CHAPTER XIIA RACE ON HORSEBACK
"What a beautiful spot!"
It was Dave who uttered the words, as he stood out in front of the ranch house on the following morning. He had gotten up early, and Laura and Belle had joined him, leaving the others still at rest.
Dave spoke with feeling, for the grand and sublime things in Nature had always appealed to him. He was gazing toward the east, where the rising sun was flooding the plains with a golden hue. Beyond the cottonwoods he caught a glimpse of the winding river. Then, when he turned, he saw the foothills and the mountains in the west, with their great bowlders and cliffs and their sturdy growths of pine.
"Aren't you glad you came, Dave?" said his sister, as she placed an affectionate hand on his shoulder.
"Indeed I am, Laura," he replied. "Why, it looks to me as if I was going to have the outing of my life! In fact, all of us ought to have the best time ever!"
"Does it put you in mind of your trip to Norway?" questioned Belle.
"Hardly. That was taken during cold weather, and everything was covered with snow and ice. Besides, the scenery was quite different." Dave paused to sweep the horizon. "In what direction is the Merwell ranch?" he asked.
"Over yonder," answered Belle, pointing up the river. "The little brook flowing down between those rough rocks marks the boundary line."
"And whose cattle are those on yonder hills?"
"I am not sure, but I think they belong to papa. When you ask about cattle you must go to Sid Todd. He knows every animal for miles around."
"I suppose your cattle are all branded?"
"Oh, yes, with a star and the letter E on either side of it. That's why this is called Star Ranch."
"What is the Merwell brand?" asked Laura.
"A triple cross."
Breakfast was soon announced, and all the girls and boys assembled in the dining-hall. While they ate the meal, Mr. Endicott told the newcomers much about his ranch, and also about the people working for him.
"I am sorry to hear that you have had trouble with Mr. Merwell's son," said the railroad president. "I am afraid it will make matters worse out here—and they are bad enough as it is."
"But I am sure Dave and his chums are not to blame, Mr. Endicott," said Laura, hastily.
"Oh, I am sure of that myself—for I know something of Link Merwell and his headstrong temper,—a temper he gets largely from his father. If it were not for that temper, I think Mr. Merwell and myself might be on better terms."
"We have had trouble over one of the hired men, Hank Snogger," explained Belle. "Snogger used to work for us, but Mr. Merwell hired him away."
"That wasn't a very nice thing to do," was Roger's comment.
"If it had been done openly it would not have been so bad," said Mr. Endicott. "But it was done secretly, and Snogger was gone almost before I knew it. He was a valuable man and I felt his loss keenly."
"I suppose Mr. Merwell offered him more wages," said Phil.
"Probably, although I paid Snogger a good salary. I don't know what game Merwell played to get the fellow, but he got him."
"It's exactly like some of Link's underhanded work at Oak Hall," was Roger's comment. "Father and son must be very much alike."
"While you are here I would advise you to steer clear of the Merwells," was Mr. Endicott's advice. "I'd not even go on their land if you canhelp it. There are plenty of other places to go to."
"I'll not go near his ranch, if I know it," answered Dave.
"It is queer that Link did not come on the train with you, if his father was expecting him."
"Oh, most likely he stopped off somewhere to have a good time," answered the senator's son. "A fellow like Link would be apt to find life slow on a ranch."
After breakfast Mr. Endicott and Belle took the boys and girls around the ranch buildings, which were quite numerous. The girls were interested in some fancy chickens and pigeons Belle owned, and the boys grew enthusiastic over the horses.
"I never saw better animals!" cried Dave, his eyes resting on a black horse that was truly a beauty. "What's his name?" he asked.
"Hero," answered Mr. Endicott. "He can go, let me tell you. You can try him this afternoon, if you wish."
"Thank you, perhaps I will."
"And if you like him, you can use Hero during your stay here," went on the railroad president, and then he pointed out various horses that the others might use.
"No busting broncos here, I suppose," said Phil, with a grin.
"No. If you want to try a bronco, you'll have to see Todd. But I advise you to be careful. Some day I'll have Todd give you an exhibition of bronco busting, as it is called."
During their tour of the place they met several cowboys and other helpers, and soon became well acquainted. In the past, visitors to Star Ranch had been numerous, consequently the most of the men were not as shy as they might otherwise have been. They gladly answered all the questions the boys and girls put to them, and offered to do all sorts of things to render the visit of the newcomers pleasant.
After lunch the girls felt like resting, for it was rather warm, but all the boys were anxious to get into the saddle. They had heard that Sid Todd was going to a distant part of the range, to see about two steers that had fallen into a ravine, and asked to be taken along.
"All right, my boys," said the cowboy. "Come ahead. But you'll have to do quite a bit of riding to get there and back by nightfall."
"Well, we may as well get used to it," answered Phil. "I expect to about live in the saddle while I am here."
