CHAPTER XVIII 

ON THE WAY WEST 

"Well, we're off for Big Horn Ranch at last!" 

"It certainly is a grand prospect, eh, Jack? We ought to have barrels of fun on the ranch." 

"Yes, Randy, it certainly ought to make a dandy vacation." 

"I'm fairly itching to get on horseback," put in Andy. "What dandy rides we shall have!" 

"Maybe we'll get a chance to break in a broncho," put in Fred, with a grin. 

"Don't you dare do such a thing, Fred Rover!" burst out his sister Mary. "Most likely the bronco would break your neck." 

"Well, we won't bust any broncos until we get to the ranch," came with a smile from Fred's father, who had followed the young people into the sleeping car at the Grand Central Terminal. 

It was the day of their departure for the West, and the young folks were quivering with suppressed excitement. Sam Rover and his wife headed the party, which consisted of the four boys and the two girls. 

Fourth of July had been spent rather quietly at home preparing for the trip. Of course, Andy and Randy had had some fun, especially with fireworks in the evening, but otherwise the young folks had been too preoccupied with their arrangements for getting away to pay special attention to the national holiday. 

It had been arranged that only the Rovers mentioned above should at first make the trip to the ranch, and Gif and Spouter were to meet them in Chicago, where they would change cars for Montana. Tom Rover and his wife were to come to the ranch two weeks later and bring with them May Powell and Ruth Stevenson. Later still it was barely possible that Dick Rover and his wife would come West. 
How was 4th of July spent?
Fourth of July had been spent rather quietly at home preparing for the trip. Of course