Wall, Ah don't know ez Ah wants to ride any faster. Ef the driver could
+slow up a bit we-all could enjy the country views better," said Sary.
+
+Eleanor giggled and nudged Polly but Polly turned a serious face to her
+friend. "Nolla, I think the same as Sary--I'd rather go slower."
+
+"Good gracious, Polly, are _you_ frightened, too?" exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"No, but I want to remember every inch of this grand country if I am to
+stay in New York for many months, you see."
+
+Eleanor understood, and left Polly to her silent work of impressing her
+mind with the views she wished to remember, later; Sary would provide
+enough entertainment for Eleanor during the trip to Denver.
+
+"Jeb, what you-all clutchin' at my arm like-as-how you are?" now asked
+Sary, in no weak or tender voice.
+
+"Ah ain't clutchin' nothin', Sary!" was Jeb's defense of his manhood.
+
+"Ah don't know what you call it, then. Sit up like a regular traveler,
+Jeb, and don't slump in the seat like-as-how your head wants to duck
+from some crash," declared Sary, heroically trying to lift Jeb's courage
+by gripping his coat collar and hoisting him almost out of his badly
+fitting coat.
+
+Eleanor smothered a laugh but said nothing to disturb the vaudeville she
+was enjoying. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster were talking earnestly about the
+future of their daughter.
+
+Suddenly Polly cried thrillingly: "Oh, look, everybody! We're coming to
+a torrent, and the train won't slow up!"
+
+Sary instantly turned to the window and saw what seemed to be an
+unavoidable end of all earthly things, so she half rose from the seat
+and grabbed Jeb in her ample embrace. "Ef we go, we goes together, Jeb!"
+
+Her voice, never soft and melodious, now rose above the whistle of the
+engine just as it reached the high bridge over the stream. Jeb's small
+head was completely hidden by the unexpected protection thrust upon him,
+but Eleanor had no idea of thus missing the pleasure of watching Jeb's
+face when the train should cross the bridge.
+
+"Look--look, Jeb and Sary! We're riding over the water!" she cried.
+
+Thus induced, Sary left Jeb's head to its fate and quickly sought the
+cause of Eleanor's excitement. The amazing experience of being on a
+vehicle that glided directly over a rushing stream of water while there
+was no apparent land to uphold the vehicle, held Sary and Jeb
+spell-bound.
+
+When the train reached land, once more, and was steaming along its way,
+Sary sighed audibly and whispered to Jeb: "Did you-all ever know sech
+doin's went on when one traveled?"
+
+But Jeb was too surprised to make a sound. He sat and stared from the
+small window of the car without even having heard his fiancee's words.
+
+The conductor had passed through the car many times since the Brewster
+family boarded the train, and when the last local station had been left
+behind and he had punched all the tickets of the passengers on that
+trip, he entered the car and sat upon the arm of the seat just opposite
+Sam Brewster, in order to converse with the man every one about Oak
+Creek knew so well.
+
+Having no stops to make for a long stretch, and the track running on a
+level line for many miles, the engineer increased the speed of his
+engine with corresponding results in Sary's anxiety. She stepped over
+Jeb's obstructing feet and made madly for the conductor, taking that
+worthy man quite by surprise.
+
+"See here, Mr. Boss, Ah ain't going to pay fer no ticket to ride on a
+runaway injun! It's your job to get up front and see what's ailin' this
+car. Ef it's locooed you'd better cut loose from th' injun--come along!"
+
+And before the amazed conductor or Mr. Brewster could resist or
+explain, Sary had the man by the shoulder and was actually lifting him
+along the aisle towards the door.
+
+"Hi, there, Sary! Stop that!" shouted Sam Brewster, jumping up and
+trying to rescue the poor victim from Sary's mighty hold.
+
+"Ain't it so, Mister Brewster? We-all paid good money fer this joy-ride,
+an' we-all ain't got nothin' from it but jumpin' nerves, so far!"
+
+Every one but the poor conductor laughed heartily at Sary's complaint.
