In short the boys learned more in a few days from Jim than they could have picked up alone in a month. They were so enthusiastic that they would have sat up all night listening to their new teacher.
As for riding, the lads improved very much as Jim showed them how to mount, how to sit, how to guide the horse by the mere pressure of the knees, and other tricks of which a "tenderfoot" never dreams.
After supper, one evening, when the boys, Mr. Kent and Rattlesnake Jim were in the sitting room, a common resting place for all on the ranch, Jack asked:
"Are there really mountain lions around here?"
"There used to be," said Mr. Kent, "but I haven't seen any lately."
"I heard some of the boys from the upper range say they heard 'em, a few nights ago," spoke Jim.
"That ought to be looked into," said Mr. Kent. "They're nasty customers to get among a herd."
"Can't we go hunting 'em?" asked Nat.
"What do you know about hunting mountain lions?" asked his uncle.
"They'd eat you up."
"Not if we took Jim along," put in Jack.