Part 16 (2/2)
returned Laura.
As soon as the train came to a stop the boys hopped down and a.s.sisted the girls to alight. Sid Todd followed, with the hand baggage, and the whole party gathered in a group, while Mr. Endicott and Belle dismounted to greet them.
”Very glad to know you,” said the railroad president, with a genial smile overspreading his features. ”I feel as if I knew Morr already. I have met his father and mother several times in Was.h.i.+ngton.”
”Yes, so dad wrote,” answered the senator's son.
”And I feel as if I knew you, and Miss Belle,” said Dave. ”I've heard so much about you from Laura.”
”And we've heard so much about you!” cried Belle. ”Oh, wasn't it simply wonderful how you found your folks! Why, it's almost like a page out of a fairy book!”
”Not quite,” put in Phil. ”Fairy stories aren't true, while this really happened.”
”Some day Dave has got to tell me the whole story from beginning to end,” said Belle. ”You see, I'm going to call you Dave, and you must call me Belle.”
”Well, we can't stop for stories just now,” said Mr. Endicott. ”It's a long ride to the ranch, and they'll be more than hungry by the time we get there. Todd, bring up the horses, and tell Jerry to dump all the baggage in the wagon. Do you all want to ride horseback, or does somebody prefer a seat in the wagon?”
”Oh, let us ride horseback, if you have animals enough!” cried Laura.
”You're willing, aren't you, Jessie?”
”I--I guess so,” said Jessie, rather timidly. ”That is, if you don't ride too fast.”
”We'll take it easy,” said Belle. ”And if you get tired you can wait for the wagon.”
A number of st.u.r.dy-looking animals were brought up, and the entire party proceeded to mount, the boys a.s.sisting Laura and Jessie. In the meantime Sid Todd went off, to return with a ranch wagon, driven by an old man smoking a corncob pipe.
”h.e.l.lo, Uncle Jerry!” cried Laura, pleasantly, and the others soon learned that the old man was known by that name and no other. He had been attached to the ranch when Mr. Endicott purchased the place, and knew no other home. He and Todd placed the baggage in the wagon, and then the cowboy swung himself into the saddle of his own steed, that had been brought to the station for him.
Just as the party was about to leave, a tall, thin, and well-dressed man dashed up, riding a coal-black steed. As he came closer Laura gave a start and motioned for Dave to come closer.
”Who is it?” asked Dave, in a low voice.
”That is Mr. Merwell,” answered his sister.
CHAPTER XI
THE ARRIVAL AT STAR RANCH
Mr. Felix Merwell bowed stiffly to Mr. Endicott, and, on seeing Laura, raised his hat slightly. Both of the others bowed in return. Then the eyes of the newcomer swept the vicinity of the little railroad station.
”See anything of my son, Link?” he asked, of Sid Todd.
”No, sir,” was the short reply. It was quite evident that the cowboy and the ranch owner were not on very friendly terms.
”Humph! I thought sure he'd be on this train,” muttered Mr. Merwell, to no one in particular. He looked at the boys. ”You came in on the train that just left, I suppose,” he said.
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