CHAPTER XXI 

HOP LUNG AND THE FISH 

By the end of the first week all of the boys felt thoroughly at home on Big Horn Ranch. They had visited many points of interest, including the cowboys' bunkhouse and also the big range to the eastward, and they had likewise tramped over a number of the hills and tried their hand at fishing in the river. 

"It certainly is one dandy place," remarked Jack to the others one day when they were coming up to the house from the river, each with a fair-sized string of fish to his credit. 

"We certainly never had such fishing as this in the East," answered Gif, as he looked at his string admiringly. "Just look at the size of 'em, will you?" 

"I wonder what Hop Lung will say when he sees them," remarked Fred. 

"I've got a scheme!" cried Andy. "Let's have a little fun," and thereupon he unfolded to the others what he had in mind to do. They readily agreed to his suggestion, and all came up to the ranch house by a roundabout way. Then Spouter called out loudly: 

"Hop Lung! Hop Lung! Come out here a minute!" 

A moment later the Chinese cook appeared, a long soup ladle in on one hand and a carving knife in the other. 

"You callee me?" he queried. 

"Yes," answered Spouter. "I want you to come around to the front of the house and tell me what you know about this," and he motioned to the cook to follow him around to the big veranda. 
Were they able to catch anything?
each with a fair-sized string of fish to his credit