Deciding that it was too late to go back after the deer, Angus headed for home. The sun was down when he struck into a wagon trail a couple of miles from the ranch, and he had followed it but a few hundred yards when he heard the sound of hoofs behind him. Turning in his saddle he recognized horse and rider which were overhauling him rapidly.
"What's the rush, Dave?" he asked as they drew level.
Whatever the rush had been it seemed to be over. The rider slowed to a walk. He was a small man, apparently in the forties, wiry and sun-dried. His name was Rennie, and he was nominally a homesteader, though he did little more than comply with the statutory requirements. In winter he trapped and in summer he turned his hand to almost anything. He was a wizard with horses, he knew the habits of most wild animals thoroughly and he had seen a great deal of the old West. He and young Mackay were friends, and he had taught the boy many things from his own store of experience. As he pulled up, the boy noted that Blaze's bright coat was dark with sweat and that his head hung wearily.
"You've been combing some speed out of that cayuse," he commented.
"He's been on grass and lathers easy," Rennie returned. "But I was—I was sorter lookin' for you, kid."
"Why?"
"Well, you see—your daddy he wants you."
"He knew I was hunting. I got a two-year old buck, but it was too late to pack him in. What does he want me for?"
The question seemed to embarrass Rennie exceedingly. He gulped and went into a fit of coughing which left him red in the face.
"He wants to talk to you," he replied at last. "He—he wants to tell you something, I guess. He—he ain't right well, your daddy ain't."