All the incidents described in the preceding chapters happened before the beginning of our story; but it was necessary that we should devote some time to them in order that the reader might be able to follow us understandingly. We have only one thing more to tell about, and then the thread of our story will run smoothly. Let us go back to George Ackerman, whom we left sitting on the porch in front of the rancho, mending his bridle and talking earnestly to himself. “Uncle John and Ned act as though they don’t want me here,” repeated George, “and I have the best notion in the world to pack up my few things and clear out. The house doesn’t seem like home to me now. I am a great deal happier when I am in camp with Zeke than I am anywhere else. I have put up with a good deal, but I shan’t surrender my herd of cattle just to please that lazy Ned. If he wants to make a beginning in stock-raising, let him go to work, as I did. I had nobody to smooth the way for me.” George was expecting a visit from his cousin, who had promised that he would come to him on this particular morning for an answer to a proposition he had made him a short time before. That proposition was, that George should accept him as a full partner in his business. During the winter that had just passed, Ned had learned, to his entire satisfaction, that it is hard work to do nothing. He could not tell how he had managed to live through the long, dreary weeks, and he had made up his mind that he would never pass another winter in that way. He considered himself a full-fledged farmer now, for he had fifty acres of wheat planted; but wheat was a crop that required no care except for sowing and harvesting, and all the rest of the year he had to himself to spend as he pleased. After thinking the matter over he decided to go into partnership with his cousin. That would be the easiest thing he could do. As he knew nothing about taking care of cattle, of course George would not expect him to act as herder. He could stay in camp, when he felt like it, come home when he pleased, and George and Zeke would do all the work, and Ned would share in the profits. It was a very nice plan, no doubt, but George did not seem to be very enthusiastic over it; so Ned did not press him for an answer when he made the proposition, but informed him that he would ask for it before George left for his camp on the plains. The latter was getting ready to start now, and looking for Ned at the same time. He came just as George finished his soliloquy. “Well,” said he, “have you considered my proposition?” “I have, and it can’t be done,” was George’s reply. “Two persons are all that are needed to take care of so small a herd as mine.” “Couldn’t you discharge Zeke and take me in his place?” “And do all the work myself?” exclaimed George “No sir; I couldn’t.” “You would rather keep him than please your cousin, I suppose,” snapped Ned, who was always angry when he could not have his own way.