"If you don't mind, I'll go with you to the station," said Dave to the cowboy. "The ride would just suit me."
"Glad to have you along," answered Sid Todd. He had taken a strong fancy to the boys and to Dave in particular.
They were soon on their way, Todd carrying the mail in a bag slung over his horse's neck. Man and boy were in the best of spirits, and both made rapid time over the dusty roads.
"Maybe you'll meet a friend of yours at the station when the train comes in," said Todd.
"A friend? Who?" asked Dave.
"That Merwell boy. Yates heard he was coming to-day. One of the cowboys from Merwell's ranch said so."
"I don't know that I care to meet him," answered Dave. "He is no friend of mine."
"That boy ought to have his hide tanned good and proper," growled the cowboy. "He's been a sore spot here for years."
"Have you had trouble with him?"
"Yes, and so has everybody else on this ranch, and on his own ranch, too, for the matter of that. Not that he did anything very bad," continued Todd. "But it's jest his mean, measly ways. He don't know how to treat a hand civilly."