After Major Carroll had disposed of his cold lunch, a brief council was held. It was decided that the cow-punchers and boys should make a camp and await the return of Bob Somers and Cranny Beaumont from Border City.
“We ought to be able to reach here early to-morrow morning,” said Bob.
“And if everything goes as I hope it will, the ‘Border City’ will soon after set sail for the town,” remarked Major Carroll. “A thousand thanks, boys.”
Good-byes were said; and Bob and Cranny, with many expressions of appreciation and encouragement ringing in their ears, hurried away, leaving their friends to scramble back to the woods at a more leisurely pace.
The day passed; night came, with a brilliant moon shedding its luster over the magnificent scenery, and, finally, morning dawned.
But it was not until after one o’clock that a shout in Cranny’s familiar voice announced the near approach of the aviators.
The Ramblers and Jed Warren, uttering loud whoops of delight, plunged through the timber to meet them. They saw the two boys urging their weary ponies toward the camp.
“Had a bully trip!” yelled Bob.
“Rah, rah!” cried Dick. “Did you get all the stuff?”
“Everything.”