After remaining camped at the mission for a day, while final arrangements for the taking of testimony at the cattle rustlers' trials, and the matter of the boys' depositions was attended to, the American party bade farewell to the Mexican captain and his troops and set out for the home-side of the border.
Carefully guarded by several cowboys was a pack horse, carrying the treasure chest. Its contents had been roughly valued at $75,000.
"Well, Ralph," said Jack, with a laugh, as the boys rode along at an easy lope together, "what do you think of the West now?"
"It's great, Jack," responded Ralph, who had been thinking over the adventures of the last few days.
"But if things had turned out differently," put in Walt.
"No use thinking of that," decided Jack. "All we've got to think about is, that we have had the luck to be the means of cleaning out that bunch of rustlers, and ridding the border of them forever."
"Forever's a long time," commented Mr. Merrill, who had spurred up alongside the boys. "However, I think you boys have had quite enough adventures for a time."
"I'd like to start out again to-morrow," exclaimed Jack.
"So would I," echoed Ralph.
"Well, you may have a chance before long," said Mr. Merrill enigmatically. He would add nothing further, however.