Part 31 (1/2)
”I don't say I think so, I only say it may be,” returned the youth from Crumville.
”If they are the horse-thieves, and we watch our chances, we may get the animals back!”
”Not unless it is a single thief, Phil. We don't want to run the risk of getting shot in the dark.”
”That's true.”
With great caution the two lads advanced along the muddy trail. As they got closer to the light they saw that it came from a log house, low and rambling. Not far away were several other buildings, and also a corral.
”We are on the right trail after all!” sang out the s.h.i.+powner's son, joyfully, and commenced to run at the best speed he could command.
”Hold on!” called Dave, but Phil was so eager to get to the house first that he paid no attention to the words. Not until he had reached the very piazza of the building did he pause to stare around him.
”Why, it's not Mr. Endicott's place at all!” he exclaimed.
He had made considerable noise ascending the piazza, and now a door was flung open, letting a stream of light flood his face, momentarily blinding him.
”h.e.l.lo! what do you want?” demanded a man Phil had never seen before.
”Why--er--what place is this?” stammered the youth, and as he asked the question Dave came up behind him.
”This is the Triple X Ranch,” was the man's answer.
”What! Mr. Merwell's place?” stammered Phil.
”That's it. Want to see him? Why, say, you're all out of wind,--anything wrong?”
”I--I didn't know this was the Merwell place,” murmured Phil. He knew not what else to say, he was so taken back.
”Who is that, Jerry?” asked another voice, and a moment later Felix Merwell stepped into view. As he saw Dave he scowled slightly.
”Why, Mr. Merwell, we--er----” commenced Phil, and then he looked at Dave.
”We were out and we lost our way in the darkness and got on the wrong trail,” said Dave, quickly. ”Will you be kind enough to direct us to the trail to Mr. Endicott's ranch?”
”Endicott's ranch is a good bit from here,” growled Felix Merwell.
”But, Dave----” interrupted Phil, when a meaning look from his chum silenced him.
”Haven't you got no hosses?” asked the man who had first come to the door.
”No, but we don't mind that,” said Dave. ”We can walk.”
”Jerry, show them the trail,” said Mr. Merwell, shortly, and turned his back on the boys.
The ranch hand came out without waiting to get his hat or coat, and walked to a point back of the corral.
”It's a long, lonely way,” he said, kindly. ”You ought to have horses.”
”How many miles?” asked Dave.