'We will, Jack,' said his father. 'It would be quite like the old days.'
Soon the log-house resounded with their voices as they sang their favourite hymns. When they had finished up with the last lines of
'And nightly pitch my moving tent
A day's march nearer home.'
Jack exclaimed, 'Somehow I feel as if I've got safe home now!'
'Nay, laddie, not yet,' said his mother gently. 'We can never get to our true home until we have passed through the dark valley of death. We are all wanderers here, and in the same way as the thought of this earthly home and Dad and me cheered you on through your journey, so should the thought of our heavenly home, and our Father awaiting us, help us to face the trials and troubles we must meet all our lives through. And now, my dearie, it's getting late. Let me put you to bed.'
Shortly after, with her loving kiss on his forehead, Jack, who had so often felt sad and lonely at Longview, fell asleep with a happy smile on his face.
For the sake of dead Aunt Sue the Wilsons never wrote a word of reproach to their deceitful brother-in-law, who left Longview very soon after Jack's disappearance.
Jack had not seen the last of the good friends he had made on his journey. He went often to Swift Creek Ranch, where he saw not only the Stuarts, but also Pedro and Señor at times. Steve became one of Mr. Stuart's cowboys, where he was perfectly happy and gave every satisfaction.
Mr. Stuart also promised Jack that when he was old enough, if he still wished it, he should join his band of cowboys, and with this promise Jack was quite content. About a year after Jack's reunion with his parents, Steve, in one of the 'round-ups' of cattle, came across Jeff Ralston, who was thankful to hear that, contrary to all his sad anticipations, the boy had not perished on the prairie.
And now, safe in his happy home, after all he had gone through, we must say good-bye to little Jack, leaving him growing up still the same devoted boy to his parents as the little fellow who so bravely set out on his tremendous journey, determined, in spite of all danger and difficulties, to find Mother and Cochetopa Creek.