"Now, girls--all off to bed at once, if you expect to go with us at
daybreak," was Mrs. Brewster's advice that cut the conversation short.
"I have no objections to tumbling into bed," confessed Polly.
"Nor I. If it were not for that ride to-morrow, I could sleep all day,"
added Eleanor, hiding a yawn.
"Ah will set the Big Ben to-night, I think," said Mr. Brewster, "so
that we will not miss Simms and his party at Lone Pine Blaze in the
morning."
"Who besides Simms is going with us, father?" asked Polly.
"Why, my old pal the Sheriff, and his men; Simms and a few of his best
friends, and Rattle-snake Mike as a guide."
"Oh, really! Why, it will be a large party, won't it?" cried Polly,
delightedly.
"We'll need a large party, Ah'm thinking, girls, if our surmises are
right. In fact, the Sheriff plans to send an extra posse up by a
different trail, in order to head off any strange-acting or unfamiliar-
looking men who might happen to meet them on this unfrequented ride
along Top Notch Trail."
"My! It makes me tingle deliciously at thought of the fun we will have
if we have to fight for the mine," said Eleanor.
"I don't think we women ought to go if there is the least danger,"
whimpered Barbara, glancing from one to the other in the group.
"You can stay at home and chaperone Sary," said Eleanor.
"I'll do nothing of the kind, Eleanor Maynard! If you and the others
go, I shall go too!" declared Barbara, jealously.
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