"Well, we'll be there in five minutes more," said Billy, as he stretched out his arms, and playfully poked Andy in the ribs.
"Ouch! Quit that!" yelled the younger Racer lad. "But I don't see any ranch."
"You will as soon as we get up on the next rise," was the answer. "The hills hide the houses. There's some of our stock, though," and he waved toward a herd of cattle that was roaming over the prairie.
"Golly! What a lot of 'em!" exclaimed Frank.
"Oh, that's only a small bunch," replied Billy. "Wait until you see 'em all—but you can't—not at once, for they cover a big stretch."
The Racer boys were beginning to realize the extent of the Thornton ranch, and to get some idea of the immensity of the prairies which stretched out for miles and miles in every direction.
A little later, as the buckboard swung over the rise, there came into view a cluster of low buildings, and the cattle corrals that made up the Double X ranch.
"Here we are!" yelled Billy, and the next minute he had leaped from the seat and was racing toward the stables, calling: "Matt! I say, Matt! Where are you? Where's Buffalo?"
A short, squat figure of a man came out, a bridle dangling from his arm. At the sight of Billy he threw up his hands.
"Glory be!" he ejaculated. "It's Billy himself! Well, but I'm glad t' see you! It's been a long time you were away among them tenderfeet. An' so you're back. Buffalo is it? Sure an' he's as lonesome for you as I am myself. I'll trot him out," and, having shaken hands with the lad, the man turned back into the stable, to come out presently leading a black horse that whinnied with delight when Billy approached.