"
"I reckon so," said the corporal, sizing up the score or more of lean,
square-jawed cowboys, "and in that case we might just as well return to
camp."
He took leave of the three comrades, who thanked him for his escort, and
with the troopers at his heels galloped off.
On the trip to the ranch the cowboys crowded around the boys, and plied
them with innumerable questions, which they answered to the best of their
ability. On their arrival they were turned over to motherly Mrs. Melton,
who insisted on redressing their wounds, and then, after they had made
a hearty meal, packed them off to bed.
"Gee, boys!" exclaimed the foreman, before the cowboys dispersed to their
alloted tasks, "those lads are sure _there_ when it comes to deliverin'
the goods, ain't they? An' to think that once in a moment of besotted
ignorance I referred to them as 'tender-feet.' Why, it don't seem possible
them boys can be Easterners at all. It seems like they jest _must_ 'a'
been born west o' the Rockies."
As this was the highest eulogium any of them could think of, they
acquiesced in their foreman's words and dispersed to work.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190