+But Mr. Brewster persuaded Sary to loose her prisoner and let him
+collect his scattered senses; when the shaken man was able to once more
+think reasonably, he gave Sary one look and disappeared from that coach,
+nor did he venture his head inside the door again, until he had to take
+up all the tickets.
+
+The eventful trip finally ended when the local pulled into Denver
+station; the Brewster party lost no time in leaving the train and
+threading a way through the crowds at the waiting-room. They were to go
+directly to Anne Stewart's house where luncheon would be waiting for
+them.
+
+"Well, friends! glad to see you!" called Anne, as she welcomed the
+travelers. "Come right in and meet mother."
+
+Introductions over, Mrs. Stewart led the way to the cozy little
+dining-room where the table was ready-spread for the luncheon.
+
+"I didn't pretend to provide much, Mrs. Brewster," explained Mrs.
+Stewart, "because, you see, the house is rented furnished for two years
+and I could not leave a pan full of soiled dishes and crumbs of food
+about for my new tenant to clear away. Of course, the lady is an old
+neighbor of mine, and would understand how hurried we are to-day in
+order to get off on the afternoon train for New York; still I never like
+to do things wrong."
+
+"Now see here, Miss Stewart," declared Sary who had over-heard the
+remark, "you-all jes' go along to the cars an' leave me to do up the
+work."
+
+"No, Sary, this is your great holiday in Denver," contradicted Mrs.
+Brewster, "and Jeb wants to fit that engagement ring on your finger, you
+know; after lunch, you get away with Jeb and see the city while I do up
+the dishes and help Mrs. Stewart dress and get ready to leave."
+
+That was a merry although hurried luncheon. Immediately after the cake
+and tea were finished, Jeb and Sary started away to hunt the ring; but
+many were the admonitions sent after them as they left the door, to be
+on hand at the railway terminal to see Polly and her friends off for
+New York.
+
+Mrs. Brewster and her husband cleared away the remains of the luncheon
+while Mrs. Stewart and Anne completed their packing and dressed for the
+long trip to the East. Everything in connection with the lease and the
+inventory of furniture had been attended to before this day, so there
+were really no errands or work left to be done at the last.
+
+Finally Mrs. Stewart locked the door and gave the key to a next-door
+neighbor who had offered to keep it until the tenant called for it; then
+good-bys were said to the congregated friends of Anne and her mother's,
+and at last the party started for the station where the New York train
+was scheduled to leave at five o'clock.
+
+"Dear me, I do hope Sary and Jeb will be there on time," sighed Mrs.
+Brewster, with a worried frown.
+
+"Don't worry about them, Mah, because I'll say they have been waiting
+for us this last hour," laughed Sam Brewster.
+
+"Sary wouldn't give Jeb a moment's peace until she got that ring," added
+Anne Stewart, laughingly, "and once she had it she would never give him
+another moment's peace until she had shown it to every one of us!"
+
+"Anne's right, mother," giggled Polly, nodding her head wisely.
+
+And so it turned out. When the Brewster party reached the station in
+Denver, and before Sam Brewster could seek for his two servants Sary
+shouted so that every one at that end of the building heard her.
+
+"Here we-all be, Mr. Brewster! Jeb an' me's be'n lookin' out fer you-all
+this last hour! Come right on, and see mah ring!"
+
+Eyes turned in the direction of the voice and there stood Sary, perched
+upon one of the benches in order to look over the heads of the people
+who stood about in groups or who kept going and coming through the
+station. She was waving her hand wildly to attract the attention of her
+party. Eleanor laughed so hysterically at the sight that she could
+hardly stand, but Polly dragged her along after the others until they
+reached Sary and Jeb.
+
+"Ah d'clar' to goodness, folks! This city is one big camp, all right!"
+vouchsafed Jeb, his eyes wide enough to pop at the great adventure.