Todd had several things to attend to before starting, so they did not leave the stables until nearly three o'clock. Dave was mounted on thesteed he had so admired, and the others had equally good horses.
"Shall we take our guns?" asked Roger.
"What for?" asked the cowboy.
"Oh, I thought we might get the chance to shoot something."
"We'll not have much time to look for game," answered Sid Todd. "However, if you want to take your shootin' irons, there ain't no objections." So each of the lads provided himself with a shotgun. Todd carried a pistol, of the "hoss" variety and nearly two feet long, the same being deposited in the holster of his saddle.
The course was to the westward, to the foothills of the distant mountains. Here, the cowboy explained, was a treacherous ravine, the sides overgrown with a tangle of low bushes. The cattle loved to get in the bushes, finding something there particularly appetizing to eat, and often the rocks and dirt would give way and a steer would go down in the hollow and be unable to get out.
"They don't seem to know how to climb the rocks," said Sid Todd. "And you've got to fairly drive 'em the right way, or they'd stay in the hollow till they died."
Dave felt like "letting himself loose," as he expressed it, and with a level stretch of several miles before them, he called on Phil and Roger for a race.
"Done!" cried the shipowner's son. "But I know you'll beat," he added. "You've had more practice on horseback than I have had."
"Take care and keep to the trail!" sung out Sid Todd. He had no desire to join in the sport, for horseback riding was no novelty to him.
Over the soft ground thundered the three horses, the boys at the start keeping in a bunch. But gradually they spread out and then Roger forged ahead.
"Here is where I win!" sang out the senator's son.
"Not much!" answered Phil. "Just wait till my horse gets his muscles limbered up a bit!" And then he urged his animal to a better gait, and slowly but surely crawled up closer to Roger.
Dave said but little, for he was paying all his attention to Hero. He had studied horses from childhood, and he thought he saw in the steed he rode better staying qualities than in either of the other animals. He kept on directly behind his chums, but made no effort for the first half mile to pass them.
"How far do we race?" cried the senator's son, presently.
"To the patch of woods," answered Dave, indicating a growth about a mile distant.
"All right—and—good-by to you!" returned Roger, merrily.
"Dave, you aren't in it a little bit!" added Phil. And he sped after the senator's son, leaving Dave a full fifty yards in the rear.
Dave saw that Hero was gradually warming up to his task. He clucked softly, and the little black horse pricked up his ears and increased his gait. Then Dave clucked again—he had heard Todd do this—and Hero went a little faster.
On went the three boys, the fresh air of the plains and the mountains filling their lungs and causing their eyes to snap with pure delight. At that moment each of them felt as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Phil and Roger were now neck-and-neck, with not quite half a mile of the race still to cover. Sixty yards behind was Dave. Still further to the rear was Sid Todd, now urging his horse forward, that he might see the finish of the contest.
"Now, then, my little beauty, go!" cried Dave to his horse, and he clucked several times to Hero, and dug his heels into the steed's ribs.
He had not miscalculated, and Hero responded instantly. Up he went into the air, and when he came down his ears were laid far back, and forward he shot like an arrow from a bow. Dave kept him to it, and gradually he ranged up between the others.
"Hi, get back there!" yelled Roger, who wasnow slightly in advance. "You can beat Phil, but you can't beat me!"
"Not much! He's not going to beat me!" put in the shipowner's son, and he urged his horse to do better. But this was impossible, and, inch by inch, Dave overtook him, and went to the front.
It now seemed to be a race between Hero and the brown horse that the senator's son rode. Roger's mount was still in fine condition, but it must be confessed that the senator's son did not know exactly how to race him to the best advantage. He sawed a little on the reins, thus worrying the animal, and causing him to lose his gait. Then, with a bound, Dave came up, and the pair were neck-and-neck for the finish.
"Go! go!" yelled Phil. "May the best horse win!"
"Whoopee!" came unexpectedly from Sid Todd, and, grabbing his pistol from the holster, he sent three shots into the air, just to add to the excitement.
As the pistol went off, both horses gave an extra bound forward. The two young riders were almost unseated, but each quickly recovered. Then they bent low over their steeds' necks and went forward for the finish.
It was a thrilling moment, Dave and Roger side by side, Phil at their heels, and Sid Todd furtherback, firing another shot or two, "just for fun," in true cowboy fashion.
But Roger had urged his horse to the limit and could do no better. As Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead, a foot, a yard, and soon several yards. Then Phil came up abreast of the senator's son, and thus they kept until the edge of the woods was gained.
"Dave wins!" cried Sid Todd. "An' a good race, boys,—a good race all around."
"Yes, Dave wins!" answered Phil. "My, but your horse did go it at the finish!" he added, admiringly.
"A fine animal," said Roger. "But mine is fine, too, even if he didn't come in first," he added, loyally.
