Two Boys in Wyoming | Page 3

them shown by their sons, yet neither was inclined that way in his youth.
"I never expected to own a foot of ground west of the Mississippi," remarked Mr. Dudley, when making a call upon the doctor, "and here, before I fairly knew it, I have become a half-owner in a ranch away out in Wyoming."
"Eventually it may prove worth something," suggested Doctor Greenwood, "for that section has enormous capabilities, and a tide of emigration has been moving that way for years."
"It will take a long time to fill up that country with people. Meanwhile I'll sell out cheap, doctor, if you feel like investing."
The physician laughed and thought the joke was on his friend. He said he would think the matter over, which was another way of saying he would do nothing more than think of it.
Jack and Fred were present at this interview, and listened with keen attention to the discussion of the Western purchase. By and by Fred gave his chum a significant look, and, excusing themselves to their parents, they passed out of the room and up stairs to the sleeping-quarters of Fred. The door was carefully closed behind them, and, drawing their chairs close together, they talked in low tones, as if some dreadful penalty would follow a discovery of what was passing between them. Had any one been able to see the two attractive countenances, he would not have had to be told that the same thought was in the mind of each.
"I tell you, Jack," said Fred, with impressive solemnity, "it would be a shame; it will never do; we must not allow it."
"Allow what?"
"Why you heard your father say that he never expected to go out to Wyoming to look at that ranch he has bought."
"I could have told you that much, without waiting for him to say it. It will be just like him to give it away for a song."
"And who knows but that it contains valuable gold or silver mines? I have heard of treasures being bought in that way."
"That may be," was the thoughtful response of Jack, "though I believe most of Wyoming--that is the valleys and plains--is a grazing country."
"I don't know much about the country, but I have read enough to learn that the greatest discoveries of gold and silver have been in places where no one expected to find them. What I am getting at, Jack, is that your father should make up his mind not to part with his interest in the ranch till he knows all about it."
"How is he to learn, when he won't go near it? Of course he can write to the people out there, but likely they will not tell him the truth."
"He must send some one whom he can trust, and let him investigate."
"That does seem to be a sensible plan," remarked Jack, as if the thought had not been in his mind from the first.
"A sensible plan!" repeated the enthusiastic Fred, "it is the only plan; nothing else can make it sure that he is not being swindled out of a big fortune."
Jack was silent a moment, while he looked steadily into the brown eyes of his chum, who half-smilingly met the scrutiny. Then the whole scheme burst forth.
"And whom can your father trust before us? He must see that the best thing he can do is to send us out there to make a full investigation. We won't charge him anything like what he would have to pay other folks."
"Of course not; only our travelling expenses and supplies."
"What do you mean by supplies?"
"Say a Winchester rifle and a revolver apiece, with the proper ammunition; what sort of supplies did you think I meant?"
"I thought it was food, while we were out hunting."
Jack turned up his nose.
"If we can't keep ourselves supplied with food, when we are in a country that has the finest game in the world, we deserve to starve."
"My sentiments exactly;" and as if the coincidence required something in the nature of a compact, the boys shook hands over it.
"What a splendid treat it would be for us to spend some weeks out in Wyoming!" exclaimed Jack Dudley, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks glowing; "it looks as if it were providential that father got hold of that ranch."
"There can't be any doubt about it; but how much more providential it will be if we are sent to learn all that should be learned about it! I wonder if that can be brought about?"
Enough has been told for the reader to understand the plot formed by these two youths. There could be no question of the grand treat it would prove to both, provided their parents could be persuaded to take the same view of the matter; there was the rub.
Jack crossed his legs and