“You don't seem to fancy a fellow that can give you as good as you send,” Dick rejoined. “I thought you wouldn't find Keith such easy game, even if he does live on a cattle ranch. You can't rope him into making a fool of himself for your amusement, and I'm glad of it.”
“Don't do your shouting too soon. If you could overhear some of the things he says you wouldn't be so sure—”
“I suppose you take them all for their face value,” grinned Dick ironically.
“No, I don't! I'm not a simple country girl, let me remind you. Since you are so sure of him, I'll have the pleasure of saying, 'No, thank you, sir,' to your Keith Cameron—just to convince you I can.”
“Oh, you will! Well, you just tell me when you do, Trix, and I'll give you your pick of all the saddle horses on the ranch.”
“I'll take Rex, and you may as well consider him mine. Oh, you men! A few smiles, judiciously dispensed, and—” Beatrice smiled most exasperatingly at her brother, and Dick went moody and was very poor company the rest of the way home.
CHAPTER 10. Pine Ridge Range Ablaze.
At dusk that night a glow was in the southern sky, and the wind carried the pungent odor of burning grass. Dick went out on the porch after dinner, and sniffed the air uneasily.
“I don't much like the look of it,” he admitted to Sir Redmond. “It smells pretty strong, to be across the river. I sent a couple of the boys out to look a while ago. If it's this side of the river we'll have to get a move on.”