"You all rode well—better nor I expected," was Sid Todd's comment. "It was a good race. I wish the others on the ranch had seen it,—they wouldn't call you tenderfeet no more!"
CHAPTER XIIITHE CRAZY STEER
In the shade of the woods the boys rested their steeds for a few minutes, and as they did this the cowboy told them of some of the races he had seen in the past on Star Ranch.
"One of the greatest races was between one o' the cowboys and an Indian named Crowfoot Joe," said the cowboy. "The Indian was sure he was going to win, but he lost by a neck. That race took place two years ago, but the boys in these parts ain't done tellin' about it yet. We had a full holiday the time it come off."
"I think your horse is just as good as mine," said Dave to Roger. "But I fancy you pressed him a little too hard at the start."
"He is just as good, an' so is the hoss Phil is ridin'," came from Sid Todd. "It was the ridin' did it. Dave managed his mount just right." And this open praise made the youth from Crumville blush.
"Just wait till Jessie hears how he won," said the shipowner's son. "She'll weave a laurel crown for his brow and——"
"Don't you say a word about it!" cried Dave, and blushed more than ever. "I didn't win by so very much, anyway."
Forward the party went, through the woods, and then in the direction of the foothills beyond. The race had not hurt the horses in the least, for all of them were tough and used to hard usage. They were following a well-defined trail, but presently branched off to the southward and commenced to climb the first of the hills.
"That hollow is about quarter of a mile from here," explained the cowboy. "Be careful now, or your horse will get into a hole, an' maybe break a leg." And then they went forward with added caution, into the midst of a growth of low bushes, dotted here and there with sagebrush.
Presently the cowboy uttered a long, loud whistle and this was answered by somebody near the edge of the ravine. Then another ranch hand named Tom Yates showed himself. He was on foot, but his horse was tethered not far away.
"Well, where are they?" asked Todd, of the other cowboy.
"Where are they?" growled Tom Yates. "Where they always are when they go over, hang 'em! Say, we're going to have a fierce job this time," he added.
"Why?" asked Todd.
"Because that big steer—the spotted one—wentover with two of the others. He got hurt a few days ago in the woods, and he's as ugly as sin because of it."
"Well, we'll have to drive 'em up, same as we did before," answered Sid Todd, briefly.
"I don't think you'll drive that steer," answered Tom Yates. "Blinky and I tried it, and we couldn't do a thing with him. Blinky wouldn't stay here. He thinks the steer is crazy."
"Got a rope?"
"Sure," was the answer, and the cowboy who had been working to get the cattle out of the ravine, swung a strong lasso into view. "But you ain't goin' to use that on that steer," he continued. "Leas'wise, not if you want to live to tell it."
"We'll see," answered Sid Todd, briefly, as he dismounted and took the lasso.
"Can we help?" asked Dave.
"Sure you can," answered the cowboy who had accompanied the boys. "Just you keep out of the way, an' that will be all the help we need."
"But perhaps we could do something," grumbled Roger. "I want to get into a regular round-up of cattle some day."
"This ain't no round-up, my boy. If you go down into the hollow those cattle will be wuss frightened nor ever. You just stay up here and watch things. I'm going to get 'em out—or know the reason why," finished Sid Todd, and hewalked away with Tom Yates, and presently the pair were joined by a third hand, the fellow who had said he thought one of the steers was crazy.
With nothing else to do, the three boys dismounted, tethered their steeds, and walked slowly and cautiously to the edge of the ravine. The ground was very uneven, and treacherous holes were numerous.
"You would think there would be a lot of game around here," was Dave's comment. "But so far I haven't seen a thing."
"I think the cattle and the cowboys have scared the animals away," answered Roger. "For hunting we'll have to go where it is even wilder than this—Todd said so."
"My, but this air is the finest ever!" cried Phil. "I declare, it makes me feel young!"
"As if he were old!" protested the senator's son. "But the air is great!" he added.
"I know what it does to me," declared Dave. "Makes me mighty hungry."
"Same here," answered the shipowner's son. "I think I could eat about six square meals a day. When we go out hunting, for a full day or more, we mustn't forget to take plenty of food along."
"Oh, we'll eat what we shoot, Phil," said Dave, with a wink at Roger. "They always do that out West, you know."
"Huh! And if we don't shoot we can starve,eh? Not much! I'm going to take plenty of good things along when I go out."
"I wonder if we'll see much of Link Merwell," said Roger, after a pause.
"I don't want to see him," answered Dave.
"But he'll see you, Dave. Didn't he say he'd square accounts out here? He'll keep his word—when it comes to doing anything mean and dirty."
"Roger is right," said Phil. "I shouldn't want to alarm the girls, or Mr. and Mrs. Endicott, but I'd surely keep my eyes open for Link Merwell. He'll try some kind of a game—it's his nature."
