"Oh, he will," said Nat's uncle, confidently. "In the meanwhile you will have to be patient. Your father is in no danger now, for his partner did not count on getting back in over a month, and there was medicine enough in the cabin to last until then. Otherwise there is nothing to fear. You tell me the land stealers can't find the shack, so what else is there to worry about?" "Nothing, I suppose," replied Jack, but, somehow, he couldn't help worrying. "Cheer up," said Mr. Kent. "We'll get your father for you. In the meantime while we are waiting for the old man to get well you must learn ranch life, and get good and strong, so that if you do have to take part in a hunt for him you will be able to stand roughing it." Jack thought this was good advice, as did his chums. They raced out of the house after breakfast, determined to see all there was to see. But this, they found, would take a long time. Mr. Kent's ranch took in about a thousand acres. Some of it was on the first plateau, and part among the hills, where the cattle grazed. Besides the house, there were stables for the horses, kennels for the dogs, a cook house, a dining shack, the sides of which could be thrown open in the summer, barns for hay and grain, and a big tall windmill that pumped water. "Can we have regular horses while we're here?" asked Nat of his uncle, as he and his chums started for the stable yard. "Sure," replied Mr. Kent "You just go over there and tell Rattlesnake Jim I said he was to fit you out with a horse and saddle each. He knows which will be the best for you, better than I do. I don't have time to keep track of the animals. I'm going to be busy all the morning, so you can do as you please, within reason. Don't stampede the cattle, that's all," and he turned away with a laugh. The boys looked around the stable enclosure for their friend Jim, but he was not to be seen. "Lookin' for any one?" inquired a tall cowboy, who appeared from under the shed. He had small, black shifty eyes, and when he spoke he looked anywhere but at one. "Where's Mr.--er--Mr. Rattlesnake Jim?" asked Nat. He was not exactly sure how to address, or speak of the cowboys with their queer titles. "Jim? Oh, he's gone over on the Spring range. Was you wantin' anything?" "Only some horses," said Nat. "Oh, you're the boys," spoke the man. "Did Mr. Kent say you are to have 'em?" "Uncle Morris said Jim would give us horses to ride," Nat went on. "Well, I guess I can pick 'em out for you," the man said. "One of you boys named Ranger?" "I am," said Jack, "Oh, yes, you're a friend of the old man who was shot," went on the cowboy as he entered the stable. "Well, I'll pick out horses I think'll suit." He disappeared into the regions of the stalls, and soon came out, leading a fine black horse. He threw a saddle over its back. The animal seemed a bit restive. "Here's your horse, Ranger," the cowboy called. "Is he safe?" asked Jack. "I'm not a very good rider."