"Well, you may quit the firing line, Mac," said Hal quietly. "But I promised Ladd to have his scalp, and I'd hate to break a promise I'd made to Ladd."
"You ain't practical, either," shouted McShay. "That's the Injin in you."
And the parson was in a dilemma too. He didn't know whether to praise the boy for being honest or reprove him for being vindictive.
"Boss, Curley's come in with the mail," said Bill as he came to Hal and handed him a telegram. "Nuthin' but this."
Curley completely recovered, but minus a right arm, was now one of Hal's retainers, and like all converts he was a fanatic where the owner of the Red Butte Ranch was concerned.
"I hope it's news from Washington," said Hal. "No, it's from London."
It read: "Your father ill. Come back immediately. Rundall."
"It's from my father's physician," explained Hal, handing the cable to McCloud.
"And say, Boss," said Bill, trying to keep the worst news to the last, "Ladd's out here."
"Ain't a-losin' any time, is he?" commented McShay.