"What do you mean by supplies?"
"Say a Winchester rifle and a revolver apiece, with the proper ammunition; what sort of supplies did you think I meant?"
"I thought it was food, while we were out hunting."
Jack turned up his nose.
"If we can't keep ourselves supplied with food, when we are in a country that has the finest game in the world, we deserve to starve."
"My sentiments exactly;" and as if the coincidence required something in the nature of a compact, the boys shook hands over it.
"What a splendid treat it would be for us to spend some weeks out in Wyoming!" exclaimed Jack Dudley, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks glowing; "it looks as if it were providential that father got hold of that ranch."
"There can't be any doubt about it; but how much more providential it will be if we are sent to learn all that should be learned about it! I wonder if that can be brought about?"
Enough has been told for the reader to understand the plot formed by these two youths. There could be no question of the grand treat it would prove to both, provided their parents could be persuaded to take the same view of the matter; there was the rub.
Jack crossed his legs and thoughtfully scratched his head. Unconsciously Fred did the same.