Considerable time had been lost waiting for the train and because of the set-to with Merwell, and the sun was now going down over the mountains in the west, casting long shadows over the plains.
"You'll have a late supper to-night," said Todd, as they moved on at a brisk pace. "And I reckon you'll have an appetite for it. The way you polished off that cub was great!" And he shook his head enthusiastically.
"I wish you'd do me a favor, Todd," returned Dave.
"Sure thing, son. What do you want?"
"Please don't say too much at the ranch about the fight. I don't want to scare my sister and the other girls."
"Can't I tell the boys how you polished off young Merwell? Most of 'em will be glad to hear it."
"Well, don't say too much, that's all. If they learn that Link is on the watch to do harm, the girls will be almost too afraid to go out."
"Do you think that cub would be mean enough to harm the gals?"
"He'd be mean enough to scare them half to death."
"If he does that—well, I reckon I'll take a hand in lickin' him myself."