With caution the boys approached the edge of the ravine and looked over. They saw a spot where the dirt, rocks, and bushes had torn loose and slid down to the bottom of the hollow, carrying with the mass three of Mr. Endicott's herd of cattle. Two of the herd had been driven up to safety by the cowboys, but the third—the vicious steer—was still below, unable to help himself, and showing fight whenever approached by the ranch hands.
"I see him!" announced Phil, pointing with his hand to some rocks below. "He looks peaceful enough."
"So does a bomb—until it goes off," answered Dave. "The cowboys wouldn't be afraid of him unless he was a bad one. Maybe he is really crazy. I've heard of a crazy horse."
"Say, that puts me in mind of a story Shadow Hamilton told," came from the senator's son. "A boy in school was a regular blockhead, and one day the teacher asked him what made him so foolish. 'I dunno,' he answered, 'excepting that my mother makes me sleep under a crazy quilt.'"
"Say, that's like Shadow!" cried Phil, after a laugh all around. "Wish he was here—what stories he would tell!"
For some little time the boys could not see the men, who were hidden by the rocks and brushwood. But presently they caught sight of Sid Todd. He was flourishing a stick at the steer. The animal paid no attention at first, but presently commenced to shake his head from side to side.
"Doesn't like it," was Roger's comment.
"He seems to be saying 'No' quite forcibly," added Dave.
"Now Todd is after him," cried the shipowner's son a minute later. "See, the steer is on the move at last."
"Yes, but he is going after Todd!" answered Roger.
Such was the fact, and presently man and beast disappeared behind some brushwood. Then, when they emerged again, it was seen that the cowboy had lassoed the animal by one of the forelegs. He was mounting the rocks, and the steer was limping behind, trying vainly to shake himselffree. He did not seem to know enough to hold back altogether.
"Well, I think that rather dangerous!" declared Phil. "Supposing the steer should run for him?"
"I guess the cowboy knows what he is doing," answered Dave. "If he is pursued, he can easily scramble up on some of the steep rocks and get out of the way."
For fully ten minutes they watched the scene below them with interest. At one time the cowboy would appear to have the best of the situation, then it looked as if the steer would have his own way. But gradually man and beast worked up toward the top of the ravine.
"He'll worry the steer along, if he doesn't get too tired," said Dave. "But it must be a fearful strain on him."
The strain was heavier than the boys anticipated and several times Sid Todd was on the point of giving up the struggle. Perhaps, had he been alone, he might have done so. But, with the others looking on, he felt that his reputation was at stake, and so he worried along, until he suddenly slipped on some rocks and fell flat.
As he went down, the steer appeared to realize the man's helplessness, and with a weird snort he rushed forward, the lasso becoming tangled up on the front leg as he advanced.
"Look out, Sid!" yelled Yates. "He's goin' to hook yer!"
Todd had been a little stunned by his fall, and a bit of brushwood hid the animal from his view. But at the cry of alarm from the other ranch hand he realized his peril and rolled over, between two tall rocks.
On came the steer and struck one of the rocks a blow that resounded loudly through the ravine. Then the beast gave a leap, directly over Todd's body, and landed on the rocks beyond.
"Is he hurt?" asked Roger, anxiously.
"I don't know, but I don't think so," answered Dave.
"See, the steer is coming right up the side of the ravine!" cried Phil. "He is dragging the lasso after him."
"Yes, and he is coming this way!" put in the senator's son. "Perhaps we had better get out of the way!" he added, in alarm.
"Oh, I don't think he'll tackle us," answered Phil.
"There is no telling what he will do," said Dave. "He is coming to the top, that is sure. Maybe we had better get into the saddle. We'll be safer on horseback."
The horses of the three boys were tethered some distance away, and as mentioned before, the lads had to move slowly, for fear of stepping into somehole. As they advanced they heard loud cries coming up from the bottom of the ravine.
"What can be wrong down there now?" questioned the shipowner's son.
"I don't know," returned Roger. "Perhaps they are shouting to warn us."
"That is just what they are doing!" added Dave, quickly. "Listen!"
"Look out, up there!" came from the ravine. "Look out! The steer is coming!"
The boys quickened their pace, but hardly had they covered half the distance to where the horses were tied when Roger suddenly slipped and went down.
"Hurry up!" called out Phil, who was near.
"Oh!" moaned the senator's son, and his face took on a look of pain.
"What's wrong?" asked Dave, coming up.
"My foot! It got twisted, and now it is fast in the hole!" answered Roger. "Gracious! how it hurts!" he went on, making a wry face.
"Come! come!" urged Dave. "That steer is coming! There he is now!" And he pointed to the lower end of the ravine, where the animal had just bobbed up among the bushes, shaking his head from side to side in a queer, uncanny way.