+
+"Don't you-all go talkin' of sech things, Jeb, when we-all got more
+important things to do," was Sary's scathing criticism, as she gave Jeb
+a shove to quiet him. "Here--jest you-all look at this diamond! Three
+times bigger'n Anne Stewart's! Pull off that glove, Anne, and le's see
+mine and your'n side by side!" exclaimed Sary, eagerly.
+
+Anne laughed but complied with the challenge. Two hands were compared--a
+small white hand with polished nails and with a sparkling diamond
+shining upon the third finger of the left hand, and a large-boned red
+hand with stubby nails on the fingers, but one finger displaying a great
+Rhinestone set so high that it would have been a menace had Sary tried
+to use her fist on an enemy. Jeb stood by grinning widely at the praise
+bestowed upon him for his choice of the largest stone in the department
+store.
+
+"Cost some cash, that stone, eh Jeb?" chuckled Sam Brewster.
+
+"Bet chure life, Boss!" was Jeb's snappy reply.
+
+Eleanor now pulled Sary's head down in order to whisper into her ear.
+"Sary, when you get back to Pebbly Pit, Mrs. Brewster will give you a
+pile of finery I left for your trousseau. You will be delighted to get
+the laces and other trimmings for your hope-box."
+
+"Ah, Nolla, won't ah, jest! An' when Ah comes to Noo York to see
+you-all, you won't know me in my fine togs!" was Sary's eager reply.
+
+"Oh! were you expecting to come, Sary?" Eleanor asked.
+
+"Shure thing, Nolla. Onct Ah'm married Ah'm goin' to travel every year!"
+exclaimed Sary.
+
+"New York's a long way off from here, Sary," ventured Eleanor.
+
+"Oh, Ah don't mean to say Jeb an' me'll go thar fust. Ah'm goin' to
+figger on takin' a side trip to Chicargo fust, you know. Mebbe you kin
+fix it so's we-all kin visit your maw whiles we-all stop at that town,
+Nolla. An' nex' time we-all kin go on to Noo York, like-as-how Ah said."
+
+Eleanor caught her breath at this astounding news. The picture of
+Barbara and her mother receiving Sary and Jeb proved too much for her
+risibles and she laughed merrily as she replied to Sary's announcement.
+
+"Sary, if Jeb and you _would_ honor our house with a visit, I'd tell
+Daddy to look after you-all. But you must let me know, first, so my
+father can meet you two and see that you are shown about in true style."
+
+"Nolla, that Ah will, when we-all get time to go thar. Ah says to
+mahself, jest the other day, Ah ain't never had no fun or chanct to
+better mahself, Ah says: 'Sary Dodd, when you get Jeb you plan to go
+about like-as-how Anne Stewart is doin'.' Nolla, thar ain't nuthin' like
+a bit of travel to polish folks up, is thar now?"
+
+"You're right, Sary! Just exactly right," laughed Eleanor.
+
+But Sam Brewster was now heard calling Eleanor that the train was ready
+and the gates were opened, so Sary caught Jeb by his sleeves and
+followed after the others when the entire group started for the New York
+train.
+
+One would think, to hear Sary's excited tones, that she was about to
+take the long, long journey from which there is no returning; but once
+Anne Stewart and her charges were aboard the long Pullman train, the
+ones who remained behind stood upon the platform waiting for the girls
+to find their compartments and open the windows in order to converse
+until the last moment.
+
+Sam Brewster went over to a guard and asked several questions, then he
+hurried back and said to his party: "We can go aboard for a few minutes,
+as the train will not pull out for seven or eight minutes. Do you care
+to see how Polly will be located for the trip?"
+
+With motherly concern Mrs. Brewster followed her husband, and in order
+to be experienced when that trip east was to be taken, Sary dragged Jeb
+after the Brewsters.
+
+"Wall, suh!" breathed Sary, when Eleanor demonstrated where the beds
+were hidden, and what the push buttons were for, and how the window
+shades ran up or down on springs! She could hardly believe her eyes when
+she was told about the convenience of modern traveling.
