"Master Butler and myself have already settled that question," answered the rancher. "As Henry Ward Beecher once said, 'Clothes don't make the man, but when he is made he looks very well dressed up.' I must say, however, that these young men are about as likely a lot of lads as I have ever seen." Clear-eyed, their faces tanned almost to a copper color, figures erect and shoulders well back, the Pony Rider Boys were indeed wholesome to look upon. Perhaps Sadie and Margaret McClure were not blind to this, for they blushed very prettily, the boys thought, upon being presented to their guests. Ruth Brayton was in a sunny mood, laughing gayly as she chatted with the boys. Tad glanced at her inquiringly. She was not the same girl that he had met the day before. There was a difference in the eyes, too. Tad could not understand the change. It perplexed him. Colonel McClure took the Professor off to his study, the boys being left with Mrs. McClure and the young ladies to wander through the grounds and chat. Each of the young women was an accomplished horsewoman, and therefore evinced a keen interest in the experiences of the boys since they had been in saddle. "I had so often wanted to take a trip through the Rockies on horseback," announced Miss Margaret. "I am afraid you would find it rather rough going," said Ned Rector. "No worse than the plains," replied Walter. "We have had more hardships in Texas during the short time we have been here than we ever experienced in the mountains." "Yes; but you were driving cattle," objected Mrs. McClure. "There probably is no harder work in the world. We, down here, know something about that." "I--I killed a bobcat up in the mountains," Stacy Brown informed them, with enthusiasm. "Indeed," smiled Mrs. McClure indulgently. "He did. And I fell off a mountain," laughed Walter Perkins. "You see we have had quite a series of experiences." "Indeed you have. How long do you expect to remain with the herd? Are you going through with them?" "I believe not," answered Tad Butler. "I think we shall be leaving very soon now. We have a lot of traveling to do yet, as it has been planned that we shall see a good deal of the country before it is time to return to school this fall." "And you are to remain out in the open--in the saddle all summer?" asked Miss Brayton, her eyes sparkling almost enviously. "Yes; I believe so." "I should love it." "We are getting to love it ourselves. It will be hard to have to sleep indoors again." Shortly afterwards all were summoned in to supper. Stacy Brown's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he surveyed the table resplendent with silver and cut glass--loaded, too, with good things to eat. Ned Rector observed the look in his companion's eyes. "Now, don't forget that we are not eating off the tail board of the chuck wagon, Chunky," he whispered in passing. "Be as near human as you can and satisfy your appetite." Chunky's face flushed.