Roger tried to pull his foot from between the rocks, but was unable to do so. Phil had run on,thinking his chums would follow. Dave stopped short.
"Can't you make it, Roger?" he asked, anxiously, and with another glance in the direction of the steer. The animal was now in full view.
"I—I—don't seem to be—be able to!" panted the senator's son. "Oh, if only that steer doesn't come this way!" he went on, in fresh alarm.
"He is coming this way!" exclaimed Dave. "Oh, Roger, let me help you!" And now he bent over and tried with might and main to get his chum's foot free. As he did this the steer came forward slowly. Then the animal gave an unexpected snort of rage and charged full tilt at the helpless youth.
CHAPTER XIVA FACE PUZZLES DAVE
It was a time of extreme peril for Roger, and no one realized it more fully than did Dave. The angry steer was still some distance away, but coming forward at his best speed. One prod from those horns and the senator's son would be killed or badly hurt.
As said before, Phil had gone on, thinking his chums would follow. He was already at the side of his horse, and speedily untied the animal, and vaulted into the saddle.
"Why, what's up?" he cried, in dismay, as he turned, to behold Roger in the hole and Dave beside him.
"Roger's foot is fast!" answered Dave. "Oh, Phil, see if you can't scare the steer off!"
"I'll do what I can," came from the shipowner's son, and rather timidly, it must be confessed, he advanced on the animal in question. He gave a loud shout and swung his arm, and the steer looked toward him and came to a halt.
"You've got your gun—if he tries to horn Roger, shoot him," went on Dave.
"I will," answered Phil, and riding still closer he swung his firearm around for action.
Dave made a hasty examination and saw that Roger's foot was caught by the toe and the heel, and would have to be turned in a side-way fashion to be loosened. He caught his chum under the arms and turned him partly over.
"Now try it," he said quickly, at the same time turning once more to look at the steer. The beast had finished his inspection of Phil and was coming forward as before, with head and horns almost sweeping the ground. Behind him trailed the long lasso, which was still fast to one of his forelegs.
"Phil! Phil!" cried Dave, suddenly. "I have it! Catch the lasso if you can and hold him back!"
"I will—if I can," was the ready response. And making a semicircle the shipowner's son came up behind the steer, leaped to the ground, caught hold of the lasso, and sprang back into the saddle, almost as quick as it takes to tell it. Then he made the rope fast to his pommel and turned his horse back.
The steer was but two yards away from Roger and Dave when the rope on his foreleg suddenly tightened, and he found himself brought to a halt. He gave a wild snort, and, just as Roger foundhimself at liberty, he turned and gazed angrily at Phil and his steed. Then he charged in that direction.
"Ride for it, Phil!" called Dave, but this warning was unnecessary, for the shipowner's son was already galloping across the field as rapidly as the nature of the ground permitted. The horse easily kept the lasso taut, thus worrying the steer not a little.
By Dave's aid Roger managed to hobble to where the other horses were tethered, and soon both boys were in the saddle and riding after Phil and the steer.
"I guess the steer is getting winded," said Dave, coming closer. "He doesn't seem to have as much fight in him as he did."
Around and around, in a broad circle, went Phil and his horse and the steer. But the steps of the latter were slower and slower, and presently the beast dropped into a walk and then refused to take another step. Phil came to a halt also, but kept the lasso tight. Then the steer lay down on his side.
"I guess he is conquered," was Roger's comment.
The three boys kept at a safe distance and waited for the appearance of Sid Todd and the other cowboys. Presently Todd came over the rim of the ravine and looked around anxiously.
"Anybody hurt?" he questioned, as he ran forward.
"Roger got his ankle twisted, running away from the steer," answered Dave.
"What did the critter do?" went on the cowboy, and Phil and the others told their story, to which Sid Todd listened with interest. The other cowboys also came up, to look the fallen steer over.
"He sure is a crazy one," said Yates. "If I was the boss, I'd shoot him."
"I'll report about him as soon as I get back," answered Todd. "Say, you had a nerve to take hold of this lasso," he went on to Phil.
"Dave told me to do it," was the answer of the shipowner's son. "It was easy enough—when I was on horseback. I shouldn't have done it if I had been on foot."
"Not much—unless you're a staving good runner," said Yates, with a grin.
The steer was too exhausted to make further resistance just then, and the cowboys had but little trouble in taking the lasso from his foreleg.
"He'll be all right after a bit," said Todd, in answer to a question from Dave. "But I think myself he isn't just O. K. in his head, and the next time we want some fresh meat we might as well kill him off and be done with it."
The cowboy insisted upon looking at Roger's ankle. The member was somewhat swollen, butthe senator's son said it would not bother him to ride home. In a little while they were off in a bunch. When quite a distance from the ravine they gazed back and saw that the steer had gotten up and was grazing as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Well, we have put in a rather strenuous day for a starter," remarked Dave, when they came in sight of the ranch home. "If this keeps up——"
"But it won't," interrupted Phil. "I reckon some days will be dull enough."
