“You must be great friends with my dog. His name is Rover. Shake hands with the gentleman, Rover.” The dog offered a huge paw, which Mason shook in solemn friendship. “There,” declared the girl gaily, “you now have a friend for life.” “What I would like to know,” he questioned, “is where all the cowboys keep themselves?” “Oh,” the girl answered. “I supposed that Red or Scotty had shown you the bunk-house. It is that building you see just beyond the corral. All the boys sleep there. Come, let’s go in to breakfast.” After the meal the girl motioned for Mason to follow her. When they were outside she said: “Daddy is down to the bunk-house. I have ordered Scotty to saddle Fleet and a horse for you; then we are going to see Dad, and I’ll have him introduce you to the boys.” “Did you beat Scotty in yesterday?” he asked. “Did I?” Josephine tossed her head proudly. “Outside of Bud Anderson’s horse, there isn’t one on the range that can overtake Fleet.” “Who is Bud Anderson?” he queried, getting interested. “Why, didn’t you know?” she asked in surprise. “Bud Anderson! he’s the foreman of our ranch, and Sheriff of this County. He taught me how to shoot and ride. I have known him ever since I can remember.” “I do remember of Red telling about a foreman and Sheriff but he didn’t mention his name,” he answered vaguely. “Here comes Scotty with our horses,” the girl cried, clapping her hands with glee. Mason was a little stiff from being in the saddle the day before. “I’m afraid I’ll prove a poor rider if I have to keep up with you, Miss Josephine,” he said dismally. The girl gave him a swift look. “We are going to have a nice little ride and I am going to teach you how to ride fast and shoot,” she declared with fine assurance. Mason noticed for the first time that she carried in her belt a small Colt’s revolver. Scotty had come up with the horses and after greeting him they mounted and rode slowly to the bunk-house. “Some of the boys are riding the range, Jack,” she explained as they dismounted at the door. Putting a whistle to her lips she blew a long shrill note. “Coming,” called a voice from within. The door flew open and the ranch owner appeared. “Daddy,” the girl began before he could speak, “I would like you to make Jack acquainted with the boys.” “Jack, eh,” he said with a grin, winking at Mason. The girl blushed and glanced reprovingly at her father. The ranch owner stepped inside and called briskly, “Tumble out here, boys, I want to make you acquainted with a friend of mine from New York.” The men were soon lined up, and the ranch owner starting with the largest one of the lot, said, “Jack, this is my assistant foreman, Joe Turner.” Then he named them in turn. Mason shook hands heartily with them all, but when he came to Carlo and Powers he took an instant dislike to them. Carlo had squinting eyes and his hand had a cold snaky feeling. Mason drew back in disgust and could hardly repress a shiver down his back.