Undisturbed by the reckless crowd, the treasure seekers made a detour, and in due time reached Rockspur Ranch, where they received a riotous welcome.
The nuggets were safely shipped to the nearest United States assay office, and later on Mr. Wallace received a check for almost a hundred-and-fifty thousand dollars to cover the value of Josh Kinney's secret cache in the five-fingered cave near Gold Fork.
"I shall put five thousand dollars of this to each of your accounts in the Columbia bank when we get home," he told the delighted Frank, Paul and Lanky. "A like sum goes to be divided up among the boys connected with Rockspur Ranch; for although only three of them participated in the enterprise, every one here, even Gin Sing, would have been glad to go."
No wonder that Mr. Wallace promised to be the most popular ranch-owner in the whole State, and never did punchers work so like beavers to please such a liberal and high-minded boss.
So the time came when they had to say good-bye to dear old Rockspur Ranch, for all of them, including Minnie, had by then come to love the free life of the open places beyond the ability of words to tell.
"I mean to come out West again some day," Frank said earnestly, as he shook hands with Lige, Jerry, and the rest of the boys on the day of their departure. Both Lanky and Paul echoed his words with all their hearts.
Then came the ride to the station in the big car and the boarding of the east-bound express. Whether Frank would be able to keep that promise made to the Rockspur boys, the future alone will be able to tell, but we shall meet him and his chums in the meantime in another volume to follow this, called "Frank Allen and His Motor Boat; or, Racing to Save a Life."
On the train, as they sped along, the young folks lived over again the delightful times spent on the ranch. The thrilling adventures that happened during their stay would never be forgotten.
To Frank Allen, however, the most wonderful event of all was that arduous and dangerous long ride made by Minnie Cuthbert, when, with only Lige Smith, the foreman, for company, she rode forth to carry that letter to Mr. Wallace and see with her own eyes the lofty range of mountains of which she had read and heard so much.
"You're sure a pal worth having, Min," he told her, as they sat and reviewed all the events connected with that happening. And Minnie? Why, she only laughed in her girlish way, smiled at Frank, and said loftily: