“Look there!” he said laconically, waving his arm in a wide gesture. Nell leaned forward, then uttered a slight exclamation. “What’s the matter?” Roy asked, smiling. “It’s so--so close and high!” the girl answered, with a motion of her hands. “Why, it almost seems as though I could reach out and touch the chimney of that house away off there!” “You try it,” Teddy said, with a chuckle. “That’s six miles away! Those buildings are on the X Bar X ranch--our place. Over to the west, where you see that other corral, is the 8 X 8, where you’re going.” “Bug Eye,” Mr. Manley said gently, “if it’s all the same to you, we’d better get goin’.” “Right!” Bug Eye answered. He advanced the gasoline control and the flivver again shot forward. The moment they reached the ranch yard of the X Bar X, Mr. Manley leaped from the car. A cowboy, who was leaning against the corral fence, craned his neck forward in surprise. The boss riding in an auto! “Nick,” Mr. Manley called sharply to the puncher, “our broncs have been rustled. We’re goin’ out after ’em! You and Gus Tripp get your ponies an’ three others for Roy an’ Teddy an’ me. Bring your guns.” Short, terse sentences. Mr. Manley was no longer a cattle owner. He was a cowboy, whose pony had been stolen. “Right!” Nick Looker answered. He disappeared around the corner of the bunk-house. As Mr. Manley walked rapidly towards the ranch house, he called back over his shoulder: “Nell an’ Ethel, we all expect you over for a visit. Excuse me runnin’ away like this. Teddy, fetch in my bag.” “Dad means business,” Roy said in a low voice. “Having General stolen has hit him pretty hard. There’s mother.” A woman’s figure appeared on the porch of the house, and in a moment she was enfolded in Mr. Manley’s arms. Mrs. Manley’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw the auto and missed the horses; and Mr. Manley explained briefly what had occurred. Questions were trembling on her lips, but she did not delay her husband with them. Mr. Manley kissed her again, and, turning, rushed into the house. As Mrs. Manley walked toward the auto, Nell and Ethel could scarcely believe that this radiant young-looking woman was the mother of two big boys. “Welcome to the West,” she said, with a smile, as she extended a hand to each of the girls. “Mr. Manley has told me who you are. This is Ethel, isn’t it? And Nell?” Ethel instantly noticed how much, in a curious way, both Roy and Teddy resembled her. Teddy had her blonde hair and blue eyes. Roy had her sensitive, fine mouth. Belle Ada, the sister of Roy and Teddy, now came out of the house and toward the car, evidently having been told by Mr. Manley that there were visitors. As she was introduced, she mentally decided that she liked Nell and Ethel. That was like Belle Ada--impulsive and eager to make friends. “I’m afraid we’ll have to go now,” Nell said, after a few moments’ conversation. “Uncle Peter will be waiting for us.”