"Did he chase you far?" Hopalong queried.
"I'd like to see anybody chase me!"
Buck smiled. "How are things down here?"
Hopalong related what had occurred and the foreman nodded. "I'm going down to see Meeker—he's th' only man who can tell me what we're to look for. I don't want to keep so many men down here. Frenchy has got all he can handle, an' I want somebody up in Two. So long."
"Let me an' Red go with you, Buck," cried Hopalong.
"Me, too!" exclaimed Johnny, excitedly.
"You stay home, an' don't worry about me," replied the foreman, riding off.
"I don't like to see him go alone," Hopalong muttered. "He may get a raw deal down there. But if he does we'll wipe 'em off'n th' earth."
"Mamma! Look there!" softly cried Johnny, staring towards the other side of the plateau, where Mary Meeker rode past. Red and Skinny were astonished and Johnny and Hopalong pretended to be; but all removed their sombreros while she remained in sight. Johnny was watching Hopalong's face, but when Red glanced around he was staring over the hill.
"Gosh, ain't she a ripper!" he exclaimed softly.