Part 18 (1/2)
”Yes. I came back to see if you could give me a man from here, or get me one rather. One who knows the mountains and who will ride back with me at once.”
”Of course I will. You did perfectly right in coming to me quickly. My foreman is in town to-day. He will be in shortly and I think he will know of some one who will answer your purpose. I wish you had ridden to my ranch, however. It would have been much nearer.”
”I didn't know where it was.”
”Of course not.”
”While waiting for the foreman, tell me about how it all happened?”
urged Mr. Simms.
Ned went over the events of the previous evening, in detail, to all of which the banker gave an attentive ear.
Mr. Simms regarded him with serious face.
”You young men are having plenty of excitement, I must say. Yes, you are right. Something must have happened to Master Tad. He looks to me like a boy who could be relied upon to look out for himself pretty well, however,” added the banker.
”He is. We were afraid that perhaps he might have gotten into trouble with the bear.”
”Quite likely. Do you plan on going back with the guide that we get for you?”
”Certainly.”
”Then you will need a fresh, pony. I will have one brought around for you when you are ready to start. I should think, however, that it would be best for you to remain over until tomorrow. You'll be lamed up for sure.”
”No, I must go back. I'll be lame all right, but it won't be the first time. I'm lame and sore now. I've polished that saddle so you could skate on it already,” laughed Ned.
Mr. Simms laughed.
”I can understand that quite easily. I've been in the saddle a good share of my life, too. There comes the foreman now.”
The foreman of the Simms ranch, who bore the euphonious name of Luke Larue, was a product of the West. Six feet tall, straight, muscular, with piercing gray eyes that looked out at one from beneath heavy eyelashes, Ned instinctively recognized him as a man calculated to inspire confidence.
He shook hands with the young man cordially, sweeping him with a quick, comprehensive glance.
Mr. Simms briefly related all that Ned Rector had told him, and the foreman glanced at the young man with renewed interest after learning of the ride he had taken that morning.
”Pretty good for a tenderfoot, eh?”
Ned's bronzed face took on a darker hue as he blushed violently.
”I don't exactly call myself that now, sir,” he replied.
”Right. You say your friend chased a bear out!”
The lad nodded.
Luke shook his head.