“Have you any idea of the distance, and the riding this trail will mean for the young ladies?” asked the Ranger in amazement.
“We became acquainted with such trails last summer in the Rockies,” replied Mr. Gilroy. Then he told the young man of all the trails the girl scouts had followed in his company and with Tally to guide them. He spoke of the grizzly which was shot, of the little bear cubs sent to the zoo in the east, of the canoe trips, and the other wonderful experiences they had shared in common, and when he had ended his story the Ranger smiled.
“I reckon you are immune from back-sliding when a night is dark, or when the sun blazes down on the trail,” said he.
“You have not yet said whether you will join our party,” said Mr. Vernon, who had taken a sudden fancy to the young fellow.
“You ought to know who I am first. I’m Tom Sanderson, a graduate in the class of engineering at the University of Albuquerque; I accepted the post of Forest Ranger for the summer, but I hope to start my real job in the Fall.”
“Where are you located on forest duty?” asked Mr. Gilroy.
“I have been on the Cimarron Range for a time, now I am to attend to this Pueblo business, and then go up to Panchuelo and supervise the Rangers there who will have to construct a few bridges,” explained the Ranger.
“That’s where we’re bound for. We shall follow this trail over the mountain and go down through the Cimarron Valley as far as Springer, then we had expected to take the train to Las Vegas, and from there go up the Pecos Valley to the mountains,” said Mr. Gilroy.
“As long as we are going the same way it would be pleasant to have you join us,” said Mr. Vernon.
The young Ranger glanced curiously at Mrs. Vernon and the four good-looking girls with her, so Mr. Gilroy introduced himself and his friends in a general way.