+
+"All out not going East!" came a loud call from the colored porter at
+the end of the Pullman, so Sam Brewster turned and hugged Polly until
+she almost choked.
+
+"Come out, Sary--bring your man!" ordered Sam Brewster in a harsh tone,
+madly dabbing his eyes with a fist, as he left Polly to her mother.
+
+"Jeb, Jeb! Come along--er we-all'll get taken along the trip!" cried
+Sary, excitedly, trying to force Jeb ahead of her as she stumbled out of
+the Pullman after Mr. Brewster.
+
+The sight of big Sary urging little Jeb out to safety was so funny that
+every one had to laugh in spite of tears at the parting, so that Sary
+actually accomplished a great thing--she turned the sadness at Polly's
+leaving her parents into a merry laughing scene for every one.
+
+Once the four who were to remain behind were on the platform again, the
+four in the Pullman gazed from their windows. Polly suddenly remembered
+one last order about her ranch-home.
+
+"Paw, don't you or Jeb ever forget to do for Noddy just what I would do
+if I was home," was her choking command.
+
+"No danger, Poll! Little Noddy will be my own pet charge, now. It's all
+Ah will have at the old crater to tell me about you!" called Sam
+Brewster as the conductor signaled the engineer to start the engine.
+
+At this crucial moment Jeb remembered an important letter with which he
+had been intrusted. He made a wild search in his pockets and as the
+train slowly pulled away from the Brewster group, he found it. He gazed
+distractedly at the car window where Polly's face was flattened against
+the wire-netting, then instant action possessed him. His faculties began
+to exert themselves.
+
+"Hey, there! Mister Conductor, stop that car 'cause Ah got a big fat
+letter for Polly!" Jeb shouted with all the power his small frame could
+produce in such a hurry, but the conductor heard him not.
+
+"Stop that car! Oh, jumpin' rattle-snakes--won't you-all stop that car?"
+His yearning was pitiful but the car cared naught.
+
+"Here, here, Jeb! what is the matter with you-all?" called Mr.
+Brewster, just as Jeb took a long breath and planned to sprint after the
+train.
+
+"It's a good-by letter a friend left with me for Polly, Mr. Brewster,
+an' now Ah done gone and clean forgot it!" wailed Jeb.
+
+"Too late now, Jeb. We'll change the address and send it on to her New
+York hotel. It will reach her almost as soon as she gets there,"
+explained Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Yeh! Wall now, Ah wouldn't have believed that." So Jeb placed the
+letter that Polly never received in his coat pocket and lost it that
+same evening in the excitement of catching the local out of Denver.
+
+Consequently, when the New York train pulled slowly out of the Denver
+Terminal, with Polly and her companions on board trying to get a last
+look of dear ones left on the platform of the station, the only glimpse
+to be had of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster was their squirming desperately, now
+this side, now that, of Sary's ponderous form. And Sary, who had planted
+her bulk unexpectedly in front of them, held her arm high above her
+head, and slowly waved her hand in farewell back and forth in the rays
+of the sun. But her gaze was not following the moving train. Instead it
+was riveted, like a bird hypnotized by a serpent, upon a 10 carat
+rhinestone engagement ring that sparkled from the _index_ finger of her
+red right hand.
+
+The last coach of the train vanished and the two Brewsters sighed. Then
+they saw Sary still waving her hand, oblivious of all else about her.
+Jeb stood gaping at her queer actions wondering if she might be "off in
+her head." But the smile on his master's face reassured him. As Mrs.
+Brewster murmured, "Sary, that's all!" the proud possessor of the ring
+came to earth again.
+
+But it was _not_ all! Because "Polly and Eleanor in New York" had so
+many interesting experiences in this great city that it will take
+another book to tell about them.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+This Isn't All!
+
+
+Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in
+this book?
+
+Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
+experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
+
+On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you
+will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same
+store where you got this book.
+
+
+Don't throw away the Wrapper
+
+_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But
+in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete
+catalog._
+
+
+
+
+THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES
+
+By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in
+Itself.
