"I have been giving our horses my especial care for three years," explained the railroad president. "It has become a hobby with me, and some day I may turn the ranch into something of a stock farm for raising certain breeds of horses and ponies. While you are here you'll not suffer for the want of a mount." "I'd like to see you break in some of the horses," said Roger. "Well, you'll have the chance." "Maybe you'd like to break in a bronco yourself," suggested Belle, with a twinkle in her eye. "And get sent skyhigh!" returned the senator's son. "No, thank you, not until I've learned the business." "A bronco is all right if you understand him," remarked Sid Todd. "But if you don't, you'd better monkey with the business end of a gun,--it's just as healthy." The woods left behind, they commenced to ascend a long hill. Far off to the westward loomed the mountains, covered with pines and bordered below with cottonwoods. "There is where you'll get your hunting when you want it," said Mr. Endicott. "How is it, can you shoot?" "We can," answered Phil, and then told of some of their experiences in the South Sea islands. Then Roger told of the adventures which Dave and he had in Norway, and Dave ended by telling of the target practice with the swinging board. "Well, I'll tell you right now a big bear out in them mountains ain't no swingin' board," said Sid Todd. "He's a whole lumber yard, when he's cornered." And at this remark there was a general laugh. It was getting dark when they came in sight of Star Ranch. They made out a long, low building on the southern slope of a small hill. It was built in modern bungalow fashion, having been erected by Mr. Endicott after the original log dwelling had been destroyed by fire. It was divided into a sitting-room fifteen feet by twenty-five, an office, a good-sized dining-hall, a kitchen, and eight bedrooms, and a bath. Water was pumped from a brook at the foot of the hill, and the rooms were lighted by a new system of gasoline gas. The ranch home was comfortably furnished, and in the sitting-room were a bookcase filled with good reading, and a new player piano, with a combination cabinet of sheet music and music rolls. "I play by hand," said Belle, when the boys noticed the player piano, "but papa plays with his feet." "That's the kind of playing I do, too," answered Phil, with a grin. "But you sing, don't you?" asked the young hostess of the ranch. "Oh, yes, we all sing." "Belle is a beautiful player," said Laura. "Wait till you hear her play some operatic selections." Supper was in readiness, having been ordered in advance by Mrs. Endicott, a sweet woman who looked like Laura, and as soon as the girls and boys had had a chance to brush up and wash, all sat down to partake of the good things provided. Jessie was much astonished by the things spread before her.