If the boys expected Gimp to make any observations on their elaborate traveling car they were disappointed. He said little or nothing on the trip.
“Here we are!” he exclaimed as they topped a little rise, and the boys looked down into a valley divided by a small stream and holding a collection of dull red buildings which they rightly guessed to be the Square Z outfit.
“Well, I see you got here!” was the greeting of foreman Dick Watson as the big car came to a stop.
“Then they’re all right?” asked Gimp, plainly a little surprised at this welcome, without the letters being read.
“Sure. Didn’t you think so? By the way, how comes it you’re not with the bunch?”
Gimp explained.
“Huh!” chuckled the foreman. “Took ’em for cattle thieves, eh? Yes, I been expectin’ ’em for some time. The boss wrote me as how they was comin’. If I’d a thought you fellows would ’a met-up with ’em, I’d ’a tipped you off. But it’s all right. I never seen you before, but I guess I can call you by name right off the bat,” and he did, to the no small amazement of Gimp.
“Your dad sent me pretty good descriptions of all of you,” he went on, speaking to Ned. “Well, you can tie your hosses—— Oh, shucks! I forgot you come in an automobile!” he laughed. “Well, we have a few out here but the crop ain’t very big yet. Come in and make yourselves comfortable.”
Frankly, the boys were just a bit disappointed by their reception and arrival. They had not created the furor they expected, and when dinner time came and half a score of cowboys flocked in to eat there was no curious crowd about the big automobile, as at least Ned had half expected. In fact, the arrival of the boys created very little impression.