Part 23 (1/2)
”Sometimes, but not always. The old man knows that the boys won't stand for too much of that thing.”
”Who is at their ranch besides Mr. Merwell?”
”Oh, the regular hands, that's all.”
”No young folks?”
”No.”
”I should think it would be lonely for Link.”
”Maybe it is. But that ain't no reason why he should act so mean,” added Sid Todd.
”I should think he'd want to invite some of his friends to visit him.”
”Maybe Mr. Merwell don't want it. He's putty close, you must remember, and it costs money to entertain.”
”Well, I pity Link if he has got to stay there alone.”
”He don't stay all the time. He rides to town, and smokes and gambles, and gets into all sorts of trouble, and then he gets scared to death for fear the old man will find it out,” concluded Sid Todd.
They were soon at the station, and there found they would have to wait half an hour for the train to come in. Several cowboys were present and also a gentleman with a white, flowing beard.
”That is Mr. Hooper,” said Sid Todd. ”He owns a ranch up the river--the Bar X. He's a fine man.” And a few minutes later he introduced Dave to the ranch owner.
”Glad to know you,” said Mr. Hooper. ”I heard that my friend, Endicott, had a lot of boys and girls at his place. Tell Belle she must bring all of you over to my place some day.”
”Thank you, I will,” answered Dave.
”We haven't any boys and girls there, but I reckon we can give you a good time,” went on Mr. Hooper.
Among the cowboys at the station, Dave noticed one tall and particularly powerful fellow. His face looked somewhat familiar, and the Crumville youth wondered if he had met the man before.
”That is Hank Snogger, the fellow who left our place to work for Mr.
Merwell,” said Sid Todd, in a low voice.
”His face looks familiar to me, but I can't place him,” returned Dave.
”Did he come from the East?”
”I think he did, years ago. Think you know him?”
”It seems to me I've met him before--or met somebody that looked like him,” answered Dave, slowly. He was trying in vain to place those features.
”Don't you remember the name?”
”No.”