"Thanks," said Jack, but from then on there was a better understanding between the cowboy and the three chums.
The boys mounted their horses, and, as Rattlesnake Jim put his to a gallop, they urged their steeds to greater speed. As Nat swung up along side of Jack he asked:
"What makes you so anxious about that old man?"
"Because I think he may know something of my father. Did you notice how excited he was about the ring? Well, that gave me a clue. He may be able to lead me to where my father is hiding. I must have a talk with him."
There was considerable activity about the range when the boys and their guide arrived. A score of the cowboys were coming in from distant runs anxious for supper. Horses were being tethered for the night. Half a dozen dogs were barking as though their lives depended on it. Here and there men were running about, some carrying saddies, others laden down with blankets, and some hopping around and firing off their revolvers in sheer good feeling.
From a little cabin a Chinese in the regulation blouse, with his queue tightly coiled about his head, came to the door.
"Wood-e!-Wood-e?" he called. "Me no glet glub me no got wood-e!"
"Get Chinky the cook some wood!" yelled a man who seemed to be a sort of overseer. One or two of the cowboys got up from the ground where they had thrown themselves and brought armsful to the cook's shanty.
"Here we are," called Rattlesnake Jim, as he and the boys rode into the midst of this excitement.
"Hello, Nat!" called a hearty voice. "Land alive, but I'm glad to see you!"