"Sure," was the answer. "I wouldn't lose them," and with that Billy leaped from the steps and made a rush for his uncle. The manner in which the two clasped hands, and looked into each other's faces for a moment, showed how close was the bond of sympathy between them.
"Hello, Archie!" called Billy a moment later, as he swung over to the old cattleman. "How are you?"
"Oh, able to sit up and take nourishment," was the quiet answer. "So you got here safe?"
"Yes, after the railroad company tried to smash us," was the answer. "Now, Uncle Richfield, let me introduce the Racer boys to you. Here you are, Frank and Andy, this is my uncle that I've been telling you so much about."
"I hope he didn't give me a bad character," said Mr. Thornton, as he smiled and held out his hand to the two brothers.
"Well, we're used to Billy by this time, and we know how to take what he says," said Frank, with a smile.
"Ha! ha!" laughed the ranchman. "I guess they've got you there, Billy, my boy."
Then came introductions to the old cattleman, who sat in the buckboard waiting for the start to be made for the ranch. Frank and Andy liked him at once, as they did Mr. Thornton. There was a frank and hearty manner about the Westerners; an atmosphere that seemed to make friends at once, and the Racer boys felt that they were not among strangers.
"Well, how are things going, Uncle?" asked Billy, as soon as the introductions were over. "I've told the boys as much as I knew myself," he added. "I thought you'd want them to know, as long as they're going to help us."
"Of course," replied Mr. Thornton. "Well, I can't say that things are going any too well. I seem to strike a snag every now and then. Just as I think I've got a clear track I'm held up by some action on the part of this Shackmiller and his crowd. But you say he's laid up?"