The girls were awaiting their return, and they listened with keen attention to what the boys had to tell.
"You must bathe your ankle with liniment," cried Belle. "I'll get some for you," and soon she presented Roger with the stuff. He did as directed, and soon the swollen member felt far more comfortable. During the evening the senator's son took it easy on the wide veranda and in the sitting-room.
"I wish I had seen the race!" cried Jessie, smiling at Dave. "Some day you'll have to have another and let us girls look on."
"What's the matter with you girls having a race?" queried Dave. "That would be dead loads of fun—for us boys."
"Belle would be sure to win—she can ride like the wind," answered Laura.
As soon as it grew dark that evening the girls and boys went indoors, and played and sang. Belle showed her skill on the piano, and Dave and Phil tried the mechanical arrangement of the instrument, with perforated music rolls. Almost before they realized it, it was time to go to bed.
The next morning Roger still limped a little, and it was agreed to take it easy. All wanted to write letters, and the entire day was spent in doing little else.
"How will the letters be posted?" asked Dave.
"Todd will take them over to the railroad station to-morrow," answered Mrs. Endicott.
Shortly after dinner the next day, the cowboy announced that he was ready to take the mail to the station. Phil and Roger had wandered off to the barns, to look at some calves.
"If you don't mind, I'll go with you to the station," said Dave to the cowboy. "The ride would just suit me."
"Glad to have you along," answered Sid Todd. He had taken a strong fancy to the boys and to Dave in particular.
They were soon on their way, Todd carrying the mail in a bag slung over his horse's neck. Man and boy were in the best of spirits, and both made rapid time over the dusty roads.
"Maybe you'll meet a friend of yours at the station when the train comes in," said Todd.
"A friend? Who?" asked Dave.
"That Merwell boy. Yates heard he was coming to-day. One of the cowboys from Merwell's ranch said so."
"I don't know that I care to meet him," answered Dave. "He is no friend of mine."
"That boy ought to have his hide tanned good and proper," growled the cowboy. "He's been a sore spot here for years."
"Have you had trouble with him?"
"Yes, and so has everybody else on this ranch, and on his own ranch, too, for the matter of that. Not that he did anything very bad," continued Todd. "But it's jest his mean, measly ways. He don't know how to treat a hand civilly."
"Isn't his father the same way?"
"Sometimes, but not always. The old man knows that the boys won't stand for too much of that thing."
"Who is at their ranch besides Mr. Merwell?"
"Oh, the regular hands, that's all."
"No young folks?"
"No."
"I should think it would be lonely for Link."
"Maybe it is. But that ain't no reason why he should act so mean," added Sid Todd.
"I should think he'd want to invite some of his friends to visit him."
"Maybe Mr. Merwell don't want it. He's putty close, you must remember, and it costs money to entertain."
"Well, I pity Link if he has got to stay there alone."
"He don't stay all the time. He rides to town, and smokes and gambles, and gets into all sorts of trouble, and then he gets scared to death for fear the old man will find it out," concluded Sid Todd.
They were soon at the station, and there found they would have to wait half an hour for the train to come in. Several cowboys were present and also a gentleman with a white, flowing beard.
"That is Mr. Hooper," said Sid Todd. "He owns a ranch up the river—the Bar X. He's a fine man." And a few minutes later he introduced Dave to the ranch owner.
"Glad to know you," said Mr. Hooper. "I heard that my friend, Endicott, had a lot of boys and girls at his place. Tell Belle she must bring all of you over to my place some day."
"Thank you, I will," answered Dave.
"We haven't any boys and girls there, but I reckon we can give you a good time," went on Mr. Hooper.
Among the cowboys at the station, Dave noticed one tall and particularly powerful fellow. Hisface looked somewhat familiar, and the Crumville youth wondered if he had met the man before.
"That is Hank Snogger, the fellow who left our place to work for Mr. Merwell," said Sid Todd, in a low voice.
"His face looks familiar to me, but I can't place him," returned Dave. "Did he come from the East?"
"I think he did, years ago. Think you know him?"
"It seems to me I've met him before—or met somebody that looked like him," answered Dave, slowly. He was trying in vain to place those features.
"Don't you remember the name?"
"No."
"We ain't on very good terms any more, otherwise I'd give you a knock-down to him," went on the cowboy.
"I don't know that I care for an introduction," answered Dave. "He doesn't look like a person I'd want for a friend—he looks rather dissipated."
"He was a good man when he worked for Mr. Endicott. But he's not so good since he went over to Merwell."
There the talk about Hank Snogger ended. Once or twice the man looked curiously at Dave.
