Lenning waved his hand. Then, the next moment, both horses were galloping along the trail toward Ophir.
“I’m pulling out of this a good deal better than I thought I would,” remarked Lenning. “I suppose I’ll have to get another job, though. Burke wouldn’t hold my place at the tanks for me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Frank answered. “Mr. Bradlaugh told Burke to give you the benefit of the doubt, and to let one of the mill hands fill in as night watchman until you come back.”
“Mr. Bradlaugh did that?”
“Sure! I was around when he gave orders to the super.”
“Then I’m mighty glad the general manager isn’t going to be disappointed in me,” Lenning said, with a good deal of feeling. “That ball game, last Saturday, made me a host of friends, Chip.”
“Good friends and true!” declared Frank. “By work like this, up Mohave Cañon, you’re making yourself solid with everybody, Jode.”
“Things looked pretty dark for me for a while.”
“I’ve heard folks tell that it’s always darkest just before day,” put in the cowboy. “That’s the case with you, I reckon, Lenning.”
It was a glorious morning. Arizona mornings, especially in early December, are always glorious. Southern Arizona has the finest climate in the world during the winter, and the finest part of every perfect day comes directly after sunrise.