CHAPTER XI.
STRANGE PROCEEDINGS.
THE elder Texan turned to the boys and said:
“I must ask you to excuse Baker and me for a few minutes, while we discuss a little private business.”
It was a singular request, but Nick and Herbert nodded their heads. Striking their ponies into a quick gallop, the cowboys rode a hundred yards or so in advance, before bringing their animals down to a walk. The gait of the youths was the same.
The remark made by Strubell concerning Rickard, caused Herbert to ask what it meant. Nick told him the story, adding:
“They are talking now about him and the others: look at them!”
The Texans were certainly discussing some subject with great earnestness. Inasmuch as they kept glancing to the eastward, gesticulating and often pointing in that direction, there was little doubt that Nick was right in his surmise as to the theme of their conversation.
“I wonder what it can be,” said Herbert, after watching the couple, who modulated their voices so that not a word could be recognized; “it seems strange that they should treat the horse thief as a friend, when they know him to be an enemy.”
“Well, I have been trying to figure it out; I supposed they would make it clear to me, but though I heard them speak about it to each other this morning, they took care not to give me a word in the way of explanation. I shall not ask them, though I was never more curious to learn anything in all my life.”