"There's an old corral up near the Government elevation monument," said Douglas. "It's all overgrown with bushes and young aspens so's I don't think one person out of twenty, knows it's there. Maybe we could corral 'em there?" Charleton gave Douglas a quick glance. "How'd you come to know about it?" "I happened on it last summer tracking a bear." "That's what I planned to use," nodded Charleton. "We'll make a real cowman out of you yet. So you're ready to go, Doug?" Douglas' eyes were blazing. "Go! You couldn't pay me enough to keep me away! Nothing ever happens in this old valley." "All right! Be here by nine o'clock to-morrow night, wearing chaps. It'll be rough riding and that Moose of yours will be quite considerably broke by the time we get back, Doug. I'll supply the grub." "Fine!" said Scott, rising. "If that's all, I'll be running along. Stage was late to-night and the crowd'll be there getting mail. I'll be with you on time, Charleton." "Me too!" exclaimed Douglas, following Scott. Weary as he was, Douglas was long in getting to sleep that night. Charleton Falkner was deeply admired by all the young men of Lost Chief. Not only was he of the ultra-sophisticated type, dear to adolescence, not only was he by far the cleverest hunter in the valley, but, most important of all, his name was whispered in connection with horse and cattle deals, never called questionable by Lost Chief but always mentioned with a wink and a chuckle for their adroitness. To have been asked by Charleton to go as a partner on one of his mysterious trips was intoxicating enough to take the sting out of the fact that Scott met Judith that evening at the post-office and rode home with her. The next day Judith several times tried to discover where Doug was going and with whom. "Don't you try tagging me again, like you did on the trip to the half-way house," he said with a warning grin, when they were finishing the evening chores together. "No danger! I got a date of my own!" This with a toss of her curly head. "Who with?" "Don't you wish you knew! Other folks beside you can have interesting deals, Mr. Douglas Spencer!" "Huh! Some little stunt with Maud, I suppose." "No, it isn't either. Say, Doug, did you know Maud is going up to Mountain City to stay with her aunt and go to school there?" "I suppose that's what you'd like to do?" Doug watched the eager face closely. "Well, not just now," replied Judith with a little grin. "I want to keep my date, first." "Well, don't get into mischief, daughter; that's all I have to say about your mysterious deal," said Douglas paternally. Judith laughed and carried her pail of milk into the kitchen.