“It’s the lemon pie!” laughed Dumplin’.
They rolled into Bend at nine that evening, Jeff was left to sleep in the car at the garage, and for the next hour there was a grand splashing in bathtubs, a washing of clothes, a shaving by the two men, who hadn’t shaved for a week, a patching of burnt noses and cracked lips with salve, and a general clean-up and overhauling.
“Oh, dear!” sighed Bennie, “it’s almost over! I wish we hadn’t been able to get over the Divide today, so’s we’d been forced to go back over Grizzly Flats. That would have kept us out three days more. I don’t want to sleep in an old bed, with sheets!”
“I guess it won’t keep you awake,” laughed Spider. “If it does, I’ll set up the sodas tomorrow.”
But he didn’t have to.
CHAPTER XXV
Bennie Loses Jeff, but Brings Home Something Else to Last Him Many Years
The doctor routed everybody out at five the next morning.
“It’s the last time, boys,” he said. “But we’ve got to get an early start today. I must make The Dalles tonight, and Portland tomorrow night. My vacation is over then.”
“Don’t go back on my account,” said Bennie. “I’ll stick around the mountains another week or two with you, if you really want me to.”
“Yes, and I’ll stick, too,” Spider laughed.