“And cheat the government that hires them,” Scott exclaimed hotly.
The cowboy had turned his head to hide a smile. “There’s a lot of people around this country that considers cheating the government a pretty good part of their business, and the best payin’ part.”
“That business,” said Scott with determination as he strode over to where Jed was feeding near them and mounted him, “is just what I have come out here to stop, and you can tell Jed Clark so when you get back.”
“Of course it ain’t none of my business,” said the cowboy indifferently, “but Jed will have extras on here one way or another and if I was you I’d rather make something out of it than lose my job for it.”
“Maybe I am not going to do either,” Scott said quietly, and with the faintest trace of a bow he rode away on his trail patrol.
“Fool,” muttered the cowboy as he watched Scott out of sight. “He has plenty of nerve, but Jed will get his goat. Then maybe Heth will go in and we will have peace for a while.”
CHAPTER V
A DAY WITH THE SMALL RANCHERS
Scott was awakened the next morning by the rattle of dishes and found that Heth had breakfast all ready to go on the table. Whatever other shortcomings might be attributed to the guard he could hardly be called lazy. He never objected to any job that was assigned to him, was continually busy when around the camp, was up early and came in late. Scott recognized all this and realized the perfect knowledge that the man seemed to have of every phase of the forest work. He bounded out of bed thoroughly ashamed of himself.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Scott exclaimed.