Each time something in his face struck the youth as decidedly familiar. Yet, try his best, the boy could not place the fellow.
"It's no use," he told himself at last. "Perhaps I don't know him, after all. But I've seen a face like that somewhere—I am sure of it."
CHAPTER XVAMONG THE COWBOYS
"Here she comes!"
It was an enthusiastic cowboy who uttered the words, and by way of emphasis he fired his revolver in the air, as he rode up beside the incoming train. It was the one moment of excitement at the station.
The cars came to a halt, and Sid Todd went forward to give his letters to the railway mail clerk. Dave watched the cars and saw two men and a boy alight. The boy was Link Merwell.
The former bully of Oak Hall looked haggard, as if his dissipation in Chicago and elsewhere had done him much harm. His eyes were heavy as he stood and stared about him. Hank Snogger had gone forward, to care for the mail from the Merwell ranch.
"Hello, you here!" cried Link, stepping forward and confronting Dave.
"I am," was the cool answer.
"Got here ahead of me, eh?"
"So it would seem."
"Going to make a spread out here, I suppose,"went on Link, with a sneer. "Paint the plains red, and all that."
"I came for a good time, but I don't intend to paint anything red."
"Bah, I know you, Dave Porter! You want to crow over everybody, no matter where you go. But you'll find things are different out here from what they were at Oak Hall," added the bully, significantly. "You can't pull the wool over people's eyes here like you did there."
"I have no more intention of pulling wool than I have of painting anything red," answered Dave, as calmly as before. He could see that Link was in a bad humor and spoiling for a fight.
"I said I was going to get square with you, and I am," continued the bully, loudly.
"You keep your distance, Link Merwell," answered Dave, and now his tone was sharper. "Don't forget what I did at Oak Hall. If you want another thrashing like that I can give it to you."
"Get out! Don't you talk to me!" howled Link. "You attacked me when I was sick!" He spoke in a loud voice, for the benefit of the cowboys and others who were gathering around. The train had started away and was soon out of sight among the hills.
"You were as well as you ever were," answered Dave.
"What's the row, Link?" asked Hank Snogger, as he pushed his way to the front.
"Here's a fellow used to go to school with me. I've got it in for him, and I've a good mind to give him a thrashing."
"You put your hand on me, and you'll take the consequences," said Dave. "I didn't come here to fight, but I can defend myself."
"You don't want to fight, do you, Dave?" asked Sid Todd, in a low voice. To him it looked as if the Crumville lad might be no match for Merwell, who was larger and heavier.
"I am not afraid, Todd. I thrashed him once and I can do it again—if I have to."
"You licked him?"
"Yes."
"With your fists?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"At school. He played a dirty trick on me and some others, and I wouldn't stand for it."
"You shut your mouth!" roared Link Merwell, and without warning he rushed forward and struck Dave a blow in the chest that sent the Crumville youth staggering against Mr. Hooper.
"Wait! wait! This won't do!" said the ranchman.
"If you are going to fight, fight fair," put in Sid Todd.
"Now don't you butt in here, Sid!" growled Hank Snogger, with an ugly look at the other cowboy.
"I'll see fair play," answered Todd, sharply, and he elbowed his way between Snogger and Dave.
Having delivered his unexpected blow, Link Merwell sprang back and stood on the defensive. Dave was not wearing any coat or vest, and he merely threw his hat to his friend. Then, as quick as lightning, he sprang forward, knocked aside Merwell's guard, and planted a telling blow on the bully's left eye.
"As you are so anxious to fight, take that!" cried Dave, and before the other could recover he landed a second blow on Merwell's chin. This caused the bully to stagger against Hank Snogger, who kept him from falling completely.
"Well! well! well!" sang out one of the cowboys in the crowd. "Just look at that! Merwell, keep your eyes open, or you'll git knocked into a jelly!"
The former bully of Oak Hall was staggered, but only for a moment. Then, with a hoarse cry of rage, he leaped at Dave, and for fully a minute the blows came thick and fast from each side. Then the pair clinched, swung around and around, and finally went down, with Dave on top.
"Break away there!" sang out Hank Snogger, and caught Dave by the ear. "Git up off him!"
"Leave Porter alone!" yelled Sid Todd, and caught Snogger by the hair. "This is the boys' fight, 'tain't yours."
"That's right! That's right!" came from several. "Leave the kids alone."
"He ain't goin' to hit Link when he's down," growled Snogger.
"I don't intend to," answered Dave, and got up. He turned to Hank Snogger. "You keep your hands off of me," he added, sharply. "This is not your quarrel."
"Ah, don't talk to me," growled the cowboy.
"I will talk to you," went on Dave. "You keep out of this."
