Part 19 (1/2)

”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 can help 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 the steed 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.”