Frank chuckled at hearing this, and both Bluff and Jerry looked daggers, for the shot hit home with them.

In the morning the boys did accompany the rancher down the valley.  Frank showed them his course on the previous night, and they followed his line of travel until the trees were reached.  Trail there was none, for hundreds of cloven hoofs had pounded the soil about that spot, showing how narrow had been his escape.

The cowboys were found to have the big herd well in hand.  It was even then on the way back to its former feeding ground.  Some of the steers showed the effects of the mad rush, in various cuts from the horns of their fellows; and several had tripped and gone down to death in the panic, the herd trampling them into an unrecognizable mass.

Of course, Will satisfied his longing, and secured what pictures he wanted.

“I’m happy in having carried out my plans.  Won’t the home folks stare when they see the panorama of views I’ve gathered!” he said jubilantly.

“I should think they would,” remarked Jerry, shrugging his shoulders, “for you certainly have a collection of freak pictures, some of which would take the prize.”

“But all of this lot are genuine.  Nobody had to prance around a tree with a dead yellow dog on his feet, pretending to chase after him,” asserted Will.

“Whose doing was that, eh?  Tell me that!  Didn’t you just plead with me to make a fool of myself, and to save you pain I consented.  I suppose I’ll never hear the end of that fool joke,” growled Jerry.

“Oh, yes, you will.  It’s all in the family.  Others don’t know the dog was dead when he had his picture taken.  They all say he looks as though about to snap a piece out of your leg.  Now, I think we’ve just had a glorious time of it up here, with nothing to mar our pleasure,” remarked Frank, the peacemaker.

“Except that miserable job of mine in leaving my knife home,” sighed Bluff.

“Talk to me about that, will you!  He hasn’t forgotten it yet!” exclaimed Jerry.

“I never can.  Hello!  Here comes Reddy with a bag of mail, the last we’ll get, I suppose, before we go home.  A letter for me?  Now just keep your eyes to yourselves, fellows.  I admit it’s from Nellie, but no doubt the dear girl is anxious about her brother Frank, and wants information from a thoroughly reliable quarter.”

Bluff sought out a lonesome corner of the big piazza in front of the ranch house, and presently all hands were absorbed in their letters.  Suddenly the others heard Bluff utter an exclamation, and looked up just in time to see him sprint into the building.

“What d’ye suppose ails the fellow?” asked Will.

“Give it up.  He seemed to have a broad grin on his face, as though Nellie must have written something especially sweet.  But here he comes out again, dancing like a wild Indian.  What’s he waving above his head, fellows?” said Frank.