Part 12 (1/2)
”Oh, yes, I can make it all right,” was the reply. ”Thank you.”
And when he was gone, many curious glances followed him. He was always a matter of curiosity to the cowboys for they could not understand his deep interest in digging up the bones of monster animals that had walked the earth millions of years ago. However, Bud and his cousins could appreciate this scientific interest, knowing what it added to the sum of human knowledge.
But now there was a new source of curiosity regarding the professor, and I am frank to say there was no little suspicion. In spite of the fact that (as I have told you in the first book of this series), the professor was cleared of certain suspicions there still remained, in the mind of some persons, suspicions and lurking thoughts.
Why had the scientist returned to Diamond X at the very time when the government opened the land to claimants? Why had he led astray the pursuit of those who fired the shots that night? And now was his explanation of how he happened to be in company with those believed to be sheep herders a good explanation?
These were questions that needed answering, though it may be said that the older cowboys were more concerned about them than were the boy ranchers. They were young enough to be naturally unsuspicious of their scientific friend.
”But I wish I knew what he really crossed the creek for,” said Billee.
”Then you don't believe his story?” asked Snake Purdee.
”Not by a long shot!” exclaimed Billee. ”Do you?”
”'Twas kinder fishy,” admitted the other. ”But what would his object be, and what was his game?”
Billee had no chance to answer, for just then the telephone bell jingled, and the veteran cow puncher answered it. He had no sooner given the customary ”h.e.l.lo,” than the expression on his face changed and he cried:
”You don't say so! That's too bad! All right, some of us will be right over.”
”What's the matter?” asked Bud anxiously, coming up just in time to hear Billee's remark.
”There's trouble back at the ranch,” was the grim answer. ”They have just called for help!”
”Trouble! What sort?”
”Oh, n.o.body's hurt, as far as that goes,” Billee hastened to a.s.sure the boy. ”But there's been a raid on your cattle. Rustlers up to their old tricks, I reckon. It's a call for help from Diamond X!”
CHAPTER X
DEL PINZO'S HAND
Instantly all were astir in the shack that had been erected as a fort on the bank of Spur Creek, and a rush was made for saddles and the usual trappings of a cowboy. Nor were guns forgotten, for if these would not be needed in fighting off the rustlers, they would be of service in driving back a herd of frightened animals determined to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the source of their alarm.
Billee was overwhelmed with questions.
”Who were they?”
”What did they do?”
”Who was on the wire?”
To all of these the veteran raised a hand for silence.
”I'll tell you all I know,” he said.
”Maybe you'd better tell us on the run,” suggested Yellin' Kid. ”If we're goin' t' help we'd better be moseying along, and _p.r.o.nto_ at that.”
”Good idea,” chuckled Old Billee. ”Well,” he resumed as they hurried toward the corral where their horses were kept, ”it was the boss himself speaking on the wire. He didn't say much except to let it out that we'd better get back as soon as we could. He didn't say who it was that caused the ruction, so you know about as much of it as I do.