"Well, I'll tell you right now a big bear out in them mountains ain't no
swingin' board," said Sid Todd. "He's a whole lumber yard, when he's
cornered." And at this remark there was a general laugh.
It was getting dark when they came in sight of Star Ranch. They made out
a long, low building on the southern slope of a small hill. It was built
in modern bungalow fashion, having been erected by Mr. Endicott after
the original log dwelling had been destroyed by fire. It was divided
into a sitting-room fifteen feet by twenty-five, an office, a good-sized
dining-hall, a kitchen, and eight bedrooms, and a bath. Water was pumped
from a brook at the foot of the hill, and the rooms were lighted by a
new system of gasoline gas. The ranch home was comfortably furnished,
and in the sitting-room were a bookcase filled with good reading, and a
new player piano, with a combination cabinet of sheet music and music
rolls.
"I play by hand," said Belle, when the boys noticed the player piano,
"but papa plays with his feet."
"That's the kind of playing I do, too," answered Phil, with a grin.
"But you sing, don't you?" asked the young hostess of the ranch.
"Oh, yes, we all sing."
"Belle is a beautiful player," said Laura. "Wait till you hear her play
some operatic selections.
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