“It certainly makes you feel fine and fit, this air after a night’s sleep,” said Jo, who stood poised on the edge of the hill, with his hands resting lightly on his hips. He did look fit as he said, and the rest of the boys, too, with their sunbrowned faces and sinewy figures, every pound of which was bone and muscle. It gave one more confidence in their ability to stand off the outlaws. One look into their keen, alert eyes showed that they were not to be caught napping, either.
“What’s the program for to-day, Skipper?” asked Jeems.
“Juarez and I are going after deer or any other game we can get,” said Jim. “The rest of you can do what you feel like, only don’t overexert yourselves.”
“I’m going fishing,” declared Tom.
“Me too,” chimed in Jo.
“I shall stay at home then,” said Jeems, “and look after things until you children get back. I shan’t mind a quiet day with no callers.”
“Don’t be too sure about there being no callers, Jeems,” warned Juarez. “Remember what happened to Jo last evening and be careful or you will be among the missing.”
“I don’t know why the other party shouldn’t be among the missing,” declared Jeems. “I’m a terrible fighter when I get started.”
“You would stop when the other fellow said ‘ouch,’” remarked Tom, “and get a drink of water.”