Three horsemen, mere patches of dark against the somber background, were seen approaching. On they came uttering lusty shouts, which, leaving no room for doubt as to their identity, made the colonel give vent to a few words expressive of the greatest satisfaction.
When the tired and dusty travelers at last clattered up, Jimmy Raymond was the first to dismount. With a whoop of joy he sprang toward his uncle and man and boy clasped hands.
“My! but I am glad to see you, Jimmy!” exclaimed the ranchman.
“Not any gladder than I am to see you!” cried the lad.
Yes, the meeting between uncle and nephew was a most cordial one. If Jimmy Raymond had learned some valuable lessons by hard experience the ranchman had too. The fact was brought forcibly to his mind that sternness and unyielding insistence on obedience by elders over those in their charge sometimes approach pretty close to the line of tyranny. He was beginning to realize that Jimmy, like most boys, could be led, but not driven.
He enthusiastically praised the Ramblers and told them he could never thank them enough for the great work they had performed. Tom’s face continually glowed with pride and pleasure.
Of course Dave and the others were astonished to learn about Cranny Beaumont’s remarkable exhibition of self-denial and speculated upon it with the greatest interest.
After a refreshing wash in the cool water of the creek the lads gathered about the fire to enjoy a well-earned meal and tell their stories. Naturally Jimmy Raymond’s came first, and when Colonel Sylvester could think of no more questions to ask him, Tom launched forth. And his graphic description of the events through which they had recently passed brought many and varied comments from his intensely interested auditors.
The colonel was highly delighted at the change which had come over his nephew, and to hear of his resolution to return to Brownsville and work hard at his studies.
“One good thing, anyway,” he remarked as they sat around the cheerful blaze, now a little oasis of light amid the deep, somber shadows of the night, “in taking you to be a boy, Jimmy, I discovered you to be a man.”