"What! Mr. Merwell's place?" stammered Phil.
"That's it. Want to see him? Why, say, you're all out of wind,—anything wrong?"
"I—I didn't know this was the Merwell place," murmured Phil. He knew not what else to say, he was so taken back.
"Who is that, Jerry?" asked another voice, and a moment later Felix Merwell stepped into view. As he saw Dave he scowled slightly.
"Why, Mr. Merwell, we—er——" commenced Phil, and then he looked at Dave.
"We were out and we lost our way in the darkness and got on the wrong trail," said Dave, quickly. "Will you be kind enough to direct us to the trail to Mr. Endicott's ranch?"
"Endicott's ranch is a good bit from here," growled Felix Merwell.
"But, Dave——" interrupted Phil, when a meaning look from his chum silenced him.
"Haven't you got no hosses?" asked the man who had first come to the door.
"No, but we don't mind that," said Dave. "We can walk."