"What do you want to build a house for when my house is large enough for forty people?" "Oh we want to get into our own home. We want to build a residence down at the mineral spring." "Oh, that's a mile off." "Yes, so it is. The depot here, though, is a general resort for every rough character who comes along; but we'll have some of our lady friends down here both from Crabtree and from the North. We'll fence in the spring to keep the cattle from crowding around it, make beautiful flower gardens, raise all sorts of vegetables and fruits, and try to make our home here as lovely as our home up at New Era was." Jack and Terry led the way up to the house in which Jack had been living, each carrying a valise. Before they reached there, at least half a dozen cowboys rushed up and wanted to carry the valises for them, and made every demonstration of pleasure at the return of the "Bosses." When the boys reached the house they found that one of bed-rooms furnished and still another which had not been furnished up. "Jack, my boy," said Fred, "I see you have been keeping quite comfortable since we left." "Yes, and at the same time quite busy." "Well, have you had any trouble with the cowboys?" "No, only in one instance, when one of the men got drunk and I promptly discharged him. He was one of your men, too. He refused to be discharged, and wouldn't leave, but went on working with the others. I then told him that I wouldn't pay him a cent at the end of the month for his work, as he was doing it of his own accord, and needn't expect any pay for it. After a week he signed the pledge, came around to see me, and said that he wished to apologize, and that he would never touch another drop of whisky. I told him that on those conditions he could keep his place, but that I would keep his written pledge to show to you, so that if he ever broke it you would know what to do." "That's right, my boy, that's right. It don't pay to be too harsh. Always give a man a chance. You were fortunate in not having any more trouble than that." "Well, I did have several other little difficulties which did not amount to much of anything; but at least a score of big, rough fellows are waiting for you two to return home in order to get a chance to enter your employ." "Well, we'll need a few more men, Jack, for we are going to buy another thousand head of cattle and rush them down to the ranch as soon as possible. How has the store been getting along?" "It's been doing fine. I've done a good business, and the trade is growing fast." "Any cattle thieves been getting in their work?"