CHAPTER XXVI 

 AT THE DIAMOND BAR 



ON Black Canyon, half way up, we camped near the 

 home ranch of the Diamond Bar Cattle Company. 

 The owner was a wealthy easterner whom ill health 

 had driven to this charming exile where he now spent 

 the better part of each year from choice. 



True to the traditions of the cattlemen, he kept 

 open house for wayfarers. So we were not sur- 

 prised upon our arrival to receive a dinner invita- 

 tion. We accepted with pleasure and not till then 

 did we learn from one of the cow-punchers that a 

 party of six Silver City girls, campers en route to 

 the top of the range, were also to attend. This was 

 rather perturbing. We had for so long been guilt- 

 less of participating in anything remotely approach- 

 ing a social function that we were nervous. Our 

 available wardrobes, too, were hardly calculated to 

 lend distinction to the affair. 



However, there was nothing to do but fix our- 

 selves as fetchingly as possible and go. 



Frazer, the camp barber, trimmed each untidy 

 shock of hair into a semblance of neatness. Beards 

 and moustaches in various styles were removed. 

 There was a great spattering of water, a prolonged 



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