"But first it made terribly queer noises," said Laddie.
"Well, the only queer noises out at Three Star Ranch are made by the cowboys, and sometimes by the Indians," said Uncle Fred. "No, this is something different. But it might almost as well be a ghost for all I can find out about it. It certainly is very queer," he went on to his sister. "I have lost a great many cattle lately, and that and something strange about a spring of water on my place, are two of the reasons why I came on here. I want to talk with some men who know about springs and streams of water, and get some books about it so I can solve this puzzle, if it's possible.
"Another reason I came on," he added, "is to take you all back with me to Moon City, and let the children have fun out on my ranch."
"Do you mean to take us all out West?" asked Rose.
"Yes, every one of you six little Bunkers, and your father and mother, too," returned Uncle Fred.
"Can we go, Mother?" begged Russ.
"I'll see about it," was the answer. "But we'd all better go downstairs now. Uncle Fred must be tired from his long trip, and I want to get him a cup of tea. It is raining hard still, so you children can't go out and play."
"We don't want to," said Vi. "We want to see Uncle Fred."
"I like Uncle Fred!" exclaimed Mun Bun, going up to his mother's brother and clasping his hand. "I like him awful much!"
"And I like you, too," replied Uncle Fred, catching the little fellow up in his arms.