+
+
+A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and
+Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to
+various places in the United States, Europe and South America.
+
+     POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT
+
+     POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+     POLLY IN NEW YORK
+
+     POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD
+
+     POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE
+
+     POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE
+
+     POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA
+
+     POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST
+
+     POLLY IN ALASKA
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GIRL SCOUTS SERIES
+
+By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Author of the "Polly Brewster Books"
+
+Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated Each Volume Complete in
+Itself.
+
+Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom
+Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories
+of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with
+stirring adventures.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP
+
+This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a
+mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The
+charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of
+adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting
+summer for the girls.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS
+
+New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring
+camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton
+Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the
+girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES
+
+On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental
+Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons,
+shooting rapids, encountering a land-slide, a summer blizzard, a sand
+storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with
+unforgettable experiences.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
+
+The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New
+Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe trail, cross the Painted
+Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a
+most interesting story.
+
+     GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS
+
+The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California and
+incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion picture director in
+Hollywood to offer to produce a film that stars the Girl Scouts of
+America.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS
+
+Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every
+Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed
+herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that
+Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment,
+while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a
+city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that
+she left school to take entire charge of the woman's page for the
+largest daily in an important Eastern city.
+
+Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of
+these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and
+depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.
+
+BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER
+
+BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE
+
+GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD
+
+GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL
+
+JOAN: JUST GIRL
+
+JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE
+
+CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION
+
+CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+AMY BELL MARLOWE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+Charming, Fresh and Original Stories
+
+Illustrated. Wrappers printed in colors with individual design for each
+story.
+
+Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott
+and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly
+American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls
+thoroughly enjoy.
+
+     THE OLDEST OF FOUR;
+     Or, Natalie's Way Out.
+
+A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from want.
+
+     THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM;
+     Or, The Secret of the Rocks.
+
+Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.
+
+     A LITTLE MISS NOBODY;
+     Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.
+
+Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the
+mystery of her identity.
+
+     THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH;
+     Or, Alone in a Great City.
+
+A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her
+adventures make unusually good reading.
+
+     WYN'S CAMPING DAYS;
+     Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.
+
+A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of
+mystery and considerable excitement.
+
+     FRANCES OF THE RANGES;
+     Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.
+
+A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.
+
+     THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL;
+     Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.
+
+This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's
+school that has ever been written.
+
+     WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.
+
+The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old
+lighthouse keeper.
+
+     WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.
+
+Oriole visits the family of a rich ranch-man and enjoys herself immensely.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS
+
+Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
+
+THE MARJORIE BOOKS
+
+Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of
+goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will
+see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
+
+MARJORIE'S VACATION
+
+MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS
+
+MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND
+
+MARJORIE IN COMMAND
+
+MARJORIE'S MAYTIME
+
+MARJORIE AT SEACOTE
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
+
+Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a
+little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like,
+high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
+
+TWO LITTLE WOMEN
+
+TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE
+
+TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS
+
+Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks,
+their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories
+"really true" to young readers.
+
+DICK AND DOLLY
+
+DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.
+
+These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several
+bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;
+     Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;
+     Or, The 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.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;
+     Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.
+
+     THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;
+     Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+     Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
+     THELMA GOOCH
+     Every Volume Complete in Itself
+
+The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City.
+Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while
+Margy just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private
+secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called
+a "job" in a department store.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE;
+     Or, Facing the Great World.
+
+A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE;
+     Or, The Worth of a Name.
+
+The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual
+inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all the girls for
+existence.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM;
+     Or, Face to Face With a Crisis.
+
+Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with
+the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery as well as exciting
+girlish happenings.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER;
+     Or, The Girl From Bronx Park.
+
+Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose
+real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the girl really
+was comes as a tremendous surprise.
+
+     THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION;
+     Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm.
+
+The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks--and fall
+in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings. How they came to
+the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a queer mystery, is well
+related.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Polly and Eleanor, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY AND ELEANOR ***
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