"Well, Buck, I reckon I 'll leave you an' Ned to foller this. I got a feelin' I 'm wanted at th' ranch. So long." Hopalong rode off in obedience to one of the signals that had helped to simplify affairs among the Bar-20 punchers.
Buck had signified his desire for Hoppy's absence. He pushed Allday to the creek and set off at a lope. "Easy as follerin' a wagon, Ned," he remarked.
"Yep," agreed Ned.
"Stopped here," observed Buck. "Listenin', I reckon. Goin' slower, now."
"Some," replied Ned.
"Right smart jump acrost that creek," said Buck, questioningly.
"Uh-huh!" consented Ned, with non-committal brevity.
They rode a couple of miles before Buck hazarded another remark. "Seems like I oughta know that hoof," he complained. "Keeps a-lookin' more 'n more like I knowed it. Durn thing purty nigh talks."
Ned threw him a startled glance and then gazed steadily ahead. "Be at th' Jill in a minute," he announced.
"Yeah. Thought he was driftin' that-away. Lay you ten to two he don't jump th' Jill, Ned."