Dave stood back, while Link slowly arose to his feet. The bully was somewhat dazed. But there was still a good deal of fight left in him, and suddenly he charged on the Crumville lad, making a heavy swing for Dave's jaw. Dave ducked, and, as Merwell swung around, caught the bully in the right ear. Then he followed the blow by one on the neck and another directly in the mouth. The latter loosened two teeth and sent the bully into the arms of Hank Snogger.
"Well, have you had enough?" asked Dave. He was panting for breath, and his eyes were blazing with determination.
A look full of the bitterest kind of hatred filledthe face of Link Merwell, but he was too staggered to attack Dave again. He leaned on Hank Snogger and then turned his face away.
"I say, have you had enough—or do you want another dose?" demanded Dave.
"I'll—fight this out some other time," answered Merwell, weakly. He realized that the eyes of the crowd were on him, and this made him furious. But he did not dare to risk another attack from the Crumville youth, fearing what fighters call "a knockout."
"Then you have had enough, eh?" went on Dave. "Very well. And now, Merwell, I advise you to keep your distance. If you don't—well, you'll catch it worse, that's all."
"Link is tired out from his long train ride," remarked Hank Snogger. "He ain't in no fit condition fer a scrap. Wait till he has rested up a week or two—then he'll show thet tenderfoot what's what." And with these words he led Link away to where a couple of horses were tied. He leaped on one and the bully leaped on the other, and in a moment more both were off for the Merwell ranch.
"Well, youngster, I reckon you can hold your own," remarked Mr. Hooper. He had led a rough-and-tumble life himself and did not look on a fight as a dreadful matter. "You had him going."
"So you did, Dave," added Sid Todd, while several other cowboys nodded in assent.
"He forced the fight," answered Dave. "I suppose he'll try it again some day."
"Merwell always was scrappy," said one of the cowboys.
"Takes after his dad," added another; and then there was a general laugh. Several came up to shake hands with Dave and congratulate him on the outcome of the little bout. Some of the cowboys were not very refined, and to them such a fist-fight seemed a great thing.
There were a number of letters for those at Star Ranch, including two for Dave,—from his father and from Ben Basswood. With the epistles in their pockets, Dave and Sid Todd started on the return to the Endicott place. They had to follow, for some distance, the trail taken by Link and Snogger, their road branching off after the bridge over the river was crossed.
Considerable time had been lost waiting for the train and because of the set-to with Merwell, and the sun was now going down over the mountains in the west, casting long shadows over the plains.
"You'll have a late supper to-night," said Todd, as they moved on at a brisk pace. "And I reckon you'll have an appetite for it. The way you polishedoff that cub was great!" And he shook his head enthusiastically.
"I wish you'd do me a favor, Todd," returned Dave.
"Sure thing, son. What do you want?"
"Please don't say too much at the ranch about the fight. I don't want to scare my sister and the other girls."
"Can't I tell the boys how you polished off young Merwell? Most of 'em will be glad to hear it."
"Well, don't say too much, that's all. If they learn that Link is on the watch to do harm, the girls will be almost too afraid to go out."
"Do you think that cub would be mean enough to harm the gals?"
"He'd be mean enough to scare them half to death."
"If he does that—well, I reckon I'll take a hand in lickin' him myself."
"We came out here to have a good time, and I want to forget Link Merwell, if possible. But I'll keep my eyes open for him—and I'll tell Phil and Roger to watch out, too," added Dave, soberly.
Sid Todd was anxious to know more of Link's doings at Oak Hall, and Dave told how Link had tried to get Gus Plum and himself into trouble. He did not mention the trouble Laura and Jessiehad had, for he did not wish to drag the names of the girls into the affair.
"He sure is a bad egg," said the cowboy, at the end of the recital. "Keep an eye on him by all means."
By the time they reached the vicinity of the bridge it was quite dark. Remembering the bad condition of the structure spanning the stream, Sid Todd cautioned Dave to let his horse walk.
"Look!" cried the youth, a second later, and pointed around a rise of rocks to the bridge. He had seen two figures leaving the structure. They disappeared behind a high clump of brushwood.
"What did you see?" questioned Todd, who had been gazing off to one side of the trail.
"Two persons on the bridge. They just ran away into the bushes."
"On foot?"
"Yes."
"Humph! Didn't know anybody was out on foot around here," mused the cowboy. "Sure it wasn't a bear, or some other animal?" And he felt for his horse-pistol.
"No, they were men, or boys," answered Dave. "They ran off the bridge the minute we came in sight."
"Huh! I wonder if it's possible them hoss-thieves is around again."
"Have you horse-thieves in this territory?"
"We sure have. Lost two hosses last spring and two last summer. I'll have to tell the boss about seeing them fellows. But maybe—say, hold on, Dave."
"What now?"
"I may be mistaken, but—don't go on the bridge on hossback."
"Why not?"
"I'll tell you—after I've examined the bridge," answered Sid Todd, and in a manner that mystified Dave very much.