Two Boys in Wyoming | Page 6

hope you appreciate it, sir."

"I thank him very much," said Jack, looking toward the physician, who
just then drew his hand across his mouth to suppress the smile that was
tugging at the corners.
"Of course," continued Mr. Dudley, still with the manner of a
philosopher, "in visiting such a section, inhabited by large and fierce
game, you must take every precaution. I shall furnish each of you with
a repeating Winchester, a revolver, and such other articles as may be
necessary. We will now excuse you, with the understanding that if any
objections occur to either, you will let us know at once, so that you may
continue your studies, while I engage other parties to attend to this
business."
"I'll think it over," replied Jack, tremulous with delight.
And then he and his chum withdrew and went up-stairs again to the
room of Fred Greenwood, who hastily closed the door. The next instant
they were hugging each other, and dancing about as if their senses had
forsaken them; and indeed it may be said that for a brief while such was
the fact.
"Fred," said the happy Jack, when there was a lull in the excitement,
"we must fix upon a name for ourselves."
"I thought our parents attended to that a good many years ago."
"You know what I mean; we need some title that will distinguish us
from all other young gentlemen of our acquaintance. How does 'W. R.'
strike you?"
"'W. R.'? What does that mean?"
"The 'Wyoming Rangers;' that sounds rather high-toned."
Fred shook his head.
"We are not going West to reduce the aboriginal population; I hope we
shall have no trouble with the red men. When we get among the people

who have always lived there, such a title will make us ridiculous, for it
smacks of conceit; it assumes too much."
"Suppose you suggest something?"
"Let's call ourselves the 'V. W. W.'; that surely will be appropriate."
"What do those letters mean?"
"The 'Verdant Wanderers of Wyoming;' that is precisely what we shall
be."
Jack Dudley laughed, and at first protested, but finally agreed to accept
the title as fitting and appropriate, and it was so ordered.
CHAPTER II.
RIDING NORTHWARD.
And so it came about that on a sharp, crisp day early in the month of
October, two sturdy youths left the Union Pacific train at Fort Steele,
which is situated in a broad depression between two divisions of the
Wind River Mountains, themselves forming a part of the vast Rocky
Mountain chain, which, under different names, stretches along the
western portion of the two continents from the Arctic Ocean on the
north to the extreme southern end of South America.
Like the sensible youths they were, Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood
had made the fullest preparation possible for the experience which was
destined to prove tenfold more eventful than either anticipated. Mr.
Dudley, in accordance with his promise, had presented each with a fine
repeating Winchester rifle, an excellent revolver, an abundant supply of
cartridges, and various knick-knacks which the hunter is sure to find
are more in the nature of necessities than luxuries.
They had tough corduroy suits, a material which, as everyone knows,
wears like leather, though it is unpopular in the West because of its
unpleasant odor when wet. From the knees downward the lower part of

the legs were protected by strong leathern leggings, and the shoes were
made for wear rather than display. The coats were rather short and
gathered at the waists by a belt, while beneath the garment it was
intended to wear the cartridge-belt. The revolver rested in a sheath,
instead of being thrust into a trouser's-pocket at the hip, while their hats
suggested the sombrero pattern, so popular among cowboys and
cattlemen. The brim was broad and stiff, so that it was not liable to
bother their vision when the wind was blowing, and it could be
depended upon to protect the eyes and face from the sun and rain. Their
whole outfit, in short, was strong, comfortable and serviceable.
The two were generously furnished with money, while Mr. Dudley
arranged with a banker at Laramie City to furnish the boys with
whatever funds they might need through accident or robbery. They
were going into a region where there were many lawless characters,
and everything was done to provide against all possible contingencies.
Their extra clothing and articles were contained in a couple of valises,
which were put off the train upon the lonely platform at Fort Steele.
But while this marked the farthest distance they could travel by rail, a
long ride still confronted them before reaching the ranch, which was
almost half-way between the railroad and the Big Horn Mountains to
the northeast. Several streams had to be crossed, the