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 a doubt that this belt is as rich in ore as any in Colorado."

Jack remained stolidly indifferent and, really annoyed, Watson said hotly,—"Reckon you can leave your damned irrigation plant long enough to ride over there along o' me in the morning?"

"I'll go with pleasure—would really enjoy the ride with you. When do you propose to start?"

"Long afore daylight."

Nights are always cool enough to sleep under a cover in Texas and the morning that Watson and Jack started for the mining camp, they found it necessary to wrap themselves in their blankets.

During the winter season all ranchmen on starting out for a trip of any length go prepared to encounter one of those terrible "northers," and carry with them a twenty-five pound sack in which are bacon, biscuits,