After talking the matter over among themselves, the boys decided to tell Mr. Endicott about the piece of Mexican halter they had picked up. He listened gravely to what they had to say, and looked at the bit of leather curiously.
"I am afraid it is not much in the way of evidence," said he. "But I'll remember it, and we'll have to watch Link Merwell—that is, as well as we can. There would be no gain in speaking to Mr. Merwell, it would only stir up the bad feeling that already exists. I understand that he has had an offer for his ranch from somebody in the East, and I trust he sells out and moves somewhere else."
"So do I," echoed Dave, heartily. "Some place where none of us will ever hear of him or his son again."
Two days after the shooting of the wildcat, Sid Todd announced that the cowboys of Star Ranch and Hooper Ranch, up the river, were going to hold a contest in "bronco-busting" and in fancy riding. All the young folks were invited to be present and a little stand was to be erected, from which they might view what was going on in comfort.
"Hurrah! that suits me!" cried Dave. "I've been wanting to see them break in a real bronco."
"And I want to see some of their fancy riding," added the senator's son. "It will be a real Wild West show."
"And no fifty cents admission, either," said Phil, with a grin.
"I hope nobody gets hurt," said Jessie, timidly.
"Oh, they are generally more careful than you think," answered Mr. Endicott.
"But bronco-busting is dangerous, isn't it?" questioned Laura.