Finally, they reached the top of Grass Mountain and were introduced by Ranger Johnson to his friend in the service.
The view from this plateau was all that had been said of it, but even that leaves much to be said, because mere words are so inadequate to describe such a glory. The scouts stood looking down the Las Vegas Valley, then they crossed the plateau and looked down the Pecos Valley. To the north the Santa Fé Range, and in still another direction stretched the Sangre de Cristo Range.
“Yes, this certainly is worth the effort of coming up,” remarked Mr. Gilroy, nodding approvingly.
“I don’t see that you made an effort,” retorted Julie; “it was the poor horse that had to carry you.” The others laughed, and Joan added: “A hundred and eighty pounds good weight, too!”
As there was ample bedding to be had for the plucking, the scouts decided to weave their beds and get supper preparations under way before they accepted the invitation of Ranger Johnson to go up into the observatory and gaze through the powerful telescopes. By the time the beds were finished, however, it was too late to see very much, though the senior Ranger of this station, Mr. Oliver, tried to direct their gaze to certain points.
Ranger Johnson was told to invite his associates to dine with the scout-party, and a merry group sat down as the last rays of the setting sun shot up over the distant peaks and touched the tin dishes, transforming them suddenly to golden platters.
That evening around the cheerful camp-fire the Rangers told their adventures; then Mrs. Vernon requested Tally to tell of his winter experiences. The Guide, eager to oblige, described his escapes from the blizzards, his fights with the grizzlies, and other thrills of a trapper’s life. Finally he was persuaded to relate one of his Indian legends.
“We haven’t heard any of your new stock, you know,” added Joan.
“Oh! wait just a moment, please, before you begin, Tally,” called Julie, jumping up and running to her bag for a pad and pencil. Returning with the desired articles she squatted again on the ground in front of the camp-fire and said: “Now, then—all set!”
The others laughed at the movie term, then Tally said: “Dis gon’a be a leetle injun tale, ’bout so beeg,” and he held his hands apart for a length of about six inches to show the size of the story he proposed telling.