"I hope there's nothing personal in that," grinned Dick.

"Oh, not at all," replied his host with an innocent expression on his
face, but a twinkle in his eye. "I wonder what could have given you that
idea."

"Nothing," replied Dick. "I just thought it barely possible, that's all."

"Oh, no," disclaimed Melton, "nothing could have been further from my
thoughts."

Dick looked suspicious, and Tom and Bert laughed heartily.

After this little interruption, the talk went back to the subject of the
threatened Indian uprising. After a time Mr. Melton said: "It might be a
good idea for you boys to ride to town to-morrow and get the latest news.
There'll be very little going on about the ranch to-morrow to interest
you, and it will be a good way to spend the day. Besides, there are one
or two things I forgot when in town, and while you are about it you can
get them and bring them back with you."

This plan was received by the boys with acclamation, and they immediately
set to making preparations. It was a considerable distance to the town,
and they planned to make an early start, before the intense heat of the
day set in.

They accordingly packed their "war-bags" that same evening, and before
retiring had made every preparation for the morrow's trip.

The next morning they were up with the sun, and after a hasty breakfast