Though Ebony Jim and Flick O’Flynn were going to accompany them beyond the dangers of the hills, they had no desire to quit their nomadic life of hunters, and, in token of his respect for them, Rodger Rainbolt presented them his hidden home and all its appurtenances, Purle, the pet panther, and his library, though, unfortunately, neither of them could read a word.
Echo, the eagle, the ranger resolved to keep, so long as a feather of him was left.
As for Frank and Willis Armond, Ralph Rodman and Walter Lyman, they were fully satisfied with their few days of “recreation in the mountains,” and concluded to go back to Omaha.
When all were ready to leave the cavern, Florence turned to her husband and said:
“Oh, Warren! how I would love to visit father’s lonely grave before we return to the East.”
“And I, too,” said Silvia; “it would afford me great consolation to look upon poor father’s grave before we go away.”
“Your desire shall be granted, my dear children,” said the ranger, with tears of tenderness in his eyes.
And so they left the cavern.
The ranger called up his faithful mustang, and having bridled and saddled it, mounted the women upon it.
Then, with the (seeming) indispensable and capacious saddle-bags, which he always carried, thrown across his arm, the ranger took the lead and the party moved away.