The Happy Family | Page 6

enviously.
Since he was fairly committed into breaking all precedents, uncle Peter
plunged recklessly. He ordered the mess-wagon to be restocked and
prepared for the trip, and he took the bed-tent and half the crew. The
foreman he wisely left behind with the remnant of his outfit. They were
all to eat at the house while the mess-wagon was away, and they were
to spread their soogans--which is to say beds--where they might, if the
bunk-house proved too small or too hot.
The foreman, outraged beyond words, saddled at daybreak and rode to
the nearest town, and the unchosen half turned out in a body to watch
the departure of the explorers, which speaks eloquently of their interest;
for cowboys off duty are prone to sleep long.
Andy, as guide, bolted ahead of the party that he might open the gate.
Bolted is a good word, for his horse swerved and kept on running,
swerved again, and came down in a heap. Andy did not get up, and the
women screamed. Then Pink and some others hurried out and bore
Andy, groaning, to the bunk-house.
The visitors from the East gathered, perturbed, around the door,
sympathetic and dismayed. It looked very much as if their exploration
must end where it began, and the-girl-who-does-things looked about to
weep, until Andy, still groaning, sent Pink out to comfort them.
"He says you needn't give up the trip on his account," Pink announced

musically from the doorway. "He's drawing a map and marking the
coulee where the ruin is. He says most any of the boys that know the
country at all can find the place for yuh. And he isn't hurt permanent;
he strained his back so he can't ride, is all." Pink dimpled at the young
old lady who was admiring him frankly, and withdrew.
Inside, Andy Green was making pencil marks and giving the chosen
half explicit directions. At last he folded the paper and handed it to one
called Sandy.
"That's the best I can do for yuh," he finished. "I don't see how yuh can
miss it if yuh follow that map close. And if them gay females make any
kick on the trail, you just remind 'em that I said all along it was rough
going. So long, and good luck."
So with high-keyed, feminine laughter and much dust, passed the
exploring party from the Rocking R.
"Say," Pink began two days later to Andy, who was sitting on the shady
side of the bunk-house staring absently at the skyline, "There's a word
uh praise I've been aiming to give yuh. I've seen riding, and I've done a
trifle in that line myself, and learned some uh the tricks. But I want to
say I never did see a man flop his horse any neater than you done that
morning. I'll bet there ain't another man in the outfit got next your play.
I couldn't uh done it better myself. Where did you learn that? Ever ride
in Wyoming?"
Andy turned his eyes, but not his head--which was a way he had--and
regarded Pink slantwise for at least ten seconds. "Yes, I've rode in
Wyoming," he answered quietly. Then: "What's the chance for a job, up
your way? Is the Flying U open for good men and true?"
"It won't cost yuh a cent to try," Pink told him. "How's your back?
Think you'll be able to ride by the time Skeeker is able to travel?"
Andy, grinned. "Say," he confided suddenly, "if that hoss don't improve
some speedy, I'll be riding on ahead. I reckon I'll be able to travel
before them explorers get back, my friend."
"Why?" dimpled Pink boldly.
"Why? Well, the going is some rough, down that way. If they get them
wagons half way to the coulee marked with a cross, they'll sure have to
attach wings onto 'em. I've been some worried about that. I don't much
believe uncle Peter is going to enjoy that trip--and he sure does get
irritable by spells. I've got a notion to ride for some other outfit, this

summer."
"Was that the reason you throwed your horse down and got hurt, that
morning?" questioned Pink, and Andy grinned again by way of reply.
"They'll be gone a week, best they can do," he estimated aloud. "We
ought to be able to make our getaway by then, easy."
Pink assured him that a week would see them headed for the Flying U.
It was the evening of the sixth day, and the two were packed and ready
to leave in the morning, when Andy broke off humming and gave a
snort of dismay. "By gracious, there they come. My mother lives in
Buffalo, Pink, in a little drab house with white trimmings. Write and
tell her how her