"It certainly is a splendid spot," said she to Dave. "I don't wonder Laura was anxious to get back, and to have you see it." "It suits me--I wouldn't ask for a better vacation, especially"--Dave dropped his voice a little--"with you along, Jessie." "Oh, Dave!" she cried, and blushed. "It wouldn't be half so much fun if you hadn't come along, Jessie," he went on. "I am very, very glad that we are here--together." "Well, so--so am I," answered the girl, and then, still blushing, she ran off to join Belle and Laura. But the look she gave Dave warmed his heart as it had never been warmed before. Sunday passed, with a little home service, in which all those in the house and also a few of the cowboys joined. The boys and girls sang some of the familiar church songs, and this the cowboys greatly enjoyed. "We don't git much in the way of entertainment here," explained Sid Todd, "and that singin' sounds mighty good to us. It touches a fellow here, too," he added, with his finger over his heart. "If Mr. Endicott will permit it, we'll give you boys an entertainment before we go home," answered Dave. "We give them at Oak Hall, you know,--and the girls can help." "Say, that sure would be fine!" answered the cowboy, enthusiastically. The boys had found out from Mr. Endicott where good fishing could be had, and early of the second week at Star Ranch they went out, taking the girls with them. All were on horseback, and carried lunch along, for they were to remain out all day. "Now keep out of trouble," said Mrs. Endicott, as they rode away. "And be sure to come back before dark." "We'll be back by six, mamma," answered Belle. "And you needn't worry about us, for we'll be perfectly safe." They were bound for a spot among the foothills, about six miles away. Here was located a mountain torrent, said to be filled with the gamiest kind of specimens of the finny tribe. Sid Todd had told them of a particularly good bend in the stream, where fishing was bound to be excellent, and Belle said she knew the trail, having gone to the locality several times with her father. She was a true young sportswoman, and could fish almost as well as her parent. She carried the same kind of an outfit as did the boys. Jessie and Laura did not expect to fish, but said they would watch the others, and pick wild flowers, and also prepare the lunch when it came time to eat. All were in the best of health and spirits when they departed. It promised to be an ideal day, with the sun shining clearly, and a gentle breeze blowing from the northwest. They passed along at a smart gait, for the boys and Belle were anxious to try their luck with their lines and poles. "If we catch enough, right from the start, we can fry some fish for lunch," said Dave. "I love fish just from the water." "Oh, so do I!" cried Belle. "They seem so much sweeter." "In the city one gets them all packed in ice, and then half the flavor is gone," added Laura.